Lake Development Corporation Minutes
3/03/08
The March meeting of the Lake Development Corporation was called to order at 4 pm by Vice President Frank C. Murray. In attendance were Rick Bachelor, Bob Grimm, Donna Grube, Owen Hall, Tom Knapke, Milt Miller, Frank C. Murray, Greg Schumm, Doug Temple, Terry Wissman, Laura Walker, Brian Miller, Craig Morton, Kelly Kill, Nancy Allen of the Daily Standard and Kip Wright of Community Development Services.
Murray asked if there were any corrections needed for the February minutes, hearing none, he pronounced the minutes approved as e-mailed to members.
Milt Miller provided the treasurer’s report noting there is $10,454.87 in checking. Milt received two more donations at the meeting totaling $150 bringing the balance to $10,604.87.
Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Manager Craig Morton provided the following lake report:
Lake level - Approx. 12” above normal pool.
Dredge
- Brief summary of 2007 dredge season. Pumped 100,871 cubic yards plus 3 weeks of stump removal.
- During the past month the track hoe and 1 dozer and a back hoe have been cleaning out Rustic Haven DMRA. Estimated time 6 more weeks.
- Other crew members have been working on dredge repairs and prepping the floating suction dredges for the season.
- The Grand Clam has a hole in the hull and is scheduled for repair next October. Too many jobs on the list for this winter, plus we will need the assistance of the statewide dredge crew.
- Anderson DMRA public hearing for section 401 certification with the Ohio EPA Feb. 21, Thank you to the community for the strong show of support for the dredging program. Sierra Club did not show up! The city of St. Marys passed a resolution in support of the dredge project and sent to the EPA.
- Dredge funding for criteria 6 & 7. Funding extended at FY08 levels for now with other possibilities in the future.
Lake Level
- As spring approaches and we get some nice warm days remember that the lake water stays cold well into May. The cold lake water affects the local temperatures and can be a source of sudden cooling on a windy day. Always take several extra layers of clothing and a water proof and wind proof outer shell when you go out on the lake. This type of preparation will help avoid hypothermia.
Park
- Budget cuts. We have received our budget cut info for FY08. We will survive this FY without too much pain but we are cutting back on our maint and seasonal employee 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.
- Lake Clean Up Day. April 26, 9am to 12 noon. Working on trying to start a contest between the Celina and St. Marys schools. Also getting help from the Solid Waste Districts for the two counties to provide bags and advertising.
- Tree program. 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. One individual has already offered to cover tree plaque costs up to $75
Laura Walker provided details on the federal farm bill program that could bring up to a million dollars into the local watershed for buffer strips in fields to help prevent run off into the lake. She said it is important to send thank you letters to Representative John Boehner and Senator Sherrod Brown for their efforts to get this money. She added it is also important to mention we want their continued support for funding in the next farm bill as well. Tom Knapke moved we send them thank you letters, seconded by Terry Wissman, motion carried. Grube was instructed to pen those thank you notes.
Bob Grimm distributed the new LIA maps. Members remarked on their attractive cover and increased information. Grimm reported that after much discussion the LIA has decided not to change the name of the Barstool Open. The event is a sell out each year and the LIA’s largest fundraiser, he said if it ain’t broke –don’t fix it was the final decision of the committee. Bob also noted that LIA president Bill Ringo was honored as the Citizen of the Year by the Celina Chamber of Commerce at their annual awards banquet.
Donna Grube reported that the CVB had just finished the Indianapolis Travel Show and that the final show would be Cleveland in mid-March. She reported that the Friends for the Preservation of Ohio State Parks would hold their next board meeting at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park in the CVB conference room. Welcome packets would be put together for the group. Donna said she will apparently become a state board member for OLMS. That is supposed to begin in April. She said she is expecting the commitment to be for a year until Laura Walker can step into the position. Grube noted it is important Grand Lake be represented on this board and Walker is not in a position at this time to serve on the board. Grube said she will share more info on the group following their first meeting.
Greg Schumm reported that He and Brian Miller are working on the agenda of speakers for the LDC Legislative Day on the Lake. They are planning to focus on the positives that have happened since last year’s event while still subtly reminding officials there is still much to do. Greg is working on the invitation and there was discussion of a “Save the Date” card that may go out to many of the potential guests.
Kip Wright spoke about the newest grant project the Franklin Township Trustees were undertaking—public dock slips near Club Island. Mr. Wright told about the many projects they have accomplished over the years and added those were made possible by the cooperation of many groups. He noted that the LIA had donated match money and letters of support have been given by many other groups. Kip said that folks in Columbus have commented on the cooperative efforts for lake improvements that is shown here and Wright added that is what is needed to get things done.
With no further business to come before the group, Terry Wissman moved the meeting be adjourned, Craig Morton provided a second, motion carried at 4:50 pm.
The next LDC meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2008, 4pm in the CVB Conference room.
