Douglas Lakeshore Association
Annual Meeting of Membership
July 26, 2008
Minutes
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by president Frederick E. Royce III.
2. Approval of Minutes. A motion was made by P. Woods and supported by M. Flynn to approve Minutes of the 2007 Annual Meeting. They were approved by voice vote of the members with no opposition noted.
3. Treasurer’s Report. Arlene Philp presented and noted corrections to the Annual Treasurer’s Report from Aug 5, 2007 to July 26, 2008. The account balance was $6,473.27(?) A motion was made and supported to approve the treasurer’s report. The motion was supported and adopted by voice vote.
4. Committee Reports.
a. Summer Social – An exact count was not available, but is believed to 100-115 in attendance. Comments were made that the occasion was successful and enjoyed by all present. The social period, children’s activities, pig roast and charity auction were appreciated highlights of the evening. $1262 was raised for Saugatuck Center for the Arts. Donations solicited by committee members from local businesses were credited for a major boost.
b. Committee reports and the current status of the following items were reviewed by President Royce:
i. West Shore Development
ii. Swing Bridge Condos
iii. Denison Land Significant discussion & comments)
iv. Kalamazoo Lake and Saugatuck River Harbor Issues
v. With two deaths resulting on Lakeshore Drive this year when a culvert/road washout occurred during a reputed 100 year storm, the question of road safety and long term viability is once again a hot topic. F. E Royce reviewed the “Old Washout” report developed in 1988 by an engineering plan as provided to DSLA by current Allegan County Road Commissioner William Nelson. While the report lists 7 options developed at the time, weighted criteria eliminated 5 of them as unachievable due to cost or engineering issues. Rebuilding of the culvert is planned later this year (a temporary repair was made within one week) with state and federal funding being sought. A discussion by Lakeshore Association members followed
Note: Some copies of the 1988 report are available from Treasurer Philps for $10 each
vi. Old Business. Joe Milauckas discussed the work of the Great Lakes Coalition, provided an overview of water levels, the effect of structures on sand deposits, and riparian rights on Great Lakes. Joe reviewed the legal issues in River dredging/latorial drift displacement and the ambiguity contained in the official reports
and letter sent to DLSA President Royce on the necessity to replace the sand to the south of the pier head.
5. Membership comments. The floor was open to comments by members.
6. Nominations for New Trustees and Annual Elections:
A slate of four candidates for new DLSA Trustees was presented:
vii. Al Lyons (returning)
viii. Mary Kay Baker (new)
ix. Sheldon Wettack (returning)
x. Vince Beckman (returning)
By voice vote, the slate of nominees were elected without opposition, being no additions from the floor.
7. Adjournment. The annual meeting was adjourned prior to 10:00 a.m. An information program followed, which was open to the public. Key speakers:
c. Chris Roerig, Saugatuck Township Trustee on Intergovernmental Cooperation
d. John Ehrat, Attorney on a landmark Federal Lawsuit case on the impact of pier structures on Lake Michigan Beach Erosion
Respectfully Submitted
Wayne Kidder, for Steve McKown