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.
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.
Meeting adjourned, Ann Maresch-Solseth
June 28, 2008 Minutes
Cinosam Meeting June 28, 2008 Approved Minutes Present: Pres. Mary Biersach, VP Joey Halvorson, Treasurer Bev Sullivan, Sec. Ann Maresch-Solseth, Board members: Richard Dillman, Mark Macdonald, Fred Paine, Hal Warren, Tom Whitehead.
Minutes from June 7,2008 meeting were read, corrected and approved.
Treasurer report Bev gave out flowsheets of current financial status: Boat fund checking $678.70, Checking $577.42, Savings $3,287.48. The overview from past years' finances was very helpful during the meeting.
Bev has been entering financial information in the computer accounting program that was previously used by Verna Vanderburgh. She has been offered assistance from Verna. The bank accounts have been signed by Mary and Bev at the bank and some possible changes were discussed. Bev reviewed the way the Club checking and savings accounts have previously been set up. There is minimal interest made on the savings account and there is more bookkeeping from transferring funds back and forth with little financial profit. She also reviewed the need to change the boat acct from a personal acct to a business acct. Discussion was heard that originally the boat account was set up as a separate account as proof to Club members that the boat slip holders were financially self-supporting. Fred made a motion that we combine the checking, savings and boat accounts into one general business checking account so that future income goes into one account, exclusive of the CD's. Motion seconded by Tom Whitehead, all in favor, motion passed. One CD comes due in August; the rollover dates for CD's should be followed closely to attain the best interest rate available.
Shoreline Area Committee SAC/(previously Boat Committee): Richard Dillman gave the report: There are 23 individuals on the boat waiting list. There has one boat slip unoccupied this summer, as SAC has been unable to reach the person who is at the top of list. This is unfair to those waiting on the list below her. There was discussion held that we may need to set up a policy that requires individuals pay $100 to be on the waiting list. This would apply to their boat slip cost when they receive a slip. Individuals on the waiting list would also be responsible for keeping the SAC aware of their current address/phone number so they can be easily contacted when their name is at the top of the list. They would be given a set time to respond and pay the remaining boat fee or the $100 would not be refunded. A vote can be held on this at the annual meeting.
The Canoe rack has 5 of 6 slots occupied. At this date no one has expressed interest in the sixth spot. All slots are numbered. A sign reading "Do Not Climb" will be posted on the rack. The dock sections would weather less if they were stained and sealed.
David Boser fixed the berm on outlot #2 caused by ice heaves.
By-Laws Committee Fred Paine, Ed Koehler and Scott Lever have met twice. They are working off the 1999 committee papers. There may not be a final presentation for the annual meeting.
The picnic tables at the Main Beach as well as some benches have been painted and they look wonderful. Fred has stencils to make new signs for the outlots but needs to borrow a router. Tom Whitehead volunteered his time and supplies to replace the handrail down the Main Beach steps before the July 4th celebration. A motion was made to repay $50 to Tom Whitedhead to cover his expenses. Tom also said he has supplies to replace the Round Lake fence. The tall Spruce trees have been planted at the main beach along the north boundary and are being watered with a hose from Jorgensen's.
Bruce Lehner has purchased and donated 300 feet of rope and 12 buoys to be used to designate the swim area. Terry Slack donated the poles. Mark McDonald fixed 4 dock sections at the Main Beach.
Rick Hans contacted the Sentence to Serve Program and the Neighborhood Clean-up is tentatively set for August 23.
Finance Committee Scott Lever, Joey Halvorson, Hal Warren, Fred Paine, Jack Lever Presentation given on current financial status of the Club shows that we need to generate additional income to cover increasing real estate taxes, etc. The last increase on dues was in 2000 when Club dues went from $50 to $65.
Proposed increases: Club dues to $80, Boat slips $315, and Canoes $55.
Suggested addition to the by-laws, Article V, Section 4
The board is required to evaluate club finances on a biennial basis (odd numbered years), and make recommendations to the membership at the annual meeting as to necessary adjustments of dues and fees, upward or downward, sufficient to maintain club operating finances.
Hal Warren made a motion we accept above changes and present at the annual Club meeting in August.
Tom Whitehead seconded, all in favor, motion passed.
A display with information from the Finance Committee will be set up at the Main Beach during the July 4th celebration and the information will also go out in a newsletter before the annual election and meeting August 2.
New Business
Discussion on cost of surveying the property lines was tabled.
July 12 and 13 will be the next planting dates for the Shoreline Restoration project. A dead birch at the Main Park has been taken down. No tree will be replanted at this time. Mark reported that $80 was raised from the 133# of aluminum can collected. This money is already designated to be used toward the July 4th Celebration expenses.
Joey will contact Don Bode for his participation in the July 4th festivities. The flag at the Main Beach needs to be replaced and destroyed in the proper manner.
Next Board meeting will be on July 19th. Meeting adjourned, Ann Maresch-Solseth
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Photos of The Board
The 2008-2009 Board
Mary Biersach President
Joey Halvorson Vice President
Ann Maresch-Solseth Secretary
Some Other Board Members
Chuck McCleary
Mark McDonald
Tim Vescio
Tom Whitehead
Tom Schreier
Not Shown: Bev Sullivan, Treasurer; Richard Dillman. Rick Hans, John Ness, Dale Teeuwen
Government, Concerns & Realities: 
