Douglas Lakeshore Association
MAY 30, 2009
Board Meeting Minutes
On May 30, 2009 the DLSA Board held a meeting at 2845 Lake Breeze Drive, Fennville, Michigan. The meeting was called to order by President Sheldon Wettack at approximately 9:20 a.m. Board Members present were Steve McKown, Al Lyon, Pat Woods, Vince Beckman, John Blair, Sheldon Wettack, Arlene Philp, Wayne Kidder and Jay Hernly. Members absent: Mary Kay Baker, Joe Milauckas, Mike Flynn. Andy Murch was present as a representative of the Board of the Lake Michigan Shore Association (LMSA).
The agenda items were reviewed, and an item was added to the agenda regarding recent Ganges Township Zoning Ordinance amendments that a citizen’s group is challenging by securing enough signatures from Ganges Township residents to require a referendum on the most recent rezoning of property from the R-A zoning district to the C Commercial zoning district.
The minutes of the March 29, 2009 board meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Arlene Philp submitted a treasurer’s report indicating that the fund balance as of 5/26/09 was $6,392.55. Dues from approximately 30 members are still expected. Payment of the printing cost of the newsletter has been completed. The Boy Scout troop was issued a check in the amount of $115.00 for a picnic table at Douglas Beach, although the check has not been cashed. The Saugatuck Yacht Club has received a reservation fee of $200.00, and Pat Woods was reimbursed for reserving the tent for the summer social in the amount of $450.00. Dues to the Great Lakes Coalition of $35.00 were also paid. The Treasurer’s Report was unanimously approved as submitted.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Website: Arlene Philp suggested interactive features on the website which would allow communications to be sent to the DLSA by members and possibly others. Jay Hernly will check with John Leben on adding these features to the website. Jay Hernly will also update the membership e-mail list with the information provided by Arlene Philp.
B. Newsletter. Board members thanked Al Lyon for his efforts in putting a newsletter together. Al thanked the members who contributed information/pieces for publication.
C. Minutes Mailing Issue. After some discussion the Board reached a consensus that the minutes of the May 30, 2009 meeting would be e-mailed to those members who have provided e-mail addresses and copies will also be sent by ordinary mail to other members. Whether the mailing of minutes on a monthly basis will continue will be discussed at later board meetings.
D. Joint Trash Collection. Wayne Kidder explained that the Saugatuck Township Board is not interested in pursuing an ordinance that would mandate a single trash collector in Saugatuck Township. Wayne indicated that he would be willing to act informally to contact his neighbors and other interested people about securing a favorable rate from one of the local
trash collectors who uses smaller trucks, which would be a benefit along Lakeshore Drive and on private roads.
E. Boy Scout Picnic Table Project. Arlene Philp explained that the check for the picnic table contribution had been sent and that the new tables were at Douglas Beach park.
F. Andy Murch from the LMSA provided the Board with information concerning work that has been done to address water problems, especially in the M-89 – US I-196 - Lakeshore Drive area. An engineering study is underway through the County Drain Commissioner’s office concerning the possibility of forming a new drainage district for the area.
Andy also explained that the Ganges Township Board had recently approved two rezonings against the recommendation of the Ganges Township Planning Commission. Both rezoning were from the R-A (Residential Agricultural) zoning district to the one Commercial zoning classification provided for in the Ganges Township Zoning Ordinance. A group of concerned citizens intends to challenge the second rezoning action by securing enough petitions to place the matter on the ballot as a public referendum. A primary concern of this group is that there are not adequate limits on the types of commercial development that are permitted in the single commercial zoning classification provided for in the township zoning ordinance. They would prefer to see two or more commercial zoning classifications, in order to more effectively control the type of commercial developments that would be permitted in the township. Andy made it clear that this group is not associated with the Lake Michigan Shore Association – this is a separate ad hoc group of concerned township citizens.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Summer Social. The summer social is scheduled for June 27, 2009 and will be held at the Saugatuck Yacht Club facilities. Snacks and drinks will begin at 5:30 P.M., with dinner at 7:00 P.M. Summer social committee members reviewed the various board members who have volunteered to provide labor, including the welcome desk, music, mailing of invitations, securing flowers, providing drinks, set up and take down, photos, games for the children, and the auction. The auction this year will benefit DLSA projects.
Board members who can volunteer their time to assist with the summer social should contact Al Lyon, Jay Hernly, Pat Woods, John Blair or Sheldon Wettack.
B. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting is scheduled for August 8, 2009 and will probably be held at the Douglas City Hall. If there is a conflict with that venue, the Old School facilities may be available. The committee preparing for the annual meeting consists of Wayne Kidder, Arlene Philp and Joe Milauckas. The members portion of the meeting will begin at 9:00 A.M. and speakers will be available at 10:00 A.M. This will be a panel discussion regarding issues of interest to the lakeshore community. Speaking invitations will be sent to public officials that can provide information regarding issues of interest, including drainage issues, repair of Lakeshore Drive and providing emergency access in the event of further washouts on Lakeshore Drive, and so on.
C. Nominating Committee. The nominating committee will consist of Jay Hernly, Wayne Kidder, Arlene Philp. The four board members whose terms are up in 2009 are Jay Hernly, Wayne Kidder, Joe Milauckas, and Arlene Philp. The current board members whose terms are up were encouraged to stay by the other members of the board. There was discussion about the possible names of new board members who could replace any board
member who plans to leave the board or not seek reelection. Members are encouraged to supply potential names to committee members or Sheldon Wettack.
D. Township Road Committee. Al Lyon gave an update regarding the Township’s Road Committee. Chris Roerig, Township Board Trustee, is the leading township government representative in the effort to pursue guaranteed emergency access to people who live along Lakeshore Drive in the event of further problems. Al explained that the options are:
(1) Reconnect the old washout on Lakeshore Drive (an unlikely event, in view of the cost and scope of the project);
(2) Provide for emergency access through the fire department or other authorities if another emergency occurs which landlocks residents along Lakeshore Drive;
(3) Do nothing;
(4) Encourage the development of a private road that would provide emergency
access.
Al explained that Joe Kostyla is willing to consider emergency access over his property which would allow for access to Blue Star Highway for properties located South of the old washout. Al provided board members with a map that shows the location of such a proposed road. It would not, without further modifications, provide for access for people located North of the washout if Lakeshore Drive is blocked North of the old washout and South of Wiley Road. Discussions are at a preliminary stage. The major impediment is that it would cost an estimated $150,000.00 to pay for construction of an access road that would be used only for emergency purposes. This would not be funded by any governmental agency, including the township. John Blok, the fire department chief, estimates that such a road could save 3 minutes or more in emergency response time.
E. Denison Update. Sheldon advised that there is not much news to report on the former Denison property. Negotiations continue regarding the sale of the South side to the City of Saugatuck or Land Conservancy. The property owner seeks development on the North side, and there is an ongoing dispute between the township and the property owner in the Michigan Tax Tribunal regarding tax assessments.
F. Saugatuck Harbor Committee. Sheldon provided information he had received from Joe Milauckas regarding the Saugatuck Harbor Committee. The Harbor Committee is meeting, but moving slowly. Dredging consultants will be lined up to present information to the committee in the near future.
G. Saugatuck Township Planning Commission. Joe Milauckas advises that the water access/dock regulations ordinance were adopted by the Saugatuck Township Board. This strengthens the anti-funneling provisions of the zoning ordinance. Joe also reports that the tri-community planning committee received comments from realtors and renters about the proposed seasonal rental ordinance in Saugatuck. One of the main goals of this ordinance is to insure that rental facilities have the same type of safety features that are required for regulated bed and breakfasts, motels and so on.
H. International Upper Great Lakes Study. Joe Milauckas reports that the International Upper Great Lakes Study has issued a draft report recommendation that flow
restrictions designed to raise the Lake Michigan/Huron water levels should not be constructed in the St. Clair River at this time. There will be a public hearing in Muskegon on June 9 at 7:00 P.M. The Coalition annual membership meeting will be held on the same day at 4:00 P.M. at the Holiday Inn in Muskegon.
I. Next Meeting. The next meeting will be held on July 25, 2009. The location is to be announced.
Sheldon Wettack pointed out that he received a suggestion from Dennis Dreyer asking the DLSA to recommend to people that they not dispose of large amounts of leaves and branches on the bluff, since it can suppress the growth of grasses and groundcover and increase erosion resulting from surface water run off. There was a brief discussion about this suggestion, and it was recommended that we include it in the minutes. Depositing such yard waste in gullies and small washouts that are formed by erosion may be beneficial, but a thick layer of grass, leaves and branches can kill vegetation.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve McKown
Acting Secretary