Lake Gaston Association

Minutes (approved) Director’s Meeting – October 3, 2007

Lake Gaston Baptist Church – 9:30 AM   First Wednesday

Mission: To identify lake issues affecting our members and pursue resolution with the responsible organizations.

Location:     Lake Gaston Baptist Church

                      Littleton, North Carolina

Convened:    9:30 AM by President John Cataldo

Pledge of Allegiance:  Led by the President

Moment of Silence:  Led by the President

Visitor Introductions:  Warren County  - Roland Beauchaine, Sherman Merchant, Joe Chaney, Ron Skow, Della Batts (Lake Gaston Gazette); Mecklenburg County -  Jim O’Brien, Jerry Burgdoerfer; Northampton County – Bruce Johnson, Lavetta Johnson, Rebecca Newton, David and Lee Hoaglan, Roger West; Brunswick County – Linda Kleinert; Dominion – Joe Peterson, Carolyn W. Allen.

Director Attendance:  Present – Bill Bryant, Barbara Burgdoerfer, John Cataldo, Patrick Dempsey, Ralph Domach, David Duxbury, Joee Hoxter, Doug Hughes, Larry Jolly Fred Kneisel, Laura Kolb, Lenny Turner, and Vernon Wilson.  Absent – John Boyle, Pete Deschenes, Calvin DeShields, Johnna Fross, Bill Lindenmuth, Jack Saunders, John Slaton, Jim Smalfelt.

Guest Speaker:  Mecklenburg County Director Barbara Burgdoerfer introduced our guest speaker Robert Hendrick.  He is the Zoning Administrator for Mecklenburg County.  Mr. Hendrick grew up in Mecklenburg County.  He served 6 years in the Armed Forces and 12 years with the Virginia State Police.    He attended South Side Virginia Community College with an AAS Degree in Political Science and a major in Criminal Justice.  He is a candidate in this fall’s election for Commissioner of the Revenue.  A few of Mr. Hendrick’s comments follows:

a)     Mecklenburg County has a sign ordinance.  The purpose of this ordinance is to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed outdoor advertising and outdoor signs of all types.  It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic business climate and enhance and protect the scenic and natural beauty of Mecklenburg County.

b)     Off-site signs must adhere to regulations and abide by the agreement with the property owner.  Many signs have been grandfathered in, but when replaced – must follow the new sign ordinance guidelines.

c)      Political signs must be removed within 30 following an election.  There are no fines for this infraction, but we begin our approach to the sign owner by sending a letter.  Special event banners and signs may be posted 14 days before and come down 14 days after the event. 

d)     Real Estate signs bunched together have brought many complaints from property owners.  We are addressing regulations to control these concerns at this time. 

e)      95 % of our county is zoned agriculture.  The majority of our lake property has been developed.  There are four sub divisions under construction at this time.  A new sub division has been proposed in Palmer Springs with 33 lots and 12 water front. 

f)      Our regulations are outdated to control erosion and sediment issues.  The Board approved the current guidelines April of 2006.  The purpose of our Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance is to prevent degradation of properties, stream channels, waters and other natural resources of Mecklenburg County.  Joe Peterson commented that there are a few places where dredging may take place.  Applications must be made to Dominion to gain permission for that activity.

g)     Initially there was little control of erosion and sediment.  It has improved.  The county building inspectors are assisting with the enforcement of the regulations.  New constructions have been stopped if there are infractions.  The property owners are ultimately responsible for all activity on their property.

h)     LGA may help by identifying and reporting any signs not in compliance with the guidelines. 

i)       Mr. Hendrick indicated that he would be glad to mentor a new zoning administrator should he win the election in November and become the new Commissioner of Revenue.  Updating in county zoning is on-going and needs to be addressed with knowledge of the history of the issues affecting all property owners in our county.

j)      Mr. Hendrick mentioned the importance of public hearings when new zone variations are being reviewed.

k)     434-447-7636  x434 is the number to reach our guest speaker if there are any questions or concerns on county zoning issues.

The President thanked Mr. Hendrick for his presentation to the LGA.  Mr. Hendrick forwarded copies of the Mecklenburg County Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance; Article 12 – Sign Regulations – Statement of Intent; and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program Guidelines.  These are included with our minutes and are on file.

Secretary’s Report – Joee Hoxter

The September 5, 2007 minutes were properly approved and are on file.

