PLCA Monthly Board Meeting Minutes

The PLCA Board Meetings are open to lake residents and the public to discuss the future restoration of Puslinch Lake. They are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7 Holly Trail, Puslinch ON. at 7:00 pm. Parking is available in front of the building.

PLCA Board Meeting - Wednesday, March 12, 2025

7:00 pm PAW, 7 Holly Trail

Chairperson:      Brian Riehl – President - present

Executive:           Donna McKenna – Vice-president -

Sarah Hammell – Treasurer - present

                           Doreen Tschanz – Secretary - present

                           Donna O’Krafka –Director of Communication – present

Directors:          Russell Hurst – Township Councilor -

                          Bill Calhoun– North Shore - present

                          Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present

                          Adrian O’Driscoll – Rhodes Road -

                          Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane -

                          Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point - present                           

                           Jody Lipke – Irish Creek - present

                           Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane - present

                           Non-Voting members: Larry Hackbart - Northshore - present

                           Art Zymerman – past president - present      

Meeting to order at 7:14 PM

Motion: was made by Sarah Hammell to approve the February meeting minutes; 2nded by Bill Calhoun; carried 

University of Guelph Professor – Art Zymerman

Art called the professor again after she did not call him.  She claims that she needs approval/plan from the township to give the PLCA student help.  The university gets $15.000 from the township for student help in the township.  Art was hoping to speak with Councillor Hurst tonight and will call him regarding this.  We are hoping to buy an O2 meter and sonar scanner and to have a student operate them regularly for monitoring data for planning what is needed in the lake.   

FOCA – Federation of Ontario Cottager Association – Brian Riehl joined the PLCA up with this association.  The PLCA has joined in the past. 

Peerless Herbicide – There is a week extension for residents to order. 

Discussion:  Does the PLCA want to use Procella in the lake body.   The areas can be changed each year and 1 spraying is done per 3 years to an area.  Does the PLCA want to use aeration in the lake body.  Hydro hook-up needs to be planned.  The treasurer Sarah Hammell has $127,000 for use for lake remediation.

Jody Lipke reported that Steve Devine of WeedFreeWaters is doing aeration with somebody and is cheaper that WeedsBGone.

 Remedial Proposal

WeedsBGone gave Brian a 2-area quote of $30,000 per each area. The 2 areas chosen are 1) out to the south of Trailer Park beach past slalom course and towards the Big Island & Somme Island area.  A power source is needed for aeration.  2) West Mitten Bay and north of slalom course.  Again, a power source is needed for aeration. Enzymes are not included in the quote.

Because power source needs to be worked out, aeration won’t be in 2025 BUT the use of Procella will knock down the heavy weeds in these areas prepping for aeration use the following year of 2026. Before and after photos and data are necessary for showing results. 

Treasurer Report – Sarah Hammell

Sarah presented copies of the 2024 Financial Statement for the AGM when it happens.

2024 Revenue was $77,920.49

Expenses were $20,054.69

Cash is $108,000

She also handed out her monthly report - 2025 Income is $14,605.  Cash is approximately $30,000 plus GIC’s

Motion by Sarah Hammell was made to use $50,000 to pay Peerless to spray Procella in the Proposed  #1 area south of the Trailer Park Beach between Big And Somme Islands; a vote approved the motion. 

Home Tour – 2025 is happening – Brian needs more drivers and 2026 has some homes 

Funding – Brian sent Adrian a new fund to check – Environment and Climate Change Canada. 

Adjourned at 8:40 pm.

Next Meeting - 7PM, April 9, 2025

 @ PAW, 7 Holly Trail

ACTIONS

1.       Russ Hurst will give Dana the Cambridge email address to call regarding the cement blocks.

2.       Dana Will investigate if Cambridge will take the cement block

3.       Brian will send Adrian the Environment & Climate Change Canada funding link.

4.       Brian will order$50K of Procella spraying by Peerless for Proposed Area #1.

5.       Art Zymerman will report his phone call with the Un. of Guelph professor to Councillor Hurst.

6.       Brian Riehl & Art Zymerman will shop for an O2 meter and sonar scanner.

PLCA Board Meeting  - Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025 - 7:00 pm PAW, 7 Holly Trail 

Chairperson: Brian Riehl – President - present 

Executive: Donna McKenna – Vice-president -   Sarah Hammell – Treasurer - present 

Doreen Tschanz – Secretary - present 

Donna O’Krafka –Director of Communication – present 

Directors: Russell Hurst – Township Councillor - present 

Bill Calhoun– North Shore - present 

Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present 

Adrian O’Driscoll – Rhodes Road -  

Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane - present 

Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point - present  

Jody Lipke – Irish Creek -  

Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane - present 

                             Non-Voting members: Larry Hackbart - Northshore - present 

                             Art Zymerman – past president - present    

                             Dana Coffett – Rhodes Road     

Meeting to order at 7:09 pm 

Motion: to approve the December meeting minutes was made by Sarah Hammell; 2nded by Kathleen Zymerman; carried 

Quinnell Application for Bylaw Change – Brian Riehl 

Brian handed the board copies of his letter to the township regarding this. 

