ECC Budget and Contractor Review February 20, 2024

2024 Budget and Contractor Review

The meeting was attended by Dave McCoy, Nick Connor,  Shari Berry, Bruce Berry and Dave Vanness. The meeting was held on February 13, 2024.

ECC Liaison:  Debbie Lambert

Discussion of current contractors and associated tasks as they relate to the 2024 budget.  This included the four main contractors currently working with LBHOA.

Legacy Landscaping

• Mowing – Grounds
  • Mowing has a budget of $13,000.  This includes 18 cuts at $693.55 plus tax per cut.  The total number of cuts could be less if a dry year or more if a wet year.  LBHOA signed a three year contract with Legacy.  Price remains the same for 2024 at $693.55 plus tax.  Price increases for 2025 to approximately $740.60 plus tax and 2026 to approximately $771.12 plus tax.  LBHOA Board should consider inflation of all current services when approving yearly dues increases. Budget line item #44.
• Shoreline Trim and Invasive Plant Removal, budget line item 47
  • Shoreline pruning:  2023 budget included $14,150 ($8,6500 for shoreline pruning, $3,200 for invasive species treatment, and $2,300 for fall cleanup.  The ECC discussed needs for 2024.  Last year was the first time the LNHOA pruned the shoreline.  The ECC wishes to evaluate growth rate in consultation with Legacy Landscaping to determine recurrence interval of pruning.  Committee members agreed to evaluate the need for pruning in fall of 2024 with Legacy consultation.  However, this task will likely need to be repeated a minimum of every 2 years so ECC approved an annual allocation of $4,000 to be used for future expenses of pruning.
  • Invasive Plant Removal:  Invasive species were treated once in 2023.  Feedback from Marek Landscaping was that once is not enough to adequately treat the  invasive species.  Marek Landscaping recommends three treatments in spring, summer and fall.  ECC voted to increase treatment occurrence to two at a cost of $3,200.  ECC believes this will maximize removal of plants prior to seeding to reduce risk of further propagation while reducing costs to the extent practicable.
  • Fall Cleanup:  ECC discussed the cost, benefits and budget implications of the fall cleanup cost ($2300).  There was interest in the fall cleanup at the 2023 Annual Meeting.  There is no budget for the ECC to fund both the fall cleanup and more aggressive herbicide treatments in the lake.  The ECC voted to delay fall cleanup in 2024, but would like to be able to do both a fall cleanup as well as more aggressive herbicide treatments, assuming they are effective and provide value to the community.  This brings line 47 down to a new value of $7,200, down from $14,150.
• Tree Removal, budget line item 45
  • Tree removal budget line item is $4000.  ECC recommends this budget remain the same but will need to adjust in 2025 for inflation.  Nellen Tree Service provided a map of trees likely to need removal and pruning.  The ECC will hold off on spending the money for pruning until later in the year in case weather results in unexpected tree damage during the summer season.  Radke will prune trees as he can including tree trimming at west beach to allow for more afternoon sun.  Bruce volunteered to help and could find others to assist.  Radek can take down small trees noted on Nellen’s tree map for removal.
• Path Maintenance line item 49
  • ECC voted to keep this line item the same.  Legacy Landscaping will repair up to 750 feet of path for $1,500.  The ECC will evaluate if repairs are needed in 2024.  The ECC will assess after winter for path damage, erosion, etc.

Maintenance – Lake

• Lake Treatments, budget line item 54
  • Lake treatments were discussed by the ECC.  The ECC concluded that priority aquatic plant control is the beaches.  Total cost for one treatment of $780 per beach, or $1,560 total for 2 braces.  ECC recommends two treatments per beach per year, for a total of $3,120.
  • The ECC does not have the capacity to fund both a fall cleanup and a more aquatic plant control.  Both were issues brought up at the 2023 Annual Meeting.  The ECC voted for a more aggressive aquatic plant control in 2024 and will delay a fall cleanup trial until 2026 or such time as the budget allows.
  • $1,975 will be allocated for an additional 1000 feet by 75 feet area as a trial to control aquatic vegetation.  The shoreline is approximately 4000 feet; this treatment will not cover that area.  After discussion, the ECC voted to treat the 250 additional feet on each side of both beaches.  This will add up to 1000 feet.  The ECC and Aquatic Biologists (AB) will monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and decide about future applications.  The ECC selected the areas adjacent to the beaches because it was a fair determination of treatment site, rather than pick individual tracts of shoreline for  treatment.
  • Note from AB:  The aquatic vegetation is NOT harmful and will grow back.  AB’s expressed opinion is that the native aquatic vegetation currently present is not harmful and treatment is cosmetic.
  • ECC discussed ongoing milfoil treatments.  AB does not think another treatment will be needed in 2024 but spot treatment will be ongoing.  The ECC is allocating $2,000 for milfoil chemical treatment.  These funds are allocated toward future treatments and  will be included on an annual basis in anticipation of future milfoil treatment.  Interval is yet to be determined.
  • The use of phosphorus reducing pellets was discussed by the ECC.  AB suggested that they can be used to reduce weeds and algae, however, reducing algae might make water clearer and could promote weed growth in deeper water.  Fertilizers do not contain phosphorus.  The ECC already places a phosphorus reducing bio bag at the inlet.  The ECC voted not to pursue the phosphorus reducing pellets in 2024.  
  • AB’s opinion is that the most effective thing the LBHOA can do to improve lake health is to add fish cribs.  The ECC voted to approve the building and placement of 5 fish cribs per year using DNR plans.  Fish cribs can be placed on ice.  A group of volunteers will be solicited to make up to 5 fish cribs per year.  No money budgeted for this activity as materials should be widely available for free.
• Maintenance – Other
  • Golf cart. line item 64
    • The ECC added $300 annual maintenance budget for gold cart maintenance
  • Tennis Court, line item 66
    • the ECC added $100 for stripping the tennis courts for pickleball

Discussion of ECC Action Items

• The boat areas adjacent to the east beach need to be regraded with sand.  Bruce Berry will order sand in March.
• ECC to inspect beached for maintenance needed in 2024
• Pothole on walking path noted SW corner and base of S steps, Bruce Berry and Dave Vanness will inspect and repair.
• Radek immediate duties:
  • Regrade east boat areas in March
  • Clear downed large branch location Canterbury Court.
  • Prune bushes, trees, and flowers at beaches.
  • Not to spray chemicals on beach sand.
  • Branches windfall pickup on common areas lake.
  • Prune trees west beach to enhance afternoon sun on sand.
  • Approval $100 to stripe tennis court for pickleball, for paint and stripping tool rental.  Bruce Berry to measure and apply lines.
  • Nick to send tree map, fish crib plans, lake bottom map proposal, new budget update changes.
  • Bruce Berry inspect west boat storage area and call Mike to discuss  condition of west boat area.  Bruce and Dave V to fill pothole path. K to discuss 
  • Bruce order sand for beaches.…