BLC Meeting Minutes-May 6-2026 (1)Download

 Barnes Lake Club Board Meeting Minutes May 6, 2026 

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM

Board Members Present: Pam Reid, Tom Petts, Pat Betcher, Derek Morey, Teresa Marciniec, and Alex Nikora. Absent: Brian Menard

Guests: Doug Macha, Linda Zukonik, John Rickord, Chris Tluczek, Joe St. Pierre, Laura Petts, Lorie Campbell, Jerry and Dawn Gottschalk, Mark Darbe, Mike Owen, Kelly Lovasz, Jim and Becky Roberts, Karen Cordera, and Kim McClain.

Tom Petts led the gathering the Pledge of allegiance

Moment of silence: Elfriede Palovcik, Kerry “Jake” Jacobs, Samuel Remeo, Ronald Harlow, Jim Lee, Patty Lee, and Cece Stramsak.

Minutes of the last meeting: Board Secretary Brian Menard submitted the minutes for the November 5, 2025, Board Meeting Minutes. Derek Morey made a motion to accept the minutes of the last meeting and was seconded by Teresa Marciniec. Motion Carried.

Treasure Report: A written report was provided to Board Members only, due to the passing of the BLC Treasurer. Pam Reid provided an overview of our current financial statues. Pam made it clear that the verbal report given was not complete due to the process of getting items from Cece Stramsak’s house, organizing documents, paying bills, sending checks to the winners of the 2025 Christmas Décor Contest, recording members, etc. As a result, the information provided had no motion to adopt.

Members update: N/A

Barnes Lake Club Board Member Position Vacancies:  Pam Reid informed the Board Members that Nancy Siedmiorka has stepped down as a BLC board member. Pam Then asked that we table the discussion on how to manage the two board vacancies to the June meeting. Alex Nikora made a motion to delay discussion on board vacancies until our June meeting and was seconded by Derek Morey. Motion Carried.

Off-season board voting: Pam Reid provided an overview of three items that were voted on by the board during the winter months, so that they would be recorded in our meeting minutes.

  1. Secretary Brian Menard requested a vote from the Board to approve the expenses of printing the “March mailing,” votes were 8 “Ayes” and one Board Member who did not respond. Approved
  2. President Pam Reid requested a vote from the Board to approve payment to Clean Living Construction (Steve and Chip) for improvements to the BLC Club House, which exceeded the approved budget by $245.00 for a total cost of $12,245.00, votes were 6 “Ayes” and 3 did not respond.
  3. President Pam Reid requested a vote from the Board to approve the purchase of flowers for Cece Stramsak’s funeral, Barnes Lake Board Treasurer. Votes were 9 “Ayes”.

Special Events:

  1. Annual Members Picnic: Tom Petts reported that they have found someone to be the raffle/prize coordinator: Autumn Gillispie. Autumn also organized and ran the children’s games at the annual picnic last year. She did an outstanding job and said she would continue to organize the children’s games this year along with being the raffle/prize coordinator. Tom and Laurie Petts also provided the flier for this year’s annual picnic. 
  2. Halloween Party: Pam Reid reported that last year she dropped the ball on organizing truck or treat during the Halloween party. As a result, Pam asked for volunteers to organize this year’s trunk or treat. Derek Morey volunteered his wife to organize and run the BLC’s 1st Trunk or Treat this year.
  3. Community Wide Garage Sale: Due to Brian assisting with the finances this year. Teresa Marciniec was asked if she could run the Community Wide Garage Sale. Teresa agreed.
  4. Summer Observer: Pam Reid provided information to the board on what was needed for the Summer Observer. Pam informed the board that all articles need to be sent to Brian Menard by May 20th. The Summer Observer will be mailed out as soon as possible, given some significant changes needed at the last-minute.
  5. Concert in the Park: Derek Morey provided a flyer for June 13th event. On June 13th there is Karaoke at the Beach. Derek also discussed future Concerts that will have bands for both events. He is currently working to get the bands scheduled.

Welcome Packets: Teresa Marciniec handed out three packets this year. She is still having problems finding new homeowners at home.

