Thank you so much for having a safe and fun summer at and on the lake. Unlike some other lakes that had fatalities and other serious injuries, we are so grateful for your efforts to follow the rules and use common sense while operating the nearly 2,000 boats and PWC’s on our fine lake. We hope we never have to report otherwise.
Two weeks ago, the Missouri Department in charge of dam safety inspected our dam, spillway, and other adjacent properties. While we have not received the official report, the verbal report was that there were 4 non-serious items that need attention, including cleaning vegetation off the spillway (which has already been completed), rebar exposure on the lower part of the spillway, and several other similar matters. The lake is certified as a Class 2 dam and that certification duration is for three years.
The two large culverts were replaced in G block on time and on budget. The office staff will continue to work with the Roads Committee of the Board of Directors to review the roads and culvert report commissioned several years ago, as well as identify observable road failures to determine where the next culvert replacement project will be located. It is instructive to note that the last two major culvert replacements have cost the Association and you close to $140,000. Now both of those projects were large major double-culvert replacements so hopefully the next project is a small one and much less costly.
Some members will wonder what the staff will be busy doing for the remainder of this year. Some of the planning, duties and projects include complete the budgeting process to be ready for the November budget meeting, empty silt ponds, dredge planning, plan out and implement ditch cleaning around the lake (including leaf cleaning), mini-excavator project, maintenance of equipment and dredge, road crack fill, road striping (depending upon bid amounts), readiness for snow removal, continued vigilance regarding rock and dirt (silt remediation) around the lake, Fall cleanup, and the list goes on and on. If there are any issues you may have, please contact the office and we will address it to the best of our ability.
Along with the safety of our dam, water quality and road conditions, two other focuses of the Association team are the enforcement of the Rules and Deed of Restrictions. The Rules are made by the Board of Directors. If you would like to see changes, contact your Board Member Representative. The Lake Improvement Board has the power to allow for projects on the common areas as it relates to the rules and, where applicable, variance to those rules. The Deed of Restrictions are real estate requirements that affect all real estate within the platted Association.
We have also touched on this topic in the past, but it bears repeating. The parkway, which is the area generally between your real property and the lake, varies in size. In some areas the length from the shore to your real property is 80 feet. In others it is only 5 feet. Thus, if you are considering any construction on your real property, please contact the office to make sure it does not involve any real property owned by the Association. If it does there are many special rules that must be followed, which includes many prohibitions.
Please call 816.578.4272 if we can help. I also can be reached at 913.305.7181 or email me at haroldmitts@lakelotawana.net. Be safe! Harold