MINUTES OF THE
LEPOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 14, 1997
Meeting was called to order by President Mike Eberly at 7:35 p.m.
Meeting location had been moved to the High School Library to accommodate the meeting of the School Board in the Middle School Library.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Ashworth, Tim Callahan, Mike Eberly, Leon Eisemann, Rod Kurowski, Carol Marsh, Don Stocker.
MINUTES of the March meeting were reviewed. Bob Ashworth said that the Website address was incorrect and amended it to the following, asking that it be published in the newsletter: HTTP://SUPER.ZIPPO.COM/~LOCHERIN. Don Stocker asked that the Executive Session minutes should be amended in the last paragraph on page one as follows: Rod Kurowski motioned to obtain fifteen copies of the Aquest report and fifty copies of the fliers from ML&SA for the Annual Meeting. Rod Kurowski motioned to approved minutes as amended, Bob Ashworth seconded. Minutes approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT was given by Leon Eisemann. Rod Kurowski motioned to approve, Don Stocker seconded. Approved.
WATER QUALITY – Don Stocker introduced Dr. Craig Smith from Aquest Corp., the firm that performed the lake study on Loch Erin last fall. Dr. Smith reported that in general there are not a lot of water quality problems in Loch Erin. There is very poor water clarity in the lake. This is not due the growth of algae, but to sediment from erosion both in the neighborhood and from downstream, and sediment being re-suspended from the lake bottom. Nutrient levels in the lake were found to be moderate. The appearance of algae from time to time is due to the fact that algae respond to events such as high winds/high boating use – things that churn up the nutrients in the lake bottom. There is no indication that Loch Erin has a problem with algae, however it is good to control nutrients: i.e. warning of the use of phosphorous in fertilizers in the lake community. There were no indications of bacterial problems. Generally, Loch Erin water quality gets a pretty good bill of health.
There are a couple of concerns. The largest concern was the evidence of no dissolved oxygen in Goose Bay, and some depletion in Limerick Bay. Dr. Smith would like to have the water sampled a little more often during the summer to find out how long and how frequently the oxygen is out of the water in Goose Bay. The nutrient levels were higher in these two areas indicating local contributing sources of phosphorous. This will be monitored to attempt to discover the source.
The aquatic plant situation was also examined. Dr. Smith suggested implementing measures to keep Eurasian Water Milfoil from entering Loch Erin since the lake has the perfect conditions for it to do well. (It grows at the surface where it can tangle boat props, etc.) He suggested advising lake users to clean their boat bottoms and trailers before launching. He recommended the use of herbicides for continued management of Curly Pondweed.
Dr. Smith reported his examination of Tralee Pond. The presence of Duckweed or Watermeal is due for the most part to the amounts of nutrients entering the pond through water run-off from the horse barn at the top of the hill. These nutrients will cause something to grow, so the Board will have to decide if they want the Duckweed/Watermeal or alga in the pond. If the weeds are eliminated, alga will grow. If the alga is treated with a copper algicide eventually the nutrient levels will cause the growth of an alga that is resistant to copper.
Looking to next year, Dr. Smith said he does not believe LEPOA needs a lot of water quality services. He recommends continuing the same water quality sampling we have been doing; continue with weed control when necessary; take samples more often in Goose Bay.
In discussion after Dr. Smith’s report is was stated that it is not advisable to attempt to make Lake Loch Erin a crystal clear lake. Because of the shallowness of the lake (avg. depth seven feet) water clarity would create a monstrous weed problem that our current turbidity keeps in check for the most part. The LEPOA will work with Aquest in the future to attempt some type of balance for better water clarity with the continued control of weeds.
Don Stocker distributed a summary of three of the four meetings he had attended in the past month.
The fourth meeting attended was the Water Quality meeting. Don was happy to announce the members of the new committee: John Catenacci, Mike Eberly, Don Edwards, Pete Heider, Jim Olszewski, Paul Salvador and himself. Don reported that at least three of the members are in environmental work.
The erosion of islands was discussed, with suggested possibilities of shoreline stabilization.
