Lexington Heights, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting

May 18, 2024

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by association President, Bob Alimpich, at 9:00 am. Bob welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the season.

II. Trustees Present

Bob Alimpich, Liz Alimpich, Debbie Bonneau, Janice Hall, Diana Larsson, John Medovarsky, Don McColman, Lynn Secord, Dottie Schulte

III. Reading of the September 30, 2023 minutes

Liz motioned to accept the Minutes as read. Debbie seconded. All in favor. Motion passed. (20241)

IV. Treasurer’s Report

Liz presented Profit and Loss and Balance sheets. Current assets are $46,486.16. The Board will be working on stuffing the envelopes for the 2024 dues statements on Sunday at the clubhouse.

V. Member Comments

Jim (7132 Lakeview) wanted to know if the Board was going to continue to allow residents to get a permit to trim along Lakeview or if the Board will be contracting the trimming out to a company. Bob replied that the subject will be discussed later. He also wanted to know if it would be better to address the invasive species rather than a clear cutting on the bluff. Bob replied that it’s on the agenda.

Dan, Grace Roberts’ son-in-law on Lakeview, wanted to know if there was a formal plan in place for the bluff. He would like the Board to hire a company to do an extensive plan/study on the bluff. Debbie replied that over the years we have had Sea Grant, EAGL, and the State of MI advise us. In addition, Board members have attended training in Port Huron with a conservation group out of Lansing and various organizations have visited and talked with the Board about the bluff. Debbie said the problem is money. To remove invasives from the bluff, a permit from the State must be obtained. Dan wanted to know if the Board has reached out to have a company do a study specifically in this area. Debbie pointed out the diagrams on the wall that the Board had done some years ago for bluff restoration near the boat ramp. Dan commented that the diagrams looked old. Jan pointed out that the bluff is the same and the information is still useful. From the boat ramp to Ivy, the cost would have been $250,000. Debbie said for a project like that assessments would be needed. Bob Alimpich pointed out how important the root system is for holding the bank/bluff in place. Bob also said there’s pictures on the website that show what has happened in the past when we lose areas of the bluff. There was a discussion about nearly losing Lakeview Road. Debbie reiterated that we’re working on it and we’re looking for volunteers. Debbie said that now that she has their addresses she’d be willing to look at the bluff near their homes and discuss their concerns.

Glady on Maple anted to know if the Board was aware of the destruction on the north end of the bluff. Yes, the Board is aware.

VI. Clubhouse

Julie reported that she cleaned the clubhouse. She did extensive cleaning to open the clubhouse including washing windows, sweeping the garage, weeding the flower beds etc. She presented a list to Bob of her recommendations for maintaining the clubhouse. The ceiling in the men’s room needs repair, stalls need to be replaced, vanity needs painting, new table skirts, door by playground is starting to rust out, screens need to be repaired, siding needs replacing, and trees on playground need trimming are some of the things that need to be done around the clubhouse. Bob and Liz completed the list of chores that needed to be done cleaning the clubhouse and making it ready for the season. Last fall, the carpets were cleaned in the clubhouse. Julie asked everyone to please wipe their feet when coming into the clubhouse. Julie reminded everyone that the clubhouse does not clean itself. So far, she has put in 10 hours cleaning. She noted that last fall she requested help cleaning and she was very disappointed on May 16 when no one showed up. Therefore, she is resigning as clubhouse manager. She will finish this year as clubhouse manager. Debbie offered to pay for all the plants for the clubhouse and help with the planting. Bob thanked Julie for her years of service.

VII. Bluff/Parkway

Last year, we ran out of time to do the berm on the bluff near Oak and Pine. Debbie will pick up the seed. Debbie is concerned about the drain where it is slumping. That drain was put in over 20 years ago. Dottie questioned if the berm could be placed near the road. There was a discussion about the placement of the berm. Debbie spoke about selectively trimming out that area. Debbie also mentioned that some benches need to be moved. The bluff committee will walk the bluff on Monday at 5:00. Debbie has been reading about the removal of bamboo. She said that if we’re going to use round off a permit must be issued. She wants to try using vinegar on the bamboo. There was a discussion about phragmites (an invasive plant). Debbie and Mark were trained in eradicating phragmites. A special chemical must be used that has state approval and proper clothing must be used. It is very hazardous.

