Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance
Minutes of the Board of Directors – Work Session
Thursday, September 11, 2025
4:30 p.m. at 201 West 3rd St. Jamestown, NY 14701 & via Zoom
Directors Present: JoDee Johnson (Zoom), Don Emhardt, Paul Wendel Jr., Mike LaTone, Pierre Chagnon, Andy Goodell, Larry Anderson.
Directors Absent: Jim Andrews, Martin Proctor
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 4:37 PM. A quorum of 6 out of 9 Alliance Board Members were present at the start of the meeting.
II. Approval of 8/14/2025 Board Work Session Minutes
D. Emhardt made a motion to accept the minutes from the 8/14/2025 Work Session Meeting. The motion was seconded by A. Goodell and was approved unanimously.
III. Financial Update
R. Perry indicated that the meeting packet includes an updated financial summary report for August.
IV. 2025 Alliance Consolidated Local Funding Program
R. Perry provided a summary of the local grants that had been received and distributed by the Alliance so far in 2025, along with a summary of funds that remained available for allocation by the Board in 2025.
R. Perry summarized for the Board a request and supporting documentation received from the Chautauqua Lake Association for additional funding of $21,580. R. Perry indicated that this request is for contracted trucking expenses incurred by CLA for the disposal of greater-than-expected plant material being removed from the lake by CLA in July and August.
A. Goodell made a motion to award $21,580 to the Chautauqua Lake Association to fund additional 2025 trucking expenses. The motion was seconded by L. Anderson and was passed unanimously with an abstention by D. Emhardt.
M. LaTone and D. Emhardt were thanked for helping facilitate the additional trucking and funding resources to support the CLA during the season.
V. 2026 Alliance Consolidated Local Funding Program
R. Perry indicated that the Alliance has received requests for ten Member projects totaling approximately $2.8 million. R. Perry provided a brief summary, including new ideas proposed for 2026, and he indicated that more details would be prepared in advance of the 10/9 meeting.
A. Goodell asked if the Alliance’s consultant, GEI, could help with the 2026 Consolidated Local Funding process, including making suggestions for improvement. A. Goodell asked if the Alliance Board has considered soliciting specific services in the form of a request for proposals.
R. Perry indicated that the Alliance has not taken an RFP-style approach to the consolidated local program in the past.
P. Chagnon indicated that GEI will be looking at the Alliance’s Member requests for 2026.
R. Perry indicated that a letter of intent is due to the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation on 9/15/25 in order to request funds for 2026. R. Perry indicated that the LOI needs to include an anticipated total amount of the funding request.
R. Perry indicated that requests for funding are due to the Lenna Foundation on 10/23, the Sheldon Foundation on 11/1 (upon invitation after review of the LOI), and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation on 12/1 (LOI followed by application upon invitation).
Discussion occurred related to lake conditions in 2025, new proposals from members to address key areas of need, local tourism reports, County bed tax and lake maintenance funds, past foundation funding requests, positive steps being taken by the Alliance and its members to improve, and the expected need for more funding to perform more work.
After discussion, J. Johnson made a motion authorizing staff to prepare a 2026 Consolidated Local Funding Request of $1 million to the participating foundations. The motion was seconded by D. Emhardt and was approved unanimously.
A. Goodell inquired about the status of GEI’s work.
R. Perry indicated that GEI will deliver an end-of-year report to the Board, is preparing a background data review document, and will meet with the Board at the 10/9 work session to provide input on the local funding program.
VI. Further Discussion on Potential to Restructure Alliance Board of Directors to Include Representatives of All Towns, All Villages, and the Three Service Providers
The Board discussed the feedback received from members and funders at the 8/14 board meeting. Other items discussed by the Board included the timing of making changes, length of terms, term limits, and quorum. After discussion, the Board agreed to review proposed changes to the by-laws at the October work session.
VII. Other
Reminders were shared regarding the upcoming Alliance Board meeting schedule, with board- and staff-only work sessions scheduled for 10/9 and 12/11 and a member/funder invited work session on 11/13.
M. LaTone indicated that Burtis Bay, the Harbor Hotel, and the Celoron marinas need more attention moving forward.
Discussion occurred regarding equipment inventory, deployment locations, and the proposal to add a new plant material offload site in the South Basin.
A. Goodell indicated his support for including performance criteria in certain Alliance funding agreements.
P. Chagnon suggested getting input from GEI on those topics.
VIII. Adjourn
A. Goodell made a motion to adjourn the September 11, 2025 meeting. The motion was seconded by M. LaTone and was passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:06 PM.
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The Alliance Board of Directors passed a motion to approve these 9/11/25 Meeting Minutes on 10/9/25.