Crystal Lake Improvement Association Board Meeting Minutes

September 5, 2023 – 7:30pm 

Present: Dave Perron, Mike Robole, Ted Lukan, Janet McGrath Mullin, Mike Ouverson, Brooke Fox, Tom Harmening, Bob Johnston

Absent: Paul Hillmer

• Meeting called to order at 7:35pm
• Governance 
  • Prior meeting minutes – unanimously approved

• • Treasurer’s report –Treasurer’s report was unanimously approved. Audit of membership dues was completed. Two more CD’s were bought: $5,000 (1 year) and $4,000 (six months).  Additional income generated will be roughly $1,700.   Bob is continuing to pursue electronic payment for 2024 dues. Goal is to send first notice out via email. Second notice to non-responders via mail. Third and final reminder via email.  Help all remember to pay.  Further discussion will be conducted concerning dues amount. 
• Committee Updates & Ongoing Business
• Neighborhood updates & member feedback
• New houses up for sale/pending
  • 373 Maple Island Road $849 Pending
  • 321 Maple Island Road $1.6 Pending
  • 1228 Blue Bill Bay Road $1.3 For sale

• • New feedback

• Low Lake Level. Discussed options. DNR continues to be intransigent about not altering outlet. Nothing has been draining out for weeks. Record high temps and no rain has taken a toll. Bottom line we need rain. Board will continue to watch and monitor.

Newsletter item: With the water levels so low we all need to do what we can to conserve. If you are watering from the lake please consider conserving by watering less -every other day while the lake levels are so low. 

• Concern about Jet skis after sunset. And parking: Ted called the sheriff to discuss jet ski, safety, parking, adhering to lake rules. Notes attached: Action a subcommittee of Ted, Tom and Mike will try to schedule a joint meeting with sheriff, DNR and Burnsville police to address concerns.  Possible suggestions better signage on the lake so boaters can see as they get on and off the water, frontage road less or no parking, more attention to jet skiers on water or pulling off water after designated evening times.
• External Relations:
• • • Blue water testing –  Dave rode with them and the clarity this year is twice as clear, which means more sun can get to weed growth. Showed EWM location report.
    • Dave discussed DNR’s reluctance for sludge removal and partial lily pad removal to make channels more navigable (addressing member feedback from survey)
• Communications 
  • Calendar Updates:
• • • • Upcoming dates 9/9 Park clean up at 9:00. Newsletter item. Last one of the season, so join in.
      • 9/17 picnic. Newsletter item with link to picnic evite. Urge everyone now that it is September to check your calendars and respond so we can get a count. 

• • • Member survey – Survey complete. Summary results reported. 54 responses, with a lot of very thoughtful feedback from members.  Everyone will review and discuss action items and top things to consider at next meeting
• Suggested newsletter items:
  • Save the dates -social activity dates: Park cleanup September 9 and September 17 picnic
  • Request to conserve water if irrigating from the lake.
  • CLIA has met with sheriff department and will continue discussions to address water safety concerns.
  • EWM pilot program
• Fish and Aquatics – Ted reported he will call and remind fish stocking supplier for October.
• Weed and Algae – EWM Treating: Proposal was discussed to conduct a pilot test for treating EWM in Blue Bill Bay. Small, confined area will help us determine effectiveness and inform decision for additional treatments next year. Dakota County will pay half of cost with a grant.  Motion unanimously approved to proceed with pilot not to exceed $3,000 of which $1,500 will be reimbursed by the county Newsletter item
• Social
• • • • Third park cleanup September 9
      • Picnic September 17 plans/evite response slow, going to send out additional reminders.
      • Mike will supply tables, Bob will shop and provide steamer – less meat than last year Janet will cook hot dogs and brats.
• New business & topics for future meetings:
  • Next meeting October 3.
• Motion to adjourn 8:49pm – unanimously approved

Respectfully submitted,

Janet McGrath Mullin, CLIA Secretary