Lexington Heights, Inc.
General Meeting
August 26, 2023
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by association President, Bob Alimpich, at 10:04 am.
II. Trustees Present
Bob Alimpich, Liz Alimpich, Debbie Bonneau, Janice Hall, Diana Larsson, John Medovarsky, Don McColman, Lynn Secord, Dottie Schulte
III. Invocation
Steve Minnick led the community in a prayer remembering those that have passed way and asking for God’s blessings on Lexington Heights.
IV. Pledge of Allegiance
Bob Alimpich led the community in saying the Pledge.
V. Reading of the June 24, 2023 minutes
Steve motioned to accept the Minutes as read. Reid seconded. All in favor. Motion passed. (202345)
VI. Treasurer’s Report
Diana is training Liz Alimpich to become the treasurer. Diana presented Profit and Loss and Balance statements. Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) has been deposited at Huntington Bank in an eleven (11) month CD at the rate of 5.25%. Diana stated that she is still waiting for an itemized bill from Tom Wilson for the Adkins lawsuit. Harry G. on Nymph asked if the lawsuit was done, and Bob Alimpich said that it is done. Mr. Adkins paid $20,000 and that money was deposited in Lexington Heights savings. A $5,000 retainer was paid to Mr. Wilson. The Association is holding the $15,000 owed to Mr. Wilson until we receive an itemized bill. The lawsuit did not cost the Association anything. Cynthia P. on Maple asked about the work done on the beach by Mr. Wilson. She wanted to know what kind of tractor Mr. Wilson used. Bob Alimpich explained that most of the work paid for was for boulders/concrete placed under the Ivy steps to stabilize the bluff and for the placement of concrete north of the boat ramp near the bluff. The Ivy stairway was being undercut by water due to the jetty being cut down some years ago. A lot of the work that was paid for was for that work and not so much for the moving of the sand. Cynthia inquired about a paper trail for this work. Diana stated that we have a paper trail for that work. She requested to see it. (This can be found under the 2023 Minutes on our Website.) Sue on Ivy had a question about the Zenith steps. They are paid in full.
VII. Welcome to New Members
We welcomed Glenn on Worth to Lexington Heights. Lynn asked him to stop by pick up a Welcome to Lexington Heights folder and she reminded the community to let us know when there is a new neighbor so we can give them a folder.
VIII. Committee Reports
Bluff/Parkway – Debbie reported that in the fall the committee will walk the bluff/parkway and assess what to trim, eradicate, and look at trimming in front of the benches. The Committee is looking at bringing in dirt to berm between Oak and Pine. We will be looking for volunteers to help with this project.
Beaches/Boat Ramp - Lynn recently walked the beaches and didn’t pick up very much litter. The sand ramps are washed away on the north side of Oak, south side of Nymph, south side of Laurel, and on the south side of Juniper. There are also a few places that John noticed that we need to have a welded. There’s a spot on a Laurel jetty where a few of the bolts are loose. It needs to be rewelded. Bob noted that we had to pull the boat ramp out because of excessive sand build up. There’s an area near the Worth/Tulip beach that is getting washed out because the drain is getting clogged up. Joe Z. recently went down there and dug that out and exposed the culvert and water shot out. We need to figure out how to prevent that from happening in the future. Dottie noted there’s a problem on Juniper as well. That needs to be looked at as well.
Clubhouse/Playground - Five yards of pea gravel was put on the playground. Thanks to the Haydens for getting us a deal on that and helping to spread it out. Thanks also to John, Dottie, Janice and Lynn for helping. The weeds were sprayed with a non-toxic weed killer. The footing around the clubhouse is showing signs of water damage. This will need to be addressed.
Collections - Collections are continuing. Past due notices were sent out and a considerable number of checks were sent in. After 90 days, we’ll be getting ready to take them to court if they have not paid.
