Hess Lake Improvement Association

2008 Annual Meeting Minutes

June 21, 2008

I. Call to order/Roll Call/Agenda Approval:

The meeting was called to order at 10:03 am by Board President Jeannine Lemmon.

A roll call of zone reps, and alternates was taken and the following were present: Bob Hake, Jerry Swendrowski, Phil Laven, Katie Lipner, John VanDam, Rick Rickner, Diane French, Gary Noble, Paul Delmar, Rich Bosowski, Ivan Kraker, and Jo Heidman

The agenda was reviewed and approved.

II. Treasurer’s Report:

Katie Lipner presented the treasurer’s report.  As of the end of May 2008, the association has $8,543.50 in checking, $1,392.94 in savings, and $20,767.99 in a 13-month CD with a interest rate of 3.60%.

So far for the year 2008 the expenses had been:

1. Bank Fees                   $   32.50

2. Internet Service           $   85.00

3. Water Testing              $   92.00

4. Newsletters                 $   918.20

5. Assoc. Dues                $   300.00

6. Member Signs             $  1,130.00

7. Flares                        $  2,809.08

Total Expenses:               $  5,466.78                        

We currently have 224 paid members for 2008.

III. Election of Zone Representatives.

The following members were elected for zone reps.

   Jerry Swendrowski -- Zone 4

   Bob Hake -- Zone 5

   Rick Rickner -- Zone 6

IV. HLIA Activities/Events

a.     Winterfest: Activities were off-again, on-again this year due to the weather, but ultimately took place.  This event may be changed to February so that there is sufficient ice. Let your Zone Rep know if you are interested in helping with Winterfest.

b.     May 3 Road Cleanup: Thanks to all who helped.  There seemed to be less trash this year.  Thanks also to those who pick up trash on a daily basis around the lake.  No grass clipping or leaves should be dumped in the lake.  If you see someone doing this, please tell them to stop.  HLIA is looking into getting yard waste pickup around the lake.

c.      June 13 & 14 Yard Sales: Thanks to Rick Rickner for getting Yard Sale signs up around the main roads.  There were a lot of sales around the lake.

d.     Boater Safety Class: Bob Hake reported 12 people attended the class and all passed.

e.     July 4^th Events:

                                                  i.      June 27 – July 6—Decorate Your Lakefront Contest: The theme this year is your Favorite Sport.  Judging will be on July 5 by a select committee.  Prizes are $100 for first place, $75 for second, $50 for third and $25 for fourth place. Be sure to put you name and address by your display so judges will know who you are.

                                                 ii.      Friday, July 4—10:00 pm—Ring of Fire: (flares available at Hess Lake Party Store and at Hake’s residence at 915 Hess Lake Dr. @ $1.50 each.)

                                               iii.      Saturday, July 5- 3:00 pm Sailing Regatta (please do not disturb temporary buoys). Please register with Bob Hake before the race so he will have the correct number of prizes.

f.      Saturday, July 19—“Son of a Sailor” Hess Lake 10K Run/Walk—Betty Bosowski, race chair, reported that the run/walk will go around the lake counter-clockwise with the racers going on the lane closest to the lake.  Automobile traffic during the race will also go counter clock wise around the lake on the outside lane. Go to the Hess Lake Web site (www.hesslake.com) to get a copy of the entry sheet.  Packet pick-up will be on Friday night, July 18, between 4 and 8 pm at 1249 Hess Lake drive.  Sign up and packet pick up is also available at Riverside Community Church at 88^th and M-37 between 7:00am and 8:15 am the day of the race.  If you would like to make a donation to this race, please contact Katie Lipner at 834-9915 or KLLipner@aol.com or Betty Bosowski at bettybuzz@juno.com.

g.    Saturday, August 2—Kayak/Paddleboat Races: Ivan Kraker reported plans for this event are progressing slowly.  Watch the Hess Lake sign for further information.  This race is for all of the family, children and adults.