Beach/Pavilion and Park Lot Maintenance Update: Alex Nikora reported that $245.00 that exceeded the approved budged amount for the BLC building improvement was the cost to install a ceiling in the pavilion attached to the clubhouse. He approved this cost as it was necessary for safety purposes. Alex reported that he put the buoys out on the lake; he collaborated with the contractor to fix the boat launch gate; reported that 60 boats are registered for a dock space within Park Lots, 17 spaces remain available.

Barnes Lake Improvement Board Update: 

  1. Lady Liberty: Jerry Gottschalk reported that they meet with EGLE all winter long. He stated that EGLE is not the easiest agency to deal with and it was a learning experience for all Involved. Jerry said they had paid $510.00 for the permit, but it was rejected. The group working on Lady Liberty figured out that they could put Lady Liberty on the island as long as it was removable. They have started designing and ordered material for a removable platform. They asked if the existing platform could remain in place until the new one is ready to be moved out to the lake, which was approved. They are planning to reveal Lady Liberty returned to the island in the lake during the July 4th weekend. Jerry asked for ideas for the grand reveal of Lady Liberty. Alex Nikora asked about liability and insurance, and it was determined this would be the responsibility of Barnes Lake Improvement Board. Pam Reid requested a motion to provide Jerry Gottschalk with a check for $2,001.01. This is the amount in the Lady Liberty fund. Teresa Marciniec made a motion to provide Jerry Gottschalk with a check in the amount of $2001.01 from the Lady Liberty fund and was seconded by Tom Petts. Motion Carried.
  2. Dam Report and Weed Spray:  Pam Reid asked Burns Rolland, Chairman of the Barnes Lake Improvement Board, about the Dam Inspection Report that was to be posted on our website per the discussion at the November meeting. Burns confirmed that the Dam Inspection Report had not been placed on the website. Burns stated that he would prefer to have an action report at the annual meeting and then have the Dam Inspection Report and the Action Report available for everyone. 

Burnes also reported that we are having algae blooms, which he thinks started in the fall and laid under the ice. They performed one spray and had a second spray scheduled for May, before Memorial weekend. Between May 1st and the end of July there is a moratorium in using powder sulfate. That is why we spray in April. He stated that powdered sulfate is the least expensive and is effective.

New Business

  1. Procedure Sheets: Pam Reid requested that all board members create procedure sheets for their events.
  2. New rules sign for Beach and Club House: Pam Reid introduced the topic of purchasing a new sign for the Beach area and Club house. Verbiage for the new sign was provided on the May 6th agenda. After a brief discussion in regard to the proposed verbiage. Pam Reid asked for a motion. Derek Morey made a motion to accept the verbiage that has been presented as the minimal acceptable verbiage for proof and was seconded by Alex Nikora. Motion Carried. Derek Morey volunteered to make the new sign.

Correspondence: 

  1. Body Mindfulness on the Lake: Pam Reid informed attendees of a Yoga class that is taking place at the beach and referenced a flyer available at the meeting.
  2. Barnes Lake Golf Outing: Pam Reid informed attendees about the Barnes Lake Golf Outing scheduled for September and referenced a flyer available at the meeting.
  3. Crafters around the Lake: Pam Reid informed the attendees that an email was sent out asking for crafters around the lake to send information to her about the items they have for sale, so that we can get the information out to the community. A flyer was provided for the attendees for a laser cut showing lake depth wood picture of Barnes Lake.

New and Outstanding Issues (Remain on the agenda until completed)

  1. Surveys: Park Lot P (sewer), Park Lot M (stakes are lost due to erosion) and E (wall) as needed due to lost stakes and to record encroachments.
  2. Clubhouse and beach lawn at retaining wall: The yard has sunk at the retaining wall creating a hazard. Build-up of the entire length of this area’s retaining wall is needed, so that the area is level.

Next Meeting will be held on June 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM

Derek Morey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 PM and the motion was seconded by Alex Nikora. Motion Carried.

Respectfully submitted, Pam Reid

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