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Cedar Lake Improvement District meeting notes from November 13, 2017 from 6:30 – 8 pm at the New Prague Public Library

Attendees: Marie Jaeger, Joel Larson, Tim Schroeder, Tim Singleton and Barb Novotny

Agenda Items Discussed:
Treasurers Report
Carp seining/netting

• Don Geyer
• Commercial Fishermen’s interest in Cedar Lake
• Box Netting
• Other options for carp removal
• Contract

Budget for 2018                                                                                                                 
Need for Board Candidates

Marie called the meeting to order.

Dave was not present so there was no Treasurers Report given.

Don Geyer, our designated licensed commercial fisherman has agreed in writing to complete a 2018 winter and spring sein but he was not interested in a fall 2017 open water sein. Tim Schroeder and Marie had discussions with several other licensed commercial fishermen to hire them for the fall netting.  Unfortunately, they were either too busy to fit Cedar into their schedule or they weren’t interested at all for various reasons. A couple expressed an interest in perhaps seining in the future.
 
Box Netting is an additional option for carp removal that the board is considering. Marie received further information about the process, costs and timing that was discussed. 

The board is looking at and considering all options available for carp removal to stay on track with the Carp Solutions recommended overall annual carp population removal of 10%. There were a couple studies done over the last few years that indicated a probable population of 6,500-9,000 carp, with many being much larger than average in size. Because the radio transmitters in the tagged carp should work through 2019 when the batteries run out, the board wants to take advantage of that tracking capability to track and catch as many carp as possible before then. There are funds available for carp removal in the CLID’s approved 10-year levy but there are no grant funds available from Scott County or the DNR for the removal of carp.

A contract for Don Geyer to complete the winter and spring sein was discussed.  The board had received sample contracts to use as examples and reviewed those to draft their own contract. Tim Singleton agreed to write it and email to the directors for their review.   The board hopes to have a final version sent to Don by the first half of December for his review and signature. 

The board had received an email from Melissa Bokman of Scott Watershed Management Organization (SWMO) that funding for aquatic invasive species grants will not be offered in 2018.  She pointed out that those grants had been used for awareness projects, watercraft inspections and AIS control projects.  Cedar Lake didn’t get funds for watercraft inspections and the DNR funds for CLPW had been limited in the last few years to about $5,000.  For budgeting purposes, the CLID residents voted in 2012 to a budget plan that didn’t count on receiving DNR funds since there was no guarantee it would be available which has happened.   Both the CLID and SWMO had earlier estimated funds for CLPW treatment in 2018  based on spot treating areas where curly leaf is found Area 5 and throughout the rest of the lake when the DNR completes their CLPW survey in the spring before approving of the treatment permit.   SWMO’s estimate was approved by the county board; the CLID will present their estimate for approval at the April annual meeting.   It was agreed that spot treatments would need to continue in the future to control the CLPW. 

Every year there are two or three board director’s terms that end in April. Marie mentioned that the board has had a backlog of residents signed up to be on the board when an opening occurred.  There are no back-ups and it’s likely that there will be at least one opening to be filled in April. It was agreed that a posting would be placed on the website announcing this need to the residents.  Hopefully interested residents of the CLID will step forward.
 
Barb motioned to adjourn the meeting and Tim Schroeder seconded.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 8, 2017 at the New Prague Library from 6:30-8pm.