Present:  SheldonWettack, Al Lyon, Mary Kay Baker, Pat Woods, Steve McKown, John Blair, Vince Beckman, Joe Milauckus, Arlene Philp, Dennis Dreyer, Jay Hernly

Excused:  Mike Flynn

Guest:  John Gottlick, President – Lake Michigan Shore Association

 

Sheldon called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m. and thanked Mary Kay for hosting the meeting.

 

The minutes from November 21, 2009 were approved as distributed with one correction:  “minutes would be sent by mail to those members who do not utilize e-mail every two months”.

 

Treasurer’s Report.   Arlene presented the Treasurer’s report which was approved unanimously. 

 

Old Business

Website.  Jay Hernly.

• We are set up with Paypal or a credit card so members can join on-line.  There is about a   2½% charge. 
• The Board of Directors information will be password protected.  The password is Douglas77.  If a Board member does not want certain information displayed (i/e phone number, email) they should let Jay know.
• When a member renews or joins on line, the website will direct them to a page so they can update/add all their Directory information.
• A motion approved unanimously to add Jay Hernly to the bank’s signature card.
• Jay will notify the members with email to renew their membership on-line.  Those that don’t respond or do not use email will receive the dues notification with their Newsletter.
• A motion was approved unanimously to pay Jay Hernly $500 to cover his out of pocket costs to develop the website.
• Jay will add an “In Memoriam” area of the website.

 

New Business

Summer Social.  The Social will be held at the Saugatuck Yacht Club on Saturday July 17, 2010.  Pat Woods will chair the committee which will include Jay Hernly, Al Lyon and John Blair.  Pat has contacted the James Street Inn and the cost will be the same as last year.

 

Annual Meeting.  The committee to plan the meeting is:  Steve Mckown, Dennis Dreyer, John Blair and Vince Beckman.  A motion was approved unanimously to hold the Annual Meeting on Thursday August 5, 2010 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  The Committee will determine the topic(s) to discuss.  John Gottlick mentioned that at their Annual Meeting, they have a speaker and try to focus on a hot-button topics.  Last year they had Bob Genetski.

 

2010 Newsletter Committee.  Al Lyon will chair this committee which will include John Blair, Jay Hernly and Mary Kay Baker.

• Articles will need to be written and emailed to Al by the end of January.
• Sheldon – President’s Letter, Denison Property Update
• Steve – SEV primer (which will also be posted by Jay on the website)
• Joe – Lakeshore Drive emergency access, International Great Lakes Study (lake levels), Saugatuck Harbor Committee
• Sheldon - Denison Property Update
• Presbyterian Camp – Mary Kay will get an update from Jennifer Schuham
• The newsletter will be mailed by the end of February.
• With the Dues Request for updated Directory information, members will be asked if they would like their email published in the Directory and if they would like any additional members of their family to receive information electronically.
• Al will try to format the newsletter on his computer and Dennis will check prices of printing costs.
• Membership Survey Committee – Mary Kay, Arlene and Jay
• The committee will develop a survey to be posted on our website.  The Newsletter will encourage members to go to the website to take the survey. 

 

Township Road Committee.  Joe, Al, & Sheldon

Joe met with George Mercer to discuss the idea of possibly using Tranquility Lane as an emergency access road.  George stated he would think about it but was uncomfortable – in case the road was to become a public access.

 

Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance.  Sheldon 

• The south Denison property has been purchased and will be eventually owned by the City of Saugatuck.  They are still about $4 million short in raising the money to maintain it.  The money for the purchase is secured.  The Alliance is now focused on the north property. 
• McClendon’s lawyer has asked the Township to hold off for now on their zoning request to repeal the R4 Zoning. 
• The DEQ is proposing to expand the critical dunes area on the property near Pine Trail Camp and they need the Township’s permission.  The Township is in the process of setting up the public hearing for this. 

 

Saugatuck Harbor Committee. Joe   

The Committee was planning on applying for some major funding through the Stimulus for Great Lakes Restoration for dredging.  The consultant’s recommendation once the RFP’s came out is that they would not qualify at this time because the Kalamazoo River and Lake Kalamazoo is a Superfund site.  The consultant is looking to see if there is another avenue to apply for funding.

 

Saugatuck Township Planning Commission:  Joe 

• The Commission has been looking into neighborhood ordinances in the surrounding communities about windmills.  They are close to having a draft for a public hearing. 
• McClendon continues to challenge the tax values of all of his purchased properties
• The Township is considering increasing the millage to generate funding to keep fighting the tax tribunal cases.

 

International Upper Great Lakes Study.  Joe 

• The recommendation is that St. Clair River should not have any restrictions placed on it but it still has to have the final vote by the International Joint Commission.  They will hold more public hearings before their vote.  Joe suggests that we submit a letter to the IJC that we support the findings of the study board.  A motion was made and approved to authorize Joe draft the letter to the IJC for Sheldon’s signature. A copy of the letter will be sent to John Gottlick and he will present it to his Association for their support.

 

Next Meeting will be held in April.  Sheldon will send around an email to select a date.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Kay Baker, Secretary