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 - Wed. Nov. 12, 2025 at 7::00 pm at 7 Holly Trail

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

Directors:  Russell Hurst – Township Councilor - present Bill Calhoun– North Shore -

                                Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present

                                Adrian O’Driscoll – Rhodes Road -

                                Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane -present

                                Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point -                            

                                Jody Lipke – Irish Creek -

                                Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane -

                             Sarah Hammell – South Shore –

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

                                         Annette Williams =McCormick’s Point -

                                         Dana Cofeltt – Rhodes Road - present                          

Meeting to order at 7:11 PM

Motion to approve the October meeting minutes was made by Russell Hurst; 2nded by Kevin Axt; carried

·         Quinnell Property – Russel Hurst – A request was sent to the township to check out if the bylaws are being observed regarding the trailer storage, access to the lake over GRCA land. Etc. A bylaw officer will be sent to ascertain if any bylaw is disobeyed. Russ will send a copy of the bylaw officer report to Brian Riehl.

·         Lake 3-year Rehabilitation Plan - Brian Riehl – Brian passed around a map with proposed sites and year for rehab work.  This is food for thought at the moment and future decision

·         Proposed Budget – Walter Williams – Walter had Brian distribute a draft 4-year budget with current Revenue, Expenses & Deficits. It was suggested that a 3-year budget be used. Also suggested was that 2026 would probably be the last Home Tour as different homes for showing are hard to acquire. This changes the Revenue for 2027 & 2028. In Expenses it was suggested to omit Procella $50K as time is needed to ascertain the effectives of the herbicide when used in 2025 and 2026. Two draft Budgets were suggested – 1) would show the previous suggestions and 2) would show $50K for Procella use in 2028 to entice donations. With more money there are many ways to improve the lake.

Walter estimated that less than 25% of residents are donating. Hopefully if residents see a Rehab Plan, donations will improve. More donations are needed to eliminate deficits in his proposed budgets.

Walter asked if area reps are more effective to present our Rehab Plan. Our plan is difficult to sell as it is under water and not visible like the dredging. Our credibility improves with experts like Elmira Fish & Farm Supply reps at a presentation.

Walter produced a Donation Analysis that Brian distributed.  It showed on lake & off lake residents. The true cost of donations at different levels, how $500 on lake & $250 off lake donations impact financials, number of $500 or more donations, breakdown of donations per different donation amounts with %.

·         Charity Funding – Brian Riehl contacted the Lake Fairlane group that got 200K funding from the Trillium Foundation for their Procella project to inquire how they got it. Russ Hurst recommended the PLCA ask the township for money again in the spring and volunteers to help with the application. Adrian O’Driscoll was absent for any update on his investigations.

Discussion: Regarding purchase of an old pontoon boat as a visual object when distributing Muck Biotics pellets.

Adjourned at 8:46 pm.

Next Meeting - January 14, 2026

7PM, at PAW, 7 Holly Trail

ACTIONS

·         Councilor Hurst will send Brian Riehl the bylaw officer report on the Quinnell property.

·         Walter Williams will continue working a draft Budget.

·         Brian Riehl will report from contact with Lake Fairlane regarding Trillium funding of Procella.

·         Adrian O’Driscoll will report on available funding.

·         The Welcome Booklet needed revision.

·         The Chute weed harvester will be investigated as a potential vessel to distribute Muck Biotics pellets.   

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 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 also May 21, 2025 following our AGM meeting at Ernie’s Roadhouse. Residents were welcome to hear about and discuss 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 * 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.