Annual Meeting

Budget Mtg Feb 16, 2025

Posted on by Rose Lake Comms

Rose Lake Association Budget Meeting

Sunday, February 16, 2025, 12-1 PM Eastern Time via “Google Meet”

ATTENDANCE: 

Executive Board: 

Jace Cole, Paul Keeton, Jim Flanagan, Michelle Masterson (also a beach rep), Rita Klavinski (Director 3 and beach rep)

Beach Reps:

Mark Behrendt, Tony Bryant, Mark Chalmers, Sheila Miller, Terika Miller 

Committee Members:

Collette Kessler, Lydia Manning, Cassie Ohlrich, Robin Wegman 

RLA Members:

Lori Straub

1. Opening

   – Jace Cole moved to call the meeting to order, Michelle Masterson 2nd, all in favor

   – Michelle Masterson took roll call and the above names were in attendance

2. Weed Treatment Program

  • Jace Cole reported that the change to a 3-treatment plan has been well received, and online enrollment is slightly higher than last year (107 + several emails to which he needs to respond)
  • Discussion regarding the value of having one company (AES) assess and manage the weed issues of our lake.  In addition to providing these individual weed treatments for the residents, AES also assesses both the native and invasive weed situation of our lake and treats invasive and/or trouble areas as needed.

3. Geese and Swan Management Program Proposal

  • Jace Cole presented a resolution expressing RLA support for measures to control Canadian geese and Mute swan population on Rose Lake and Bingham Lake.
    • Jace moved to only give a summary of the resolution versus reading it word for word, Paul 2nd, all in favor (see full proposal at the end of these minutes). 
  • Jace reported that Rita Klavinski has been working with Amy from Ovid Township, and asked her to explain the program and the process: 
    • The program is in accordance with the guidelines and regulations established by the USDA Wildlife Services and the DNR and will be for a 5-year period. The program involves trained volunteers taking the eggs from nests 2 weeks after they have been laid and properly destroying them according to the training. Rita has secured the necessary volunteers and is in the process of training them while we go through the approval process.
    • If approved, Rita will also provide education about the program to all of the RLA residents via the website, etc.
  • Rita moved to approve the “Resolution Expressing Support for Measures to Control Canadian Geese and Mute Swan Population in Rose Lake and Bingham Lake”, Mark B. 2nd, all in favor.
  • Jace will now submit this resolution to Ovid Township so they can put it in their March 10 meeting agenda.

4. Budget

  • Jim Flanagan (Treasurer) reported the RLA current balance is $41,950.
  • Jim presented the “Statement of Activity” for January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 (see report at the end of these minutes).
    • It was noted that there is a (-)$15K net profit for the 2024 fiscal year.  
    • Jace and Jim reported this deficit was planned/budgeted for because we are a non-profit organization, and we need to spend down our $41K balance a bit.
  • Discussion about the 2025 budget:
    • The Lake Health Committee submitted a proposal that included the usual costs for water testing and an additional $20K to fund septic pumping for residents.
      • Concern about paying individual residents to get their septic system pumped, which is something they should be doing as part of the homeowner responsibilities.
      • Suggestion that we should first focus on educating residents about the impact of septic systems on lake health and how to properly test and maintain their septic system.
        • Educational efforts can be at the Annual Meeting, on the website, by distributing flyers, etc.
        • It was recommended to ask local septic system companies to sponsor our annual meeting and to ask for gift certificates for septic pumping to be raffled off.
      • It was also suggested to check on the feasibility of a lake-wide sewer system again. This was pursued in the past but was narrowly defeated by the residents. 
        • Jace will check into the possibility of pursuing sewers again. 
    • Jim moved to budget $7500 for the Lake Health Committee for the usual water testing expenses, and if additional funding is needed for educational materials/efforts about septic systems, it can be presented at a future meeting. Michelle 2nd, all in favor.
    • Jace moved to fund all the other committees the same as 2024, Jim 2nd, all in favor.

5. Betts Ditch Update:

  • Collette and Lydia submitted a proposal to continue to fund the process of exploring options to clear Betts Ditch/Bingham Channel. However, after further discussion with various agencies, it appears that the Branch Co. Drain Commission has not done/is not doing all they should be to maintain/improve the condition of Betts Ditch.  Thus, this committee requests $3000 to pursue legal counsel/advice on how best to address these issues with the Drain Commission.  
    • Jim moved to approve $3000 for this committee to pursue legal counsel, Michelle 2nd, all in favor.
    • Robin and Lori know of several possible law firms that may have expertise in this area.  They will share contact information with Collette and Lydia.  

6. New Business:

  • Jace reported the following RLA dates for 2025:
    • Annual Meeting
      • Saturday, May 16 from 12-2 at Bent Prop 
    • Boat Parade
      • Saturday, July 5
  • Fireworks and Paddle Around Rose Lake
    • We are unable to use the Coldwater Lake barges for 4th of July Holiday Fireworks because of the way the dates fall this year.  Thus, we will have our fireworks display the same weekend of Paddle Around Rose Lake.  
    • They will be the weekend of either August 2 or August 9. We need to confirm which date is best for the Fireworks company. 
  • Jace reminded everyone that per the November Quarterly Meeting Minutes, he will be stepping down after the 2025 Annual Meeting May 16. 
    • Jace was thanked for all his time and efforts leading the RLA and for all he has done to improve the association. 
    • Everyone was asked to actively recruit his replacement before the Annual Meeting so a transition plan can be developed.

7. Adjournment:

  • Michelle moved to adjourn the meeting at 1:13, Paul Keeton 2nd, all in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Masterson, RLA secretary

Resolution Expressing Support for Measures to Control Canadian Geese and Mute Swan Populations in Rose Lake and Bingham Lake

WHEREAS, the presence of Canada geese on Rose Lake (Lake of the Woods) and Bingham Lake has resulted in significant issues, including property damage and unsanitary conditions due to excessive droppings on land and in the water; and

WHEREAS, the populations of Canada geese and mute swans have increased to levels detrimental to the community’s well-being; and

WHEREAS, implementing nest and egg destruction methods is a necessary step to control these populations; and

WHEREAS, the Rose Lake Association supports efforts to secure the necessary permits from the USDA Wildlife Services and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for Canada goose and mute swan nest and egg destruction on Rose Lake (Lake of the Woods) and Bingham Lake; and

WHEREAS, a resident of Rose Lake will apply for and secure all applicable permits from the USDA Wildlife Services and the DNR; and

WHEREAS, participating volunteers will comply with all required training and record-keeping procedures mandated by the USDA Wildlife Services and the DNR; and

WHEREAS, this resolution expresses support for a five-year permit application for mute swan and Canada goose nest/egg destruction on Rose Lake (Lake of the Woods) and Bingham Lake, commencing in 2025; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Rose Lake Association has fully approved and authorized the release of this expression of support.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rose Lake Association hereby expresses its support for the application for permits to conduct Canada goose and mute swan nest and egg destruction on Rose Lake (Lake of the Woods) and Bingham Lake, in accordance with the guidelines and regulations established by the USDA Wildlife Services and the DNR, for the year 2025 and the four subsequent years.

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