West Central Reporter

City of Greenville Lake Committee met July 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. ROLL CALL

Council Members Present: Blake Knox

Committee Members Absent:

Staff Present: City Manager Jo Hollenkamp, City Clerk Jody Weiss, Water Plant Supervisor Jim Sutton, Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Ketten

Public Present: Steve & Brenda Korte, John & Elizabeth Hartwig, Robert & Janeen Sifford, Edward Cook, Rebecca Sponsler, Brian York, Joe Lippert, Emily & Scott McCarthy, Bridget Grotts, Kenny Stevenson, Jason Koontz, Matt Tripp, Eric Benting, Ann Smith, Tanner Trudell, James Garner, Mary Ann Plofkin, Janelle DeBlois, Rosie & Pat York, Karen Smith, Diane Lippert, Kevin Stoecklin, Debbie Klincar, Tony Yocco, Dave Willey, Travis DeBlois, Scott Buchtel, Cody Kleiner, Debbie Dean, James Klenke, Doug & Rita Holman

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

3.1. Thank you to everyone who attended the June 24th meeting of the Lake Committee - the attendees were very respectful and the meeting was nformative. and productive.

CM Hollenkamp also informed the public and committee that there was a phone call with Pat S. and Derke Price whereby it was legally clarified that when ordinance 2736 was passed in 2007 it replaced having the rules listed separately and everything now referred to the Governor Bond Lake Rules and Regulations. The published rules now trump everything. She went further to say that in the future, the Rules & Regs would be reviewed by the council annually in January. The Rules will stay the same for 2024 (does not prohibit the use of wake enhancing devices) but may change in 2025.

3.2. This meeting will replace the regularly scheduled meeting of Aug. 5, 2024.

4. NEW BUSINESS

4.1. It was determined that the committee needed to appoint a chairperson, since Smith was recently reappointed to the board.

Zurliene made a motion to appoint Jim Tarasuik. No second. Motion died.

Trudell made a motion to reappoint Kyle Smith as chairperson, Moser seconded. Motion by Gary Trudell, seconded by Craig Moser, to approve Kyle Smith as Chairperson.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Gary Trudell

SECONDER: Craig Moser

AYES: Jim Tarasuik, Gary Trudell, and Craig Moser

NAYS: Gary Zurliene

ABSTAINED: Kyle Smith

4.2. After the wake enhancement discussion and vote was completed, the committee went back to New Business. They wanted to give a definition of wake enhancing device that increases the wake of a boat beyond that caused by the boat’s normal movement of the water.

These devices include but are not limited to ballasts, bladders, fat sacks, tabs, and fins. These devices will be allowed use for producing enhanced wakes in the established Enhanced Wake Activity Zone and prohibited use in areas of the reservoir outside of established Enhanced Wake Activity Zone.

Motion by Jim Tarasuik, seconded by Gary Zurliene, to provide the definition of wake enhancing device that increases the wake of a boat beyond that caused by the boat’s normal movement of the water.

These devices include but are not limited to ballasts, bladders, fat sacks, tabs, and fins. These devices will be allowed use for producing enhanced wakes in the established Enhanced Wake Activity Zone and prohibited use in areas of the reservoir outside of established Enhanced Wake Activity Zone.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Jim Tarasuik

SECONDER: Gary Zurliene

AYES: Jim Tarasuik, Craig Moser, and Gary Zurliene

NAYS: Kyle Smith and Gary Trudell

4.3. Moser made a motion to have the City grandfather in all boats who already have a wake boat license for 2024 and not allow any more out of county permits to be issued. Hollenkamp again reminded the committee that the lake is not a private lake and that even if it was legally possible to do that, it would not go over well with the people that do not live on the lake, but use the lake. It was then suggested to create a special boat permit with a limit of 25 permits. Lake homeowners would have first rights to get these permits until March 1, 2025. CM Hollenkamp stated that restriction also favors lake owners, not the general public. She further stated that we could just limit the licenses to a certain number and it would be first come first serve. Trudell said lake patrol has no jurisdiction to write citations. The county will not take handwritten tickets. Lake patrol would need to call the police and wait for them to arrive, which creates it's own issues. The offender could leave before they arrive.

