Annual Subdivision Meeting Tonight

Yup, we need you there!

We’ll be discussing changing out our street lighting to LED, dropping the lake levels, and lake wall repairs. We’ll also cover the financials and get reports from each trustee.

11/20/2014 – 7PM
Des Peres City Hall
(enter back lot and go upstairs to left)

New Site Launch

The website hadn’t been updated in a few years since the previous site operator left our subdivision. We’ve updated the technology to make it easier for more people to publish updates and we’ve added a private Facebook group for subdivision residents to more easily exchange information directly with each other.

We hope you find the updates useful, if you have any suggestions please email webmaster at doughertylake.org.

Annual Meeting Minutes 2013

Annual Meeting – Thursday, November 14, 2013, 7:00 pm

 Roll call of trustees

Sandy Baker, President introduced each of the Trustees: Jim Gruenewald, Lake/Maintenance; Carel Reynolds, Communications; Chuck Toedtman, Treasurer; Lisa Kadel, Landscape

 Trustee reports

Lake/Maintenance – Jim Gruenewald

  1. The street lamps are now brighter due to a 2 part update of adding halogen bulbs and switching to glass globes which stay clear and brighter.
  2. The large aerator is being checked out but both are now out for the winter.
  3. Jim suggested adding boat races to our 4th of July activities. He ran it by the majority of the residents at the fall picnic and since some liked the idea, he pursued costs, etc.
    1. Backyard Lifeguards would provide assistance with 4 lifeguards at a minimum of $450 for 2 hours
    2. Based on timing for the races, insurance could cost approximately $500.
    3. Everyone would have to come up with their own boats.
    4. Minimum age would be 12 as of July 4. Life jackets would be required.
    5. Jim suggested keeping the race simple going from the dam, around markers at the north end and back. Once we see how it goes, we can experiment with additional activities.
      1. A question came up regarding our water quality. Jim responded that testing the water would cost $400 to $500. The last time we dredged the lake we tested the water and it was acceptable.
    6. Sponsorships could help defray the costs.
    7. A vote was taken with the group in attendance; 20 were for the races and 3 were against.
    8. Jim plans to take a survey of the entire subdivision to see interest. He will also ask if another date would work better. We would need enough interest to cover approximately $1000.

Landscape – Lisa Kadel

  1. MDH Landscaping has been hired as our new landscape company. The irrigation is still being handled by St. Louis Sprinkler.
  2. The culvert is being cleaned up on Beaver Dam and Briar Fork.
  3. Lisa reminded everyone that leaf pickup is each homeowners own responsibility. It is important to pick up you leaves and place them in recycle bags for Monday pick up. If left in the street, they wash into the lake and cause silt, resulting in us having to dredge the lake sooner.
  4. Lisa asked if we could plan to replace the 2 trees removed by the lake. Jim stated that we removed them because their roots were damaging the dam.

Financial Report – Chuck Toedtman

  1. Chuck reported that we currently pay $316/home and that the assessment will increase to $323 in 2014.
  2. Following up on earlier conversations, our current indentures mandate a $10,000 lake fund which was established in 1972. Based on the CPI, it should now be $56,000. In 2009 we spent $20,000 on repairs. Should we have to dredge again, the assessment would be $300-600 per home.
  3. Our current lake fund is $28,000 to which we will be adding $5,000 this month.
  4. Chuck worked with an attorney to develop new language for the restrictive agreement for an increase in our lake fund to $55,000 with an annual increase based on the CPI.

Communication – Carel Reynolds

  1. Carel explained that to keep the cost of communication down, we will begin sending all subdivision information via email. She suggested everyone send their email addresses to Carel for subdivision use only.
  2. Our plan is to work on a new directory this year. Please encourage your neighbors to participate.
  3. Cissy Bahn reported sidewalk damage on her street. Dennis Knox came out and looked at it and stopped the scraping of the sidewalks and repairing them. It was suggested that the trustees address it with him.
  • No New Business
  • Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectively submitted by Carel Reynolds, Communications Trustee

Annual Meeting Minutes 2012

Annual Meeting – Thursday, November 8, 2012, 7:00 pm

 Roll call of trustees and introductions

John Steuterman introduced guests Paul Raczkiewicz, Alderman Ward Two; Jim Kleinschmidt, Alderman Ward Two, and Rick Lahr, Mayor. All 3 explained how proud they were to represent such a fine city.

