PLCA Monthly Board Meeting Minutes

The PLCA Board Meetings are open to lake residents and the public to discuss the future restoration of Puslinch Lake. They are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7 Holly Trail, Puslinch ON. at 7:00 pm. Parking is available in front of the building.

PLCA Board Meeting - Wednesday, March 12, 2025

7:00 pm PAW, 7 Holly Trail

Chairperson:      Brian Riehl – President - present

Executive:           Donna McKenna – Vice-president -

Sarah Hammell – Treasurer - present

                           Doreen Tschanz – Secretary - present

                           Donna O’Krafka –Director of Communication – present

Directors:          Russell Hurst – Township Councilor -

                          Bill Calhoun– North Shore - present

                          Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present

                          Adrian O’Driscoll – Rhodes Road -

                          Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane -

                          Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point - present                           

                           Jody Lipke – Irish Creek - present

                           Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane - present

                           Non-Voting members: Larry Hackbart - Northshore - present

                           Art Zymerman – past president - present      

Meeting to order at 7:14 PM

Motion: was made by Sarah Hammell to approve the February meeting minutes; 2nded by Bill Calhoun; carried 

University of Guelph Professor – Art Zymerman

Art called the professor again after she did not call him.  She claims that she needs approval/plan from the township to give the PLCA student help.  The university gets $15.000 from the township for student help in the township.  Art was hoping to speak with Councillor Hurst tonight and will call him regarding this.  We are hoping to buy an O2 meter and sonar scanner and to have a student operate them regularly for monitoring data for planning what is needed in the lake.   

FOCA – Federation of Ontario Cottager Association – Brian Riehl joined the PLCA up with this association.  The PLCA has joined in the past. 

Peerless Herbicide – There is a week extension for residents to order. 

Discussion:  Does the PLCA want to use Procella in the lake body.   The areas can be changed each year and 1 spraying is done per 3 years to an area.  Does the PLCA want to use aeration in the lake body.  Hydro hook-up needs to be planned.  The treasurer Sarah Hammell has $127,000 for use for lake remediation.

Jody Lipke reported that Steve Devine of WeedFreeWaters is doing aeration with somebody and is cheaper that WeedsBGone.

 Remedial Proposal

WeedsBGone gave Brian a 2-area quote of $30,000 per each area. The 2 areas chosen are 1) out to the south of Trailer Park beach past slalom course and towards the Big Island & Somme Island area.  A power source is needed for aeration.  2) West Mitten Bay and north of slalom course.  Again, a power source is needed for aeration. Enzymes are not included in the quote.

Because power source needs to be worked out, aeration won’t be in 2025 BUT the use of Procella will knock down the heavy weeds in these areas prepping for aeration use the following year of 2026. Before and after photos and data are necessary for showing results. 

Treasurer Report – Sarah Hammell

Sarah presented copies of the 2024 Financial Statement for the AGM when it happens.

2024 Revenue was $77,920.49

Expenses were $20,054.69

Cash is $108,000

She also handed out her monthly report - 2025 Income is $14,605.  Cash is approximately $30,000 plus GIC’s

Motion by Sarah Hammell was made to use $50,000 to pay Peerless to spray Procella in the Proposed  #1 area south of the Trailer Park Beach between Big And Somme Islands; a vote approved the motion. 

Home Tour – 2025 is happening – Brian needs more drivers and 2026 has some homes 

Funding – Brian sent Adrian a new fund to check – Environment and Climate Change Canada. 

Adjourned at 8:40 pm.

Next Meeting - 7PM, April 9, 2025

 @ PAW, 7 Holly Trail

ACTIONS

1.       Russ Hurst will give Dana the Cambridge email address to call regarding the cement blocks.

2.       Dana Will investigate if Cambridge will take the cement block

3.       Brian will send Adrian the Environment & Climate Change Canada funding link.

4.       Brian will order$50K of Procella spraying by Peerless for Proposed Area #1.

5.       Art Zymerman will report his phone call with the Un. of Guelph professor to Councillor Hurst.

6.       Brian Riehl & Art Zymerman will shop for an O2 meter and sonar scanner.

PLCA Board Meeting  - Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025 - 7:00 pm PAW, 7 Holly Trail 

Chairperson: Brian Riehl – President - present 

Executive: Donna McKenna – Vice-president -   Sarah Hammell – Treasurer - present 

Doreen Tschanz – Secretary - present 

Donna O’Krafka –Director of Communication – present 

Directors: Russell Hurst – Township Councillor - present 

Bill Calhoun– North Shore - present 

Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present 

Adrian O’Driscoll – Rhodes Road -  

Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane - present 

Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point - present  

Jody Lipke – Irish Creek -  

Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane - present 

                             Non-Voting members: Larry Hackbart - Northshore - present 

                             Art Zymerman – past president - present    

                             Dana Coffett – Rhodes Road     

Meeting to order at 7:09 pm 

Motion: to approve the December meeting minutes was made by Sarah Hammell; 2nded by Kathleen Zymerman; carried 

Quinnell Application for Bylaw Change – Brian Riehl 

Brian handed the board copies of his letter to the township regarding this. 

Cement Blocks – Dana Coffett 

Brian asked Dana if there was any response from Cambridge. Dana said she would email Cambridge. Russ Hurst will give her the email address. 

Well Report Summary – Russ Hurst 

There is a new planning committee, and Russ got a Wellington County water specialist onto the committee, and they will report back to the township. 