Lynn made a motion “To spend up to $200 to plant along the Zenith staircase.” Diana seconded. All in favor. Motion passed. (20242) Lynn suggested we ask Bob Hughes to help with the project. There was a discussion about if there was any erosion along the Zenith steps. Debbie said that Great Lakes made a nice barrier along the bluff (down Forest). Bob said they will look on Monday at Zenith.

VIII. Beaches/Boat Ramp

Don discussed the boat ramp. He had spoken with Jacob Brand from EAGL, regarding the boat ramp. A permit takes about 90 days to obtain if we wanted to do any dredging. Ted Parker called about putting the boat ramp in. Don said the water is down 5 inches from last fall. The boat ramp needs to be painted with anti-skid paint. There was a discussion about lifting the boat ramp in order to do some work on it. Dottie thinks it needs to be power washed first. John would like to power wash it on Memorial Day weekend. There was a discussion about different people that have the machinery to move the ramp. They will look at it on Monday. Dottie discussed walking on the beaches and how beautiful the beaches are. There are a few areas where the sand ramps have been washed out.

IX. Playground/Clubhouse

The playground needs to be raked and cleaned up. Liz wondered if there was something that could be done around the merry-go-round. Water collects in that area. A playground clean up is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, after the meeting. Heidi B. will try to do some raking when she has time. Debbie said we need to work on the men’s bathroom ceiling. Bob will get up there and check to see if the leak has been fixed. Bob will open up the ceiling with Reid’s help. Bob had put a new cover on the stack on the roof last fall and, hopefully, that has repaired the leak.

X. Sewers

The mats seem to be working with the smell at the pumping stations.

XI. New Business

We are getting a newer computer donated to the association. We did not buy a new computer for Liz. Diana’s sister is donating her computer and Liz will be using it after Diana scrubs the data. Debbie said we should be writing thank you cards for donations.

XII. Old Business

Debbie wanted to know if we have received a bill from Tom Wilson yet. We have not. That money has been put into an escrow account. There was a discussion about giving him a date to present us with a bill. Bob said that we will get a bill eventually.

Bluff Trimming – Debbie feels that we need to take the trimming away from Lakeview residents. Debbie feels we need to get serious about selective trimming and removal of invasive species. She feels we need a budget for trimming. She feels this Board has worked too hard on supervising the cutting on the bluff. Dottie absolutely agrees. Dottie feels we need to enforce the by-laws. Diana stated that to fine someone we need to have documentation. Dottie thinks we need to have cameras on the bluff. There was a discussion about placing a few cameras on the bluff in hopes of deterring people from illegally cutting on the bluff. It would only photograph down the bluff. John will further investigate the cost and report back on June 1. Debbie wants people to understand that because of the violators that have cut illegally we are banning all cutting by residents.

Lynn shared a flyer from an arborist, Shaun Ryan. The flyer was given to each Board member. Shaun Ryan doesn’t have the equipment to get over the bluff. Billy’s Tree Service has the correct equipment. Perhaps, we could use both. Last year, it was suggested that a letter be sent to Lakeview residents regarding bluff preservation. Diana thinks the letter should be sent to everyone.

Thanks to Joey Zajac for moving the concrete on the Worth ramp. He is storing the concrete for us. The concrete at the boat ramp is going to be used at the Ivy stairs.

XIII. Adjournment

Diana motioned to adjourn. Dottie seconded. All in favor. Motion passed. (20243)

Board Meeting, Saturday, June 1 9:00 AM

Playground Clean Up, Saturday, June 1, 11:30 AM