Hidden Valley Lake Lakes & Parks Committee
Meeting Minutes
July 12, 2017
Meeting called to order in the lower level by Dave Patterson at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Bill Cox, Dan Beckman, Eric Fox, Alan Kohlhaas, Dave Patterson, Dave Ryberg, Joe Stocker, Gerald Young
Members Absent: Tom Derrick, Jill King
Community Manager: Bruce Keller – Excused
Board Liaison: Pat Hawkins – Present
Guests Present: Pat Sullivan, Ken Day, Sam Maxfield
Minutes from the June meeting were presented by Dave Patterson. Corrections required: None.
Motion to accept by: Bill Cox; Seconded by: Alan Kohlhaas.
Vote count: for 6, against 0, abstain 0.
Guest Issues: Ken Day was present to report that the rip rap at the end of Lake Holiday had slipped into the lake. With the extreme rains, sticks and other debris were flowing back into the lake, which had just recently been dredged. I spoke with Bruce about this before he left. He said that they wouldn’t be able to do anything until the dredgers returned. Ken said that HVL maintenance crew could access the area through his property if necessary to fix the problem.
Eric Fox wanted to know why an orange and black Malibu V-Ride boat that didn’t have current stickers was on the lake on the Fourth of July. The stickers on the boat were from 2015. He and several others watched as the Lake Patrol approached and spoke with the driver and then made a phone call. A few words were exchanged and the Patrol boat left. The boat without stickers was allowed to remain on the lake. Apparently, the owner had purchased the stickers, but had forgotten to put them on. The Lake Patrol decided to let them stay because it was the 4th of July and there were small children on the boat. This process/ procedure needs to be addressed and rules set to cover the situation. This showed compassion on the part of the Lake Patrol, but also that the rules weren’t being applied consistently. Others have been asked to leave or not allowed on the lake at all until proper stickers were applied. Apparently this individual did receive a citation, though.
The other issue with this boat was that the Malibu V-Ride is advertised and always has been advertised as a 21-foot-long boat. How did it even get stickers last year, and why wasn’t it measured this year?
One other issue along these lines concerns a boat that measured over 21 feet last year and was grandfathered onto the lake. However, the committee thought that the rules stated that once a boat has been flagged as over twenty feet, it couldn’t be sold to and registered by another HVL resident. There is an example of that on the lake now. We apparently need better records tracking the history of boat ownership and size, and better rules covering this issue. Someone suggested that when a boat is grandfathered due to its excessive length, that it pay a significantly larger registration fee for each year it remains on the lake. Perhaps the fee should be an escalating one that increases exponentially each year.
Jim Schneider had asked to be on the agenda, but wasn’t present. His issue is that he almost got a fishing lure stuck in his finger as he was unsnapping the cover from his pontoon boat that is parked in a slip at Willies. We discussed the situation, but weren’t able to come up with a resolution. The guilty person probably wasn’t a F&GC member as they normally fished from their boats and were usually very accurate with their casting.
Pat Sullivan was present to cover the proposed Poker Golf Tournament event that has been proposed to raise funds for the Shelter at the Marina. It is more like a scavenger hunt, using clues to locate cards, with a meal afterwards. The best poker hand at the end wins. We’ll need to get sponsors to donate door prizes. We can use split the pot and entry fees to also generate money for the project to get the Marina Shelter built sooner rather than later. It sounds like it would be a fun event, and wouldn’t take much work on the part of the committee, which is a good thing. George Lortz volunteered to work with Pat in getting more information on the project and to help plan and organize the event. Someone suggested that they contact the HV Riders as it would be similar to a Poker Run/Ride that they do occasionally. Greendale also conducts similar events and could be a resource.
