Meeting Agendas Meeting Information Meeting Minutes

Agenda Minutes and Addendum for Special Board Meeting – February 16, 2026 – Unapproved

Mark Orlovsky

Special LLAA BOARD Meeting: February 16, 2026 Minutes – UNAPPROVED

  1. Mark called to order the February 18, 2026 Board Meeting at 6:32 CST
  2. Roll Call:

Present: Mark Orlovsky, Jenny Criel, Carol O’Keefe, Val Blazich, Jim Wienser, Jim Zach

Dano Schultz (called to explain he would be late) joined around 6:42

Excused Absent: Matt Steeno

 

  1. Approve Agenda: Mark made Motion to approve agenda; all approve
  2. Reminder of our mission: Mark: Opening comments about Bylaws cited below:

Article 1 -Purpose Section 1:1  Bylaws state
The purpose of the Association is to preserve and protect Lake Lucerne and its surroundings, and to enhance the water quality, fishery, boating safety, and aesthetic values of Lake Lucerne, as a public recreational facility for today and for future generations.

Article II – STATUS AND LIMITATIONS Section 2.1 STATUS AND LIMITATIONS.

To carry out the program of the Association and to make effective representations on behalf of its members, the Association shall be organized as a non-profit, non-stock corporation under Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes. (Sections of the Statutes are cited throughout these bylaws.) No asset of the association shall benefit any officer or member. The Association shall not participate in partisan political activity.

  1. Board Responsibilities:

Mark reminded board members:

  • About legal responsibility to members and how we conduct ourselves as board members
  • As non-profit board members focus on mission and to be honest, transparent, neutral, put aside personal preference and not be involved in partisan political activities
  1. Lobbying and Political Activity:
  2. Below notice attached to agenda:
  3. Wisconsin Association of Lakes Discussion:

 

Mark and Val discussed a call received from a LLAA member to treasurer (Val). Member inquired about LLAA paying for membership to Wisconsin Lakes Association which is promoting support for ordinances more restrictive than current state statutes on wake boat activity. Member did not think all members agree with Wisconsin Lakes Association position on wake boat activity.

 

Jenny Criel:  Did member have an ask?

 

Val:  That LLAA not join or pay dues to Wisconsin Lakes Association because it does not reflect interests of all LLAA members.

 

Mark:

Wisconsin Lakes created coalition and is asking other lakes to support regulations on wake boat activity.

WI Lakes also does some good stuff to help our mission.

 

Jim Zach:

WI Lakes partnered with a coalition of 80 other organizations in the state to create the WI Lakes Policy Coalition and is asking other lake organizations to support regulations on enhanced wake boat activity.  LLAA is a member of WI Lakes, but has not joined that coalition.

 

Mark:

We will review membership to outside groups and may change membership to WI Lakes Association going forward.

  • We get an insurance discount based on pool number of members in WI Lakes. We are charged for our membership in WI Lakes by number people in LLAA organization.
  • Paid $470 to Wisconsin Lakes plus the Insurance policy itself of $580. Total $1050.
  • We can look in to buying our own insurance and determine cost of D&O insurance.

 

Board Discussion to Reevaluate: Decision to join WI Lakes Association next year was discussed.

 

Jim Wienser raised notion that as 501 ( c ) (3) LLAA we need to be cognizant of any possible lobbying  done by any organization we financially support. LLAA should not be involved in lobbying.Coffee

LLAA can discuss opposite sides of issue, but use caution to not become involved in political partisan lobbying/advocacy.

 

Carol: Are these posts on WI Lakes sites considered activity to lobby for legislation?

WI Lakes post on site asked CONSTITUENTS to call legislators to not support SB 1025. Contact information for legislator representatives was provided in Action Alert: Cory Tomczk, Rob Hutton, Van Wanggaard ,etc. The notice encouraged constituents “to contact their senator and respectively encourage them to vote NO on SB 1025 and YES on SB 1024”. Call or send email and state: “I request that you do not support SB 1025.”

 

Jim Zach: We need to be informed about issues concerning Lake Lucerne.  There is a difference between advocacy and lobbying activities.  * Note on Review of minutes on 2/19 Jim Zach states: (I was wrong about that distinction) Where do we stand on lobbying?

Carol: Public charities can get involved in educational and get-out-the-vote activities, but taking sides is forbidden.