Moser rescinded his motion.

5. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

5.1. Minutes of June 24, 2024 Lake Committee Meeting.

Motion by Craig Moser, seconded by Gary Zurliene, to approve June 24, 2024 minutes.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Craig Moser

SECONDER: Gary Zurliene

AYES: Jim Tarasuik, Kyle Smith, Craig Moser, and Gary Zurliene

NAYS: Gary Trudell

6. CITIZEN INPUT / COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEM OR OTHERWISE

7. MATTERS OF CONSIDERATION

7.1. Presentation by Kyle Smith of Wind/Wave action videos.

Smith showed two videos of wind and the affects of it. He asked Jim Sutton about the turbidity report. Sutton said the water treatment plant monitors the turbidity daily. They use a turbidity instrument and check it daily. High winds and high water affect the turbidity measurements. During the boating season, it only rates 5-10 NTU. The data reflects that there is no change at the treatment plant due to the boating season. A heavy rain event might show a change, but not boating activity. Hollenkamp pointed out the highest turbidity is January and February per the graphs presented and asked Sutton his thoughts on that graphic. Sutton said this happens when there is an ice or rain event. Sutton said the lake changes everyday. Tarasuik asked how raw turbidity is measured and what defines raw turbidity. Sutton said the reviewed the way raw turbidity used to be determined and how it is measured today. Tarasuik asked if the NTU was 0.2 - 7.7 was dangerous due to the numbers being so high. Sutton statedf that the .02 is an incorrect number and may have been a typo. Moser asked Sutton what number is a concern, and Sutton replied 20-30 NTU. Moser asked about agriculture with all the chemicals and churning of the sediment do the measurements get higher than other times and Sutton said no. Sutton added that tests are sent quarterly to Certified Labs for testing.

Tarasuik asked about the maganase level and how it looks high. Sutton said it is characteristic of a lake. Period. Foliage of trees, yard chemicals, and farm fields all play a factor in those numbers. Trudell asked if those levels get high, can it be treated at the plant, and Sutton said yes, they can add additional chemicals if necessary.

Smith asked if the stratifier ran all year long, and Sutton said not in the winter months. It is typically shut off in October/November and then turned back on in March.

7.2. Kevin Stoecklin - has been on the lake for 30 years. On June 15 his boat was tied up (with 5 bumpers) and wake boat drove by and literally broke the cavel on his boat, causing damage. The waves are out of control around the ski club. His boat was docked, and the wave was created by a green and white wave boat. He added that the wake boats may be safe for the boater, but not for others who use the lake.

Deb Klincar - lives on the main part of the lake. The waves are coming in high and have scared her kiddos. They have become afraid to be in a boat because of the water that comes in from wake boats.

James Garner - is losing oak trees from erosion. He feels the big waves are killing his property creating siltation.

Doug Holman - not just wake boats but also wave runners are not following the 150 feet rules.

Edward Cook - What is next? 135 HP was the maximum. What will the maximum be in 25 years? Progression that was never allowed before. He has seen 24 boats in a cove that had loud music, liquor, explicit lyrics with children being present. He wants the committee to consider the long-term effects of this activity. He is also concerned about the ecological impact.

Brian York - was out on the lake July 5-7 and from 8:00 AM until Noon he only saw one boat on the lake. He does not see how his boat would affect the lake negatively. He has no issues with damage to his property. He has read articles that after 200 feet the wave is the same from all boats. Sedimentation is not an issue from wave size. He has offered to teach boating safety if anyone is interested. He has never seen wave damage. He believes Lake Patrol should talk to those who violating the rules and have a discussion. Be a community.

Dave Willey - looked at his notes from the last meeting. Concerns were driven by safety issues which are in the perview of the Lake Patrol. Wave runners runover 45 MPH and they operators need to understand the rules. Non property owners who allow their boats to be used need to give a lesson on the lake before allowing them to drive on the lake. High horsepower does not equal speed. Distance from shore and depth is a good thing. 200 feet from shore. There are less watercraft on the lake than in past years. On weekdays the lake is vacant and on weekend mornings the lake is vacant. Safety is the key. There should be a rule that says you must follow the law on who can operate boats and proof of taking an IDNR Safety Boater Class. It is a state law that boaters must have it. Lake Patrol needs to check for the Safety Boater registration

Eric Benting - health of the lake is a huge responsibility. Erosion and water shed. Science needs to be looked at. He did not feel that boating is the biggest factor of the lake. Safety needs to be addressed annually.

