JORDAN LAKE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

 

Minutes   —    General Membership Meeting

 

June 23rd, 2007

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:   Mike Cary, President (District 4)

                                            Tom Sinke, Vice President (District 3)

                                            Mike Reed, Treasurer  (District 1)

                                            Dave Creguer, District 5 (District 5)

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:     Clare Twitchell, Secretary  (District 1)

                                            Katy Estes (District 3)

                                            Gary Calkins  (District 5)

 

ASSOCIATION MEMBERS PRESENT: 10

 

Meeting called to order by Mike Cary at 7:00 p.m.

 

Reviewed and approved minutes from June 23, 2006.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

         Beginning Balance:  $847.57

         Receipts:             $1,020.00

         Expenditures:          $465.10

         Ending Balance:    $1,402.10

 

§   An explanation of expenditures and receipts was given by Mike Reed.

§   Partial bill for lawsuit expenditures presented by Mike Cary.

§   Balance in lawsuit fund: $307.50. To be paid to Mike Cary.

§   Lawsuit is now over.

 

As of this meeting, only 27 of the JLA members have paid dues. The Board expressed the need to all in attendance to encourage their neighbors to join. The cost of membership is only $10.00 per family per year with 2007-2008 dues now assessed. There are 400 properties on Jordan Lake.

 

The Boat Parade was discussed. It is usually held in conjunction with Summer Splash. Unfortunately, Summer Splash is going to be only the Car Show this year with no activities at the beach. It was proposed that we hold a JLA Boat Parade, maybe, on Labor Day.  Mike Cary will contact Carol Hayward for some theme ideas. 

 

LAWSUIT: Mike Cary reported that the lawsuit was concluded last fall. The JLA achieved at a very high cost, its goal of an operational plan for the operation of the Dam. This is what we have asked for in two different petitions to the Drain Commissioners since 2000. This lawsuit did not have to happen or drag out this long.  The Drain Commissioners would agree to nothing until they were so directed by the Ionia County Circuit Court. After all this, we, the lake property owners, will now have to cover their costs for the suit. It is a sad day when people cannot ask their government officials to do their job without resorting to legal action and then having to pay for such legal nonsense.

 

BROWN ROAD: Mike Cary discussed the fact that Brown Road is a secondary Dam which blocks the natural flow of water from Jordan Lake. Barry County has studied all the road crossings along the Little Thornapple River and determined that all need replacing. Brown Road is about 3rd on the list, but with state finances being what they are, chances of replacement of the Brown Road culverts in the near future is quite remote. Mike Cary attempted to get the Jordan Lake Improvement Board to use some of their excess funds toward the Brown Road work, but the Drain Commissioners, who are members ex-officio, threw so many roadblocks to any such project, that it was deemed not to be worth the effort at this time. Sadly, one of the Drain Commissioners, John Bush of Ionia County, stated that the Little Thornapple River drain had not been cleaned out for over 50 years and it needs it. One questions what exactly does a Drain Commissioner’s job consist of?

 

NEW BUSINESS: Board members present introduced themselves. It was noted that additional representatives are needed from the Channels (2) and Eagle Point Rd (1). Proposed that future communication such as newsletters, meeting announcements, etc. be done via e-mail and postal mail to save costs.

 

MEMBERSHIP DUES: 2007 - 2008 dues should be paid soon. All were encouraged once again to solicit their neighbors to become Association members.

 

NEXT NEWSLETTER: Newsletters will be e-mailed only those who have paid their dues. If a member does not have e-mail the USPS will be used to mail those individuals.

 

DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR:   Mike Reed discussed road ends as Village officials wish to make a public landing at the end of Fourth Avenue where a lake front, multi-family home recently burned and was torn down. Such a proposal would add much traffic to the lake and neighborhood. All are encouraged to contact Karen Banks, Village President, at Banks02@yahoo.com regarding this concern.

 

A resident from Beech Street reported ongoing problems with fishermen hitting their boats with lures and causing damage. Others from different locations on the lake reported similar problems. Tom Sinke reported that there are 40-50 bass tournaments on the lake each summer.  Each tournament is supposed to limit participants to 25.  Mike Cary will attempt to discover through the DNR the names of the organizers and send a letter from the Association asking that care be taken of lakefront property. He will also attempt to get the DNR involved. All were encouraged to write their own letters to the DNR re concerns.

 

There was a discussion about boating close to docks and other boats. The rule is closer than 100 feet speed must be at no wake. Mike Cary is going to check with Woodland Township authorities about parking on the road to the boat landing.  It could be a hazard if an emergency vehicle could not negotiate the road due to the parking. Previous attempts to get no parking on the road were opposed by the Barry County Road Commission even though No Parking signs were approved by the DNR.

 

One neighbor reported concern of illegal spear fishing in the middle of the night. It was pointed out that the ramp closes at 11:00 p.m. It was suggested that if they see the boat being launched after that time to contact the Sheriff Department. Bob Cusak reported concerns about night boating especially with wave runners which have no lights. Water skiing was also discussed and is allowed until one hour after sunset but personal water craft must be off the lake one hour before sunset. 

 

If folks see violations of boating safety rules, they should contact either Barry or Ionia County Sheriff Department.  If possible, try to get the boats ID numbers when making the complaint.

 

FUTURE MEETING DATE: There was a discussion on how to draw neighbors to join the JLA. Someone suggested a Beach Party in conjunction with the possible Boat Parade on Labor Day weekend. The beach/pavilion was brought up; further discussion will take place via e-mails to see if there is enough interest, if pavilion is available and folks are wanting a boat parade again this year.

 

WEED CONDITIONS: Weed conditions and the plan for weed control was discussed. It was reported that SONAR was used this spring to control the milfoil. Individuals were encouraged to contact Bill Walker or Professional Lake Management if particular weeds were/are too heavy in their area of the lake. 

BOAT RAMP CHARGE: Dave Creguer proposed that a charge be established at the boat ramp for each launch.  Since this is a DNR ramp, it was suggested that Dave contact them concerning such.

 

CONTACT NO'S.:

                    Drain commissioners     John Bush    (616) 527-5373

                                                      Tom Doyle   (616) 765-5463

                    Sheriff, Ionia Co.      (616) 527-5383

                    Sheriff, Barry Co.     (269) 948-4801

                           Bill Walker        (616) 374-7961

                           Karen Banks     (616) 374-0111

                           DNR                 (616) 356-0505 

                           PLM                 (616) 891-1294           

                                                                            

The meeting was adjourned at around 9:00 p.m. Thanks to all those who attended.

 

Marge Cary Loughrin, Recording Secretary