LDCA is aware of the fallen trees at the park located off Woodbridge Road.
The trees are large in size and may be dangerous. We are seeking council to determine the proper clean-up action.
2024 Golf Cart Rally : Winners and Photos
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
1st place : #7 Lake Diane Belle Paddle Wheel
2nd place :#13 The Grinch
3rd place : #14 Pontoon
2024 Lake Treatment Map for weeds (updated 06/14) : June 17th
Here is the list of members and residents who have paid for lake weed treatment. Payment was due on May 20th.
Updated :June 10,2024
Last Map for June 17th Spray
Restrictions:
- No human skin contact (swimming) until 06/18/2024 (24hrs after treatment)
- No irrigation until 06/22/2024 (food) 06/19/2024 (flowers/lawn)
Treatment
- Tribune – Diquat Dibromide
- Propeller – Flumioxazin
- Cygnet+ – Adjuvant
Treatment provider has adjusted the schedule to the Week of June 17th (due to an equipment failure from treatment company) Signs will be posted Friday June 14th or Saturday June 15th. It is IMPORTANT to keep these signs on your waterfront until at LEAST the day when human contact with the water is allowed.
Teal = Members and volunteers who submitted payment before May 20th
Red = Late additions negotiated with treatment company
Blue = Additional volunteers who were added after treatment company had to reschedule (additional ~10%)
May LDCA Board Meeting moved to to May 18th
The LDCA Board Meeting has been rescheduled to May 18th, 2024.
March 2024 Monthly Board Minutes
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
Canada Geese management update
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.
New Laws Taking Effect – tax rate and restriction implications for lake landowners
Updated: 20240329
Today, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 721 (approved by all Senate and House members) that extends the issue of addressing deed and covenant restrictions until September 2025. The original legislation allowing expiration of rights and covenants after 40 years is still in play, but the grace period to request extension has been moved out to 2025.
Read more about it at Michigan Lake and Streams.
–original post–
The LDCA has been made aware that years ago, the Michigan Legislature passed legislation that will do two things that affect you as a lake resident.
- Your property taxes could increase by several times depending on how long you have lived in your home since 1995; an “uncapping of real estate property taxes”.
- The restrictions in place in your development could be wiped away, removing any prohibition to rentals, commercial, multi-family, junk storage, or any other restriction that you may have.
To find out more see the article that Cliff Bloom, representation for Michigan Lakes and Streams, says about how it will affect you and all waterfront property owners below. If you are concerned about this, please contact your Michigan legislature officials.
Two Ticking Time Bombs, Article by Cliff Bloom
references:
- http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-565-103
- http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-565-105
- http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-565-101
- https://mymlsa.org/will-your-property-interests-disappear-on-3-29-2024/
December 2023 Board Minutes
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
December 9, 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 – via phone
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
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 on 1-13-24. No meeting will be
scheduled in February.
The minutes from the November 11th monthly board meeting were read by Nancy Bell. The
minutes were approved by Jerry Agrusa – seconded by Jim Watt. The minutes were approved
by all as written.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Jim Watt read the Treasury Report. There wasn’t any income that came in since the last
meeting but interest from the CD will start soon. The treasury report was accepted by Jerry
Agrusa and seconded by Chris Sellers. All in favor.
Several LDCA members are past due paying Association dues. These members signed the
GOA, Grant of Authority, voluntarily joining the association. A letter will be sent to them with a
copy of their GOA asking them to pay. The late payment fee will be rescinded if paid by
February deadline date. The annual association invoices will be mailed in March, due in May.
NEW MEMBER ACTIVITY:
There wasn’t any change in Membership.
OLD BUSINESS
LEGAL:
Jerry Agrusa received a box from the prior attorney, Kim Burger. He went through the box but
could not find what he was looking for.
Chris Sellers will add a pdf blank copy of theGOA to the lakediane.org website.AQUATIC LIFE:
Most geese are gone but stayed longer due to climate change. A board member heard that
Merry Lake has more geese than Lake Diane. Jerry contacted DNR to get people trained for
goose round up in 2024. There is a video on the website for people to look at. The permit is
only valid for a short time in April so will ask for volunteers on the 2024 Newsletter mailing. We
only need one qualified trained person per team. In the past, geese were herded instead of
eggs being collected. It was costly and not sure if this process is still available. Swans are still
here but one is missing.
PARKS:
Dirt is needed for the pickle ball court. Chris volunteer to get stone to stop the water flow on
one side of the court. Park budget has little funds that might cover cost. Kevin will look into a
net and fence for the court. The shelter house will be closed shortly after this meeting.
