LAKE GASTON ASSOCIATION
Minutes (approved) Director’s Meeting - August 6, 2008
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
INSPIRATIONAL READING: Remember directors, members and
others that are ill.
VISIT INTRODUCTION: PRESS: Della Batts, Lake Gaston
Gazette. DOMINION: Carolyn Allen. WARREN COUNTY: Rommy Campbell, Nancy
Lawler, Betty Mazor, Ron Skow, Pete Dechenes, Merwin Dieckman, Joe
Chaney, Sherman Merchant. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY: Roger West, Robert
Hedgepeth, Lavatta Johnson, Bruce Johnson. BRUNSWICK COUNTY: Jerry
Thompson, Bob Biggs, Donna Turner. MECKLENBURG COUNTY: Jerry
Burgdoerfer, Fred Taylor. Kristen Brown, undesignated county.
DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE: PRESENT: Linda Hedgepeth, Fred
Kneisel, Vernon Wilson, Larry Jolly, Bill Bryant, Barbara Burgdoerfer,
Ralph Domach, Doug Hughes, John Cataldo, Bill Lindenmuth, Calvin De
Shields, Joee Hoxter, Lenny Turner, Jack Saunders, Patrick Dempsey, and
Moira Underwood, Exec. Dir. ABSENT: Quinton Qualls, John Boyle, David
Duxbury, Laura Kolb, Bill LaMonte,
GUEST SPEAKER: Leslie Sullivan, Brunswick County
Director of Planning and Zoning, talked about county planning activities
and specifically those that might affect the lake. She was introduced by
Larry Jolly who gave her resume and education. She is a native of
Brunswick County, Va., graduated from Virginia State University, been
employed by the county for over 10 years, was promoted to the position
of Planner in 1999, and promoted to the Director of Planning in 2001.
She gave a power point presentation for an Introduction to Planning for
Brunswick County, Virginia. She was accompanied by Charlette Woodridge,
the County Administrator. On her staff is also David Clary, Planner.
Leslie gave clear definitions of planning and its goals and objectives.
She stated that “The primary goal of most planning processes is the
articulation of a preferred future vision for the community and the
identification of specific steps and actions the community can take to
achieve and experience its preferred future. She also stated that all
people in areas affected should take an active part and express their
views.
Her power point presentation consisted of:
A. A comprehensive plan (required) and
citizen input from Alberta, Brodnax, Ebony and Lawrenceville.
B. Zoning Ordinances
C. Subdivision Ordinance Overview (not optional)
D & E. Ebony - Gasburg - Lake Gaston Planning Area and
what is Projected and Future Land use
F. Contact information
The presentation was open to questions at any time.
People attending did ask questions concerning recent proposed zone
changes at Poplar Creek to reduce set backs from 100 ft to 40 ft passed
by the planning commission. Most people in the area against this change
because of the additional traffic in a narrow area of the creek and
possible property devaluation. This matter now is completely in the
hands of County Commissioners and if against this proposal people should
attend all public meetings and express their thoughts. Goose Creek
development also was questioned which appears to be in disagreement with
many of the points expressed in presentation. Both Leslie and Dawn said
they would investigate. They also mentioned if any violations are noted,
to notify their office.
President John Cataldo thanked them for their excellent
presentation.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: Joee Hoxter. The minutes were
approved for the June 4th and July 2nd Board of
Directors Meetings and also for June 14th Annual Meeting. The
minutes for the July 2nd Executive session were also
approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Bill Lindenmuth Treasurer’s report,
now in a new format, was approved with a hypothetical excess for the
year of $1,448.00.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT: Jack Saunders (chair) The
Planning and Development report stated that the Committee had
determined not to contact with UNC to prepare a Comprehensive Planning
Study and that it will try to exploit existing documents, as well as,
initiating dialogue with appropriate county officials.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: No report.
LAKE EVIRONMENT: Vernon Wilson (chair), Bill Lindenmuth
and Bruce Johnson attended the Virginia River Basin Authority Advisory
Committee July 29th. The majority of the meeting concerned
issues with the Smith Mountain Lake (SML), the relicensing permit with
AEP the power Co. who owns the lake. Issues involve lake levels, amount
and release rates into the Staunton River which is downstream and could
drastically affect the use of the river as a viable resource for
recreation, scenic reasons (First river in Va, to be named a scenic
River), financial reasons and environmental reasons. Since this has been
an ongoing discussion and disagreement the Virginia Roanoke River Basin
Advisory Committee has agreed to host/mediate to dialogue and resolve
the issues over the next couple of months in Charlotte County
A letter has been written to USCOE to stop any action on
the Inter Basin Transfer of water out of the Roanoke River Basin or
allow the granting of any water allocation from Kerr Lake to the
Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill areas. The issue will be discussed in
near future in the Virginia General Assembly.
Vernon also attended the LGWCC meeting July 31st
and asked what the 2008 contract stated on posting notices on boat
houses prior to treatment in coves and creeks. Contract states in
summary, that posting will be in accordance to product labels. In some
cases posting will only happen in the immediate areas of treatment and
not necessarily the entire cove or creek. The only reason they feel the
need to post notices is for residents utilizing the lake for irrigation
purposes and only then for newly planted plants and lawns. Established
lawns and plants should not be affected.
