MAY
17, 2008 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
The 2008 Annual Meeting of the active members in good standing of Lake Iroquois Association,
a Not-For-Profit Illinois Corporation, was convened at 2:10 p.m. on May 17, 2008, at the Loda American Legion Hall.
Present were: Phil Iverson, President and presiding officer, Steve Garbaciak, Carol Hildenbrand, Sandra Ostrowski, Dan Pursley and Tracy
Rodriquez. Also in attendance were 43 Members and 40 proxies, for a total of 83 memberships represented, constituting a quorum.
President
Phil Iverson called the meeting to order.
Secretary Tracy Rodriquez read the Minutes of the 2008 Annual Meeting and the 2008 Board
Reorganization Meeting.
Ken Miller moved, second by Erma Hewerdine, to accept the minutes of the 2007 Annual Meeting and the
2007 Board Reorganization Meeting. Motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Board, acting as Nominating
Committee, placed the names of Phil Iverson, Tracy Rodriquez, Sonda Popa, Ramon Martinez, and Jerry Grodesky in Nomination. Mike Johnson moved, second by Chris Matson, that the nominations be closed. Motion carried. Iverson asked if any nominees
would like to address the membership. Ramon Martinez addressed the membership. Sonda Popa addressed the membership. Jerry Grodesky addressed the membership. Phil Iverson addressed the membership.
RECREATION COMMITTEE ý Sandi Ostrowski,
Chairman
Shoreline Rocking Deadline: August 1st
Dredging west end of fishing pond with improvement in LIA shoreline
and silt retaining area has improved water clarity.
Algae Control ý 1st treatment done Friday, May 16th. Researching aeration
systems as an option for the fishing pond. Marine Biochemists of Normal Illinois will be treating our pond this year.
Pool: Scheduled to open on Saturday, May 31st. Coordinator this year is Walt Willis. 13 monitors this year ý 9 returning and
4 new this year.
No one signed up their 16 year olds this year, so 16 year olds must have a photo ID and membership card to gain
access to the pool if they are not registered through Ostrowski. Other current rules are listed in the LIA handbook and on the
updated blue sign at the pool house.
Water aerobics will start Monday June 9 at 9:45 am. They will be held Mondays, Wednesdays,
and Fridays.
Swimming total with aerobics this past year was 2,790.
Thanks to Andy Vanderwaal for his coordinating efforts
especially keeping the 13 monitors updated while the pool was down for 21 days. Thanks to Mark Webster for all of his work on
the pool. Thanks to those who worked on overhauling the ladies side of the pool house. Thanks to the Womenýs club for
all of their service on events. Thanks to Char Mott for all of her work. Thanks to Ken Gates for his work on keeping the LIA
website up and current.
A member advised that the Rod and Reel club will organize the Kids Fishing Tournament.
Benches and
a shade cover were installed this past year.
New sand will be put in the tire and new toddler swings have been installed at the
playground.
A member commented on his opposition to installing aerators in the fishing pond due to effects on the
fish population.
As a reminder, health and state laws prohibit anyone under 17 to use the beach without an adult.
There
will be a group effort to keep the beach clean and inviting. Thanks in advance to members and guests who help keep it that way
by cleaning up after themselves when leaving.
A member asked about the upcoming yearýs dredging schedule.
A member asked
about correcting shoreline areas owned by LIA. Ostrowski advised that the Board is addressing the issue and has budgeted for
this need.
A member asked why the pool wonýt be opening on Memorial Day this year. Webster explained that due to the extensive
piping work being completed at the pool, the date has been pushed back.
On October 23, 1000 Walleye and 300 Channel Cat were
placed in the main lake and 200 Channel Cat were placed in the fishing pond. This spring 2500 6ý to 8ý Channel Cat were delivered
to the main lake and walleye will be stocked in the fall.
Motion by Wally Braigel, second by Ramon Martinez to accept the Recreation
Committee report. Motion carried.
ROADS AND BUILDING COMMITTEE ý Bill Willis, Chairman
Former Roads and Building Committee
Chairperson Enid Miller was remembered for her dedication and hard work on LIAýs behalf.
CONSTRUCTION PERMITS ý May 2007 to May 2008: New homes, 4; Additions, 1; Storage Sheds/Playhouses, 4;
Decks, 5; Docks, 4; Patio, 1; Fences, 5; Tilling of Side Ditch/Fill In, 0.
Thank you to Mark Webster for all his help and
guidance, and to the Building Committee: Bill Collins, David Hildenbrand, and Tom Guilfoyle.
Mark Webster asked anyone who had
any ideas or talents for redesigning the back gate to please approach a Board Member or himself in this regard.
