Board Minutes – Jul. 14, 2011

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Elk-Skegemog Lake Association

July 14, 2011
Board Meeting Minutes

Board Members Present: Jack Bay, Dale Claudepierre, Julie Courtade, Jim Curnow, Gina DeWildt, Kathy DiMercurio, Peter DiMercurio, Ron Gurdak, Bob Kingon, Tom Klingler, Brenda Miller, Kent Reynolds, Jim Sak, Robert Stibbs, Brian Taylor, Thomas Yocum and Stan Zenas

Members absent: Melissa Culver, Steve Flechter, Dean Ginther, Dave Hauser, Dave Lawicki, Lou Ann McKimmy, Joan Richardson and Glory Wiltjer

Others Present: Ruth Bay, Len and Karen Franseen, Past President Al Wagner and Mike MacDonald

Proceedings:

  •   Elk-Skegemog Lake Association (ESLA) President Bob Kingon called meeting to order at 10:02AM. 
  • Minutes from the May 12, 2011 Board meeting were unanimously accepted. 
  •  Bob Stibbs, listing assets, cash receipts and disbursements, presented the Treasurer’s report.
  •  Administrative Assistant, Brenda Miller was delayed and President Bob Kingon gave the membership update. 
  •  Len and Karen Franseen of the Grass River Capital Campaign made a presentation to the Board. The Campaign is now in its final stage with any monetary amount welcome. The Grass Lake Nature Center building is well under way and everyone is welcome to observe the progress being made.
  •  Kent Reynolds brought the Board up to date on the new courtesy docks to be installed in Elk Rapids’ Upper harbor. Kent reported the new docks, delayed by permit issues, should now be in place by Harbor Days.
  •  Kent also brought us up to date on the 215 Dexter Street property, formerly known as the Elk River Beck property. The property has had numerous legal delays, however, the Village of Elk Rapids expects to close on the Dexter St. property and secure ownership soon. He also informed us of a Waterway Commission meeting to take place on August 12, 2011.
  •  Information was provided by Bob Kingon, Dale Claudepiere and Thom Yocum concerning the Rapid River bug collection study project the various teams performed. The Summer Interns under the direction of ESLA Water Quality Specialist and Environmental Committee Chair were also involved with this project on four sites along the Rapid River. The intent of this phased cooperative project formed by a consortium of Chain of Lakes Associations and governmental organizations is to determine the source(s) of sediment/sand washing into the Rapid River changing the course of the river and potentially threatening the Torch River and Skegemog Lake and the waterway fishery.
  •  Gina Dewildt announced the date of September 15, 2011 for final submissions for the Photo Contest. The committee will meet to determine prizes. A suggestion was made to do more advertising in the local newspaper and at the Annual Meeting. Gina volunteered to develop a display for the Annual Meeting.
  • A membership analysis that will appear in the next newsletter was distributed. After discussion, it was agreed that a Membership Committee will be formed this winter to consider strategies for a new member drive in 2012.
  • Committee Reports-
    Governmental Relations-Bob Kingon gave an update on the Gaps Analysis and a new septic ordinance in Milton Township.
    Pete DiMercurio stated business as usual in Whitewater Township, the only issue concerning ESLA and Elk Lake south shore riparians is the pending DNR application for a slalom ski course adjacent to the Battle Creek Natural Area. Bob Kingon , President will discuss/update later in the meeting.

    • Communication Committee-Chair Kent Reynolds announced the newsletter is on the ESLA website and asked that suggestions to improve the website be sent to Gina Dewildt or Kent Reynolds. Directors were encouraged to visit the website and sign up for email delivery of newsletters.

    Finance Committee-Chair Pete DiMercurio stated the committee would meet in August to consider the process with the investment of ESLA’s identified discretionary non-working funds.

    Environmental Committee-Chair Thom Yokum reported that the Summer Interns have been assisting with the Rapid River project in addition to their work on Elk and Skegemog lakes. ECOLI testing continues with no ‘hot spots’ found to date. Concerns about Burnette Foods (cherry processing and discharge of cherry brine into a permitted disposal site adjacent to Elk Lake/Zone A) continue to be monitored; Burnette Foods may not be in compliance with the requirements of the permit. Thom stated his Committee would meet to determine their two-year goals.

    Safety & Recreation Committee-Stan Zenus, Chairman, stated he placed the stump markers and also affixed additional reflectors. There will be a need to replace some of the winter buoys and Stan will provide the Board with that estimate. Julie Courtade reported John Courtade met with a Whitewater Township official concerning his Eagle Scout project in the Battle Creek Natural Area, and will now be removing fallen trees and shrubs to clear a pathway.
      

  • Other Business:
    The Whitewater Township Board approved a letter of “no objection” regarding the installation of a slalom ski course near the Battle Creek Natural Area. ELSA President Bob Kingon has officially objected to the application in writing to both the Whitewater Township and DNR; Bob will again write a letter representing ESLA’s opposition to the DNR potentially approving the proposed slalom ski course, expressing concern regarding the loon population in the watershed adjacent to the Battle Creek Natural Area.
    The Annual Meeting is July 23, 2011 at the Elk Rapids High School from 10:00AM until 12:00 NOON. Coffee and donuts will be provided beginning at 9:00AM. Kent Reynolds will be in charge of Coffee and Donuts. Ron Gurdak, Thom Yocum and Jim Sak will man the tables.
    Nationally known loon researcher, Joe Kaplan, a biologist from Common Coast Research and Conservation, based in Hancock, MI will be the featured speaker at the Annual Meeting.
    A Nomination Committee is needed for various Board openings. The
    Committee will be the Zone Captains and will begin meeting this fall.
    A suggestion was made that the Board endorse a letter to Cherryland Electric Cooperative objecting to the use of chemical defoliants in the Elk-Skegemog lakes area.  

    • The next regular Board meeting will be September 15, 2011.  

    Meeting adjourned at 12:05PM after a motion was made and seconded.

    Minutes submitted by Recording Secretary, Kathy DiMercurio

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