Meeting called to order by President Mary Biersach.
October 4,2008 minutes read and approved.
Treasurer’s report given by Bev Sullivan.
109 paid Club memberships to date.
25 (of 25) boat slip fees paid
1 start up boat slip fee paid
3(of 6)canoe rack fees paid
$16,381.65 checking balance
$25,500. In Certificates of Deposit
2009 taxes $12,805.01 which is an increase of $1457.20 from last year. There is a projected increase in taxes for 2010 of $2500. As we are now paying on full market value for Cinosam property and the propertyvalue of Gull Lake land is not going to go down. Cinosam property classification is seasonal recreation. The small outlots are deemed unbuildable and therefore have lower taxes. Discussion was heardabout exploring conservation easement as a possibility to lower the taxes. A Cinosam Club member had mentioned this at a 2008 summer gathering.
Diane Dillman had a $1000.reimbursement check for Cinosam from the Shoreline Restoration project.
SAC
Jarrett couldn’t attend the Board meeting so he gave handouts to Mary to give board members that outlined the donation of new dock sections, including pipes and hardware given by the Slack family.
There are 3 open canoe slots.
No information was given about when docks would be installed by Trever.
CLARC
This is the secondyear of the Shoreline Restoration grant and there is $400 left to spend. Some $$ will be used to repair areas damaged by Shore stations. July 1,2009 will be 3rd(and last) year of the grant with $500 deliverable. Work will be done to remove wood chips from the snowmobile trail on outlot #2 so the grass can grow. Favorable comments were given about the endurance of the snowmobile trail. A sprinkler used to water the hillsides was damaged last summer and will need to be replaced.
Damage to Outlot#4
The DNR told Diane that money will be added to the top of the grant to repair damage done to the hillside, shrubbery and plants. Americor volunteers will do the labor. During removal of shore stations last fall, Trever’s crew broke an American Elm tree and a White Pine.
Oct. 4 '08 minutes
Cinosam Meeting Oct. 4, 2008 Unapproved Minutes Meeting called to order by President Mary Biersach. Minutes for August 30 meeting read by secretary Ann Maresch-Solseth, corrected and approved. Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Bev Sullivan reviewed financial statement. It was approved. Last years Club insurance was $1057 for 2007-2008 and the 2008-2009 bill is $1077. Time made motion we pay this bill, seconded by Joey, motion passed.. Information was introduced at the meeting that the Cinosam Ladies Club has been using the Cinosam Club’s Federal Tax ID# and therefore their interest shows up as Cinosam Club income. They have approx. $1400 in a CD and approximately $700 in their checking account.. Either they will have to turnover their funds to Cinosam Club or get their own Federal Tax ID#.. Jack Lever, Bev and Mary will meet with Sheri Koehler about this point. Richard Dillman wants it to be made clear to the Ladies group that we do not covet their money. The Ladies Club have said that 2009 will be the last year they donate $50 towards plants for the Main Beach flower beds. The annual audit of the books showed that our balance sheet is accurate. This was done by Jack Lever and Bev Sullivan. Jack clarified example of bill such as "Dock Removal" which was payment to Trevor Kampen . It was noted that if the Club Treasurer has questions about a bill it is not to be paid until there is a Board meeting. There are 85 paid memberships at this date, 11 paid boat slip fees, 2 canoes. Tim made motion we accept the audit and treasurer’s report, Richard seconded, approved. CLARC Fencing done at Round Lake Outlot cost $118.34 which is $18.34 over the approved expense @ the August 30 meeting. Motion made by Tim to accept bill, seconded by Joey, motion approved to pay the $118.34 bill. There was also $32 spent on stain for the fencing. Joey made motion we pay this bill, seconded by Tim, motion approved. General consensus is that the fencing looks fabulous and is a welcomed improvement to that portion of Cinosam Club property. Orange snow fencing is also needed to deter damage at the Round Lake access over the winter. Richard made motion we spend maximum of $50 for snow fencing, seconded by Tim, motion passed. Discussion was held to put dock sections out 2009 so that members could fish. SAC Jared was not present so Fred gave information that October 11 is" boats out" date and docks will be removed October 13th. How does Trevor set the date for scheduled removal of docks/boats? Some boat slip holders at the meeting discussed wanting to leave their boats in the water longer. There was discussion at Boat Committee meeting to require $100 deposit to be on the Boat Slip Waiting List but no final decision was made. Discussion was heard about adding additional boat slips at the Main Beach and Outlot #3. Outlot #3 might possibly be "U" shaped in 2009. They also had discussion about simple configuration changes of other docks in 2009. The swim dock sections were removed