Effingham Water Authority Gets Update on Marina, Campground

Effingham Water District trustees heard at this month's meeting that proposals from CK Development for development of Effingham Beach have been withdrawn.

The action came after trustees reiterated that they want Effingham Beach utilized solely as a beach. 

CK Development is still pursuing the purchase of Lake Sara Campgrounds.  At a special trustee meeting Tuesday, the current lease covering the campgrounds was reviewed, but no action was taken.

Water Authority Attorney Tony Siemer reported his opinion that it would be difficult to enforce action in regard to rental of residences on Water Authority property as vacation homes.  The issue had arisen at last month's meeting with reports that several lake property holders were making their residences available to vacationers for varying periods of time.

Siemer said the lease with property holders provides the right to sublet or allow other persons to occupy the premises for a period not in excess of one year without the consent of the Water Authority.

Trustees learned from current lake marina owner Brian Larson that the marina did not sell at auction.  Larson presented his plans to operate the marina for this year in order to cut expenses and still keep the marina open.

Beachcomber's Haven Lot 37 owner Gary Morgan would like to demolish the residence on the property and would like to grandfather in the present setback from the water of 62 feet, even though he does not plan to use the same foundation when he rebuilds.  The Board will inspect the site.

Trustee Jim Boos said that, as executor of his mother's estate, he is selling two five-acre deeded tracts of land off North Shore Drive.  One tract currently has an easement with the Water Authority for access, but the other tract does not.  Boos would like to enter into an easement with the Water Authority for the second tract so the purchaser will have access.  The yearly fee for the easement will be $90.  A motion to approve the easement was approved, with Boos abstaining from the vote.

Trustees reviewed bids for a half-ton truck for the Water Authority, but they also discussed seeking bids for a one-ton truck with snow plowing capabilities and decided to table the bids until bids for the larger truck are receved.

Lake Superintendent Mike Dirks presented about $37,000 in bids for basement repairs in the superintendent's residence due to recent flooding.  The bids were tabled until an asbestos inspection report is in.

At the special meeting Tuesday, trustees tabled an appraisal on Water Authority property adjoining the Pinnacle Center building.