Lake Development Corporation Minutes
2/05/07
In the absence of President Dabbelt, Vice President Frank C. Murray called the February meeting to order at 4:02 pm.
In attendance were Rick Bachelor, Don Davis, Bob Grimm, Donna Grube, Owen Hall, Kent Hinton, Milt Miller, Frank C. Murray, Greg Schumm, Matt Schwieterman, Doug Temple, Terry Wissman, Craig Morton, Kelly Kill and Nancy Allen of The Daily Standard.
Frank asked for any corrections or additions to the January Minutes. Grube noted that Sean Logan's title was changed in the proposed minutes from Chief to Director. Murray proclaimed the minutes approved with the change.
Grand Lake St. Marys Park Manager Craig Morton presented the lake report:
- Lake level Hard as a rock! About 11 inches over pool.
- Dredge Report
- Riley Bay Inlet sediment trap finished. Crane moved back to Loramie.
- Long reach track hoe and one dozer moved to Loramie to help with a DMRA project.
- Still waiting on permit and Right of Entry for the Uppenkamp DMRA on Behms Rd.
- Hope to work on this in Feb and March.
- Machine maint. is ongoing for the two suction dredges and other equipment.
- Dredge project planning is ongoing. Adding projects to the ten year list.
- Approval on Duckfoot, Behms, St. Marys Boat Club, Park Campground/Schells area channel and Windy Point East. Waiting for approval for Southmoor Shores and Windy Point West.
- Annual report for GLSM dredge program. We had one of the best production years in recent history. 141,473 cubic yards from 7 channels and another 26,896 cu yds in the 4 sediment traps. Grand total of 168,369 cu yds. This is far above our average of 100,000 cubic yards.
- Lake Safety
- Remember basic ice safety. THE ICE IS NEVER SAFE, IT IS ALWAYS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS!
- The park staff will never tell you that the ice is safe. Will tell you that it is your responsibility to check out the ice wherever you go. We will tell you what we are seeing and what we know about the ice thickness, how many people fishing, open water, etc.
- Division of Watercraft website gives good standards and safety advice.
- Snowmobilers beware, there is still some open water on the lake and alcoholic beverages are not legal when snowmobiling on the lake ice. Plus alcoholic beverages increase the odds of having an accident.
- We do know about the loose buoys at the spillway. It's just not safe to try to retrieve them until conditions change.
- Park Work
- Chief Dan West will retain his position as Chief of the Division of Parks and Recreation and will work for the new administration.
- Chief West has formed a stakeholders group that has had their first meeting to discuss funding possibilities for the Divisions of Parks, Forestry, Natural Areas and Soil and Water. Former Directors of ODNR Sam Speck, Teater and Sommers were in attendance.
- Budget. We are working on our budget package and requests currently. We have been advised that the next fiscal year, FY08, will be flat with no growth which means it will be another very tight budget year.
- Fishing tournaments coming in. This year I am requiring a cell phone number for each tournament director. Getting good cooperation. If you see a wake violation
- You must get their OH#" and then call the park office or the Sheriff Dept.
- Craig also noted they are working on a 10 year dredge program and would welcome comments or suggestions while it is in the planning stages.
Frank invite all LDC Members to the Wildlife Summit scheduled for March 1 at Wright State University Lake Campus. Lunch will be provided. Donna Grube will be in charge of sending out the invitations. Members were asked to RSVP.
Bob Grimm reported on the West Central Ohio Land Conservancy, Greg Schumm needs to be nominated by the LDC in order to be considered for a board seat with that organization. Bob reported that the Lake Improvement Association (LIA) Fishing Derby will take place on May 16th. They need volunteers to help with the special needs participants. He said it is a very rewarding day; please see if you can help out. Officers of the West Central Ohio Land Conservancy are scheduled to speak at the Lake Restoration Committee meting on February 19th, 7:30 at the Celina Moose. The LIA will be celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, there will be special events planned throughout the year to commemorate the event. He added the group began with 88 members & the membership now has grown to 690 families.
Donna Grube reported that the Convention and Visitors Bureau is in the midst of Sports, Vacation & Boat Show Season. They attended Cincinnati last month, will be in Indianapolis this month & will go to the Cleveland show in March. She also passed out the new visitors guides produced by the CVB.
Greg Schumm reported that he has been in discussions with Jeff Vossler & the LIA and they all agree that it is important to get the new Governor to visit Grand Lake St. Marys. He said it is believed that Governor Strickland has little knowledge of our area and an effort will be made to get him on the lake and inform him on what is needed. Schumm said the Governor has been invited to the Legislative Day on the Lake in June.
