Hess Lake Improvement Association

2007 Annual Meeting Minutes

June 16, 2007

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

The meeting was brought to order at 10:03 a.m. by board member Bob Hake.  A roll call of board members, zone reps, and alternates was taken and the following were present: Bob Hake, Jerry Swendrowski, Joyce Longo, Phil Laven, Katie Lipner, (Jeannine Lemon arrived later)

The agenda was reviewed and approved.

II. Treasurer’s Report:

Longo presented the treasurer’s report.  As of the end of May, 2007, the association has $10,161.73 in the checking account and $21,335.91 in savings account. So far for the year 2007 the expenses had been:

            1. Bank Fees                  $     42.22

            2. Buoy Repairs              $   335.80

            3. Internet Service          $     85.00

            4. Newsletters                $1,141.10

            5. Assoc. Dues               $   447.00

            6. Tax filings                  $     37.00

            7. Conference Fees        $    119.95

            8. Misc.                         $      44.76

            9. Member signs            $1,116.25

          10. HLIA Sign Repair       $  970.00

          11. Donations                 $    66.00

          12. Water Testing App.    $  192.00

          13. Garage Sale signs/Ads $ 171.17

               Total Expenses          $4,768.25

We have 257 Paid members for 2007. A member suggested that saving account money be place in a CD for a better interest rate.  The board will discuss at its next meeting.

 III. Election of Zone Representatives.

The following members were elected for zone reps.

John Van Dam Zone 1

Gary Noble Zone 2

Joyce Longo Zone 3

Lonnie Stawiski will take over for Ken Holtrop who has resigned for Zone 7, with Jo Heidman as her alternate.

IV. Presentation/Approval of Proposed HLIA By-Law Amendment

Article IV, Sec 11 of the HLIA Bylaws was amended to Read “Two Alternate Zone representatives for each zone can be selected ……

This was approved by the members present.  Volunteers for a second alternate should let their Zone Rep. know they are willing to serve.

V. Committee Reports

A. Hess Lake Board:  Dick Besser, 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. 

This year there has been little Milfoil or Curly Leaf Pondweed.  This is because of the spraying of the lake last year. 

The HLB has $71,000 in the bank.  Because of this, the assessment for the next year will be low. 

A member asked if an assessment could be made for road improvement.  Dick explained only if the roads were having a negative impact on the lake.

The clarity of the lake was brought up by a member.  Besser is to call Tony to check to see what might be done.

Besser mentioned that MSU, the DNR, DEQ and the HLB are working together to improve area lakes.

A member questioned if the sewer issue was dead.  Besser replied it was sleeping.

A member questioned if dredging the lake was a possibility.  Besser said cost way to high.

B. Birds/Buoys/Boats/Fish: Bob Hake reported that the swan population was down.

He also said we can no longer do anything about the geese population as it is way to expensive. 

Bob also reported that he and Phil Levan have repaired and placed all of the buoys around the lake.  The buoys are placed where the water is less than two feet deep.  He now has a map of where the buoys are and noted that they should not be moved.

Bob reported that there was some fish die off this year but not enough to think  there was a virus.  7,900 blue gills were planted in the lake last fall.

C. Water Quality/Erosion: Bob reported that the lake is cloudy and there is very little oxygen on the bottom of the lake. 

Bob also reported that he and Levan will be contacting Grant Township to look at Hess Lake drive for road improvements.  A member asked if a petition was a good idea.  It was suggested that phone calls by members to Grant Township or attending the Grant township meetings might be a better plan of action.

D. Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (MRWA) Gary Noble submitted the following report: Long-time MRWA Board Chairman Gale Nobes, stepped down last February after serving nearly 10 years.  Gale was one of the MRWA founding fathers and was instrumental in its organization and obtaining initial funding to hire full-time staff. Gale still provides advice to the MRWA through its Resource Committee (technical advisory arm of the MRWA).

Wayne Groesbeck was elected as the new Board Chairman in May.  Wayne has been the MRWA Board Secretary for several years and will serve as the new Chairman thru Sept. 2008.  Wayne is a past President and current Secretary for the Michigan Anglers Association (Muskegon)  and a retired school teacher in the Muskegon area.  Wayne also serves on the Muskegon Lake public Advisory Council and Volunteers on many other related initiatives.

The MRWA remains very active in Newaygo County with on-going projects, such as:- Bigelow Creek Stream Habitat Improvement Project--to improve cold water fishery habitat by installing natural material/structures that attract fish species and create more continuous fish habitat and improve stream conditions; this $176,000 project is funded thru several grants and matching funds.

Muskegon River Watershed Education Project--working with 4 townships in the Fremont area to provide updated zoning ordinance language that better recognizes and protects natural resources to improve water quality.  Professional consultants and the MRWA are working with local elected officials to review their current ordinance/master plans and help accommodate adoption of revised language.  This $109,000 project is funded by a $50,000 grant from “Clean Michigan Initiative” program administered by the MI Dept. of Environmental Quality and matching funds from the Wege foundation and MRWA.

Both projects above are targeted for completion later this year.

VI. HLIA Projects/Activities/Events:

A. Winterfest: Longo reported the Winterfest on the Lake has been cancelled the last two years because of the lack of ice.

B. May Roadside Cleanup: Lemmon reported there were 23 volunteers to help with the May clean up.  A big “thank you” to all.

C. June Yard Sales: Thank you to Rosalie Holtrop and Linda Rickner for all of their hard work to advertise this event.

D. July 4^th Events:

i. Sunday, July 1, 3:00pm Sailing Regatta: Please do not  disturb temporary buoys. Let Bob Hake know if entering.  Open to all sailing vessels.

ii. Tuesday , July 3, 10:00 pm Ring of Fire: Flares are available at the Hess Lake Party Store and at Bob Hake’s residence at 915 Hess Lake Drive. The cost of the flares is $1.50.

 iii. June 30--July 4^th --Decorate Your Lake Front Contest : Members   are encouraged to decorate their lakefront property in a patriotic/support our troops theme.  In order to be a winner of this contest you must be a HLIA member.  Ballots were sent out in the newsletter and will be available at the Party store and Bob Hake‘s.  All votes must be completed by 10:00am on July 4^th. Only one vote per household.  A sign with your name and address must be visible from the lake. Prizes will be awarded in the afternoon.

E. July 21^st Son of a Sailor Hess Lake 10K Walk/Run: Betty Bosowski reported that she had entry forms with her.  She also said that only one lane of the road would be closed during the race. She asked members to have sprinklers on if a hot day and to play music. 

VII. 2007 Survey Update: a. Proposed Lake Directory:  The survey sent out with a newsletter asked members if they would be interested in a directory of lake residents.  It appears that most would.  JoAnn Delmar and Jo Heidman have agreed to take on this project. 

VIII. 2007 Membership Signs. All members present reported they had received their signs. 

IX. Member Comments/Question & Answer.

Thanks to Bob Hake for getting the historic Hess Lake rock moved to the site of the Hess Lake sign.

A member brought up that golf carts are illegal to drive on public roads.

Recent vandalism around the lake was discussed.  The HLIA board will discuss at their next meeting the possibility of a phone tree to notify people when things like this happen. 

Phil Bevelacqua is working on the history of Hess Lake.

Ron Lemmon is working on getting sewers on the lake and is looking for people to help him.  Please contact Ron if interested in helping on this project.

X. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:25 am

Respectfully submitted

Katie Lipner