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.

Our next PLCA Board Meeting is scheduled for Wed. February 12, 2025

PLCA Board Meeting Wednesday, November 13, 2024

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 -

                           Bill Calhoun– North Shore -

                           Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present

                           Adrian O’Driscoll – Rhodes Road -

                           Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane - present

                           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, Dana Colfelt – Rhodes Road        

 Meeting to order at 7:04 pm

Motion: to approve the October meeting minutes was made by Sarah Hammell; 2nded by Jody Lipke; carried

Big Island Steward – Dana Colfelt volunteered to be the steward.  Thank you, Dana. 

Pit business – large amounts of soil are reported to be leaving regularly.  Brian sent Dave Taliano a photo of the agreement and asked that he ok it. Dave’s approval was received directly after this PLCA meeting ended.  McCormick Point residents ask if Dave still needs access through the trees or is he using the cleared pit area plan.  Brian will ask Dave if the crane can go through the cleared pit area.  Residents ask that Brian press for an answer so that they can restore their trailer and other storage area.  Sarah Hammell suggests that Brian C.C. the committee members regarding this subject. 

Brian had a conversation with the GRCA rep regarding their signing of the 5-Year Extension Contract with them for land use only.  He was told that the GRCA needs to be on the PLCA insurance policy as there is a line regarding this on the 5-year extension contract.  Brian had it added to the PLCA insurance at a cost of $150/year. The GRCA now has a copy of this revised GRCA Policy and hopefully will sign off shortly.  Brian will keep pursuing the signing of the 5-Year Extension Contract.

Dredge Site Blocks – Dana C will ask if the City of Cambridge would take the blocks as they use such blocks.  Art Zymerman will check to see if the blocks are intact and the quantity.

Newsletter Hard Copies – the board decided that Donna O’Krafka print 130 copies for all the residents to receive.  The decision regarding the future edition will be decided at that time.

Treasurer Report – Sarah Hammell – Sarah gave the board members a copy of her monthly report.

She reported that the Liberal government set a new law that if non-profit organizations raise $100K +, the organization needs to do an audit which costs $12,000.   Our accountant is leaning towards a partial audit (Review Engagement).  Sarah wants to find a taxation lawyer to ask questions – a resident who is free.  She is sourcing out.

Questions were asked regarding why worry about doing an audit and wait until the CRA asks for one.

Remedial Best Plan Pursuit

Brian Riehl reported that we are having trouble finding guidance and continues researching.  WeedsBGone gave a presentation a couple of years ago but the PLCA was dredging and didn’t want to get into another remedial plan at the time.  Looking at the booklet that the company reps gave us, the company has an impressive history and multifaceted operation.

The board decided that an oxygen meter needs to be purchased to ascertain if the lake has an oxygen problem.  If the lake is low in oxygen, aeration is an option.  Aeration requires an energy source to work the pumps. Art mentioned that solar power options are available.

Microbes need oxygen to work optimally.  There is a barley microbe that intrigued the board.

Art Zymerman volunteered to price out an oxygen meter and a sonar scanner. 

It was suggested that WeedsBGone be requested to meet to answer questions in a small group.

Approved Board meeting minutes – In order to ensure that area reps are sending out the approved minutes, Doreen was requested to have the reps reply whether they sent out the minutes.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:47 pm made by Jody Lipke

Next Meeting - December 11, 2024 @ 7PM at  @ PAW, 7 Holly Trail

ACTIONS

1.       Councillor Hurst will ask colleagues regarding GRCA funding.

2.       Councillor Hurst will ask Stan Denhoed if water levels are why spring-fed ponds are dry. 

3.       Brian Riehl will continue to get Dave Taliano to sign the Pit Agreement and ascertain Dave’s plan for the dredge removal. 

4.       Brian Riehl will continue to have the 5-Year Extension Agreement for the GRCA Land Use finalized and signed. 

5.       The PLCA will find a home for the dredge dock blocks. 

6.       Art Zymerman will price an oxygen meter and sonar scan.

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 2024 PLCA BOARD MEMBERS

Brian Riehl | PRESIDENT * briandriehl@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 19 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 Hot pink 2024 flag is the eighth 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 19 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 26 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, ski instruction and her 2 sons Al & Terry and the family.