and stored at the end of the beach to limit damage to the plantings. Interest in adding a bench on the south boat dock of the Main Beach brought discussion to duplicate the one that was put in this summer on the north boat dock. Joey mad motion we add second bench, seconded by Tim. Trevor has brackets to attach dock sections together we can use for additional dock sections but we will have to purchase the pole brackets. It is hopeful that a Club member can be present at dock removal so they can direct where we want the Shorestations and docks to lessen the damage to the shoreline restoration. The most recent Boat Slip Rules are from August 23,2002. It is evident that they need to be updated. There was also discussion about the width of the dock sections alongside the boats being too narrow to be stable. The south side at the Main Beach are 2 feet wide and the north side is using wider sections. Putting 2-2 ft wide sections together using existing materials may be too wide. Further discussion will be held about this. Bylaws Committee The committee continues to meet doing additions and corrections to the Club Bylaws. They will continue to work over the winter via e-mail with possible presentation for Board next summer so that the Bylaws will be ready for 2009 Annual Meeting vote. New Business CLARC put fences at top of the hills on Outlots 2 and 4. There were no problems at Outlot 2. The Outlot 4 fence was placed 18"over the property line onto Bailey’s property. Mary and Fred met with Jim Bailey on October 3 to discuss this matter and the point that Bailey’s had a nice blue spruce planted that happens to be on Cinosam property. Discussion was held to leave the spruce in place, remove the east/west portion of the fence railing and leave a post in place to demark the property lines. The north/south post will be moved back the 18" onto Club property. There was damage to plantings at Outlot 4 when one of the bordering neighbors had sand and rip-rap put on their shoreline and the company doing the work used Cinsoam property to slide these materials down instead of the private property owner’s land. The DNR and sheriff’s department were contacted when the damage was noticed while additional plantings were being done. The DNR will replace the shrubs and plants in Spring 2009 at no cost to Cinosam. Neighborhood Cleanup No charges yet submitted from the dumpster that had inappropriate items dumped in it after hours from the summer event. Fall Cleanup October 18th @ 9AM there will be cleanup of leaves, branches, etc. please bring tarps, rakes and leaf blowers. Signs will be posted. Some chores such closing down the pump at the Main Beach and checking the playground equipment shouldn’t be left for haphazard attention per Fred. There needs to be a system set in place so next Spring the pump is readied for use,etc. No discussion held at this time about a system being put in place. Present: Mary Biersach, Joey Halvorson, Bev Sullivan, Ann Maresch-Solseth, Richard Dillman, Chuck McCleary, Mark McDonald, John Ness, Tim Vescio, Tom Whitehead Meeting adjourned. Next meeting possibly April 2009. Submitted Ann Maresch-Solseth, secretary
An Overview: Cinosam Corporation
Government, Concerns & Realities:
With many details useful to all, as well as newcomers and prospective buyers. Prepared by Fred Paine, a lifetime summer resident.
This information & the interpretations below aren't necessarily the official position of the Club, nor Board.
Cinosam Club Corporation, incorporated 1921 as "A Summer Colony for Masons and Eastern Stars," oversees members in three legal land plats of land; "Cinosam Club" (either side of Cinosam Road) "Cinosam Tracts" (south of Cinosam Club and westerly, toward Gull Lake; and "Cinosam Acres."
Any living person/nuclear family (not corporations) owning property within these three land plats is eligible to pay dues and thus be a member of Cinosam Club (Corporation). Dues ( $80) are paid on a ("nuclear") family/household basis. This generally means parents and children, or other relatives living in one dwelling.
Those persons owning land without structures are eligible to pay dues and thus be members. No person or nuclear family is eligible to have more than one vote, regardless of the number of lots owned.
Dues have traditionally paid taxes, liability insurance related to Club-owned parks , "outlots," and docks, maintenance and Board-approved improvements such as beach sand, replacement trees, etc. From the start, most Club maintenance and very many improvements have been accomplished entirely by volunteer labor. A current exception is contracted removal and re-installation of main boat docks (not side-access docks) on a seasonal basis. Docks have in many cases been constructed by volunteers, with materials paid for from Club Dues.
Minutes of the Cinosam Board Meeting July 26 2006, at 7 p.m. At the home of President Ed Koehler.
The minutes of June 21,2006 were read and amended to note the donation of postage for ballot mailing by Chuck Trucano, who chaired the elections committee and obtained addresses for mailing.