Cement Blocks – Dana Coffett 

Brian asked Dana if there was any response from Cambridge. Dana said she would email Cambridge. Russ Hurst will give her the email address. 

Well Report Summary – Russ Hurst 

There is a new planning committee, and Russ got a Wellington County water specialist onto the committee, and they will report back to the township. 

If any water levels drop, pumping stops. It was suggested that the PLCA monitor lake levels with the measuring stick at McCormick Point. Art Zymerman will check this regularly.  

Fundraising – Donna McKenna 

Bill Calhoun inquired if there are other events besides the Home Tour. 

Home Tour – more homes are needed.  The next meeting is March 12th. 

Financials – Sarah Hammell 

She handed out her report. There is not much change, Sarah noted that her flags are made in Canada. 

 Lake Remedial – Brian Riehl 

Brian & Art met virtually with Nick of WeedsBGone to ascertain if this company could do work on the main body of the lake rather that shoreline. Nick’s presentation focused on shoreline. He said that he would do a new presentation for the main body of lake. Nick needed to investigate for mid lake aeration and enzyme use. Power is needed for the aeration. Brian Riehl will contact him. 

Art contacted a professor at Guelph Un. to ascertain if her students could do a sonar scan of the lake. She was leaving for holidays, and he hasn’t heard from her. Art will call her again.   

Procella Aquatic Herbicide – This is a new chemical that can be used for 50% of the lake and only is used every 3 years.   Therefore, areas within the 50% permitted area could be targeted where needed. It is too expensive to do total 100% of the lake. The MOE requires a permit for use. It kills the plants. Calm water at distribution is needed. Peerless has it available. Art will try Pricilla at his shoreline 

Adjourned at 9 pm. 

Next Meeting - 7PM, March 12, 2025 - at PAW, 7 Holly Trail 

ACTIONS

1.       Russ Hurst will give Dana the Cambridge email address to call regarding the cement blocks.

2.       Dana Will investigate if Cambridge will take the cement blocks.

3.       Art Zymerman will contact the university professor regarding help from her students for work on the lake.

4.       Art Zymerman will have Peerless use Pricilla at his shoreline.

5.       Brian Reihl will contact Nick at WeedsBGone regarding work on the main lake

Our next Board meeting is scheduled for Wed. Mar 12, 2025 at 7 Holly Tr. - 7pm

PLCA Board Meeting Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 7:00 pm PAW, 7 Holly Trail

Chairperson: Brian Riehl – President - present Executive: Donna McKenna – Vice-president - present Sarah Hammell – Treasurer - present Doreen Tschanz – Secretary - present Donna O’Krafka –Director of Communication –

Directors: Russell Hurst – Township Councillor - present

  Bill Calhoun– North Shore –

  Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present

  Adrian O’Driscoll – Rhodes Road -

  Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane - present

  Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point -

  Jody Lipke – Irish Creek -

  Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane - present

Non-Voting members: Larry Hackbart - Northshore - present -  Art Zymerman - present

Meeting to order at 7:04 pm

Motion: to approve the November meeting minutes was made by Sarah Hammell; 2nded by Kevin Axt carried.

GRCA Funding – Councillor Hurst – There is no open fund, Applications for funding where needed are reviewed to ascertain if the GRCA is interested and able to help the applicant. Councillor Hurst suggested concentrating on the Un. of Guelph. They have programs with money to help do the work and pay also such as testing for oxygen levels in the lake. An applicant needs a specific problem and asking for a solution. The board will do further discussion on this topic closer to spring.

Stan Denhoed/ Councillor Hurst Conversation – Stan is knowledgeable in under ground water. Councillor Hurst has a thick 2016 report dealing with water levels if the level drops in wells, the municipality is obligated to allow the wells to recharge before redrawing more water. He will summarize the report into a page for the board.

Pit Agreements

Dave Taliano responded to Brian Riehl who messaged Dave that the PLCA acknowledges that the PLCA gives Dave sole rights to the sediment. Dave texted that “all is good “. We have a copy of the conversation.

Brian Riehl received the signed copy of the Lease Agreement with the GRCA for another 5 years and a copy is in the PLCA archives.

Dredge Dock Blocks - Dana C showed photos to Cambridge with enthusiastic response but she wasn’t at tonight’s meeting so we will follow up.

Oxygen Meter – Art Zymerman -will hold up on a purchase until spring when the PLCA approaches the Un. of Guelph regarding this matter.

Brian Riehl contacted FOCA regarding their annual day when hundreds of lakes record and report their oxygen levels. He sent Dana C’s hubby a copy as he is interested/

Financials – Sarah Hammell

Sarah showed the 10th Anniversary Flag for the 2025 donors and asked for approval to lower the eligibility amount from $500 to $250 for a donation. It was approved to the first 50 donors of $250 or more to receive a flag.

Two accounting firms confirmed with Sarah that a “review” only and not “audit” is required to be done.

The GIC’s mature this month. This money will be held until future plans are made for it.

