Pewaukee Lake Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday, September 19th, 2024
Village of Pewaukee
235 Hickory Street
Present: Village of Pewaukee Trustee, Jim Grabowski; Delafield Supervisor, Terri Mahoney-Ogden; and City of Pewaukee Alderman, Rich Reinbold.
Also Present: Village of Pewaukee PD Sgt., Luke Twelmeyer and Village of Pewaukee Clerk, Jenna Peter
1. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Moment of Silence, and Roll Call
Trustee Grabowski called the meeting to order at approximately 6:04 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence.
2. Approval of Minutes from September 14, 2023 (City of Pewaukee Hosted)
Trustee Grabowski moved to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2023 Pewaukee Lake Advisory Committee Meeting as presented.
Grabowski noted Supervisor Mahoney-Ogden and Alderman Reinbold were not members of the Committee when the September 14, 2023 meeting was held.
3. Citizen Comments
Paula Horning @ N22W29130 Elmhurst Dr-Town of Delafield – Ms. Horning requested that the website be updated with the current Committee members and the meeting dates be posted on the website. She stated that if the Committee is going to form a sub-committee, she would like to serve as a member on that committee.
Scott Berkowitz @ W29435N30 Hillcrest Dr. – Mr. Berkowitz believes the formation of a sub-committee could lead to the formation of multiple other sub-committees. There are a lot of other concerns that happen on the lake, other than wake-enhanced boats. If a sub-committee were to be formed, he would also like to serve as a member on that committee.
Hans Meyer @ W290N33 Hillcrest Dr.- Mr. Meyer stated he is a member of the Board for Lakes Estates Wisconsin which is a non-profit organization to work on the regulation of wake enhanced boating. He wants to encourage the Committee to move forward with regulating wake enhanced boats to protect the lakes eco system and so all user groups can safely enjoy the lake. 31 municipalities around the state have enacted ordinances to ban or regulate wake enhanced boats. Some 30 other municipalities are in the process of enacting ordinances.
Joe Woelfle @ N20W30060 Glen Cove Rd – Mr. Woelfle stated he is happy to see that the sub-committee would be designed for looking at safety measures and not just for making ordinances. He is concerned about the Committee taking data from special interest groups or third parties. He urged the Committee to get their information from the State.
4. Discussion and possible action regarding:
4.1 Season/Staff/Equipment Update
Sgt. Twelmeyer updated the Committee on the following:
- There was a total of 30 citations, 127 written warnings and 1 crash investigation.
- A grant was received from the DNR for buoys in the amount of $3,112.50.
- 300 life jackets were handed out at the Beach Party.
- 12 students signed up for the Boater’s Safety Course which was down from year’s past. This could be due to a hybrid version of some of the course being online. Sgt. Twelmeyer suggested possibly having two class dates in the spring and early summer.
- New signage was installed at Laimon Park. There is a QR code on the sign that directly links to the rules and regulations.
- The Key West boat received new sonar this year. They also hosted sonar training with the Fire Department.
- A new boat lift was purchased last year and that is still in great shape.
4.2 2024 Budget
Sgt. Twelmeyer explained that nothing is changing budget wise in 2025. The budget is significantly down in administrative expenses; however, the are over in office supplies by $54.31. He does not anticipate being over budget in any other areas. St. Twelmeyer further explained that salaries are down even though everyone received raises. This could be because of the amount of rain at the beginning of the season.
Alderman Reinbold moved, seconded by Supervisor Mahoney-Ogden to approve the 2024 Budget as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
4.3 Regarding formation of a Sub-Committee to research lake health and safety impacts from wake enhanced vessels at the request of and with discussion to be led by Trustee Grabowski
Trustee Grabowski explained there is a lot of information being circulated and they do not have a big enough picture of what is going on with the lake to form a formal sub-committee. Grabowski suggested speaking with Tom Koepp (from the Lake Pewaukee Sanitary District) and Sgt. Twelmeyer more on lake health.
Discussion followed regarding designating individuals to obtain more information to bring back to the Committee at a later date to determine if forming a sub-committee at that time is necessary.
Supervisor Mahoney-Ogden moved, seconded by Trustee Grabowski to form a sub-committee for fact-finding purposes.
Supervisor Mahoney-Ogden amended the previous motion, seconded by Trustee Grabowski to form an education and research committee with members consisting of Tom Koepp, Sgt. Twelmeyer and Trustee Grabowski.
Motion carried 3-0.
Alderman Reinbold wanted to reiterate, this is not a sub-committee for making ordinances, it is strictly for fact-finding purposes.
Supervisor Mahoney-Ogden wanted to go on record stating there have been no secret meetings on enhanced wake boats or any other subject.
5. Schedule next meeting date as needed
Trustee Grabowski suggested having a meeting sometime this winter.
No dates were presented and no action was taken.
6. Motion to Adjourn
Supervisor Mahoney-Ogden moved, seconded by Alderman Reinbold to adjourn the September 19th, 2024, Pewaukee Lake Advisory Committee meeting, at approximately 6:49 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jenna Peter
Village Clerk
Village of Pewaukee