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, financials, PLCA community event plans/updates.

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.

Wednesday April 9, 2025 at 7:00 pm PAW, 7 Holly Trail

Chairperson: Brian Riehl – President - present

Executive: Donna McKenna – Vice-president - present

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 - present

Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane -

Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point - present

Jody Lipke – Irish Creek - present

Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane – present

Non-Voting members: Art Zymerman – past president - present

Dana Coffelt

Meeting to order at 7:09 PM

Cement Blocks – Larry Hackbart found someone who will pick up & take these blocks from the dredge dock.

Environment & Climate Change Canada – Adrian O’Driscoll will research this to ascertain if Puslinch Lake rehab work fits their criteria.

Peerless & Procella – Our proposed Area #1 will be sprayed with Procella up to the amount of $50K including tax. Art Zymerman will call Richard at Peerless regarding agencies wanting study results on Procella. Un. of Guelph Prof – Art Zymerman cannot get contact with her. He needs to tell Councilor Hurst because the township pays the university for their help with water study. Art sent the prof a letter of our proposal as she requested without response.

Oxygen Meter & Sonar Scanner – Art Zymerman & Brian Riehl went to Elmira to the Fish & Farm Supply Co. where they got more info and help than anywhere else. An oxygen meter is $1800 to buy but they have a technician for $500 who will come and do the readings in May and give a report to decide whether we need aeration. The guys met a second company that said the same thing. The Elmira company showed them a product called MuckBiotic which eats the flocculent silt. The company put silt & product in a bucket to test the product. It eats up to 6” of decayed silt and lasts 2 years on a 30x 60 foot area.. It costs $210/ pail but that pail lasts a year. No permits are required. The product is natural bacteria. A time out of the product’s use is necessary for 1 week or 2 if used near herbicide, The guys suggest promoting the product for shoreline use. They suggest that residents call the Elmira company to ask questions and purchase. Perhaps the company would come to our AGM if we get a large venue for the meeting like a Town Hall meeting. The board voted in agreement to promote Muckbionic product.

Aeration – Jody Lipke through Steve at WeedFreeWaters invited Aquatic Aeration Solutions who came and met with Art Zymerman and Brian Riehl at her residence. The company brought brochures and Art handed them out to the board. This company confirmed that we are following the correct steps. The guys were impressed by this company as far superior to others contacted. After May oxygen tests and report, we will know if aeration is necessary.

FOCA – contacted Brian confirming that they will send the kit for the Ontario coordinated Great Dip.

Treasurer Report – Sarah Hammell handed out her monthly report and highlighted the great job that Donna O’Krafka is doing with the newsletter and the revenue it generates with sponsors’ advertisements. Unfortunately, Sarah announced that as of June 1 she cannot be treasurer. She has done a fantastic job taking over from Lorne Wallace and will be missed

AGM – We are targeting for May 21st depending if a venue is available for a town hall type meeting.

Donna McKenna will visit the Four Fathers restaurant/hall. Art Zymerman will invite Fish & Farm Supply.

Kathleen Zymerman will draft a hand out notice to be given to all residents. Donna O’Krafka will email previous recipients of the Harry Gingrich Award. Board members email their choice for this year to Doreen Tschanz.

Executive nominations – Sarah Hammell is the only exec not standing for 2025. A nominating committee of Kevin Axt and Paul W need names for running for Sarah’s place and then give them to Doreen Tschanz. Multiple names require a vote at the AGM.

Home Tour – Donna McKenna and committee have all in control & near ready. Larry Hackbart has 16 sponsors

Adjourned at 9:15 PM

Next Meeting: Wednesday June 11, 2025 

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.