By Mary-Justine Lanyon

(Photos by Mary-Justine Lanyon)

“ALA has never voted to allow STR (short-term rental) clients on docks. We have no authority to allow anyone on private property.”

David Dahl, president of the Arrowhead Lake Association board, made this point repeatedly at the May 20 meeting of the board. He also stated that the ALA board has agreed to abide by legal counsel’s advice and the judge’s order which does not allow ALA to prohibit access by STR clients to privately owned docks. At the same time, the board has voted to not allow access by STR clients to docks owned by the association.

Commodore Gary Martell of the Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club presented President David Dahl with a $1,000 donation toward the fireworks fund.

Later in the meeting, Past President Roberta Rindenow confirmed there are 2,500 private docks on the lake. “How many are owned by members who own STRs?” she asked. The answer was 129, or just 5 percent of all the docks on the lake.

In his general manager’s report, Bob Mattison reminded members that STR clients can only access ALA trails if they have a wristband purchased by the owner of the rental property. They may not operate any type of watercraft – motorboats, sailboats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards.

“It doesn’t matter who the board members are,” Mattison said. “We have to adhere to the court-ordered injunction.

“I have been discouraged the last couple of weeks as board members have been accused of supporting STRs. That is not true. Every director and I are dedicated to keeping the lake private.

“If you have something constructive to contribute, please do so. I’m tired of all the negativity. I recommend we work together and try to find solutions,” Mattison said as he concluded his report.

Those comments were met with applause from the members present.

Several of the directors echoed Mattison’s comments.

“We must be guided by our legal consultants and the law,” said Director Bud Macer. “Our hands are tied on many issues.

“There is great division being caused by some factions of the membership,” Macer added. “Luckily it’s a minority. Those who are angry never seem to find peace and happiness in this place that has great potential to give us peace and happiness.

“Can’t we all just get along? Let’s try harder,” Macer said.

Director Denise Loxton pointed to all the rumors and false accusations being spread, “causing members to feel frustrated and confused. It is detrimental to our association. I encourage you to reach out to the board.

“Lake Arrowhead is a private lake and will remain private. The issue is, do we comply with the judge’s order?”

Vice President Jim Hannon urged members to visit the association’s website and read the legal documents posted there for themselves. “Form your own opinions,” he said.

“I’m going to make this real simple,” said Secretary-Treasurer Alan Kaitz. “There is a court order by way of a preliminary injunction. The judge who signed it will make the final determination at trial. Do we want to violate that order and further infuriate him? Poke the bear? What is in the best interest of ALA?”

Mattison reported that ALA has received permission to treat the lake weed with herbicide pellets. He cautioned that it will take a few years of that treatment to be fully effective.

NEW BUSINESS

ALA will be talking with Mercury Marine about the possibility of their donating three 300hp outboard engines to the association for use on a Lake Safety boat and two barges. The engines would be marked with the words “ALA Power by Mercury.”

The board approved the performance of a water ski pyramid by McKenzie Ski School during the senior boat parade on June 4.

They also approved use of the lake by the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps for 12 youth to test and be trained on their aquatic robotic equipment. They would assure ALA that none of the robotics had been in other lakes due to quagga mussel concerns. Director Loxton urged members to come out on July 11 and 12 to see this in action. “You’ll be amazed what they can do with the robotics.”

ALA will be recognizing the member who donated $65,000 for the zipline at the Grass Valley Lake park. The board approved an expenditure of up to $3,000 for a boulder or other plaque at the park. The Lake Operations and Maintenance Committee will consider a proposal to also recognize members who donated lesser amounts.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Kathi Rothner, chair of the Fish Committee, reported that thei Junior Trout Rodeo was a big success. “Where else can you go and catch a fish, have it cleaned and cooked and eat it within an hour?” she asked. She said that she personally “chopped off the heads of 125 trout.”

The annual Memorial Day weekend fishing derby will kick off on Saturday, May 27 with a horn sounded at 6 a.m. This will be a tribute, Rothner said, to the late Gary Alari, who weighed the fish at the derby for the last six years.

ALA has a five-year forest plan in place, was the report from Henry Johnson, chair of the Forest and Vegetation Committee. Mistletoe abatement has recently taken place at Peninsula Park and on Lone Pine Island. “Don’t forget to call ALA before you cut a tree,” he urged members.

Dredging, lake weed, trail maintenance and erosion control are the main concerns of the Lake Operations and Maintenance Committee, Chair Hannon told the members.

The recent dredging efforts, which had to conclude on Feb. 28, saw about 2,300 cubic yards of material removed from the lake while maintaining the original lake contours. Unfortunately, time ran out before the dredging was completed, with about 10 to 15 percent remaining to be done.

Hannon emphasized the importance of maintaining the silt basins. “If we capture silt in the basins, we can shovel it out,” he said. “Once it gets in the lake, the cost becomes more severe as we have to dredge.”

The good news from Loxton, the chair of the Lake Safety Committee, is that all the boats that sank during the winter storms have been removed from the lake (one final one was up on straps and due to be removed on May 20). The no-wake buoys are being reset, she said, and are being moved closer to shore with the lake at its fullest level.

Some piers and docks are unsafe to have boats in them, reported Macer, chair of the Shoreline Improvements Committee. ALA will be contacting the owners of those docks or the boat storage facility they have a contract with to tell them not to deliver the boat to disabled docks.