Author: Chris Sellers

ANNUAL BOARD MEETING

June 10, 2023

BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Jerry Agrusa, President

Scott Coakley, Vice President

Jim Watt, Treasurer 

Nancy Bell, Secretary

Kevin Mack, Trustee

Chris Sellers, Trustee

Al Vitous, Trustee 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:  

None

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 by President, Jerry Agrusa at the shelter house 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited .  

The minutes from of the June, 2022 annual board meeting were read by Nancy Bell. The minutes were approved by Scott Coakley as written-seconded Jerry Agrusa.  All approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Jim Watt presented the Treasury Report.  The report was approved as written by Rod Anderson.The proposed Budget for 2023-2024 Fiscal Year was presented. A new laptop for $500 was added to replace existing Association laptop that was purchased used years ago and is not working anymore.  There was also an increase in insurance for the fireworks.  The budget was approved by Kathy Christ and seconded by Scott Coakley.  A vote was taken and the budget was approved unanimously.  

ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS:

Jerry Agrusa and Jim Watt’s 3 year terms ended.  The floor was open for nomination for the  LDCA board.  No one volunteered so the nominations were closed.  No election was done  and Jerry and Jim both agreed to stay on the board for another 3 years.  

Board members are:

Jerry Agrusa – term ends 2026

Scott Coakley – term ends 2025

Jim Watt – term ends 2026

Nancy Bell – term ends 2024

Kevin Mack – term ends 2024

Chris Sellers – term ends 2025

Al Vitous – term ends 2024

Jim Watt approved and Scott Coakley seconded.  All approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

TRAILERS:

There are 7 trailers on the lake.  This is down from 33 that was on lake before. Many got letters years ago from attorney, Kim Burger, and could be in contempt of court.  Property owners would have to pursue with attorney.  Association would back them up.  This is hard to enforce if only there on a weekend.  

French Quarters has 72 lots with some trailers and everyone is not obeying deed restrictions. Kevin contacted the Health Dept and was informed porta pottys are legal if maintained and dumped properly by licensed pumping company.

LEGAL:

A new attorney, Cliff Bloom, is replacing Kim Burger.  Besides trailers, he will be contacted about private business, deed restrictions and rentals on lake.  Per legal advice about 1 1/2 years ago, to change deed restrictions, you need 51% of all 7 subdivisions.

PARKS:

Besides general maintenance, there were boring bees at the Chicadee park.  Kevin blocked holes made by them and now they are gone.

NEW BUSINESS

AQUATIC LIFE:

The weeds were sprayed on June 1st.  Existing company prices went up.  Jerry contacted other companies and they will submit bid for next year.  Spray amount is based on amount of acres, which went up $65 in one year per acre plus $1600 permit.  All paid members could be sprayed.  The deadline to pay in 2023 was May 20. People contacted Jim Watt much after this date to see if they could get sprayed. Unfortunately it was too late for the several steps that are required to be put on the list of the spray company.  Spray signs were different colors, no reason why.

The Goose egg hunt collected 36 eggs in 6 nests. This is the largest amount collected for years. We notified members they could volunteer next year. No longer can we do a Roundup, only nest destruction.   

Aquabounty paused operations for now looking for additional funds.   LDCA drafted and mailed a Resolution to oppose fish farm development to DNR.    We are now on record.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Fireworks are July 1st, rain date July 2nd

Golf Cart Parade will be on July 3rd Noon. 

Golf Outing – At Suburban on July 22nd by Kim Byrne

Family Picnic – August 12th. All invited. A sheet was passed looking for volunteers to help.

At 10:57, Jerry made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Al and Scott seconded the motion.  All agreed and the annual meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted:

Nancy Bell

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
May 18, 2024

BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Jerry Agrusa, President
Scott Coakley, Vice President
Jim Watt, Treasurer
Nancy Bell, Secretary
Kevin Mack
Chris Sellers, Trustee
Al Vitous, Trustee

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
None

The meeting was called to order at 9:10 by President, Jerry Agrusa at TTT. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

The minutes from April 13, 2024 monthly board meeting were read by Nancy Bell. With a couple of minor changes, a motion was made by Jim Watt to approve adjusted minutes, seconded by Scott Coakley. All in favor and the minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT:
Jim Watt read the Treasury Report. There was a partial payment from a delinquent payer of the association dues. More surveys came in during the past month. Looks like top of the list is water quality and illegal rentals. The results will be shared at the Lake Diane annual meeting in June. The treasury report was accepted by Al Vitous and seconded by Scott Coakley. All in favor.