Tony Yocco - knows three people who have moved to the lake to do wake boarding, and knows others who moved to the lake for the calm and peacefulness. The same waves pulling tubes give waves. You can hear wave boats coming in. Speed limits need to be abided by. You do not buy a Ferrari to go 7 MPH. If you are in a wake boat you are not expecting the waves like the kayaker.

Debbie Dean - took her pontoon over the wave of a wake boat recently and had no issued going across the waves. Today she saw 3 jet skis and 2 boats and a couple of kayaks. When it is windy, there are white caps on the lake. If it is too rough, get off of the lake.

Bridget Grotts - No one is an expert. She is concerned about the water source and silting in. Could we hire someone to evaluate and determine what is best for all including future residents? Hollenkamp answered that Milano and Grunloh had provided a report at last meeting talking about sedimentation and is an attachment listed on the June 24, 2024 council meeting.

Cody Kleiner - has little kids and they wake board. He goes other areas and not close to edge of the water. He asked they come to a solution to allow everyone to have fun.

James Kleinik - asked if the wake boats are allowed right now, and they are. Everyone loves the lake. City tries to bring in out of town people for tourism on the lake. Hollenkamp explained that the lake is public. It is not privately owned.

7.3. Links for presentations

7.4. Numerical Study presentation by Craig Moser

Moser mapped the lake and the average depth identified is 20-25 feet measuring from 300 feet from the shore on June 27. These are his findings. The trestle is very low. Creating wakes in shallow water creates a bigger wave from the thrust start. Moser interviewed 17 residents that are north and south of the trestle to see if they have encountered any damage due to wave action or otherwise. One resident reported dock damage which was a railroad tie that had eroded. Wave damage north of the trestle is higher than south of the trestle. Of the 17 interviewed, 2 residents are against the wake boats all together and 15 are willing to compromise. South of the trestle the lake is 20 feet deep but quickly goes to only 13 feet deep. The big cove on the left has the biggest deep water until you get to the dam which measures 18-20 feet deep. There are some high spots in the middle. Smith commented that the north side of the lake is getting more siltation. Moser stated that tubing and skiing are still very safe north of the trestle. Of his interviews Moser said, the biggest concern was wave runners on the lake.

Those interviewed feel there should be more Lake Patrol. Many of the people interviewed said that the personal watercrafts are still on the lake even if the water is high. None interviewed claimed to have had damage due to wake boats. Interviewees felt that wake board owners follow the rules. Moser feels keeping the wake boats at the deeper end of the lake would be best. Dave Willey added that the depth report from the Illinois Natural History Survey conducted in 1990 is only 3' different than Moser's map of the the lake. CM Hollenkamp asked Willey if that difference was a calculation of the total mapped areas. Willey said yes.

Jim Hartwig is concerned that this activity if still allowed will limit kayaking for others. Moser said they would consider certain times the wake boats are allowed on the lake.

Trudell added if there is no rain from here on out the lake could provide water for the community for 3 years according to the previous study by Milano & Grunloh. He asked about the siltation ponds being dredged, and Hollenkamp said the City is looking into that.

7.5. Presentation by Jim Tarasuik.

Tarasuik presented several links and screenshots about wave activity due to wake boats. He would like to try and secure grant funding in order to have University of Illinois to do a study of Governor Bond Lake and the impact of wave enhancing devices.If this study were conducted, we would be a hallmark study for the state. He said the lake is loved for its recreation, but the water supply for the community is first and foremost. He wants to make sure we have a quality water source.

7.6. Consideration of wakeboarding on the lake and the rules, regulations and possible zone that might allow for that activity.

