Call to Order
Doug Winter, Lot 46, called the meeting to order, held in the upper level of the Clubhouse, at 2:00 pm. Board members present were: Robert Walton, Lot 217, Tom Rice, Lot 343, George Eshnaur, Lot 505, Michelle Sullivan, Lot 1826 and Terry Nibarger, Lot 657. Terry Nibarger led in prayer. Jeff Ferguson, Lake Manager, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Doug Winter, Board President, read the mission statement of Lake Viking.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Tom Rice and was seconded by Michelle Sullivan to approve the minutes of the May 19, 2024 regular board meeting. The May 2024 minutes were approved unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Handbook Committee
Michelle Sullivan reported the Handbook is with the printer and we will receive a PDF copy for posting online and in Condo. Inserts of updates to the handbook will be available in the VVA Office. Michelle reminded members to use the established procedure to request Handbook changes.
Finance Committee
In Jeremy Lillig’s absence Terry Nibarger gave an abbreviated Finance Committee report.
Terry Nibarger reported that value of the Morgan Stanley accounts is $1,659,173 and reflects an increase of $13,800. This was a 2% gain for May 2024. Terry reported the Morgan Stanley is on course to achieve a 10% return for 2024 and has YTD achieved a 4.5% increase.
Strategic Planning Committee
George Eshnaur reported the Strategic Planning Committee will meet on May 30, 2024. The 2020 Strategic plan status will be sent to the Board and to Committee members for review. The committee will be seeking to evaluate the 2020 plan and see what has been accomplished.
Activities Committee
Mary Hibler reported that there have been 184 Poker Run participants who have preregistered and the committee expects an equal number of additional participants to register on race day.
Building Committee
Robert Walton reported the number of permits approved in the last month was 8. None of these were houses. The Building Committee may send a request for an exception to the VVA Board if the permit does not meet building rules. The Board has approved one permit that was an exception. Building specifications for Z lots, and SU lots were discussed.
Fire Department
Tony Gronniger reported there was no Fire Department report.
Safety Department
No report this month
Campground Committee
• George Eshnaur reported there are 23 open campground spots in Campground 1 and 10 open campground spots in Campground 2.
• George Eshnaur reported the new camping space rental process is going well.
Lake Committee
Robert Walton reported:
• Letters were sent to Safety for processing this past month as follows
1. Two lots for property upkeep
2. Five lots for excessive weeds
3. Three lots for brush piles
4. Four lots needing riprap to stop erosion
5. One lot for missing lot number at roadside
• When letters are sent out to lot owners, they are given thirty days to respond. If the committee receives a plan of action response, additional time (usually 30 days) is often given .
• Due to time of the year, the Lake Committee has granted as much as ninety days to respond. In this particular situation, an infraction has been sent out and there is still no response from the lot owner. As mentioned at the last board meeting, Article XV speaks to this situation. This article allows the Association to correct the erosion problem and charge the lot owner with ALL costs involved.
• Discussion ensued whether a letter should be sent to the lot owner who has not responded to the infraction identified by the Lake Committee
Infraction Committee
Terry Nibarger reported:
• The Infraction Committee met June 8, 2024. Monthly meetings will be held until fall.
• There were 19 total infractions approved
• Three infractions were dismissed
• Twelve (12) letters from the Lake Committee for infractions they had identified were sent.
• Terry reported a non-member was off loading a jet ski at the Community Area by the Dam. The jet ski had previously been used at Smithville Lake, so the risk for zebra mussels was a possibility.
• It was also reported that the Infraction Office and the Fire Department offices flood even with a moderate amount of rain. The possibility of mold in the area was discussed.
Dredge Committee
Shawn Hepinstall reported:
• The dredging is going well and should be finished by June 14, 2024.
• Pirate Cove is finished with a water depth of up to 7 feet.
• Three Tubes is finished with a water depth of up to 7 feet. Silt removed was 17K cubic yards.
• Garney Tract will be finished by the week of June 15, 2024. Water depth varies from 7 feet in the back of the cove to 9 feet by the Lake. Silt removed was 25-30K cubic yards.
• Shawn gave kudos to the dredge crew who have worked seven days a week and holidays to make the dredging project a success.
• Shawn also thanked the maintenance department who have installed weirs and have maintained water access.
• Shawn discussed members must dredge the area around and under their deck as the dredging project does not do this.
Fishing Committee
• June Bass Tournament had four teams. The largest fish caught in the tournament was a 6.1 lb. bass. $700.00 was raised from the tournament. An additional $100.00 donation was received.
• Crappie Tournament was cancelled. There were two donations for this tournament.
• July 6, 2024 Pancake Breakfast will be held from 9:00 am to noon. Chris Cakes will provide both food and entertainment.