NEW MEMBER ACTIVITY:
Two new members have joined the Association bringing the total to 205.

LEGAL:.
Eight claims pursuant to Michigan Marketable Deed Restriction Act were filled at the Hillsdale County Deeds office in Hillsdale. Jerry filed an umbrella claim in behalf of the association and will keep the paperwork in his files. Cost per filing is $30.00. Bill 721 deadline has been extended to September 25th, 2025. At the June meeting, we will explain and hand out forms to have owners fill out since more claims help the lake.

ANNUAL MEETING:
The next annual meeting will be held at 10 o’clock on June 8th at the shelter house. Three people are up for election. They are Nancy Bell, Al Vitous, and Kevin Mack. Other officers terms end:
Scott Coakley and Chris Sellers – end 2025
Jerry Agrusa and Jim Watt – end 2026
OLD BUSINESS
AQUATIC LIFE:
Jerry signed the contract for the spraying of the weeds. Target date is the second week of June – asking for it to be done the beginning of the week. Aquabounty is a dead deal but a new business could replace it. Pond draining is done for now. 27 goose eggs were collected. The Assoc is looking for volunteers to take a goose round up class for next year

PARKS:
There wasn’t any responses after 15 calls regarding the dirt at the Pickleball court. There are funds in the park budget to get some dirt. This is needed for safety reasons. Bees have been spotted in park equipment at Chickadee Park. They were sprayed by professionals and paid by a resident. He will be reimbursed from LDCA association funds.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Boaters Safety Class – June 1st – Register on line – location at LakeView UB Church
LDCA Annual meeting – June 8th
Garage Sale – June 16th
Golf Cart Parade/Rally – July 6th 11:30 registration at Shelter House *
Fireworks – July 6th (Rain Date July 7th) *
Poker Run – July 7th *
Golf Outing – TBD *
Reverse Raffle – August 3rd *
Family Picnic at the Shelter House – August 10th
Lake Diane Wine Crawl – August 31st *
Poker Run – September 1st *
Trunk or Treat – October 25th *
Music Jam – 3rd Friday in June-September *
*LDCA – non-sponsored events

NEW BUSINESS:
Many Airbnb/rentals are around Lake Diane. Some are listed as owned by LLC business. Past renters have shot guns on the lake and don’t follow Lake rules. A concerned resident of Lake Diane stopped two and wants to pursue others. Letters have been sent with no response to come to an agreement. Neighbors can communicate with owner of rentals in their subdivision reminding them rentals are against deed restrictions and telling them to stop. If a lawyer gets involved, they send out letters giving them 10 days to respond. If ignored, it would go to court and they could pay legal fees. They are not following deed restrictions and believe Judge will rule in lakes favor with a Summary of Disposition. This will also be put on the LDCA website that rentals are not allowed.
The wake boat ordinance probably won’t get approved this year being an election year.
The Deed Restrictions Marketable Act will be discussed at the June annual meeting. Blank paperwork will be distributed to owners.
Fireworks collection starts Memorial Day weekend.
A resident has asked about installing a library house in Chickadee Park for all to use. This was approved by the board.
Chris proposed new sign holders to advertise events to go around several high traffic areas of the Lake.

At 10:47, Jerry made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Kevin Mack seconded the motion. All agreed and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted:
Nancy Bell5-18-24 meeting minutes .pages

Congratulations to all those who rallied at this years event and to all the kids who had a great time. Thank you to the two Sponsors who coordinated and did all of the registration and logistics. #LakeDianeCommunity!

Winners for 2024

1^st place : #7 Lake Diane Belle Paddle Wheel

2^nd place :#13 The Grinch

3^rd place : #14 Pontoon

 MONTHLY BOARD MEETING

March 9, 2024

BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Jerry Agrusa, President

Scott Coakley, Vice President

Jim Watt, Treasurer 

Nancy Bell, Secretary

Chris Sellers, Trustee

Al Vitous, Trustee  – via phone

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:  

Kevin Mack

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 by President, Jerry Agrusa at TTT.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  The next meeting will be held in April at the restaurant. 