Trustee reports

Lake/Maintenance – Jim Gruenewald

  1. More of our lights are failing. The decision was made to begin replacing them slowly and move to the outside of the homeowner’s homes so that we have easier access to repair them.
  2. The large aerator has failed and was replaced a moved to a deeper location. They need to be cycled off and on to drop debris which clogs them. It would cost $2500 each to screen them.
    1. The question was asked what affect the leaves have on the fish. Jim responded that the treatment he uses eats the layer of leaves.

Landscape – Roger Feltz

  • US Lawns lost workers due to the new laws on visas. They are struggling to stay on top of things.
  • Our irrigation system is currently shut down.
  • The entrance cleanup was poorly done and we are addressing it.
  • Our playground equipment is doing fine and needs no work now.
  • Tree replacement within our easements will not be done by Des Peres. They will only remove the trees. The hoses watering the trees south of the entrance were replaced again this year.

Financial Report – Chuck Toedtman

  1. Chuck proposed an increase in our lake fund to $55,000 with an annual increase based on the CPI. (details below)
    1. The question was asked why we do not investigate purchasing an insurance policy. Chuck responded that we investigated it and it would be prohibitive but he will continue to look into it. Jim Gruenewald suggested we look into an alternative planting design to stop the silt. He will investigate further.

Communication – Carel Reynolds

  1. Carel explained that to keep the cost of communication down, we will begin sending all subdivision information via email. She suggested everyone send their email addresses to Carel for subdivision use only.
  2. New Business
  3. Discussion of proposed amendment change – Chuck Toedtman
  4. Proposed Amendment Change

In accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 18 of the Restrictive Agreement of the Dougherty Lake Subdivision, at the meeting the Trustees propose to submit for discussion an Amendment to 13(a) paragraph 2 of the Restrictive Agreement to revise the language regarding the lake fund. After discussion, a vote will be taken at a future meeting, date to be determined.

The proposed amendment will read as follows:

13(a) paragraph 2 “The Trustees are hereby required to transfer the amount of $5,000.00 from collection revenue at the beginning of each fiscal year to The Lake Reserve Fund, until the sum of $55,000.00 is accumulated. This RESERVE FUND is to be maintained for MAJOR Lake Maintenance. It is the intention of the lot owners that this assignment be made and paid in full each year until such time as the sum of $55,000.00 is accumulated. In the event such sum is diminished, then the Trustees are hereby authorized to assess each lot in said Dougherty Lake subdivision the sum of $50.00 per lot per year, which shall be in addition to the original assessment provided for in paragraph 19 of the Restrictive Agreement, and the afore mentioned yearly assignment until such time as the sum of $55,000.00 is accumulated. All of such funds, including the interest thereon, shall be maintained in a separate account, and the income there from and principal, if need be, shall be expended to pay the cost of MAJOR maintenance of the aforesaid dam, spillway and Lake.

 The original indenture reads as follows:

The Trustees are hereby authorized to assess each lot adjoining the Lake the sum of $75.00 per lot per year, and all other lots in said Dougherty Lake Subdivision the sum of $55.00 per lot per year, which shall be in addition to the original assessment provided for in paragraph 19 of the Restrictive Agreement. It is the intention of the lot owners that this assessment be made and paid in full each year until such time as the sum of $10,000 is accumulated. In the event such sum is diminished, then the Trustees shall recommence the assessments until such time as the sum of $10,000 is accumulated. All of such funds, including the interest thereon, shall be maintained in a separate account, and the income therefrom and principal, if need be, shall be expended to pay the cost of the care, upkeep and maintenance of the aforesaid dam, spillway and Lake.

A raise of hands indicated that the majority present approved this proposal. Official language will be developed and presented at another full subdivision meeting for a vote to update the indentures.

  1. Election of two Trustees, President and Landscape
  2. Lisa Kadel offered to serve as Landscape Trustee. A vote was taken and passed.
  3. Sandy Baker offered to serve as President. A vote was taken and passed.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectively submitted by Carel Reynolds, Communications Trustee