Lisa Stephens, Councilwoman | City of Greenville Website
Lisa Stephens, Councilwoman | City of Greenville Website
City of Greenville Lake Committee met March 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. ROLL CALL
Committee Members Present: Committee Person Kyle Smith, Lake Committee Member Gary Trudell, and Committee Person Craig Moser
Committee Members Absent: Committee Person Jim Tarasuik and Lake Comittee Gary Zurliene
Staff Present: City Manager Jo Hollenkamp, Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Ketten, City Clerk Jody Weiss
Public Present: Lee Beckman, Dale Hastings, Andy & Mary Plofkin, Jen & Rex Lappe, Brigette Grotts, William & Mary Dickerson, Tony Yoko, Janice Carr, Cody Kleiner
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. CITIZEN INPUT / COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEM OR OTHERWISE
Dale Hastings asked about a new rule or regulation concerning metal seawalls to cover with rip rap - Ketten said this is NOT TRUE. Trudell said the Corps of Engineers makes that call. We are currently under the maximum. Hollenkamp said the November minutes reflect it was discussed only.
Tony Yoko has a concern with wave boats. The last two to three years wave boats have been increasing on the lake, to the point it is starting to look like Lake of Ozarks. He has seen fishermen within 10-15 feet of the banks getting pushed against the banks. Yoko feels these boats are dangers and post a serious safety concern.
Janice Carr is also concerned with safety on the lake. The speed of the Seadoos and big boats are creating huge waves. She witnessed a baby in a pontoon boat almost get swept away from the water that came in from the waves. She has also seen swimmers racing to the buoys with no life jackets almost get hit by a boat. Carr feels patrolling is not enough. There are many times boats are going the wrong way. She added that adding a beach will make safety an even bigger issue.
Steve ? asked about an event center by the Boy Scout Camp. Ketten said the City has nothing to do with that project and to address the Bond County Board regarding that issue. The event center has been on the County Board agenda and was tabled. Tarasuik said he is the chairman for the Zoning Board for the county, and they are currently exploring and gathering information for their Board of Appeals meeting in April where it will be considered. He added a Public Notice will be put out for the meeting in April. If anyone has any input on the subject should contact Brad Criner at the County.
The septic system for a large event center is an issue too. Hollenkamp said the City has zero influence in what the County permits.
Brigett Grotts stated the wave boats are a safety issue. Seadoos are not abiding by the rules. She is also concerned about boats being used by the event center and not having boat training. They would need to have captains "for hire" that has state and/or Coast Guard boat safety training. The AIR BNB on the lake hands out the rules to their guests.
Jeff Ketten said maybe some of the issues will subside as there will be a second person doing Lake Patrol in addition to Lou Lorton.
Jen Lappe asked if the City would send a letter of concern about the event space regarding safety since the property is on the lake. Hollenkamp stated the "City" would not do a letter, as the City and County try to stay out of each other's business. Smith said he does not feel the Lake Committee has any weight with the County
Grotts said if the City owns the lake bank, how about the City and County get together to discuss. The City owns 5 feet of the shoreline. She added if someone could get information on the septic system the event space would be using. Ketten said the property owners will have to go to the Bond County Health Department for sewer systems as they issue the permits for that
4. PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
4.1. Minutes of 11-06-2023 meeting.
Motion by Craig Moser, seconded by Gary Trudell, to approve the November 6, 2023 minutes as presented.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Moser SECONDER: Gary Trudell AYES: Kyle Smith, Gary Trudell, and Craig Moser ABSENT: Jim Tarasuik and Gary Zurliene |
5.1. Fish Structure Program
This never happened.
5.2. Christmas tree program -
There were only 15 Christmas collected this year and IDNR will only come out if there are 40 or more trees collected. The map locations have not changed. In 2021 and 2022 these were the locations did not change.