Lighting – Dottie discussed that Worth Township is considering changing the street lighting to LED. Debbie and Dottie attended the Worth Township meeting, and that project is on hold. Worth Township got a quote from DTE. The quote was higher than expected. The Board has discussed requesting a shade/shield to be placed on the lighting on Lakeview if LED lights are installed. Debbie brought this up at the Worth Township meeting to see if they would ask DTE about the shields. Worth Township recently took over Huronia Heights lighting and Debbie stated that there will be an additional $2.00 on our taxes. ($16.80 to $18.80) Worth Township pays the bill for all the lighting for Lexington Heights, Huronia Heights, and Great Lakes Shores. All the communities are taxed for their subdivisions and the taxes cover the DTE bill. It would take an assessment to the tax base to do something massive with the lighting at this point. It was also brought up that Worth Township is looking at purchasing land on the other side of the highway to order to build a public park. One issue is there is no water or sewer for a park available. Worth Township has 45 rental contracts. The other subdivisions are turning in people and there is a fine for renting without that permit. Dottie mentioned that one item that was discussed was turning off the lights on Lakeview and if that were to happen, we would still be liable for 60% of the lighting bill. This is if Lexington Heights wanted to go with solar lighting along Lakeview. This is only part of a discussion about lighting. Dottie emphasized that this is only a discussion, and the Board would not do anything without the Community having input. John said that Worth Township makes it very clear that they oversee the lighting. A petition of 60 signatures can be presented to Worth Township.
Sewers – John reported that a deodorizer was put in the pumping station. The problem is it still stinks. John will call the Township. We obtained some information from Oakland County that if the system is running too low it can become septic. John is going to try to arrange a meeting with the Township. John had mentioned placing horse mats over the cracks and Worth Township was not receptive to that idea. We have two pumping stations. One is on Zenith and the other one is on Grove. Each station has two doors. One has meters etc. and the other has a wet churner and that’s where the smell comes from. Around the doors, there are gaps and that’s where it’s coming from. The filter is working. They do change the filter regularly. John would like to have Worth Township get in touch with Oakland County for help with resolving this issue. It has a natural gas smell. If you walk by and see the red light blinking or notice the smell, please call Worth Township. Anne Vaara on Maple said that the suggestions came from an engineer that she works with in Oakland County. She said that Worth Township should be addressing our concerns and that they may have to hire a consulting firm to come in and help. Anne said that smell is not acceptable. Community members should call Worth Township (810) 359-8852 and Sanilac County Health Department (810) 648-4098 to voice concerns about the odor. A community member suggested that people should send emails as well as calling.
IX. President’s Report
Bob welcomed Jan Hall and Debbie Bonneau to the Board. He thanked Glady Stablein and Renee Jobbit for their many years of service to the Board. The Board has been busy at work as John mentioned working on the playground, work on steps replacing boards, the new Zenith stairs have been completed, bench at Zenith has been power washed, some signs have been screwed back on, new swings were installed on the playground, the Children’s Parade was a huge success, beds were removed on the east side of the clubhouse, called the Road Commission because dirt was dumped on the road, the Board called on unpaid dues, a new service door was installed on the garage at the clubhouse, and another successful Corn Roast was held last week. We’d like to thank everyone that has volunteered and encourage other community members to join us.
X. Reading of General Meeting Rules
John Medovarsky read the rules.
XI. Member Comments/Concerns
Karol M. on Worth wanted to know if Worth Township builds a park on the other side of the highway if then people using the park could use our beaches. Debbie did ask that and Worth Township said that they would not be paying any dues so they would not have any rights to our beaches. Karol also expressed an opinion that the pictures that Diane posts on the Facebook group should be on a private page and the FB page should post more important issues. Diana explained that that Facebook page is NOT an official Lexington Heights site. Lexhi.org is the official site for the Association. Karol also wanted to know if we have an itemized invoice from Mr. Wilson. She also inquired about his hourly rate. It is $200/per hour.
