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   Treasures of Sylvan        
   
         
 
 
 
   
 
 Contact Sylvan Lake
 
City Hall Address
1820 Inverness
Sylvan Lake, MI 48320
 
City Hall Phone:
248-682-1440
 
Fax:
248-682-7721
 
Email City Hall
Click here to email City Hall
 
Welcome To The Sylvan Lake Spotlight
 
Forward this E-Newsletter to your friends!
 
 
WELCOME TO OUR 
SPOTLIGHT ON THE COMMUNITY!
 
 
 
   
  
Community Events 

 
 
We had a great turnout for the Halloween Party from both kids and adults. Thank you to all who attended and thank you Sharon Black for organizing the party!
 
 
Movie Night
Check the dates under the calendar and bring your family to the Community Center and enjoy an evening of fun! A “G” rated movie will be showing, and a “PG” movie will be showing. Popcorn and lemonade will be served.
 
Recycling Workshop
The workshop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2nd in the Community Center. The workshop will not be very long, but it will explain what you can and cannot recycle and will explain the rewards for recycling program.  There will also be samples of the various sized recycle bins you may purchase at City Hall.
 
 
Holiday Lighting Contest
The judging will be Saturday, December 12th, starting at 6:00 p.m. So have all your lights and decorations out in full glory! Every year the displays get better!! The categories are:
  • Best Christmas Tree,
  • Artistic, Lights,
  • Living Christmas Card,
  • Neighborhood Group,
  • Religious Theme, and
  • Christmas Theme.

We are in need of a few residents willing to judge the holiday lights this year. If you are interested, please contact City Hall right away.
 
 
News/Announcements  
 
Charter/Ordinances 
In a continuing effort to make important information more easily accessible to all of our residents and business owners, an electronic version of the Sylvan Lake Code of Ordinances is now available online. You may access the documents on the city’s website www.sylvanlake.org via a new link labeled, “Code of Ordinances”. The ordinance documents are externally hosted, so please be aware that clicking on the link will redirect your web browser to another company’s website (MuniCode.com). 



 
Election Results
We had 654 voters for the election, which was a 47.74% voter turnout. 
The results for the two City Council seats were as follows: 
 
 Sharon Maurina: 420    Russ Meskin: 366   John Shepp: 233

Millage Proposal:            Yes:  373                       No:  280

Congratulations to Sharon and Russ and we looking forward to working with you for the next three years. Thank you to all the candidates for working hard on this election and expressing your interest. 
 
Thank you John Shepp for your three years of dedication and time on City Council.

Thank you for your support in passing the 2-mill Charter Amendment. However, please understand that this will not solve all of Sylvan Lake's financial concerns. We will still be very diligent in finding ways to cut costs and increase revenue in order to maintain a viable City.  The City staff and Council have done an excellent job with this over the past several years and will continue to do so.
Planning Commission Meeting
The meeting has been moved to November 17th at 7:00 p.m.  Planning Commission continues to work on the Noise Ordinance and will begin working on other sections of the zoning ordinance including an ordinance for the outdoor storage of vehicles and outdoor seating. 
City Council Meeting
The City Council meeting has been moved to November 18th at 7:30. City Council will consider approving a Community Center fee for use types and discuss opening the rental of RVA spaces, dock spaces, the Community Center, and the parks to the non-residents.

Water Bills
Water bills are due and payable at City Hall until November 20th without penalty.
 
Yard Waste Collection
Collection will be ending for the year November 25th. Make sure you put all your twigs, shrub trimmings, brush, flowers, and similar items out for the last time on this date.
 
Leaf Collection Guidelines
Our waste collectors, Richfield Management, will again be collecting the leaves this year. Collection will tentatively begin the third week in October (depending on how many leaves fall) and continue through the second week of December. Please review their map, which they provided to you, for your collection day (Monday, Wednesday, or Friday). If you do not have your map, please call 1-877-609-6753.  Please be sure to get all your leaves this fall because there is no spring collection. In the spring, all leaves must be bagged and put at the curb for collection with the yard waste. Please rake the leaves onto the edge of the street.  Please do not leave them in the ditch or put them in the street. We will appreciate having all cars parked in your driveway and off the road between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the leaf collection program. Leaf collection in the city ends the first week in December, unless there is snow.
 
Dead Trees
Remember that dead trees can be dangerous for not only your household, but your neighbors' as well. Dead trees allow animals to harbor within them and could fall on a house. Please take care of them properly. A permit is not required to remove the dead, diseased, or dangerous branches, trees, or shrubs. Please wait to prune back diseased trees, shrubs, and other woody-stemmed landscape plants until the frost period.

