Minutes & Documents

FOLM Board Meeting
March 12, 2025
Council Bluffs Fish & Game Club, 7:00 p.m.
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Braddy, David Holcomb, Ron Tekippe, Marge Shoemaker
ABSENT: Joni Elliff, Tony Host, Luke Northwall (all excused)
PARK STAFF: Grant Carstens, Gavin Campbell, Richard Price
GUEST: Joe Dixson (possible Board member)
Tom Braddy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS: According to our Bylaws we can have as many as 11 members on the
Board. This would give us more representation of the community…especially if we included “dry
landers”. Richard Price commented that adding active members is more important than the
number.
Joe Dixson, a dispatcher at UPRR and resident of Lakewood Villa who has expressed an interest
in joining the Board, commented that the Park User Fee trial test ends September 2025. He has
tried unsuccessfully to contact Dan Dawson about the future of the Fee. Discussion included
DNR staff comments that the fee is based on the honor system and nets approximately $40,000
annually. Proceeds go to the DNR General Fund. Enforcing the fee is unenforceable for several
reasons: Tickets must be served to the driver/owner of the vehicle and cannot be left with the
vehicle. Exemptions are made for campground users, rented shelters, and the swimming beach.
If those users are using another area of the Park no user fee can be collected.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR PARK STAFF: Copies of an email from Sharon Nyquist, Friends of
Blackburn State Park, regarding Friends of Lake Manawa joining Ledges, Prairie Rose, Yellow
River, Blackburn and other State Parks in publicly endorsing a Statement of Support for Park
Staff were handed out. (copies of email and Statement attached to original paper copy of these
Minutes) Following discussion a MOTION was made (Ron Tekippe/David Holcomb) that FOLM
join and publicly endorse the Statement of Support for Park Staff. Unanimously accepted. Ron
will take care of contacting the Blackburn Friends group.
LAKE RESTORATION: John Lorenzen is the new DNR Fisheries Biologist for the Southwest
Management District responsible for Lake Manawa. The Manawa update he shared with Tom
Braddy was discussed (copy attached to original copy of these Minutes).
2024 FISH STOCKING summarization: Blue Catfish: 3,700 requested; stocked 3,855
average 6.3” and 2592 average 7.1”. Walleye: 7,850 requested; stocked 7,850 average 8” –
10”. Wipers: 7,850 requested; stocked 5,396 average 2”3”. 2025 Stocking similar but will
include request for 4,710 channel catfish.
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT: Increasing Lotus growth in new locations and increased
acreage is causing issues with boating and access. Aggressive spraying by drone is planned (if
possible). Treating small areas has not been effective; evaluate coverage to determine next

steps; assume if all areas are treated some will survive but at lower, easier to manage, levels.
Foliage growth helps stabilize the seal on the lake bottom.
HABITAT: Wesley Fortin worked with parks and fisheries to build fish habitat as his Eagle
Scout project. Reef-like structures have been placed this spring in a “scour hole” formed from
the inlet-tube dredging near the DNR boat ramp where the water is about 9’ deep.
FISH SAMPLING: Sampling was done by electrofishing in June 2024 and fyke netting in
October 2024. 18 species of fish were sampled. Crappie population in the 3”-4” size is large.
Largemouth bass catch rate is low but there’s a large population with a high percentage of large
fish. Walleye were not effectively sampled but indications are a range of sizes 12” – 25”+ (See
Manawa Update for details of John’s report.)
MOSQUITO CREEK TUBE: The Mosquito Creek tube at the shed has been maintained. A diver is
needed on the Lake side to clean out the 48” pipe to maintain full flow.
RUMORS ON FACEBOOK: Rumors have spread that Armadillos are invading from the south.
Monitoring the Manawa Facebook page will help stop rampant rumors from spreading. The
FOLM Board created the Armadillo Arrest Task Force chaired by David Holcomb with Richard
Price serving as Law Enforcement liaison.
POLLINATOR GARDEN: It’s possible a Pollinator Garden could be installed near the
Campground. Signage identifying plants and control of brush growth would be needed. Grants
may be available to help with financing.
TREES: Pott County Conservation and the DNR have been clearing out and removing ash trees
that are dead, dying, or will die soon around parking lots and infrastructure as a safety
measure.
Planting trees around the campground is included in the development budget. Great Plains
Nursery quotes $120/tree. American Elms and Honey Locust or other hardy trees would be
bought. John Klein from Treynor had a grant for trees a couple years ago.
PLAYGROUND: Mulch Day May 10 th , 10 a.m. Meet at Playground. 40 yards of mulch needs to be
spread. Certified Playground Mulch is from Maple 88. Volunteers are needed.
The big Merry-go-round and the Squirrel have some damage. Maintenance funds are deposited
with FOLM treasurer. Major repairs need estimates. The Spring Rocker and Seesaw are
damaged and should be removed. Replacement cost is about $350 each and would require a
concrete pad.
CLEAN-UP DAYS: Spring Clean-Up is scheduled the first Saturday in May…May 3, 2025…meet at
10 a.m. at the Playground parking lot. Fall Clean-Up will be the last Sunday in
September…September 28, 2025…meet at Playground parking lot at 10 a.m. We need more
volunteers. Board members should contact groups or friends. PLEASE NOTE: CLEAN-UP DAYS

HAVE BEEN CHANGED FROM PREVIOUS YEARS: SPRING IS ON A SATURDAY; FALL IS ON A
SUNDAY.
ANNUAL MEETING: Scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. upstairs at the
Fish and Game. Marge will reserve the room.
FIREWORKS: The 2025 Show is scheduled for Sunday, June 29. Clean-up volunteers are needed
the next day. Time will be announced.
MUSIC AT MANAWA: Concerts will be scheduled from 6:30 – 7:30 on Tuesdays in June, July,
and August at Shelter A on the North Point. (This shelter is NOT reservable!) A Special Event
permit will be completed for each concert. Because some instruments and microphones need
power extension cords will be run from the bathroom building to the shelter prior to each
concert. The Park User Fee will be waived. Concerts will be posted on the DNR Special Events
Calendar. The Host (FOLM) will be responsible for paying half of the fee paid to musicians by
the Music Performance Trust Fund and Local 70-558. Money for the Host’s half will be paid in
advance to the Local 70-558 Secretary Treasurer. Marge will get sponsors and donations.
Meeting adjourned 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted 4/5/2025
Marge Shoemaker, Secretary
FOLM Board of Directors
Edited for corrections and/or additions on April 8, 2025.