Lake Development Corporation Minutes
2/04/08
LDC Vice President Frank C. Murray opened the February meeting promptly at 4 pm. In attendance were Todd Fleagle, Bob Grimm, Donna Grube, Milt Miller, Frank C. Murray, Greg Schumm, Matt Schwieterman, Doug Temple, Terry Wissman, Laura Walker, Craig Morton, Ryan Garrison, Kelly Kill, Rick Muhlenkamp of the Mercer County Soil & Water Conservation District and Nancy Allen of the Daily Standard.
Milt Miller moved the minutes from the January, 2008, LDC meeting be approved, that motion was seconded by Terry Wissman, motion carried.
LDC Treasurer Milt Miller reported that the second solicitation mailing has garnered $560 so far. He said that was a good investment since the cost of that mailing was around $53. He said he did not have a calculator for an exact balance, but adding in the new funds should put the checking account balance at about $10,000. Owen Hall moved to accept the Treasurer’s report, a second was provided by Greg Schumm, motion carried.
Craig Morton presented the following lake report:
Lake Level Dredge - Approx. 10” above normal pool
- Long reach track hoe, wheel loader and backhoe, 2 park dump trucks and several City of St. Marys dump trucks worked for 6 days on moving city concrete to the east bank shoreline for erosion protection. Protected approx. 450’.
- Next week we will be moving the track hoe and dozers for cleaning out Rustic Haven DMRA. Estimated time one month.
- Long range dredging plans. Beaver Creek mouth, Coldwater Creek mouth, and Anderson DMRA construction.
- Anderson DMRA public hearing for section 401 certification with the Ohio EPA Feb. 21, 2008 at the St. Marys Municipal Building.
- Prairie Creek Island Shoreline protection. ($450,000). Still waiting for the ACE and EPA permits.
Lake Safety
- As always be cautious on the ice and always consider the ice inherently dangerous!
- The park did a vendor demonstration of an air boat/fan boat at the West Beach one month ago. Nice unit that could be used for ice rescues, approx. $60,000. We do not have the funds and would only be able to purchase this if we could qualify for a grant or have several different departments round the lake do a joint purchase.
Park
- Governor has announced budget cuts for all departments. We do not know the extent of the cuts to our park yet. As the season progresses I will keep you informed but you can expect that we will have less seasonal help, reduced mowing and cut back on utility expenses.
- Adopt-A-Shoreline program. In light of the budget cuts I will be calling all previous Adopt-A-Shoreline groups and recruiting more groups to help us keep the park shorelines clean. If you are part of a group that used to volunteer to clean the shorelines or a group that never has please call me and consider volunteering your group to help out.
- Tree program. I Plan to advertise and push to get 20 to 30 trees donated for this spring and in the process get reduced prices for the individuals donating. There will be a small ceremony on Arbor Day, April 25 when we plant the trees. Time and location to be determined once the tree orders come in.
Laura Walker presented the Grand Lake/Wabash Watershed Alliance Coordinator’s Report. (As of January 30, 2008).
GLWWA Watershed Action Plan
- Returned for review on December 27, 2007
- Comments are not complete
- Once endorsed move to implementation
Lawn Fertilizer Minigrant
- 2007 results were across the board
- Helena Agronomic Center agreed to do 2008 program with the same cost share
- Taking display to “Focus on Your Home” Show
$100,000 for Grand Lake St. Marys Watershed
- Waiting List continues
- Taking recommendations for 2008 program
- Cover crop kill/till date March 1, 2008
Geotextile Tube Manure Dewatering Grant
- Swine tubes are due to be opened at the end of March or beginning of April
- Dairy to be opened beginning of May
- Captured attention of Celina Tent
Volunteer Monitoring Program
- Volunteers are needed for this program
- Working on quality assurance and supply order
- Spring Training will be April 11, 2008 at Baker’s Woods
Water Pollution Control Loan Fund
- Forms for septic systems and agriculture equipment
- Funds will be available as MOU’s are signed
- Corrections can be made to MOU
USGS Microbial Tracking
- On hold at this time
USGS Proposal for Monitoring Ethanol Plant
- Working with Mercer Energy on monitoring plan
- Wright State University Lake Campus is a partner in plan
- Needs to begin as soon as we know the plant will be built
Lake Geotextile Tube Project
- $25,000 from state budget for capitol improvements
