Posted 2023

 

What is the Lake Mitchell Improvement Board?

       There seems to be confusion about the difference between the Lake Mitchell Improvement Board and the Lake Mitchell Property Owners' Incorporated. This information might help you sort it out. 

     The Lake Mitchell Improvement Board is empowered to collect special assessments from benefiting properties for approved lake improvements. Virtually all assessment monies is spent to control invasive and nuisance native vegetation as well was monitor water quality and protect the fishery.

     The Lake Mitchell Improvement Board was formed in accordance with Michigan's Inland Lake Improvement in 1993 and brings together local citizens and governments to manage the lake. Under provisions of Public Act 451 of 1994, Part 309 as amended), the lake board membership includes a riparian representative who is elected for a three-year term, appointed representatives from Selma Township, Cherry Grove Township, the city of Cadillac, a Wexford County Commissioner, and the Wexford County Drain Commissioner. Township, County Commission and City Commission representatives representatives are appointed for indefinite terms. The Drain Commissioner who is elected in a county election. 

Email contact:  lakemitchellboard@gmail.com 

Website: www.lakemitchell.org

 

What is the LMPOI?

   The Lake Mitchell Property Owners Incorporated was established in the early 1970’s to promote a healthy environment for the lake. Members worked to establish the Lake Mitchell Improvement Board with a focus on lake navigation and weed control. From that time to 2018 the association continued to monitor issues concerning property owners for the lake. The LMIB moved primarily to invasive weed management.

     In 2018 a new board was formed for the Lake Mitchell Property Owners Association and was incorporated as a 501c 4. This is the same organization but we realized that to be effective and accomplish our goals we needed to become a dues paying organization. We converted to a member only organization. All members must own or have deeded access on Lake Mitchell and dues are $50 yearly. We communicate with our members through surveys, petitions, Facebook, and our website and hope everyone will join. Please attend our July 9th meeting as well.

     While the Lake Mitchell Improvement Board focuses primarily on weed control we have a much broader agenda to include lake water quality, lake levels, dam management, sewer, the health of fish and wildlife, and all questions related to property owners on the lake. Even though we are a dues paying organization, the issues we address usually benefit all property owners. Over half of the property owners actively support our initiatives.

     2022 was a busy year for us with ongoing sewer issues, petitions, membership drives, etc. Lake levels were improved last year with more rain, less evaporation, and good dam management. Former LLMPOI member Dave Kuyers has been appointed to the Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority Board. 

Posted 2022

 

Lake Mitchell Improvement Board (LMIB).

The Lake Mitchell Improvement Board was formed in accordance with Michigan's Inland Lake Improvement in 1993. Under provisions of Public Act 451 of 1994, Part 309 as amended), the lake board includes a Lake Mitchell Association at-large member who is elected for a three-year term, appointed representatives from Selma Township, Cherry Grove Township, the city of Cadillac, a Wexford County Commissioner, and the Wexford County Drain Commissioner. All board representatives are appointed for indefinite terms, except for the Drain Commissioner who is elected in a county election. If a change in representatives is desired, that should be communicated to the group the individual represents.

The Lake Board is empowered to collect special assessments from benefiting properties for approved lake improvements.

 

What is the Lake Mitchell Improvement Board?

There seems to be confusion about the difference between the Lake Mitchell Improvement Board and the Lake Mitchell Property Owners' Association. This information might help you sort it out. 

 

The Lake Mitchell Improvement Board is empowered to collect special assessments from benefiting properties for approved lake improvements. Virtually all assessment monies is spent to control invasive and nuisance native vegetation.

 

The Lake Mitchell Improvement Board was formed in accordance with Michigan's Inland Lake Improvement in 1993 and brings together local citizens and governments to manage the lake. Under provisions of Public Act 451 of 1994, Part 309 as amended), the lake board membership includes a riparian representative who is elected for a three-year term, appointed representatives from Selma Township, Cherry Grove Township, the city of Cadillac, a Wexford County Commissioner, and the Wexford County Drain Commissioner. Township, County Commission and City Commission representatives representatives are appointed for indefinite terms. The Drain Commissioner who is elected in a county election. 

Email contact:  lakemitchellboard@gmail.com 

Website: www.lakemitchell.org

 

Lake Mitchell Improvement Board

The Lake Mitchell Improvement Board is composed of six appointed members who oversee the distribution of the annual budget which comes from assessments paid by those owning lakefront or lake access property.

 

How to change the membership of the Lake Mitchell Improvement Board -- See Below. 

 

Lake Mitchell Action Committee

The Lake Mitchell Action Committee was created to do research on problems facing Lake Mitchell and address concerns raised by Lake Mitchell Association members. Formed in August 2006, the committee, chaired by Dave Foley, established goals and pursued these projects:

• Developed plan to have tournaments redistribute bass throughout the lake opposite from the weigh-in site.

• Procured township resolutions asking that use of phosphorus fertilizers within 500 feet of Lake Mitchell shoreline be halted.

• Submitted two $95,000 matching funds grants to Natural Fish and Wildlife/ B.A.S. S. Foundations.

• Developed a resolution which was accepted by Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and will be presented at MUCC state convention in June and from there will move to consideration by Michigan legislature. The resolution creates a milfoil stamp that would be purchased annually ($10 for residents/ $20 for non-residents) and displayed on all motorized boats. Proceeds to be used for treatment of Eurasian milfoil in Michigan’s inland waters.

• Thoroughly researched other options for dealing with milfoil including Houghton Lake’s use of Sonar, using the rotovator to cut weeds, introduction of weevils.

• Explored alternatives to assessments as source of funds including State Parks, County Commission, millage, hotel tax, townships, legislative support, milfoil stamp, and boater registration increase.

• Developed working relationship with Lake Cadillac Association and Cadillac City Manager to foster cooperation in dealing with common problems facing Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac.

• Did extensive Internet research to learn how other boards deal with problems in their lakes.

Committee members included: Tom James, Jim and Nan Vick, Jack Dudick, Larae Peters, Al Anderson, JoAnn Engels, Jim Kenyon, Alan McColl, Vi Springer, Mike Engels, Bob Miller, and Ron Moelker.

June 13, 2012

  

LMIB Membership -- How to change the membership of the Lake Mitchell Improvement Board

  

If you would like to change a township representative, contact the township supervisor and ask them to rescind the appointment.

• Dave Foley is the Selma Township representative.
• Alan Anderson is the Cherry Grove Township representative.
• Shari Spoelman represents the city of Cadillac. To get a new person appointed to ask the Cadillac City Commission to change the appointee.
• Pam Dahlstrom represents the Wexford County Commission. To get a different representative ask the County Commission to make the change.
• Mike Solomon is the Drain Commissioner. The election of a new drain commissioner will put a new person on the Board. A successful recall would have the same effect.
• Sperry Claypool is the representative from the Lake Mitchell Association. By rescinding his appointment and sending a new nominee to the Improvement Board, which will appoint a new Association member.

The composition of the Board is a part of Public Act 451 of the State Constitution which makes provisions for the creation of Lake Improvement Boards and dictates who comprises the board.