Lake Mitchell Improvement Board Meeting Minutes  - August 16, 2025

 

A. Call to Order: 10:00

B. Roll Call: Mike Coy, Sandi Bengelink, Marty Williams, Mike Solomon, John Deterding, Dave Foley – All Present 

C. Additions Deletions to the agenda -None

D. Approval of the Agenda - Unanimous

E.  Approval of June 9, 2025 Minutes – Unanimous

F. Public Comments -

Jackie Erway raised 3 Issues – 

  What are floating orange buoys in the lake? 

  What was the August 14 treatment along Coves?

  The Cherry Grove Rep should live on the lake. 

Tom Jacobson inquired about harvesting. 

G. Agenda Items

1. Treasurer's, Report – John Deterding

              Important information – Revenues June 30, 2025 - $175,821.44

     Special Assessment Revenue - $19,813.83 as of 7/31/25

              Total Expenditures as of 6/30/25  - $80,264,76

              Net income/loss as of 6/30/25 - $95,556.68

 2. Revival Church Assessment -

The Revial Church currently had a commercial rate assessment of $600. The LMIB made and passed a motion recommending that the Revival Church appeal this to the Cherry Grove Township Board of Review. The LMIB felt a backlot $150 assessment was a better option. John Deterding will inform them of this. 

3. Consultant's Report – GrantJermalowicz from RLS

148 acres of the native weed naiad was found in the June survey.

An appeal to permit treatment of this in the middle of the lake was made to EGLE. The appeal was granted and 14 acres composed of two 100 foot wide strips of vegetation was permitted to treat.

    On August 22 RLS will do a lake survey to see if more treatment is needed and this would occur a few days later.  

    So far this year, 58 acres (about 2% of lake) has been treated. 

    $23,000 has been spent this year for chemical treatment.

H. Correspondence - None

I. Public Comments -

 Answers to Jackie Erways comments:

The orange buoys mark where zebra mussels traps have been set to determine the status of zebra mussels in the lake and to detect presence of other mussels.

      The August 14 treatment was for purple loosestrife, an invasive shoreline plant.

       Jackie, representing the LMPOA, would like Marty Williams to resign because he does not live on the lake and be replaced          by a resident who has lakefront property on Mitchell. The Cherry Grove Township Board would make this determination

 Response to Tom Jacobson – Nuisance vegetation like naiad can be harvested but cost is about $300 an acre and about 1 ½ acres can be treated in an hour. In addition, much time would be spent taking weeds to dump site. The project seems to be too expensive to be done under our current budget.   

J. Committee Comments – 

Marty felt he should remain on the board as much of his life has been spent on the lake as a residence and his degree in fisheries biology gives him a better understanding of the lake. 

K.  Chairman comments – None

L. Adjournment – 10:32

 

Lake Mitchell Improvement Board minutes – June 9 , 2025

 

A. Call to Order: 9:59

B. Roll Call: Present - Mike Coy, John Deterding, Mart Williams (acting chairman), Dave Foley; Absent – Mike Solomon, Sandi Bengelink,

C. Additions/Deletions to Agenda -None

D. Approval of the Agenda -Unanimous support

E. Approval Of April 3, 2025 Minutes – Foley – Unanimous support

F. Public Comments

Dave Kuyers asked LMIB to explain Cadillac News article about frequency of lake visits by LMIB.

G. Agenda Items 

1. Treasurer's Report – Deterding – Projected revenue of $207,850 for 2024-2025. Projected revenue from special assessments such as $170,125. Expected addition to fund balance $52,500 this year. Projected fund balance in June 26 $81,400. LMIB has set goal of building a fund balance of $250,00 to insure readiness for years where vegetation needed treatment is great.  First treatment cost $37,000.

2. 2025-2026 Budget – Deterding review/approve -Budget approved approved

3. Weed Pick-up update- Foley – Going well. No problems.

4. Consultant Report Ben Schemerhorn reported that a cold spring has slowed weed growth. Treatment on June 4 was done in Franke Coves, Little Cove, and Torenta Canal. Restorative Lake Science (RSL) will check on lake monthly  and will likely do another treatment after 4th of July. While invasive weeds like Eurasian Water Milfoil can be treated wherever they are found. Treating nuisance native weeds, according to EGLE, cannot extend farther than 100 feet from shore.  Last year dense weeds in main lake  were a problem, but an appeal to EGLE was denied to treat these weeds. If  native weeds become a problem again, another appeal will be made.,

5. Other Business - None

H. Correspondence  - None

I. Public Comments

1. Dennis Mahoney – “Could Torenta Canal be harvested?” If weeds begin to fill canal, harvesting could be done. Algae blooms could require chemical treatment. 

