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, August 12, 2026
Chairperson: Art Zymerman – President - present
Executive: Donna McKenna – Vice-president - present
Walter Williams – Treasurer –
Doreen Tschanz – Secretary - present
Dana Colfett – Communication Director –
Directors: Russell Hurst – Township Councillor - present
Bill Calhoun– North Shore - present
Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present
Dana Colfett – Rhodes Road -
Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane - present
Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point - present
Jody Lipke – Irish Creek -
Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane –
Non=voting participants – Brian Riehl – past president – present
Donna ‘O’Krafka – Bayview - present
Meeting to order at 7:10 PM
Motion made by Kevin Axt to accept the July meeting minutes; 2nded by Kathleen Zymerman.
Muck Biotics – The purchase of a work barge/pontoon boat has not been necessary as Larry O’Krafka has volunteered to help Art Zymerman apply the Muck Biotics with Larry’s pontoon boat. Supplies for the second half application have been purchased.
Procella – The 2025 area and 2026 area have been successful in ridding these areas of Milfoil plus the weeds that Procella does not kill, look stunted. Residents have reported that there has been no Milfoil washing up on shore as in previous years. Skiing the west course no longer dredges up clumps of weeds on the ski rope. These reports will be told at area meetings in the Fall months by Art Zymerman and should give good reasons for donating for the use of this product.
Trillium Funding – The application will be for $50K. Art wants to meet with Donna McKenna and Jeremy O’Krafka in the next couple of weeks to prepare for the March 2027 deadline. Donna volunteered to download the forms.
The 3-Year Plan – A question arose if the plan is on the PLCA website. He could not find it. Art also, wondered if Dana had the Town Hall Presentation consolidated yet so that he has it for the Fall Area Meetings.
The Northshore meeting is planned for October thanks to Bill Calhoun getting the ball rolling.
Financials – Walter Williams compiled a Profit & Loss Comparison between 2025 & 2026.
Donations are $10,000 for 2026 so far compared to $24,000 for 2025.
Home Tour Revenue $17, 089 which includes 44,050 in special donations to cover the buskers & BBQ food for 2025 compared to $22,391 for 2025.
Total Expenses $62, 968 for 2026 compared to $50,476 for 2025
Profit for 2026 is -$31,573 compared to- $2,284 for 2025
Some good news HST Refund of $3710 arrived.
Donations – Are donations down because there are no flags given for $500 donations? Art will ask this at the Area Meetings.
Katleen Zymerman asked should area reps deliver a letter to each resident explaining the need for donations even though the lake looks weed free at the moment. If left unattended, the weeds will return.
Doug Mitten’s Waterloo Region Community Foundation sent $6,050 without any restrictions and only asking for recognition. Art recommends using this money for Procella purchase in 2027.
Doug Mitten still helps Puslinch Lake even after his passing
Dredge Insurance – Art was notified that Dave Taliano cancelled liability insurance. It is unclear which liability insurance was cancelled as there remains equipment plus the pit work requires insurance, Donna McKenna will contact Dave for clarification.
Big Island – The Heritage Foundation contacted Art. $2M worth of liability insurance is needed for the island coverage and asked if the PLCA would pay for it. Art will investigate further and if the PLCA needs to pay for the insurance, he will say no to being the island monitor.
Fundraising – Home Tour – the question asked is can the name be changed to Lakeview Home Tour where no homes are entered but seen only by boat on the same weekend in June. More homes could be seen.
An Antique Car Show has been suggested. Details for future consideration.
Township Grant – September 30th. An application will ask for $2999 for Muck Biotics purchase. This would be a follow up to dredging for which the township had been granting money. The Township should be an active lake participant because of the Public Access.
Adjourned at 8:09 pm with motion by Kevin Axt & Russell Hurst
Next Meeting
7PM, September 9,2026
@ PAW, 7 Holly Trail
ACTIONS
Dana Coffelt
will condense the 3-Year Plan Before the Fall Area Meetings.
will continue brain storming.
Donna McKenna
will download the forms for the Trillium Foundation application.
will contact Dave Taliano regarding clarification of his cancellation of liability insurance.
will review the Welcome Booklet and note needed updates.
Art Zymerman
will call a meeting with Donna McKenna & Jeremy O’Krafka to draft a $50K application to the Trillium Foundation.will draft a letter of recognition to Doug Mitten’s Waterloo Region Community Foundation to thank them for their donation.
will get clarification regarding liability insurance for Big Island from the Heritage Foundation.
will present an application for funding for Muck Biotics use to the Township September 30th.
Kathleen Zymerman & Donna McKenna
will draft a letter for area reps to take to their residents to explain the need for donations or the PLCA goes bankrupt.
