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 available in front of the building.

PLCA Board Meeting - Wednesday March 11, 2026

Chairperson: Brian Riehl – President - present

Executive: Donna McKenna – Vice-president -

Walter Williams – Treasurer – call in

Doreen Tschanz – Secretary - present

Donna O’Krafka –Director of Communication – present

Directors: Russell Hurst – Township Councilor -

Bill Calhoun– North Shore -

Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present

Adrian O’Driscoll – Rhodes Road – Southshore West

Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane – Southshore East - present

Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point - present

Jody Lipke – Irish Creek -

Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane –

Non-voting participants - Art Zymerman – past president - present

Meeting to order at 7: 00 PM

Motion by Kathleen Zymerman to approve the February meeting minutes; 2nded by Kevin Axt.

Town Hall Meeting

Larry O’Krafka offers the Hespeler Legion for Tuesday May 12 at 7-9 pm. This will be the big room complete with audio/ video for $200. Food is not an option but drinks are cheap but cash sale only. Brian will confirm the booking with Larry.

Julia from Elmira Farm & Fish will attend. Brian will confirm the date with her and suggest that she bring Muck Biotics for sale plus 25 of the 50 bags that the PLCA will need for the first application to the lake.

An announcement will inform residents of the meeting and that they can purchase Muck Biotics then for their shoreline.

Peerless Herbicide Application Information – The Zymermans

Art & Kathleen drafted a report for residents to learn facts about herbicide applications and Donna O’Krafka sent the report to all lake residents.

They will draft another report for distribution regarding Muck Biotics prior to the Town Hall meeting.

Home Tour – Kathleen Zymerman

Donna McKenna wants 5 homes not 4. Kathleen will ask Donna to call a meeting of the Home Tour committee to iron out remaining details.

Work Barge – Brian will contact Al Way regarding use of his “Rent-Me “pontoon. The PLCA does not need to purchase insurance when borrowing. Art Zymerman suggested that Brian suggest a PLCA donation in kind in return for use.

Financials – Walter Williams

Walter emailed the reports and the reports were forwarded to the board. Bottomline is that there is $27,233.56 for seed money.

Trillium Foundation Grants – Art Zymerman

Because Art was involved in the first application that the PLCA received, he volunteered to apply for a grant to pay for the Procella applications to Puslinch Lake. Other lakes have been granted the funds for Procella applications.

Trillium has 2 types of grants, both of which require specific information in the applications.

The Seed Grant gives money to start a project by paying 15% of needed amount. The applicant pays the remainder.

The Capital Grant gives the total amount. This frees the applicant’s capital. The deadline is March 1, 2027.

The board decided to apply for $50,000 to this grant and pay for the 2026 Procella application without a grant. In 2027, if accepted, the PLCA can decide whether to add PLCA funds to the grant.

Adrian O’Driscoll was not applying to Trillium but is still pursuing other funding.

Adjourned at 8:10 pm.

Next Meeting - 7PM, April 8, 2026 @ PAW, 7 Holly Trail

ACTIONS

1. Brian Riehl will confirm the Legion booking with Larry O’Krafka.

2. Brian Riehl will confirm May 12th Town Hall date with Julia of Elmira Farm & Fish.

3. Brian Riehl will contact Al Way regarding use of his Rent-Me pontoon.

4. Art Zymerman will apply for the Trillium Capital Grant for 2027.

5. Art & Kathleen will compile a report regarding Muck Biotics use.

6. Councillor Russell Hurst will investigate any news regarding shades for the MTO lights.

7. Donna McKenna & Michel Thibbault will update the Welcome Booklet

8. Kathleen Zymerman will ask Donna McKenna to call a meeting of the Home Tour Committee.

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 Tuesday May 12, 2026 at the Hespeler Legion in the Jacob Hespeler Hall at 26 Schofield St. in Hespeler 7pm. Discussion on Financials, Fundraising, and Weed management. followed by our Annual Town Hall Meeting

The PLCA’s Annual Townhall Meeting is also May 12, 2026 following our AGM meeting at the Hespeler Legion. Residents were welcome to hear about and discuss various topics of interest ie: Lake restoration, financials, PLCA community event plans/updates.

THE 2026 PLCA BOARD MEMBERS

Brian Riehl | PRESIDENT * briandriehl@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 * ArtZYMERMAN@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 21 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 * RECORDING SECRETARY * DTSCHANZ@mail.com

She has served on the Board for 28+ 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.