Asylum Lake Policy and Management Council
Meeting Minutes
Thursday 10 March 2005
Parkview Hills Clubhouse
3707 Greenleaf Circle

 " The recorded comments below are expressions of council members
and are not approved policy until voted on. The statements were not
recorded verbatim and cannot be used as quotes. "

AGENDA:

I. Call to Order

Meeting was called to order at 7:15PM.

II. Roll Call

a. Sign In Roster

Council Members Present: Mary Hosely, Tim Holysz, Duane Hampton, Mark Hoffman, Robert Nagler, Paul MacNellis, Michael Nassaney
Guests Present: Cal Mastin, Pat Klein, Cari DeLong

III. Adoption of Agenda

A quorum was not present.

IV. Approval of February 10, 2005 Meeting Minutes

A quorum was not present.

V. Old Business

A. Proposed walkway at west end of Asylum Lake (Cal Mastin, Mark Hoffman)

• This walkway would complete a perimeter walk around the lake, dedicated to the Pierceys.
• ALPA has raised some money but would need more.
• ALPA would like Council to suggest ideas.
• Pictures of walkways on the Van Raalty Farm in Holland and Pickerell Lake Preserve were passed around. Pickerell Lake is a good comparison to Asylum Lake as far as geography.
• The walkway will be at least 400 ft. If built further into wetlands it will be more.
• There is no sidewalk on Drake Rd. This walkway will serve the same purpose. There was no room left for a sidewalk on the Drake Rd bridge.
• There was question as to using recycled milk jugs as material. It should be looked into.
• March 28th at A.L.P.A's meeting Nate Fuller from Southwest MI Land Conservancies will be talking about walkways. Council is encouraged to attend. It should be publicized on the web.
• There was question as to the design of the walkway, as far as railings, etc. ALPA would like the Council to make those decisions
• There was question as to university liability. Paul explained that if the landscape was left to its natural state the university would not be liable, however if something is built then they would be. The walkway will become a liability and needs to be built with that in mind.
• There was question as to whether the Council could build a sidewalk along Drake Rd and then give it to the city to avoid liability.
• The goal of this walkway is to be able to walk the circumference of the lake.
• There was question as to whether the walkway would be on the ground or would there be a subsurface suspension system. It will be on posts.
• There was concern as to the placement of the walkway. It should not be put on sensitive ground.
• There was agreement that the walkway should be educational and include signage.
• There was question as to impact on wildlife. The Nature Center did a survey at the lake. The report recommended no traffic on the north side of the lake.
• Funds for the project came into question. The funds available will determine what can be done.
• It was brought up that the walkway should not be too elaborate and encourage high traffic.
• There was a general agreement that there is going to be pedestrian traffic around the lake regardless. Therefore, something minimal should be built that would not attract more traffic but make existing traffic less invasive.
• There was a suggestion to take a trip out to Asylum Lake.
• Details of the Nature Center report should be looked into.
• The Council was not opposed to putting in a walkway however; there was general agreement that more details are needed.
• Phoenix Properties has purchased the trailer park across from the property. It has been rezoned as C-R (commercial/restricted).
• There was question as to the availability of grants to enhance this property. There are some; many include an educational aspect. This should be looked into.
• A consultant may need to be hired.
• The question of approval from the university was raised. Paul stated any projects on university land need to be approved by Bob Beam. DEQ will probably also have to be involved.

B. Geo-science wells, research and education activities (Duane Hampton)

• Duane described research that has been done, plans for future work, and plans for removing wells on the Asylum Lake Property.
• Geosciences is aware of about 90 wells total.
• The proposal included hiring students to cut down wells that stick up and abandon any un-working wells. Any working wells could be filled, flush mounted, and locked.
• 21 wells total could be abandoned if resources were available.
• There was question as to why there was no drilling at the Colony Farm Orchard. In the proposal there will be some future drilling at the Orchard instead of Asylum Lake. The disposal of leaves there makes it interesting to test water quality.
• The proposed wells will be 70 feet or more deep.
• There was concern as to the impact of the drilling. The holes drilled are about 6-8 inches in circumference.
• There was also concern as to the location of proposed future wells.
• There was question as to the purpose of the current USGS wells. USGS requested these for a long term groundwater monitoring network. Duane was unsure as to where the information from these wells is available.
• Any funding for abandoning wells?
• Money from the Council is needed to complete this project. A budget was passed out itemizing costs for two students to complete this proposal. Total projected costs were around $12,000.
• Geosciences has no money to take these wells down.
• The proposed plan includes installing three to four wells per year. Two to three wells will be drilled at the Colony Farm Orchard and one will be placed at Asylum Lake in Well Field 1.
  
• The culverts on the property will be removed for no cost.
  
• For future wells Geosciences plans on using a protocol to approve what is to be done. Research & Education Committee will be consulted.
  
• These proposed plans need to have an approved budget by April 22, 2005 for the recovery of the wells to occur this spring.
  
• On behalf of VP office, the locks on the gates to the property were changed to halt the drilling of wells. No wells will be put in until there is an approved plan of recovery. Duane has already presented Paul with this material. Bob Beam has not been presented with this material yet.
  
• Recovery of the wells is outside of the Council's role. However the Council should be informed of these activities.
  

VI. New Business

None.

VII. Project/Special Committe Reports

None.

VIII. Public Comments

None.

IX. Council/Staff Comments

• It was suggested that someone from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation should talk to the Council at the next meeting.
  

X. Adjournment

• Meeting was adjourned at 8:31 PM.
  
• Next meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 14, 2005 at Parkview Hills.