Barnes Lake Club Board Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM
Board Members Present: Pam Reid, Teresa Marciniec, Tom Petts, Pat Betcher, Nancy Siedmiorka and Derek Morey, and Brian Menard. Absent: Cece Stramsak and Alex Nikora
Guests: Karen Uetz, Karen Codrea, Jerry Gottschalk, Dawn Gottschalk, Mike Owen, Daren Collins, Sue Mizgalsky and Bert Bentley.
Brian Menard led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes of last meeting: Board Secretary Brian Menard submitted the minutes for the October 1, 2025 Board Meeting. Nancy Siedmiorka made a motion to accept the minutes of the last meeting and was seconded by Tom Petts. Motion Carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Board Treasurer Cece Stramsak submitted the Treasurer’s Report for October 2025, via Board President Pam Reid. Derek Morey made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report and was seconded by Brian Menard. Motion Carried.
The Board held a moment of silence for the loss of community member Patty Lee.
Membership update: We currently have 236 members (up from 2024’s total of 230)
Special Events:
- Annual Members Picnic-Raffle Prize Coordinator needed: Tom Petts reported that because Theresa Herrick would be stepping down as the coordinator, the Board still needs a new person to take the coordinator position.
- Halloween Party Update: Pam Reid indicated that the turnout for the party was only 20 kids, which was disappointing. She said there may have even been more adults at the party than kids. Several ideas will be submitted to the Board for next year’s gathering. Karen Uetz took a few moments to commend Pam on how well this year’s party was decorated and organized.
- Christmas Home Decoration Contest: Will be conducted by Derek Morey and “a car full of women” between the hours of 7:00 and 10:00 pm on December 20.
Welcome Packets: Teresa Marciniec tried to hand out several new packets in October, but the new homeowners were not there.
Beach/Pavillion Maintenance Update: Alex Nikora was not in attendance, but communicated to the Board via President Pam Reid that we’re waiting for the approval for the Fish Stocking and he intends to leave the picnic tables out in the ‘yard’ because there will soon be work done to repair the clubhouse and they would be in the way, if they were put away.
Park Lot Maintenance Update: The Board received no update this month, as Alex Nikora was not in attendance.
Barnes Lake Improvement Board Update:
- Tax Roll and Assessment Paperwork: Daren Collins reported that the tax roll has been turned in and the assessment paperwork has been completed.
- Lady Liberty Update: Jerry Gottschalk reported on the progress made with Lady Liberty. The Barnes Lake Improvement Board and Brian Cobb have developed plans for the base. There will be a $500 fee for the required permit, notably because when the statue was first installed, no permit was obtained. The permit is expected to be approved by January 2026 and a letter of approval is forthcoming from EGLE. The budget for the base (including a new flag pole) will be between $5,000 and $9,000, depending on the materials ultimately used in its construction. Jerry requested that any funds raised in excess of what is initially needed be maintained as a line item by the Barnes Lake Club Board, to be accessed for later base and statue maintenance. The Board agreed to do so. Jerry asked the Board for permission to use the Club House for a fundraising pancake breakfast in 2026, which was granted.
Old Business:
- Pam Reid indicated the Park Lot J signs have been ordered and should be received within the next week.
- The Procedure Sheet for the Bike and Golf Cart Parade Decoration Contest was presented by Pam Reid in draft form and discussed by the Board. Some further edits will be made and presented at the first Board meeting in 2026.
- The Procedure Sheet for the Barnes Lake Club Board Annual Meeting, Special Meetings and Monthly Meeting was edited as per the discussion during the October 1, 2025 meeting and presented by Pam Reid. Brian Menard motioned to accept the document as presented and Nancy Siedmiorka seconded. Motion carried.
New and Outstanding Issues (these remain on the agenda until completed):
- Survey of Park Lot P (sewer) & Park Lot E (wall) needed to record encroachments on each.
- Beach lawn at retaining wall: The yard has sunk at the retaining wall, creating a hazard. This area (the entire length of the retaining wall) needs to be built up so the area is level.
- Club House Repairs: repairs are needed, including the siding, door, roof, etc.. A contract for repairs has been approved, not to exceed $12,000 (approved at July 2, 2025, meeting). Bid was 33% less than two other bids received. Work on this project is to begin in early November.
Next meeting will be held on May 2, 2026, at 07:00 pm
Brian Menard made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 PM and the motion was seconded by Derek Morey. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Brian Menard
BARNES LAKE CLUB 