HACKERT LAKE ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting

September 17, 1999

President Paul Gerovac called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Attending were Paul Gerovac, our hosts Sarah & Sam James, Jane & Don Jesuale, Eloise & Jerry Suchy, Sandy Steckel, Laura Hamilton and Shirley Salas.

Treasurer Sandy Steckel reported that we made $285 at the family picnic. The Scottville Riverside Park Pavilion is reserved for August 13, 2000 for the next summer picnic. Reserving the Scottville Choo Choo early was to be a priority next year. The treasurer's report was read and approved.

Secretary Shirley Salas distributed copies of the minutes from the July 28, 1999 membership meeting. They were read and approved. Jane informed the group that she has copies of the statistics from Erika Klemm's fish report if anybody wants to read them.

Sarah said that the Michigan Water Alliance (MWA) is asking for all associations to pay memberships for board members at a cost of $25 apiece. This group is a lobbying organization that promotes the health of our lakes. Laura Hamilton proposed that we buy a membership for Paul. Eloise seconded the motion. In the next Hackert Headlines bulletin, Sarah will encourage members to purchase individual memberships in order to support the MWA.

Sarah asked if anybody would volunteer to represent us at the MLSA (Michigan Lakes & Streams Association) Regions 3,4, & 8 Fall Conference to be held on Saturday, October 9 at the Crowne Plaza in Grand Rapids. On the agenda are current legal issues, an update on MLSA programs for 1999 & 2000, an update on boating laws and safety issues, and sewers and lake issues. She said they are looking for information on local court cases involving lake carrying capacity. She also said they are encouraging associations to have web pages. Somebody suggested that perhaps Bob and Nelda Haupt would attend.

There was some discussion about the plant study being conducted by Bob Haupt along with Voula Papadakos, aquatic science technician and Dr. Hamdy Helal from West Shore Community College.

Sam said that when he studied the situation two years ago when taking the Lake Biology class at WSCC, he found 25 varieties of plants in the lake. We expect a preliminary report from Dr. Helal in December.

Sarah passed out copies of the membership list. She mails the Hackert Headlines newsletter to everybody listed even though some of them are no longer paid members. Sam proposed that we publish a list of paid members in the next bulletin. Eloise seconded the motion.

We discussed another goose roundup and Sam said he will check with Larry Smith from the DNR.

Paul said that Seth Hopkins, Americorps volunteer with the Mason-Lake Conservation District would be happy to plant a greenbelt on Hackert Lake lakeside property as a demonstration for members. All he needs is a volunteer. He will provide the expertise and plants. Sandy said she will check with her father to see if he wants to volunteer their property. Sarah will publish a request for volunteers in the newsletter.

Question was raised as to whether we should have a winter potluck or not. It was a great success last year so we decided to plan it again for February 2000.

Concerning the plan to monitor lake water quality, Sam said we could phone somebody from the Crystal Lake Association for information about their experience getting a lake study started.

We had a brief discussion about future speakers. One suggestion was that we get Ralph Bednarz from the DEQ to talk to our members. Somebody suggested that we ask Seth to talk about greenbelt planting and another suggested that we ask a person from Crystal Lake Association to tell about their lake study plan.

Paul said that our request for a lake study grant was denied. He suggested that our chances may improve if we ask for a larger amount next time. Sam and Sarah will check the website for availability of grants and let Paul know the results.

We discussed problems with trespassers and people using our docks and swim platforms. Sam suggested the we survey the membership to see how prevalent such problems are and perhaps have a representative from the Sheriff's Department and/or the DNR give us a presentation on remedies to the problems.

After the meeting, refreshments were served by our hostess Sarah James.

Shirley Salas

Secretary