LAKE IROQUOIS ASSOCIATION
September 12, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Lake Iroquois Association was convened at the Clubhouse on September 12, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Present were: Phil Iverson, President and presiding officer, Carol Hildenbrand, Enid Miller, Sandra Ostrowski, Dan Pursley and Tracy Rodriquez. Absent with excuse was Steve Garbaciak. Mark Webster and 11 guests were also present.
The Board opened the meeting with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Miller, seconded by Pursley, to approve the amended August Board meeting minutes. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCES
To be covered under old and new business.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
RECREATION ı Ostrowski
Dredging ı Mark Webster will schedule excavation at the corner of Choctaw and Pueblo and the fishing pond. Lee Excavating will dredge at LIA property only and extend 55 feet from shoreline. Websterwill dig out the retention area with the back hoe.
Ostrowski brought up discussion of the algae problem at the fishing pond. Bill Hancock addressed the Board regarding the problems and possible solutions. He advised that the oxygen level on two occasions was just under 5 parts per million which is the acceptable level. This did not allow him to do a full treatment at that time. He discussed diffused aeration possibilities. On the 9th of August the fishing pond was treated.
Pool ı from 8/9/07 ı 9/3/07 Open 31 days; Closed 1 day; Partial 2 days. Total swimmers for month including water aerobics 508. Total for season including water aerobics 2790.
Thanks to this yearıs pool coordinator Andrew VanderWaal and the pool monitors.
Thanks to Enid Miller for volunteering to open the pool four times a week for 13 weeks for water aerobics.
Webster closed up several open hooks on the park swing set.
Work to be done:
Toddler swings replaced
Screen doors need attention or removal
Pool needs to be checked for cracks when drained this fall
The beach bathrooms will be opened on weekends as long as the weather is warm.
The Fishing Contest was held August 11th with 27 kids participating plus family members. Thanks to Red Trivett for organizing the event with the help of Donna Trivett, Rene Newton, Wally Braigel, Bill Willis and Larry Newton. Thanks also to Paxton IGA for donating the hot dogs.
LIAıs 40th Anniversary to be celebrated September 2008. The LIA Womenıs Club will help plan and run this event.
A motion was made by Hildenbrand, seconded by Miller, to accept the Recreation Report. Motion carried.
BUILDING & ROADS ı Miller
PERMIT REQUESTS
Justin and Jeff Goss, Lot 541B, 161 Pawnee Drive (New House)
Matt Judy contacted Miller regarding his interest in purchasing Lot 18B (on Arapaho Lane) but needs another lot (17B ı LIA property that has no water or sewer) or possibly two additional lots. Several members in attendance contributed questions and opinions.
Issues discussed:
Do we need to sell lots?
Do we need a standard for selling LIA lots? In the past, we have opened up sales of LIA lots in auction.
Would we sell it at market value or below market value? Iverson advised that he asked Char to research what prices were on previous sales of unimproved lots.
How do we compare unimproved lots versus future recreation areas?
It was noted that in the past LIA has sold only a partial lot which was unimproved.
After discussion, the Board declined to make a motion to sell the land.
A member brought up discussion of spec. homes and whether LIA should have limitations or increased fees on these homes. The Board and the membership present discussed the issue. Miller will contact LIA attorney Bob Martensen for legal advice on allowing/not allowing spec. homes.
Ostrowski made a motion, seconded by Rodriquez, to accept the Building and Roads report. Motion carried.
WATER-WASTEWATER ı Garbaciak (Read by Mark Webster in Mr. Garbaciakıs absense)
Approx. 1,913,870 gallons of water were pumped in August.
Routine maintenance done.
All requirements on IEPA loan have been met. We are now waiting on IEPA to be able to go ahead on our water tower project.
Inquiries regarding when water restrictions will be lifted. The levels are monitored and when the consumption levels are low enough to lift the restrictions they will be lifted.
Garbaciak advised in a meeting with Bayles Lake Association President Brenden Foley that LIA did not see any advantage for LIA in a joint water/sewer project, thus any feasibility study and engineering costs to consider this request would be completely at the cost of Bayles Lake Association and would be given consideration but no promises.
Garbaciak met with owner of lot 711 regarding sump pump hook-up. The owner agreed that the work would be completed and LIA would be called to inspect it for proper connection.
Iverson advised of correspondence from Greg Gustafson regarding IEPA loan. IEPA has approved the Project Planning and LIA can now go forward with the full loan application document package, write and pass the required ordinances, and assemble the bidding documentation elements. Based on the funding cycle, the earliest we could advertise for bids would be December 2007. This would then allow the project to start in the spring of 2008 if all required informationis provided and the loan is approved.
Miller made a motion, seconded by Pursley to accept the Water-Wastewater report. Motion carried.
MEMBERSHIP - Rodriquez
No new members.
Ostrowski made a motion, seconded by Hildenbrand to accept the Membership report. Motion carried.
SECURITY - Pursley
Security Officer Bill Willis worked 72 hours in August.
Substitute Walt Willis worked 4 hours in August.
Speeding complaints, water violation complaints were received.
Several violations were cited and verbal warnings were given.
