Common Area Liability – As President, I see many sides of what it means to live in a shared community. One of the ongoing challenges is balancing each owner’s goals for their property with the responsibilities that come with shared membership in the Lake Lotawana Association. At times, it seems easy to forget that the Association is not some outside entity—it is all of us.
Common areas, including the lake, roads, park, pathways, and parkways, belong to all owners. While each of us may use these assets differently, they are part of what makes this community special. Along with the benefits of shared assets come shared risks and liabilities. The Board is working to update policies and processes to protect these common areas and reduce potential liability. Our decisions are guided by safety, fair access, shared-use goals, and other important considerations. Please remember that this is not the Association versus the owners. It is the Association working to provide the fairest possible use of common areas, protect everyone’s investment, and support community safety. Risk management is becoming a larger part of decision-making due to pressure from surrounding cities and an increasingly litigious environment. These factors affect our insurance, legal, and operating costs.
Parkway Importance – I know one of the forever topics is the Parkway and not being able build on it. Recently the Operations Crew moved dredge pipe in place for the start of dredging. The effort really illustrated how important this policy is for the Association. The crew has worked around a retaining wall as well as having to cover many sidewalks for protection of the heavy equipment. Some homeowners with special landscaping are finding it hard to watch as we perform the work and had to remove the landscaping. Operations will be adding some dirt cross over berms to allow owners access for maintenance of the lakeside area.
Spire Main Replacement Project – Our roads committee has been informed by Spire they will start on Phase I of their main replacement program. Goat Hill moving up the east side. This will start in June sometime and the office will send notices to all members in the Phase I zone. Phase II will move up the east side of the lake with subsequent phases on the north shore side ending at Gate 3. Expect a lot of construction equipment and crews during this project on top of our normal lawn and contractor activities. Our 20 mph speed limit will be very important for all to follow. You may ask how long? Most likely a full year’s time.
Lotawana Snakes – this year’s Dam Run was a success and I enjoyed working with Kyle Twenter to answer member’s questions about the Association. Also, Adam Brandsgarrd from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Education branch was on hand with a live Speckled Kingsnake for everyone to see. I’ll admit it was cool to hold. Adam and his peers do educational programs with focus on teaching our teachers and helping with outings for kids like fishing. The Speckled Kingsnake is one of three types here in MO (Prairie, Black and Speckled). While many residents don’t like the idea of snakes, they do provide a valuable service in the circle of life as they eat venomous snakes. The Prairie Kingsnake is the most common with the Black and then Speckled following up.
When you see a snake in the water, it is probably a non-venomous Northern Water snake, the most common in MO. All these snakes will bite out of defense but are not venomous. The Copperhead Snake is native to the area and most common venomous snake we see. Their incredible camouflage can make them hard to spot, but they play a vital role in controlling rodent populations. While they are responsible for more venomous snakebites in the U.S. than any other species, their venom is relatively mild, and fatalities are extremely rare.
Sincerely,
Jeff Clemow
President