The treasurer's report was read and approved. A copy will be attached to the Secretary's record. Some items of note include: (rounded figures)
Cinosam Club Corporation property is now appraised at $1,189,300 for tax purposes. Insurance cost is $1,197 Property tax was $9,372 Utilities $104 Income over outgo was $3,492
A long range planning committee for Club property was discussed. Its general aims are to improve the grounds, prevent erosion, construct stairways and other desirable enhancements as developed by the committee and approved by the Board. Annual, interim and 10 year planning / implementation periods were suggested.
Both parks and the smaller outlets are to be included in prioritized plans. Strong erosion was noted as present on the Cinosam Pines outlot and in both parks. Erosion control was suggested by several as a probable first priority, as were water control and retention, tree planting already budgeted, and 20 yards of topsoil addition already budgeted
The possibility of acquiring information from Gull Lake Area Ass'n. and Lakes area Restoration Ass'n., etc. was suggested. It was agreed that the charge to the committee is for planning and involvement in initial plantings/installations, etc. and not routine maintenance (such as lawn mowing). At the annual meeting persons to serve on the committee may make their wishes known. Bob Distel, Mark McDonald and Tom Schreier are involved via tree planting, topsoil placement, and planning efforts already underway by Fred Paine. He was named by acclimation to chair the committee. He will renew contact with those persons to determine their interest in serving on the long range planning group. (They subsequently agreed to serve on the committee.)
On motion of Chuck Me Cleary, 2nd by, Leendert Kersten, the name Cinosam Lakes Area Restoration Committee will title the group, whose work is to be ongoing.
Fred Paine raised the matter of boat slip guarantees, observing that the demand has long since outstripped supply.
He proposed consideration of three kinds of answers, and invited additional new approaches or refinements from others. (The matter will be raised at the annual meeting Aug 5). He offered a three-part suggestion for consideration by the Board and the Club membership:
1. Raise boat slip fees to $750 per year—a cost far below commercial rates in the area.
2. Since boat policy is significantly based on the number of people actually wanting boat slips, and in the past a number rising to the top of the list have declined a boat slip, Require a $100 deposit from each person having or obtaining a place on the waiting list. (The deposit to be refunded without interest if the member sells his Cinosam properties; or at the discretion of the Board; or used as a portion of the initial $350 fee which applies to persons when they obtain a boat slip.) And 3. That boat slip use be limited to seven years., with the stipulation that because of such a rule change, no person may lose his slip without having two years notice and use of the slip. The repeated issue of real estate agents representing property ownership in Cinosam as guaranteeing a boat slip was renewed. Fred Paine proposed a sign to provide correct information to prospective buyers and others. The wording agreed was," Property Ownership Does Not Guarantee a Boat Slip" The sign is to be posted near the entrance to the main park, and is to be professionally made. Up to $100 was approved for the purpose. Fred Paine will handle the details. It was noted that "class 5" road topping, (a sand,-gravel-clay mix placed on existing side roads) can be had by petition (early in the season) via Duane Blank, County Engineer. A number of side roads have been treated in 2006 and recent years. Petitions may be for a whole road, or a portion of it defined in the petition. Those on a particular road interested in such improvement should join together to circulate a petition obtained from Mr. Blank. Everyone on a road need not participate, but experience suggests the county prefers road work along several properties rather than scattered lots. Work is done on an "as convenient" basis by the county. On motion by Mc Cleary, 2nd by Leendert Kersten, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Fred Paine Secretary
Minutes July 19,2008
Cinosam Board Meeting July 19,2008
Meeting called to order by President Mary Biersach. Board members present:Pres. Mary Biersach, VP Joey Halvorson, Treasurer Bev Sullivan, Secretary Ann Maresch-Solseth, Richard Dillman, Mark McDonald, Hal Warren, Tom Whitehead, Tom Schreier, Fred Paine and Chuck McCleary.
June 28, 2008 minutes were read, corrected and approved.
Treasurer's Report Bev Sullivan gave a Financial Balance sheet handout and read the report: Cash and Bank Account balance is $3,778.67. Joey made a motion we accept Treasurer's report, seconded by Hal. Report approved. Bev also explained that we have previously had the 5 lake lots taxed at the Limited Market Value and that will change in 2009 to Estimated Market Value so our real estate taxes may increase at a higher rate.
Shoreline Area Committee (SAC) Report There has been no response from Crystal Reed about her right to the open boat slip though contact has been attempted various times via mail. It has been offered to the next on the Boat Slip waiting list: the Joe Olson family and they have accepted it. Boat committee members discussed with Olson's the request they received to have the slip held for $350 and did agree to compromise as there are not firm rules for this situation. Jared is working on a draft of a policy change to cover this situation should it arise again.
