2016 Cheboygan Long Lake Area Association
Annual Meeting Minutes and Notes
June 25th 2016
Location: Aloha Township Hall
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.
Attendance: 38
Agenda:
Coffee and Pastry
Meeting called to order
Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions
Secretary’s Report: Jeff Sherman
Treasurer’s Report: Barb Hall
Election of Officers – even year for two year terms
Vice President – Fred Olive currently the Vice President
Secretary – Jeff Sherman currently the Secretary
District Representatives
District Two – 5276 Hiawatha Drive to and including Nokomis Trail
Greg Kennedy is currently the representative
District Four – 4696 Hiawatha Drive to 4664 Hiawatha Drive
Chuck Maziasz is currently the representative
District Six – East Beechwood Drive to end of Norway Trail including Wylie Dr
Jim Currie is currently the representative
M-33 Reconstruction: Ken Paquet Cheboygan County Road Commission
Eurasian Milfoil Report: Dave Warriner and Chuck Maziasz
New Signs: Barb Hall
Organization Website: Fred Schramm
Boat Parade – July 4th at 2:00 (starts in front of Pines): Dar Maziasz
Other topics
50/50 drawing and adjournment
General Meeting Notes:
David Warriner called the meeting to order at 8:30am and led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance
All in attendance were welcomed and individually introduced themselves and identified where their property was located on the lake.
The Secretary (Jeff Sherman) and Treasurer (Barb Hall) indicated that they both had detailed reports from the past years respective meetings and activities and that anyone was welcome to obtain copies and review via the CLLAA website. Going forward, all meeting minutes and Treasurers’ reports will be posted to the web site for viewing. Fred Schramm was introduced, at this point in the meeting, and gave the website address: www:CLLAA.org as well as his email address and encouraged users to submit ideas, pictures, and lake information ideas for inclusion on the website. Fred verified that he is continuing to keep the website updated. Later in the meeting it was suggested that the website address possibly be included on the new metal signs.
David Warriner explained that the odd/even calendar years designated which districts were up for election. Since this is 2016 than the even districts were to be voted on for renewal. Per the agenda all positions were open to the floor for additional nominations. There were no new nominations. A motion was made and seconded to vote on the entire slate. The floor unanimously approved the entire slate.
M33 Reconstruction
Ken Paquet, Cheboygan County Road Commissioner was invited to speak to the association regarding the road work in the Aloha Township area.
Ken indicated that the M33 MDOT project was a $7 mil project and was attempting to meet a completion date of October 2016.
Ken explained that there are 223 miles of “primary roads” and 907 “local” roads (of which 500 are dirt) which are funded by revenue from gas and registration receipts as well as various millage bonds and special assessments.
The road commission has a business plan going out several years with various road projects slated for the next several years
The road commission has a board of 5 members which has been reduced in recent years to save costs.
He also indicated that the equipment is in need of replacement and repairs and that there have been no increases to the funding since 2007. He also pointed out that local townships are responsible for maintenance of township roads.
Chuck Maziasz (Long Lake Association and Aloha Township Trustee) indicated that as a result of the M33 construction that the Aloha Township road budget is being severely impacted by the additional car and truck traffic for dust control and gravel replacement and repairs.
Questions were entertained from the floor:
A question was asked regarding the plans for S River Rd. It was indicated to be a “primary” road and may be addressed in 2017 when Orchard Beach Rd is upgraded
A question was asked about the expansion of the ditches and utility access along M-33. The answer was that MDOT requires bringing all new projects up to current specifications for ditch and utility requirements and that they were also being widened to accommodate turning lanes.
Another question was asked regarding the status of paving Long Lake Road. Chuck Maziasz indicated that this was a township project and that there was no planned budget for funding this as a project. He indicated that nearly a $100K was being put into the upgrade of Long Lake Road this year…but did not foresee a project being funded to pave the road
A question was asked about opening and closing M-33 which Ken explained that he believed that M-33 would be open for the 4th of July weekend and then closed again
A question was asked about paving Hiawatha Drive. Chuck responded that without a special assessment this would not happen. He also indicated that if the project were to be done many easements, ditches, and many trees would be impacted affecting the front lawns of many homeowners.
As a side note there was a brief discussion on the use of as many as 4 different trash haulers all of whom come on different days with large trucks that have an impact on the township roads. It was indicated that Aloha Township has a contract with PAC – Onaway to remove township trash once a month and that if residents inquired they may get a cheaper rate by using PAC and reduce the additional traffic use on the township roads.
Invasive Species Treatment Update: David Warriner
David recapped the invasive treatments activities and provided information from the lake survey conducted by Progressive AE. David and Chuck Maziasz participated in the survey with Progressive AE which was conducted June 9th 2016.
The survey provided updates to the GPS survey of the sites on the lake containing milfoil and compared them to last year’s survey results. The results were published and provided as handouts at the annual meeting and will also be posted on the website. The results reflected significant progress from last year’s survey. This year approximately 9 acres of the 400 acre lake contained the milfoil as compared to 40 acres in 2015. Dave reiterated that while the progress is significant it is important for the lake association to stay vigilant in regards to continuing the progress and keeping it under control
Dave directly addressed the question regarding the special assessment funding and positive results. He and Barb Hall commented that while we would most likely see reduced billings in the future for treatment that we still have our contract commitment with Progressive AE . Should the progress continue it was explained that the special assessment funding would remain in place for the 5 year term and any surplus funds would roll into the next years balance. It was also indicated that it may be possible to cover several future years of activity with a surplus once the special assessment concludes should the progress continue and there was in fact a budget surplus at the end of the special assessment period.
Chris Holbrook (a Michigan DNR Fisheries biologist) was introduced to comment on the status of the lake and to briefly discuss the red ear sunfish as an alternative to fight zebra mussels. He commented that it seems that we are making progress with the Eurasian milfoil. He also indicated that more research needs to be done to see if the red eared sunfish was a good solution. He suggested that the DNR does not really like introducing a new invasive species to deal with another invasive species. He indicated that there is a “bacteria” solution that appears to be working in small areas i.e. 1 acre however more research is needed.
New Signs
Barb Hall provided an update on the 4 new lake association signs. There was significant support for the outcome of the new signs from those at attendance. The signs were made of metal and were made to be able to be repaired should there be issues from snow plows, etc. It was acknowledged that Mark Jackson provided significant help in getting the signs put up. Discussion took place regarding the date for the annual meeting and having the signs reflect that the annual meeting would be scheduled for the last Saturday in June. As mentioned previously in the minute notes, it was introduced that the signs could also reflect the lake association website address.
July 4th Boat Parade – Dar Maziasz
The annual 4th of July boat parade would be on the 4th at 2:00pm and start at the south end of the lake. The association members were encouraged to participate and arrive by 2:00 as the parade always kicks off on time
Other Open Floor Topics
Charlie Veneros, the Aloha Township Treasurer, spoke up to reiterate and support what Chuck Maziasz had stated during the road maintenance portion of the meeting regarding the township funding/budgets
Fabian LaVigne discussed the Kiwanis support of youth activities in the area and indicated there were fund raising raffle tickets available after the meeting for those interested
Chris Holbrook mentioned that the use of lawn fertilizers should be minimized around lakefront areas.
Another participant indicated that corn gluten used early in the spring helped kill lawn weed seeds and seemed to be effective
50/50 Draw
The drawing was held and $58 was awarded to the lucky ticket holder who immediately donated the proceeds to the Lake Association funds.
A motion was offered and seconded and all voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:40am.