Board Minutes – Mar. 17, 2011

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Elk-Skegemog Lake Association

March 17, 2011
Board Meeting Minutes

Board Members Present: Jack Bay, Dale Claudpierre, Julie Courtade, Melissa Culver, Gina DeWildt, Kathy DiMercurio, Peter DiMercurio, Dave Hauser, Bob Kingon, Tom Klingler, Dave Lawicki, Kent Reynolds, Thomas Yocum.

Members absent: Jim Curnow, Steve Flechter, Dean Ginther, Ron Gurdak, Lou Ann McKimmy, Jim Sak, Robert Stibbs, Brian Taylor, Terry Woods, Glory Wiltjer and Stan Zenas.

Others Present: Brenda Miller, Ruth Bay and Joan Richardson.

Proceedings:

  • Meeting called to order at 10:05AM by Elk-Skegemog Lake Association (ESLA) President Bob Kingon.
      
  • Joan Richardson was welcomed as an interim Zone C Director, appointed by the president until the annual meeting when the full membership will vote on her appointment.
      
  • Administrative Assistant, Brenda Miller, gave membership update. It was suggested that a letter be sent to Rapid River riparian’s outlining ESLA’s efforts on their behalf.
      
  • The Treasurer’s Report was presented by President Bob Kingon.
      
  • Bob Kingon brought the Board up to date on the 8-12 new courtesy docks in Elk Rapids’ Upper harbor. Costs are still to be determined. Bob Kingon and Kent Reynolds will continue to monitor this. If required before the May Board meeting, Bob Kingon will contact the Officers and Directors regarding the amount of an ESLA contribution to creating the docks.
      
  • Discussion took place concerning the Rapid River project, which involves road crossing assessments, bug collection for study, identifying erosion sites and a hydrology study of the river levels and flow. This collaborative effort by ESLA, Three Lakes Association (TLA), Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and others will now also include the Grass River. TLA is seeking a $5,000 grant from Freshwater Futures to support 2011 activities on Grass & Rapid Rivers. Brett Fessell from the Grand Traverse Band of Indians will coordinate this study and Kevin Cronk of Tip of the Mitt will train the volunteers. A suggestion was made to provide more information on the project, encourage volunteer sign-up and possible training dates for the river and lake riparians in the next ESLA newsletter and the Elk Rapids Township News.
    A motion to commit up to $6000 for the Rapid River project was unanimously approved.
      
  • Dana Vannoy, who had previously presented her photo book proposal titled “Pristine Waters” to the Board, informed Bob Kingon the new book will soon be ready for distribution to all original sponsors. It was suggested ESLA buy 75 books. Twenty-five of which would be available for Board members to buy and fifty on consignment to sell at the Annual meeting.
    A motion was made by Jack Bay to buy the proposed number of books and the motion passed.
      
  • Motion to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2010 Board meeting previously emailed was passed without comment.
      
  • Bob Kingon again discussed plans for a photo contest on the new ESLA website and the need to organize, determine prizes and a time frame. Gina Dewildt volunteered to head up the group and will contact the following members about a meeting time; Jack Bay, Lou Ann McKimmy, Joan Richardson, Ron Gurdak, Lisa Culver, Bob Kingon and Dana Vannoy.
      
  • Committee Reports-
    Governmental Relations-Dave Hauser reported on proposed Point-of Sale (POS) ordinances/inspections progress in some of the local townships.Bob Kingon discussed the GAPS Analysis, a project outlining gaps in township ordinances regarding the protection of our environment and how they could be strengthened. It is projected to be distributed in May 2011. However, Grenetta Thomassey, Program Director of the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (TOM) reports money is needed to print the Antrim County results.

    • A motion was made by Kent Reynolds to provide up to $900 to support the cost of printing the GAPS Analysis document. A vote was taken on the motion and was passed unanimously.

    Communication Committee-Kent Reynolds announced the new ESLA web site is up and running and Gina Dewildt would appreciate any comments and suggestions. It has yet to be determined how often the web site will be updated.

    Finance Committee-Chair Pete DiMercurio stated the committee would meet when the members return to the area and decide how and when to invest some of ESLA’s non-working funds.

    Environmental Committee-Chair Thom Yokum stated the Committee will meet in April to discuss their yearly meeting schedule. Thom is interested in having Summer interns from both Elk Rapids and Kalkaska high schools this year. He also reminded everyone of 1:00 meeting about the loon platforms with Peggy Comfort.

    Safety & Recreation Committee-Stan Zenus was absent, but Kathy DiMercurio reported she is working on getting some Boy Scouts interested in a project at the Whitewater Township Battle Creek area for their Eagle Scout badges. Tom Klingler said he would contact Fred Sitell who is interested in creating a group of fishermen from multiple chain of lakes organizations to work with the DNR on fishery issues.
      

  • Other Business:
    Bob Kingon briefly discussed the Elk River Chain Of Lakes (ERCOL)Watershed Implementation Team and an update on TOM’s leadership on “fracking” in Michigan.
      
  • New Business:
    Milton Township and Elk Rapids Township are discussing the need for additional staffing hours of their EMS services. ESLA will send a letter of support to increase EMS staff hours from 6:00PM until midnight in addition to the existing hours of 6AM-6PM.
    There is a DEQ meeting the Tuesday after Easter and a flyer was passed out to all present.

    Committees need to complete and submit their 2-year plans.

    A potential project was discussed concerning Milton Township’s forty parks and road ends. More discussion on this at a later date.

    An alternative to coal tar driveway sealant is available and Bob Kingon will publish the information in the next newsletter.

    Next meeting is May 12th.
      

    • Meeting adjourned at 12:06PM after a motion to do so by Tom Klingler.

    Minutes submitted by Recording Secretary, Kathy DiMercurio

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