A question was raised as to the potential damage of leaving the ski course in the same area year after year. Dr. Smith responded that there will of course always be trade-offs, but he said it was better leaving it in the same place as opposed of moving it around the lake. He said that in his examination of the shoreline he saw no evidence of unusual shoreline damage in the ski course area.
Mike Eberly stated that the greatest evidence of shoreline erosion is in the areas where the wind whips the water against the shoreline (the Smith farm shoreline was cited as an example). In comparison, damage from boat wave action is much less evident. Leon Eisemann stated that due to water displacement the wakes from larger boats is much greater than that of ski boats with their shallower hull design. Dr. Smith agreed stating that proof is evidenced in areas trafficked by small speedboats and slow moving trawlers and barges – the greater wake and damage is done by the larger, slow moving watercraft).
Dr. Smith stated that the evidence indicates that most of the erosion seen now on Loch Erin is from the flooding of the lake to begin with, as the water rose up to the vegetation which was not and is not shoreline vegetation and therefore does not support the soil against erosion. LEPOA and its lakefront land owners must make it a priority to grade their shorelines properly (two feet in depth for one foot in rise) and to cover it with proper shoreline stabilization vegetation or Rip-rap, or to install seawalls. Dr. Smith will send a copy of a map indicating the worst areas of shoreline erosion to LEPOA.
BUILDING COMMITTEE – Leon Eisemann reported one porch, one dock, one sunroom and five single-family dwellings approved in the last month.
Mike Eberly reported a Zoning Board meeting attended by several members of the Board. The subject in question was essentially a zoning change from Agricultural to Suburban/Residen-tial. Approval was given to Mr. Panzl for the zoning change. A gentleman’s agreement between Mr. Panzl and LEPOA was included in the minutes of that meeting that a maximum of three of the seven lots would be sold as airport access lots.
Mike reported that there appears to be an agreement with the Irish Mist developers that there will be a single amendment encompassing LEPOA restrictions and Irish Mist restrictions, giving LEPOA the ability to enforce them.
Mike reported that Bob Pineau had looked at the proposed Kingsley 1 amendment and has approved it, except that the format needed to be changed to conform with new county filing regulations. However, Carol Marsh said that Mr. Pineau had left a message for her that the document must restate the entire paragraph 3 if we intend to retain the other restrictions stated in the paragraph. It was decided that rather than spend the money to have Mr. Pineau’s office re-do the document, Carol will retype it and deliver it to the Hollises.
Carol Marsh also reported that Mr. Pineau would be sending a copy of a Proof of Service to be filed with each lien in the future, as per new county filing regulations. It will be a notarized statement that a certified letter of notification of the filing of the lien has been sent to the property owner.
PARKS COMMITTEE – Tim Callahan thanked Kathy Zmijewski for contacting the businesses for the port-a-potties, trash, lawns, security. He reported that the docks are in the process of being installed.
Tim stated that approximately one hundred to one hundred, fifty docks will eventually need to be installed in order to conform with the agreement with Don Edwards to provide docking for twenty-five percent of the back lot owners. At this time there are forty-one dock spaces, most of which have already been leased for the year. There may be a need for fifty-five or sixty this year. The Parks Committee has already reached the limit for convenient dock spaces, having added a second dock at Killarney, and extending the docks at Shannon and Tipperary. The Board will need to discuss in Executive Session, the installation of more docks to accommodate those still wanting dock space – this will be an additional expenditure that will be accrued this year. These things are difficult to forecast in the budget because it is impossible to know what the demand will be. The income from the dock leases just about covers the maintenance, installation and removal of the docks. The majority of added docks will be located at the 40 acres. Tim reminded the gallery that once the saturation point for docks has been reached and/or the agreed upon twenty five percent availability to back lot owners, the present first come first served system will be replaced with some sort of lottery.
Tim reported that two people have volunteered to adopt a park to maintain and manage weeds. (Funds for weed eradicator to be provided by the Association.)
FISH & WILDLIFE COMMITTEE – In the absence of Joe DePetro or other members of the F&W committee Mike reminded the gallery that the game fish being stocked this year are part of the continuing effort to get rid of the fingerling carp population.
Mike Eberly announced a Drain Board meeting on April 23 at 1:30 p.m.
