Minutes of The Lake Association
July 9, 2005
(printable view)

22 members present

President Dave Baker called the meeting to order and welcomed Mayor Dick Montgomery, City Manager Danny Matthews, City Council members J.D. Jones, Jr., and Rick Evans.

Minutes of the June meeting were read and approved.

Dave Baker expressed our appreciation of Jeri Brees’ work as good-will chairperson, and asked for a volunteer to fill that position since Roland and Jeri Brees are moving from the lake. Pat Steinkuehler was selected as the new goodwill chairperson.

Dave also expressed our thanks to Philip Morgan for organizing the Independence Day Regatta, and to all the local businesses whose donations helped make the regatta a huge success. Dave asked for volunteers to help organize the regatta for next year. A “history” of this years’ organization of the regatta is available as a guide for next year.

Many present also expressed thanks to Ted King for serving on the lake over the July 4th holiday weekend to help keep the lake a safer place to boat and swim.

OLD BUSINESS

The topic of annexation of the lake area into the city was again discussed. Mayor Dick Montgomery and City Manager Danny Matthews have provided the city council and lake association with a summary of lake income and expenditures that show expenditures projected to exceed income. The lake association officers have questions for clarification and understanding of the figures. Dave Baker said the figures will be distributed in a newsletter once the questions are answered.

President Baker re-introduced the old business of proper signs to direct visitors and emergency responders to cabins. City ordinance requires each cabin have the section and cabin number on both the front and back, visible to the public. Dave asked for a volunteer committee to propose a plan for all aspects of new signage, i.e., compliance with city ordinance, 911 requirements, readability, esthetics, etc. A discussion followed about the possibility of the lake Association providing the signs. Terry Kloppenberg was selected as chairman of the signage committee.

Dave Baker also re-introduced the often-discussed issue of a lack of knowledge of the laws and rules applicable at the city lake. The following were discussed:
Most tickets (violations) are written as a result of the offender, often a visitor, not knowing the rules. It was stressed that cabin owners are obligated to make sure visitors know the regulations.
There are some city ordinances specific to the lake; however, all city ordinances apply to lake property.
Danny Mathews, city manager, has provided the lake association with the lake specific ordinances. The association secretary maintains two sets of the ordinances for members’ use. The consensus of this discussion was that cabin owners need a usable condensation of fishing, boating and lake use rules. Dave asked for a volunteer to lead a project to provide a sheet of rules to each cabin owner. No one responded.

Terry Kloppenberg reported that his investigation regarding fire protection indicated that creating a volunteer fire department at the lake probably was not feasible from a financial or personnel standpoint. Training and manpower are the restricting issues.

City officials reported that while a new caretaker has not been appointed the appointment process is well underway. They expect a new caretaker to be appointed shortly, possibly before the newsletter is published.

Lake watercraft congestion on holiday weekends provided for a lively discussion. Some of the ideas presented were:

NEW BUSINESS:

City Council lake liaisons J.D. Jones and Rick Evans expressed concern about chemicals at the lake, mostly lawn care products. The discussion ranged from more and/or better education on use of lawn care products to completely banning use at the city lake. Danny Matthews brought a State report stating increased atrazine levels at the water plant entry point and commented that the increase probably came from an agricultural application, probably corn, in the watershed. Andy Hutter reported that he had seen a chemical sprayer (boom truck) operating on city property on and around the airport. City officials said they were unaware of any large-scale spraying on city property, and would look into the matter. Extensive discussion about lawn care products included:
Vernon Hay commented that misuse is not widespread and hoped the city wouldn’t penalize all for a few peoples’ errors.
Bob Hay expressed the thought that misuse of lawn care chemicals was a perceived problem and not widespread.
Dick Montgomery commented as a cabin owner he would like to be able to spray poison ivy, etc.
Rick Evans asked if possibly some one at the lake could teach the class and improve attendance and efficiency. All agreed it is important to use only approved products in an approved manner.

Councilmen J.D. Jones and Rick Evans remain concerned about the situation.

Concerns voiced from the floor that there are boats and trailers in some of the “infields” that haven’t been moved in years and are eyesores and probably mosquito breeding places brought comments from the Mayor and City Manager that the police can not issue citations for such boats. The ordinance only applies to vehicles.

Vernon Hay suggested the lake association dues (currently $10.00 per year) be raised to build a “war chest” for contingencies and to fund projects such as signs, laminated “rules” sheets, maps of the lake, etc. No action was taken.

Councilman J.D. Jones requested that the association make the new caretaker feel welcome and assist him in beginning a good positive relationship at the lake. Once a caretaker is selected the Lake Association officers intend to meet with him or her to affirm assistance and cooperation.

MEETING ADJORNED

Andrew Hutter, Secretary