Meeting Minutes: 05/05/07

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Annual Spring Meeting

Jeff Falknor called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM in Dobson’s community room. Jeff explained that due to ill health of President, Jerry Teachout and his subsequent resignation, he had been appointed by the board to fill the vacancy. Since Jeff was Vice President, the board appointed Bill Greenawalt to fill that position. Kay Greenawalt had been appointed trustee at a previous board meeting also.

Jeff introduced the officers as Bill Greenawalt, Vice President; Carolyn Morrison, Secretary; Colleen Humphrey, Treasurer; and trustees, Jack Collins, Allen Baunoch and Kaye Greenawalt. Jeff explained his intentions to run the meetings from the agenda, adjournment and then an open forum for any additional questions.

The Secretary’s report submitted by Secretary, Carolyn Morrison was distributed. Allen Baunoch motioned to accept it, Mary Lou Collins seconded the motion and it was carried.

The Treasurer’s report was distributed and explained by Treasurer, Colleen Humphrey (see attached). Kent Miller motioned to accept it, Gerry Wilson seconded the motion and it was carried.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Trustee: Kent Miller nominated Jack Collins.
Bill Greenawalt seconded it.
Nominations closed, Jack Collins was elected Trustee unanimously.

Trustee: John Shimberg nominated Allen Baunoch.
Gerry Wilson seconded it.
Nominations closed, Allen Baunoch was elected Trustee unanimously.

Treasurer: Allen Baunoch nominated Colleen Humphrey.
Kaye Greenawalt seconded it.
Nominations closed, Colleen Humphrey was elected Treasurer unanimously.

Vice President: Jack Collins nominated Bill Greenawalt.
Betsy McCauley seconded it.
Nominations closed, Bill Greenawalt was elected Vice President unanimously.

SPECIAL REPORTS as reported by President, Jeff Falknor

Bills in House of Representatives (#4463 & #4464) will be up for vote this next week. According to Michigan Lake and Stream Associations, Inc. these are road end bills. Read attached letter from them. It was started by “Higgins Lake Civic Association”. Jeff urged everyone to contact our Representative, Bruce Caswell, 1-866-362-8812, to voice our opposition to these bills immediately. Michigan Township Association, DEQ, DNR, and Michigan Lakes and Stream Association are all strictly opposed to these bills.

OLD BUSINESS319 Watershed Grant update by Bill Greenawalt. Ben Wickerham, coordinator was unable to attend due to prior engagement. This grant had been applied for four times in the last ten years. Finally, it was approved as the DEQ wanted to study a watershed that had both rural and urban components. It is a federal grant from the EPA administered by DEQ. While the funding has been withdrawn by Governor Granholm due to Michigan’s budget difficulties, it was explained by Janice Sebald from the DEQ, that it is only temporary. The Branch County Conservation District is temporarily funding until the funds come in. Bill read portions of a notice from the EPA which requires nine elements to be incorporated into the project. See attached for the complete notice.

Also see attached for the map of the chain of lakes and what areas are included in the watershed project. Plus attached is the Mission Statement and goals for the watershed project. A public workshop is planned for June 16th. A notice will be received. A newsletter and a random survey will be coming also. Please, if you receive the survey, immediately fill it out and return. It is important.

Hydrilla update and joint evaluation of weed population with Paul Hausler of Progressive Engineering: Bill Greenawalt reported that 2 years ago Korean Hydrilla was located in a lake sixty miles south of us in Indiana. It shut down the lake. No boats could leave without inspection. Hydrilla is an especially invasion foreign plant. It chokes out all other weeds. Brochures were distributed to identify the Hydrilla. Information was included in case you spot it on how to report it, so a rapid response team can be sent. Jeff will let bass tournaments know this information.

Chain tour with Paul Hausler: Bill Greenawalt accompanied Paul on a tour of the chain of lakes to assess the weed growth.

NEW BUSINESS
By Laws Amendments:

Section 2, Article 2 to read: “The governing Board shall consist of the four elected officers, three elected trustees and the immediate past president serving as an advisor”.
Section 2, Article 2 position description for past president to read: “Advisor: The advisor to the board is to assist with all affairs of the association & to provide input for education of our lake concerns to the members”.
Section 1, Article 3 to read: “Any persons, age 18 and older, who support the interest and goals of the association, who join the association, pay the dues and agree to abide by the bylaws shall be eligible for membership”.
Linda Crohn motioned to change Section 2, Article 2 as presented.
Jack Collins seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously.

Tom Osborn motioned to change Section 1, Article 3 as presented.
Allen Baunoch seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously.

Website: Jeff suggested we do a website with Michigan Lake & Stream Association. The cost is $50.00 for the first year and $25 each following year for server fees. Volunteers were asked for to help set it up. John Shimberg motioned to do the website. Cora Foupht seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Activity Committee Chairperson and Membership Committee Chairperson: example of activities: picnics/boater safety/raffles and door to door membership drive with your neighbors. Jeff asked for volunteers for these positions. No one responded. They will be discussed at the board.

Ties in voting: Jack Collins expressed concern now that we have eight board members that ties could result in board voting. Discussion by the group suggested that ties could always result if an even number where present. So the concern was dismissed.

Maps: A map was displayed by Jeff of the chain of lakes. A sign up sheet was distributed for people that wanted them. The cost is between $25 and $40. Jeff will look into.

MEETING ADJOURNED

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Bill Greenawalt said the DNR recently did a fish survey of Morrison and Craig lakes over two days. More eight and nine inch bluegills were caught than ever before and also more pikes. They are checking for heavy metals in the fish. They will come back later this summer to check where the metals are coming from if any are found in the fish.

Attachments:Treasurer’s report—NCLA,minutes
Michigan Lake & Stream bills 4463 and 4464

Respectfully Submitted:
Carolyn Morrison, Secretary