Lake Development Corporation Minutes
7/07/08
LDC President Jim Dabbelt called the meeting to order at 4:02pm.
In attendance with Dabbelt were Kent Hinton, Tom Knapke, Milt Miller, Frank C. Murray, Matt Schwieterman, Doug Temple, Terry Wissman, Laura Walker, Max Gilpin, Brian Miller, Julie Miller, Ryan Garrison, Kelly Kill, Donna Grube & Nancy Allen of the Daily Standard.
Frank C. Murray moved to accept the minutes as were e-mailed to the membership. Matt Schwieterman offered a second, motion carried.
Milt Miller reported the treasury balance at $10,651.37. He added that with just a small outstanding bill left to pay, so far the Legislative Day on the Lake cost the LDC $2,736. Frank C. Murray moved to approve the treasurer’s report, with a second from Doug Temple. Motion Carried.
Brian Miller provided the following lake report:
Lake Level(Approx. 10” above normal pool.)
Dredge
- Floating suction dredges. One small channel finished. Pump-A-Little is at Windy Point West, near ½ done and St. Marys is at Barnes Creek at approx. 1/3 done.
- Next jobs will be Southmore Shores East and Schells Channel.
- Need to get back to Uppenkamp DMRA on Behm’s Rd. to continue tear down and will also renovate old Kittle Rd. DMRA in cooperation with Franklin Twp. and Div. of Wildlife.
- Dredge crew back up to full staff at 4 FT and 2 PT.
- Still waiting for the permit to build the Anderson DMRA.
- Anderson shoreline protection of 1800’ is finished.
Lake Issues
- The Lake Development Corp., Legislative Day on the Lake went well. Most entities left the meeting with assignments to help accomplish the Watershed Action Plan.
- Water Taxi service, Grand Lake Express stopped service.
- Beach testing. All beaches testing very safe with low bacteria levels.
Lake
- Dog Park. Dozer work started but halted due to rain. The fence is supposed to go up in the next two weeks.
- Docks. We have 17 state docks left. SMBC, Freys, and Schells areas. $300 for the season
- West Bank boathouse. Shinn Bros. got the bid for the excavation, seawall and dock installation . Some supplies have been delivered. Work should start soon.
- Naturalist programs are being supplemented with funding from Wildlife and Watercraft. This allows us to shift funding to other areas and needs.
- All 3 of our Park Officers are qualified for the Marine Patrol Grant from the Div. of Watercraft which helps to pay for at least 3 hours per week of lake patrol for each officer. & Loramie.
Grand Lake St. Marys/Wabash Watershed Coordinator Laura Walker told about the upcoming conservation camp. She also spoke about field day scheduled for August 5th and added that the 2008 Ag incentive programs were waiting for the farm bill to be approved before information on those programs are released.
The Auglaize and Mercer Counties Convention & Visitors Bureau just completed a strategic planning session according to director, Donna Grube. She added that Tom Knapke was the facilitator for the event and added the discussion focused on the CVB’s goals and policies now and into the future. Grube noted their office has been quite busy and that from their locale it appears more people are using the park this summer.
Discussion ensued concerning last month’s Legislative Day on the Lake. There was concern that even though the R.S.V.P. cards specifically asked for lunch attendees, more than 25 people signed up for the meal but did not show up—costing the LDC 400 dollars. It was suggested that the no shows be billed for the missed meals. No consensus was reached on the dilemma.
Doug Temple then asked if any follow ups were planned on the assignments that were given out at the Day on the Lake. Laura Walker said she planned on e-mailing the different groups quarterly to see what has been accomplished. She was planning on including the information at her organization’s quarterly meetings. Frank C. Murray suggested the LDC send out letters prior to that. Milt Miller said that members of the public would be interested on any progress in these areas. It was noted that a complete list of the assignments had not been released by the media—that the coverage of the event was a general story. Discussion took place about buying ads in local papers listing the assignments. It was mentioned that a website would better serve to update the public. Laura was asked if her organization’s website could host such a page. She said she wasn’t sure of the system’s ability to allow for timely updates of information. More information and discussion on this issue is expected at next month’s LDC meeting.
Ryan Garrison reported that the new Ohio hunting regulations are out. He also reminded the group that a hunter’s education course is scheduled for August 11th, 12th & 14th.
With no further business to come before the group, Frank C. Murray moved the meeting adjourn. A second was offered by Milt Miller, motion carried.
The next LDC meeting will take place on August 7, 2008, 4pm at the Auglaize & Mercer Counties Convention and Visitors Bureau Office.
