Board Minutes – Dec. 15, 2011

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Elk-Skegemog Lake Association
December 15, 2011

Board Meeting Minutes

Board Members Present:  Ruth Bay, Dale Claudepierre, Melissa Culver, Jim Curnow, Kathy DiMercurio, Peter DiMercurio, Steve Flechter, Ron Gurdak, Dave Hauser, Bob Kingon, Dave Lawicki, Lou Ann McKimmy, Brenda Miller, Kent Reynolds, Joan Richardson, Jim Sak, Bob Stibbs, and Thomas Yocum

Members absent: Gina DeWildt, Dean Ginther, Tom Klingler and Brian Taylor

Others Present: Past President Al Wagner, Adam Jankowski, Ken Krentz, Lou Sanford, Jim Trierweiler, Jory Jonas, Laura Mathews, McKenzie Wolfgram, Donnie Fedrigon , Alyssa Veliquette, Fred and Susan Sittle

Proceedings:

  • The meeting was called to order at 10:00AM by Elk-Skegemog Lake Association (ESLA) President Bob Kingon.
  • Thom Yocum, Environmental Committee Chair and Water Quality Specialist, introduced the 2011 summer interns: Elk Rapids High School Seniors Mackenzie Wolfgram, Donnie Fedrigon and Junior Alyssa Veliquette. They reviewed their Rapid River Project objectives for the past summer and presented a slide show revealing how those objectives were met.  Their four objectives were: bug collection for study, walking the river to identify erosion sites, data collection of river flow, temperature, dissolved oxygen and depth and road crossing assessments.  This will be an ongoing project but the students discussed some of their conclusions for correcting the sediment problems in the Rapid River. The interns were thanked for their work and were presented their intern
    stipend by Thom Yocum.
  • A presentation was made by Jory Jonas, a Research Biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
    Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station. She was accompanied by, Central Michigan University (CMU) graduate student, Laura Mathews. Ms Jonas presented her findings of a ‘Remnant Lake Trout’ recently discovered in Elk Lake by the DNR.  Preliminary research reflects the trout to be a deepwater (100-180ft) spawning fish. This unusual behavior (deepwater spawning) leads DNR and CMU biologists to believe Elk Lake contains a remnant form of historical lake trout that were once common to Lake Michigan.  A research study to understand the spawning behavior, diet and general life history of the population began in the fall of 2011.  There are fish traps positioned around the lake, marked by buoys for the continued study.  If a tagged fish is caught, reporting information is on the tag.
  • Minutes from the September 12, 2011 Board meeting done by Recording Secretary Lou Ann McKimmy were unanimously approved and accepted.
  • Bob Stibbs presented a detailed Treasurer’s report listing assets, cash receipts and disbursements.  Bob stated there was a disbursement increase as a result of the Rapid River Project monies. The Treasurer’s report was unanimously accepted.
  • Administrative Assistant, Brenda Miller gave the membership update reporting there were no new memberships since the last meeting. Membership in 2011 was slightly more than 2010.
  • Bob Kingon discussed the results of the Gaps Analysis Survey highlighting the areas of agreement of Board members and areas of disagreement. Bob will need to know the Board’s position on Milton Township’s new zoning ordinance regarding shoreline
    protection strips.  He will send a copy of the exact wording of the zoning ordinance to the Board members and expects input from each Board member.

    •  
    Committee Reports:
     
    Finance Committee-Chair Pete DiMercurio stated the committee would meet before the next Board meeting.
    Governmental Relations-Dave Hauser reported on the progress of the Elk Rapids Hydro Electric Dam relicensing application.  He said progress is slow but no problems so far.  Dave Hauser also reported on some of the local township activities.
    Communication Committee-Chair Kent Reynolds brought the Board up to date on the Dexter Street property, previously the Elk River Beck property, reporting that the white building will be razed and the brick building is being structurally assessed and may also be removed.  There will be 22 new docks added in that area.
    Safety and Recreation Committee-Members Dale Claudepierre and Ron Gurdak discussed establishing a “no wake zone” from the east end of Torch River to the deeper waters of Lake Skegemog and the actions needed to improve the area.  A motion was made to give Dale and Ron permission, to act on ESLA’s behalf and begin talks with Clearwater Township and the DNR.  The motion was passed. Bob Kingon reported Marine Construction has been contracted to remove and reinstall the stump markers.
    Membership Committee-Brenda Miller reported the committee met to discuss ideas to increase ESLA membership.  These ideas will be further developed and discussed at the next Board meeting.  Some of the ideas were: improve certain aspects of the ESLA newsletter, to increase participation in activities by members and prospective members, encourage membership beyond riparians, and consider changes to the ESLA annual meeting.
     
    Other Business:
     
    Bob Kingon thanked Gina Dewildt and committee members Ruth Bay, Lou Ann McKimmy, Joan Richardson, Ron Gurdak and Lisa Culver for their excellent work on the Photo Contest committee and the beautiful 2012 calendar that is selling locally for $10.00.  Bob said he hopes all the committee will be willing to take on managing the photo contest in 2012.

    Bob requested that Kent Reynolds and Pete DiMercurio chair the Nomination Committee.

    Environmental Committee-Chair Thom Yocum said his committee would report at the next Board meeting.  And alerted the Board that the 2011 water quality data will appear in the January newsletterMeeting adjourned at 12:26PM.
     
    New Business:
     
    Next meeting is March 15th.

    The Watershed Center continues to coordinate with Clam Lake, Intermediate Lake, Lake Bellaire, Torch Lake, Elk Lake, the DNR and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to place fish shelters in the identified lakes. Property owners will need to give permission before the shelters are placed.  Three hundred dollars will be needed to provide initial support for this project.  A motion was made to provide this amount to the fish shelter project and passed unanimously.

    Deputy Sheriff  Paul Sak from Antrim County will sponsor a series of Boating Certification Classes in 2012.  Dates, times and locations to be announced.  The Board agreed that ESLA would provide a meeting room and refreshments for the class in Elk Rapids.

    Dave Lawicki has a request concerning the pond at Millcreek Elementary School that will be discussed at the next meeting.

    Meeting adjourned at 12:17PM following a motion to do so

    Minutes submitted by Recording Secretary, Kathy DiMercurio

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