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, July 9, 2025 at 7 pm at 7 Holly Trail

Chairperson: Brian Riehl – President - present Executive: Donna McKenna – Vice-president - present Walter Williams – Treasurer - present Doreen Tschanz – Secretary - present Donna O’Krafka –Director of Communication – present

Directors: Russell Hurst – Township Councillor -

Bill Calhoun– North Shore - Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present Adrian O’Driscoll – Rhodes Road - Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane -present Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point - present Jody Lipke – Irish Creek - present Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane - present Sarah Hammell – South Shore –

Non=voting participants - Art Zymerman – past president - present Annette Williams =McCormick’s Point - present

Meeting to order at 7:05 PM

Motion made to approve the June minutes by Kevin Axt; 2nded by Jody Lipke; carried

Weed Spraying – Ski school & Peerless coordinated use of areas of the lake to ensure maximum efficiency. Richard of Peerless marked off the Procella designated area to be sprayed with coloured buoys that will remain for a couple weeks in order to monitor the spray results. Jeff Parks will use his drone to take pictures of the sight for useful monitoring. After 1 week, the area weed growth should be visibly less.

All the companies that have been contacted ATM say that using microbes in hand with weed spraying is the correct procedure.

Some questions arose that Art Zymerman will ask Richard of Peerless. Answers at the next meeting.

Walter Williams had spraying questions. Kathleen Zymerman has info from previous years that she will give Walter and any other new residents will get an insert in their Info Booklet.

Home Tour – Donna McKenna

The weather proved to be good and over $20K was made. This is down approximately $4K from 2024. More people bought tickets from outlets this year than in 2024 but the majority bought online. Next year the committee will look also in Guelph and Kitchener to sell tickets. The BBQ fed many volunteers. The raffle sold out and made more money than previously. Larry Hackbart again did a great job with the sponsor signs for the boats.

2026 needs new houses and by February. Even the tourists mentioned seeing the same homes previously. Home owners need to overcome security and privacy fears. There has never been an issue in 14 years The area reps are the best for asking for homes.

Financials – Walter Williams

Key Information Cash Flow 63,862 Outstanding cheques

Reimbursement to volunteers -107 Campbell Portable Toilets -255 Peerless -48,673.99 Minuteman Press -200.56 -49236.50

Net available cash 14,625 GIC 180.000 Less funds for pit -90,000

Net available GIC funds from GIC (cashable) 90,000

Liabilities

Accrued a fee for the y/e of $3,500

HST is currently sitting as a liability of 2,772

Donors – It was mentioned that it would be easier to ask for donations if the donors were known. Annette Williams will look into this. Walter suggested having a 3-person financial committee – himself, Donna McKenna & Kathleen Zymerman will be so.

Big Island Heritage Stewardship - Reps from the Heritage Trust toured the island 2 weeks ago. They asked that the PLCA continue for 5 or 25 years. There is no cost to the PLCA. Brian will ask Tim Cofett if he will do a yearly inspection & fill out a short report. There have been no situations to deal with for a couple of years since lake access is less;

Motion was made by Donna McKenna to continue stewardship of Big Island for another 5 years; Kevin Axt 2nded; passed.

FOCA lake monitoring – Brian will need to ask Tim Cofett if this was done on the date.

Art Zymerman reports that lake levels are up ¾ “

401 Light Pollution – Mike Carter told Brian that the MTO needs to conduct a new study in 2027.

Adjourned at 8:58 pm.

Next Meeting- 7PM, August 13, 2025 @ PAW, 7 Holly Trail

ACTIONS

1. Adrian O’Driscoll will research Environment & Climate Change Canada to ascertain their required criteria.

2. Kathleen Zymerman will send the Williams the spraying info from previous years.

3. Art Zymerman will ask Richard of Peerless the questions brought forth tonight regarding spraying and Procella info.

4. Area Reps will ask home owners for new prospects for 2026 Home Tour.

5. Annette Williams will look into who has donated for 2025 for the Financial Committee.

6. Brian Riehl will ask Tim Coffelt regarding FOCA Big Dip and Big Island St.

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 was 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 was May 21, 2025 following our AGM meeting at Ernie’s Roadhouse. Residents were welcome to hear about and discuss on various topics of interest ie: Lake restoration, financials, PLCA community event plans/updates.

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.

Walter Williams | Treasurer * WALTERW@VINE.CA

Walter joined the PLCA Board in 2025 as the treasurer, bringing his accounting background to the position. Walter enjoys wine tasting, travel and golf. He and his wife Annette moved to Puslinch Lake in 2022. They love living at the lake!

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.