ORGANIZATION OF WOODLAND LAKE

BOARD MEETING

                                                      SEPTEMBER 10, 2002

The Board Meeting, held at Kathy Kittridge's home, was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Anita Grapentien, President.

Members present were:

   Anita Grapentien – President          Bob Campbell                 Dennis Shoner

   Kathy Kittridge                               Bill Loughead                  Jeff Bertoia

   Ray Howard                                    Mark Thomas             

   Paul Jermanus                                Doug Taylor

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

A correction was made under the Committee Reports Weed Control section.  Previous minutes stated that OWL had been requested by the DEQ to suspend all further weed treatments for the rest of this season.  Minutes were changed to read 'it was suggested' by the DEQ to suspend all further weed treatments for the rest of the season. A motion to accept the amended minutes was proposed by Ray Howard, seconded by Paul Jermanus and approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report

There have been no expenses this month.  The account stands at $12,089.77.  A motion to accept the report was proposed by Jeff Bertoia, seconded by Dennis Shoner and approved unanimously.

Committee Reports

Weed Control

Due to the recent massive kill of the Large Mouth Bass, the DEQ had suggested to OWL that they suspend all further weed treatments for the rest of the season.  OWL President, Anita Grapentien, reported that she received several calls from homeowners concerned that they had agreed to sign up for the recently circulated SAD petitions for Water Quality and wanted the weed control treatments to continue.  After contacting OWL Board Members for concurrence, Anita made the decision to have a weed control treatment applied as needed.  Only posted areas received weed control treatment.

Jeff Bertoia stated that although his area was posted, the weed control treatment was not effective around his house.  Mark Thomas stated that his area was posted for 24D, however, in order to apply this chemical, Dick has to apply for a different permit.  Anita Grapentien to check on this. 

Test results from the water samples taken from Woodland Lake and other lakes in the area all came back positive, however, written results are still not available.  Fish were sent to a university in Georgia for testing.  Written results will not be available until results from all 13 lake samples are in. 

Dam

Anita received Andy Blystra's revised dam inspection report.  Everything appears to be okay with the dam but cosmetic repairs of the spillway must still be made.  We need to wait before going forward with repairs until the SAD is approved.  Andy Blystra needs to provide repair specifications to OWL.  Dennis Shoner provided Anita information regarding a company that does waterproofing just in case Andy's company is unable to do it.  

Water Quality

Doug Taylor has not yet received the results of the water samples from the Drain Commissioner.  They were looking for things coming from road surfaces such as petro-chemicals, cleaning agents, pesticides, heavy metals, etc.  It was suggested that we might want to inquire of Budd Prine from the Waste Water Treatment Plant to see if  the treatment plan had the capability to and would be interested in testing our water samples.

Doug Taylor wanted to bring awareness to the Board regarding the fact that Hamburg, Green Oaks and Brighton Townships (the City of Brighton has withdrawn) have contracted with a land owner in Green Oaks Township to provide public water in the future from a well on the person's land.  The water comes from a 'huge' aquifer.  A question was asked by members of the Twn. Lakes Committee (and not yet answered) if the aquifer has been mapped with an overlay of the Twp. Lakes and if the prolonged withdrawal of the aquifer's water might adversely effect the lake water levels in the Twp. Lakes 1.) by reducing the pressure in many of the springs which replenish the lakes and/or 2.) by leading to a collapse in ground structure under shallower aquifers (feeding the lakes) if a vacuum is created by the subject aquifer's depletion.

Old Business

Anita Grapentien reported that the outcome of the SAD petitions came in close.  The first count came in at 59% of the total land represented.  There will be a second review to confirm the count.

Anita and Frank Grapentien spent several hours at the Township Hall September 10^th trying to get dates confirmed for Public Hearings to address our SAD issue.  Public hearings need to be ten days apart and must be completed prior to September 30^th.  Representatives at the Township Hall made special arrangements to hold the Public Hearings in sufficient time to allow for an October 7^th deadline.  Thanks Anita and Frank for your efforts.  Jeff Bertoia will post an announcement on the OWL website requesting support for these public hearings.

Anita announced that attorney, David Haywood, would be attending our October OWL meeting.  A list of questions will be provided to him prior to the meeting.  Questions for the attorney the night of the meeting will come from board members only. 

Jeff Bertoia expressed his displeasure regarding the lack of OWL newsletters being published.  A suggestion was made to form a committee to work on the Hooter newsletters.  Jeff made a request that each board member have input into the website.  Anita will work on the next issue of the Hooter and provide a copy to Jeff prior to mailing.

Anita reported that she is still waiting for test results that were taken regarding the Large Mouth Bass Virus. 

New Business

There will be a Planning Commission Public Hearing on September 24^th at 7:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Township Hall to rezone Dr. Sheng's property.  The property is currently zoned R2 and Dr. Sheng wants to get it rezone to R4 in order to divide it into 66 lots.  There is much concern over the increased traffic that will be associated if this rezoning goes through.

Doug Taylor reported an issue that was brought up at the Twp. Lakes Committee regarding lack of guardrails along Hilton Road and asked the importance of having them.  Doug asked if this was a high priority matter for O.W.L. and the Twp. To pursue.  Doug made a motion for OWL to pursue the matter and Jeff Bertoia seconded.  Unanimously approved.  Doug will discuss at the Twp. As to how to pursue.

Law Enforcement on Woodland Lake has increased, however, not at the appropriate times.  In order to be effective, the enforcing on some days should take place between the hours of 6:00 p.m. (or at least an hour before sunset) and 10:00 p.m. (or an hour after dark).  Jeff Bertoia made a motion that Doug Taylor go to the sheriff and report that although we appreciate the increased law enforcement effort, timing is crucial.  Bob Campbell seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

Doug Taylor brought up the issue of rezoning all riparian property along Grand River from commercial to residential (a plan to do this was drawn up by now-deceased Twp. Building Department Paul Knopp).  Riparian properties along this stretch are currently 'out-of-residential lot) for commercial uses could become a critical issue from a timing standpoint.  Meier's Flowerland could be grandfathered under a rezoned scenario and would then be the only out-of-compliance, commercial land (today Meijer's is compliant, all houses are out-of-compliance).  Doug to get more information regarding the matter and report back to the Board at the October meeting. 

Next Meeting

October 9^th, 2002, 7:30 p.m. at the Brighton Township Hall.

Adjournment

At 9:45 p.m., a motion was made by Dennis Shoner, seconded by Ray Howard and approved by the board to adjourn the meeting.

Last modified: 12/05/03 16:58:20 -0800