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: (11) Tina Kerska, Eric Kerska, Margot Kohl, Walt Smith, Sharon Smith, Richard Anderson, Bobbi Hurmi, Dennis Hurmi, Linda Stoneburner, Garth Stoneburner, Ray Penwarden

Sharon started the meeting at 10:04 after welcoming new neighbors Tina and Erik and doing some introductions

Agenda for today’s meeting and Outcomes from the last meeting were accepted with no changes

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

Correspondence: Sharon passed around the minutes from the latest Ann Lake Township meeting.

Shoreline and Water Quality Panel event:  An email was received from Emily from Soil and Water regarding an upcoming Shoreline and Water Quality, panel meeting with specialists such as a DNR hydrologist, representation from fisheries, from Kanabec Environmental Services, Soil and Water technicians on Friday August 7^th 10am at Sapsucker Farms to answer questions and provide information.   Ray included a flyer with a QR code (see attached) click on and sign up to attend.   

Kanabec County Fair:  Along with other lake association volunteers, you could volunteer and sign up for a 1-2 hour slot at the Soil and Water Booth at the Kanabec County Fair taking place this week Wednesday the 22^nd through Sunday the 26th 

Check–in on Old Business:

Civic Organizing:

Ann Lake Township meeting:  occurred the first Monday of the month on July 7^th.  Mary Pohlman did a Snake River Watershed Plan overview and Paul Hoppe suggested they help pay for our water sampling.  There was talk of ALWA adding sampling of E-coli in addition to the testing we already do.  Mary shared that there are 3 years’ worth of funds available for folks with low incomes to pay for septic improvement/replacements as well as funds to help pay for soil erosion projects. 

Bingo Updates for June 27^th

Sharon thanked the volunteers who showed up to help out: Sandy, Ray, Walt, Margot, Linda, Beth and Tower Bar staff: Heather, Allie, Diana, Haley, and Gill.   Ray and Sharon concluded due to the event not being that well attended, we did not have much profit and the group discussed some strategies to improve things next time, such as: no need to purchase meat raffle gift certificates, because we can use the leftovers, for next months’ Bingo and to get more advertising out one week earlier.  Our next 3 Bingo dates will be August 22, September 19 and October 17.

Boat Parade was a success this year!!  Thank you to our volunteer leader Pam Bemis and our good will ambassador Ray Finnegan for helping make the event so enjoyable for everyong.  The group agreed the start time of 11am worked out and there were 15 boats!

Check in on New Business:

Sharon read her resignation as president of ALWA and reviewed some of the things we as a group do:  We pay for the light and trash pickup at the boat launch, we treat for curly pond weed, we do roadside cleanup along highway 47, we provide scholarships for students pursuing environmental educations, we do water quality testing and our results are posted on the MPCA website we work with Soil and Water for AIS prevention by promoting boat cleaning monitoring at the launch and being part of the tool board.  ALWA hosted a presentation about a paleolimnology study done on Ann Lake in 2022???  To discover and share the origin information about the water quality in Ann Lake. 

Board Positions: Margot volunteered and the group voted her in as new president, Bobbi and Sharon agreed to split the work of secretary on a Summer / Winter schedule.  Oaths of office will be read next month. 

Evaluation: The group gave the meeting a 5

50 Cent Drawing: was won by Margot Kohl

25 Dollar Incentive Drawing: would have been won by Scott Sandhoefner but he was not in attendance

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)