Fish Lake Conservancy District
				Board of Directors Meeting
				April 18, 2009

Chairman Tom Churchman called the Board of Directors meeting to order at 9:01 AM. Roll call was taken with all board members present. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Vice Chairman Jon Dittmar asked for the planning report to be given before the Attorney Report.

Chairman asked for a motion to approve the Agenda. Larry Wood made a motion and Jon Dittmar seconded. Motion carried.

Chairman asked for a motion to approve the Annual Meeting Minutes and the February 28th board of Directors Meeting Minutes with two notes: under planning  - change to read "curly leaf pond weed" (not curly willow) and under open meeting - add to Kelly Taulbee's comment .... "According to the law, " like mosquito control. Motion was made by Jon Dittmar and seconded by Larry Wysocki to approve these minutes. Motion carried.

Claims: 1. Tom Churchman: $11.65 (Office Supplies and postage)
Motion was made by Kelly Taulbee and seconded by Jon Dittmar to pay. Motion carried.

2. Attorney Fees/ Blachly, Tabor, Bozik and Hartman, LLC: $4,485.00 (December 1, 2008 - April 15, 2009) Line #3110 (legal). Motion was made by Kelly Taulbee and seconded by Jon Dittmar to pay. Motion carried.

Reports: (Changed line-up of reports because the three vendors present for weed control info needed to leave ASAP to attend a conference.)
Planning: (Jon Dittmar) Jon Dittmar sent out five requests for weed control bids, and received three bids back. These three weed control contractors are present today, and each will give a report.

Jim Donahue/ Aquatic Weed Control
Scott Banfield/ Aquatic Enhancement
Tony Cunningham/ Weed Control, Inc.

Jon Dittmar had asked for proposals on milfoil and curly leaf pond weed. He also asked for a separate proposal to kill some native weeds - in a limited control application.

The first application was Jim Donahoe from Aquatic Weed Control. He is licensed, from Goshen area and been in the business for 22 years. Chairman Churchman asked him if he could work within our budget of $44,000.00 and he said "Yes." Jon Dittmar stated there were approximately 0 acres of curly leaf and 80 acres of milfoil to treat. Mr Donahoe was asked if he could treat vallisneria (eel grass), and he said if treated, would probably require two treatments.

Next up was Tony Cunningham from Weed Control, Inc., who did our weed control for 10 years. He said they came to the lake to see what was required before treating and also came back to check after the treatments. Tony reported that he was recently purchased by a company from Illinois - "Clark Industries"/ Clark Industries has 456 mosquito control companies - the largest in the U.S. He stated that there will now be newer equipment and more of it! In regard to treating vallisneria, he stated that smaller the area of this treatment, the harder it is to kill.

Tony said there are three new products ready to be registered, possibly for 2010, and at least one would be new option for our lake, and quite possibly less expensive. 

The last application was Scott Banfield from Aquatic Enhancement, who treated our lake last year. He has been at Aquatic Enhancement since 1996 and initially with the DNR for 19 years. He gave 5 areas of treatment. 1. Curly Lead pond weed - comes up in early April and should be treated when the water is 50 - 55 degrees. 2. Eurasian water milfoil - 2 options of treatment. 3. Chara (algae) - a fourth treatment for this, if budget allows. 4. Miscellaneous native weeds. 5. Vallisneria - need a special permit to treat and IN DNR usually doe snot like to treat, but perhaps a permit to treat about 15 acres could be obtained.

Total: 10 acres native weed and 3 acres Chara

Attorney Report: Mr. Hollenbeck
Mr. Hollenbeck received a call from LaPorte Auditor's Office to pick up a check for $86,913.86. Gave check to Larry Wood to endorse and deposit.

Report: General Fund $76,484.20 / Cumulative Fund $10,429.66
Total: $86,913.86

Proposal was for $94,750.00. Balance will be issued after reconciliation final tax bill sent out - which we have no idea of date.

Regarding Marilyn and Robert Plank - on Taylor Road - and neighbor of Nancy Morgan. They also have a problem with not being in the Conservancy District. She will give a copy of her tax bill to lawyer to see what can be done. J.F. New will have to give an opinion as to if they are in or out of the district. 

James Quinn - a neighbor of Ed Holiday - had has two acres on 925 E. The question was raised if he was in or our of the district.

Financial: Larry Wood
As of today, $24,064.11 General Fund, and $92.00 in Cumulative fund.

Received check from Auditor to deposit for $86,913.86.

Old Business: There is a vacancy on board, which is still vacant. If an appointment is made, it will be effective until February 2010. 

New Business: A bank resolution has been properly executed and Larry Wood is on checking account.

Weed kill contract - Jon Dittmar says there are three competitors - "Discussion."

Regarding Tony Cunningham - he did for 10 years and perhaps became complacent - also, being bought out by "Big" company - will they be hands on?

Regarding Scott Banfield - did a good job last year and is a smaller "hands on" company. He was under budget last year.

A motion was made by Kelly Taulbee and seconded by Jon Dittmar to stay with Scott Banfield. Motion carried.

Chairman Churchman wants 2010 weed control contracts ready for December 2009 meeting, to vote for weed company and execute contract at February 2010 meeting.

A motion was made to give Chairman authority to execute contract from Scott Banfield from this year weed kill, when he receives same, by Jon Dittmar and seconded by Kelly Taulbee. Motion carried.

Open Board Discussion:
Tom Churchman wants board to paid for time spent at each meeting, perhaps $75.00 (per diem). That would be seven board members at 6 meetings totaling $3,150.00 - six meetings, per board member @$75.00 each meeting totaling $450.00 for each member.

Attorney Hollenbeck says 65% - 75% of the 20 some districts he represents, pay themselves. Attorney will check and see what the rate is and let the board know. Will discuss at next meeting.

Jon Dittmar says in regard to district boundaries of residents who question if they are in or out of area - do we need to setup parameters as to what to do to determine who is in or out of water shed district? Chairman Churchman will look into previous actions taken on others. 

After discussion with board, Mr. Hollenbeck says we need to get the Conservancy District Border corrected first - especially Taylor Road.

Larry Wood thinks residents questioning if they are in or out of the district should go to J.F. New to get a letter of clarification.

Mr. Hollenbeck will send letters to Mr. Quinn to resolve his issue (that he is out of red boundary) and ask J.F. New to confirm he is out, and then submit to Auditor. Regarding Planks, Board decided to continue their property discussion until July meeting and Mr. Hollenbeck will send a letter to them of that affect.

Open Meeting Discussion: None.

Kelly Taulbee made a motion to adjourn meeting and was seconded by Larry Wysocki. Motion carried.

Next Meeting August 15, 2009