January 2026 Minutes
Dead Lake Association Board Meeting
Larry’s House
3:30 P.M.
January 19, 2025
Board Members: Larry Ewer, Stephanie Johnson, Carolyn Reynolds, Nicole Binczik, Trent Strandburg, Patty Matual, Mark (Guido) Matual, Lauri Thisius, Ernie West, Patty Matual
Present: Larry Ewer, Stephanie Johnson, Carolyn Reynolds, Nicole Binczik, Trent Strandburg, Sharon Trudell, Ernie West, Guido Matual
Absent: Lauri Thisius
Guests: Don Janes, Doug Martin,
Called to order at 3:40 by Larry Ewer
REPORTS
Minutes:
Motion to accept October 6, 2025 minutes made by Carolyn seconded by Guido. Motion carried.
Membership Committee
Ice Cream Social June 7 (Back up June 14).
Fall photo contest. Around 50 entries. Committee will send photos and winner to Don for newsletter. $50 gift card was sent to winner Lori Detloff.
Guido to put together membership postcards or single page letter to be sent in February/March. Postcard would include high interest items (weeds, etc) and how to become a member and/or how to donate more money.
Treasurer’s Report
Lauri Absent
Finance Committee
Doug has not been able to get ahold of Lauri. Doug believes we need to get someone authorized to sign for Vanguard.
Guido advises the finance committee should put together a “goals for 2026” budget. If anyone has any ideas for what the board should spend money on, bring it to the next meeting.
Motion made to have Trent Strandburg and Sharon Trudell be signers and have access to the accounts on the United Community Bank account made by Nicki, seconded by Stephanie. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Vanguard Funds
Need to change access for Vanguard. Currently only Craig Lund has full access to these accounts. Doug currently has access to view the accounts.
Motion to have Larry Ewer, Trent Strandburg and Lauri Thisius be the account managers for Vanguard funds made by Nicki, seconded by Guido. Motion carried.
Motion made to have Larry Ewer be the “e consenter” made by Trent, seconded by Guido. Motion carried.
Larry to fill out paperwork for Vanguard.
Motion to have the United Community bank account attached to the Vanguard account made by Trent, seconded by Guido. Motion carried.
Vanguard Fund Totals
General Fund – $17,721
Rainy Day Fund – $62,954
Board Directed Fund – $158,342
Donor-Directed Fund – $51,949
Total – $291,356
Newsletter
Larry would like to have a newsletter go out in March/April. He has sent a photo of Ernie’s grandson fishing.
Also to be included is the results fall photo contest,
If anyone has any other ideas for the newsletter, please send it to Don.
MAISRC, RMB, COLA – Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Coalition,
Nothing to report.
Weed removal
Patty has requested a DNR grant. We should find out shortly if we have been selected and for how much.
We need to review the rules on Wild Rice. Some believe that as long as it is still submerged, it can be removed.
Rock Markers
Larry has received our order for 3 rock markers.
Loon Tour Viewing
Carolyn to talk to the DNR about rules regarding liability for people taking others out for a tour of the lake looking for loons.
Next year annual meeting – August 22, 2026
At Salty Pickle. Stephanie reserved and will follow up to make sure it is still good.
Weed Rakes
Larry has the address and contact. He will contact to pick up 3 rakes. Trent will help.
Website
Nicki gave Guido access to the site. Guido will look into the site.
NEW BUSINESS
Dead Lake Township opted out of the Jt Powers Bd for Perham EMS
Star Lake has also opted out. Rush lake has opted in. This does not mean that Dead Lake area does not have ambulance service. Perham still covers our area. This is a township issue.
Motion made that this issue is tabled made by Guido, seconded by Ernie. Motion passed.
Shoreline Booklets
Stephanie has them. We still have a large box of them. We will continue to take them to Dead Lake events and any other locations we visit.
AIS Detectors
No update.
Directory
This needs to be updated. Guido will see what information he has and if he can organize it better.
Insurance
Ernie to look into an umbrella policy to protect the lake association.
Zoom
Patty to look into buying a membership to Zoom. $13.33/month. Billed annually. Patty looking to see if there is a different deal for non-profits.
Adjourn:
Motion to adjourn made by Ernie, seconded by Stephanie. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 5:43pm.
Next meeting is February 16 at 3:30pm.