Dead Lake Association Board Meeting
Larry’s House
10:00 A.M.
October 6, 2025
Board Members: Larry Ewer, Stephanie Johnson, Carolyn Reynolds, Nicole Binczik, Trent Strandburg, Patty Matual, Mark (Guido) Matual, Lauri Thisius, Ernie West
Present: Larry Ewer, Stephanie Johnson, Carolyn Reynolds, Nicole Binczik, Trent Strandburg, Lauri Thisius, Sharon Trudell
Absent: Sharon Trudell, Patty Matual, Mark (Guido) Matual, Ernie West
Guests: Don Janes
Called to order at 10:05 by Larry Ewer
REPORTS
Minutes:
Motion to accept September 9, 2025 minutes made by Lauri seconded by Stephanie. Motion carried.
Membership Committee
The committee met a couple of weeks ago. They have 3 ideas to drive membership.
- Fall photo contest on Facebook. Award would potentially be a gift certificate to Dougout. Contest goes until October 31. Must contain the lake or be from the lake. You do not need to be a member to win. Photo to be selected by board members.
- Early spring mailing for membership.
- Spring event in June. Ice cream gathering at a boat launch. Invite the DNR or sheriff to come speak. Reward for if you are a member by the ice cream social.
Motion to buy a $50 gift certificate to Dougout for the winner of the Fall photo contest made by Nicki seconded by Trent. Motion carried.
Motion to mail a membership letter in early March made by Laurie, seconded by Trent. Motion carried.
Motion to host an ice cream social on June 7 (with a back up of June 14) at the southwest boat launch at 1pm made by Laurie, seconded by Stephanie. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Laurie needs a list of current board members. Names, phone numbers and addresses.
See report.
Motion to accept the treasurer’s report made by Trent seconded by Carolyn. Motion carried.
Laurie seeks permission to pay for the Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Lake Membership. It is a yearly membership that would cost $185. Also, to pay for the weed removal this summer. This bill is for $2975. Larry received a quote for 3 more buoys. This quote is for $1073.26.
Motion to pay these bills made by Trent seconded by Carolyn. Motion carried.
Finance Committee
Laurie pulled together all of the financial information for the last year. Our expenses were over $11k. However, our income was only a little over $6k.
OLD BUSINESS
Vanguard Funds
We now have access to these funds.
Motion to rescind the previous motion to move all of our Vanguard funds to a local financial person made by Larry, seconded by Lauri. Motion carried.
Newsletter
Don has articles ready for an October newsletter.
Trent to write up a Facebook post for the fall photo contest that Don will include in the newsletter.
Stephanie to write something about the Resort owners gathering.
Motion to send an October newsletter to memberships only and a Christmas card in December to everyone on the lake made by Laurie, seconded by Stephanie. Motion carried.
Resort Owners Gathering
Happened last weekend. All resorts with the exception of Northern Lights were in attendance.
One owner brought up that Star Lake has a higher “grade” than Dead Lake
MAISRC, RMB, COLA – Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Coalition,
Nothing to report.
Weed removal
Need to get multiple quotes for next year. Current company charged $3k. We know of one other that charges $175/hour. A grant might also be possible from the DNR.
Don will look into the permit for next year and also the potential for DNR grants.
NEW BUSINESS
Rock Arch Ramp Fishway
It is in the planning stages. The concern is if the current arch fails it will impact Indian lake very quickly.
Our understanding is that most of the current dam will remain in place. The rock arch will be in addition to the most of the current dam.
Shoreline Booklets
No new information.
Rock Markers
See treasurers report
AIS Detectors
Don will figure out how throw rakes are made.
Carolyn found rakes for sale for $30/each.
Motion to buy 4 rakes made by Carolyn, seconded by Sharon. Motion carried.
Loons
Idea to drive people around to look at loons. Carolyn to look into this more.
Next year annual meeting – August 22, 2026
Stephanie to reach out to the Salty Pickle.
Variance Request
Request to put a septic system 100 feet from the lake when the setback is 150 feet. It is the consensus of the board to send a letter to the board asking that they follow their rules to ensure our lake quality. If there is another option, do that.
Motion to have Nicki draft a letter for Larry to send made by Laurie, seconded by Trent. Motion carried.
Website
Nicki has access to it. Nicki to get access to Guido and Lauri.
Accountant
Stephanie and Laurie met with the accountant. She said that we don’t have to keep Quickbooks. Laurie’s spreadsheet will work fine. Laurie will send her another example just to make sure we are tracking everything that we need.
Adjourn:
Motion to adjourn made by Sharon, seconded by Trent. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 11:55
Next meeting January 12 at 3:30pm.