August 4, 2021
Pre-meeting Discussion: Jamie and Kelly Thompson lawsuit. Pam and Brian traded the responsibilities for the Halloween party (Pam to retain) and the Observer (now Brian’s to produce)
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm
Board Members Present: Pamela Reid, Delbert Shoopman, Teresa Rolland, Pat Betcher, Cece Stramsak, Derek Morey, Alex Nikola and Brian Menard. Absent: Lacy Minard.
Guests Present: Linda Zukonik, Burns Rolland, Doug Macha, Hank Garner, Debra Shea, Stacy Staples, Carl and Theresa Keeling, Burt Bentley, Tom and Laura Petts, Richard Parker, Stacy Shea, Rich and Laura Dickson.
Pledge of Allegiance: Those present stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes from last Board Meeting: President Pamela Reid presented the meeting minutes from the June 29 Board Meeting. Motion was made to accept them into official record by Delbert Shoopman. Motion seconded by Pat Betcher. Motion carried.
Treasury Report: President Pamela Reid presented the Treasury Report provided by Treasurer Cece Stramsak. Motion was made by Teresa Rolland to accept the Treasury Report as provided. Motion seconded by Derek Morey. Motion carried.
Cece Stramsak reported that the Lake Club membership is currently 237 members.
President Pamela Reid inquired as to whether there were any Lake Club amounts incurred for payment. Cece Stramsak indicated Alex Nikora had recently presented a payment request for $323.45 (incurred for beach and club house area maintenance). The amount was supported with receipts and Cece Stramsak provided reimbursement to Alex.
Special Events: President Pamela Reid discussed the upcoming Special Events:
Annual Picnic to be held on August 7, 2021 – Pat Betcher and Linda Zukonik arranging
▪ Kids’ activities will be coordinated by Pat Betcher’s daughter, Samantha
▪ Raffle ticket sales will be coordinated by Rod Mills.
▪ Raffle awards will be coordinated by Stacy Staples and Teresa Keeling.
▪ Food provided by Bryan’s Market (subs, salads, watermelon, cookies & lemonade)
▪ Boy Scouts will be present on Saturday beginning at 10 am
▪ Recyclable cans and bottles collection trailer will be provided by Carl Keeling
▪ Set-up for picnic starts at 3 pm on Friday, August 6, 2021 and will be coordinated by Alex
Nikora.
Linda Zukonik noted that the upcoming Lake Flotilla, Golf Outing and Coffee Hours are not paid for by the Lake Club because the benefit they provide is for the enjoyment of many others, including many who are not members nor necessarily residents.
President Pamela Reid went on to state the upcoming golf outing will be on Patriot’s Day
(September 11, 2021) and will be held at Castle Creek Golf Club.
Moment of Silence: President Pamela Reid paused the meeting for a moment of silence in memory of resident Steve Shea.
Beach & Pavilion Update: President Pamela Reid requested a Beach & Pavilion update from Alex Nikora, who reported the following:
• Maintenance is going well.
• Two men attempted to pry open the locked gate to the boat launch and he successfully asked them to leave. They were attempting to use a gate key card, but when it failed to open the gate, they managed to get it open to approximately two feet, trying to get their jet skis onto the launch. The inference made was that they were attempting to use an expired key card and may not have been residents or guests of residents.
• Park lot boat registrations are now at 65 registered users, with 13 slips still available.
Scouting Report: President Pamela Reid requested the Scouting Report. It was provided by Teresa Rolland, who indicated:
• Troop 214 camped in Bloomington, IN (an 8-hour drive) and enjoyed the experience very
much. The campground was very large and the hiking trails had a triangular shape which 16
scouts and 4 leaders traversed during their stay.
• 58 merit badges were earned during the event, 22 of which were “Eagle Scout required.”
• The merit badges will be awarded during the Court of Honor on August 15, 2021.
• The Troop offered its sincere thanks to the Club for our support
Lake Treatments: Discussion was held regarding the spray treatments of the lake.
• Cece Stramsak inquired as to why it was sprayed again on July 28, 2021.
• Burns Rolland indicated the Lake Management Engineer was observing the effects of the prior treatment and felt another spray was needed. He also indicated this is likely the last treatment of the season.
• Pat Betcher expressed his displeasure regarding the effects of the spraying, stating he prefers the lily pads remain.
• A number of others present expressed dissenting opinions regarding the presence of the lily pads.
• Discussion of the methodology and timing of the herbicide application, as well as the effects, was held.
Lawsuit Against Barnes Lake Club: President Pamela Reid discussed the ongoing lawsuit and countersuit involving Jamie and Kelly Thompson (additional information was offered by Pat Betcher, Doug Macha, Burns Rolland, Delbert Shoopman, and Alex Nikola).
• The Barnes Lake Club’s attorney in this matter, Mike Nolan, opined that it was now an
appropriate time to begin discussing the ongoing suit and countersuit publically.
• In early 2018, Jamie and Kelly Thomson sued the Barnes Lake Club in 2018 seeking an
easement for Park Lot D.
• The Barnes Lake Club filed countersuit, indicating that in May 2018, the Thompsons cut down seven large healthy oak trees in Park Lot D, without permission from the Club, nor notification of their intent to do so.