The minutes from the December 12, 2023 monthly board meeting was read by Nancy Bell.  The minutes were approved by Jerry Agrusa – seconded by Scott Coakley.  All in favor.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Jim Watt read the Treasury Report.  The income from the CD started. The treasury report was accepted by Jerry Agrusa and seconded by Al Vitous.   All in favor.

Several LDCA members are past due paying Association dues.  Letters were sent to them reminding them to pay.   A payment was received.  Next step could be a lien on the property, and/or small claims court if not paid by May.  Jim received the proposed park tax bill.  Valuation went up but no dollar increase.  

NEW MEMBER ACTIVITY: 

There wasn’t any change in Membership.

LEGAL:

A notice that could extinguish deed restrictions on lakes was received by attorney. A form will be put on the Lake Diane website that needs to be signed to keep it current.  This would prevent a free-for-all going next door to home owners at Lake Diane.  Jerry will call Bambi to get more details.

OLD BUSINESS

AQUATIC LIFE:

The Assoc has not received a weed spraying quote from Clarke yet but expect higher rates than last year. Very little ice on lake so more weeds anticipated. Water level is up.  Next discharge will be April/May at a slower rate.   

Geese are moving and just starting to nest. It is earlier this year due to warmer weather.  As of today, Jerry has not received the goose egg permit.  Plans are to collect eggs 2nd and 4th week in April.  There were  as many as 150-200 geese on the lake last summer. Now down to maybe 50.  Volunteers are needed!  The 2024 LDCA Newsletter will tell owners to notify board if they see a nest.  Five people are certified to collect eggs.  Chris will put the collection of goose egg destruction video on the website encouraging people to watch and join the collection of eggs.

PARKS:

Dirt is needed around the pickleball court.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

The below will be listed on the 2024 Newsletter:

Goose Egg roundup – April 13 & 27

Boaters Safety Class – June 1st Register at 8:30 am at LakeView UB Church 

LDCA Annual meeting – June 8th

Garage Sale – June 16th

Golf Cart Parade/Rally – July 6th 11:00 registration at Shelter House *

Fireworks  – July 6th (Rain Date July 7th) *

Poker Run – July 7th *

Golf Outing – TBD *

Reverse Raffle – August 3rd *

Family Picnic at the Shelter House – August 10th

Lake Diane Wine Crawl – August 31st *

Poker Run – September 1st *

Trunk or Treat – October 25th *

Music Jam – 3rd Friday in June-September *

*LDCA – non-sponsored events

MARCH ANNUAL MAILING:

The finalized 2024 Newsletter and survey will be printed. Flyers adverting the Golf Cart Rally/Parade and Family Picnic will be distributed when collecting funds for fireworks instead of adding with Assoc mailing.  Jim will print 350 copies of each.

NEW BUSINESS:

There is a new wakeboard act bill 5532 going through approval process. Boats would have to be 500 feet from shore and water must be at least 20 feet deep.  There wouldn’t be any significant areas in Lake Diane that wake boards could legally operate if this new act if passed. 

Discussed was the State might remove 5% annual cap on lake front property taxes.  Long time owners would see the biggest increase.

Chris brought up on line payments, for example, to pay dues. Scott said going door-to-door gets better response for donations.  Older generation probably won’t accept so idea put aside since now is not the time

At 10:31, Jerry made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Chris Sellers seconded the motion. All agreed and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted:

Nancy Bell

The LDCA trained board members will be visiting the entire lake surrounding lands to review and address Canada Goose egg nests under permit and authorization of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Dates : First Week in April – mid May.

If you know of a nest location, please inform an LDCA board member so we can work with the trained associate to assess the nest.

Reminder – this process is conducted at the recommendation of the DNR to address Canada Goose population distribution problems and protect waterways from overpopulation, fecal contamination, and sustainable balance.

Our current permit is not authorizing the termination, relocation, or undue harassment of any living animal.

Visit our Wildlife section for more information about Canada Geese and wildlife.