Smith is concerned there will be a lot of traffic turning around due to the course short length because wave surfing does not make a turn like skiing. He further asked to not make rules right now but to review further. He added lake marshals besides lake patrol will be needed to report instances of boaters breaking the rules. Smith feels the 1000 feet allowed for course length needs to be longer otherwise it is back and forth for the wave surfers. He feels this length is prohibitive. He suggested limited the wake boats to two that could wave surf at the same time. Jeff Ketten asked how long the wave boats are out, and Smith said about an hour at a time.

Zurliene wants to see how this rule goes first and possibly alter down the road. Zurliene concern is that when the wave water comes over the bow of pontoon boats. if there are small children inside it is dangerous. He experienced water coming over the sides of his boat due to a wake boats waver and his wife had to grab a child. Moser added this is a growing sport.

Trudell said the length limit of the proposed course is prohibitive and does not think it is right.

Hollenkamp asked about the location of the course and why the actiivity and the use of wake enhancing devices could not just be limited to south of the trestle. Tarasuik said it is not as deep and there are more residential swimmers, kayakers, etc. Smith pointed out that the northern side of the south of the trestle would also be doable, according to the report it is 10-20 feet deep. Moser said that the proposed location would have minimal effect on dock owners. Smith again asked for the restriction only to be on the south end of the lake and would like to see it spread out. Trudell added there is bias against this recreational activity. He further stated that everyone just needs to pay attention and use their common since. He felt that just limiting to the south end of the lake would be more appropriate. He wants to let everyone do what they want to do. Ketten and Hollenkamp both raised the question on how this was to be enforced. Hollenkamp said she is concerned that we are creating a rule that cannot be enforced because there is no visual way to tell if a boat is using wave enhancing devices, since it has been stated previously that this activity can be accomplished even behind a pontoon boat. Ketten added that from a distance you cannot tell if a boat has one of these devices, or perhaps is throwing bigger waves because of the amount of people in the boat.

Motion by Craig Moser, seconded by Gary Zurliene,

Motion to add to the Governor Bond Lake Rules and Regulations that there be a designated area where wake enhancing devices are used. A wake enhancing device is defined as any device that causes the wake of a boat to be beyond that caused by the boat’s normal movement of the water. These devices are not limited to but may include ballasts, bladders, fat sacks, tabs, and fins. The designated area being south of the train trussell which is approximately 800’ from the rip rap at the dam and approximately 535’ from the east and west shoreline. The area (course) to be 100’ wide and 1000’ feet long. Using wake enhancing devices is not allowed on Memorial Day, July 4, 5, and 6, and Labor Day. Also, the use of wake enhancing devices is only allowed between the hours of 10am to 6pm.

RESULT: Passed

MOVER: Craig Moser

SECONDER: Gary Zurliene

AYES: Jim Tarasuik, Craig Moser, and Gary Zurliene

NAYS: Kyle Smith and Gary Trudell

7.7. Consideration to recommend to the City Council to repeal ordinance #2689 which is necessary if the previous agenda item is passed.

This item was tabled.

7.8. Smith asked if he could make an amendment to the previous action, or would it be fruitless. Hollenkamp said "right' but not referring to that it being pointless. Tarasuik accused Hollenkamp of not being impartial. Hollenkamp said she is being impartial and resented the fact he would even question her integrity. She added she does not live on the lake, nor does she boat out there, she is looking after the City's best interest. After the clarification, Smith stated he wanted to add the south end of the lake to the recommendation. He also would like to add the verbiage that there be no more than 2 wake boats in the zone at the same time, and there be no time limits or prohibited holidays.

Motion by Kyle Smith, seconded by Gary Trudell, to add the south end of the lake for the wake boat area with no more than 2 boats at the same time in the area and not have time constraints or prohibit holidays to the recommendation that will go to council.

RESULT: DEFEATED.

MOVER: Kyle Smith

SECONDER: Gary Trudell

AYES: Kyle Smith and Gary Trudell NAYS: Jim Tarasuik, Craig Moser, and Gary Zurliene

8. OLD BUSINESS

None

9. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Gary Trudell, seconded by Kyle Smith, to adjourn the Lake

Committee Meeting at 9:50 PM.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Gary Trudell

SECONDER: Kyle Smith

AYES: Jim Tarasuik, Kyle Smith, Gary Trudell, Craig Moser, and Gary Zurliene

https://greenvilleillinois.civicweb.net/document/76753/