Chairman’s Report –
Fireworks – Thank you UCB. The fireworks were once again stupendous, probably the best in many years. The beautiful weather helped, too. I didn’t see anyone swimming in the water during the fireworks, nor did I see many kayaks or canoes without lights. In fact, the total number of boats seemed to be down significantly. Several people commented that perhaps it was due to the fact that the days before and after the 4th were work days for many, and maybe that influenced the attendance. Again, there were comments/complaints about the fireworks being too loud, to many, and too late. It’s our country’s birthday, and that’s how we celebrate it. They really can’t be seen until it’s dark, so they have to be late. Maybe from now on, we could consider having the fireworks on the Saturday closest to the 4th or the Saturday prior to the 4th. Someone also suggested that we have music synched with the fireworks, or vice versa, and have the music broadcast via several existing boat transmitters.
Marina Walkway – The walkway alongside of the marina that was rebuilt not too many years ago is for some reason under water most of the time, especially at a point near the end by the last two or three boats. That is causing moss or green slime to grow on the concrete making it very slippery and therefore difficult for people to get to their boats.
Board Meeting Report: Pat briefly reported on the June meeting. Six new members were added to the Judicial panel.
Fish & Game Club Comments: Dave Ryberg was present representing the club. Their Kids Fishing Derby is scheduled for the coming Saturday. From what I saw, it was another success. Thanks, HVL Fish & Game Club.
Lake Patrol Report: Things are going well. This will be his last report for the season as he is having a knee replaced and will be on the disabled list for a while. I believe we have someone to fill in for him to keep us at 4 for the rest of the summer.
The Fourth of July went well from Paul’s perspective; however, he did receive a request from the fireworks people to try and keep the boat traffic at least 300 feet from the dam, even during the set-up time, which is from about the time the lake goes to No Wake, because that is when they start to set up the real fireworks and the associated electronics. We need to come up with some way of blocking off that end of the lake, but still allow access to and from the marina. Someone suggested using large orange buoys. Someone else suggested we use some of the equipment from the Ski and Sports Club, which has somehow re-surfaced.
Lake Statistics Report: Gerry Young – The quality of the lake is good, typical for this time of year. See the attached Water Quality Report.
Small Lake Maintenance report: Bruce Keller – The over flow that needs to be built at Crystal Lake has been approved by all required parties, but we are still waiting for the brown bats to leave, which should be this fall.
Parks and Recreation Subcommittee/Task Force report: – George reported that they are still working on the Survey of Amenities, and that it will now include maintenance projects and land use suggestions. This will tie in with the Land Use Task Force that has been set up. Someone asked if it would include maintenance or replacement of the grills that are around the community as some of them are in pretty rough shape. This will probably fall under regular maintenance.
Current/Active Business Updates –
Sluice Gate Bridge Widening: This project was officially approved by the board. However, it seems that there is another snag. Based on what I have heard recently, someone checked with the state to see if a change to the bridge would be all right, especially if it were lower to the water surface to eliminate the ramp and stairs. The response wasn’t favorable and involved having to do a geotechnical study and other testing. This will probably drive the cost up some more.
Boat size regulations: Based on recent happenings, it seems that a meeting of the task force needs to be set up sooner rather than later.
Boat Safety session for new boat registrants: So far no one has taken the course. Paul would like a rule requiring attendance for all new registrants, which would have to be a new rule. Alan suggested that we also tie attendance to the discipline aspect. That is, if a person receives a citation, after first being educated, and then warned, that they be required to attend the session as a part of the cost of the citation. Paul feels it would be a good idea if whoever is giving the course, have the individual(s) bring their boats and use them in the session.
Marina Layout project: This is an ongoing project as we don’t feel it is a project that will happen soon.
New Business:
We need more discussion regarding golf carts accessing the marina by Willies.
Community Manager’s Report: Given by Dave after talking with Bruce prior to the meeting.
- Docks at Timberline: All three docks have been installed and are in use.
- Peter Soltys’ visit: Peter delayed his visit a week due to the extreme heat.
- Boat measurements: 7 boats have been found that measured greater than 20 feet long. Better rules need to be in place to determine how they are handled.
- Air B & B: The county has stated that HVL must approve any such entities with in the HVL limits, and the board will not pass any such requests.
Motion to adjourn: by Eric Fox; seconded by Joe Stocker. The motion passed unanimously.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Thanks to all for their time and dedication.
Respectfully submitted by Dave Patterson, Chairman