Special Town Board Meeting – Monday, August 11, 2008 – 5:30 PM – Linn Town Hall
Chairman Bollweg called the meeting to order at 5:45 pm. Present at roll call were Chairman Bollweg, Supervisors Palmer and Allis, Clerk Polyock and Atty. Schiltz. Supervisors Weiss and Holden were absent. There were about forty (40) citizens present.
Bollweg/Allis motion to re-open and re-consider the hearing on the Lake Geneva Club pier permit. Carried without negative vote.
Attorney Schiltz stated that all documents from the prior meeting, July 14, 2008, is part of the record. Greg Holden arrived at 5:50 PM.
Chairman Bollweg asked for all in favor of the permit to speak first.
Joe Gardella, Chairman of the pier committee for Lake Geneva Club. Joe stated that the Lake Geneva Club has voted on the pier and they do have the support of the majority of the membership. He explained to the Board what they were doing and the changes that were being made. Gardella stated that the Town did issue a permit for this in 2007.
Lee Alt, member of Lake Geneva Club, is in favor of the new pier. It will protect the swim area, so it is a safety plus for the Lake Geneva Club swimmers. The Lake Geneva Club has received DNR permits twice.
The tape was turned on at 6:00 pm.
Darrell Fredrick, owner Austin Pier Service, is the contractor for their piers. There is 77.1 feet to the Chicago Club pier, so they should have ample room to maneuver their boats in and out. Fredrick did not know the reason for the stop work order.
There was no permit issued for the original pier at Lake Geneva Club.
Paul Kent, Atty. representing Lake Geneva Club, stated that he submitted the application as a courtesy. Lake Geneva Club already has a permit for this pier. They are not increasing the slips over what already exists and they have satisfied the standards that the Town requires.
Chairman Bollweg asked for all against to speak at this time.
David Williams, Atty. for those against the pier, referenced a memo from DNR dated 12/19/1991. The standard of two (2) slips for the first fifty (50) feet and one (1) for each fifty (50) feet after. This is Exhibit #1. At the May 27, 2006 annual meeting of Lake Geneva Club it was brought up that the pier is not for need, but rather for monetary reasons. This is exhibit #2. Jan. 6, 2008 refers to nineteen (19) non-slip owners vs. thirteen (13) slip owners. Exhibit #3.
Jim Celano, Geneva Lake Conservancy, expressed his concern with the precedent the Lake Geneva Club pier would set. He feels this is a compromise with the DNR and would like the Town Board to consider rejecting this request.
Wayne Huerth, Lake Geneva Club member, stated there are thirty-two (32) homeowners. They now have twenty-six (26) boats and thirty (30) slips.
Shirley Roberts, Lake Geneva Club member, stated that there is dissention in the Club. A new pier will take away swimming space and give a different look to the waterfront.
Roland Rossi, Lake Geneva Club member, stated that the people who own slips did not pay anything for the boat slip.
Atty. Paul Kent was then given another opportunity to speak. He asked the Board to consider what the standards are and what the issues are.
Holden/Bollweg motion to deny the Lake Geneva Club pier permit for the following reasons:
Carried without negative vote.
Palmer/Weiss motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Polyock, CMC/WCMC
Clerk/Treasurer