The Combined Lake Delhi Recreational Facility and Water Quality District
Thursday, August 20, 2020
6:30 pm
210 South St.
Delhi, IA 52223
The regular meeting of the Combined Lake Delhi Recreational Facility and Water Quality District was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Dan Staebell.
Present: Staebell, Herman, Burger, Althoff, Jasper, Scherrman and Leonard
Absent: None
Visitors: Ed Schmidt, Kelly McManus, AJ Peters, Dan Reyner, Larry Aschbrenner and Randy Rattenborg
Staebell asked for a motion to approve the meeting agenda. A motion was made by Burger, seconded by Leonard. Motion carried.
An election of officers was held. Burger motion to elect Herman as President, Staebell seconded the motion. Motion carried. Burger motion to elect Althoff as Vice-President, Herman seconded the motion. Motion carried. Staebell motioned to elect Burger as Secretary/Treasurer. Scherrman seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting was made by Scherrman, second by Althoff. Motion carried.
Claims were presented for payment in the amount of $7,710.68 from the General Fund for electricity, internet services, beach maintenance, dam operation services, copier expense, clerical expense and election expense. A motion was made by Staebell to accept the claims as presented. Seconded by Burger. Motion carried.
July financial reports were presented. The General Fund had revenues of $1,919.99 from Delaware County. Expenditures for July were $9,830.53 ending July at $1,973,174.48. The Debt Service Fund had revenues of $15.22 from Delaware County and no expenditures ending July at $39,590.89. The Dam Improvement Fund had no new revenues and no expenditures ending July with a $40,000.00 balance. A motion was made by Leonard to receive and file the July financial report. Scherrman seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The Board discussed a proposed contract with their current lobbyists, L & L Consulting. After much discussion, as motion was made by Leonard, seconded by Burger to approve a contract that would pay a monthly rate of $500.00 for July through December and a monthly rate of $2,000.00 for the months of January through June when the legislature is in session. It was also requested that the lobbyists report more frequently to the board and that the contract would be subject to a 60 day notice of cancellation by either party. A roll call vote was taken. All ayes except for Herman and Staebell who voted no. Motion carried.
A proposal was presented by AJ Peters requesting permission to put a mobile mini-storage shed on Lost Beach during the summer months when he is selling merchandise such as t-shirts, koozies, etc. Because of the amount of inventory he carries a shed would allow him to leave the merchandise in the shed during the summer months and also allow him to increase his inventory. He noted that he gives a percentage of his profit to the LDRA. Leonard suggested to the board that before any decision is made he would like to meet with other members of the LDRA to develop a strategy in place for dealing with other potential vendors and discuss issues surrounding allowing structures on district property. Jasper suggested that there should be discussion on how many vendors should be allowed on the beach. Staebell made a motion to table any action and wait for a report from the LDRA. Leonard seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The next agenda item was regarding repairs to the Scada (old LDRA) Office. The trustees have been notified by the Maquoketa Valley School District that they will be renting the current office used by the trustees to the Keystone AEA. Because of this, the need to relocate to the Scada office will be necessary. Several trustees reviewed the property and noted that some repairs will be needed before the building could be used to hold meetings. Staebell and Herman have worked on seeking contractors for flooring and inside/outside construction work. Staebell made a motion to defer until the next meeting. Leonard seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Dan Reyner and Kelly McManus from the LDRA were present to discuss concerns regarding beach maintenance and a request for a dredge loan review. First on the list were concerns about Lost Beach. Reyner stated that an LDRA member is willing to bring in sand for Lost Beach and that there’s a guy from Maquoketa that has a screen machine that can filter out the rock on the beach. The cost is $500/day with an expectation of two days work. The LDRA is willing to kick in $1,000 and October would be the timeframe for the project. He also stated that he thinks North Beach might also benefit from using the equipment. The idea would be to go down 18” to remove rock and then sand would be brought in. He has people who are willing to volunteer their service and equipment.
Reyner also noted that the maintenance on Lost beach has not been good. Weeds have not been knocked down. Pickup of material is spotty. Burger said there had been a misunderstanding of what work was going to be done between Rich Hughes and Stender Landscaping and things should improve. It was noted that there are lots of weeds at the Scada office as well as steel posts that were left from fencing that need to be pulled.
Next, Reyner noted there are several areas on the lake that need dredging and that is a concern because the LDRA still has a dredge payment. Burger stated that he and Herman plan to meet with the bank regarding the dredge loan. He is hoping to negotiate a lower interest rate and possible pay off some of the debt. Paying off the entire debt is not an option at this time. McManus expressed concern about areas where siltation has come in to the lake. She noted that the Delhi Fire Department did sonar mapping after the ice jam of 2019 and suggested that information could be used going forward to note where siltation is coming in. Leonard noted the trustees did a complete lidar mapping of the lake right before the lake was filled in 2016.
Reyner stated the LDRA would like to help develop a 2-3 page document with lake practices that would be provided to new homeowners and those not familiar with lake practices. The thought was that it could be provided as a hard document or published on the Trustee website. It was also suggested that the document be provided at road association meetings. Jasper noted that years back there was a document that was provided to homeowners with a list of rules for operating on the lake. Reyner stated the LDRA would be interested in leading the efforts to develop the document.
Reyner expressed concern about the lack of enforcement on the lake by the DNR and the Delaware Co. Sheriff’s Department. He noted that while driving the judges for Christmas on the Lake there were lots of violations including no lights, boats passing on the right and left, jet skiers going way to fast for that time of day, etc. Herman and Leonard stated that the best source for enforcement is Delaware County. Leonard stated he would reach out to the sheriff’s office to see about getting more enforcement.
Reyner said he had gotten feedback after the August 15th fireworks that the fireworks at Hickory Hollow on July 4th were better. He asked the person who provided those fireworks to come to the meeting to discuss giving him the opportunity to provide lake fireworks in the future but he was unable to make it to the meeting. Reyner expressed concern because with the current vendor we know their license and insurance is up-to-date and we know they put on a good show. The general thought of the trustees is that they are happy with the current vendor and the quality of their work. McManus asked why both the LDRA and the trustees are involved in the fireworks contract. Herman stated that the trustees provide the liability insurance for the fireworks and that’s why they sign the contract. That’s their only involvement.
Reyner gave an update on the fundraising. Next year’s events are already covered by business donations, personal donations and tumbler sales. He also noted that the LDRA is also giving back to local clubs.
Reyner gave an update on Christmas on the Lake and possible changes for next year.
The LDRA reached to the Hunt family about ideas to honor their son, Teige, would passed away from a lake accident. More information will be coming.
Reyner suggested that it would be good to have some place on the lake where there could be a message board to promote lake events. The thought was to have it on the Hartwick Bridge knowing permission would need to come from the county supervisors. Other options were discussed.
Herman handed out committee assignments for 2020/2021. A motion was made by Leonard, second by Staeball to accept assignments. Motion carried.
Committee Updates:
Water Quality – Herman stated that water testing will be starting in 2021.
Community Quality of Life – Leonard gave an update on the Wall of Recognition. Several factors have caused a delay in building the wall. Culvers out of Cedar Rapids is the contractor. Between Covid-19 and the derecho that struck Cedar Rapids on August 10th has caused multiple problems. Leonard stated he will be working with them throughout the fall and winter in hopes of getting construction started next year.
Property, Assets & Dam – Herman noted an agreement was reach with FEMA for 2008. The District will give an easement to over part of the grounds of the dredge site. Because the MOA was approved, the District received a check for about $11,000 for a settlement. Staebell brought a concern by a resident regarding the negative affect of high waves. Herman stated he would respond to the concerns. Staebell also noted that he received an email from Jeff Domeyer and Chad Moorman who recently purchased property across from Hickory Hollow and includes Injun Joe. Domeyer asked if the District would be interested in taking the portion of property that includes Injun Joe. Staebell suggested this be put on next month’s agenda.
Public Comment: Aschbrenner asked who owned the Injun Joe property prior to the sale. It was noted that a family from Cedar Rapids owned it for years.
Aschbrenner noted that Marty Pottebaum did an excellent job of clearing out the spillway.
Burger stated that he had had conversations with members of the Delhi Fire Department on getting better access from the north side of the dam after the recent drowning. Different options are being explored.
Althoff noted that the Scada computer has been updated. Randy Rattenborg gave an update on the new proposed security camera and noted there are some issues because of lack of lighting in some areas. Althoff suggested the Board put out an RFP for release noting the cost is based on the number of cameras to be purchased. After some discussion Herman said he would be will to work with Rattenborg to develop an RFP that would go out and then those bids would be available for the next board meeting.
Rattenborg also requested that the Board get some sort of rack system for the computers at the Scada Office since it will soon be used for board meetings. This would provide a more secure environment for the system.
A motion to adjourn was made by Burger, second by Scherrman. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.