Annual Meeting

LICA 2024 Annual Meeting was held on April 20th at Camp Ihduhapi

The LICA meeting kicked off with registration and some socializing before the official start at 1:15 PM. Camp Ihduhapi Director Jana Graczyk hosted the event and provided coffee and tea, while LICA brought cookies and bottled water. A total of 47 members and guests showed up.

Opening Remarks and Presentations

President Tom Blanck opened the meeting with introductions and a presentation on LICA's water quality goals. He highlighted annual surveys for starry stonewort and spiny water flea, donations to the University Healthy Waters Initiative Wake Study, and LICA's participation in workshops by the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC). Tom also discussed LICA's five annual events: Ice Party, Flotilla, fishing contest, Trolley Tour, and Oktoberfest, and showcased the wood fishing travel trophies and photos of past winners.

Financial and Membership Reports

Treasurer Chris Dahlberg reported a financial increase to $62,629.99 from $57,616.18 in 2023, with the 2024 operational budget set at $1,709.42. Membership had declined to 28 but rose to 50 households following a successful door-to-door campaign and the introduction of new brochures with a QR code for easy payment.

Communications Update

Communications Director Barbara Zadeh discussed monthly updates to the LICA website and Facebook page. She encouraged members to submit photos of their lake experiences for publication on LICA's social media and website.

Guest Speakers

This years speakers presented detailed presentations that will be emailed to members in good standing. Here is a brief recap.

1. Tony Brough, Hennepin County AIS Prevention Program Coordinator:

Presented his budget and programs via video, including services by Dr. Carolyn Dindorf for the annual Lake Independence Starry Stonewort Survey.
Discussed the Lake Pledge program, introduced in 2023, with only 11% participation for Lake Independence. Encouraged members to increase participation for awards and financial incentives.

2. Brian Vlach, Three Rivers Park District, Senior Water Manager:

Reported Lake Independence's C+ rating and explained lake stratification and nutrient mixing processes.
Discussed updates to the TMDL review using the SWAT Model, changes in watershed contributions, and phosphorus loading. Showed a zebra mussel monitoring plate indicating a potential peak in their growth cycle and we may start to see the population decline.

3. Kristan Maccaroni, DNR Fisheries Specialist:

Shared observations from fish surveys, noting high numbers of yellow perch and black crappies, low northern pike population, and ongoing walleye and muskie stocking efforts.

Board Elections

Pat Wulff conducted the board election, with Dale Ortlip and Carol Herdegen re-elected, and new nominations for Darci Malchow and Richard Mickschl. Three board positions remain vacant.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM.

Pat (our founder) and Dick Wulff greet members.
LICA President, Tom Blanck, opens the meeting.
Tony Brough brings us up to date on Hennepin County's LakePledge program.
Rich Brasch, 3Rivers Water Resources, presents an update on the Lake Independence TMDL.
Kristan Maccaroni, DNR Fisheries, informed us about the lakes fish population.
We had a nice turn out at the annual meeting this year.

LICA 2023 Annual Members Meeting

The Lake Independence Citizens Association (LICA) held its Annual Members Meeting on April 15th at Camp Ihduhapi. Tom Blanck, LICA President, opened the meeting and introduced Jana Graczyk, the new Executive Director of Camp Ihduhapi, who provided a history of the camp and its current activities.

Brian Vlach, Senior Water Resources Manager of Three Rivers Park District, presented updated data on Lake Independence and discussed watershed projects. The lake's water quality rating dropped from a B in 2021 to a C+ in 2022 due to low water levels and internal phosphorus recycling. Various watershed projects have been completed to reduce phosphorus loading, including the Baker Ravine Project and Mc Comb’s Channel Stabilization.

Tony Brough from Hennepin County presented the county's AIS Prevention Program and introduced the Lake Pledge Program, which aims to increase awareness of AIS spread. LICA is encouraged to improve its participation in the program, with incentives offered for successful engagement.

Jo Baker, Chairman of the Pioneer Sarah Creek Watershed Commission, highlighted the priority of implementing the updated Lake Independence TMDL Management Plan. New projects, such as the Bridgewater Development and Olsen Manure Bunker, aim to reduce phosphorus runoff.

The meeting concluded with reports from Chris Dahlberg (Treasurer), Barbara Zadeh (LICA website), and Pat Wulff (annual election). The following board members were reelected: Tom Blanck, Randy Szarzynski, Barbara Zadeh, Chris Dahlberg, and new members Robin Reid and Bob Herdegen were elected. Despite cold, rainy weather, about 24 members attended.