Lexington Heights, Inc.
Annual Meeting
June 15, 2024
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by association President, Bob Alimpich, at 10:01 am.
II. Trustees Present
Bob Alimpich, Liz Alimpich, Debbie Bonneau, Janice Hall, Diana Larsson, John Medovarsky, Don McColman, Lynn Secord, Dottie Schulte
III. Invocation
Steve Minnick led the community in a prayer remembering those that have passed way and asking for God’s blessings on Lexington Heights.
IV. Pledge of Allegiance
Bob Alimpich led the community in saying the Pledge.
V. Reading of the August 26, 2023 minutes
Diana motioned to accept the Minutes as read. Dottie seconded. All in favor. Motion passed. (20249)
VI. Treasurer’s Report
Liz presented a Profit and Loss statement and a Balance Sheet as of June 15, 2024. We have a working capital of $35,887.33. We have in escrow $15,000 for Tom Wilson and $10,000 for bluff work. We have collected $101,470 for dues. The total income including clubhouse rental is $101,831. Trash pick up cost us $15,543.19. Total expenses are $42,400.68. The total checking and savings is $55,887.33.
VII. Introduction of New Members
Chris and Carrie Delaney at 7343 Rosewood were welcomed to the community.
VIII. Nominations for the Board
John Medovarsky nominated Don McColman. He accepted.
Diana Larsson nominated Liz Alimpich. She accepted.
Ben nominated all existing Board members that are up for reelection. Diana, Liz, John, and Don all accepted.
Ben nominated Sandy Warner. She accepted.
Tim Reifert nominated Cynthia Perdue. She accepted.
Heidi B. nominated Kurt Riese. He accepted.
IX. Committee Reports
Bluff/Parkway
Debbie reported that on May 29 Board members walked the bluff and made recommendations for trimming and other projects on the bluff. They walked for three hours from Zenith to the boat ramp. The plan includes a railing on Zenith. There is a big clean up needed at Tulip where 10 or more trees were cut down without permission. It was noted that some benches need to be moved. Plans include trimming by all the benches and stairways. Restoration of the bluff would be trimming areas that have too many young maples that are overcrowded. Debbie shared an aerial view of the bluff that shows our greenbelt along the shoreline. She also provided a picture of Great Lakes (subdivision south) and it shows that they do not have beaches like Lexington Heights. The greenbelt that we have protects Lakeview Road. The picture shows how we are trying to slow down the erosion. She feels that we have the best beaches in the area. We have a plan in place and money allotted for the bluff stabilization and restoration. We are going to attack the bamboo and other invasives and work with MSU. Lynn stated that on June 14 Board members walked the bluff again with Shawn Ryan, an arborist. He is going to be starting work soon on the bluff. Phase 1 is targeting all the benches so there are views from the benches. Even though we have plans to move some of the benches, we are still going to cut in front of the benches. He is charging us $85/hour. He may be working some evenings and weekends. We asked him to get started before July 4. He will be starting as soon as possible. Phase 1 starts at Walbridge and goes to the boat ramp. Once that is completed, we’ll look at Phase 2.
Beach/Boat Ramp
John primed the boat ramp and will be putting marine anti-skid paint on the boat ramp. Bob will call Ted Parker after the meeting to put the boat ramp in. John will put some anti-skid tape on the concrete. Dottie mentioned that when she walks the beach that she is finding mylar balloons. She asked the community to refrain from using those balloons because they are bad for the environment.
Clubhouse/Playground
John said that the Bidne family came and raked the playground and then he sprayed with an environmentally friendly weed killer. Jan Hall then cleaned up the playground. Bob complimented Jan Hall on her hard work on the playground. John wants to trim the willows on the playground. Bob said that he wants to get under the clubhouse, and he went to go underneath, and the opening is too small for him. He is going to make the opening a little bigger. He wants to see what condition the lumber is in. John mentioned that you can see where the foundation has moved. Bob hopes to have a report by the next meeting. Bob and Reid Larsson replaced part of the ceiling in the men’s room. They caulked and painted it. Liz helped, too.
Dottie said that the Board has been discussing an official Facebook page. It is still under discussion, and it will be discussed further on the July 13 meeting.
Block Captains
Dottie is updating the Block Captains. The role of a Block Captain is to ask for volunteers, pass out flyers, and be a contact person for each street. Block Captains are needed for Grove, Rosewood, Worth, and Tulip. Dottie will contact Karen Callus (Ivy), Maureen (Nymph), and Bette Jean (Walbridge) to see if they are willing to be Block Captains for their streets.
Sewers
John reported that as far as he knows it’s all running well. The sewers are managed by Worth Township.
President’s Report
Bob thanked…
The Bidne family helped on the playground.
Jeff Voth put up a Handicap sign at the clubhouse and trimmed the hedges.
Mark Hayden donated gravel and filled in some chuckholes in the driveway.
John sprayed the playground with organic weed killer.
Jan Hall cleaned up the playground.
Debbie Bonneau donated the flowers for the clubhouse and planted them with Julie.
Joe Zajac moved some concrete from the Worth ramp.
X. Community Concerns/Comments
John read the Meeting Rules.