Member, Sue Brown
commented on the speed bumps and how drivers are speeding up in front of her house after slowing down for the speed bumps. Garbaciak
commented that he has received positive comments in regard to the speed bumps. He reminded the membership that the first 6 sets
have been placed as a test to see if the problem of speeding is improved. If the problem is not improved, Garbaciak stated that
6 more sets will be placed.
Two members advised that the school buses are the worst violators.
Member, Mr. Aders, who is
also a member of the State Police, advised that the law requires stopping at the entrance gate and is enforceable with citations. Mr. Aders advised that he will contact the school superintendent regarding the school bus speeding. Mr. Aders also commented
on the schedule for road work and that if the roads were public, the traffic violations would be enforceable by law.
Jeff Goss
commented on the cost of putting asphalt on the roads and LIAýs need to consider going public with street maintenance to keep costs
down. Ostrowski commented on the issue, advising that 3 years ago the Rules and Regulations Committee researched the matter
and strongly recommended against it. Anyone wanting information on the Committeeýs findings can contact Ostrowski.
A member
asked what the annual expenditures for roads is. Hildenbrand advised $32,000 plus $1000 for maintenance.
Dave Hildenbrand
expressed his opinion in opposition to opening the roads.
Dan Pursley advised that he spoke with Mr. Moore of Iroquois County
Engineering recently and if LIA roads were made public, the Township Road Commissioner would work with Mark Webster and we would not
lose the private status of LIA. He advised that we might not meet the requirements for going public.
Mike Johnson commented
on the matter and expressed his opinion that the facilities would remain private even if the roads might not. He also reminded
those present that the Township Highway Commissioner is an elected position which is not answerable to the County.
John Kuntz,
The Road Maintenance report detailed that there
is approximately 47,520 feet of roadway for LIA and in FY 2007-2008 approximately 1,168 feet of roadway was repaired and resurfaced
at a cost of $27,17117 ($2.33 per ft.).
A copy of the Roads and Buildings report is on file at the LIA office and may be reviewed
by appointment with the Roads and Building Chairman.
Motion by Ramon Martinez, second by Erma Hewerdine, to accept the Roads
and Building Committee report. Motion carried.
WATER-WASTEWATER COMMITTEE ý Steve Garbaciak, Chairman
18,493,170 gallons
of water were pumped this year. This averages to 50,666 gallons per day or 202 gallons per day per household (251). We
pumped 13,610 galloons less than last year even though we have more homes. This is a good trend for our water needs. These
figures include water for our pool and public facilities.
It has been a busy year for our water-wastewater department. Along with normal maintenance by our facility engineer, Mark Webster, our main well pump and 281 feet of piping were replaced which
greatly improved our water pumping capabilities.
Our swimming pool pump failed in July and had to be replaced. Work was
completed and pool was back in order.
Correspondence was received from
Water Tower Project:
We are still moving along with the project and shall have the tower painted after Labor Day. We had a special meeting in February for our members and had Greg Gustafson of Foth Engineering to explain what was going on with
the project and IEPA. It was a very informative meeting attended by the entire board and 3 members. It was explained to
us why it has taken so long for our loan approval. We are not a municipality or a for-profit organization and, therefore, we
have to go through many extra hoops and hurdles. Our LIA lawyer has been in direct contact with the IEPA in
A member asked how long the current system could continue to operate as it has been doing. Garbaciak advised that
we can not know that answer for sure as it depends on equipment continuing to function, etc. A member stated the opinion that
our current sewer system is over 40 years old and beyond its years.
Motion by Wally Braigel, second by Joe Rousseau to
accept the Water-Wastewater Committee report. Motion carried.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE- Tracy Rodriquez, Chairman
In Fiscal
Year 2007-2008 LIA gained 13 new members: 3 new members bought or built houses; 10 bought lots.
We have 347 members, 96
of whom exclusively own lots. We now have 251 homes, including those under construction. Currently, 207 houses are occupied
by year-round residents, 39 houses are used by week-enders, and 5 houses are occupied by renters.
Char Mott was thanked for all
her help with the Membership responsibilities.
Ramon Martinez moved, second by Chris Matson, to accept the Membership Committee
report. Motion Carried.
SECURITY COMMITTEE ý Dan Pursley, Chairman
Bill Willis worked 366 hours this year. Walt Willis worked as his substitute for 58 of those hours.
Pet catching equipment has been purchased.
LIA security has
installed speed bumps as a test to counter the speeding problem. Pursley advised that he has received mostly positive comments on
the speed bumps. Additional speed bumps are slated to be placed if the speeding problems persist.
Pursley advised that
Bill Willis will be retiring from the security position this year. Applications have been received for the position.
Dog
complaints are probably the most frequent complaint received. 18 complaints were cited this year with at least 2 residents getting
bitten by loose dogs.
