Your Foundation

62^st ANNUAL MEETING

July 16, 2011
P.O. Box 125

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order at 7 :30 pm by Ed Mulkeam, President. A quorum was declared present to conduct business.

Welcome and Introduction of Board Members:

President Mulkearn welcomed all in attendance to the 61 st annual meeting. He then introduced the board members in attendance. Board members present were: Dennis Brumagin, Dave Calvert, Marge Freund, Scott Henry, Don Keppel, Ed Mulkearn, Mary Proctor, Tom Roche, Marci Schwab, and Dick Watrous.
Absent was: Rick Vonk

Presentation of Appreciation:

Ed Mulkearn presented a Certificate of Appreciation and a Waldemeer Park gift certificate to Bill Boria to acknowledge his excellent work in renovation of the small island this past fall. Bill thanked the Watershed Foundation members for the gesture and gift, and for supporting the project by assisting with the timely acquisition of the rocks. He shared a note of thanks written by his granddaughter, Crystal.

Minutes of the 2009 Annual Meeting:

By motion from the floor, minutes from the previous annual meeting were approved as presented.

Treasurer's Report:

The Treasurer's report as included in the meeting hand-out materials was approved.

A status update was requested on the grant repayment due from the Findley Lake Nature Center. Bill Boria reported that the voucher has been submitted for payment and the check is expected to be received in 4-6 weeks.

President's Report:

Ed Mulkeam presented the president's report.

Committee Reports:

LAKE MANAGEMENT

• Ed Mulkeam reported that Dave VanEarden has agreed to chair the Lake Management committee even though he is not a resident of Mina.
• Ed noted that the pusillus weed is very heavy this year and that this is a native species.
• Ed also noted that Bob Johnson from Cornel University has recommended maintaining an inventory of weeds, along with a record of the transition of the weed population over time.  We have already noticed shifts in the density of different weed varieties as the harvesting process has continued over several years.

MEMBERSHIP

• Marci Schwab reported a total of 145 membership units for this year including both permanent and annual members.
• Marci noted that two letters were sent by US mail during the year. She also noted that membership forms are available on the FL WF website.
• Marci requested that members provide email addresses to update Foundation membership records.

BUILDING & GROUNDS

• Dick Watrous reported the stump removal project is now complete. Over 750 stumps have been removed over the past three years.
• Marty Proctor reported an update on the plan for adding lights to the town park (three [3] lights in the perimeter and one [1] at the gazebo). Marty noted that this is a joint venture with the Findley Lake Chamber of Commerce to improve the downtown appearance.
• Marty also reported on the plan to place a webcam on the gazebo which will be linked to the website.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Tom Roche expressed thanks to Jeff Homer for his work on the newsletter, the FindleyLaker.
• Tom reported the long term plan to convert to website news as the primary means to disseminate information.
• Tom also requested members to provide email addresses to assist in this venture.

HARVESTER

• Ed Mulkeam reported that there have been some challenges with the harvesting secondary to some mechanical breakdowns and the types of weeds dominating this year. He noted that the learning curve of operation is improving with time.
• Ed reported that the season is "going well" with 35 - 40 loads of weeds being hauled in June, 2010.
• Dennis Luce noted that the FLWF was fortunate that when the mechanical problems occurred, we were not in peak need time for harvesting.
• Dennis stated that two weeks prior to the July Fourth holiday, the weed population was large and that by the July Fourth holiday the status was well controlled. He also noted that the quantity of weeds is beginning to decline for the season.
• Dennis also noted that the algae bloom is starting and will probably be at its peak in about two weeks.

FISHERY

• Scott Henry reported that stocking of standard muskellunge will be started again this year. The sterile hybrid tiger muskie has been the only muskellunge stocked in Findley Lake for a number of years.
• Scott also encouraged “catch and release” fishing in the lake to increase the various fish populations. Return of the larger fish is an asset to the successful reproduction of the existing fish population, since stocked fish are young and not yet breeding stock. He has placed signs at various locations around the lake to promote the concept.
• Scott also noted that about 15 years ago, chemical application had killed a number of  standard muskies. Fish varieties including walleye, bass, northern pike and tiger muskie were also impacted to a lesser degree.
  
• Scott observed that the change in the weed population is also affecting the fish variety populations.

New Business:

CONSIDERATION FOR BYLAWS REVISION

• Ed Mulkeam presented to the membership a request to consider a change in the requirement for residency in the Town of Mina for persons to join the Findley Lake Watershed Foundation (FL WF). Ed noted that Peak'n Peak residents, Paradise Bay campers and Mercyhurst College all have an interest in Findley Lake, but technically do not meet the residency requirement.
• DonnaBeth Luce moved to drop the clause requiring owning property in the Town of Mina as a requirementfor membership in the FLWF. The motion was seconded by Bill L 'Esperance. Extensive discussion took place regarding this motion, including the possibility of establishing a separate class of membership for non-residents. It was also noted that there are 194 lakefront cottages, of which 40% participate in the FLWF.
• Further, Rebecca Brumagin reminded all present that notice of possible bylaws changes must be made in advance of the meeting in order to allow a vote on any changes.
• After some additional discussion, a call was made to vote on the motion. The motion was DEFEATED by a majority vote.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

• Ed Mulkeam announced there are three (3) incumbent directors up for re­election: Marge Freund, Dave Calvert and Scott Henry.
• M: Dick Watrous moved to re-elect the three (3) incumbent directors: Marge Freund, Dave Calvert and Scott Henry. Marty Proctor seconded the motion. Rebecca Brumagin moved to close the nominations, with a second coming from the floor. Without further discussion, the election of the incumbent directors was PASSED unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Adjournment:

The business meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Marjorie Freund Secretary

Following the adjournment of the business meeting presentations were made by:

1. Bill Culligan from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), State of New York, Lake Erie Division - - “Update on the Findley Lake Fishery”.

• Bill stated that the goal for fishery is to focus on a balance for fish and fish habitat with boating and recreation concerns.
•  Bill noted that Findley Lake is "good" for bass (both large & small mouth) with little maintenance effort.
• He reported the plan to stock about 1500 standard muskie per year to Findley Lake.
• Bill also noted that northern pike need seasonally flooded wetlands in the spring to spawn. This condition is marginal in Findley Lake.

2. Sheriff Tom Koss -- "Safe Boating Operations, Navigation Regulations and Enforcement for Findley Lake"

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