Meeting Called to Order by Mike Rankin at 4:05 PM on Zoom
Present: Mike Rankin, Amy Heaven, Sandy Adams, Mike Stappert, Natalie Hill, Blair Honeyman, Ryan Mueller
Absent: Leslie Hind, Blake Larson
Agenda
Approved as submitted.
Secretary Report
August minutes were shared with the board by email prior to the meeting.
Treasury Report
No report given this meeting. Leslie Hind (Treasurer) was traveling in Wyoming and absent; the board opted to forgo the standard treasury report in her absence.
Old Business
Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) / Water Clarity
- General consensus that conditions have improved somewhat from casual observation, though this varies by location — Pirate’s Cove reported as worse, Lighthouse Cove reported as better.
- Lake dye: Mike Stappert referenced a private lake his daughter lives on (Lake Dabinawa, north of Lawrence) that uses lake dye to block sunlight and prevent algae growth; he will follow up with his daughter on cost and results.
- Copper sulfate: Discussed with KDWP contacts. Effective at low doses but carries risk of contaminating lake silt, which would prevent future dredging; testing indicates current silt copper levels are below the concern threshold.
- Herbicide option: Blair Honeyman relayed information from a KDWP visit about an environmentally safe glyphosate-based product (“Rodeo”) usable for shoreline/aquatic weeds.
- Ozone treatment: Mike Stappert and Leslie Hind held a call (~1 month ago) with Greenwater Summit Services regarding micro-bubble ozone treatment; estimated equipment cost of roughly $500,000–$1,000,000 plus ongoing electricity, with an equipment lifespan of about 10 years.
- Algae-harvesting proposal: Sandy Adams noted a Colorado-based contact proposed installing equipment to extract algae from the lake at no cost, in exchange for keeping the harvested algae. Leslie Hind has already had at least one exploratory meeting with this group; status and next steps are unclear and should be followed up with Leslie.
- Comparison discussion: Lake Olathe experienced a blue-green algae event last summer with no active treatment (the city only issued advisories); board discussion attributed the difference to Lake Olathe’s greater depth (~40 ft) and lower nutrient runoff from surrounding development, versus Gardner Lake’s shallower depth and denser residential development.
- Fertilizer/phosphate link raised again as a contributing factor, consistent with prior meeting discussion.
- Decision: further algae discussion tabled until Leslie Hind is present to continue leading it.
Submerged Log / Tree Obstructions
- The log/tree near the public dock (referenced in a prior email from Leslie Hind) has not yet been removed. Estimated at roughly 20 inches in diameter, partially submerged near the public boat ramp; removal would require someone in the water to secure a chain, then pulling with a tractor.
- Priority to clear it before the Labor Day Kayak Race (Monday, September 7), since it may obstruct the race route.
- Mike Stappert volunteered to assess it the next morning and attempt removal with his truck; Amy Heaven offered to contact Todd about tractor assistance; Mike Rankin offered to help if needed.
- A second, similar log obstruction near Scott and Mary’s property was also noted, believed to have been in the lake for about a year, since a flood event.
- Natalie Hill raised the question of whether obstruction removal is the city’s responsibility rather than the lake community’s; Ryan Mueller confirmed it is technically the city’s responsibility.
- Various ideas were pitched to get the city to address the debris.
New Business
Directory & Calendar Update
- Mike Rankin raised the need to begin planning the updated resident directory and events calendar.
- Sandy Adams noted her usual directory/printing vendor is significantly backlogged and would like to place an order by November 1; she recommended holding a Lake Road Rep meeting beforehand to confirm directory accuracy.
- Mike Rankin will coordinate with Greta Jahraus (who has agreed to lead the Lake Road Rep effort) after Labor Day to consider a plan for door-to-door directory verification via the Lake Road Reps, aiming to have residents organized in October and information ready to send out by November.
- Mike Rankin will talk with Greta Jahraus before the October board meeting to finalize the approach.
Apparel / Merchandise
- Sandy Adams will be traveling over the weekend of the October board meeting and will need someone else to cover apparel sales at upcoming events; team plans to check with some previous helpers.
- No new fall merchandise has been ordered yet due to competing priorities; Sandy Adams noted she could place an order if needed.
Fall Cook-Off
- Confirmed the board is doing a chili cook-off again, but it is not for a while yet — nothing further to report at this time.
Special Events
Marina Cleanup (ahead of Kayak Race)
- Mike Stappert mentioned Chris K. and Anthony L. had cleaned the marina ahead of the kayak run; most of the work was completed, with some heavy debris near the dock still to be cleared. Mike Stappert planned to finish the job the following morning.
Kayak Race (Monday, September 7) Prep
- Sign placement: Amy Heaven and volunteers (including Pete and other husbands recruited via the book club group) planned to place event signs that evening around 6:00 PM; hard, dry ground required a sledgehammer and pickaxe. Sandy Adams noted her husband Pete could supply a sledgehammer and rebar.
- Buoys/course markers: Amy Heaven to follow up on buoys for the race course and consider replacing tattered course flags.
- Judges’ viewing: Proposal to use Dave’s double-decker pontoon boat (currently docked at Sandy Adams’s) so judges can view the race from above; Amy Heaven will ask Dave if the board can borrow it.
Rock the Docks
- Scheduled for this coming weekend. Amy Heaven has been posting daily/twice-daily band promotions on Facebook using materials Mike Rankin distributed.
- A food truck will be at the marina from 1:00–8:00 PM; Amy Heaven is preparing signage to overlay onto existing event signs and will post it the morning of the event.
- The band lineup is finalized!
- Alan Wayne and the Mudcats on Lake Rd 2 from Noon – 1:30
- The Justin White Band on south end of LR 5 from 1:30 – 3:00
- The Vincents next to the Fishing Point from 3:00 – 6:00
- Kevon Doty in Pirates Cove from 6:00 – 8:00
- Dating Sarah on Lake Rd 10 from 8:00 – 10:00
Adjournment