Kurt R. on Grove has concerns about trees been cut down. Kurt also discussed that when the sewers were put in that they were supposed to come back and replant trees. Diana asked if Kurt had called the Township to express his concerns. Kurt does not want to see any corporation money spent cutting trees on the parkway/bluff. Bob clarified and said that he didn’t think we were cutting trees, but we were cutting sumac. John said that the bluff does need to be managed. John said that during the bluff cutting there has not been any trees trimmed.
Reggie Z. on Rosewood wanted clarification that the Association did NOT incur any expenses from the lawsuit. That is correct. The lawsuit did not cost the Association anything. Mr. Adkins paid us and we are waiting for an itemized bill from Mr. Wilson and then we will pay him. He also expressed his concern about how often our roads are graded and how mushy the roads are. John said that Worth Township said the gravel had a lot of sand in it. Bob Alimpich said it’s about 90% sand. He said one problem is after the sewers were put in we did not get a good top dressing on the roads. Bob said we need to start complaining now to the Road Commission that we DO NOT want road gravel. We want a top dressing on our roads. (Road Commission (810) 648-2185 Worth Township contracts with Sanilac County for the roads.
Sue on Ivy asked about the proposed park on the other side of the highway. If people sell their land to Worth Township, then we (the Association) loses the revenue (dues) from that land. That is correct. Debbie said that Worth Township is just acquiring a few lots now. It’s part of Worth Township’s master plan. Worth Township wants to grow.
Harry G. on Nymph wanted to know about the Mill Creek clean up. It was very successful.
Anne V. on Maple requested that we inform people about bluff management. She would like the Association to communicate what is going on with the bluff either on the website or elsewhere.
Darlene on Lakeview wanted to know if the Board will be taking care of the sumac on the bluff. Dottie repeated what Debbie had said about the Committee walking the entire bluff and assessing what needs to be done. Lynn pointed out the under Board Priorities #1 on the list is Bluff Maintenance.
Paul L. on Emerson said he never received his dues statement. Diana said to see her after the meeting.
Kurt said he cut down a lot of grapevines on the stop sign on Grove. Blind corners were discussed. Please call the Road Commission. (810 648-2185) Bob Alimpich said that Sanilac County wants to go 15 feet from the side of each road. Bob said that would change the entire community. Bob reminded people to slow down on the blind corners. Debbie said that it was brought up at the Worth Township meeting that Sanilac County used to cut along Mill Creek, but now they are spraying. A representative from Sanilac County said that the State directed them to spray.
Don S. on Lakeview mentioned that he owns two lots on the other side of the highway. He has three options: not pay the taxes on the property and foreclose on the property, pay the dues on the property, and the third is to donate the property to the Heights. Bob said the Board would have to discuss this at a meeting. The lots are 40 feet by 100 feet.
Renee reminded the community that to drive a golf cart you must be 16 years old and have a drivers license.
Terry Z. on Rosewood questioned about how much a boat ramp key costs. It is $25.00. He questioned if it’s worth the expense to keep the boat ramp. It cost $1,750 to maintain the boat ramp. (Pulling the ramp out, putting it in, maintaining it) Bob said that the boat ramp is an amenity for Lexington Heights. It’s a community benefit.
Steve M. on Satinwood complained about the high weeds at Satinwood and M-25 and that it’s dangerous pulling out onto M-25. Please call the Road Commission.
Heidi B. on Nymph wanted to know why we don’t dress the beaches and maintain the jetties anymore. She thinks we should be pushing the sand with a bulldozer. John mentioned that the sand is high on the cliff and covering a step or two on some of the staircases. Bob said the Board would talk about that issue.
XII. Adjournment
Reid moved to adjourn. Reggie seconded. All in favor. Motion passed. (202346)
Community Events
Chili Fest Oct. 7th 6:00 PM
Board Meetings
Sept. 9th 9:00 AM
Sept. 23rd 9:00 AM
Volunteers needed to help:
Replace broken posts along Lakeview
Repair the men’s bathroom ceiling
Level the low spot near the flagpole
Power wash Lakeview benches
Email us at Lexingtonheightsinc@gmail.com to volunteer.