If any water levels drop, pumping stops. It was suggested that the PLCA monitor lake levels with the measuring stick at McCormick Point. Art Zymerman will check this regularly.  

Fundraising – Donna McKenna 

Bill Calhoun inquired if there are other events besides the Home Tour. 

Home Tour – more homes are needed.  The next meeting is March 12th. 

Financials – Sarah Hammell 

She handed out her report. There is not much change, Sarah noted that her flags are made in Canada. 

 Lake Remedial – Brian Riehl 

Brian & Art met virtually with Nick of WeedsBGone to ascertain if this company could do work on the main body of the lake rather that shoreline. Nick’s presentation focused on shoreline. He said that he would do a new presentation for the main body of lake. Nick needed to investigate for mid lake aeration and enzyme use. Power is needed for the aeration. Brian Riehl will contact him. 

Art contacted a professor at Guelph Un. to ascertain if her students could do a sonar scan of the lake. She was leaving for holidays, and he hasn’t heard from her. Art will call her again.   

Procella Aquatic Herbicide – This is a new chemical that can be used for 50% of the lake and only is used every 3 years.   Therefore, areas within the 50% permitted area could be targeted where needed. It is too expensive to do total 100% of the lake. The MOE requires a permit for use. It kills the plants. Calm water at distribution is needed. Peerless has it available. Art will try Pricilla at his shoreline 

Adjourned at 9 pm. 

Next Meeting - 7PM, March 12, 2025 - at PAW, 7 Holly Trail 

ACTIONS

1.       Russ Hurst will give Dana the Cambridge email address to call regarding the cement blocks.

2.       Dana Will investigate if Cambridge will take the cement blocks.

3.       Art Zymerman will contact the university professor regarding help from her students for work on the lake.

4.       Art Zymerman will have Peerless use Pricilla at his shoreline.

5.       Brian Reihl will contact Nick at WeedsBGone regarding work on the main lake

Our next Board meeting is scheduled for Wed. Mar 12, 2025 at 7 Holly Tr. - 7pm

PLCA Board Annual General Meeting

Each year at our PLCA Annual General Meeting, the vote for Board members takes place. Everyone is welcome to attend this yearly event. It is also an opportunity for any vacant Board or Executive position(s) to be filled if required. Are you interested in the Lake’s future? Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday May 21, 2025 at Ernie’s Roadhouse at 7 Queen St. in Hespeler starting at 6pm. Discussion on Financials, Fundraising, Remediation plans for the pit, and Weed management.

Followed by our Annual Town Hall Meeting

The PLCA’s Annual Townhall Meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2025 following our AGM meeting at Ernie’s Roadhouse. Residents are welcome to hear about and discuss on various topics of interest ie: Lake Restoration program, financials, PLCA community event plans/updates. A Q&A follows. ZOOM is available for those not able to attend and/or those who prefer to stay at home. Zoom was first used in 2023 for the Annual Town Hall meeting

THE 2025 PLCA BOARD MEMBERS

Brian Riehl | PRESIDENT * brianriehl333@GMAIL.COM

Brian is our current President since June 2022 and had also served on the board as the PLCA Treasurer for 10 years. His interests are enjoying good wine, & RVing when they can get away. Brian & wife Tracy enjoy their 6 grandchildren and they all love the lake!

ART ZYMERMAN I PAST PRESIDENT * AZYMERMAN@OUTLOOK.COM

Art has been the PLCA president twice while serving on the Board for 20 years+. He previously held positions as Vice President and Treasurer. His interests are water skiing, snow skiing, football and family.

DONNA MCKENNA * VICE PRESIDENT * OLDMARINA@AOL.COM

Donna was elected as Vice President at the 2018 AGM. Her main interest is for the rejuvenation, restoration and support of the lake. She generously donates her time and resources to all lake events to help raise funds for the lake restoration. Donna’s hobbies include working on her “She Shed” designs, doing antique window displays and pulling grape vines in the laneway to make home-made wreaths.

SARAH HAMMELL | Treasurer * hammellfamily@yahoo.ca

Sarah Hammell is our PLCA Treasurer for the board. Sarah lives on Clergy lane with her husband of 20+ years, Cliff. They have 2 children who love to boat, fish and water ski on Puslinch lake. Sarah is nicknamed the flag lady because she invented and produces the PLCA donation flags; a way to unite our community towards the lake conservation efforts. The platinum coloured 2025 flag is the ninth year of the donation flag campaign.

DONNA o’KRAFKA * EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATONS * okonthelake@hotmail.com

Donna was born and raised on a farm on road #34 right here in Puslinch. In 2004 she and her husband Larry moved to Puslinch Lake in the Bayview area. She started helping Jack Ward with the lake newsletter (Reflections) in the summer of 2005, and 20 years later, is now the Editor. Donna makes most of the flyers, brochures etc. for any upcoming events on the lake. Her hobbies are gardening in the spring/summer, painting in the cold months and taking pictures of her surroundings anytime.

DOREEN TSCHANZ I RECORDING SECRETARY * DTSCHANZ@mail.com

She has served on the Board for 27 years and is one of the original five founders for the PLCA. Doreen is in charge of managing the Norman Doud Estate and boarding stables located at #6637 Conc.#2. Her interests include horses, photography, and her 2 sons Al & Terry and the family.