A member asked who handles solicitations. The Board advised that trespassing is not allowed and the
police or security could be called.
A member inquired regarding other vendors on
A member mentioned concerns of coyotes on Iroquois Trail. Other members expressed concerns of
citing coyotes on LIA property as well.
A member inquired about the Freedom of Information Act and whether it applies to LIA.
The
following is a summary of events handled by LIA SECURITY for this fiscal year: (A copy of this summary is available upon request)
DOG
COMPLAINTES ý 18
SPEEDING COMPLAINTS ý 11
NOISE COMPLAINTS ý 2
NON REGISTERED VEHICLES ý 1
NO WAKE HOURS VIOLATIONS ý 4
VANDALISM ý 7
OPEN
DOOR ý 1
VEHICLE ACCIDENT ý 1
NON-LICENSED VEHICLE VIOLATION ý 2
TRESPASSING ý 2
COMPLAINTS REFERRED TO
Confirming
Actions Taken:
COURTESY NOTICES ý 5
WRITTEN WARNINGS ý 3
VERBAL WARNINGS ý 32
SUSPENSIONS - 4
Darrell Aders moved, seconded by Ramon
Martinez, to accept the Security Committee report. Motion Carried.
FINANCE COMMITTEE ý Carol Hildenbrand, Chairman
Our bank
balances this year are not as good as they were last year with some unexpected repairs, like one of our water wells needed repairs
that cost $27,000.00. We also had several other repairs that needed to be made. We, as an Association need to maintain
our facilities, so that in future years our community remains a nice place to reside and we can still offer all of our members what
we are able to enjoy.
As you may have noted on our Balance Sheet that was enclosed with your Newsletter, we ended up with a balance
of $21,521.30 in our General Fund and $21,870.18 in our Water/Wastewater Fund. This totals $43,391.48. We ordered a new
lake truck with a down payment of $26,00000, leaving a balance of $17,391.48. Therefore, no monies were put into a CD as we
need to make some further repairs. You may have noticed the work being done at the pool. All the perimeter piping and
four filters have been replaced. Then we also have our big projects for our WWT plant.
Just like everyone, our monies do
not go quite as far because of the economy. Maybe we all will get some relief next year.
We are still working on the past
due balances and I would like to thank Char for her diligence in trying to collect some of these balances.
The Finance Committee
comprised of Amy Schliemann and Kathy Larson was thanked for their service. Char Mott was thanked for her diligence in collecting
delinquent accounts. Also thanked was Alan Dudley for his help with this yearýs annual billing.
Auditor's Report - The
Auditor's Report for 2007 is available for your review at the LIA office. No major discrepancies noted.
Ramon Martinez moved, second by Erma Hewerdine, to accept the General Fund budget for FY 2008-2009, which was approved by the Board of Directors
at the March, 2008 meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Ken Miller, second by Chris Matson to accept the Finance Committee
report. Motion carried.
FACILITIES ENGINEER - Mark Webster
No report.
In regard to the votes for Board Member seats to be filled.
Phil Iverson 71
Tracy Rodriquez 54
Sonda Popa 48
Ramon
Martinez 52
Jerry Grodesky 8
The three seats are therefore filled by Phil Iverson, Tracy Rodriquez, and Ramon Martinez.
NEW
BUSINESS
Sonda Popa, on behalf of the Womenýs Club, presented a check in the amount of $500 for use on the water project.
QUESTIONS-COMMENTS
FROM MEMBERSHIP
Iverson opened up the questions-comments from membership.
A member expressed her appreciation for the work
of the current LIA Board.
Daryl Aders brought up discussion of spec homes and the 1000 square foot minimum on B lot home requirements
being outdated. Iverson asked the membership to get in touch with Board Members to express their opinion on this matter. Mr. Aders asked about residency requirements. Mike Johnson commented on the matter and how the issue relates to the infrastructure
burden. He suggested consideration of a fee structure.
Jerry Grodesky commented that there are communities that
have a tap-on fee to help defer the costs of having the utility systems in place.
John Kuntz commented that the square footage
requirements could be changed by amending the LIA bylaws.
Sonda Popa commented on the square footage requirements in relation
to the average lot sizes.
Jeff Goss commented on protections for property owners on LIA and the fact that homes that are currently
being built are larger than the 1000 square foot requirement on B lots. He also commented on impact fees and the necessity to
prove the need.
A member suggested charging a fee for pool passes.
Jerry Martin commented on the square footage requirement
on B lots. He commented that very few homes have been built with that small of square footage.
Several members commented
on impact fees associated with increased new construction.
Rita LaBarbara asked what money is budgeted for improving the back
gate area. Several members made suggestions and comments.
A motion was made by Joe Russo, seconded by Wally Braigel to adjourn
the meeting at 4:27 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Rodriquez, Secretary
