Posted 08/09/2023By Susan ThompsonLake Panorama TimesAbout 50 LPA members attended the July 7 GM Coffee to hear updates from John Rutledge, Lake Panorama Association (LPA) general manager. Rutledge started with a report on the Lake Panorama National Resort. Nick and Lynn Kuhn continue to manage food and beverage at LPN and Spikes under the name The Links Lounge + Events.
“The Kuhns have a one-year lease, which we’ll be reviewing with them this fall,” Rutledge said. “We get questions from time to time about why the Kuhns are doing something a certain way. They have a great deal of latitude in the lease regarding menu, ordering, billing. We know change is difficult, but one thing we hear consistently is that the food is good, and I encourage everyone to give them a chance.”
Rutledge said initially there was talk about a one-dollar lease.
“I can assure the membership the lease is more than one dollar, and both the Kuhns and LPA are working toward a win-win arrangement. We do value hearing your comments or concerns, and I strongly encourage you to email
feedback@lakepanorama.org to share those with us,” he said.
White clover has popped up at the Panorama West golf course.
“We sprayed in the fall of 2021 but lost track of this in 2022, and spraying didn’t get done. It will happen this fall, and an annual plan to spray for clover in the fall will be implemented,” Rutledge said. “We know from experience, spraying midsummer would create a lot of dead spots on the course, so we appreciate your patience.”
The Lake Panorama National 18-hole course is getting some new turf equipment.
“I am pleased to report the course is in good shape, plus we are making sure our equipment is being replaced on scheduled intervals rather than waiting until something has broken down beyond repair,” Rutledge said. “Supply chain delays have caused all of our LPA and LPN departments to be more proactive with regard to equipment.”
Turning to the Lake Panorama Rural Improvement Zone (RIZ), the 2023-24 RIZ fiscal year began July 1. Projected tax increment financing revenues for this fiscal year are $2.94 million.
Rutledge said the south shore rip rap project is complete with the final cost around $850,000. RIZ funded this, with legal agreements in place with the LPA that the area would be maintained as a green space and not a developed area.
Rutledge said two privately funded projects followed the RIZ work. First, Fin and Feather invested $20,000 in rock piles along the shoreline for fish structure.
“This will help fish spawning and will be a good place for fishing,” Rutledge said. “This also should alleviate some pressure from the marina, which has been a challenging issue. I’ve received some questions about whether these represent a safety concern. The short answer is these rock piles are very close to shore. Boaters should not be traveling that close to shore or skiing, wakeboarding or surfing that close to shore.”
The second privately funded project is being led by Friends of Lake Panorama.
“They are working to finalize their vision for low impact recreational amenities on the south shore,” Rutledge said. “The rip rap project required trails be cut for machine and equipment access, and Friends wants to make use of that. Work is underway on plans for walking trails and signage, and hopefully this work can be completed this summer.”
Expansion of the old CIPCO basin, which has been renamed the 180th Trail Basin, continues. Spring Lake Construction was awarded a $3.2 million contract in August 2021, and RIZ expects the project to exceed $4 million in total cost once completed. Rutledge said the project is progressing but is somewhat slower than originally expected.
“All parties are working together cooperatively on the adjusted timeline,” he said.
Rutledge said the three wetlands that help protect water quality in Lake Panorama are adjusted as needed to ensure good vegetation growth, while also retaining enough water to catch sediment from rain flows.
“These sites are good for reducing nitrogen but also have a positive impact on sediment and phosphorous, which fuels the blue green algae blooms,” he said.
RIZ operated a pilot program for cover crop incentives in 2022, working with two neighboring landowners in the Lake Panorama watershed.
“We plan to expand this effort with other local producers this fall,” Rutledge said. “This is a good program for them and for us. Cover crops help reduce soil and nutrient runoff between fall harvest and spring planting.”
Dredging is ongoing this summer above the debris trap. After Labor Day, the dredge will return below the debris trap and work in the upper basin and narrows.
“I know there are some small cove questions out there, but we do not have any plans to go into small coves this fall,” Rutledge said. “We most likely are looking at least another year but will be working with the RIZ board to map that out this fall.”
