Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance

Minutes of the Board of Directors – Work Session

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

4:30 p.m. at The Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive, Bemus Point, NY 14712 & via Zoom

Directors Present: Don Emhardt, Jim Andrews, Pierre Chagnon, Andy Goodell, Twan Leenders, Heather Nolan-Caskey, Bruce Erickson (Zoom), Ellen Barnes, David Chertoff, Martin Proctor, Mike LaTone, Whitney Gleason, Larry Anderson, Mike Pfeil

Directors Absent: Mike Moss, Paul Wendel Jr., Janet Bowman, Rick Syper

Staff in Attendance: Randall Perry – Alliance Executive Director and Jay Young – Alliance Communications Coordinator

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I.  Call to Order

P. Chagnon called the Board Meeting of the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance (Alliance) to order at 4:30 PM. A quorum of 14 out of 18 Alliance Board Members were present at the start of the meeting.

II. Approval of the 7/9/2026 Board Meeting Minutes

M. LaTone made a motion to accept the minutes from the 7/9/2026 Board Meeting. The motion was seconded by D. Chertoff and was approved unanimously.

III. Financial Update

R. Perry provided an overview of the unaudited financial summary report for July. B. Erickson made a motion to accept the financial report as presented. The motion was seconded by M. LaTone and was passed unanimously.

IV. Alliance Consolidated Local Funding Program

R. Perry provided the Board an overview of the funds the Alliance has allocated as part of the 2026 Consolidated Funding Program, as well as currently unallocated funds.

R. Perry indicated that 2027 funding requests from members are due on 9/9/26 at 4 p.m.

A. Goodell asked if the Lake Maintenance Operations and Capital Reserve was divided into separate funds for operations and capital. R. Perry indicated that the reserve was established by the Board as a joint reserve that could be used for either but required Board authorization for use.

W. Gleason asked if funding requests can be submitted by members for general operating support in addition to project-specific requests like Everwild Land Trust has typically done in the past.

R. Perry indicated that applications for operating support and specific programs are both eligible. R. Perry indicated that operating support grants often include explanations of the specific programs the grant would support. R. Perry indicated that Alliance Consolidated Local Funding Program grants can only be used to support work inside the lake and the lake’s watershed.

P. Chagnon thanked W. Gleason for raising the question with the Board now.

A. Goodell indicated that it is very helpful when operating support applications include detailed budget breakdowns.

V. Other

P. Chagnon welcomed new Board Director M. Pfeil, who is representing the Town of North Harmony.

The Board thanked M. Pfeil for joining the Board and also expressed their gratitude for outgoing Board Director Rob Yates. 

R. Perry reminded the Board that the Chautauqua Lake Public Information Session, including panelists from the DEC and GEI Consultants, will immediately follow today’s work session at The Village Casino.

R. Perry reminded the Board that the CLA’s Denim and Diamonds Fundraiser Gala will also be held tonight at 6 PM, down the street at EBC.

R. Perry indicated that the Board is scheduled for a work session open to invited Members and funders on 9/10/26.

R. Perry indicated that the Alliance partnered on three NYS Consolidated Funding Application grant applications with members totaling approximately $1.4 million. Applications were due 7/31/26.

VI. Adjourn

B. Erickson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by E. Barnes and was passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 4:48 PM.

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The Alliance Board of Directors passed a motion to approve these 8/18/26 Meeting Minutes on 9/10/26.