January 10, 2026 Minutes

ESLA Board Meeting January 10, 2026

Call to Order & Quorum

Approval of Prior Minutes

Previous meeting minutes approved unanimously.
Correction noted: Annual meeting date on website should be June 27 (not June 20). Website to be updated.

Financial Report - Sue Korzinek

Year-end balance: $60,537.47
$13,000 earmarked for carp project (reduced by $7,000, payment paid).
Available unallocated funds approximately $43,461, pending recent bills.
2025 dues collected: $33,900.
Sue added a credit card payment feature on the website. 3% fee for credit cards, debit cards cost us 1.75% plus .10 per transaction
Gift funds received $1,607.
Proposed 2025 budget: $28,500.
Actual 2025 expenditures: $18,888. – not including road repairs needed to be added
Underspend attributed to lower-than-expected costs across multiple categories.
Missing road repairs on outing- should be added to the expenditures budget. Sue to get with Tim on a paid invoice around $2,800.
Click here to see the Financial Report.

Weeds & Water Quality - Bill Weatherhead

Permits submitted to Michigan EGLE for 2026 lake treatment:
- Emerald Lake: $450
- Sylvan Lake: $875 - Sylvan Lake more costly due to size and chemical concentrations
Water Quality Management Program approved (approx. $1,800) due to declining lake clarity.
2026 lake management budget:
- Estimated range: $9,550 – $17,275
- Approved budget: $12,000
Herbicide and algaecide treatments planned May–September.
Continued participation in Secchi testing and MI Corps monitoring program.
Educational resources shared:
- Michigan Lakes & Streams Association
- MSU Extension “Introduction to Lakes” course (reimbursable tuition)

Bridge Committee Update - Kevin Self

Deliver/spread topsoil on Baar’s (southside) property.
Purchase and install “No Wake” buoys for both the West and East entrances under the bridge.
Purchase and install bridge load restriction signs for both North and South entrances to the bridge.
Reinstall Kiosk on southside of bridge next to Sharp’s commemorative marker.
Reinstall road sign on south-east side of bridge entrance.
Relocate the rocks that were moved during construction on Baar’s property.
Purchase and install new bush that was removed near the sewer lift station.
Remove the “scrub” trees on the northside of bridge along both sides.
Power wash bridge guardrail.
Finalize all invoicing/payments and confirm remaining balance.
Adopt a bridge fund account that is funded thru a portion of the association membership dues. The intent of the account is for future repairs/replacements. Requires association approval and potentially by-law changes.

Decorative “Welcome to Emerald / Welcome to Sylvan” signs planned - Roger Lepley donating signage
Request to residents to add reflectors to rafts and watercraft for nighttime safety.
Trial installation of solar lighting on the bridge-Mounted without drilling into concrete.

Positioned for visibility to both pedestrians and boaters -Subject to removal if ineffective.

Bridge fund account to remain dedicated solely for bridge-related future needs. $4,000 remaining from donations.
Commitment to full financial transparency.

Oakleaf Club & Directory - Louisa Self

Summer events posted on ESLA website.
Welcome Back Brunch at DJ Krums on June 20.
Lake Directory update planned for early spring; goal to distribute at annual meeting.
Printing cost expected under $5 per copy.
Gail Horton to manage directory distribution and payments.
Laura to be given directories to hand out to establish relationships with due paying members.
UPS/FedEX drivers to be given directories.
Directories intended for emergency/contact use only; confidentiality emphasized.
Sue and Laura have donated a shed for Oak Leaf Club items- tables/chairs.
Google drive for directory/community database - owner Sue Korzinek.

Bridge Celebration Planning

Celebration planned for June 27, following the annual meeting.
Attendance may exceed prior estimates due to ~100 donor families.
Action Item: Conduct community survey (SurveyMonkey/Google Form/Facebook Poll) to estimate attendance before finalizing food and catering plans. - owner: Kevin Self.
Kevin and Louisa Self donating $1,500 towards food for catering.
Band for celebration- Ross Martin has booked a band for that Saturday night June 27th. Ross and Deb are covering the cost of the band.

Bylaws - Kevin Self

Fish & Wildlife - Laura Pacifici

Geese
- Goose permits will be applied for at the end of January.
- Eggs will be removed from nests the week of April 12th.
- DNR is requesting that I harass the adult geese to get them to fly away sooner. This will be communicated to the community as to not upset neighbors.
Carp
- Report to be shared with the community with go forward plans.
- Cost reduced to $7,000 after the original $13,000 estimate.
Wakeboats
- Guest speaker will be talking with the community in regards to current regulations and answer any questions neighbors may have.
- Timeline being worked on.

Safety Committee - Jay Graham

Safety committee being re-established; volunteers needed.
Approved safety actions:
- Purchase and install four no-wake buoys near the bridge.
- Reinstall signage: No fishing, no swimming, no diving from the bridge.
- Encourage residents to place reflectors on watercraft and rafts for night time visibility.
- Install solar lighting on the bridge (trial basis) to improve nighttime pedestrian and boating safety.
Lights to be mounted without drilling into concrete; placement discussed for visibility from land and water.
Ashley is working on an estimate and action plan to place a defibrillator near the bridge for community emergency use. Jeff will build a box to keep it out of the elements. More details to come on this project.

Roads - Jeff Parks

Salt/sanding for road entrances including Outing Drive and Willow Road.outing, Jeff to get in contact with Kevin Pasma on where barrels of sand/salt came from in past years.
Jeff to get in touch with Art on cost for salting entrances.
Agreed lake will salt entrances only. Property owners may salt in front of their homes .

Final Discussions

Tree cleanup- Homeowners are responsible for leaning dead trees if still standing- will help with clean up. Jay to write a message for FB posting and email to the community.

Adjournment