 

CDBG Funds Available

The City has limited funds available through the State of Michigan and Oakland County for a Home Chore and Minor Home repair program. The purpose of this fund is to help Senior Citizens and low/moderate income households by assisting them with home chores and minor home repair requests. The Home Chore program, is for things such as raking leaves, shoveling snow, painting, cleaning, etc. for Senior Citizens and low to moderate income families. The minor home repair program is for larger tasks such as furnace repair/replacement, water heaters, roofs, electrical, plumbing, etc. and is available for low/moderate income families. If you would like to fill out an application to benefit from this program, please contact City Hall. The funds are available so let’s take advantage of them.
 
Parks & Recreation Committee Members STILL needed
We are still looking for volunteers to sit on this active committee. This will be a working committee to help organize events in the parks and the Community Center along with enhancing our facilities. If you are interested, please call or email City Hall. 
 
Community Center Volunteers
We are looking for more volunteers to spend time at the Community Center during the day so it can remain open all day. This will enable residents to use the Community Center to relax, play cards, etc. If you are interested, please contact City Hall.
 
 
 
"Help Wanted" List
We are updating our handyman list. Often residents call asking if we know of somebody they can hire to do odd jobs, babysitting, driver, rake leaves, shovel snow, etc. for them. If you would like to be on our list of names to give to people, please call City Hall and let us know what type of work you can do. Thank you for those that have responded. The City does not endorse the people on the list, we simply pass the names on. 
 
 
 
Rack Storage
If you have a watercraft on the rack storage at the Community Center, it must be removed by November 15.

The rack storage for non-motorized boats at the Community Center is available for $25 a space. A boat launch sticker will be provided for these watercraft and they may only be stored on the rack from April 1st to November 15th of each year.
 
Boat Dock Removal
Please remove your boat docks, boats, and all mooring posts by Sunday, November 15th, 2009. Please remember when storing your boat to keep your registration with you. If they are not removed, the City will do so at the dock space holder’s expense and possible loss of your dock space. We dont want this to happen, but we will do so for safety reasons.
 
Boat Trailer and Recreational Vehicle Storage (NOW IN EFFECT)

Please remember when storing your boat to keep your registration with you. You will need to provide it to register your boat and dock space next year. We do have a recreational vehicle (RV) storage ordinance that governs where recreational vehicles may be stored after October 31st. This includes boats and boat trailers. Here are some of the requirements:

  • All RV’s must be placed within a completely enclosed building or located behind the required front yard setback (appx. 45' from the street) and at least three feet from the side and rear lot lines.
  • You cannot store an RV on vacant property.
  • You cannot hook up an RV to water, sewer, or electricity and they must remain unoccupied. 
  • No more than two RV’s may be stored on one piece of property at one time. (A boat hoist is considered an RV)
  • RV’s may not be stored in the road right of way at any time.  
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Community Center Rental
Many residents have already reserved dates for next year to rent the Community Center. If you would like to reserve the Community Center, you need to fill out an application form and provide a deposit. The application, along with rules and regulations, are on the website under "calendar." If you do not have internet access, you can come into City Hall and receive a copy.
 
Going Away for the Winter?
Please be sure to notify City Hall. We will keep an extra close eye on your house while you are gone. Also, we can send you your absentee ballot for the election.

Website
Make sure you visit our website at www.sylvanlake.org for regular and current information.  
From The Police Chief
If you have a concern or a complaint that the Police Department should know about, please send an e-mail to slpdchief@comcast.net.
*Make sure you keep your homes, cars, and garages locked.
  
Click here to view a flier for RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE and ELECTRONIC RECYCLING.
 
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CRWC
The Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) is a non-profit organization to help protect and improve the health of the Clinton River. The CRWC also wants to assure that the river's natural, economical, and recreational attributes enhance the quality of life for those who are directly affected by it.  The CRWC is made up of four full-time and two part-time staff along with a 15-member board of directors. They provide programs in areas of watershed management, such as Stream Leaders, Adopt-A-Stream, River Day, and Clinton Clean-Up Programs.  The Clinton River, as some may know, runs through Sylvan Lake.  Click here to learn how the CRWC has such an impact on Sylvan Lake.    
 
