Gem Lakes Recreation Association Board of Directors

March 11, 2006 Meeting Minutes

The Gem Lakes Recreation Association Board of Directors met on the morning of Saturday, March 11, 9 a.m. at the Pavilion.

Present:

Buddy Brinkley, Gary Bunker, John Kilgo, Gary Marozas, Vicki Murray, Dennis Saylor, Ed Seufert, and Johnny Spears.

Minutes:

The minutes from the two February board meetings were approved.

Treasurer’s Report:

Ed Seufert presented the February 2006 Financial Statement. Membership dues in February totaled $0 while expenses totaled $4,896. Total financial assets (checking and money market) stand at $47,501.

Manager’s Report:

Johnny Spears reported on the large amount of traffic in the Recreation Area with residents stopping by to observe the work on the dam valve. A large number of residents have also started to reserve the pavilion out into the summer. The next Work Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 18 with Buddy Brinkley organizing the brush clearing effort on the dam. The board approved $250 for Spears to build trash can corrals for the Recreation Area. The doorknob at the lifeguard station was damaged by vandalism and needs to be replaced. The board discussed replacing all of the keys and locks associated with the Recreation Area. While deciding to hold off making a decision on this issue until next month, the board did request Buddy Brinkley to investigate the unauthorized duplication of keys.

Committee Reports:

Lake Valve Repair – With the lake drained, Buddy Brinkley reported that Metts Manufacturing will begin work on the dam valve on Monday, March 13. Dennis Saylor and Brinkley met with a representative from the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss permitting issues associated with reclaiming the beach. The advice received was that we are able to do whatever we need to do provided that no dirt, sand, or soil is added to any water. The representative from SCDHEC agreed with these conclusions. John Kilgo recommended deepening the edges around the lake, and Saylor agreed but stated that is should be done only along association property. Gary Marozas concurred, but cautioned about being particularly careful around the docks. Brinkley stated that $2K would be necessary for this job plus the cost of dirt. The board approved a revised $12K budget for the dam valve repair project which included an additional $2K for the grading. The plan to add a French drain along the beach retaining wall was made a future Work Day project. Brinkley attributed the collapse of the beach to (1) the rapid rainfall the day before the collapse and/or (2) the quick drop in the lake level while draining. In the future, any planned drop in the lake will be done over a greater period of time.

Fish Restocking - Kilgo reported that all of the remaining standing water in the lake basin needs to be “killed” before restocking could begin. Bluegills will be restocked as soon as there is enough water to float them. Bass will be added in May/June and catfish in 2007. Though the bluegill can be caught as early as late summer, the recommendation is to prohibit any fishing in the lake until 2007. A motion was passed to spend up to $2K for new fish. Kilgo discussed the need for new “Christmas tree habitats” which should be no more than 2 or 3 per acre. The board also approved placing a pea gravel bed around the fishing dock. $30 was approved for Bill King to build a PVC habitat structure.

Old Business:

Front Gate Replacement – The quotation from Overhead Door of Augusta-Aiken for a powered gate with a keypad lock $11,109. The board decided not to replace the gate, which means that Aiken Public Safety will not be able to enter in their vehicles. The Recreation Association will continue to contract with a private security firm.

New Business:

Board Member Replacements for the 2006-2008 Term – The board decided to take nominations through Saturday, April 8. A notice will be included in the upcoming newsletter.

Budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 – Ed Seufert presented a proposed budget that assumed $70K in revenue and $73K in expenditures. After discussion, the board made several changes that will be incorporated into a document to be reviewed on April 8 prior to the April 11 Annual Meeting.

Annual Meeting – This meeting is scheduled for April 11, 7 p.m., at Town Creek Baptist Church. Board members are encouraged to arrived at 6:30 p.m. to help set-up and register the members attending.

Newsletter – Gary Bunker was requested to put out a newsletter as soon as possible in order to get it into the hands of members prior to April 8. Any articles or notices that board members want in the newsletter must be in Bunker’s hands no later than Wednesday, March 15.

Next Meeting:

The next meeting will be held at the Pavilion on April 8, 2006 at 9:00am.

The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.