Horseshoe Lake Improvement Association

General Meeting Minutes
July 12, 2008

President Steve Eichman called the mid-summer meeting to order at 9:30 AM.

Thank you for the best attendance EVER at this mid-summer time. The secretary and treasurer's reports were approved as written.

Handouts at the door (attached to these minutes) stressed the focus of this meeting on our efforts to control exotic weeds, and summarized the points of Pam's presentation.

President Steve Eichman reported that he and Gary Burman found water clarity of 16.5 feet on May 31, and 13.5 on June 28. The next test will be on July 19. Anyone interested in helping with these water tests should contact Steve or Gary.

The town board will vote on our request for a lockbox requesting donations at the landing. Bill Koser will attend that meeting on July 22.

Pam Nelson, Nasty Weed Coordinator, gave a thoughtful presentation of the monies that we must spend for the 50/50 grant we have been awarded. This is an "Early Response" grant, and only in effect if our weeds are controlled to less than 5% of lake acreage. Pam answered many questions. Many were concerned about the expensive Plant Management Plan, which is actually required to receive (and continue to receive) DNR financial support. The Board foresees that we will need to raise about $10,000 for the current grant--$900 by August 15 and $8000 by October 1.

How can we raise money?
Steve Hanson, a new member, offered to match the first ten donations of $50 to the fund. Later in the meeting, he repeated his offer. It cost Steve $1000 - and we thank him for helping to raise $3850 at this meeting alone. (Cash and checks were flying to our table so fast that Craig and I had trouble recording who was giving what! Please know that all members thank you all profusely.)

We will be asking all lakeshore residents to donate $50 or more to the milfoil fund. Paul Beecroft is preparing a mailing to everyone on the lake who is not a member: everyone who uses Horseshoe Lake has a stake in keeping it weed-free. We also need to increase our membership-if you have neighbors who are not members, please encourage them to join. This is the most serious issue we have faced - and we want to WIN! Dan Sather (our great Honor Society volunteer last year) is also willing to distribute fliers to non-members, asking for their support. Al Spatenka will contact the counties, asking for their support.

We have not received all of the funds under our first Rapid Response Grant. (Monitoring the boat landing.) Many of you said you had volunteered hours that had not been recorded. Sam is taking over submitting data for this grant; if you questioned whether your hours had been counted, please contact her.

We are considering a raffle and/or silent auction at the picnic. It is our understanding that we do not need a license if the raffle is for members only. Any legal minds out there who can advise on this? Craig Nackerud is chairing, and we already have donations that include a sailboat and a plane ride. If you have items to donate, please contact Craig.

Thank you for filling all the openings on the "Help Needed" list. Please see the attached copy. Under "Help Needed" the blanks were filled as people volunteered during the meeting.

The picnic is Saturday, August 30, at 11:00 Am at the Turtle Lake Park. A sign-up is included in this mailing. Tom Klinger is in charge of corn; John Stary, brats; Art, Jack & Bob, beer & pop; Thiets, nametags; Larry Hart, set-up, and Steve, cleanup. We will be asking for a free-will donation for the milfoil fund at this picnic - come prepared.

The meeting adjourned at 11:15 AM.

Respectfully submitted,
Sam Lindquist, Secretary

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