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: (13) Rich Anderson, Ray Penwarden, Margot Kohl, Steve Voshell, Dee Voshell, Deanna Kern, Ken Kern, David Knosalla, Linda Knosalla, Erik Peterson, Heidi Annexstad, Sharon Smith, Walt Smith

Sharon started the meeting at 10:02

Agenda for today’s meeting: Website payment, AIS Meeting update, Roadside Cleanup, and RMB Lab water sampling were added to the agenda

Outcomes from the last meeting were accepted with no changes

Treasurer’s Report:   Ray presented the treasurer’s report and added we’ve paid our yearly dues to MLR: Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates (https://mnlakesandrivers.org/).  This group is known for their political advocacy for water quality.  They have recently accomplished setting limits for surf/wake boat activity and extending aquatic invasive species funding for another 2 years. 

Correspondence: included a Thank You card from Own It, the Ogilvie school group that does Highway 47 road clean up for ALWA, the annual report from MLR, and an email from Emily Larson regarding the most recent COLA meeting.

Check–in on Old Business:

Civic Organizing:

Ann Lake township roads have been graded; any concerns contact Paul Hoppe. 

Ann Lake Township Meeting.  Sharon was unable to attend the meeting on April 6, and Margot attended in her place.   Topics discussed during the meeting included: Kanabec County is trying to get tax forfeited, landlocked land back on the tax rolls and Ann Lake Township has 3.  Kanabec staff who attended the meeting confirmed: townships are not obligated to pay for road construction, for these parcels and with that assurance the township agreed to allow the sales to move forward.   They plan to move March elections to November for some time in the future.  Because a road report was done last year, they won’t do one this year.   To prevent erosion, calcium chloride will be applied on dirt roads every other year.  Donation requests from local groups doing good work in the community were discussed and approved to be paid.   2 neighbors in attendance presented to the council:  they want to do cannabis cultivation, and in order to obtain all the permits needed, the township must approve and provide written approval.  The board discussed it at length.  This discussion was about the potential tax revenue and disapproval anticipating potential complaints regarding smell and light.  Due to conflicting opinions, the board decided to table the discussion until next month.  If you would like to provide feedback to the township, their next meeting is coming up the first Monday of May, on the 4^th at 7pm at Ann Lake Town Hall (see map link at the end of this newsletter).

Curly Leaf Treatment: Walt shared: ALWA has sent the permit application, and we plan to treat 2 areas again this year.  As required every 3 years, a delineation survey will be done.  The cost for this will be $500 compared to $800 the last time.  The $500 will cover delineation of just the two areas that we treat compared to delineating the whole lake as we have done before. The group voted and approved to pay this cost.  The permit application was sent in January, and the survey will be done on April 23, the treatment will likely happen in the first part of May when the temperature is right. 

Bingo: We can do 4 Bingos on the normal permit that we get for the year and we go through Ogilvie City Council.  Sharon scheduled 4 dates with the Tower Bar, and they are planned for June 27, August 22, September 19 and October 17^th.  Linda Knosalla said she can volunteer on each of those dates.  As the dates get closer, Sharon will reach out for more volunteers. 

ALWA Website: is up for renewal every 3 years and this is the year.  There was no need to vote as the cost is included in AlWA budget.

Check in on New Business:

Scholarships: Sandy Copeland will step down from her duties overseeing ALWA scholarships and Sharon thinks there is a volunteer willing to fulfill the duties.  ALWA members expressed gratitude to Sandy for all of her past years of gracious service coordinating college scholarships for our local youth who pursue environmental education.   The 2026 April 1 deadline has passed and there were no applications received. 

RMB Labs: Walt reviewed ALWA sends samples for analysis during 4 summer months and the cost of water quality monitoring has increased this year.  After discussion the group voted and approved to pay the increased price. And the group expressed appreciation to Garth Stoneburner who has taken over sampling. 

COLA (Coalition of Lakes Associations) meeting: Ray attended last Thursday’s meeting and shared the group met with Mary Poelman, head of Snake River Water Shed Alliance which goes all the way to the St Croix.  Any concerns with erosion and water problems can be brought to Soil and Water.  The group has been aligned to staff boat landings with monitoring personnel.

Good to the Order: Rich brought up the topic of a COLA presentation during Mora Music in the Park and requested a letter about the proposal be sent to Emily from Soil and Water.  Sharon agreed to send the email.   Rich also brought up that he has been in contact with the supervisor for Own It, in Ogilvie to do roadside cleanup of Highway 47 for us again this year. He thinks it will be done on the 2^nd or 3^rd Sunday of May.  Any and all volunteers are welcome to do roadside cleanup along lake adjacent roads.  Contact Rich or Sharon if you want to do cleanup.

Evaluation: The group gave the meeting a 5

50 Cent Drawing: was won by Dave Knosalla

25 Dollar Incentive Drawing: would have been won by Marnel Black however he was not in attendance

The meeting was adjourned at 11:08

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

We look forward to seeing you again at the next meeting on April 11, 2026 at 10:00 am at Ann Lake Town Hall.  1448 240th Ave, Mora, MN 55051  

https://maps.app.goo.gl/d1kfY5FLZWiiL3Fe8

Links and Emails:

Kanabec Soil and Water, Emily Larsen:  emily@kanabecswcd.org

 Water quality data can be found here: http://lakes.rmbel.com  (Select the report you wish to see then go to the drop-down menus in the Query Criteria. Under “County” select Kanabec, then select Ann under “Lake”. If you select a report that requires a “Site” choose “201” which should be the only option. Complete any other drop-down menus that may be required depending on the report selected then click “View Reports”.)

ALWA Dues (January through December each year)

$15.00 per individual per year

$25.00 per couple/family per year

$100 individual lifetime membership

(See map below)