Minutes of The lake Association
August 13, 2005
(printable view)

38 present

President Dave Baker called the meeting to order and welcomed Mayor Dick Montgomery, City Manager Danny Matthews, and City Council member J.D. Jones, Jr. Danny introduced the new caretaker, Justin Richardson.

Minutes of the July meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer’s Report was given by Vern Hay, which showed a beginning balance of $16,664. and an ending balance of $16,451. $80.00 was collected from dues and $140.00 from ads. Expenditures were $289.00 for mailings and $352.00 for supplies and the ad for the Independence Day Regatta.

NEW BUSINESS
Signage: Dave Baker brought a sample of a sign which could be posted on the road side and on the water side of each cabin site to comply with 911 requirements. An estimate of cost to furnish two signs for each cabin site was given as $6,000.00. There was some discussion with some members expressing the desire to furnish their own signs. President Baker explained that standardized signs are what emergency responders need. No action was taken.

Chemical Class: Sylvia Murphy reported on progress toward improving the effectiveness of the chemical class. Sylvia has collected the course materials and suggested we broaden the base of instructors to make the class more assessable, with the final goal to offer web-based training.

Annexation: President Dave Baker asked Mayor Montgomery to speak about the issue of annexation. His comments are summarized below.

President Baker advised those present that the Lake Association, in conjunction with the city, would like to organize a group to establish a long-range plan for the City lake. Curtis Brungardt, I-21, volunteered, and was appointed to form and lead this group. Curtis emphasized that proper long-range planning could not be completed in a two-month period, as there are many complex issues. Mayor Montgomery and Danny Matthews both stated that the city can not bind future councils. Sylvia Murphy emphasized that we all need to live in harmony. Councilman J.D. Jones stated that the Lake Association Newsletter is a great tool and is effective in promoting better communications.

Association Dues: Treasurer Vernon Hay brought to our attention that the annual Association dues of $10.00 just about cover the cost of mailings and don’t provide for major projects such as email, website setup, legal representation, etc. Discussion included: the need for a “war chest” in reserve, no dues increase for as long as any member present could remember, membership is a bargain and not mandatory. George Forrester moved the annual dues be increased to $25.00. Tad Fuller seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Abandoned boats, junk, etc., in “infields”: At the July meeting the Mayor informed us the city can not “push” to enforce the issue concerning abandoned boats because the current ordinance applies only to vehicles. He also said that an ordinance to cover abandoned boats was on the agenda for the next City Council meeting. The issue was introduced to the Council because of a problem in town. Dave Baker stated the Association Board would like the Lake Association to take a positive lead, with volunteers, to point out to the owners areas that need attention, and, if necessary, help clean up those areas. Andy Hutter also said the board has a plan to request specific cabin owners bring their lots and equipment up to standards set by city ordinance, and, if needed, assist them in doing so. If the areas remain unsightly and in non-compliance, then the city ordinance concerning annual inspection may be enforced. Councilman Jones also said that he and Councilman Evans had discussed providing a common parking area for trailers, boats, etc., and perhaps this would help eliminate the situation.

OLD BUSINESS
Email and Website: Secretary Andy Hutter briefed the Association on the following: The Association now has an email account to facilitate communicating with members and other entities. He distributed information with a draft proposing information to be included on a website. Preliminary inquiries to Hotdog Websites and Computers Plus showed the cost to set up and maintain a website for the Association would be $800-$1000.00 for setup and approximately $20.00 a month, depending on content and services. Dave Baker expressed he thought a website would be a huge step toward better communications. Gary Bolton made a motion to authorize establishing a website with a maximum initial expenditure of $1,000.00. The motion was seconded by Joyce Hutter and passed unanimously. Danny Matthews pointed out that the city recreation director, Justin Carlson had done the website for the city and he might be interested in doing one for the Lake Association. Andy said he will investigate thoroughly prior to obligating funds.

COMMUNITY FISHERIES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Andy Hutter distributed information about the Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP) and made a presentation and recommended acceptance of CFAP by the membership. The information included excerpts from the state proposal, a comparison sheet of the lake with and without the program, highlights of telephone conversations with caretakers of area lakes already in the program. Denver Marlow moved that the Lake Association recommend the City Council accept the program. LeRoy Lapham seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Lease Transfer Fee Increase: At the last City Council meeting Councilman Jones had made a motion to increase the transfer fee when a lease is sold to ½ % of the sales price. The motion at the City Council died for lack of a second. President Baker expressed that the Association Board had discussed this issue while in executive session and agreed that the fee needed to be raised significantly to cover the costs involved in a transfer. Dave said the board felt $500.00 was a reasonable amount; that a transfer involves the same manpower regardless of the price of the property, and the fee should not be tied to the sales price. Discussion followed that maybe the increase should be delayed until the master plan was completed. Some pointed out the master plan may be some time in coming together. Most present seemed to favor an increase. However, no motion was made and no action was taken.

Cabin rentals: President Baker reported he had received phone calls of complaints and concerns about renters violating rules. The Board placed this item on the agenda. It was pointed out that the lease agreement prohibits subletting the property. Mayor Montgomery said rentals have been actively done in the past and the city has not become involved. Dave suggested we further research the issue and get more input from members.

Wakeboard Boats: Dave introduced this topic with an explanation that there had been complaints about boats producing large wakes by using ballast bladders, trim, etc. Caretaker Justin Richardson said he had a complaint, but there is nothing prohibiting the practice. Discussion included: fears the wakes might damage property, erode shoreline, and stir up sediment. Some cabin owners felt these fears were not well founded. Some also expressed that the lake is for recreational purposed and wake boarding is a common form of recreation. Danny Matthews expressed concern that with improved technology the wakes might continue to increase size. Dave asked for a show of hands by those who would favor restricting the wakeboard boats and those who wanted to leave the rules as they are. Most were in favor of the status quo at this time.

OPEN DISCUSSION
Buoys: Some expressed concern that the no-wake buoys had been moved further from shore. Justin Richardson assured all that the buoys are in the same locations as the previous buoys. The topic of moving the no-wake area further south once again brought strong opinions from opponents and proponents. The mayor said the buoy location is where the Lake Association had asked them to be placed. The idea of putting solar lights on the buoys was introduced and discussed. Some felt lights might prevent some buoy damage. Others had the opinion that due to no-wake rules after dark, lights weren’t needed. Bob Hay made a motion we purchase solar lights for the buoys. There was no second.

Water quality: Danny Matthews reported that testing showed the atrizine level at the water plant was down and that the earlier spike was probably from row-crop applications in the water shed area.

Community Service Program: Justin Richardson announced the Community Service Program would be cleaning up the dam area on August 27, 2005.

Meeting adjourned.

Andrew Hutter, Secretary