HARRIS POND LAKE ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

JULY 6, 2024

DRAFT

Joe Helmin, President, called the Annual Membership meeting to order at 12:30 pm at the Lange Park Pavilion.  He welcomed all those present and commented this is our seventeenth (17th) Annual Membership meeting.

Board of Directors present:

President - Joe Helmin

Vice-President - Dave Kappel

Secretary/Treasurer - Sue Tutaj

At-Large Board Member - Bill Jansen

At-Large Board Member - Vacant

Town of Harris Representative - Vacant

Sportsmen’s Club Representative - Mike Mittelstedt

Members present:  Pat Kappel; Kathy Neis; Pat Neis

Quorum Set.

REVIEW AND APPROVE THE PRINTED AND POSTED MINUTES FROM THE JULY 9, 2023, ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING.

It was motioned by Mike Mittelstedt and seconded by Dave Kappel, “to approve the printed and posted minutes from the July 9, 2023, Annual membership meeting.”  Motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  REVIEW AND APPROVE THE FINANCIAL AND MEMBERSHIP ACTIVITY FROM JUNE 2023 TO JUNE 2024.

Sue Tutaj, Treasurer, stated we are 15 members strong.  

It was motioned by Bill Jansen and seconded by Dave Kappel, “to approve the Treasurer’s report for the month of June 2024; and the year to date June 2023-2024 financial reports as follows:

For the Month of June 2024 - Beginning balance as of June 1, 2024, of $18,898.33; Income of $2,290.00; Expenses of $217.20; leaving an ending balance as of June 30, 2024, of $20,971.13.

For the Year to Date, June 2023 to June 2024:  Beginning balance as of June 1, 2023, of $18,818.51; Income of $9,041.00; Expenses of $6,888.38; leaving an ending balance as of June 30, 2024, of $20,971.13.”

Motion carried.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Joe stated we are celebrating our seventeenth (17th) year as an organization!  Congratulations!

RECAP OF THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE

Joe stated we had a decorated boat in the Harrisville 4th of July parade.  We all thanked Jay Ingram for graciously letting us decorate and use his boat in the parade.  Also many thanks to the “candy throwers” - Bette Garvey; Joe Helmin; Jay Ingram; Toni Sawicki and Sue Tutaj.

REVIEW ANNUAL RAFFLE TICKET SALES - AND THANK YOU’S

Joe stated we sold 294 raffle tickets, only six (6) were unsold.  A big thank you to the local bars which helped us to sell our tickets - The Chateau; Mikey’s Sportsmen’s Tavern and Schoolhouse Tavern; and also to all who sold raffle tickets.  This is our only fund-raiser for 2024.

PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE UPDATE FOR 2024

Joe stated we had in past years raised beetles for the purple loosestrife which we released on the East side of the lake.  We did not raise any beetles this year (2024).  Joe mentioned he and Shane Streich will set a date to use Shane’s boat to see how well the plants/beetles are doing.

RECAP OF MARQUETTE COUNTY LAKES ASSOCIATION MEETING FROM JUNE 13, 2024

Joe stated he attended the Marquette County Lakes Association meeting held on Thursday, June 13, 2024.  A few interesting points were:  By-laws are no longer recommended, lake associations/districts should establish “policies” - Chapter 33; Six (6) lakes were approved for $2,500.00 grants, which went to individuals; there was a lake study done on Harris Pond in 2023, by Scott Bunde of DNR.

DISCUSS DNR FISH STUDY CONDUCTED ON HARRIS POND BACK ON MAY 10, 2023, BY SCOTT BUNDE

Joe stated Scott Bunde, DNR, was at the Marquette County Lakes Association meeting and had a draft report of the study done on our lake.  Joe handed out the report/study for us to see.  The pond was electroshocked in May, 2023, to get samplings of the fish.  This was done on two (2) miles of shoreline.  The pond has a great number of fish and the report was very good.

FACEBOOK ACTITIVY/FOLLOWERS

Joe stated we have 425 followers on our facebook page.

LAKE PLANNING STEERING COMMITTEE

FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE HARRIS POND LAKE ASSOCIATION

Joe stated/asked the members present, “Where do we go as a lake association from here”?  

It was suggested to try a membership drive, by sending out a mass mailing. In the letter would be what we have accomplished these past seventeen (17) years and our mission statement.

Our main concerns have been and will continue to be:  Sediment and weed control of which both are expensive endeavors.

It was general consensus to buy one-hundred (100) stamps before the price increase.

It was the general consensus to delay purchasing raffle tickets for 2025.

It was motioned by Sue Tutaj and seconded by Dave Kappel, “to hold our next Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, October 12, 2024, to discuss more about what direction we need to take as an association.”  Motion carried.

No date for a Membership Annual meeting will be announced until after what transpires at our October 12, 2024, meeting.

ADDITIONAL TOPICS NOT PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED

Sue Tutaj, Secretary/Treasurer, stated she would like to step down from the Secretary/Treasurer position next year.  She will continue as Secretary, if nominated and elected for just one (1) more year for the 2024-2025 year.  

A member in attendance stated they had some luck getting some of the muck off with a machine.  They spread the muck on their lawn and report the lawn is doing great!

Individuals are able to remove sediment/muck up to thirty (30) feet along their shorelines.

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS OF EXPIRING BOARD MEMBER TERMS:

PRESIDENT:  FOR TERM 2024 - 2026

It was motioned by Sue Tutaj and seconded by Bill Jansen, “to nominate and elect Joe Helmin as President for term 2024-2026.”  Motion carried.

SECRETARY:  FOR TERM 2024 - 2025

It was motioned by Dave Kappel and seconded by Pat Kappel, “to nominate and elect Sue Tutaj as Secretary for term 2024-2025.”  Motion carried.

AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER: FOR TERM 2024 - 2026

It was motioned by Mike Mittelstedt and seconded by Dave Kappel, “to nominate and elect Bill Jansen as At-Large Board Member for term 2024-2026.”  Motion carried.

AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER:  FOR TERM 2024 - 2026

It was motioned by Bill Jansen and seconded by Kathy Neis, “to nominate and elect Pat Neis as At-Large Board Member for term 2024-2026.”  Motion carried.

Congratulations to all new and re-elected Board Members!

Joe stated there will not be a Town of Harris Representative - that position will remain Vacant.

Thank you to the Sportsmen’s Club and Jeanne Weir and Joe Cassini for providing food and drinks at our annual membership meeting.  A donation jar of $50.00 cash was given to the HPLA at the end of our raffle drawing.

MOTION TO ADJOURN

It was motioned by Sue Tutaj and seconded by Bill Jansen, “to adjourn.”  Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 1:15 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Tutaj - Secretary/Treasurer

Following our Annual Meeting, we held our raffle ticket drawing at 1:30 p.m.

Joe Helmin turned the drum; and Trey Gorton picked the winning tickets.  Thank you Trey for helping!

The list of winners follows these minutes.