ByLaws Committee Members Ed Koehler, Fred Paine and Scott Lever continue to hold meetings but will not have a final for the Annual meeting to be held August 2.
Park Maintenance This committee is inactive; Tim Vescio is head of the committee but is not present at the meeting to give any report. Volunteers have been mowing as needed when signs are posted; cleanup after storms from fallen trees and branches has been also quickly cleared by volunteers. Maintenance to picnic tables and benches was done earlier this summer. Denise Whitehead asked if there is any remaining paint from that project that could be used for the swingset. She'll contact Alice who had donated that paint. Dale Teeuwen replaced the canvas on the swingset. Those present are encouraged to pull weeds and pick up garbage as needed.
CLARC Diane wrote an article that will be published in the Cinosam Club Newsletter. July 12 and 13, 2008 18 volunteers helped plant over 1250 plants, which included native trees, native shrubs, native flowers and native grasses. The native plantings sustain the ground by controlling erosion with their deeper root systems. That is the reason some flowers such as daisies have been removed. She made certain that everyone present understands how important it is that we all take turns watering these plantings even though we have had rain this summer. Donations of "in kind" equipment were made of tools, beverages and snacks.
Election Committee Fred gave update that ballots were mailed to all dues paying members on July 15,2008.
Photos and information on each candidate were included with the mailing and are also posted at the Main Beach bulletin board.
Neighborhood Cleanup Rick Hans is on vacation so report given by Mary. It is scheduled for August 23 and that date will be kept though will we not have Sentence to Serve personnel to assist us this year. Neighborhood members will need to canvas for assistance for trailers and strong arms that we can connect with those who need items hauled to the Dumpster.
Lot Property Lines Discussion was heard from various members present about what has been done in the past for surveys. Lot measurements are filed at the county and can be checked when there is a dispute. As previously discussed, the cost to survey our properties could range from $2100 to $2500 and this is a cost the board did not want to incur at this time. It could be a conflict of interest to hire Jared to survey the property lines as he is a resident. The metal pipes that mark the lines up by the road and down by the lake can be located with a metal detector and can be marked with post sunk in the ground and covered with a flat cap. Mark McDonald volunteered to speak with the south property owners by the Main Beach lot.
The July 4th celebration had a very good turnout again this year. The Whiteheads organized the parade, games, drawings and food. Next year they would like to do the food only and have other members be in charge of the other areas so they can also enjoy the day. They incurred expenses of $352.48 but had only been given $300 as startup money. Joey made a motion we reimburse them $52.48, seconded by Bev, all approved, motion passed. There were also donations that day of $296.53.
Dick and Elaine Petersen donated a flag to replace the worn flag at the Main Beach. It has been given to Don Bode who agreed to properly destroy the old flag after he has raised the new one. Several residents have placed the flags on the power poles for warm weather holidays such as Memorial Day weekend, Flag Day, July 4th, etc. Several comments have been heard about how much this is appreciated by the Cinosam neighborhood.
A resident by Outlot #4 called Mary with a complaint that the vehicles of those using their boats occasionally block one of her three driveways. It is a public road so the boat owners have the legal right to park there but must be considerate to not block the driveways. This complaint has come from other property owners, sometimes because they are not aware of the property lines. We must all work at being good neighbors, per Mary.
Another resident has expressed concern that there are drug deals being made at the Main Beach after dark. All residents should be aware that they could call the Sheriff's Dept who will send out a deputy. In the meantime we can take a license #and get a description of the vehicle(s) but above all, stay safe. One member volunteered to take photos if a phone call is made to them. There has also been some vandalism reported of tree damage, Seating wrecked, and benches upended.
Fred Paine shared his concern that all members need to share the workload for property upkeep, road maintenance,etc. Board members need to be responsible for their positions. Discussion was heard that as a Club we only have jurisdiction over the Outlots and the Main Beach lot, not personal property. Property owners have the right to build what they want on their property, paint their buildings what color they want, etc. as we aren't an association or a Planned Unit Development (PUD). Sylvan Beach Club has dealt with some of the issues that Cinosam Club is currently facing. They have shared information in the past with Wayne and Bev Whitehead and we may again need to meet with SBC to gather information.
Concern was expressed that we need to avoid committee proliferation.
The Annual Cinosam Meeting will be held at the Main Beach on August 2 at 10 am. This is a time change from previous years. Members are to bring their own seating as well as a coffee cup if possible. Beverages and snacks will be available for all to enjoy during the meeting. Any complaints that individuals would want to express at this meeting must be submitted in writing. We hope to adjourn the meeting around 12 noon.
Government, Concerns & Realities: