Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance
Minutes of the Board of Directors – Work Session
Thursday, July 10, 2025
4:30 p.m. at the BWB Building, 201 West 3rd St. Jamestown, NY 14701 & via Zoom
Directors Present: Pierre Chagnon, Don Emhardt, Martin Proctor, Paul (P.J.) Wendel, Jr., JoDee Johnson, Mike LaTone (Zoom), Jim Andrews
Directors Absent: Andrew Goodell, Larry Anderson
Staff in Attendance: Randall Perry – Executive Director, Jay Young – 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 7 out of 9 Directors was present at the start of the meeting.
II. Approval of 6/12/2025 Board Meeting Minutes
D. Emhardt made a motion to accept the minutes from the 6/12/25 meeting. The motion was seconded by J. Andrews and was passed unanimously.
III. Financial Update
R. Perry indicated that the meeting packet includes an updated financial summary report for June, including a Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Statement through June 30 prepared by the Alliance’s contracted bookkeeper.
M. LaTone made a motion to accept the financial summary report as presented. The motion was seconded by P. Wendel and was passed unanimously.
IV. Lake Management Consultant Update – Discussion with AJ Reyes, GEI Consultants
R. Perry indicated that GEI Consultants is continuing its work as outlined in their contract and scope of work. R. Perry indicated that the consultant is in the process of conducting interviews with service providers and their contractors, certain other Alliance Members, DEC, and researchers. R. Perry indicated that the consultant is also in the process of performing background data and report review and will be scheduling their second lake visit soon.
A. Reyes indicated that the GEI team is currently working through three main tasks, including lake reconnaissance, background data review, and interviews with service providers and their contractors. A. Reyes indicated that he visited the lake in April to perform initial reconnaissance and view key management areas including Ashville Bay, Prendergast Point, Burtis Bay, and Sherman’s Bay, along with other areas of the lake’s north and south basins. A. Reyes indicated that GEI has completed or has scheduled several stakeholder interviews and is still in the process of scheduling certain other interviews.
Discussion occurred related to lake conditions particularly those in the lower section of the lake; filamentous green algae including its occurrence relative to past years and relationship with nutrients and aquatic plants; harvesting techniques and potential options for adapting methods as conditions change; starry stonewort and possible opportunities for improved collaboration among groups; 2025 weather; DEC permitting for herbicides and mechanical programs; DEC fish exclusion zones; comparison of plant survey results and methods; HAB conditions so far in 2025; issues and possible management options at tributary mouths; and the plan for the upcoming lake reconnaissance by GEI.
R. Perry indicated that A. Reyes will be attending the Alliance’s August Board meeting, which will be open to invited representatives of Members and funders.
R. Perry indicated that he would share with A. Reyes any not-yet-shared DEC permits for 2025 management programs.
M. LaTone indicated that CLP will be performing drone flights to get a sense of the lake’s condition. M. LaTone asked that R. Perry share information with him regarding the timing of GEI’s next lake visit.
V. 2025 Alliance Consolidated Local Funding Program
R. Perry shared an overview of funds that have been awarded to Members as part of the 2025 Consolidated Local Funding Program, and those funds that remain available for 2025.
VI. Further Discussion on Potential to Restructure Alliance Board of Directors to Include Representatives of All Towns and the Three Service Providers
P. Chagnon indicated he has worked with R. Perry to continue discussing the structure of the Alliance Board, by-laws, possible alterations, and next steps.
J. Andrews indicated it would be appropriate to discuss this issue with the Members and funders present at the August Board meeting to get their input.
P. Chagnon indicated that is a prudent approach, as there are still many details to be addressed.
Discussion occurred regarding the considerations of board size and makeup and the potential benefits of different scenarios.
After discussion, the Board determined that it would advance for further discussion in August the idea of a new board structure consisting of 18 total seats – three County seats, a seat for each Town (five) and Village (four), and two seats each for the Chautauqua Lake Association, Chautauqua Lake Partnership, and Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy (Motion by J. Johnson, Second by M. Proctor, passed unanimously).
VII. Other
Reminders were shared that Member funding applications for 2026 are due on 9/4/25 at 4 PM, and the next Alliance work session would include invited representatives of Members and funders and be held on Thu 8/14/25 at 4:30 PM.
VIII. Adjourn
D. Emhardt made a motion to adjourn the July 10, 2025 meeting at 5:47 PM. The motion was seconded by J. Johnson and was passed unanimously.
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The Alliance Board of Directors passed a motion to approve these 7/10/25 Meeting Minutes on 8/14/25.