ALWA Identity Statement: Concerned citizens using civic governance as an approach to policy making that produces the sustainable civic infrastructure needed to govern for the common good.

ALWA Purpose Statement: To develop the civic imagination and organize the civic capacity and infrastructure needed to partner with local government and restore the waters of Ann Lake to the MPCA standards for nutrients and to protect and preserve the water quality of the Ann Lake watershed.

Civic Standards:

1. All those impacted by the problem are stakeholders and help define the problem in light of civic principles and the realities of their situation.
2. All stakeholders are accountable for contributing resources (leadership/time, knowledge, constituencies and dollars) to solve the problem.
3. All stakeholders are engaged in decision-making and policy-making that contributes to the common good.
4. All stakeholders implement policies grounded in civic principles in the places where they have the authority to act.

The following people were present: (14) BettyJo Williams, Carl Swanson, Clayton Berg, Bonnie Berg, Linda Knosalla David Knosalla, Ray Penwarden, Sharon Smith, Margot Kohl, Al Roseberry, Mike Ziegler, Pat Bodin, LaDonna Ziegler, Rich Anderson

Today’s Meeting Agenda:  Was accepted after adding topics by Clayton and Bonnie Berg for Firearm Safety Training and Mike and LaDonna Ziegler about Calcium Chloride. 

March Outcomes: Were approved with no changes.  

Treasurer’s Report:   Ray presented the treasurer’s report. 

Correspondence:  Sharon passed around a brochure about Buckthorn and Invasive weeds, from the COLA meeting and Linda brought an article regarding items stolen in 2018, which were found at the Fish Lake landing.

Old Business:

Civic Organizing:  Sharon attended the Ann Lake Township meeting on April 1 and said they discussed treating the dirt roads at the end of May/beginning of June.  She said they are doing their road checks now and the new signs on Forest Shores Rd, (Caution and 20mph) may be moved to better locations along the road.

Ham Bingo Results:  Sharon thanked all who helped make Ham Bingo a success!  Our gratitude goes to: Dan and Mary Weidner, Kalley Husnik, Walt, Ray, Margot, Sandy, Ben, Kaitlyn, and Rich.   Thank you also to Linda and Tracy for being ready to help out. If anyone was missed, please know we appreciate all you did to help.  Despite the snowstorm we still had a good turnout!

Curly Leaf update: Treating for Curly Leaf happens when the water temperature gets to 55 degrees.  The water temp last weekend was 41.

COLA Meeting:  Ray attended the meeting in March and shared:  there was discussion about funding for signage and handicapped accessible Porta Pots at boat landings on 40 different lakes.  Sharon reviewed that:  COLA, DNR and Soil and Water will work together to determine funding distribution for these projects, or they may look to lake associations to help with funding.

Music in the Park:  Richard suggests ALWA proposes to COLA, that Lake Associations chip in together to sponsor Mora Music in the Park once each year in order to make a brief presentation during the event to try to expand awareness of what lake associations do.  Ray said he would talk with Deanna from Soil and Water to bring it up at the next meeting. 

Check in on New Business, roadside cleanup:  Rich has been reaching out and is still looking for a  youth group that may want to take over clean up along the roadside. 

Firearm Safety: Clayton and Bonnie Berg thanked ALWA for supporting Firearm Safety this spring.  They successfully passed 44 youth through their program.  Clayton talked about the good their group does and encouraged ALWA to continue supporting the program as it is an important part of preventing accidental hunting death.  He asked the group to reimburse some of their expenses.  Rich motioned and the group voted to fulfil their request.

Calcium Chloride:  Mike Ziegler talked about calcium chloride on dirt roads for dust control.  He brought literature from the MPCA about the calcium chloride and salt which washes down from the roads into the lake, can increase phosphorus causing stress to wildlife, lakes and wetlands.  Mike proposed the issue could be resolved by blacktopping the roads and proposed blacktopping Forest Shores Rd.  He said there are grants and benefit fundraisers that could be done to help pay for the upgrade to the road. Mike said he would attend the next township meeting and if anyone is interested in speaking with him about the issue, he can be reached at 612-801-8003.

Good to the Order: 

Evaluation:  Ray gave the meeting a 5.

50 cent Drawing: was won by Bonnie Berg.

25 Dollar Incentive Drawing:  Would have been won by Tony Hass but he was not in attendance.

The meeting ended at 11:00

Don’t forget to check out the website:   https://annlakewatershedalliance.org 

We look forward to seeing you again at the next meeting on May 11th, 2024 – 10 am

ALWA Dues go from January through December.

$15.00 per individual per year

$25.00 per couple/family per year

$100 individual lifetime membership