On September 1 a leashed dog was attacked by three other dogs. The Board will inquire of our attorney regarding what our rights are in regard to dog laws and restrictions. The Board agreed to publish in the Arrowhead a reminder of our leash laws and a notice that the Board is inquiring of LIAıs legal rights to impose consequences to violations of the leash laws.
Pursley advised of correspondence from Bob Liebl, Conservation Officer regarding incorrect information published in the Arrowhead regarding coyotes on LIA property. The correspondence is as follows:
"I am writing to inform you about some incorrect information that was in the Sept. 2007 Arrowhead newsletter. Under NEW BUSINESS on page 6 it was stated that coyotes are not protected. This is incorrect. Coyotes are protected by the State of Illinois. Although they are considered by many people to be a nuisance, there are seasons for coyotes and you are required to have a hunting license and habitat stamp to hunt them and a trapping license to trap them. Coyote hunting season is open year round with the exception of Nov. 16-18, and Nov. 29 ı Dec. 1. You can legally hunt them from ı hour before sunrise to ı hour after sunset but it is open 24 hours from Nov. 10 through Feb. 15. Trapping season only runs from Nov. 5 through Jan. 20. Illegally taking or attempting to take any protected species in Illinois will result in citations and possible seizure of any equipment used."
Iverson brought up Bill Willisıs recommendations for addressing speeding on LIA.
Rodriquez will inquire of Loda Township regarding whether a reduced speed limit could be imposed on the main entrance county road and/or a stopsign on the county road at the north gate.
A motion was made by Miller, seconded by Pursley to have Webster research the cost of installing rumble strips. Motion carried.
Rodriquez made a motion, seconded by Miller to accept the Security report. Motion carried.
FINANCE - Report submitted by Hildenbrand
August 2007 bills totaled $23,626.49.
A motion was made by Miller, seconded by Pursley to approve August bills (payable in September) of $23,626.49. Motion carried.
The LIA audit was completed and went well. It was recommended that the Board approve each transfer of funds to the Water/Wastewater Reserve Fund. Hildenbrand advised that the auditors were not aware that the transfers are required by our bylaws and sent a copy of our bylaws to the auditing firm.
Hildenbrand advised that there are 7 members with outstanding fees over $500. The Board agreed to send each member a letter advising that their memberships are suspended and ofimpending Board action for the violation if past due balances are not paid.
Hildenbrand advised that we only have 10% of our fuel budget remaining for this fiscal year. She made the recommendation that LIA purchase a smaller, fuel efficient, used pick-up truck for daily use in place of the large red truck which uses much more fuel. Pursley advised that a committee be formed to investigate the pro and cons and cost feasibility of purchasing a second truck. Hildenbrand, Pursley and Miller agreed to form this committee.
Pursley made a motion, seconded by Ostrowski to accept the Finance report. Motion carried.
FACILITIES ENGINEER (Webster)
Sewer tap at lot 277B was dug up and recapped.
Webster has not heard from Mr. Lee regarding dredging on fishing pond.
Murle Roy advised that he can start dredging work on the corner of Choctaw Trail and Pueblo within the next two weeks.
Iverson inquired about hiring someone to check for pool leaks.
AD HOC COMMITTEES
Shoreline Committee ı Letters have been sent to members with shoreline violations.
LIA Rod and Reel Club thanked LIA for the use of the facilities. They have completed their fishing season. The LIA Rod & Reel Club Fall Newsletter is available at the LIA office for anyone interested.
Bench/Picnic tables were made by Dave Hildenbrand and placed at the marina along with a gas grill for membersı use.
OLD BUSINESS
Iverson brought up the issue of publishing the preliminary minutes in the month when the meeting is held. A motion was made by Rodriquez, seconded by Pursley to publish in the Arrowhead the preliminary minutes from the present month rather than waiting until they are approved in the subsequent monthıs meeting. The Secretary will provide the Board with the preliminary minutes within one week of the Board meeting and the Board will have 4 days from receipt of the preliminary minutes to notify the secretary of changes before publication in the Arrowhead and on the LIA website. Motion carried.
The Board agreed to ask Char Mott to post a general agenda prior to each Board Meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Miller brought up discussion of advertising on homes that are for sale.
Pursley brought up golf carts being driven by children on LIA. The Board agreed to publish in the Arrowhead that only children 12 years and older can drive golf carts and only golf carts being used on official LIA business can drive up to the pool or the beach beyond the designated parking area.
Iverson brought up the need to remind the membership to dress in clothing with reflective tape or to carry a flashlight when walking after dark.
QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP
A member inquired what to do if golf carts are being driven recklessly. Mr. Willis advised that he should be called.
A member inquired about contractors keeping gravel on LIA roads while doing a private job. Miller will contact the contractor.
A member inquired about putting reflectors on buoys.
A member inquired about periodically having a clean-up option for items that the garbage companies wonıt take and which arenıt allowed in the burn pile. Miller will check on the inquiry.
A member inquired about jug fishing on the lake.
A motion was made by Ostrowski, seconded by Hildenbrand to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 pm. Motion carried.
The next monthly Board Meeting will be held on October 10, 2007