One of the presentations in LGWCC meeting was in
reference to the research on Hydrilla Fly and how it could relate to
Lake Gaston Hydrilla. Lake Gaston is infested with the easiest variety
of Hydrilla to control for it dies back every year during the winter
months, which could affect the effectiveness of using the Hydrilla Fly
at the lake for plant control. A recent dye test was conducted this
summer by Michael D. Netherland, assisted by Dr. Rob Richardson. They
released dye into Hubquarter Creek and Lyons Creek to measure the speed
at which the dye was distributed vertically and moved within
creeks/coves. The tests were conducted to better understand the
effectiveness of herbicide treatment on Lake Gaston. The tests
indicated, we have a great deal of water movement, primarily due to
power generation at both Lake Kerr and Gaston, and in fact, in 20 hours
almost all dye was immeasurable. But, some good news is that due to
thermal gradients the vertical mixing was minimal and could be very
effective for the Floridon herbicide we are currently using for public
funded treatment.
LEM training took place August 1st, 2008. 14
people attended for training on aquatic weed identification and
education on conducting the 2008 lake wide survey, so, any and all
volunteers will be very much appreciated. Contact Bruce Johnson, Jack
Saunders, or Vernon Wilson if interested in taking part in this very
important and meaningful survey.
SAFETY: Jack Saunders (chair) The 911 Emergency data
card distribution is nearly complete. The Committee has decided the way
to gain most recognition for the first responder groups around the lake
is to present plaques expressing the appreciation of residents and
property owners presented by the LGA. N.C.Safe Boating Alliance reported
progress in that the study bill initiated by Rep Wray was approved and
action is underway to prepare legislation for the 2009 session. TheVA
Safe Boating Alliance reported it is still unable to find a way to
resolve the issue of enforcing the Federal regulation that children
under 13 wear life preservers on all vessels when underway. Federal
legislation was passed and signed by the President permanently exempting
recreational vessels from the Clear Water Act requiring filtering all
water circulated through engines for cooling and of draining off decks
from rain or spray.
MEMBERSHIP: Moira Underwood 2,200 Letters for membership
were sent to Halifax and Northampton Counties thus far and 47
memberships have been received and are still coming in. Letters have not
been sent to Warren County as yet. Our total membership as of July, 2008
is 1,178 and based on two/household gives us a total of 2,300 plus
members. Sherman Merchant reported that the Membership committee is
looking into Business Card Ads for LGA Supporting Level Business
members.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS: Larry Jolly (chair) A major issue
discussed was the East Oaks boat launching pad proposal and Morningstar
rezoning proposal of limiting boat marina, launching areas to a limit of
one half a mile apart in Warren County. The committee agreed with the
Morningstar proposal and the motion was made at August 6th
Board Meeting to support this proposal. It was seconded and approved by
all board members in attendance. Letters will be written to Warren
County Commissioners, Warren County Planning Director, Dominion, warren
County Manager and members of the Planning Board with copies of the
Morningstar proposed rezoning Amendment. This will also have to go thru
FERC.
Monthly speakers, September and October are both open,
Chris Roundtree Halifax County Planning Director will speak for November
Meeting. Also, the committee is exploring Senator Dole and her opponent
Nancy Hagan, for one of our meetings.
Part time residents on the lake to vote in local
elections was discussed, and letters were sent to Doug Berger, who will
look at it with an open mind, Michael Wray, who will research same, and
to all State Legislators. It appears this will be a long uphill battle.
Lake Gaston incorporation was discussed. The tax value of
the 3 NC Counties has been determined as two Billion for Warren County,
295 million for Halifax County, and 626 million for Northampton County
for approximately 3 billion dollars in tax revenue total. The research
is continuing.
County Reports:
Warren County -
Halifax County - Tony Brown has been named Halifax
County Manager, and Diane H. Denton is the new Asst Mgr , Diane H.
Denton
Northampton County - Has a new Asst County
Manager. There has been a citizen request to add two additional
commissioners (going from 5 to 7). A work session is planned for
9/15/2008. Petitions for this proposal are available to sign at
Washburn’ Marina. It was also reported that a request was submitted to
the planning Board for a proposed 40 to 60 condos and docks.
Mecklenburg County - The Board of Supervisors gave
approval to Chase City for an ethanol plant. There was a report from the
county’s lobbyist that there is now more competition for funding for
noxious weed control to the LGWCC from other lakes for the monies in the
Virginia budget.
Brunswick County - John Cataldo, President, The
planning commission passed the proposed setback from 100 ft to 40 ft
with visual sound barriers between commercial and residential property.
This now goes to the County Supervisors. This appears likely to pass.
The supervisors should be sent letters to show disagreement with this
proposal. Do all homework needed prior to the meeting to be prepared
with a uniform front.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Moira Underwood The complete report
is on file and be viewed on our web page.
NEW BUSINESS: New Director, Linda Hedgepeth, Northampton
County. Board of Director’s Retreat will be Sept 23, 2008. Three
directors will not be able to attend. To change our present voter
registration to allow part time residents to vote will require a state
constitutional change. The Roanoke Wildwood Fire District will have a
meeting August 9, 2008.
The meeting was properly adjourned
Submitted by:
Ralph Domach, for Joee Hoxter, Secretary
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