PLCA Board Meeting - Wednesday, July 8,2026
Chairperson: Art Zymerman – President - present
Executive: Donna McKenna – Vice-president - present
Walter Williams – Treasurer – present
Doreen Tschanz – Secretary - present
Dana Colfett – Communication Director – present
Directors: Russell Hurst – Township Councillor -
Bill Calhoun– North Shore - present
Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present
Dana Coffelt – Rhodes Road - present
Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane - present
Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point - present
Jody Lipke – Irish Creek -
Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane – present
Non=voting participants – Annette Williams
Meeting to order at 7:04 PM
Art Zymerman made note to say thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the Home Tours over the last 18 years, some of whom worked every Tour. Also, noted with appreciation for many years serving are Brian Reihl and Donna O’Krafka. And last but not least, he welcomed Dana Coffelt to the board as Communication Director and Rhodes Road rep. Art who is prepared for any challenges ahead is back for his third stint as president.
Motion was made by Kevin Axt and 2nded by Dana Coffelt to accept the 2026 AGM minutes.
Motion was made by Dana Coffelt and 2nded by Kathleen Zymerman to approve the April Board meeting minutes.
Work Barge – Paul Wyzinski reported that the pontoon boat advertised for sale was in too rough shape. Also, Doreen Tschanz reported that Ken Chute’s docks were used for planes but an onshore spot where he had kept his weed harvester was available.
Art and Larry O’Krafka have been applying Muck Biotics as prescribed with Larry’s pontoon boat.
Trillium Grant – Art & Jeremy O’Krafka will be applying for $30K to use on Procella herbicide to destroy Milfoil.
Fundraising Home Tour – Donna McKenna reported that despite low numbers of turn out, the event was very successful. Walter Williams reported the Tour Financials with an overall income of $21,300. This was only $500 less that 2025 Tour.
Paul Wyzinski had many participants say that they were there for the boat ride so he took them for a tour of the lake. He suggested for 2027 to replace the Home Tour with a Boat Tour. The problem to overcome is that insurance covers the Home Tour as Grandfather subject of 18 years whereas a Boat Tour is not covered with this “day rider clause” being a new subject which was already investigated and very complicated.
New Fundraising Ideas are needed.
Financials – Walter Williams
PLCA income has a $16K deficit behind previous years.
The purchase of Procella of $52K and Muck Biotics of $10K has been paid with another payment of $10K for Muck Biotics later.
The budget donation amount has not been reached yet.
Kathleen Zymerman suggested that residents need to be informed of the need for donations to continue the 3-year plan. Art suggested that he and Walter attend the areas’ fall meetings to inform residents. They need to get on the agendas for these meetings. Bill Calhoun said that Northshore has had no such meetings but he will talk to his area residents to see if such a meeting can be called in the fall and let Art know. Dana will condense the 3-year plan document to take to the meetings.
Motion was made by Kathleen Zymerman to approve Walter’s Financials and 2nded by Kevin Axt.
3-Year Plan Report – Art Zymerman
The plan began and 75 pounds of Muck Biotics was applied at the end of May to the 2025 test site by Larry O’Krafka and Art Zymerman. No Milfoil was seen in the area after last year’s spraying of Procella. Just other weeds were seen. The application continues every 2 weeks.
Procella was applied to the 6 HA 2026 chosen area in Mitten Bay parallel to the slalom course there.
In 2027 Procella will be applied in other chosen areas such as near Bayview and Muck Biotics will be applied to the Mitten Bay 2026 site.
Art sees a difference in his swim area where he has been applying Muck Biotics in 2025 and now in 2026. Muck Biotics needs to be promoted to the lake residents to use on their shorelines.
Also, residents need to be informed that in 2027 Procella can be applied to another area in their shoreline. They inform Peerless on their 2027 application.
No Reward was used this year 2026.
Art also noted that when he asked Peerless to spray a small area of Pond Weed, the Procella killed the Pond Weed. Procella also retards young Water Lilies.
Elmira Farm & Fish Supplies has a remedy for Chara & Algae blooms.
Other Business/Ideas
Danna Coffelt wants to solve email problems by opening a PLCA “Gmail” account.
On the website, she is looking for a “free” button for donations and an anonymous suggestion box.
Motion to Adjourn at 8:31 pm was made by Dana Coffelt; 2nded by Bill Calhoun.
Next Meeting
7PM, August 12, 2026
@ PAW, 7 Holly Trail
ACTIONS
Bill Calhoun will investigate into a Fall Northshore Area meeting to have Art & Walter present the 3-Year Plan and why funding is necessary, plus info on Muck Biotics and Procella.
Dana Coffelt will condense the 3-Year Plan for presenting at Fall area meetings.
Muck Biotics will be promoted to residents to use on their shorelines.
Art & Jeremy will apply for 30K grant for Procella use. Donna McKenna wants to help also.
Dana will continue her brain storming ideas.
The Welcome Booklet needs updating by Donna McKenna & Michel Thibault.
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 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 and was followed by our Annual Town Hall Meeting
The PLCA’s Annual Townhall Meeting was 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.