Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance
Minutes of the Board of Directors – Work Session with Members & Funders
Thursday, November 13, 2025
4:30 p.m. at 201 West 3rd St. Jamestown, NY 14701 & via Zoom
Directors Present: JoDee Johnson, Don Emhardt, Martin Proctor, Jim Andrews, Mike LaTone, Pierre Chagnon, Andy Goodell, Larry Anderson
Directors Absent: Paul Wendel Jr.
Staff in Attendance: Randall Perry – Alliance Executive Director and Jay Young – Alliance Communications Coordinator
Member and Funder Representatives in Attendance: Jan Bowman, Whitney Gleason – Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy; John Ford, Heather Nolan-Caskey– Chautauqua Lake Association; Dave McCoy – County of Chautauqua; Rob Yates, Mike Pfeil – Town of North Harmony; Jeff Molnar– Village of Bemus Point; John Shedd– Chautauqua Institution; Karen Rine – South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer Districts; Leigh Rovegno – Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation
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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 8 out of 9 Alliance Board Members were present at the start of the meeting.
II. Approval of 10/9/2025 Board Work Session Minutes
M. LaTone made a motion to accept the minutes from the 10/9/2025 Work Session Meeting. The motion was seconded by D. Emhardt and was approved unanimously.
III. Financial Update
a.) Monthly Summary Report
R. Perry indicated that the meeting packet includes an updated financial summary report for October.
A. Goodell asked for a breakdown of the restricted/encumbered funds.
R. Perry indicated he would provide that information to A. Goodell after the meeting.
M. Proctor made a motion to accept the financial report. The motion was seconded by J. Johnson and was approved unanimously.
b.) Audit Committee – 2024 Annual Audit and Return
R. Perry thanked the Audit Committee for its work to review the 2024 audit with the auditor from Saxton, Kocur and Associates. The auditor’s opinion was unmodified. R. Perry indicated that the committee unanimously approved the Financial Statements as audited and approved the submittal of the Form 990, and the documents were made available to the Board for review.
D. Emhardt made a motion to approve the Alliance’s 2024 audit and return and authorize its submission to New York State. The motion was seconded by L. Anderson and was approved unanimously.
IV. Review and Approve New Alliance Policies for Statewide Financial System Prequalification
R. Perry indicated that in order to become prequalified as a state grant applicant through the Statewide Financial System, the Alliance is required to adopt certain policies. R. Perry indicated that copies of the proposed Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Anti-Nepotism Policy, and Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Policy were sent to the board via email in advance of the meeting.
A. Goodell asked if adoption of these policies would jeopardize the Alliance’s ability to pursue or secure federal funding.
R. Perry indicated that the Alliance is not currently holding or seeking any federal grant funds.
P. Chagnon indicated that adoption of the policies is a requirement for New York State grant applicants.
M. LaTone made a motion to accept the new Alliance Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Anti-Nepotism Policy, and Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Policy. The motion was seconded by D. Emhardt and was passed with seven yes votes and one no vote (A. Goodell).
V. Other
R. Perry indicated that an updated version of the Alliance By-Laws outlining the new Board structure is available on the Alliance website.
P. Chagnon indicated that the new Alliance Board structure will go into effect on February 1, 2026.
P. Chagnon indicated that the Alliance’s lake consultant, GEI Consultants, is developing a draft strategy for management in the lower south basin to improve navigation and public safety. Proposed next steps would include GEI getting feedback and refining the draft. Because this would be an additional work item beyond the current scope and budget, it would require a small amendment for labor of $3,100 to the Alliance’s GEI contract.
R. Perry indicated that the Board received a copy of the draft concept via email prior to the meeting. P. Chagnon asked R. Perry to give an overview to the group.
R. Perry indicated that the concept would employ a network of navigation channels established early in the season and maintained during the recreational season using both chemical and mechanical means. If approved by DEC and implemented, it would involve the work of multiple Alliance members including CLP, CLA, and the Town of Chautauqua Mobitracs.
P. Chagnon asked if there was any feedback from the meeting attendees on the concept.
J. Molnar indicated the proposed plan is a good example of forward-thinking management.
Discussion followed including the effect of native plants like elodea on DEC permitting; apparent support of DEC to consider a commercial navigation centered approach; and potential roles and responsibilities of different Members if a strategy were to be developed and implemented.
M. LaTone indicated that the CLP and their consultant, Ready Scout, are in the process of developing a similar navigation channel based concept with the DEC, and he expressed support for having GEI involved to help move the concept forward and coordinate input and partnerships. M. LaTone indicated he also supports involvement by the CWC.
W. Gleason indicated that if a plan like this were to be permitted, it would take collaboration between local stakeholders, and DEC would want detail and scientific basis in order to consider it.
Discussion occurred regarding the CLP’s expected timing of DEC herbicide permits for 2026 and the apparent similarities between the GEI draft concept and the CLP and Ready Scout strategy, with some variations noted regarding scale and geographic spread. M. LaTone indicated that CLP is aiming to submit permit applications to DEC by around the end of January.
Board discussion followed, which included how best to unify the two similar ideas into a single strategy; maximizing the likelihood of DEC permitting a strategy for 2026 even if it is smaller in scale, while continuing to pursue a broader, longer-term strategy; and avoiding interference with CLP’s 2026 permitting timeline and efforts already underway to progress a commercial navigation based approach with DEC.
Discussion occurred regarding DEC’s suggestion to use the state’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program process as a means to develop and demonstrate local support for a coordinated channel management strategy. It was noted that LWRP facilitation is outside GEI’s current scope, but the work they will undertake can be used by the County to explore the LWRP process with the involved town and village governments.
M. LaTone made a motion to approve the GEI contract amendment in the amount of $3,100. The motion was seconded by M. Proctor and was passed unanimously.
M. LaTone indicated that CLP is working to update its 5-year plan with North Carolina State University and would like to involve CLA and CWC. M. LaTone indicated that the update may cost around $5,000. M. LaTone asked the Alliance Board to consider funding that work.
P. Chagnon and M. LaTone discussed the CLP’s preferred timing of the request. P. Chagnon requested that M. LaTone provide a proposal for the Board to consider at the next meeting.
R. Yates requested a copy of the current 5-year plan, and R. Perry indicated he would send it.
J. Ford asked whether the timing of the new expanded board could be sped up given the degree of activity and discussion of new ideas.
After discussion, the Board indicated that Member and funder representatives would be invited to the upcoming December and January meetings.
W. Gleason asked what the next steps are before the new Board structure is implemented in February.
P. Chagnon indicated that Alliance staff will be sending Members information about the change.
R. Perry indicated that GEI will be attending the Alliance 12/11/25 work session and will be delivering their end-of-year report.
VI. Adjourn
D. Emhardt made a motion to adjourn the November 13, 2025 meeting. The motion was seconded by A. Goodell and was passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:11 PM.
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The Alliance Board of Directors passed a motion to approve these 11/13/25 Meeting Minutes on 12/11/25.