Board of Directors Meeting Minutes October 20, 2025

TURTLE FLAMBEAU FLOWAGE – TRUDE LAKE
PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
October 20, 2025 – 7:30 p.m via MEET HOUR Courtesy of Roger Nelson

7:30 PM- Call to Order:  Randy Schubert, President

Present:  Randy Schubert, President; Randy Payne, Vice President; Roger Nelson, Treasurer; Todd Jirous, Secretary (joined at 7:45); Directors:  Jeff Wilson, Terry Daulton, Karl Gustavson, Millard Johnson, Troy Tipton and Tony Utrie.

Treasurer’s Report– Roger provided the financials via email on 10/19. Nothing significant to report on. A motion was made to accept the treasurer’s report as presented, the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

Invasives Species– Randy P. has reached out to Steve Anderson on Pike Lake, and they were not pleased with the work that was done this year.

Randy messaged that he is looking into the “Netting idea”, and placing nets perhaps below the bridge on FF, but above the Falls into the Flowage.

Membership Committee– Roger recommended doing another “Post Card” in 2026, as it had a positive impact in 2025. Roger is going to send the 2025 Post Card to the group as a reminder of the message that was sent to those that weren’t currently members at the time of the mailing.

Communications Committee– Troy had a meeting in early October, and intends to have another in early November, with the intent to mail the Driftwood in early December.

There was some discussion on possibly doing Obituaries in the newsletter. After some good dialog, we generally agreed to do those on an “Ad Hoc” basis, based on several criteria.

Wake Boats & Water Levels- Millard Johnson

  • Millard reported in regards to water level, that Excel tends to be more responsive when he works through the DNR, versus when he reaches out to Excel directly.
  • Reported that the Mercer Town Board meeting (October 9th), had two to three times the turn out that was experienced in the Sherman Town meeting
  • The meeting went well with Jeff and Terry presenting, and John and Mary present to handle questions.
  • We believe this all rests on the Attorney- Fritz. He was receptive to the ordinance on the TFFTL, but not on other lakes at this time. Fritz is going to research.
  • The biggest issue or discussion, was on “Enforcement, and current lawsuit”.
  • Jeff talked to Tom Smiley in the Town of Sherman, and they are waiting to hear from Fritz (the two towns have the same attorney)
  • Having our survey sent a Very Good and Measurable message to the Board
  • Jeff is planning on meeting with Fritz
  • Jeff is to reach out to Debbie to make sure that the Wake Surfing feedback from Fritz will be on the Agenda
  • Heather Palmquist has a scheduled Wake Surfing meeting on Wednesday, November 12th.
  • Next Mercer Town Board meeting is on Thursday, November 13th.
  • Milllard to scan the “Wake Surfing” document from Heather, and send it to the members three weeks ahead of time, and then again one week ahead as a reminder.

100th Anniversary

  • Not sure what the Chamber of Commerce is doing
  • Governor’s Open?
  • Possibly buy/sponsor 50-100 copies of Mike Hittle’s book?
  • Randy S. to connect with the Chamber and report back at the next meeting

Troy Tipton and Google Drive

  • Google Drive and Sharing Documents. Advantage is to “Push Out” and Link documents
  • Sounds like a good idea…need to understand how it works, what the cost and capacity is?
  • Randy P. uses Google Maps for Purple Loosestrife tracking
  • It would act as a repository for us

Troy Tipton and U-Tubes

  • Troy shared an overview of 6 of the 9 U-Tubes that are available the “Ripples” newsletter
  • Randy S. watched and is going to follow-up on the “Insurance” U-Tube, and should we have insurance as a Board?

Jeff Wilson offered a prediction that the New Campsite registration is going to drastically increase the campsite use on the Flowage.

Karl Gustavson- Can we get an update from the DNR on the “Master Plan”? Unsure if it has been completed.

Iron County Lake Leaders–

  • Millard updated the group from last Friday’s meeting in Mercer (Friday, October 17th)
  • There were two “Asks” from the Lake Leaders; 1) For our Membership Survey and proposed Ordinance, 2) For our contact information on whom we purchase our Road Signs from.
  • The entire group was in favor of sharing the above information
  • Todd to share the above back to the Lake Leaders Group

Roger asked about our desire to continue the “Wisconsin Lake Membership”?
All were in favor of continuing our Membership.

Next Meeting- November 17, 2025.

Meeting adjourned at 9:18 pm

Respectfully submitted,
Todd Jirous
Secretary