Lake LeAnn Property Owners Association
Somerset Center Community Room; Somerset Center, MI
June 12, 2004 Annual Meeting Minutes

DRAFT

Call to Order at 10:10 a.m. by President Marty Hall.

Roll Call: Present:  President Marty Hall,  2^nd Vice President Rob Londos,  Secretary Bill Vette, Directors Lori Coyle, Ellen Ewing, Dan Lasecki, Maureen Butrico, Rick Lobliner, Matt Tuttle, Theresa Gray, Jean LaRevitzear.

Advance Notice of Absence:  Treasurer David Luke, Directors Alan Everett, Darlene Scouten.  Westdale Directorship-vacant.

The audience of members included 144 REGISTERED VOTERS. 

Recorder: Pamela Beck

Determination of Quorum executed.

Ben Tackett motioned to approve the June 13, 2003 minutes as written. Second by Fred Patterson. No questions or discussion. Motion Passed . 

COMMITTEE REPORTS-STANDING COMMITTEES:

Budget and Finance:  President Marty Hall, Chair/ Jerry Walker, Conroller

•  Jerry Walker reviews financial report.  Report stands as presented.
• President Marty Hall gave information on the new office location and reviewed rental figures.  Association working on deferring part of the rental costs by renting the garage and/or renting space to Lake Somerset and Mirror Lake. Members invited to visit office after the annual meeting for tour. 

Rules and Regulations: Bill Vette, Chair, introduced the current members of the Rules and Regulations Committee.

• An outline was given on the responsibilities of this committee
• Review of Bylaws versus Rules and Regulations
• This years accomplishments were the creation a handbook for directors, review of the current bylaws, work on membership guide, emergency procedures to be used in the event of lake contamination, developed a building fee policy and currently beginning research of what can be done about junk or abandoned vehicles within our Association.
• The Committee is currently recruiting new members.

Lake Control: Marty Hall, Chair, reported.

·         New ramps are in.

·         Creation of utility position.  Lee King hired as part time employee.

·         Working on replacing damaged or missing mooring markers.

·         Contact made with Senator Brown’s office to discuss  DNR/DEQ changing permit process.

·         Andy -  Professional Lake Management spoke about the permit delay for the last season.  This year permit was filed early to avoid delays.  Permit fees increased from $150.00 to $1500.00 so that DEQ staff could be increased, to shorten wait time for permits.   Adjustments made to this year’s treatment program to improve outcome. Will continue to monitor the lake spring, midsummer and fall water sampling.  Research is being done on using floridone on the north lake in 2005. Question about why the water clarity down.  Answered could not address because 2003 their first year on the lake.  Possibly from microscopic plankton.  Question if treatment schedule could be posted on the website.  Office stated could be done.  Question if anything could be done about Zebra Muscles. Answered - nothing PLM can do.  Member suggested adding Pumpkin Seed fish.  Question - if fireworks contributed to the condition of the lake.  Answered don’t believe they cause water quality problems.

Question on whether fertilizers cause lake problems.  Answered  - fertilizer  number one cause of excessive growth of native plants and algae in the lake.  PLM carries, and recommends Clear Lake Lawn Fertilizer - phosphate free and slow release nitrogen.  Contact PLM office to order.  Will deliver on their scheduled visits.  President Hall stated Association to review comprehensive land management plan for lakefront owners.  Information available on this issue in the office.  Question - how septic tank run off effects water quality.  PLM answered there is a test that can check conductivity of water that points to a leaky septic system.  Pres. Hall stated county will evaluate f this problem is suspected.  Member stated white foamy “streams” on the south lake that look like soap suds.  PLM stated they would have to sample to find out what this is.  This can also be submitted to the county health department as a complaint and they will check on it.  Maureen Butrico stated that she is on the Somerset Twp. AdHoc Sewer Committee. Final report to township in September.  Current info indicate 30%+  nutrients in the lake come from septic, 20%+ percent comes from fertilizer run off.  Meetings open to all.  A member stated white foam may come from courtesy lots on Evelyn Bay.   Question asked – if anyone on PLM staff interacts with DNR on the effects of treatment on wildlife.  PLM stated that they are in contact with DEQ on  daily basis.  Permit requires they report any damage to wildlife.  Question - whether multiple year permits are feasible.  PLM noted that currently legislature in progress to promote this.

·         The LLPOA previously contracted the Hillsdale County Sheriff for marine patrol.  Contract is up for renewal.  There have been several letters for and against renewing contract. Due to the positive feed back for this program on the membership survey, the Board made the decision to renew the contract with the stipulation that it would be brought to membership for vote at annual meeting.  Pres. Hall requested motion from floor for or against continuing the contract.    Question - cost of the Sheriff patrol contract.  Pres Hall - $3,000.00/year for  approximately 154 man hours.  Covers costs only with no profit to Sheriffs department.  Discussion.  Fred Dumm Motioned to continue the Sheriffs contract as entered.  Second by Fred Patterson.  Continued discussion.  Virginia Hummel Amended the motion to add that the contract be reviewed at the end of this boating season.  Fred Dumm Accepted.  Second by Fred Patterson. Discussion.  Amendment to the motion withdrawn. Jim Friend called for a vote.   Votes in support – 40.  Votes opposed - 72+.  President Hall - motion Defeated.

Building Control:   Bill Vette, Chair reported

·         Purpose of the Building Control Committee

·         Building Control Committee members introduced to audience.

