Annual Meeting Minutes July 30th, 2022
Held at the Michigamme Township Building

  1. Call to Order and Introductions of the current Board – Karen Johnson, Pam Borlace, Lisa Blondeau, Susan Alexander, Nancy Bergin, Dan Ostola, Bob Hill, Neil Hanson, Al Dausman and Scott Lyman.
  2. Introduction of Charlie Gardner – spoke on the need for volunteers for the Fire Department and EMS.  Currently the Fire Department has sufficient help, however, interested community members should contact the department.  He mentioned the need to trim and maintain near fire number signs, to avoid wasted time, when a call is made. Please consider volunteering, if this is of interest to you.
  3. Guest Speaker – Jake Whitman (co-owner of the Cohodas Lodge) Very interesting talk about their discovery, purchase, and maintenance of this grand building on Lake Michigamme.  Their desire to maintain and preserve this piece of history.  The building has massive logs, handmade light features from Mother Nature and a massive fireplace with artist/craftsmen signature.  Many photos have been recorded. Thank you for giving back to the history of Lake Michigamme.
  4. Township Report
  1. Rhonda Boshears – Michigamme Township. Thank you for the help regarding the 150 Sesquicentennial.  Reminded that the library is open.  Street Signs will be updated. The campground has four lots marked.  Kiosk on Main Street empty lot across from the Museum, for community events.  Dumpsters will be back 17th – 20th of August.  Glass Recycling can be done every first Wednesday in Ishpeming Township Office. (will be available soon, at the Township parking lot.) There are 175 tickets to Pig Roast available, Dan and Lisa Sweidel are selling raffle tickets in the foyer, for the Fire Works Display, in 2023. Two grants have been received for the recreation area in the parks. A reminder was also made regarding power outages.  If you must have continual power, (medical reasons, etc.) the Township building is available.  A generator is installed and during power outages can be utilized.  Contact the office for more information.
  2. Jim Brennan – Republic Township.  Red Road, that is located by Gold and Silver, will be renamed.  The main Cardinal Red Road will remain as is.  There are festivals coming to Republic.  There will be a millage included in the November election.
  1. Treasurer’s Report – Pam Borlace presented the report for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.  Beginning fund balance was $12,016.60 with deposits and expenditures, the ending balance of $12,986.48 was presented.  Motion by Bill Seppanen was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report, supported by Dixon Holmgren, the motion carried.
  2. Secretary’s Report – Lisa Blondeau presented the Annual Meeting July 31, 2021 Minutes.  A motion was made by Skip Archibald to accept the minutes, with support from Greg Murphy, the motion carried.
  3. President’s Report – Karen Johnson discussed the Adopt-A-Highway program that the association has been involved in for many years.  Volunteers collect between 12-15 bags of garbage three times a year.  The buoys were set June 9th, 2022.  This was later than usual, because of high water.  The GPS which was purchased last year by the association significantly reduces the time it takes to set them.  Remember that the buoy is in the general area of the hazard and care should be given when boating near.  Please let one of us know if a buoy is missing or seems to be moved.  New decking was put on the pontoon this past season.  The motor is aging and if someone has or knows of a 35-40 horsepower motor available, please let Dan Ostola know.  Water testing was done again this year.  It is collected in four areas at an arm’s length below the surface.  There has been no change since 2021 and the water quality is very good.  The DNR did a Musky Survey with not many responding.  The association followed up with a second survey which included information from the DNR and a bit more of a response was received.  114 were in favor, 51 opposed and 2 were unsure.   The DNR will plant sometime in the fall.  Fish Cribs have been brought to our attention again.  The DNR has set rules regarding where they can be placed.  Three adjacent landowners (the length of lake frontage is not considered) must agree.  The locations where the DNR suggested, was not in agreement with the landowners.  If there is interest, please contact Dan Ostola.  LMPO will not fund if not DNR approved.  The Dam is owned by LMPO and currently does not have an easement to reach it by land.  Two landowners have the property.  One owner would give easement the other will not.  However, they will give permission to cross if notified prior.  The Boat Parade was a success again this year.  We had 10 participants.  Prizes were $150, $100, and $50 and all three winners donated back to the Fourth of July Committee.  The new sound system being used was funded in part by LMPO.  The Website LMPOwners.org and our Facebook Page are great sources of information.  We encourage you to check those out.
  4. New Business –
  1. Michigamme Messenger - If anyone is interested in resurrecting the Michigamme Messenger let us know.  The association will pay printing costs.
  2. Nominations and Election of Board of Directors - Lisa Blondeau and Nancy Bergin have decided to resign from the board.  We thank them both for many years of dedication to LMPO.  The following have requested to remain or join the LMPO board:
Karen Johnson
Bob Hill
Greg Meyer
Jim Gustitis
Amy Racine
Kathy Kurzhals
 
The President asked if there are any other interested people from the floor.  A Motion by Skip Archibald, with support from Kathi Hanson, to accept the six listed.
Motion Carried.
Adjourn – at 11:15am a Motion by Greg Murphy, and seconded by Kathi Hanson, was made to adjourn.  Motion Carried.