Lexington Heights, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting

September 9, 2023

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by association President, Bob Alimpich, at 9:00 am.

II. Trustees Present

Bob Alimpich, Liz Alimpich, Debbie Bonneau, Janice Hall, Diana Larsson, John Medovarsky, Don McColman, Lynn Secord, Dottie Schulte

III. Reading of the August 5, 2023 minutes

Please note on p. 2 a correction was made to show the basswood tree is located on Lexington Heights’ property. On p.3, a correction of Julie should be Glady. Liz motioned to accept the Minutes as read. Dottie seconded. All in favor. Motion passed. (202347)

IV. Treasurer’s Report

Liz presented Profit and Loss and Balance sheets. The accounts receivable is $17,378.26. Since we have been sending out the past due statements, we have been getting quite a few payments. She is getting ready to send out past due notices. There was a discussion about the cost of liens. The actual cost to place or discharge one is $30. If an attorney places the lien, then additional costs (gas, mileage, time) can be added to the lien. If a property is being sold, the title company asks for the lien to be discharged once the payment has been made. In the future, we can send the title company the discharged lien and they can go to Sanillac County to file it. Then, they pay for it and we do not. After six years the statute of limitations is over on any additional charges and then the liens must be updated. We still have not received a bill from Mr. Wilson. Debbie suggested sending him a certified letter requesting the itemized bill. The Board would like to get this paid so that it is not inflating our total liabilities and equity.

V. Member Comments

Sandy W. on Lakeview expressed her concern that Tom Wilson was working on cutting the bluff early Saturday morning before the 11:30 start time designated by the Board. Bob Alimpich said that he was there supervising and when he had to leave for the 9:00 meeting, Reid Larsson was supervising the trimming. Richard G. asked where trimming was being done. Lynn responded that people had emailed the Board and requested permission to trim at Ivy, Laurel, Oak, Tulip, and Walbridge.

VI. Committee Reports

Clubhouse – Julie got a quote of $333.50 to get the carpets cleaned at the clubhouse. This was from a company from Croswell that we have used before. We would need to move all the tables and chairs. Bob asked Julie to obtain a second quote. Julie reported that Phoenix will not be replacing her as Clubhouse manager because Phoenix has had some extensive back surgery. The position of Clubhouse manager is still open. There are three rentals for next year.

Bluff/Parkway – Debbie is planning to walk the bluff with Dottie, Liz, and Anne V. and making a map of the bluff. Debbie would like to get the Block Captains involved in trimming and cleaning up the beaches in October. She says the fall is a great time to trim back growth (vines) on the beaches. Lynn said that she has not had time to update the Block Captains this year and asked for help with contacting the Block Captains to see if they are still willing to be a Captain. Dottie said that she would help Lynn. Debbie would like to see the Board set a budget for the maintenance of the bluff and for the clubhouse. Debbie has talked with EGLE about trimming invasives. EGLE does approve of controlled cutting of invasives. There was a discussion about berming on the bluff specifically near Oak. She discussed getting dirt donated from Parker in the past. The dirt must be of a certain quality. When a date is set to walk the bluff, Debbie will let Lynn know so that the date can be announced. Sandy W. suggested that we seek another person to give their opinion on the bluff. Jan said she might be able to get a student from Michigan to do a thesis on bluff management. She will check into this idea. John restated that we need to work on a budget.

Beaches/Boat Ramp - Don inquired about a pink paddleboat that was on the beach. He tried to dig it out and now it’s gone. Bob wanted to know which jetty needs to be welded. It’s the Laurel jetty. Don has the card of the welder we used last year. Don said there’s a hole in the Zenith jetty. He’s not sure if it’s something we need to address. There’s a headliner (hard fiberglass) on the Laurel beach that needs to be cut up. Jan cut a huge root on Oak near the rocks. Don will look at it. Jan thinks we should look at doing a railing like on Worth.

Clubhouse/Playground - John will blow off the leaves on the playground. Debbie will see about the suckers on the willow tree and trim the pawpaw tree. At some point, Bob will go under the clubhouse to see what’s going on underneath.

Sewers – John suggested that community members email dpwmanager@worthmi.org concerning the smell from the pumping stations. Debbie said that people can contact the Sanilac County Health Department.

Garbage - Lynn passed out the current garbage contract. It expires on December 31, 2023. Bob, Don, John, Debbie, and Dottie are on this committee. They will meet on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 10:00 at the clubhouse. There was a discussion about the contract. We pay roughly $2,500 plus fuel charges per month. There are about 533 homes in Lexington Heights according to Worth Township.

VII. Setting the calendar for 2024

The Board set the calendar. It will be posted on the website and in the newsletter.

The Board rescheduled the Board meeting on September 23, 2023 to September 30, 2023 at 9:00 am.

VIII. Ongoing Business

Debbie shared the name of another tree service, Alex an Sons. Debbie suggested that we add to our bylaws “Any property within the Lexington Heights boundary that are purchased by municipalities or LLCS will not obtain any beach rights.” Debbie wants to do a search of the registry of deeds to see what lots Worth Township owns in Lexington Heights. She thinks we should have a lawyer look at this issue. At the Worth Township meeting, she was told that Worth Township will not be paying dues to Lexington Heights. Bob wanted to know if we have gotten any notification of land transfers saying land has been sold to Worth Township. As new people move in, Diana asks them for their information so she can update the database. She asks the title company the same thing. The land transfers do not provide the information that we need. Richard G. said that bylaw changes are not going to protect us. Every month, we receive a stack of quick claim deeds and make changes from there. Bob would like to do a search on the registry of deeds site to see what property Worth Township owns. Diana said they could do that. Don thinks it’s a good idea. Debbie would like to ask Walt directly what they are buying.

Bluff Policy - Don thinks we should do away with individuals trimming and get some quotes. Diana doesn’t think we should be spending so much money on trimming the bluff. Dottie thinks we should trim by the benches. Jan says that we need to manage the bluff. Debbie says that’s why we need to come up with a plan for each block for selective trimming. Bob mentioned that we had a lot of growth because of the rain. There was a heated exchange when a community member asked why people need to be supervised. John mentioned how some people have done illegal cutting and that’s why the Board wants to supervise bluff trimming. Don asked if the Board thinks the individual cutting was successful this year. John thought the two people he supervised did a good job. Don said maybe we should let it go another year. It saves the community a lot of money. Debbie said we do have issues. Just look in front of that one house, where the edge is being weed whacked. Our lawn service has been told to keep the grass high on the edge to prevent runoff and cause erosion. John feels that having bluff trimming dates was a success and prevented some illegal trimming. Lynn reminded the Board that this was an experimental program. Debbie reminded the Board that it is the Board’s responsibility to trim and maintain the bluff. Diana wondered at what cost. Jan wants to know the proper way to trim sumac. The bluff committee will come up with a plan. Debbie would like to see selective trimming and maintain the bluff professionally.

Dogs on the beach - There was a discussion about dogs on the Juniper beach. Bob said that he hopes people are responsible regarding dogs on the beach. No dogs on the beach from 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM as stated in our bylaws. Dottie thought there was a leash law in Worth Township. Liz said that we could send a letter if we can identify who is in violation. Dottie thinks people should call the police if dogs are running on the beach bothering neighbors.

Chili Fest - Saturday, October 7 at 6:00 PM John has the list. Julie will help.

IX. Adjournment

Diana moved to adjourn. John seconded. All in favor. Motion passed. (202348)

Upcoming Events

Board Meeting Saturday, September 30 at 9:00 Am (Note change of date)

Chili Fest Saturday, October 7 at 6:00 PM