Meeting Called to Order by Mike Rankin at 4:00 PM on Zoom
Present: Mike Rankin, Amy Heaven, Leslie Hind, Sandy Adams, Mike Stappert, Blair Honeyman, Natalie Hill
Absent: Ryan Mueller, Blake Larson
Agenda
Not formally addressed on the call; no agenda approval was recorded in the transcript.
Secretary Report
Ryan Mueller was absent from this meeting. No review or approval of the previous month’s minutes was captured in the transcript.
Treasury Report
Leslie Hind reported a current bank balance of $30,807.30.
Old Business
Boat Parade Wrap-Up
– Sandy Adams and Natalie Hill discussed that boat number flags were not used for judging this year’s July 4th Boat Parade; boats were instead identified and judged by photo and name.
– Decision: the board will continue without number flags going forward. Sandy Adams will store the unused flags with the rest of the event’s supplies for next year.
Spillway/Dam Repair
– Leslie Hind reported no significant progress. Atmos Energy has raised a pipe-related issue that is delaying digging.
– Atmos returned last week to re-evaluate the site; no further update has been received since. An emergency meeting was held on the issue two weeks prior with no follow-up communication since.
Lake Health / HAB Watch
– Toxicity/Algae Update: Leslie Hind reported that last Friday’s toxicity report showed slightly elevated cell counts, keeping the lake in the Watch category and well below the hazardous threshold. She cautioned levels could change quickly. She posted a “mason jar test” method to Facebook so residents can check conditions at their own docks. State agencies retested lake water on Monday at locations tied to the recent fish die-off; results are expected Wednesday (typical 2-3 day turnaround).
– Fish & Wildlife Die-Off: Leslie Hind reported approximately 9 dead fish and 2-3 dead ducks found near the dam and the public fishing area by Larry’s dock. The cause is undetermined — possible factors include blue-green algae toxicity or pesticide exposure. Board members also noted an unusual absence of geese from the lake in recent weeks. Duck/goose deaths are treated as a state and federal matter; a resident supplied photos documenting the dead ducks.
– Swim Safety: Leslie Hind clarified that blue-green algae toxicity is generally concentrated in shallow water, so the open middle of the lake is likely safer, though swimming in the lake is against city regulation regardless of location.
– Nutrient Source Investigation: Leslie Hind and Mike Stappert are coordinating with roughly five state and county contacts to help identify pollution sources, including a separate agency addressing MUD issues on the South End. State testing of the lake’s roughly five inlets, to help distinguish city/development runoff from agricultural or airport-area runoff, is available but agencies want to wait for a dry stretch given recent heavy rain.
– Comparison Research: Mike Stappert spoke with Johnson County/Olathe lake manager Paul Kruger, who noted Olathe’s Cedar Lake faces similar nutrient issues tied to residential fertilizing; Kruger is sharing a 2018 Olathe Lake master plan study with recommendations. Leslie Hind separately learned from Johnson County Parks that the county has eliminated fertilizer use on its parks entirely, resulting in major water quality improvement; Olathe reported the same result.
– Lawn Fertilizer / Resident Messaging: Mike Stappert noted an increase in lawn service activity, including a service observed spreading fertilizer during rainfall. The board discussed encouraging residents to reduce or eliminate fertilizer use, particularly phosphates, which Kansas Wildlife & Parks staff identified as a key contributor. Mike Rankin will draft a resident-facing message for the board to review and edit; the board agreed any such messaging should be clearly attributed to a specific source rather than presented as an unqualified absolute claim.
– Dock/Float Materials: Blair Honeyman raised a concern about unencapsulated Styrofoam observed on a trailer on the South end, which would violate city dock-construction code. Leslie Hind will forward the concern to the board’s city contact, since the GLA has no independent enforcement authority. Reminder to residents that the city has strict guidelines on their website for dock building: https://www.gardnerkansas.gov/business_detail_T18_R18.php
Taskforce/Petition
– Leslie Hind reported the county has approved the GLA’s petition. The taskforce plans to begin resident meetings in mid-September (exact dates pending) to gather signatures; the effort remains in progress.
New Business
– Directory: Briefly discussed; the board agreed to revisit after the Labor Day events. Sandy Adams noted the importance of coordinating with the Lake Road Reps given high resident turnover.
– Community Communications: Mike Rankin will monitor and repost Leslie Hind’s Facebook updates and send follow-up emails on important lake-health developments. Leslie Hind will text Mike Rankin directly for time-sensitive posts.
Special Events
Kayak Race (Labor Day, September 1)
– Event status is contingent on Thursday’s water toxicity report; if results are acceptable, the race is a go.
– Mike Rankin will inform coordinators Sandra and Tracy of the plan to begin advance planning once official word is given Thursday.
– If the event were canceled, prizes and supplies would roll over to the Chili Feed rather than go to waste.
Rock the Docks
– Amy Heaven is finalizing the band schedule, which includes several returning acts, and will design a promotional flyer once it is set.
– Low water levels may affect docking near Pirate’s Cove, but other areas are expected to be unaffected.
– Currently promoted via Facebook and email; no additional needs identified at this time.
Adjournment
No formal motion to adjourn was recorded in the transcript. The call concluded informally after the taskforce/petition update, with no further business raised.