2015 Cheboygan Long Lake Area Association       
Annual Meeting – Minutes and Notes
June 27th 2015
Location: Aloha Township Hall
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Attendance: 43

Agenda:

Coffee and Pastry
Meeting called to order
Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions
Secretary’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Election of Officers – even year for two year terms

President – David Warriner currently the President
District Representatives
District One – Hayes Lane to 5276 Hiawatha Drive
Ken Pletcher currently the representative
District Three – Nokomis Trail to 4696 Hiawatha Drive
Delores Slunick currently the representative
District Five – 4664 Hiawatha Drive to but nut not including East Beechwood Drive
Fabian LaVigne currently the representative
District Seven – Agnes Rd, Manning Rd, and Lakeland Drive
Ken Larsen currently the representative

Boat Parade – July 4th at 2:00 (starts in front of Pines)
Tony Groves Progressive AE update on invasive species and treatment
Swimmers Itch Research and Long Lake participation
Other topics
50/50 drawing and adjournment

General Meeting Notes:

David Warriner called the meeting to order at 8:30am and led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance

All in attendance were welcomed and individually introduced themselves and identified where their property was located on the lake.

David recapped the activities since last year’s annual meeting in regards to the invasive treatments activities:

  • Special assessment district established through the township
  • Public hearings conducted
  • Acknowledgement of hard work by township officials on behalf of the lake association
  • Funding is 100 % complete as a result of the county rolling the assessment into the residence tax base

The Secretary (Jeff Sherman) and Treasurer (David Warriner covered for Barb Hall) indicated that they both had detailed reports from the past years activities and that anyone was welcome to obtain copies and review. All meeting minutes and Treasurers’ reports will be posted to the web site for viewing. Fred Schramm verified that he is continuing to keep the website updated.

David Warriner explained that the odd/even calendar years designated which districts were up for election. Since this is 2015 than the odd districts were to be voted on for renewal. Per the agenda above, all positions were open to the floor for additional nominations. There were no new nominations. Each existing nomination was approved, seconded, and approved by the floor.

The 4th of July boat parade was announced

Invasive Species Treatment Update: Tony Groves

Tony Groves the aquatic biologist from Progressive AE was introduced and presented his update on the treatment plan for invasive species (milfoil) that his research team is coordinating. Tony included several handouts which included lake maps and GPS points of milfoil. Tony highlighted the following points:

  • Treatment plan was competitively bid
  • PLM Lake Mgt won the contract
  • PLM received the GPS information
  • Eurasian Milfoil is the primary target (spreads via fragmentation)
  • Signs were posted on all properties indicating treatment and use restrictions
  • DEQ and state permits were required and control the types of herbicides and notifications
  • Slow acting systematic herbicide used and will not affect native plants
  • Resurvey in 3 weeks and retreat problem areas

There was an extensive questions and answer period where most of the relevant information to the plan was discussed. Listed below are the primary questions and brief responses:

Question and Answers:

When was the first application of the herbicide?

June 16th and will reevaluate in approximately 3 weeks for additional treatment. 24 hour swim restriction, no fishing restrictions , and approximately 2 week irrigation restriction

Can milfoil grow on the beach, shore, or seawall?

No it can only grow in the water

Will there be another application this year (2015)?

Possibly follow up treatments depending on the plants reaction in certain locations. It cannot be completely eradicated only controlled.

Can the treatment kill fish? We saw some dead fish at the launch site.

No it will not harm fish or have an impact on eating the fish

How were the surveys done?

Visual contact, rakes, and use of gps coordinates from last year. There was substantial growth from 2014

Can you clarify the treatment plan?

5 year budget and treatment plan, resurvey each year, re-treat each year depending on growth, possibility of treating in all 5 years but costs related to the treatment should be reduced in later years. The plan sunsets and the lake association will need to determine how they would like to proceed in the future

How was the treatment done?

Granular broadcast of the herbicide which sinks and makes the plant grow very quickly and it then dies and sinks as a result

What about zebra mussels?

Costs more to treat but they are finding that after the initial infestation the mussels compete against each other and find a level that is less than the initial infestation. Should keep an eye on them

Can you explain the depth of water where the milfoil grows?

Most plants grow in water up to 12 feet however milfoil can grow in water up to 20 feet deep. Usually average up to 15 feet. Long Lake is a spring fed lake with excellent clarity. Fabian Lavigne will have the water clarity results posted on the website

Kate from the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council highlighted the importance of shoreline management and nutrients that can get into the water.

  • Limit and use the correct lawn fertilizers if needed
  • Keep the shoreline as natural as can be for filtering groundwater
  • Visit the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership for shoreline ideas
  • Limit erosion as much as possible

It was not known if “corn gluten” was a safe fertilizer for property by the lakes

Swimmers Itch Research Project

David Warriner informed the membership that there was an Oakland University research study to look at swimmers itch. The cost to participate is $500 and would include volunteers to submit water sampling periodically. There was mixed discussion regarding swimmers itch at Long Lake. The subject was tabled for the time being and can be re-visited at a later date

Other Subjects

A brief discussion indicated that the four signs being used to communicate the lake association meetings should be repainted for future use around the lake. It was also noted that the new Hiawatha sign was up and looked much better.

A question was asked if there was a township ordinance regarding a leash law and pet waste. Some residents complained that there was significant waste on their lawns and property. It was communicated that there was no such ordinance for the lake.

An inquiry was made regarding the assessed value of property on the lake and if other people were concerned. David Warriner suggested that the landowner could research Cliff Bloom’s books on lakefront property valuations and Chuck Maziasz reviewed the township Board of Review process and encouraged the member to contact the township officials to discuss his concerns.

$61 was awarded in the 50-50 drawing and winning proceeds were donated to the association

A motion was offered and seconded and the all voted to adjourn the meeting.