Jenny:  NOT INTERESTED IN CREATING REGULATIONS FOR LAKE LUCERNE.

We can change membership in WI Lakes Association in future if it does not align with LLAA members’ ideals.

Jim Wienser: LLAA should not lobby. It is too divisive.  We can discuss, but caution about taking partisan position about any issue as a LLAA board member on behalf of entire membership. Board, as a non-profit, needs to be aware of the difference between lobbying and advocacy. Board needs to be aware of interests of all LLAA members.

We currently donate to FCAL, Forest County Chamber of Commerce, Crandon Rescue Squad, Crandon Water Ski Team.

Jim Wienser:  What WI Lakes Association promotes seems same as what we recommend. Educate people to stay in an area deeper than 20 feet and 500 feet from shore.

It seems that is what people are doing.

I do not support local control.

Let Legislature resolve issue.  DNR can enforce.

Jim Wienser:  Motion:

Take no action at this time about WI Association Lakes membership since paid and insurance is covered in dues.

Commit to reviewing any non-profit organization that we give or raise money for next year/future.

Discussion among board members supported motion with no further comments.

Jim Zach: Second motion.

Motion approved by all board members.

Mark & Board: discussed the ongoing lake survey progress:

  • Final survey was reviewed by board and approved
  • Recipient addresses are taken from tax roster to identify who receives survey
  • Responses will be tracked by code to prevent a duplicate survey from one address
  • Carol: Requested full LLAA Board have access to survey recipient list and list of respondents
  • Mark said survey results including (mailing list/respondent’s list/paper responses) will be kept in safe deposit box in COVantage Credit Union
  • Mark: Survey expected to be sent out as soon as printed
  • Should have basic survey results by mid-April
  • Detailed analysis will be conducted by Whitewater Associates and LLAA board

Jim Zach provided an update on the Water’s Edge and boat landing area of Milfoil growth:

  • Jim Zach, Jim and Andy Wienser, and Brett Robideaux met at WE 2/6/26
  • Concern if use of boat landing will be causing fragmentation of milfoil
  • Reported that a 4×6 foot holes were drilled through ice in front of Waters Edge
  • Camera inserted through ice to inspect area
  • Camera images revealed area contains dense Eurasian Water-Milfoil growth
  • Discussed potential control methods including biodegradable tarps and chemical treatments
  • Past hand pulling by divers & mechanical harvesting have not eliminated the milfoil EWM in front of Water’s Edge boat ramp.
  • Is it time to consider chemical treatment to eradicate the milfoil before it spreads?

Mark: and Board Discussion:

  1. Boat Landing will be under construction by DNR after Memorial Day until Possibly October
  2. Boat Landing Bret agreed to allow use of ramp Memorial Day till as Long as Sept with LLAA supervision. No longer than 8 weeks.
  3. Calendar Activities 5×7 postcard by end Feb
  4. Newsletter Articles: Date late/end April 15; Carol handle
  5. Boat Landing, Summer Activities, White Water Associates Activity June 13.
  6. Need to record the upcoming general membership meeting on June 13, 2026 due to conflicts
  7. Jim Wienser: Have video camera record LLAA Meeting June 13
  8. Jim Wienser: Picking does not work
  9. Jenny C: think about do we do controlled areas. Is this a time for chemicals?
  10. Mark: To coordinate with Victoria Voit Articles & Action plans to inform people
  11. Mark O & Jim Z: Lakes & Rivers Conference in April
  12. Get copy of Engineering design plans for boat landing from DNR

Mark:              Call to adjourn.

Jenny C :          2nd.    Motion

Motion approved by all board members.

LLAA Meeting Adjourned @ 7:34 pm CST

 

Addendum Attached below contains information supplied to LLAA Board prior to meeting: Agenda, WI Lakes post and Notes on meeting supplied post meeting. See 2 PDF Addendum Information.

  1. Mark sent LLAA Special Board Meeting 2/26/2026 Agenda
  2. Below information sent to LLAA Board on 2/15 & 2/16 for review in preparation of meeting:

https://wisconsinlakes.org

  1. Carol provided information from WI Lakes website
  2. Notes from Jim Zach 2/23/26 about LLAA Special Board Meeting 2/16/26 below

LLAA BOARD Meeting February 16, 2026 Minutes and Addendum – Unapproved

Addendum Notes LLAA Board Special Meeting 2_26_2026 – Unapproved

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