WELCOME PACKAGES:
There were 10 Welcome Packages delivered to new home owners in 2023. Four homes are for
sale on the lake.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
No activities left in 2023
TRAILERS:
A copy of a judge ruling was obtained to forbid trailers on lake lots.
MARCH ANNUAL MAILING:
A final draft was approved for the 2024 priorities survey and request for volunteers to be sent
with LDCA annual invoice. Chris also drafted the 2024 Spring Newsletter to be finalized by
March.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussed was a road trip to meet Cliff Bloom, attorney, in January to discuss 5 issues and
create face-to-face relationship.
When purchasing property on the lake, new owners are not always getting deed restrictions.
Jerry had gotten several inquiries asking about docks, fences etc. Chris will put copies of deed
restrictions to match up with lake map on LakeDiane.org
A resident on Tyson Trail/Easy Street is trying to get a bond from the township for street repair.
Must have at least 70% of home owners to agree.
No word on the approval of building a Verizon tower. They can’t use the same gate or road that
DMCI uses.
At 10:55, Jerry made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Scott Coakley seconded the motion. All
agreed and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted:
Nancy Bell
Territorial Road closed west of Lake Diane
The H.C.R.C. with the help of federal grants is replacing the St. Joe (of Ohio) river bridges west of Lake Diane.
September 2023 Board Minutes
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
September 9th, 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 9:02 by President, Jerry Agrusa at the shelter house. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, October 21st.
The minutes from the August 12 monthly board meeting were read by Nancy Bell. The minutes were approved by Chris Sellers – seconded by Al Vitous. They were approved by all as written.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Jim Watt recited the Treasury Report. Several bills for the signs and picnic were paid. Jim will move some funds to a CD for higher interest rates that was approved by the board. The Treasury Report was approved by Jerry Agrusa, seconded by Chris Sellers. All approved.
NEW MEMBER ACTIVITY:
Membership stands at 203.
OLD BUSINESS
LEGAL:
Jerry left a couple of voice messages to Cliff Bloom. He is waiting for options of trailer removal and other items. Jerry is hoping to get response by October meeting. Nothing has been paid for legal fees at this time.
AQUATIC LIFE:
The lily pad spray was done. There was a comment saying the spray didn’t hit the pads directly. They sprayed 40% which was over 20 homes and 1 boat lane. A board member is not allowed to go on boat like we did in the past. Jim Watt will see if he can get map of the sprayed areas.
North Bay algae tested negative for toxins. The algae is caused by shady, still, hot, shallow water with no wind or oxygen. Aerator/Bubbler might help but a high cost. Kevin might be able to provide one for testing to see if it would help. This algae will not spread by boat to other areas of the lake according to health department. Only 2 paying association members are in that area. Perhaps options could be presented to them.
Average adult Swan weighs 44 lbs and excrete 6 lbs a day. The 2 adults and 7 babies (cygnets) with the geese that migrated should be leaving Lake Diane soon. Might have to hunt twice for goose eggs next year.
A stump in the south side of lake is 2 feet down. Several people have hit it creating damage to their watercrafts.
Several signs have been installed at the park, gas station and down a channel.
AQUABOUNTY:
There is a court date set in late September to sue Williams County Commissioners. This project is at a stop at this time.
ROADS:
Territorial will be closed for construction of the 2 bridges at Carpenter Road. Project will not be completed till June, 2024. Drain on West Diane by Woodbridge got washed out again.
PARKS:
Kevin Mack got rid of the old, rotten tower that was at Chickadee Park. Signs keep getting fixed due to heavy winds this year.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
There were approx 70-80 people at the Family Picnic and 7 kids. Maybe move it up one week since kids start school activities or get banners to advertise could bring in more people.
*Trunk or Treat – October 27th
*LDCA non-sponsored events
TRAILERS:
Some trailers have been removed due to end of season. Steps are needed to eliminate trailers for next year.
NEW BUSINESS:
Kevin and Chris are getting a quote for a 30×60 cement pad for pickleball court to replace the volleyball court at the shelter house park.
DMCI is getting a grant to bring fiber lines to LD which is faster than WIFI. To show interest, residents can sign up at DMCI. The cell tower has not been installed yet.
Chris Sellers brought up a new idea of having a casino night Preliminary talk was to have an entry fee with poker tables and roulette wheel. Not sure if a permit is needed since it would be fake cash. Chris Sellers will try to get information and talk about it at the spring meeting.
In the Spring newsletter or in the annual association mailing sent out to everyone in March 2024, attach a survey listing items of what people want the association to focus on. For example, trailers, parks, rentals etc. In the past, trailers have been a priority.
At 10:40 Jerry made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Scott Coakley/Kevin Mack seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted:
Nancy Bell9-9-23 meeting minutes