- Bidding for tubes has closed
- Looking for funds to complete the project
QHEI Level II Training
- Habitat training
- Passed certification
- Will take Level III certification after May
Project Learning Tree/Project WET/Project WILD Training
- 4-H Club Program February 14, 2008
- Training March 7-8, 2008
- Will be using at 4-H Camp
Ohio Watershed Academy
- Through OSU Extension
- Assignments every two weeks and weekly blogs
- Face to Face Meeting March 4, 2008
St. Mary’s River Projects
- Army Corps
- Allen County SWCD, Indiana
- Providing information as requested
Coordinator’s Upcoming Meetings/Trainings
- Ag Breakfast, Ohio Livestock Coalition, 7:32 a.m. February 7, 2008, Celina
- Mercer SWCD meeting, 8:45 a.m. February 7, 2008, Celina
- Upper Wabash River Basin Commission, February 12, 2008, Decatur, IN
- Galaxy Leaders 4-H Club, 7 p.m. February 14, 2008, Wabash
- OEPA Hearing, Grand Lake St. Marys DMRA, 6:30 p.m. February 21, 2008, St. Marys Municipal Building, 101 E. Spring St., St. Marys
- Passport to Fishing, 8:30 a.m. February 22, 2008, Greenville
- Coldwater Girl Scouts, 9 a.m. February 23, 2008, Coldwater
- Virtual Farm Tour, 7:30 p.m. February 28, 2008, Central Services Building, Celina
They have also set their schedule for 2008; you will find the schedule at the end of these minutes.
Bob Grimm Reported that the new lake map, printed by the Lake Improvement Association, is now available. The have been redesigned and are very attractive and contain more information. He also said the group is looking at possibly renaming their largest money maker—The Barstool Open. He said the name doesn’t really reflect the putter golf aspect of the competition and some feel it is a negative. No decision has been made at this time.
Greg Schumm reported that work has begun concerning the agenda for this year’s Legislative Day on the Lake. The date is June 20th, at the Lake Campus. He said they may alter the RSVP so that we can get a better count on lunch. It is a big expense to pay for lunches not used. He also reported the official address of the Lake Campus is now 7600 Lake Campus Drive, Celina, Ohio.
Ryan Garrison reported that deer archery season is now over—he said it was good year, but the take was down a little statewide. He told about hunter safety classes coming up at the Fort Recovery Sportsman’s Club. He added that the Pheasant’s Forever Banquet went well and that the NRA banquet was scheduled for February 16th. He added that the fishing licenses for 2008 will go on sale February 15th; they will be needed as of March 1st.
Rich Muhlenkamp added that he had recently attended a meeting in Columbus and noted there would be some funding issues ahead. He added that ODNR SWCD would be facing staff cuts. Todd Fleagle reported that work continues on the canal and locks in St. Marys.
Frank C. Murray reported that the Heritage Trails Park District Board has hired Allison Brady As their new executive director.
Doug Temple presented the slate of directors for 2008. There are 15 total voting directors. The Chamber appointed directors: Celina/Mercer County Chamber Appointees—Rick Bachelor & Doug Temple. St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce Appointees: Frank C. Murray & Greg Schumm. 11 Selected directors: Kent Bryan, Jim Dabbelt, Don Davis, Todd Fleagle, Bob Grimm, Owen Hall, Kent Hinton, Tom Knapke, Milt Miller, Matt Schwieterman & Terry Wissman.
Temple also moved to approve the slate of officers for 2008, they are Jim Dabbelt-President, Frank C. Murray-Vice President, Milt Miller-Treasurer and Donna Grube-Secretary. The nomination was seconded by Terry Wissman, motion carried.
Donna Grube distributed copies of a response letter from ODNR Director Sean Logan. The LDC had inquired about progress being made concerning the clean up of Grand Lake St. Marys. Members said they wanted to study the response before further comment on the issue. She reported that she had completed a letter of support from the LDC for continued dredging of the lake & that the CVB would also be sending one to the Ohio EPA.
Grube reported that the Auglaize and Mercer Counties Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (CVB) booth at the Cincinnati Sport & Travel Show was well received. She distributed their new visitors guides and the new brochure put together to promote the positives of Grand Lake St. Marys.
With no further business to come before the board, Matt Schwieterman moved for adjournment, a second was provided by Milt Miller, motion carried.
The next LDC meeting will be March 3, 4 pm in the CVB meeting room.
