I hope each of you are doing well and enjoying the summer days at the Lake. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful place to call home, whether it be full or part time. The unique nature of our community makes it what it is – a vibrant and close-by lake where we enjoy each day. We are also enjoying increases in real estate values and brisk demand for home sales. Along with this growth comes some changes. 2020 was a record year for the number of construction permits issued. We are currently on pace to break that record this year. As many of us have observed, there are many contractors present on our roads and unfortunately the subcontractors and workers park on our streets. We have received complaints regarding the parking patterns of these companies and their workers. While we are cognizant of the fact that off-road parking at the lake is minimal, it is still appropriate for you to notify the office of any complaints. We will do our best to address each situation. Rest assured no contractor may leave messes on our roads or block the flow of traffic for unreasonable periods of time.
Another change that recently happened is the scrutiny of golf cart usage on Association and City roads. I apologize for my lack of an explanation of this issue as it is evolving as I write this article. As I understand it, the City will enforce all golf cart ordinances on its streets and roads, as well as enforcement certain criteria on Association roads such as not allowing under-age drivers, requiring 7-foot-tall flags on all golf carts and enforcing the speed limit. This also applies to UTV and ATV vehicles. Please contact the City for its enforcement practices.
We have also experienced a slight increase in demand letters from law firms or actual lawsuits against or on behalf of the Association. The nature of these claims ranges from water run-off, house placement, enforcement of our rules, regulations and deed restrictions and removal of docking structures from the lake. We were also dismissed from a lawsuit that had been pending for several years. While these legal matters are nothing new, it is instructive to note that each of them takes time and money away from the primary focus of the Association. It could also have an impact on future insurance premiums and insurability, which of course potentially costs all of us higher dues, etc. I broach this subject merely as a point of disclosure to you as members of the potential impact to the Association; not to speak of the merits of the individual matters at hand.
Regarding the dredging operations, the long-arm excavator was moved onto the south side of Big Rock to complete its rental stint after the silt pond preparation was completed. The dredge was launched last Tuesday and the pipe for the dredge will be brought into the cove and laid into position to pump the silt up to the pond. We will need to have a road cut at Gate 4 to run the silt pipe under the road. This time we plan to leave the silt pipe permanently in place to serve future dredging operations.
Many of you will note the number of docks that are seemingly always parked at Goat Hill. If anyone wants to temporarily store their dock at that location, you must have a temporary permit to do so. Moreover, processes have changed the temporary storage process whereby you are now able to temporarily store a dock structure at its proposed location so that we are able to minimize the number of docks at Goat Hill. You must have a permit to temporarily store docks and you must also make application to the Lake Improvement Board so a determination can be made if your application may be approved. Keep in mind that if the LIB application is not approved you must move your temporary dock structure immediately. For those of you that have a dock or similar structure at Goat Hill, and you have not obtained a temporary permit for it, please know that the Association will be issuing points and removing those docks. Please come by the office and obtain one immediately. I focus on these issues in these articles as it is the best avenue of communicating with you regarding issues the Association deals with on a daily basis.
On another subject, as most of you know the Marina 27 restaurant is doing very well. As a bit of a background, the Association formed a Missouri Limited Liability Company to own the real property where the restaurant is located. Under the current lease, the LLC was responsible for some major foundation repair, exterior upgrades and other repairs to the building. The operator was financially responsible for the interior upgrades. Under the lease the operator initially paid for our LLC’s exterior upgrades and repairs, with the understanding that anything paid over the monthly base rent would be used to repay the operator for its costs. Because of its success thus far, the loan between the LLC and Marina 27 has now been paid down to 27 percent of its original loan value. If this current trend continues, this loan will be easily repaid in 2021.
The fireworks are set for the evening of July 4th. I have been told that our fireworks company is in good shape for having an adequate supply of fireworks for our show. We are also looking to begin the show as soon as conditions allow. However, our focus is sometime between 9:15 and 9:30 pm. We shall see if that happens!
As I said in the last article, there is so much to do yet so much to be proud of at the Lake. Many thanks to each and every one of you for doing your part! It is very much appreciated! We will continue to work every day to make the Lake a better place for all of us to enjoy and live.
Call us at 816.578.4272 if you have any questions or concerns. I am available just about any time at 913.305.7181 or email me at haroldmitts@lakelotawana.net. Be safe! Harold