V. HLIA Projects

a.     Lake Directory – Jo Heidman has been working on the directory.  If you haven’t submitted your directory form, please do ASAP. The deadline for these is July1.  Please mail forms to HLIA, P.O. Box 239, Newaygo, MI. 49337, or pickup or drop off a form at Katie Lipner’s, 9638 Peninsula Dr. We are in the process of getting printing estimates. We hope to get the directory out earlier next year.

b.     Hess Lake Newsletter: The newsletter for June was printed yesterday and will be put in the mail Monday. Ellen Delong will be our new Editor and is looking for interesting articles about the Lake.  History of etc.  Submit items to Ellen at lakeviewcottage@hotmail.com

a.     Hess Lake Web Site: Jeannine Lemmon reported that the web site is up to date and current.  She will be doing some upgrades and improvements to the site soon.

VI. HLIA COMMITTEE REPORTS

a.     Water Quality/Erosion: Phil Laven reported that he and Bob Hake have been testing the water for clarity, oxygen levels, and phosphate levels and send water samples to the DEQ for chlorophyll checks.  At 2.5 feet, the clarity and oxygen levels have been good.   All of the levels have been somewhat consistent over the past eight years.  The data is sent to the DEQ and in January or February a report is sent back comparing Hess Lake to other Michigan inland Lakes.  Quality of Hess Lake is not where we would like it to be.  Part of the problem is the lake is shallow in many place and the lack of oxygen.  The warm weather does not help.  E-coli have not shown up in our lake.   A member suggested that the Board have a plan of action to notify everyone if e-coli were to appear.  No phosphate fertilizer should be used near the lake as this helps the weeds to grow and harms the water.  Instead sprinkle lawns with the lake water. 

b.     Erosion: Phil and Bob are constantly working with the drain commission and the Road commission on erosion problems and will continue to do so. 

c.      Birds/Buoys/Boats/Fish: Bob Hake suggested members who are not here during the week put a safety line on their boats when gone.  He has had to rescue three boats that had broken away from their docks in the past few weeks. No fish plant this year.  Bob reminded everyone when out cruising in a boat to go counter-clockwise around the lake.  He also informed the group any one born after 1-1-89 must have a boater’s safety certificate in order to operate a boat.  Buoys should be in next week and Bob will get the solar lights on them.  If you are storing a buoy please put it out where Bob can get to it.  Also if you see a broken solar light, let Bob know so he can repair it.

VII. HESS LAKE BOARD:

Gary Noble, Vice Chairman of the Hess lake Board, reported that the Hess Lake Board (HLB) is a separate organization charted by the State of Michigan and is designed to maintain the health and safety of the lake.  He also addressed the algae bloom problem.  He explained that the board was ready to treat the last outbreak but then the weather changed and there was nothing to treat.  He also said that he hoped that the HLB is prepared to conduct algae control treatments when algae conditions are severe enough to warrant it.

He mentioned that the board has not treated the lake this year for Eurasian Water milfoil because they rely on visual inspection/ and the advice of the person treating the lake to determine where and when a treatment is needed. He encouraged all members to attend HLB public hearing on Saturday, June 28, at 9 am at the Brooks Township Hall.

Gary told the group that two new signs would be put up at the Public Landing.  One sign will be clean your boat and another would explain how to clean a fish for healthy eating. The next HLB meeting will be July 8, at the Drain Commissars’ office in White Cloud at 8 am. 

VIII. Member Comments/Question & Answer

a.     A member said they will be doing fireworks again this year on the 4^th at 10 pm and ask all to remember to stay away from the boat which launches them.  New fireworks will be added this year that are in the water so it will be even more hazardous to be close to the launch pad. 

b.     A member said to contact the Brooks Township Trustee about road problems. 

c.      Break-ins have been a problem again a round the lake.  We were reminded to watch out for our neighbors and question people we do not know.  Call police if you see suspicious behavior. 

d.     A member questioned where the issue of a new sewer system stood.  Ron Lemmon presented the group with the latest update.  An agreement has been reached with the City of Newaygo to let Brooks Lake and Hess Lake hook up to their system. 

Instead of a vote this time around, it will be a petition signing.  In order for the sewer project to be approved, 50% plus one of the property owners one must sign the petition.  There will be a meeting on Saturday, June 28, at the Brooks Lake meeting building on Vista Dr. at 12 pm, for those who wish to circulate the petitions.  A motion was made by Katie Lipner, supported by Bob Hake, to have the HLIA be part of this effort and to officially support it.  The motion was approved by the zone reps on a vote of 6-1. 

IX. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Katie Lipner

Secretary/Treasurer

You are visitor number

This page last updated on February 12, 2009 11:42 PM .