PLPRD holds annual meeting

The Pigeon Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District (PLPRD) held their annual meeting on Thursday, July 19, to discuss their current financial status, elect board members, and discuss current and future activity.

It was reported that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will allow the district to cut wider lanes in the lake, increasing them from 50 feet to between 75 and 100 feet. This will allow for the removal of more weeds, which is expected to make travel easier for boats.

Brady Lake

Rick Waite reported that there are problems with low oxygen levels at Fairway Lake in the summertime. He said the lake has plenty of oxygen in spring and fall, but the lake becomes almost anaerobic in the summer, with oxygen levels between 1.5 and 3 parts per million at depths of 3 feet. "There is definitely a problem there," Waite said. "I want to do some more testing in the future and see if I can come up with a solution. The oxygen diffuser system works well in the winter, but not in the summer. We've got to find a way to bring the water at the bottom up through the top layer without mixing the two layers."

Board members discussed a fountain-type system and other methods of adding oxygen to the water. Waite said he would explore some of those options and continue to monitor the oxygen levels.

Fairway Lake

The board discussed the city's purchase of a lot on Fairway Lake. This lot will be kept open so that they can be used in the future for possible dredging operations, should the board choose to pursue such an option with approval from the DNR. The board feels that the DNR is pushing for a drawdown, and if that takes place, they may consider some dredging operations to help clean up the lake.

Weed cutter

Waite reported that about 200 loads of weeds have been taken out of the lake so far this summer, as compared to 105 over the course of the whole summer last year. He says warm temperatures have spurred weed growth, and expects that about 350 loads of weeds will be taken out of the lake by the end of summer. Over 400 loads were cut in 2008, which was the largest cutting in the last 10 years. About 300 loads were cut in 2009, and about 200 loads were cut in 2010.

Waite said the DNRs decision to allow the district to expand the cutting area will be a big improvement.

Board members also discussed the current status of other area mill ponds, including those at Black Otter Lake in Hortonville and the Weyauwega mill pond. Board members agreed that drawdown results at those locations have been abysmal, despite the DNRs declaration that those drawdown efforts have been successful.

Other business

The board went on to allocate $30,000 for the construction of a fishing deck at the Ice House landing. Construction plans were also discussed, and the district has solicited bids for the project. So far, only one unofficial, estimated bid has been received.

According to a balance sheet presented at the meeting, the PLPRD estimates total current liquid, property and equipment assets at 375,938.12. The income statement shows the district operating at a net income of $31,905.12 for this year, with some fuel and equipment bills expected to come in soon, along with final payments from the City of Clintonville and Town of Larrabee.

The board also discussed choosing an official newspaper. Steve Kettenhoven nominated the County Post East, but the vote failed. The Clintonville Chronicle was also nominated, and the vote passed. The board discussed running smaller ads in the future, but continuing to advertise in both papers in an attempt to reach the largest audience possible. The board also discussed the publishing of meeting notices. Dennis Krueger stated that the notices have been printed as requested in the County Post East, but that there have been issues with seeing them in print in the Chronicle. Greg Rose represented the Chronicle at the meeting, and said that he and his wife had been on vacation when the issues occurred. Rick Waite suggested that the district test the Chronicle with official notices for one year to see how things go.

Board members were also elected, as one 3-year term and two 2-year terms were up this year. Dennis Krueger, Rick Waite, Jerry Tooley, and Mark Sasse were the nominees for these positions. Krueger was elected to the 3-year term, while Waite and Tooley were elected to 2-year terms.

After some discussion, the PLPRD voted to have their next annual meeting on the second Thursday in August of 2013. Jim Prickette and Jerry Tooley voted no. Tooley and Prickette wanted to see the annual meeting scheduled in February, but their motion failed.

Regular meetings of the PLPRD are held the third Thursday of each month. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at City Hall.