Rutledge said RIZ continues to work on mid-term and long-term plans.
“Replacement of the dredge soon will be a topic for the budget. Although the physical equipment itself has a long lifespan, the technology does not,” he said. “The lifespan of all vehicles and equipment are starting to be reflective of both the hardware and the software, where in the past we were mostly concerned about the hardware.”
Water quality is an issue of interest for both LPA and RIZ.
“We continue to be in a drought cycle, which causes very low flows in the Middle Raccoon River,” Rutledge said. “The recent rains have helped some, but members need to watch for boating hazards. Buoys don’t mark an exact area but rather a general area of caution.”
Sticking with the water quality theme, Rutledge said blue green algae is beginning to show up in Lake Panorama. The LPA began testing in areas of concern the second week in July and sends results via email.
“Blue green algae correspond with low flows and clear water in the spring. There’s very little we can do with flows that are this low. The water is simply stagnant,” he said.
The LPA water safety committee will meet sometime this fall. Buoy placement and wake boats are expected to be on the agenda. Members with issues they would like to see discussed can email
LPA@lakepanorama.org.
Rutledge said invasive species continues to be an educational priority for LPA.
“Remember to adhere to our rules if you take your boat to another body of water or purchase used lifts or docks that were on another body of water,” he said. “We’ve made our rules extremely user friendly so members can comply without a great deal of inconvenience.”
Rutledge shared a reminder about LPA’s rules regarding home rentals.
“Members are able to rent their home once every four weeks. This can be for the entire four-week period or just a couple of days,” he said. “The rules try to balance what is best for the neighborhood with the desire of members to rent their home for some occasional income.”
The annual deer hunting program will remain the same as the past several years.
“It works well to manage the herd population,” Rutledge said. “We are not trying to eliminate deer but instead to prevent overpopulation, disease and the negative impact an overpopulated herd would have on LPA and member properties.”
Rutledge addressed concerns from some that Coulter Marine was rationing gas the evening of Sunday, July 2, and the morning of Monday, July 3. During this time, boats were limited to 20 gallons of gas and jet skis to five gallons.
“The marina sold 17,000 gallons of gas between July 1 and July 4. Some rationing was required, as we only have 12,000 gallons of storage and a transport was required on Monday morning,” Rutledge said. “We can’t justify adding gas storage for one weekend a year. Thanks to our members for their patience.”
LPA Security used to tow disabled boats, when possible. Now, because of workman’s comp and liability issues, a new policy is in place that officers will not tow boats unless there is an immediate health emergency or a life-or-death situation. Rutledge said members who need a boat towed should call Coulter Marine. Their rates are Main Basin to Shady Beach, $100; Shady Beach to Burchfield Cove, $150; and Burchfield Cove to North Basin, $200.
Rutledge said LPA is working on strategic planning this summer to help the association navigate a number of issues, such as the rapidly growing level of investment at LPA, staffing retention and succession, and budgeting for the next 20 years.
“I will have more to share as this unfolds,” he said. “Please know we take this responsibility very seriously and are focused on the long-term viability of Lake Panorama rather than just looking at the next six to 18 months.”
Other topics covered:
• Sta-Bilt has completed 3.6 miles of seal coated roads on the west side. LPA staff now will prep 3.5 miles of roads on the east side for seal coat application later this summer.
• LPA is replacing a water main on Chimra. This is a planned project with work done as staff schedules allow. Restoration work will be done in the spring.
• The old railroad ties wall at Sunset Beach has been replaced with a poured concrete wall.
• The new bathrooms at Sunset and Shady beaches continue to receive compliments.
• Thanks to Friends of Lake Panorama for recreational enhancements at all three beaches and to the Panora Garden Club for landscaping and flowers.
• Guthrie County Public Health inspects septic systems at Lake Panorama every four years. In the past, an $80 invoice was sent to property owners the year of inspection. Now $20 invoices will be sent annually, with inspections continuing every four years.
• The next GM Coffee is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 1, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Panorama National Resort events center.