The Combined Lake Delhi Recreational Facility and Water Quality District
Thursday, February 21, 2019
6:30 pm
Lake Delhi Trustees Administration Building
Delhi, IA
The regular meeting of the Combined Lake Delhi Recreational Facility and Water Quality District was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Staebell
Trustees present: Davidson and Staebell. Herman arrived at 6:40. Gifford, Havertape, Burger and Leonard by phone.
Trustees absent: None
Visitors: Brian Soenen from Iowa Project Aware, Craig Burell from the Manchester Press/Dyersville Commerical and Larry Aschbrenner
Motion to approve the meeting agenda as read was made by Davidson, seconded by Burger. Motion carried.
Motion to approve the minutes of previous meetings was made by Havertape, seconded by Burger. Motion carried.
Claims were presented for payment in the amount of $9,155.30 from the General Fund for electricity, LP gas, internet services, dam operation services, printer maintenance, lobbyist expense, clerical expense and miscellaneous supplies. Davidson motioned to approve the claims for payment as read, Gifford seconded. Motion carried.
January financial reports were presented. The General Fund had revenues of $4,967.04 from Delaware County and expenditures of $15,856.54 ending December at $1,814,976.19. The Debt Service Fund had revenues of $3,439.93 from Delaware County and no expenditures, ending January at $73,014.92. The Dam Improvement Fund had no revenues or expenditures and ended January with a $20,000.00 balance. Herman motioned to receive and file the financial reports as read, Davidson seconded. Motion carried.
Before introducing Brian Soenen from Iowa Project Aware, Staebell gave some background regarding the donation made by the Lake Delhi Trustees to Iowa Project Aware. With work on the Maquoketa River completed in July, 2018, one of the volunteers for Project Aware, Doug, Hawker, came to the Board and asked them to consider a donation to Project Aware for all the work that had been done. Official action was taken in October, 2018 and the Board approved a donation in the amount of $15,000 to Project Aware. He also noted that the Trustees reached out to Lake Delhi neighborhoods and road associations requesting them to consider making a donation in support of the program. To date at least three or more neighborhoods have made a donation or pledge with others indicating they would put on the agenda at the annual meeting this summer. Staebell stated that in visiting with Brian, it was agreed that Lake Delhi’s $15,000 contribution would be listed as a Platinum Paddle Sponsor ($3,000/yr.) for the next five years. This action by Project Aware will reiterate to future Iowa rivers, sponsors and volunteers as a show of Lake Delhi’s appreciate and commitment to water quality and environmental stewardship.
Brian Soenen, from Iowa Project Aware, gave a brief background of Project Aware. He has been with the program since 2003. The goal of the project was to travel all over the state to work on various river projects and show the diversity of the State of Iowa. The project started with 18-20 volunteers in 2003 and has greatly expanded since that time. The annual project is supported completely by volunteers and donations. He thanked the Trustees for their generous support to Project Aware.
Staebell reminded the Trustees that the public hearing for approval of the FY20 budget is Wednesday, March 6th at 5:30.
The next agenda item was consideration and possible action on a request to the Community Fund to Rebuild Lake Delhi for reimbursement of $138,599.19 for work on the drainage project south of the dam and rip rap work on the north side of the dam. Herman made a motion to make the request, second by Burger. Motion carried.
It was noted that a quote had been received by Superior Crane to move controls on the dam site. Staebell stated both Randy Rattenborg and Pat Colgan provided input regarding the quote which is in the amount of $34, 728.00. Davidson made a motion to table any action on accepting the quote until more information could be gathered from Burrington Group and Pat Colgan. Herman seconded the motion. Leonard asked Davidson if the Dam Operations Committee had had a chance to review the quote. Davidson commented that the committee had not reviewed this onsite and had not met with Burrington Group to have an in-depth discussion regarding the quote. Staebell noted that he is working with Burrington Group to schedule a time to do an on-site review. Staebell asked for a vote on the motion to table any action. All ayes. Motion carried.
The Board considered the purchase of scaffolding for use on the dam. Staebell noted that Randy Rattenborg from Burrington Group has provided two quotes from Fannon Welding and Palmer Hardware. Previously some work on the dam required the use of a ladder which is not only cumbersome but potentially dangerous. The quote from Fannon Welding was for $800.00. The quote from Palmer Hardware was for $1,470.00. After review of the quotes, a motion was made by Herman to approve the Fannon Welding quote contingent upon having Randy Rattenborg verify that both quotes were for an “apples to apples” product. Davidson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Committee Updates: Before the updates, Staebell provided information regarding actual committee goals for the coming year and possibly developing five year goals.
Water Quality & Sediment Control – Leonard mentioned that there will be an annual meeting of the Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority Board of Directors on February 26th, 2019. After that meeting there will be discussion of future goals.
Community Quality & Life – Gifford stated the committee is committed to getting the Wall of Recognition done in 2019.
Staebell asked Gifford to give a brief update on potential legislation supporting the Iowa Water and Land Legacy that proposes 3/8th of a cent increase in the sales tax for water quality purposes. Gifford stated that our lobbyists are looking for direction from the Trustees to let them know if they would support the legislation. This would raise approximately $180 million dollars for conservation and outdoor recreation programs in Iowa and it would be a great opportunity for large scale public recreation venues like Lake Delhi for future projects. The general consensus of the Board was that the proposed legislation would have a positive impact on lake Delhi. Since this was not an agenda item no action was taken but it was suggested to have it on next month’s agenda.
Property Assets & Dam Committee – Davidson commented that during the two years of operation it’s been a learning experience for everyone. He commented that working with Burrington Group has been going well. There was a recent issue with the Hotsy but that has been resolved. He expressed concern that with all the snow we’ve had this year we need to be prepared for flooding. It’s something the committee and Burrington Group are prepping for. Burger expressed concern about potential ice damage and asked the team keep that in mind.
Finance & Budget – Burger stated that the proposed budget has been sent out to all the trustees for review and feedback was taken into consideration for the final draft that will be presented on March 6th.
Public Comment: Aschbrenner asked what the scaffolding would be used for. Davidson stated it will be located on the upper deck for use when working on the actuators.
There being no other comments, a motion was made by Davidson, second by Herman to adjourn. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.