Lake James Property Owners Association, Inc.

Monthly Board Meeting Minutes

LJPOA MEETING MINUTES
July 19, 2008
(Draft)

Visitors:
Roger Van Omen, Hank Knoll, Al Collins, Gary & Eunice Malcho

Call to Order
LJPOA Board Meeting was called to order at 9:04am by Tim Hughes. Meeting took place at the LJPOA Barn.

Old Business

The LJPOA Board Meeting minutes for the June 2008 meeting were presented for approval by Jim Van Vonderen and reviewed.

• Motion made by Larry Bittner to accept those minutes as presented.
• Motion Second by Gary Varco
• Board Motion Vote: I’s: All Nays: -0-

Treasurers Report:
Dorothy Yakes presented the treasurers report including financial statements, cash balance report and check summary. It was noted that the Milfoil Fund (special assessment) is in a debit status. All funds have been totally depleted.

• Motion made by Al Walker to accept the Cash Balance report as presented.
• Motion Second by Jim Preczewski
• Board Motion Vote: I’s: All Nays: -0-

The check register was reviewed outlining all checks written in the month of June, 2008.

• Motion made by Al Walker to accept the Cash Balance report as presented.
• Motion Second by Jim Preczewski
• Board Motion Vote: I’s: All Nays: -0-

Ongoing Business

Door prize and donations for the upcoming Annual Meeting were discussed. An update was given as to contacts made and those still outstanding.

Due to a recent offer to donate $1,000 to the LJPOA in exchange for a tax write-off, Dorothy did some research to find out if this could be done considering our Associations tax-exempt status. Currently, our corporate status does not allow us to provide a tax deduction for a contribution.

Tom Meares reported that he did some research with regard to receiving donations and providing a tax deduction to the donor. He spoke with Roscommon County Community Foundation. This entity assists in the setting up of tax exempt foundations like we are interested in doing. More research is necessary and Dorothy Yakes will do so before the next meeting.

Guests

Eunice Malcho
Eunice presented information she did on introducing Weevils into Lake James as an alternative to chemical applications. She had lengthy discussions with Mr. Bacon from the DEQ and also talked with EnviroScience, Inc. Eunice suggested that we allow a representative from EnviroScience attend and present at our Annual Meeting in August, 2008. Since we are committed contractually to Aquatice Nuisance for the next three years to treat our lake, it seems rather useless at this time to have them present at the meeting as LJPOA will not be making a change in its course of treatment for the next 36 months.

It was noted that Houghton Lake has used Weevils in the past but results have been mixed with no conclusive evidence that the weevils were effective.

Gary Varco indicated that we received an estimate in the past from Enviroscience for a lake survey. The estimate was over $2,000 with no estimate of the number of weevils necessary to treat the lake as this can’t be done without investing in a survey first.

Tim Hughes advised we researched this in the past and made numerous financial comparisons arriving at the same conclusion that our current course of treatment was most effective and economical especially considering the use of Renovate OTF this year. Lake James still has three bays that are affected by milfoil.

Gary Varco reported that Otsego Lake has been using weevils and has experience mixed results also.

Hank Knoll & Al Collins
both gentlemen showed concern for the financial condition of LJPOA and offered alternatives to our current LJPOA dues. They submitted for review an outline of their ideas for consideration. Al Walker advised that budget write-ins will be allowed for the annual meeting utilizing the proxy form which will be sent out shortly. All budget write-ins must be submitted back to the Board by the August 16th post mark, then reviewed and voted on by those present at the annual meeting on August 23, 2008.

Roger Van Omen
Roger advised that he felt that any change in the amount of dues charged by the LJPOA should NOT saddle future Boards with this same issue. He suggested that there be no maximum limit set on dues.

Al Walker advised that the realtor contract for the LJPOA properties currently for sale was about to expire. There was in depth discussion among board members on whether or not the properties should be left on the market or withdrawn for the time being. Leaving the properties on the market does not cost the LJPOA any money.

• Motion made by Jim Preczewski to leave the properties on the market for sale and renew the realtor contract for another six months.
• Motion Second by Jim Van Vonderen
• Board Motion Vote:
• Tim Hughes No
• Al Walker No
• Jim Preczewski Yes
• Jim Van Vonderen Yes
• Dorothy Yakes Yes
• Gary Varco Yes
• Tom Meares Yes
• Larry Bittner No
• Board Motion Vote: I’s: 6 Nays: 3

The motion passed and the contract will be renewed to leave the properties on the market for the next 3-6 months. Jim Van Vonderen will be the new contact for the properties currently for sale.

Blight Issues & Grass Issues
Al Walker and Jim Preczewski survey the properties around the lake making note of properties that are not in compliance with our current property restrictions. All issues will be addressed after July 7, 2008. Approximately 10-13 letters were sent out on different issues discovered or still outstanding around the lake. Blight issues have been handed off by Denton Township to the Police. Currently, the Police Dept will not act on these issues unless they are urgent and causing danger of some kind. Our efforts to enforce blight issues are “dead in the water” if Denton Township doesn’t pursue.

Jim Van Vonderen suggested that we begin to charge removal and storage fee’s for any property that requires removal from a PO premises that is not incompliance with our restrictions. This would allow LJPOA to generate revenue and at the same time clean up some of the outstanding properties that are not in compliance. This idea is tabled for discussion at a future meeting.

Lake James Road Paving
Tim Hughes talked to Roscommon County Road Commission about the continued paving of Lake James Drive which was scheduled for this summer. They have advised that this is not a priority at this time and the guardrail approved for installation at the tube has been tabled until 2010…unless someone is injured. Denton Township postponed the paving of Lake James Drive which was a three year project with the first phase completed to the boat launch, second phase to the stop sign and the third stage to Roscommon Road. Denton Township used the money allocated for this project for something else! Now, only repair of the street will be done as they do not have the money to pave it. Tim advises that it is up to the people of Lake James now. They need to voice their opinion and concern directly to Denton Township.

It was suggested by Jim Van Vonderen that this issue be posted to the LJPOA website with contact names, addresses and email addresses posted for the Denton Township officials responsible for this project.

LJPOA board member Roles & Responsibilities
Al Walker distributed copies of roles and responsibilities to all board members. Additionally, these roles and responsibilities will be posted to the LJPOA website.

Old Business

Dam Management – Larry Bittner:
Gates have been closed

Parks management – Jim Preczewski:
Trees have been trimmed on Hazelwood - bill forthcoming for services. 2-3 trees are currently down on Matchwood Park.

Tim Hughes restained the bridge but the Bikini Island benches have not been stained yet.

The port-a-potty at the boat launch was blown up. A police report was filed (#08-992) Little Willy’s will pick up what is left of it and replace with a new one.

Fish Management – Gary Varco:
No actions until the Fall

Aquatic Plant/Lake Weed Management – Al Walker for Dan Nelson:
Ray @ Aquatic Nuisance will be out to test the lake no later than the last week of July to determine if the Renovate OTF has dissipated make the water safe to use for yard sprinkling.

Lake Management – Al Walker:
We have now received >51% approval of the new/updated LJPOA property restrictions. They have been filed/recorded with the court and will be posted to the website.

Delinquent dues
Currently, we have 11 delinquent PO’s from 2007 and 1 delinquent PO from 2006/2007.

• At 11:55am a motion was made by Gary Varco to adjourn the meeting. All business had been conducted.
• Motion Second by Dorothy Yakes
• Board Motion Vote: I’s: All Nays: -0-

Meeting was adjourned by Tim Hughes at 11:55 a.m., July 19, 2008.

Revised Monday August 18, 2008 10:47 AM