Grand Lake St. Mary’s Restoration Commission
For
Grand Lake St. Marys Lake Restoration Initiative (LIR)
December 13, 2010 Meeting Minutes

Note: These minutes are prepared only for the use of the members of the Commission and their further distribution is prohibited without the express permission of the LRC Facilitator.

The Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Committee met at 11:30 A.M on December 13, 2010 at the Wright State University Lake Campus. Members present were:

Also in attendance were Supporting Members - Tim Lovett, LIA President, and Ron Puthoff, Community Development Services.

Also excuse was supporting member Linda May, Bruns Realty.

Milt Miller announced that the Celina and St. Marys Rotary Clubs are supporting a water quality grant for $100K for the LRC to improve the Lake. Milt has assurances that the grant will be approved and it can be used to cover unexpected costs on the in stream collectors and operating expenses. Milt noted that the duck races on January 15 will occur, as will Bubba and Hoss Christmas dance at the St. Marys union hall on December 23rd, and the Romer’s New Years Eve party, all of which will provide funds for the LRC. The LRC needs to encourage participation in these events.

Tom K. indicated he had released a statement in response to a press inquiry concerning the possible nuisance lawsuit by some business interests against farmers concerning the algae blooms in the Lake. The statement noted that the Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission has always believed working cooperatively within the entire community including agriculture, business, residents, and visitors will continue economic growth regionally. Tim indicated the LIA does not support the lawsuit and that it will do nothing to help clean up the Lake. It was noted that several local businesses do not support the lawsuit.

Tom K. indicated a committee has been formed to hold the first carp derby (rough fish roundup) on June 3rd thru the 5th. Any profits from the derby will go to the LRC and it was agreed a CVB will establish a separate account to handle funds involved in the derby. Ted Goodwin of Cozy Marina is involved.

Operations funding for the Airy-Gators and the in stream collectors was discussed. Midwest Electric will not finalize the connections to the Barnes Creek collector unit an entity agrees to be responsible for the bill. It was agreed that St. Marys Township would be the ideal entity to be billed. Brian and Greg will approach the township trustees at their meeting on December 14 and request they agree to accept responsibility for the billing. The Committee authorized them to offer the trustees up to $1200 per year to accept the responsibility. If the collector is operated only when there is significant stream flow, the actual annual billing should be significant less. The Committee authorized reimbursing Jack Buscher the $1900 in electrical charges for the Airy-Gator in front of this house that he paid.

It was agreed to set up a subcommittee to work with private operators to develop a permanent solution for the disposal of the material collected by the in stream collectors. The geotubes now being used are a temporary solution just to show the collectors can remove the soil being washed down the steams.

It was agreed that Milt would contact this year’s donors to the LRC for donations in 2011 for the LRC’s operations. The mailing list of this year’s donors will be useful.

Julie noted that the business plan developed by the Ball State students indicates the Commission should issue a monthly press release on its operations. Milt will do a radio announcement on the 20th on WCSM radio. He will announce the three upcoming fund raisers and encourage public attendance, particularly for the New Years Eve function at Romers. Milt will also contact Nancy Allen for LRC event press coverage.

Tom K. indicated Ted Goodwin has given him a list of private foundations that may be willing to support the LRC with grants. The LRC needs to get an individual with private grant writing experience such as Sophia John to prepare the grant requests.

Laura noted that rules on manure application and nutrient management plans for distressed watersheds have been approved. The next step will be the approval of the GLSM watershed as distressed on January 18th and the rules will then go into effect.

Tom K., Tim and Jared met with Keith Faber to present the draft of the master plan. Senator Faber appeared to support the general intent of the plan but was concerned about the costs and wants it to include more specifics on how it should be funded. Tom K. will set up briefing meetings with other local State legislative members to share the plan with them this week. It was agreed we need to develop a clear statement of what our expectations are for 2011 concerning the implementation of the master plan. Draft copies of the plan were distributed for the members review. It was agreed the Commission will meet at 9:30 A.M. on December 15th to finalize the master plan.

A special meeting will be held at 11:30 on December 17 with Kevin Reichert of CTL at the conference room.

The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday, December 20 at 11:30 A.M. at Wright State University Lake Campus, Rm. 102 Dwyer Hall (admin conference room).

Minutes prepared by Tom Rampe

Note: These minutes are prepared only for the use of the members of the Commission and their further distribution is prohibited without the express permission of the LRC Facilitator.