Lake Development Corporation Minutes
4/07/08
The April meeting of the Lake Development Corporation was called to order on April 7, 2008 at 4:05pm by President Jim Dabbelt. In attendance with the president were Bob Grimm, Donna Grube, Tom Knapke, Milt Miller, Frank C. Murray, Greg Schumm, Doug Temple, Terry Wissman, Max Gilpin, Brian Miller, Kelly Kill and Nancy Allen of the Daily Standard.
Tom Knapke moved the March, 2008 minutes be approved as e-mailed to the membership, a second was provided by Bob Grimm, motion carried. Milt Miller reported that the LDC checking account balance stands at $10,601.
Brian Miller provided the lake report:
- Lake Level
- Several major dredge repairs were on hold till we got a budget update from the administrator in Columbus. Received funds last Tuesday and parts are ordered. Cutter head teeth for the larger dredge and pump impeller for the smaller.
- During the past month the track hoe and 1 dozer and a back hoe have been cleaning out Rustic Haven DMRA. Also worked for two days at Loramie DMRA. Estimated time 2 more weeks.
- Liette DMRA will need one to two more weeks leveling and we will be out for good.
- Uppenkamp DMRA on Behms Rd. will be worked on for tear down as time permits this season.
- Other crew members have been working on dredge repairs and prepping the floating suction dredges for the season.
- The geo-tube project for Windy Point West is fully permitted.
- Dredges will be ready to go out on the lake in 1 to 2 weeks.
- Lots of floating logs beware!
- The park currently has 3 patrol boats. We were given one from Watercraft. The plan is to put one in the West Boat House once completed.
- 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. FY09 will be worse but we will not know the figures for a while yet.
- 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. Have about 7 trees to be planted on Arbor Day and working to try to get more. One individual has already paid to cover tree plaque costs this spring up to $75.
- Dog park. There is a group of volunteers headed up by Deb Bornes and Darlene Lynsky that are raising money to develop a dog park at the west bank south area. Approx. 3.9 acres where the old civil war reenactment used to be. Modeled after the Alum Creek State Park Dog Park.
- Dredge
- Lake Safety
- Park
Miller noted that dock rental numbers are down for 2008. He said they are also down at Loramie & Indian Lake as well as at Grand Lake. He said he felt the economy & gas prices might be the reason for the lower demand for docks.
Donna Grube reported that they have a good number turning out for the CVB Annual Awards Luncheon later in the week. The Director of the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism will be the featured speaker.
Kelly Kill gave an update on a number of projects underway in St. Marys including the utility office parking pad, beautification and clean up days, the farmers market, prom promenade and the opening of a new restaurant, Back to the 50s Diner. Bob Grimm reminded everyone that help is needed for Lake Clean up Day on April 26th and added that volunteers are also needed for the special needs fishing derby on May 14th.
Greg Schumm reported on progress on the Legislative Day on the Lake agenda. Concern was expressed that the list of invitees has gotten too big. It is estimated that the attendance rate is about 60% & that is still a manageable number. There is also concern about the number of lunches ordered but not needed. That is big expense for the LDC. This years RSVP may be aimed at those just planning to stay for lunch in order to try to get a more accurate count. At this time it looks as if ODNR Director Sean Logan may attend.
Max Gilpin reported that St. Marys Boat Club members will be participating in the Lake Clean up Day, April 26th. He said the club is working to have sailboat races again this summer and that some maintenance will be taking place, as the wood of the docks will be stained and sealed.
Although she was unable to attend, due to a training commitment, GLWWA Watershed Coordinator Laura Walker submitted a report on that groups latest activities:
- 1 million EQIP Dollars
- Hay filter strips and cover crops, 3 year contracts
- ALL GRAND LAKE WATERSHED
- Deadline extended to April 11, 2008
- Returned for second review
- Endorsement pending satisfactory revision according to new comments
- Met with Katie, OEPA
- Took display to Focus on Your Home Show, inserts in dock bills and mentioned in Franklin Twp newsletter
- Soil Sample coupons available at $5
- Working with Helena Agronomic Center
- Cover crop sites were certified March 1, 2008
- Taking recommendations for 2008 program
- In the process of paying cover crop producers
- 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
- Volunteers are needed for this program
- Working on quality assurance plan and study plan
- Spring Training will be April 11, 2008 starting at Fort Recovery Village Hall
- Available for any equipment included on Conservation Plan
- Need certification letter and current Conservation Plan to proceed to bank
- EPA has final approval of loan item
- Denise Dumouchelle visited, revised plan
- Needs to begin as soon as we know the plant will be built
- Conservation Innovation Grant submitted, supported at state level
- If grant is accepted work will begin September 1, 2008.
- Anticipated notification of grantees is May 2008
- Did 2 programs in March
- Attended WILD Training March 7-8, 2008
- Have programs scheduled with summer school, 4-H and scouts
- Participated in Webinar with Terry Mescher on rural drainage
- Current blog is about WAP and implementation
- Last meeting is in April
- Army Corps, Allen County SWCD, Indiana
- Providing information as requested
- Recommended 319 grant for demonstration site
- Working with Pheasants Forever
- Completed for Grand Lake watershed
- Need to compile results
- Planning to complete Wabash River watershed
- Tyra-tech is interested in a project in watershed
- Utilize digesters to produce bedding
- Roland Kessler is still interested in holding a meeting
- State Park taking lead on project
- Can recycle greenhouse covers
- May be able to recycle barn curtains and ag bags
- Virtual Farm Tour, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2008, Lake Improvement Association, Celina
- Qualified Data Collector Training, April 11, 2008, Fort Recovery, RSVP to Karen
- NRCS Demonstration Project
- GLWWA Watershed Action Plan
- Soil Sample Cost Share
- $100,000 for Grand Lake St. Marys Watershed
- Geotextile Tube Manure Dewatering Grant
- Volunteer Monitoring Program
- Water Pollution Control Loan Fund
- USGS Proposal for Monitoring Ethanol Plant
- Lake Geotextile Tube Project
- Enviroscape/Ground Water Model/Project Learning Tree/Project WET/Project WILD
- Ohio Watershed Academy
- St. Marys River Projects
- Franklin Township Projects
- Tillage Transect
- Manure Co-op
- Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling
- Coordinators Upcoming Meetings/Trainings
With there being no further business to come before the board, Terry Wissman moved to adjourn, a second was provided by Bob Grimm, motion carried.
The next LDC meeting will be May 5, 2008, 4pm at the CVB office meeting room. A welcome reception for WSULC Dean Jim Sayer is scheduled for the same afternoon from 4 to 5:30. The goal is to have the LDC meeting end prior to 5 pm so that those attending would still have time to stop by the campus if they so wished. The main topic of discussion at the May LDC meeting will be the agenda for the Legislative Day on the Lake which is scheduled for June 20th.
