Meeting Minutes, May 14, 2008
1. President Tim Banaszak called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Roll Call: Tim Banaszak, Jeff
Staudacher, Joe Vogl, Julie Kleinau, Jerome Bartkowiak, Dave Bledsoe, Tim Mark, Clara Pasko, Bob Rau,
John Roszatycki, Darryl Steiner, and Tina VanOchten were present. Bill Chernenko was excused. Mike
Darbee and Ben Ramsay were absent.
2. Secretary’s Report: Approve Minutes April 9th, 2008. The draft of the April 9th minutes was sent
out by e-mail before the meeting. A few comments were provided by board members before the meeting
which were incorporated in a new draft sent out the day before the meeting. Joe Vogl moved to approve
the minutes, Jeff Staudacher seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as submitted.
3. Treasurer’s Report: YTD/ 08 Discuss and approve. Joe Vogl provided an updated Financial
Report and Budget status. The board reviewed new revenues since the last report. (There was a
donation of $60 from Wirt Stone Dock, Joe is not sure what the donation was intended for). New expenses
from the April annual meeting are included. The report shows we have 143 paid members for the year,
plus one more new one tonight. 2008 Budget update – the is a $100 refund of the township hall deposit
for annual meeting shown in the “Other Donations” line item). There was a question by Tim of where to
indicate revenues from the upcoming golf outing since it was not on the original budget – Joe will most
likely add a separate line item for the golf outing instead of just lumping it in with the Special Events line
item. Darryl moved that the Treasurer’s report be approved as submitted, John Roszatycki seconded the
motion. The board unanimously approved the report.
4. Old Business: Review and Discuss:
A. April 2008 Annual Meeting –
I. Introduction of new board member Tim Mark, a Bay City firefighter. He lives across the river from Clara
Pasko. He was elected at the Annual Meeting.
II. One board member inquired as to whether or not donations should be solicited from our invited VIP’s –
the thought was no, a donation should not be requested, however, they can certainly give a free will
offering if they desire.
III. Most people really liked the membership boards at the sign in table Kathleen provided. Kathleen has
not been given her appreciation certificate yet – we could invite her to the boat cruise, or Tim may drop off
the certificate at her house.
IV. The township hall almost did not give us our deposit back due to “hall cleanliness”. As the hall was
tidied up and all table & chairs were put away, it appears as though the issue was in the kitchen –
something to do with steam drips. Fortunately the township did return our deposit.
V. There were comments about the lack of variety in drinks. Next year we will request some alternate
beverages. (Only coffee was provided).
VI. Perhaps next year we could shorten the dinner portion of the meeting to 45 minutes instead of an hour
– depends on how fast the food line moves.
B. Canoe/ Kayak Launch at Kawkawlin Park-
Jeff provided an update on a Monitor township board meeting he attended on our proposal to donate the
canoe/kayak lauch to the township for use at the park. Dave Bledsoe came up with some plans which Jeff
presented to the board. Unanimous consent was given by the Monitor Township board. Jeff went to the
DEQ yesterday, (Kathy Slade) and found out that $50 for a permit is required. Monitor Township will have
to provide some paperwork. Dock width will need to narrowed to 4 feet from the existing design of 5 feet to
get the permit. (20’ long) (Credit card required for permit, checks not accepted). Township will take over
ownership of the launch (for liability purposes.) The design includes progressively reducing barrel sizes
for flotatation, which allow the dock to lower to water level as weight is placed on it, allowing canoes and
kayaks to easily slide in & out. Tim will talk to Sequin Lumber about donating some materials. Darryl
moved, and Clara seconded to proceed with acquiring materials and building the canoe/kayak launch. All
Board members were in favor.
C. River restoration –
The State Park Drive road drain (not the storm water drain) is the one with the high e-coli readings. The
Road Commission is involved in trying to understand source of contaminants. At the Bergeson drain, it is
believed that the contamination is coming from the old trailer park (Chelsea Meadows) where everyone
has been evicted. There is definitely raw sewage draining at that location.
D. River Clean Up –
Tim & Bob are working on it. Kelly Farr verified that Consumer’s is going to be a sponsor and help with
pubilicity, and RTH is willing to donate if needed. Bob needs another 50 fliers for the River Cleanup. Julie
will see if there are enough left in the stash from the Annual Meeting – Clara will print more if necessary.