Rod Kurowski reported on the Cambridge Township meeting. He announced to the gallery the Annual spring clean up days on May 2 from 4-8 pm and on May 3 from 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets for participation must be obtained from the Township office: One ticket per household. There is no charge for the first "pick-up truck" of material (no tires), and a $20.00 charge for each subsequent load. Loads to be taken to Irish Hills Sanitation on south Onsted Hwy. About ½ mile south of the High School. Appliances are accepted, freezers and refrigerators must be tagged stating that the freon has been properly removed.
Rod reported that twenty lots have been approved for building in the old Irish Hills ski area. It was noted that Cambridge Township is the fastest growing township in Lenawee county.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mike Eberly reported contacting Harlan McKnight of the Road Commission and was told that Kingsley Dr. will be paved this year with the same type of gravel mixture that was used on Stephenson Rd. last year. Mr. McKnight confirmed that the paving of Reed Road will be completed to Pentecost Hwy. this year. He had no schedule to confirm with Mike.
Mike thanked the group that put the Membership Directory together: Ray and Mary Maxe, Harvey and Bonnie DuChateau and Terry Hanf. Tim Callahan applauded them for having completed the project at no cost to the association, by charging local businesses for placing ads in the directory. (There was around ninety dollars left over to be used for the update next year.)
Bonnie distributed samples of the Annual 4th of July Boat Parade flyer. There will again be T-shirts, hats and cash prizes. This year there will also be Rugby shirts for sale, and a gathering for refreshments with ice cream, etc. at the shelter house afterwards. She requested $200 to purchase items needed.
Bob Ashworth gave the Website address to the gallery and asked for their input.
NEW BUSINESS
Bob Hurley was introduced and he presented to the Board the problem he is having with the Township Police running off and/or citing his family members and friends for fishing on his property. He showed evidence that he not only owns the land up to the water’s edge, but the property under the lake as well. The County was granted an easement on his property for Stephenson Road. He owns the property from the edge of Shannon Park all the way around to the point on the peninsula. Mr. Hurley requested that the Board write a letter to Cambridge Township Board reminding them that the original intent of Ordinance 85-2 was to remove the problem of illegal parking, swimming and fishing by non-residents, and to remove the hazard that these activities presented. The original intent was stated at the time the ordinance was drawn up not to take away the property owners rights. (Don Edwards affirmed that he had stated his concern on this matter when the ordinance was originally discussed) Mr. Hurley asked the LEPOA Board to request that the township amend the Ordinance to state this intent in the writing of Ordinance 85-2. Mr. Hurley said there are only six or seven people he wants to give permission to use the lake off his property. He is willing to provide a list of these people along with a County permission slip to the Cambridge Township. Mike Eberly said that the LEPOA would open the door, but would not be an intermediary between Mr. Hurley and the Township.
Mike Eberly told Don Edwards, as owner of the islands that are eroding away, that he wants to keep Don in the loop when it comes to making the decisions as to what will be done with them. Mike told him that the Board is waiting for a recommendation from Austin Stroman on the islands. Don then gave permission for the Board to do whatever was recommended for the islands.
Kathy Zmijewski requested $300. for food and supplies for the Annual Picnic. Tim Callahan motioned to approve the monies, Don Stocker seconded. Approved.
Rod Kurowski reported that the Gus Harrison facility has prison labor, primarily made up of prison trustees, who have six months to a year left in their sentences. They are low risk, high confidence employees of the prison. They are available for use by non-profit organizations with a recommendation from the township. The hourly rate is $5.00 per person per day, unless they work overtime then it is $8.00 per day. This work system has been used extensively in the city of Onsted for Park and cemetery maintenance. Most of Trestle Park was constructed using prison labor. They were used extensively throughout the area during the last power outage to clear trees, etc. Rod recommended to the Board the use of this low-cost labor pool done under the supervision of prison guards. In the five years that this work system has been utilized there has never been a problem. He recommended this course because of the inability of the Board to get volunteers for hard, drudgery work, and the inability to hire contractors because the budget does not warrant it. He then made a motion to use prison labor for specific assignments – primarily for shoreline stabilization. Bob Ashworth seconded. Passed.
Rod Kurowski motioned to adjourn, Leon Eisemann seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Marsh
LEPOA Secretary