• Fishing committee has built eight fish structures. These structures have not been placed yet.
• Brett Bush indicated maps will be available at the VVA office.
• All monies raised through activities and donations are used for restocking the lake. Fall stocking of the lake was discussed and Brett Bush indicated the amount depends on the funds raised. Yellow Perch will probably be stocked in the fall with Walleye stocked in subsequent stockings.
Tech Committee
Jeff Ferguson reported: No Report
Beautification Exploratory Committee
Felicia Roth reported on the progress made by the Committee. Their goal is to: 1. Refresh, improve and benefit the Lake’s environment and community. 2. Explore ways for VVA to raise funds for future expenses. 3. Envision, plan, prepare & create. 4. Design projects that will not raise dues or association fees and will provide positive opportunities for the community.
Accomplishments
• Lake Viking VVA office painted and refreshed.
• New Lake Viking themed Fund-Raising merchandise is on display and for sale in the VVA Office lobby.
Priority Projects Ongoing
Designing, Refreshing or Creating
• Entrance and Community Area Signs
• Safety & Fire Buildings
• Lower level of Clubhouse
• Informational Glass Marquee in the Parking Lot
• Banner display and light zone, confirmed reinstallation
• Lake Viking Merchandise website
• Proposal – Wildflower Park – Proposal Updates
Nathan Mechin with the Missouri Department of Conservation gave a presentation on wildflowers including preparation, growing time and cost of the project. He presented options which potentially could cover the entire cost of the wildflower garden.
Mark Closterman, Lot 1900, voiced concerns about the location of the wildflower park and the problems he and his family may encounter with the various insects, etc. which will come along with the project. Mark asked for the committee to consider choosing another location which was not adjacent to his property for the project. Discussion ensued Tom Rice ask the Beautification Committee to research alternative locations for the wildflower park. Vote on going forward with the wildflower park project was tabled until alternative locations can be researched. Jeff Ferguson was asked to work with Felicia to identify alternative sites.
Managing Directors Report
Jeff Ferguson, Managing Director, reported:
• Jetty is near completion. When completed cleanup will begin. This will include rebuilding the road when the dig out is completed.
• Lot 59 and Community Area 4 were approved for sale March 1, 2020 at the price of $114,000.00. Updated price for 2024 is $149,000.00 and will be offered to members for purchase for 60 days before placement with a realtor.
• A new A/C unit was installed in the Clubhouse as the old unit failed and could not be repaired.
APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
President, Doug Winter, stated that we would wait until the July 2024 meeting to approve the May 2024 Financials as there are some questions which are being researched.
GUEST TIME
One guest was on the agenda for the June 9,2024 board meeting.
Mac’s Docks The representatives of this company asked for an alternative place where a dock which has been built outside of Lake Viking and brought in on a trailer could be launched into the lake. They have contracts for three docks in the next few months and are not sure the easement beside the homes is large enough to get the dock launched into the water to finish the installation. Several alternatives were discussed by the company including using the Marina dock, using the Yacht club ramp to launch, or possibly bringing the dock in on a trailer and then having a helicopter pick up the dock and place it in the water. A resolution was not reached on Mac’s Docks questions but Doug Winter indicated we would need to review our contract with the Marina and look at other potential options. The request was tabled until more research can be done.
BOARD DISCUSSION
1. South End Clean Up Discussion ensued concerning the need for cleanup and a face lift on the property at the South end of the lake. There are piles of dirt which is not eye pleasing. Suggestions discussed were dozing dirt hills out and planting grass to give a more appealing view. Also discussed was planting fast growing trees which would conceal the problem. Steps discussed for the south end include 1. Removing culverts which are restricting water flow, Pave 165th Street and change traffic routing to use 165th Street.
2. Real Estate Signs Discussion on this topic included the rule which only allows one for sale sign on an improved property. Waterfront lots cannot put signs on both the water and the street side when the property is for sale. A decision on this issue was deferred to next months board meeting.
3. Dump Issues Discussion included misuse of Trash Bins for disposing of items which do not belong in the bins and persons who are not lot owners using the dump. There are rules listed on the sign at the dump and it was agreed that infractions should be issued to persons misusing the dump area,
ADJOURN
A motion was made by George Eshnaur and seconded by Robert Walton to adjourn to Executive Session at 3:55 pm to discuss legal, personnel, and Board organizational matters. The motion passed unanimously.
ATTENDANCE
A sign-in Attendance Sheet is on record at the Office for reference. Let the record show that these minutes are a record of the business transacted at this meeting and are a sampling of the discussions. Comments and discussions are not reflected in whole or as actual quotations in the minutes, nor do they reflect all comments by members.
Respectfully Submitted Michelle Sullivan, Secretary Board of Directors, Viking Valley Association