·         Growth for building within the Association from 2002 to 2004

Growth rate 2002 to 2003 of 42%  and 8% from 2003 to 2004. 

·         Fee Structures introduced for the purpose of maintaining property values and provide follow up, insuring Deed Restrictions not being violated.  Fees are $100.00 for a house or a house with a garage.  $50.00 for a garage, fence, shed, addition or other.  $25.00 for alterations and docks.

·         Also follows up on building related complaints.

Question whether one of the complaints made to the BCC was on the Indian Hills-Outlot B.  Vette stated that it was and that the situation is with Attorney.  Discussion - Director stated if membership wished to be informed they could attend regular board meetings.  Member questioned BCC’s responsibility to keep homes within setbacks, and house on Baker Road falls within setbacks.  Discussion on variances.  BCC currently addressing this issue. A member suggested that we return to agenda.

Maintenance-Maureen Butrico and Matt Tuttle,  Co-Chairs. Butrico stated committee meetings scheduled first Thursday of month and all volunteers welcome.  Thanks to current committee members.  Clarified maintenance covers all projects from the shoreline into the land.

• Projects completed this year:  Stump removals Cherry Park, new buoys purchased, boat docks repaired, several broken and absent property marker fence posts replaced, repaired several mooring posts, repaired and filled the out lots on Baker Road and Sauk Trail, participated in drive-thru review of Association properties and compiled list of needs. Coordinated tree and stump removal due to the storm last year.  Noted repairs from storm cost approximately $15,000.00.  Obtained property surveys on properties in question.  No burning signs placed in parks to control burning near the lake causing nutrient runoff.  Installed lights for LLPOA sign on US12.  Rocks installed at several mooring sites. Removed and coordinated the removal of vandalized Porta Potties from the lake.  Looking into new company to provide Porta Potties that can be secured to prevent dumping into the lake.  Studied issue of playground bases and will replace and create new bases in the playgrounds to meet safety standards.  Cost of project - approximately $10,000.00.  Some playground equipment broken and/or no longer safe was removed.  Coordinated trash and brush removal around the lake.  Coordinated landscaping of boulevard at US 12.  Coordinated work day - Royal Shores and other parks to remove brush.  Grills were removed from the park due to safety issues.    Trash containers removed from North and South boat launch areas.  This was done because of constant problems with overflowing trash.
• Goals for the coming year:  Completing playground equipment  bases  and painting and repairing where necessary Marking all  outlots with fences or boulders.  Monitor parks and properties for necessary repairs, etc.  Provide electric service at the LLPOA barn.  Construct informational bulletin boards at both of the launches.

Question about sound system for annual meetings.  This is being looked into, along with a bigger location for meetings.  Question on whether the Association cleans up the mooring sites.  Butrico stated  yes.  Suggestion that people who are assigned the sites should be required to clean up their own site.
 

COMMITTEE REPORTS-SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

Litigation Committee:  President Hall reported.

• 3 items at the Attorneys for review.  First the Lasecki land issue.  Second the splitting of Outlot B in Grand Point.   Right angle lots.

Nominations were accepted for the ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. There are openings this year for several Subdivisions.  Bylaws state that members must be present to run for a board position. The following slate was voted in uncontested.

NEW BUSINESS:

A.  Bylaws Revisions:  Sent to attorney for review.  Attorney’s opinion  LLPOA Bylaws should be professionally reviewed and revised.  Advised that the board entertain a motion to delay action on the Bylaws as to the June 14, 2004 members meeting and proposed the possibility to revising the Bylaws in their entirety, along with the articles of incorporation.   Discussion.  Ellen Ewing Motioned that we accept both sets of  Bylaw changes. Continued discussion.  Member stated that because of the controversy and the fact the change to the Bylaws is not urgent this should be tabled until the next annual meeting.  Linda Putz Seconded motion to accept presented changes..  Continued discussion -  there is a problem with section H -  deals with the Building Control Committee and it contradicts our current deed restrictions.  Continued discussion.  Lori Coyle calls for a vote.  Question of whether there are conflicts between the two revisions. Discussion.   Ellen Ewing Amended the Motion to accept only the Bylaw changes offered by director Lori Coyle.  Seconded - Linda Putz. Discussion.  Motion declared unpassed.  Question was made on whether majority of present votes count.  Many members left and 2/3 of the attending membership is required for the vote to pass.  Question was raised as to whether the number used to determine a 2/3 count should come from the registered voters at the beginning of the meeting or voters present during the vote.  Determined per by laws that it was members present.  A count of no votes was made.  It was determined that a quorum was met and the motion Passed.

B.  Indian Hills 1 – Lot 032; aka South Lake Swim Area:  Recommendation from Township supervisor and attorney that a conditional use permit be obtained for site.  Application has been filed and public hearing scheduled - July 13, 2004, Somerset Township Hall community room.  Question of what is the boards recommendation to the township?  Answered that the board is not actually giving a recommendation but asking for a rezoning with the conditional use permit.

Don Payne Motioned to vote to keep the island swim area to show the planning commission what the membership wants.  Seconded Jim Coyle.  Discussion.  Review of committee report.  Continued discussion.  Debbie Spicer provided information on the procedure for a public hearing.  Voice Vote. Motion Passed with one nay vote.

Motion for Adjournment at 1:50 p.m. by Cleon Newton. Second by Theresa Gray. So called by President Marty Hall.