Tim has coordinated with Castaway’s for the breakfast. Ray Van Goethem, Consumers Power, Prime
Brothers Furniture, Bay Antique Center, Rivertown Chapel, Tri-city RV are signed up to sponsor so far. A
few more businesses yet to be contacted. 130 shirts were ordered for the Clean Up last year, Tina will get
the same number this year – different size distribution – more smalls & X-larges, less mediums. Julie will
bring the map board and the Sponsor thank-you board and sign in sheets. Bob is not sure if we need the
Sheriff’s dive team this year – we are not sure there is anything we need to find. Tina passed around
some color samples for t-shirts – many colors available. Tim & Bob will have list of sponsors to Julie by the
weekend of the 31st to make the updated sponsor board. Bob asked for suggestions for improvements
for the cleanup. Tim suggested taking small aluminum boats upriver farther – there are significant
amounts of debris in the upriver areas. There are reports of an appliance in the water near Chip Road.
People working on the upriver location will put in at the park near Three Mile.
E. Golf Outing –
Tim reported 16 pledged teams. Not as many teams from river residents as expected. Tim would like a
couple of more teams of river residents. 6 sponsors already paid, 3 or 4 pending sponsors. Jeff
Staudacher will sponsor a team, Darryl will sponsor a team.
E. Duplication costs on KRWPOA full color 3 fold brochures –
$500 per thousand for full color, $300 per thousand for 3 color. After conclusion of the project we own the
artwork & design. Need photos, watershed description, introduction to the organization, mission
statement, accomplishments, and instructions on how to join. There was discussion on whether a
committee or individual should put the information together. Some of the web site information already
existing will be helpful. Tina & Clara will come up with a proposal.
F. Jim Begick article –
Julie to send a thank-you for the five page article he submitted for the web site.
G. Newsletter sponsorships – down to 6, used to have 8 or 10. Need to work on this.
5. New Business:
A. Committee Appointments were determined for 2008 – Julie will add to the board member roster &
forward to Carol for website.
Membership – Bill Chernenko, Jr., Joe Vogl
Weed Control – Jerome Bartkowiak, Darryl Steiner
Dredging – John Roszatycki, Dave Bledsoe
Water Quality/E-Coli – Darryl Steiner, Julie Kleinau, Jerome Bartkowiak, Dave Bledsoe, Bill Chernenko
Safety – Tim B. & Tim M., Bob, Jeff Staudacher
Fun Activities – Jeff, Ben, & Mike & Tim B.
River Clean Up – Tim B. & Bob Rau, Tina
History – Tina, Clara
Newsletter, The River Journal – Clara, Cindy Kababik (note : need to help Cindy by writing more articles)
Web Site: Carol Nesbitt, Clara
B. Sebewaing grants – Darryl looked into the Pennebog River grant in 2005 to develop a watershed
management plan. In 2007 the DEQ changed the plan requirements and provided more funds to revise
their plans. The Sebewaing grant is for farm erosion tilling practice education (2002-2005). Our
watershed management plan has $207K in funds. It will take about 18 months. Bob was wondering if
there are other grants available we could apply for -
C. Indian Mission Church on Euclid - renovations – Dave Bledsoe asked for volunteers next Monday and
Tuesday for some additional work – someone will be renewing their wedding vows there in early June.
6. Committee Chairperson’s Reports
A. Memberships - Bill – no update, status covered in Treasurer’s report.
B. Weed Control – Jerome – no update.
C. Dredging – John and Dave – no update.
D. Water Quality/ E.coli – Darryl – no additional update.
E. Safety Issues – Tim and Dave - no update.
F. Fun Activities – Jeff, Ben and Mike – Golf outing discussion about how to stagger golfers – 9
holes needed for 18 teams to start. Next Wednesday is the last Castaway’s membership mixer before fall
(May 21st).
G. River Clean Up June 7th 2008 – Bob and Tim – discussed earlier.
H. History – Tina. Tim suggested using old photos to put a history book together.
I. Newsletter, The River Journal, Articles due by: Clara brought up the instructions from Cindy for
articles on font size & type, with reminders to get articles to Cindy in a timely manner. Next articles will be
due around the 20th of July. We need to help Cindy out more with this. Darryl would like to see an article
from every committee for each newsletter.
J. Web Site (www.kawkawlinriver.net) - Updates
7. Next Board Meeting: River Inspection Cruise Meeting: Wednesday June 18th, meet at Bob Rau’s
house. Discussion over snacks before cruise – simple picnic fare preferrable. 6:00 PM, Thursday the
19th is the rain date.
8. Adjournment: Jerome moved to adjourn, Dave seconded. The Meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm.