The Combined Lake Delhi Recreational Facility and Water Quality District
Board of Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, July 23, 2013 – 6:30 p.m.
Maquoketa Valley Middle School Conference Room
Delhi, IA
The meeting of the Combined Lake Delhi Recreational Facility and Water Quality District Board of Trustees was called to order by President Steve Leonard at 6:31 PM at the Maquoketa Valley Middle School Conference Room.
Trustees present: Leonard, Kramer, Peter, Davidson, Kray, Schneider and Burger
Trustees absent:
Visitors: Jim Locke,Pat Dede, Don Dede, Eve Peter, Marcheta Cooey Lux, Dave Larson, Amy Draker, Clint Houdek, Diane Bauers, Chris Stender, Mark Swift, Kevin Lund, Dorothy Thomas, Shirley Christiansen, Lou Christiansen, Sue Christiansen, Ken DeKlotz, Barb DeKlotz, Bill Hughes, Bonnie Hughes, Bob Galiher, Lola Galiher, Dan Staebell, Larry Sloan, Todd Gifford, Chuck Koelker, Pat Colgan, Chloe Colgan, John Hess
Agenda reviewed by Leonard. Motion made by Kramer to approve agenda, Davidson second. All ayes, motion passed.
Kray requested approval of minutes for 6/20/13 meeting. Schneider made motion to approve, Kramer second. All ayes, motion passed.
Kramer covered billings requiring approval for payment. Payments for the General Fund are Alliant Energy – $1.26; L&L Murphy Consulting – $2,000; Simmons Perrine – $3,014.43. Payments for the Bond Fund is $4250.57 for Simmons Perrine. Davidson made motion to approve all payments as presented, Burger second. All ayes, motion passed.
Kramer reviewed the financial report advising the General Fund had a beginning balance of $78,884.87 and an ending balance of $15,095.64. We just approved over $5000 for expenditures this month so that will take the General Fund to below $10,000 and we have no tax draws until August or September. Kramer has checked with Becker, County Auditor and we can do an intrafund transfer. The Bond fund expenses this month is the recent acquisition of land and we show a balance of $5,697,427.60. Burger made motion to receive and file the financial report, Kramer second. All ayes, motion passed.
Davidson discussed bids for getting rid of buildings on the recent properties we purchased – Peck, Wright and Wiersma. The combined quote from Randy Harbach is $5950. He also received a quote from Gudenkauf Tiling and Excavating for $6800. Leonard has a verbal quote from another contractor who will remove all of the buildings at no cost as long as he can keep the materials, however, he does not have a license or insurance currently and is not bonded. Davidson made motion to accept Randy Harbach estimates, second by Burger. Peter indicated the state has to do an asbestos inspection and a contractor approved by the state needs to do the inspection. Peter asked County Engineer if it is the contractor’s responsibiility to work through. Davidson said he thought the trustees would have to handle the asbestos issue. Kray said she thinks should have just one contractor work the demolition and take care of any asbestos issues. The estimate for just the paperwork for the state is $500. Leonard asked how soon the work could be done. Davidson indicated Harbach said he could do it in a day. Peter said there is a requirement for a 2 week waiting period after the inspection. Kramer amended the motion to go back to bidders and request them to add asbestos removal to their bids, Burger second. We will table this for now. Davidson will get back to both contractors.
The reimbursement letter from the DNR was discussed by Leonard. George Antoniou is the DNR employee who asked for the letter that he has a record of our approval each time we request funds from the state. Hatala reviewed the letter and saw no issues. Davdison made motion to approve, Burger second. Leonard read the letter. All ayes, moiton passed.
Kray discussed weed and tree removal of the lake bed. She has had discussions with the DNR and 3 companies, Three Rivers, Crop Production Services and Klinkenborg Aerial Services that do spraying. All of the parties indicated that we need to do something with the trees because the larger they get the harder they will be to remove and kill. Kray explained how all 3 companies discussed how they would handle the spraying, some using helicopters, others possibly using booms on the actual river bed. Davidson believes if we aerial spray that drift will be an issue. Schneider said he doesn’t think booms can work because of debris still existing in the lake bed after the last flood event. He thinks ATVs with a sprayer would provide a tighter spray. Schneider and Kray will discuss this with the DNR and get best time to do the spray. Kray and Schneider will start a committee of property owners and research best practice. They will contact road association presidents to see what is happening in each neighborhood. Maggie has a list of road associations and will have information on how things are being done in each area.
Committee updates – Finance – nothing to update
FEMA – the lastest update was given in the latest update of the Lake Delhi Voice which was created by Todd Gifford. Leonard reviewed past history with the ineligible issues and the appeal process which was approved in Washington, DC and made the District an eligible applicant in Sept. 2012. The District then submitted project worksheets, which is the FEMA process, requesting work/repair that needs to be done. We were working with a FEMA Project Manager for the last several months to get them up to speed on our project, however a new Project Manager was just assigned. We will need to review our project with the new FEMA personnel. It is our understanding no construction can start until we have our federal permit. The Emergency Action Plan and drawings are being worked on for the state permit.
Property Management – Peter attended a County meeting where he heard complaints about an email from Jones County Conservation about the debris that comes down from Lake Delhi. Peter believes they don’t understand all the work we have done regarding clean up. There is a new person now at the Jones County Conservation Board and it may be good for the District to contact them and just have a discussion.
Public comment – Bob Galiher said the financial report mentioned purchase of property and asked what was purchased. Leonard advised the Wright and Wiersma properties. These were independently owned and Stanley told us we needed those properties for construction.
John Hess said he is hiring someone to improve his lake front and will have them take care of his weeds at that time.
Dave Larson said he believes if we burn in the spring and the fire is hot enough it will kill the bark and kill the trees. Kray will ask the DNR if this would work.
Jim Locke said he had a conversation with Delaware County Conservation and they said they would help us with a controlled burn.
Locke also asked what is supposed to happen to the silt behind the Quaker Mill Dam if they remove it. Leonard said Hawker submitted his plan to the County Supervisors and they are reviewing the plan. Leonard asked the Supervisors to advise of their plan for the siltation before they remove the dam.
Chuck Koelker asked if we had any plans for sawing off old stumps and that he is planning to see if can do the ones in front of his property.
Diane Bauer reminded all that we have received money from Rockwell for clean up. Locke said he hasn’t talked to Brian Hughes recently. The LDRA had to commit $2500 for matching funds for the Rockwell grant.
Bob Galiher said Brooks Ante purchased the Peck business and wants people to know if they have a boat stored there it is okay to keep it there and that they can now contact him.
August 11, 2013 is the annual meeting of the LDRA. It is being held at the Heritage Bank conference room.
Leonard thanked all who participated and voted in the last election. We say farewell to Larry Peter who decided not to run again. He brought a lot of expertise and knowledget to the board and we are hoping he will stay active on the dam construction committee and assist Pat Colgan. The results of the election were that Lamont Davidson was re-elected and Todd Gifford won election as a new trustee and their 3 year terms begin as of August 1, 2013.
Schneider made motion to go into closed session to discuss strategy and negotiations regarding a settlement agreement with DCCI in accordance to Iowa Code Section 21.5 (1) (c). Individual roll call requested, all ayes, motion passed.
Motion to adjourn by Burger, second by Kramer. All ayes, motion passed.