• The Barnes Lake Club’s intent with the countersuit is only to present the Club’s position
regarding Park Lot authority and maintenance, recoup value for trees that were removed
from Park Lot “D” and to recoup attorney’s fees incurred due to having to retain him because of the suit brought by the Thompsons.
• The Barnes Lake Club contracted an arborist to ascertain the value of the trees removed by the Thompsons.
• Sometime later in 2018 or early 2019, the Thompsons dismissed their attorney, which delayed proceedings, then COVID-19 restrictions further delayed the Court’s capacity for involvement.
• The case did go before an attorney committee for case evaluation, during which it was
determined that the Barnes Lake Club claim was legitimate, but the amount of restitution
requested should be decreased. The Barnes Lake Club accepted that assertion, but the
Thompsons did not.
• In this instance, the attorney fees incurred by the Barnes Lake Club would then become the responsibility of the Thompsons.
• In May 2021, the Thompsons hired a new attorney, who promptly filed an amendment to the original suit.
• When an amendment is filed, the Court must accept the new filing, and this resets the time-line for the case.
• A question was asked regarding the company which hauled away and sold the wood from the trees that the Thompsons cut down. Pat Betcher indicated that the Club was awarded a
default judgment against that company in the amount of $25,000. The Club is however
unlikely to receive any of this amount because the company filed for bankruptcy.
• The lawsuits remain ongoing and there is a tentative hearing on August 5, 2021 to set a court date.
• There was some discussion regarding adding residents to the suit, to further strengthen the Club’s position.
• Discussion was held regarding the methodology to deliver this information to residents. A
letter was proposed and may be sent.
Old Business: Club acceptance of PayPal as a method of paying membership dues.
• A presentation was made verbally by Derek Morey, who indicated that PayPal Business was selected as the potential online option due to its familiarity, sufficient encryption practices, identity protection, and intuitive dashboard.
• After a short discussion, Derek motioned to table the acceptance until a subsequent meeting. This motion was not seconded and more discussion was held.
• Cece Stramsak and Derek indicated those choosing to pay online would be charged $55,
rather than $50, to cover the nominal fee(s) PayPal Business would charge the Club.
• It was confirmed that this payment method would be an additional option, and the Club
would still accept the payment methods taken currently.
• Derek explained that people paying via PayPal would also have an opportunity to select a
Donation option and the area of the Club’s offerings they’d like their donation to be provided
to.
• Citing the intuitive nature and ease of use of PayPal Business, Brian Menard motioned to
accept the proposal to begin taking membership payments and donations via PayPal Business. Motion was seconded by Teresa Rolland. All board members voted “Aye.” Motion carried.
New Business:
Debra Shea’s offer to split the expense of having Park Lot V surveyed 50/50 with the Barnes Lake Club.
• Due to the elimination of the intent to place and use what was to have been Peninsula Court, a new survey would be performed, irons would be identified and stakes placed demarking the lot boundaries
• Davis Land Survey was asked to provide a quote for the above services and quoted $1,450. This would mean the Club would pay $725 and Debra Shea would pay $725.
• Derek Morey motioned to accept this proposal. The motion was seconded by Alex Nikora. All board members voted “Aye.” Motion carried.
• After the vote was taken, Debra Shea asked if it was in the best interest of the Club to seek other quotes. Alex Nikora offered to seek other quotes, given the final accepted quote was not to exceed $1,450.
Sign on well pump at Beach & Pavilion.
• Teresa Rolland explained that a boater’s grandson drank from the well, not realizing the water was not potable and had fallen ill.
• Discussion was had regarding the number of signs to be placed and their effectiveness, along with the liability coverage the signs provide.
• It was determined two signs should be on the well, one in front and one in back.
Reconsideration of earlier carried motion:
Debra Shea requested reconsideration of the offer she proposed, offering 25% of the expense to survey Park Lot V, rather than her initial offer of 50%, citing her portion of the boundaries would only be on one of the four sides.
Cece Stramsak and Pat Betcher both asserted that the Club has historically paid for park lot surveys and inquired as to why this would be different. It was explained that Debra brought the survey request before the Board.
Motion was made by Teresa Rolland to rescind the earlier motion on the matter. The motion to rescind was seconded by Alex Nikora. All board members voted “Aye.” Motion carried.
Motion was made by Cece Stramsak for the Club to pay 100% of the survey expense. Motion seconded by Pat Betcher. All board members voted “Aye.” Motion carried.
Request to earmark donation from Shea family for fireworks display in 2022.
• Debra Shea indicated her family and friends, in lieu of flowers and such for Steve Shea’s
funeral, would be contributing funds toward the Barnes Lake Fireworks display in 2022.
• Debra requested that however much the Club intends to spend on fireworks in 2022, her
family’s donation be considered additional and the fireworks be improved by that amount.
• Although it appeared all in attendance appreciated the gesture, the details of the request still need some arranging, so Brian Menard motioned to table the specific acceptance until the next Board meeting. Motion seconded by Delbert Shoopman. All board members voted
“Aye.” Motion carried.
Meeting Adjourned:
President Pamela Reid thanked all Board Members and Guests for their attendance and input. Derek Morey motioned the meeting to be adjourned
BARNES LAKE CLUB 