2. Jackie Erway asked when surveys would be done. It is likely a survey would be done around the 4th of July with treatment coming soon after. 

3. Paul Honus asked for a definition of “Navigation lanes.” Navigation lanes are cut in vegetation so boats can access their docks through thick vegetation.

4. Jackie Erway – Asked about fund balance and was told the goal was to bring it up to $250,000 and it is expected that about $30,000 will  be added to fund balance this year.

5. Jackie Erway  felt that all LMIB members should live in the township that they represent. Marty Williams does not live in Cherry Grove Township. Erway indicated that she would like to have Williams replaced by a township resident.  

J. Committee Member Comments - None

K. Chairman Comments  -None

L. Adjournment – 10:33

 

Lake Mitchell Improvement Board minutes – April 12, 2025 

 

A. CALL TO ORDER – 10 AM

B. ROLL CALL – Present – Mike Solomon, Marty Williams, John Deterding, Sandi Bengelink  Dave Foley  Absent -  Mike Coy

ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA - none 

C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - Unanimous

D. APPROVAL OF October 14, 2024 Minutes--Unanimous

E. PUBLIC COMMENTS* - None

F. AGENDA ITEMS

1. Election of  officers – The following were elected as Board officers for 2025-6: Mike Solomon, chairperson; Dave Foley secretary, Marty Williams, vice chair and John Deterding treasurer. 

2. Welcome New Members – Sandi Bengelink representing the Country Commission and Mike Coy from the City Council are now on the Board.

3. Treasurer’s Report -Deterding: As of March 31 the Board has a balance of $98,736.88

4. Weed pick-up contract – The Board voted to accept T”s Outdoor Services for 3 years (2025-2027) of Roadside Pickup at the same rate as the most recent contract - $9, 025 annually. . Total $27,075.   

5. Newsletter – Current information on Lake Mitchell and its vegetative control program will be published on the website within the next couple months.    

6. Establish Assessment for 2025 – After discussion and examining a fact sheet produced by the treasurer John Deterding, The Board established the following annual assessment: $300 for a lakefront lot; $150 for a back lot, and $600 for a commercial lot. This assessment was chosen as it should cover expected annual expenses and gradually build us toward a $250,000 fund balance. 

7. MLSA meeting April 25, 26 Muskegon

8. Consultant Report – Jennifer Jermalowicz Jones reported that a large growth of native naiad plants last year was problematic and an appeal to EGLE to treat native plants in the main lake was rejected. If the weed growth is heavy again this year, harvesting may be done. She also warned that hydrilla, a thick growing invasive plant has been found in Indiana.  Lake surveys will likely begin in mid-May and treatment will begin in early June. Her full Aquatic Vegetation, Water Quality, and Management Recommendations Report has been posted on the LMIB website. www.lakemitchell.org    

G.  CORRESPONDENCE - none

H. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Chris Koenig inquired about the use of bubblers. Jennifer says they are effective, especially in shallow waters. The cost  is prohibitive so it is unlikely to happen in Lake Mitchell.

Linda Rise reported that a white pine has fallen and is blocking the Torenta Canal. Since it likely on state or national forest land, those agencies will probably remove it. Sandy Bengelink will check on this.  

Jackie Erway voiced concerns about the introduction of invasive weeds into our lake from boats While wash stations would be ideal, there are at least 8 launch sites on Lake Mitchell. Instead signage about transport of invasives and reminders to wash off your boat before launching will be posted. . 

I. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS - none

J. CHAIRMAN COMMENTS - Mike pointed out that the LMIB is lucky that several members (Foley, Solomon), and others (Williams, Bengelink) have relatives who are lake residents. Being associated with the lake helps create incentive to deal with lake problems 

K. ADJOURNMENT 10:45