NEXT VVA MONTHLY MEETING:
Sunday, November 12, 2023 @ 2:00PM at the clubhouse.
All members in good standing are welcome and encouraged to attend. If you want on the agenda, you must notify the office on or before the Monday prior to the board meeting.
Lake Viking News
©Viking Valley Association | 144 East Main, Gallatin, Missouri 64640
LakeVikingMo.com
VVA Board of Directors Annual Meeting Call to Order President Doug Winter Lot 47, called the meeting to order, held in the gym at Winston High School, at 2:00pm. Prayer was led by Jeremy Lillig. Jeff Ferguson, Lake Manager, led the Pledge of Allegiance. President, Doug Winter, read the mission statement of Lake Viking. Introduction of Board Members Board President Doug Winter introduced Board Members present: Tony Gronniger, (1st Vice President), Allan Slavin (2nd Vice President), Tom Rice (Secretary), Terry Nibarger (Treasurer) and Jeremy Lillig (Asst. Treasurer). Not present was George Eshnaur due to a previous commitment. Rob Redman, VVA’s counsel was also introduced by Doug Winter. Approval of Minutes Minutes from the March 23, 2023 Annual meeting were approved. Allan Slavin made the motion to approve the minutes and Terry Nibarger seconded the motion. The board approved the March 2023 Annual Meeting minutes unanimously. Orders of the Day Orders of the day were discussed later in the meeting when discussion strayed from the agenda for the meeting. President’s Report Doug Winter stated that he has served two (2) years on the board. He stated his goal was to change the perceived reputation of the board. Doug Winter presented the accomplishments listed below which have been accomplished since March 2023 are: • Condo Control now has 1500 users • Online credit card and ACH payments are now available through Condo Control • Service requests and other forms are available on Condo Control • The office changed to a new accounting process which saved 30K • The VVA office has taken over collection of outstanding accounts and has collected $50K • The lake received a farm # for potential government funding • Plans are in the process for septic upgrade for the clubhouse and the VVA office • Improvements have been made to community areas • VVA vehicles have been upgraded • Gate Security System has been installed at the dump allowing members greater access • 6.1 miles of chip and seal has been completed on the lake roads • Rock and machinery support has been donated in amount exceeding $250K • Asphalt patching has begun in the areas marked in yellow on the roads • VVA dredge was sold to Dredge America for more that it was purchased for several years ago • South end of the lake dredging was completed • South end weir project added new weirs
October 2023
Volume 36, No. 6
October 1, 2023
• Beach improvements have been made • Phase 1 of Campground 1 electrical upgrade was completed. Phase 2 is projected for this fall • New shelters and playground equipment was installed at the Clubhouse location • Continuing education has been provided to the Fire Department members • Building Committee approved 152 permits since the March 2023. Four of these were for houses • Safety/Fire Department has acquired a side by side for use in daily and emergency situations. It has been used to respond to at least two (2) emergencies at the lake • Two (2) EMT responders have been trained and equipped • Fire Department roster has expanded to 16 members Doug stated we will be electing two new board members today to fill the two open terms. Doug also stated that the most important thing we will be considering in this meeting is approving the 2024 assessments in the Budget for the coming year. The steps that occur before the budget is presented to the general membership. Management submits budget requests to the Finance Committee . The Finance Committee meets three time to work on the budget. Doug explained that the lake does not budget for a profit, but to cover the expenses to operate the lake for 365 days. After the budget has passed the Finance Committee it is sent to the Board of Directors for approval. After budget is approved by the Board of Directors, a Town Hall Meeting is held and is open to all members for questions. The budget is published three times in the Lake Viking paper, Facebook, and online. Financials for VVA are available for any members to review every 30 days. Jeff Ferguson Lake Manager will be glad to answer budget questions. Doug stated the lake is at a crossroad financially. We cannot count on lot sales to supplement the operating budget as we have in the past. A five year look back study has been done as the current budget proposal has been prepared. Doug stated it is never easy to increase assessments but it is necessary to maintain the lake. Doug thanked all the volunteers and committee members who donate their time. He stated over 8,000 hours were donated to the lake per year. Committees, lake volunteers and staff were recognized. Doug then announced the Volunteers of the Year were Shawn and Paula Hepinstall. They each received an award and a $500 gift card. Doug then recognized the Donors of the Year, Jerry and Kelly Hill. They own a quarry in Jamesport, MO and have donated several hundred thousand dollars of rock to the lake for use in weirs and controlling water runoff. Dredge Committee 1. Shawn Hepinstall, chairman of the dredge committee (who has been a resident of Lake Viking for 25 years) thanked all the committee members for all their hours of work on the dredging committee. Shawn stated that the Dredge Committee’s mission is to manage the silt which comes into the lake to ensure and maintain the health and quality of the lake. Shawn stated we are a watershed lake and are fed by several streams. Big South Creek started the lake and there are over 50 other (continued on page 4)