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. Oct. 8, 2025 - 7pm at 7 Holly Tr.

Chairperson:      Brian Riehl – President - present

Executive:           Donna McKenna – Vice-president - present

Walter Williams – Treasurer - present

                                Doreen Tschanz – Secretary - present

                                Donna O’Krafka –Director of Communications -

Directors:            Russell Hurst – Township Councillor - later

                             Bill Calhoun– North Shore - present

                                Paul Wyszynski – Bayview – present

                                Adrian O’Driscoll – Rhodes Road -

                                Kevin Axt – Clergy Lane -

                                Kathleen Zymerman – McCormick Point -                         

                                Jody Lipke – Irish Creek -

                                Jeremy O’Krafka – Eagle Lane - present

                             Sarah Hammell – South Shore –

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

Meeting to order at 7:05 PM 

Invitational presentation by Julia Webber, owner of Elmira Fish & Farm Supply

Julia described the MuckBiotics product as a safe biological bacterium that eats soft sediment from decayed vegetation. For shoreline use, a small dose of 1 oz size every 2 weeks from May-September when warm water is required is the recommended procedure.  Warmer water increases replication of the bacteria – 12 degrees Celsius at the bottom of the water is an optimal temperature.  Replication occurs where there is food source.  Introverts that live in the sediment ecology can eat the bacteria.  This diverts elements to other species rather that feeding weeds. The USA has a colder water MuckBiotics Zero that works down to 4 degrees at the bottom allowing earlier use but is more expensive but not a lot of increased result. 

Application to large areas uses a boat to dispense the product.  Boat wakes do not seem to affect detrimentally.

Julia handed out a flyer showing the Benefits – Targeted muck removal, safe for the environment, humans and pets, improves water quality, restores natural balance and reduces nutrient load.  How it works – apply the pellets, dissolving releases probiotics, breaks down organic matter, removes food for plant growth and thus restore the lake.

On the back of the flyer, she gave 3 proposals – Budgeting for 1) treatment Area – 150lbs/application every 2 weeks from May-Sept; cost per application (approx. 10 per season) after 15% discount $1766 per application. –per season 6ha -site = $17,6663

2) whole lake – 3990 lbs per application once a month May-Sept = $46,983 after 20% discount for 5 monthly applications – total season $221,099

3) Shoreline at residential areas 20M (65’) from shore– 180 lbs per application every 2 weeks May-Sept – cost per applications (approx. 10 per season) $2,120 after 15% discount = $21,195.60 for total season -

 In 2-3 years, results of 4” decrease in 1year and 8” in 2 years.

Julia was thanked and a discussion followed.

How to measure results –

Julia suggested sophisticated rulers for shoreline.  Deep water is move difficult.  Brian suggested measuring the clear water depth using a Secchi disk.  This becomes the baseline reading.  Then measure clear water depth at regular periods and if the clear water depth increases this will be proof of success from the use of MuckBiotics.

Keeping in mind that Julie said it takes 2-3 years to see significant depth change.  Residents using the MuckBiotics this summer claim that their shoreline water is clearer…. thus, the flocculent sediment    must be decreasing.

ACTIONS for Julia – 1) can we have a total shoreline price

                                   2) ask Jason the price of him doing application

                                   3)  ask Jason his price to train people to apply the MuckBiotics

                                   4)  give testimonials of clients on other lakes

                                   5) also, any clients who used Procella and MuckBiotics

Future Plan discussion

Should 2026 be the target for 3 years of application of MuckBiotics or target shoreline and have residents pay for their shoreline.  Choose a 2026 area for Procella and then 2027 area. 

Procella Test Area 2025 – John Goidosik report

The treatment area looks great and I suspect some residual effect on EMW outside the treatment area. Your plans moving forward relative to identifying 2 additional treatment zones (1 each for 2026 & 2027) are in line with what many US lakes have done.   Once we hit 2028, you will be able to manage any small EWM areas efficiently.  Here are some plants I saw when conducted the rake tosses (photos attached) Coontail, Elodea, Chara, Nitella, Water Stargrass, Starry Stonewort. 

Treasurer Report – Walter Williams

Walter handed out a Balance Sheet & Profit & Loss by Month reports. He presented a draft Budget and has since revised it.  We will see what November brings 

Adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Next Meeting – 7pm, November 12, 2025 - at PAW, 7 Holly Trail

ACTIONS

1.       Russell Hurst will check out the Trailer Storage area to ascertain any increased parameters.

2.       The Board needs to plan for the next test areas for weed control for 2026 and work to be done on the 202test area

3.       The Finance Sub committee needs to draft a Toolbox for making donations alluring.

4.       The Finance Sub committee needs to revise the Welcome Booklet to better inform newbies of Weed Spraying facts.

5.       Adrain O’Driscoll will continue to investigate funding Charities.

6.       Board members should check out the test area.

7.       Homes are needed for the 2026 Home Tour.

8.       Walter Williams will work on his 2026 Budget.                      

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.