Fundraising – Donna McKenna – There is currently only 1 home, leaving more to be acquired. If not, enough homes are gotten by early spring, the 2025 Tour will be cancelled. There was a discussion that maybe people are afraid. A suggestion was made that a sign be put at home entrances stating, “NO photos or videos allowed”.

Quinnell Trailer Storage – Almost 3 years ago, the applicants applied to sever a potion of their land for a family residential build site. It was conditionally approved if compliance for trailer storage was achieved. Since 1990, trailers have been parked/stored on the Quinnell property where they grew strawberries in past. There is no document or permit allowing the trailers and the property is zonedagricultural/natural environment. The application process went the route of applying for a change to the bylaws to grant a Site-specific classification to resolve compliance issue. Multiple agencies/groups were involved asking for concerns for their trailer business to continue and any remaining concerns are noted to the Township Planning Committee for action but only a few are remaining. If all agencyrecommendations are implemented environmental impacts are believed to be protected. The PLCA and Lake residences were not aware of this application until earlier this week.

The concern lake residents have is the changes being made to that shoreline creating an eyesore as trees have disappeared and wetlands are being ignored. The board decided that a letter need be drafted on behalf of multiple lake residents ASAP and submitted to the Township Monday for the meeting to be held next week regarding the Bylaw change request. Brian will draft and reviews will be conducted tohave this concern registered with the Town Council prior to their next meeting next week.

Adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Next Meeting - February 12, 2025 @ 7PM @ PAW, 7 Holly Trail

ACTIONS

1. A best plan for the next remedial work on the lake will be pursued.

2. Brian Riehl will draft a letter to the township regarding the Quinell/Township meeting.

3. Dana C will report regarding Cambridge and the blocks when attending the board meeting,

4. More homes are needed for the 2025 Home Tour.

5. Councilor Hurst will summarize the well report that he has. t

PLCA Annual Meetings

PLCA Board Annual General Meeting

Each year at our PLCA Annual General Meeting, the vote for Board members takes place. Everyone is welcome to attend this yearly event. Are you interested in the Lake’s future? Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be announced in the coming months. Discussion on Financials, Fundraising, Water level concerns, Remediation plans for the pit, and Weed management. It is also an opportunity for any vacant Board or Executive position(s) to be filled if required.

Annual Town Hall Meeting

The PLCA’s Annual Townhall Meeting has yet to be determined.

Lake residents are welcome to hear about and discuss on various topics of interest ie: Lake Restoration program, financials, PLCA community event plans/updates. A Q&A follows. ZOOM is available for those not able to attend and/or those who prefer to stay at home. Zoom was first used in 2023 for the Annual Town Hall meeting.

THE 2025 PLCA BOARD MEMBERS

Brian Riehl | PRESIDENT * brianriehl333@GMAIL.COM

Brian is our current President since June 2022 and had also served on the board as the PLCA Treasurer for 10 years. His interests are enjoying good wine, & RVing when they can get away. Brian & wife Tracy enjoy their 6 grandchildren and they all love the lake!

ART ZYMERMAN I PAST PRESIDENT * AZYMERMAN@OUTLOOK.COM

Art has been the PLCA president twice while serving on the Board for 20 years+. He previously held positions as Vice President and Treasurer. His interests are water skiing, snow skiing, football and family.

DONNA MCKENNA * VICE PRESIDENT * OLDMARINA@AOL.COM

Donna was elected as Vice President at the 2018 AGM. Her main interest is for the rejuvenation, restoration and support of the lake. She generously donates her time and resources to all lake events to help raise funds for the lake restoration. Donna’s hobbies include working on her “She Shed” designs, doing antique window displays and pulling grape vines in the laneway to make home-made wreaths.

SARAH HAMMELL | Treasurer * hammellfamily@yahoo.ca

Sarah Hammell is our PLCA Treasurer for the board. Sarah lives on Clergy lane with her husband of 20+ years, Cliff. They have 2 children who love to boat, fish and water ski on Puslinch lake. Sarah is nicknamed the flag lady because she invented and produces the PLCA donation flags; a way to unite our community towards the lake conservation efforts. The platinum coloured 2025 flag is the ninth year of the donation flag campaign.

DONNA o’KRAFKA * EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATONS * okonthelake@hotmail.com

Donna was born and raised on a farm on road #34 right here in Puslinch. In 2004 she and her husband Larry moved to Puslinch Lake in the Bayview area. She started helping Jack Ward with the lake newsletter (Reflections) in the summer of 2005, and 20 years later, is now the Editor. Donna makes most of the flyers, brochures etc. for any upcoming events on the lake. Her hobbies are gardening in the spring/summer, painting in the cold months and taking pictures of her surroundings anytime.

DOREEN TSCHANZ I RECORDING SECRETARY * DTSCHANZ@mail.com

She has served on the Board for 27 years and is one of the original five founders for the PLCA. Doreen is in charge of managing the Norman Doud Estate and boarding stables located at #6637 Conc.#2. Her interests include horses, photography, and her 2 sons Al & Terry and the family.