Treasurer’s Report – Bill Lindenmuth

The Treasurer was absent.  The report was submitted to the Directors via email the previous week.  The President asked for any comments from the Directors.  There were none.  The report was properly approved and is on file.

Committee Reports -

Lake Environment – John Cataldo for  Bill Lindenmuth, Chairman

The Lake Environment report was previously submitted to the Directors in the absence of the Chairman.  It was reviewed by the Directors and there were no additional comments.  The report is on file on the web.

Safety – John Cataldo for Jack Saunders, Chairman

The Safety report was submitted to the Directors via email and reviewed in the absence of the Chairman.  There were no additional comments.  The complete report is on file on the web.

Aquatic Weed Management – John Cataldo for Pete Deschenes, Acting Chairman

The report indicated that the committee is revising the LGA Hydrilla Management Plan based on new information on the grass carp mortality and studies of chemical treatment.  The area eagles and osprey may be part of the mortality issue.  The carp generally do not move very far from the point of entry on the lake.  There was little success in trying to insert radio transmitters to follow their path on the lake.  The Lake Gaston Weed Control Council’s initial findings show very successful treatment this fiscal year of the hydrilla.  This concludes the Committee’s report.

Membership Development – David Duxbury, Chairman

The committee is extremely active with the lake Home Owner Associations.  Their presentation has been received very favorably.  The special rate for the participants in the associations has been successful.  They have instituted many incentive programs to increase membership.   The complete report is on file on the web.

Public Affairs – Larry Jolly, Chairman

The committee reviewed the proposed sign ordinance for Brunswick County and suggested a comment from the LGA  be presented to the Brunswick County Board of Supervisors at their next meeting.  Please see our minutes for the complete suggested changes.  The committee approved the LGA’s position on the county taxes -  “The LGA is committed to improving the efficiency of the returns of the members’ tax dollars within the five counties.” The guest speaker schedule is planned through February with final confirmations on-going.  The committee is also updating its mission statement.  The complete report is on file on the web.

Planning and Development – Roland Beauchaine for Jack Saunders, Chair

The committee has consolidated and identified its major objectives.  The list was ranked in order of the approach the committee wants to accept as its goals at this time.  We have been busy with # 1 on our list. (See the complete list on file on the web).  Mapping of designated commercial and private future development areas is a priority.  We are in need of someone with mapping experience to assist us in locating our areas of influence in the five county regions.  The complete report is on file on the web.

Nominating – Laura Kolb, Chairperson

The Nominating Committee is continuing to seek potential directors to represent the counties that do not have 5 representatives.  Halifax County is under-represented and we request that all Directors refer concerned citizens to our nominating committee.  The complete report is on file on the web.

Executive Director’s Report – Moira Underwood

The Executive Director gave a brief review of her activity this past month.  The complete report is on file on the web.

Old Business – None

New Business –

Bruce Johnson mentioned the LGA has received a NC State Grant for the LEM’s (Lake Environmental Monitors). The money has purchased three computers, a handheld touch program, input from GPS coordinates, identifies specific plants and can download information to North Carolina State University.  The LEM’s want to develop a web atlas with information from the LEM’s survey.  In November and December, a survey will be taken on all floating mats.

Members are encouraged to attend the Candidate’s Forums in the various counties.

a.      Mecklenburg County Candidate Forum will be held at the R. T. Arnold library on October 18^th at 7:30 PM in South Hill.

b.     Lake Gaston Holiday Boat Parade and Festival  will be held on November 17^th from 12:00 Noon with the Boat Parade kick-off at 6:00 PM.  It will be held at South Short Realty with vendors, rides, a chili cook-off and live entertainment.  The boat parade route will be on the east side of the Bridge. The entrance fee will be a new unwrapped holiday toy and there will be prizes for various categories.  We are encouraging our neighbors to decorate their docks on the parade route.  October 30^th is the deadline for boat registration.

c.      Brunswick County Candidate Forum will be held on October 20^th at 5:00 pm at First Baptist Church, Lawrenceville.  All 27 candidates have been invited to present a platform.  There will be no Q & A for this forum. 

d.     Other New Business –

The Lake Gaston Chamber of Commerce has put together a sponsorship package.  The LGA has committed $ 100.00.

The meeting was properly adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Joee Hoxter

Secretary