Manistee Lake Association
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June 10, 2002 Meeting Minutes

A General Membership Meeting was held on May 25, 2002

Manistee Lake Association GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING SATURDAY MAY 25, 2002 Terry Slabic, President, called meeting to order at 9:00AM Officers Present: Terry Slabic. President Gerry Winkler. Vice President Jerry Sheahen, Treasurer Don Thomas, Secretary Dale Ritchie, Membership Chair Bob Mazzuckelli, Sgt. at Arms/Parliamentarian Chip Sheahen, Water Quality Chair The Water Quality Committee report was presented by Chip Sheahen. There is a general perception that there may be a possible increase in the amount of milfoil in the lake for this time of the year. EnviroScience will come and analyze the growth of the weed this summer and provide a report to the MLA. Chip also introduced Dave Mahan, Director of the Au Sable Institute who presented plans for sampling of the lake this summer. Samples will be taken at various cites and analyzed for algal growth, pollutants and other contaminants that may be increasing. Dave congratulated the membership for their turnout at the meeting meeting of lake front properties will be scheduled for early August to go over the results of water quality studies of Manistee Lake and Big Twin Lake. This meeting will take place at the AuSable Institute. The Treasurerıs report given by Jerry Sheahen. To date there are 123 paid members (totaling $3000) and contributions made to the Lake Maintenance Fund totaled $2440. Expenses totaled $320 reflecting an income over expenses of $4952. Total amount in the bank is $8866 The Secretaryıs report. Don Thomas reported that the MLA website is showing increasing activity since the last Newsletter was sent out. Over 1500 hits with 500 sessions per day are occurring. He also gave an explanation of the ³Membership Area² and how to use some of its functions. It is hoped that more members will use the website for getting information on dates and minutes of meetings, exchange information between members as well as the Board, posting of news articles and lake oriented pictures and the eventual ability to order of tee shirts and sweat shirts. The membership Committee and the Fund raising Committee Dale Ritchie pointed out the tee shirts and sweatshirts that are available for sale by the MLA. They are available in several colors, long and short sleeves, and various sizes (adults and childrenıs). It is advisable to buy what is available today since orders of larger quantities are at a better price. The shirts will also be for sale at the Carefree Cove. QUESTIONS, ANSWERS AND DISCUSSION Much stimulating discussion occurred as a result of questions and concerns expressed by meeting attendees. What type of lawn treatments can be used on lakefront properties that will not significantly contaminate the lake with unwanted pollutants? There are treatments available usually labeled ³organic² that do contain necessary elements for lawn fertilization and weed control that will not contaminate lake water. The property owner should request if a specific company has an application that is organic that will not contaminate lake water is available from them. Is it appropriate to use lake water for watering yards, especially since lake water has nutrients good for plants? An Ordinance has been passed by Coldsprings Township and Excelsior Township to prohibit Commercial companies from removing large quantities of lake water for their purposes. However, lakefront property owners are encouraged to use lake water for watering yards and plants. Can Carp be used to control milfoil? Crass carp are not selective in food preference and eat all aquatic plants (Eurasian watermill is their last choice), cause the lake waters to be turbid and their fecal material promotes algal blooms. In addition, carp are illegal to use in public waters in Michigan. What is the status of a long-term tax assessment to carry out lake maintenance? A long discussion ensued in which the requirements for getting a tax assessment were reviewed and suggestions for getting maximum tax issues approved e.g., a number of mils per dollars of property value for a maximum of 5 years for a specific purpose such as Lake maintenance funds. Suggestions regarding tax rebates and allocation of current tax revenues were discussed. What is the number of lakefront property owners and how many are member of the MLA? Based on the annual tax rolls there are approximately 350 individuals who own property around the lake and constitute our entire mailing list that is updated annually. About half or 150 become members of the MLA each year. Thus, we are looking for ways to increase our membership as close to 100% as possible. What can the individual property owner do to test their septic system? A discussion of the septic system problem in general ensued including the federal mandate that in 2003 a mandatory inspection system should be in place by all states to ensure the quality of drinking water taken from local lakes and rivers. It seems that the State of Michigan Legislature is going to pass a requirement that septic systems be tested at the time of sale of the property This seems to be a minimal approach since many of the properties around Manistee Lake have been owned for many years by the same family and may be passed on for many more years without the necessity of a periodic septic inspection. Hopefully, the MLA can influence our local legislators to pass an ordinance for a periodic septic system inspection at a reasonable cost irrespective of property sale. This legislation may also give local Health Departments the authority to enter oneıs property and seek a septic system inspection if leakage is suspected. A member also outlined the procedure for adding dye to a septic system and the time it takes to determine if the system is leaking. A Motion to adjourn was made and the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 AM. ADDENUM Several issues arose during the course of the meeting that required further research to be answered adequately. The first of these was the question of whether Senator Stabenow was involved in (or the Congress passed) legislation concerning water quality. A corollary comment concerned the source of the funds to treat milfoil at Houghton Lake with chemicals. The answer to both of these questions were found on Senator Stabenowıs website (http://stabenow.senate.gov). On November 12, 2001 President Bush passed into law the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that included an amendment authored by Senator Stabennow to ban drilling (particularly, directional drilling) in the Great Lakes for two years. Grant funds to be distributed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to study the effects of allowing new wellheads on lake waters and beaches are contained in this legislation. In this same legislation (Energy and Water Appropriations Bill) Senators Carl Levin and Stabenow added over $6,380,000 for fourteen targeted projects including: --- $3,000,000 for a complete study of the Soo Locks and begin construction of one large lock to replace the two smaller locks. --- $500,000 to eradicate Eurasian milfoil in Houghton Lake. --- $80,000 to conduct a comprehensive management study on Clearwater Lake, which has also been infected with Eurasian milfoil. At the May 25th meeting Terry Slabic resigned as President. Since our by-laws do not cover such a circumstance the MLA Board has unanimously agreed to accept Terryıs resignation. The Board has also unanimously agreed to the following change in Officers and will seek ratification of this action by MLA members at the next general membership meeting on July 6th, 2002: -- Don Thomas to President for the term of 2 years -- Matt Thomas to Secretary for the term of 2 years All other Officers will serve out their current terms. At the July 6th meeting we will also elect a Chairman of the Water Quality Committee to replace Chip Sheahen (who served a one year term). Respectfully Submitted, Donald C Thomas, Secretary MLA

Story submitted by:     Donald Thomas

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