5.3. Engineering studies and reports:
Total gallons in lake
Status of auxiliary overflow spillway
Siltation
Lee Beckmann was in attendance to answer questions regarding the engineering studies and reports. The capacity of the lake was 3.2 billion gallons when built. In the early 2000's, 33-50% of siltation had been reached. 38,025 tons of sedimentation has gone in to the lake. Dredging is extremely expensive. There is a CDS grant that is available, but it is only for $750 thousand dollars. The estimate of dredging is in the tens of millions. Beckmann recommends erosion control such as: 1) Maintain sedimentation basin - 2) Shoreline protection - 40- 60% of erosion. It was agreed that the City needs to do something, but even applying for grants the process is 4-5 years.
Smith suggested bringing rock in and convey off into catch basins.
Moser spoke about Hillsboro Lake where they drained and did dredging.
Tarasuik is glad we are finally recognizing we have a problem. In Highland, about ten years ago, Hunsche Excavating came in and helped. We need to protect our water supply and he encouraged the City to act as quickly as possible. Highland did not drop their lake. If the lake is dropped, we could do shoreline repair. He would like to explore cost sharing with the shoreline owners.
Hollenkamp asked if it would make sense to see what needs to be done with the sedimentation banks and the approximate costs as the City is working on the budget now. Smith said Slattons would know where these are.
Tarasuik said we need extra gallons for overall ecology of the lake. He would like to see a healthy and robust water system.
Smith asked what can we do for sediment ponds - multi terrace with sea walls and artificial waterfalls.
Trudell said the capacity is good and the plant operators handle it well. He said the rain and wind affect erosion more than boats. He added the sky is not falling.
Grotts asked why did we build a new water treatment plant if the lake is low in water. Hollenkamp said there is no problem with supply, but there were serious issues the current water treatment plant.
5.4. Lake Egypt and Lake St. Louis rules and regulations. Note: these are private lakes.
Hollenkamp reviewed the rules and regulations for Lake Egypt and Lake St. Louis.
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. OLD BUSINESS
7.1. Lake Patrol - Safety
Moser asked if the City could give out a laminated set of lake rules to hand out when lake permits are issued. This would arm patrol to clearly give rules. If we do not enforce the rules, culprits will continue with bad behavior. We need more teeth in the ticket/fine. We should require the Illinois Safety Course test be taken in order to drive a boat/waverunner. The ticket should go to the owner of the boat, with a notation of who was driving the boat.
Someone from the audience said that 300 HP limit is too big for the lake. Whether they be on a pontoon, ski or fishing boat, no one needs to be going that fast.
Smith suggested community service for repeat offenders. The first incident driver will receive a written warning that will also be sent to the owner with the driver being notated on the warning ticket. Second offense will have the boat permit rescinded.
Lorton only does verbal - perhaps we do a written warning and send a letter to the owner.
Smith said he would be happy to do an instructional video on rules of the lake. Hollenkamp advised that Bill Walker can do drone footage and can edit the video.
Smith also added more presence of Lake Patrol will help with offenders.
Andy Plofkin asked what authority does the Lake Patrol have? Ketten said they can write a ticket and call police. Plofkin asked about body cameras, and the Lake Patrol does not have those. Plofkin then asked why not? They are inexpensive. Perhaps staff can look at grants that are available.
Tarasuik asked how do we determine if wakes are good or bad?
Trudell said we have more problems than we realize. We did not need 300HP boats on the lake. He asked if we can propose we if go back on size and horsepower? It is getting out of control. The boaters and waverunners cant wake surf if the bladders are empty.
Cody Kleiner asked if we could ban wake surfing? If nothing else, grandfather in what we already have and not allow new boats to receive a boat permit. He added farm ground is creating most of the siltation with a high run off area.
Smith commented Lake Patrol needs to make sure rules are being followed.
Ketten said other local lakes have IDNR and the Corps of Engineers patrol the lakes and write tickets.
Committee would like to have staff write a warning letter to the boat permit holder and include the name of the driver of the vessel. After the second offense, their permit will be pulled.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Gary Trudell, seconded by Craig Moser, to adjourn the Lake Committee Meeting at 7:35 PM.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Gary Trudell SECONDER: Craig Moser AYES: Kyle Smith, Gary Trudell, and Craig Moser ABSENT: Jim Tarasuik and Gary Zurliene |
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