Kurt Riese wanted to know about a date for the Mill Creek clean up. Bob responded that he wasn’t sure that there was going to be a Mill Creek clean up this year. Maria M. said that she and Rob would walk the creek and clean up anything that needed to be cleaned up. Maria said that she was not planning on organizing any kind of clean-up. Kurt said that if a tree is leaning over the creek and not impeding the flow of water, it should not be cut. Bob agreed with that statement. Maria and Rob have spearheaded the Mill Creek clean-up. Kurt brought up a recent meeting with Township Officials regarding Mill Creek. Michele Hirshfield put together a group that included Walt Badgerow, Township Supervisor, a representative from EGLE, a representative from the DNR, Bob Alimpich, Jan Hall, Joe Allen, Casey Johnson (Sanilac County reporter), and Bob Alimpich. Most of the time was spent driving around Worth Township not on Lexington Heights’ property. Bob did not feel that anything was resolved. Jan Hall added that there wasn’t anything to be resolved. It was a discussion and bringing people together to look at Mill Creek according to Bob. Heidi wanted to know if there was access to the agenda. Bob discussed that Joe Allen wrote an email regarding erosion on Mill Creek. Bob said that he wants to respond to the email from Joe Allen and it will be posted on our website. Joe Z. said most of the meeting concerned the farmlands and the runoff and not much about M25 to the water. Bob felt it was a show and tell of the Creek. Bob was invited by Michele.
Peggy 7403 Juniper would like someone to look at her drain and the one at Laurel. It backed up during a recent storm. Bob said he would look at it. Debbie said that is a Sanilac County issue.
Anne V. 7350 Maple Thanks to the bluff committee for their work. She questioned how we will monitor the hourly rate. Lynn responded that when we walked the bluff Shawn gave us the time, he thought it would take for each area. We have a ballpark figure of about 20 hours for Phase 1. Anne also feels it’s important for someone to come forward if they know who has been cutting trees on the bluff. Liz agreed. Anne reminded everyone of the importance of trees on the bluff because they have the deepest and broadest root system.
Marianne Hughes wanted to know about the poison ivy. Bob said if anyone wants to pull poison ivy that would be great.
Ben on Lakeview feels that Virginia Creeper is a big problem. Liz responded that Shawn said he would cut the Virginia Creeper that is growing on the trees.
Kurt Riese and Tom Wilson presented a plan to allow residents to trim the bluff. Tom Wilson drafted a Motion. “Any member may apply for written permission to trim the bluff. That member must be in good standing and current on their dues and they do not have any prior trim cutting violations. A resident is only allowed two requests per calendar year. The application shall state the specific area to be trimmed and the date and time of the trimming. The application must be presented to the Board 72 hours before the proposed trimming to give the Board time to tag the trees that they do not want to be trimmed. The request must be in writing and the expense is solely of the applicant. The Board shall issue written permission and the applicant simultaneously signs an assumption of risk and a waiver of liability. The applicant must post a $300 deposit. The cutting is only of the shrubs sumac etc. The trimmings are to be removed. No heavy equipment on the bluff or on the edge of the bluff. Once completed the Board shall inspect to make sure that there are not any violations. If there are not any violations, the deposit will be refunded. If there are violations, the deposit will be forfeited. If there is a dispute about the violation, it goes before the Board to decide. If there are any violations, no further permission will be granted to that applicant. The cost of the damage shall be assessed, and the cost of restoration shall be assessed. In addition, there will be a $500 fine.” This is not intended to be a substitute for what the Board is planning on doing. This will be looked at in a year. Sandy Warner seconded the Motion. There was a discussion about the Motion. A vote was taken: 19 Yes 34 No The Motion did not pass. (202410)
Sandy made a Motion for Tom Wilson to reconcile his outstanding attorney fees. Mr. Wilson agreed to present the Board with a bill. A Motion was not needed.
Sandy Warner wanted to know if the clubhouse could be used for a kid’s craft day or community event. If it is a community event, there isn’t a charge. Julie said the member needs to come to Board and present their idea. Julie needs to check the calendar. Julie said that she would like to offer an exercise class at the clubhouse for community members. She teaches a class in FLA.
Sandy made a Motion to add Sam Callus’ name to the spaghetti dinner. Richard seconded. All in favor. Motion passed. (202411)
Maggie on Juniper would like to set up a CPR/AED class for members of the community. She is in contact with Sanilac County.
Maureen on Woodside would like to increase the fee for the key for the boat ramp to $30. The Board is planning to use the same key this year. The fee could be raised next year.
Joe Z. on Maple proposed raising the yearly dues by $20. Bob said it is not that easy to raise the dues. Bob said we could entertain a Motion and it must be seconded. The Board would then have to do a mailing at the cost of roughly $1,200 or maybe closer to $1,500. It would need to be sent to over 500 property owners and we would need to receive back 51% of the mailing and 51% would need to vote Yes. Sandy said a fundraiser might be a better way to go.
Richard G. on Juniper made a Motion to replace the vandalized trees with appropriate trees with a caliper of 2 inches. The Board can decide what is needed. He would like to donate $200 for this project if the Motion passes. There was a discussion about the Motion. Lynn suggested that we table the Motion until we start to clean up the area. Richard made his Motion again.. “To replace the vandalized trees with appropriate trees or shrubs at the appropriate time for planting.” Maggie seconded. All in favor. The Motion passes. (202412)
Maggie suggested that we set up a date to clean up the vandalized area at Tulip. Sunday, June 30 at 10:00 AM is the date.
Debbie Bonneau thanked the community for their prayers and kindness. She appreciates the neighborhood. She sends a big hug to everyone. They will have a Celebration of Life for Jim on Saturday, July 13 from 1:00 – 5:00. The food will be at 2:00. Anyone from Lexington Heights is invited. It will be at the Lions Club in Jeddo.
Xi. Adjournment
Ben on Lakeview made a Motion to adjourn. Diana seconded. All in favor. Motion passed. (202413)
Upcoming Events
Clean Up Tulip – Sunday, June 30 10:00 AM
Children’s Parade – Sunday, July 7 12:00
Board Meeting - Saturday, July 13 9:00 AM
Board Meeting – Saturday July 27 9:00 AM
Voting for Trustees – Saturday, July 27 11:00 – 3:00
Help with benches,
Power wash clubhouse
Cut vines by kayak stands
Help with vines on the bluff