These minutes are made available pending
Approval by the Board of Director’s
EAGLE LAKE-PAW PAW ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING
Call to Order: President Chuck Cubbage called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
Members Present: President Chuck Cubbage; Vice President Skip Youngblood; Treasurer Pat Cubbage; Secretary Doug Dorgan; Collins Cove Rep Ruth Wilkinson; Eagle Lake Campers Rep Skip Youngblood; Eagle Lake Park Rep Chuck Cubbage; Palmer Beach Rep David Baker; Eagle Lake Sub Rep Brian Hansen; Trails End Rep Tony Herd; Hoodrije Shores Rep Ken Nielsen, At-Large Member Gary Sargent.
Members Absent: Keepsake Shores Rep Jerry King.
Also present: Kip Kerby from Hoodrije Shores.
Gary Sargent introduced Wilcox Professional Services representatives Peter Walker and Randy Scott who presented their personal qualifications and the qualifications and experience of their firm in the evaluation, engineering and management of sewer system projects. Both gentlemen had 25 to 30 years experience working on sewer system projects; their firm has offices throughout the state of Michigan and performs various environmental work from those offices. Randy was especially familiar with the design and installation of independent sewage treatment systems along with the funding options for such projects.
Randy Scott expressed the initial needs for a feasibility study and the support of the homeowners. While they had made a tour of the lake area by car, and had minimal knowledge of the specific complexities of such a project at Eagle Lake, they were able to discuss potential concerns and options that may be encountered. Wilcox Professional Services would only do design and supervise any construction; they would not do any actual construction work.
Any proposal to install a sewage system would have to go through the county. Potential receivers of sewage from the area were identified as Paw Paw and Decatur. It was understood Lawton would not be interested in taking additional sewage from outside their immediate area. Kip Kerby noted that it was his understanding that Paw Paw was at only 30% capacity.
The past and present quality of the lake water was discussed based on the history of the water quality that is available for the past ten years, the noted slow deterioration of the water quality, the efforts of the lake association to inform property owners of the various activities that increase weed nutrients in the lake, the effort to manage Eurasian Milfoil and the approach taken to finance that effort through the Township on a unit of benefit basis. Randy Scott noted that many small communities use a 40 year loan basis, usually with an initial special assessment.
Ruth Wilkinson noted a recent article in the paper indicating a Bloomingdale area sewer project had an upfront cost to property owners of $10,000 to $11,000 per property; the Wilcox representatives indicated the monthly cost could also be $40 to $50 for as much as 40 years. In addition, the property owner would be responsible for the actual hook up to the system at their property.
The Wilcox representatives noted a major issue often is the easements needed for such a system.
Randy Scott said it was important to know the level of support from the affected property owners. Peter Walker noted at some point public hearings would be necessary, usually held in a series of three meetings on Saturdays.
Chuck Cubbage mentioned that in getting information from the lake owners, it would be important to get input from them on their thoughts about property values, continued uses of the lake, etc. that is, more than just cost figures.
Doug Dorgan asked if an independent system was a possibility, the Wilcox representatives said the permitting and operating problems of such an independent system made them undesirable and that the right-of-way issues would be the same either way.
The Wilcox representatives said an “authority” could be considered; created with representatives from different lakes involved and local governing bodies, creating a quasi-public entity. Such an authority could then borrow funds for a project. Grants could be available from the Clean Michigan Act passed around 1997 which is closed now but could be reopened. The Rural Development Authority may be a source for funding for a study. Another funding source could be the state revolving fund that would provide a 20 year loan at lower rates but is prioritized and funding may be hard to get.
Considerations could be the difference between the impact of septic systems near the lake as opposed to those say 500 feet from the lake; the possibility of state law requiring tie in to any sewer system that comes within 200 feet of a house.
Chuck Cubbage asked what the effectiveness of sewer systems had been where installed; Wilcox indicated Lake Lansing and Lyon Lake were possible examples.
Various questions were asked from time to time by the Board members and Kip Kerby, some of the questions involved the piping and pumping arrangements needed to accomplish any system and the type of routes required and the various costs for different facilities. Basically it was recognized that only a formal study could identify true needs and costs for any system.
Following approximately 55 minutes of discussion a proposed contract for a feasibility study was presented by the Wilcox representatives for additional discussion. Messrs. Walker and Scott were advised and aware that before such an agreement could be executed by the Eagle Lake Paw Paw Association Board, approval of affected property owners would have to be secured and funding for the cost secured from those property owners. The proposal was read and reviewed but further discussion was postponed until Board Members had an opportunity to review and discuss the proposal.
The Wilcox representatives left at 8:23 PM and the meeting participants took 15 minutes to discuss the proposal, the benefits of the information the study would develop and how to approach the affected property owners in any effort to seek interest in and financing for a study.
Some issues concerning different needs to various areas around the lake were discussed and the potential increase in property values considered.
Ken Nielsen proposed tabling any decision on the proposal, until a meeting to be scheduled in October, while each area representative approach the property owners in their area to assess interest and willingness to support funding for a study. Kip Kerby suggested a list of talking points be developed that the representatives could use when contacting people; Chuck Cubbage and Doug Dorgan agreed to develop these talking points.
Brian Hansen noted for the taxes paid by the property owners around our lake the Township should be willing to fund such a study.
Tony Herd asked what the current lake association membership was; Pat Cubbage advised it was 70 out of some 300 possible members. Chuck noted an effective way to solicit greater membership in the association was to provide a self addressed stamped envelope with any request to solicit membership.
Minutes: Minutes of the June 14, 2005 meeting were approved on motion by Ruth Wilkinson second by Gary Sargent.
A draft of the minutes of the Annual Meeting on July 2, 2005 was shared with those present for any needed additions or deletions in preparation for approval at the 2006 Annual Meeting.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer advised a balance of $900.33. All outstanding bills are paid. Report was approved on motion by Ruth Wilkinson second by Gary Sargent.
Committee reports:
Government: No report.
Finance: No report.
Health and Safety: No report
Water Quality: Chuck Cubbage advised EnviroScience had replaced 33,000 weevils over the summer at locations and in areas of the lake most in need of a greater weevil population. Tony Herd asked if we were doing enough regarding maintaining habitat for over-wintering of the weevils along the shore. While this issue has been addressed frequently in the newsletters and at the Annual Meetings, it was suggested that a flier this fall may be a timely reminder. No action was taken pending a meeting in October.
Newsletter: No plans were made for a newsletter this fall
Nominating Committee: No report necessary
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Next Meeting Date: Meetings were scheduled for Tuesday October 11 and Tuesday November 8. Further meetings will be decided at one of those meetings.
Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 857 PM on motion by Ruth Wilkinson second by Pat Cubbage.
Doug Dorgan, Secretary