 
 
Clinton River Trail Website
The old railroad that is now a trail that goes through Sylvan Lake is part of the Clinton River Trail system.  For all of you trail users and enthusiasts, the Clinton River Trail's website is full of news and updated features.  It is updated by the Friends of Clinton River Trail (FCRT).  Thanks to John Hensler, and FCRT member, the website is getting better and better.  For any words of appreciation or any suggestions, please contact John at john@sunkenanchor.com
 
  
 Sylvan Lake History 

We would greatly appreciate any assistance you could offer to expand this important and interesting section of the newsletter. We are looking for any interesting articles relating to the City's history. We are also looking for photos relating to the City, such as:
  • the Oakland County Boat Club,
  • Memorial or Veterans Park,
  • Ferndale Park,
  • the beach on Lakeview,
  • the Interurban,
  • City Hall,
  • Free Press Fresh Air Camp,
  • the Community Center, and
  • the Daniel Whitfield School.
Family photos and any and all events around Sylvan Lake will also be accepted and reviewed. Please label your photos and bring them to City Hall. They will be scanned and returned promptly. There are also two City Council Meeting Minute books missing. The book that dates before 1928 is the first City Council book. It would be interesting to read about how Sylvan Lake became a Village. Another missing book is for the years from 1946 to 1950, when Sylvan Lake became a City. Please look around your home for these missing books and return them to City Hall.   
 
 Sylvan Lake City Hall
On June 20, 1928, the Village of Sylvan Lake Council voted to purchase one acre of land on Inverness for $2500 from Merrill B. Mills.
 
March 6, 1929, the Village Council resolved that an acute and present necessity existed for a municipal building to house various Village activities, equipment and property. They resolved that Charles Fisher, a regular architect of Pontiac be directed to prepare suitable plans for a municipal building. Charles Fisher also designed Daniel Whitfield School.
 
April 6, 1929 a special meeting was held at the Oakland County Boat Club to consider the plans to erect a Village Office Building.
 
June 5, 1929 the Installation of the furnace was $298.30, drilling a well was $1.25 per foot, plumbing was $775.00.
 
Our Sylvan Lake City Hall is 80 years old this year.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Special Thanks/Kudos
Sharon Black for organizing the Sylvan Lake Family Halloween Party.   The Halloween Party was well attended by children, their parents and Sylvan Lake residents.  A fun time was had by all.
 
 
 Project Updates
 
 
Community Programs 
  
 Fur-e-tails Newsletter
A new electronic newsletter for pet lovers, fur-e-tails, has been launched by Sylvan Lake resident Linda Wasche.  Every monthly issue contains information and news covering all topics ranging from pet care and nutrition to the latest in pet products and pet lover events.  For your FREE subscription contact editor-fur-e-tails@oaklandpetfund.org.  All proceeds from fur-e-tails advertising will go to benefit Oakland pet fund, bringing the No-More-Homeless Pets movement to Oakland County. 
 
Cat Adoption
If you would like to read some information about adopting a cat or kitten, click here.
 
 
 
 
November Calender Of Events

We want and need your input.  It is very important to help keep our newsletter different and exciting each month. 

Would you like to let your neighbors know more about what your committee is up to?  Or maybe you have news and information you would like to share, such as family announcements, recipes, decorating ideas, or crafts.  We invite you to submit content that you think your neighbors will want to know about.   We will include information as space allows.  All submissions must follow the Newsletter Guidelines for Outside Submissions at the end of this newsletter.  
 
Please encourage neighbors who have not signed up for this newsletter to do so.  While those not on our email list will receive a print version of the newsletter, it will be in black and white, only contain basic information, and they will not receive our reminders and updates.
 
 
We need your photographs!
 
If you have any photos related to the City that you would like to share, please forward them following the guidelines in this newsletter.  The photos can be from a special event, sunset, or just a "nature" photo. Click on  "Newsletter Guidelines for Outside Submissions" above to see how to do it.
 
And don't forget to visit the Sylvan lake Website.
 
-- John Martin, City Manager
 
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Newsletter Guidelines for Outside Submissions

 

The City of Sylvan Lake welcomes articles, news and updates from members of the community. Such information should be relevant to Sylvan Lake, to its residents and to living in the community.  The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any such information.  All such information will also be edited for style and space. 

 

In submitting information, please follow the guidelines below. 

 Submit your information, preferably in electronic form, to:

 

            Newsletter Editor

            Sylvanlakenmailto:Sylvanlakenewsletter@gmail.com

            248-682-1440

 

1.  Articles and updates
Limit articles, updates and other information to no more than 200 words. Such items must be written from the perspective of an outside objective third party.  We do NOT accept editorials or opinion pieces.  Let readers know where they can go for more information, where appropriate, by including a phone number, email address or website.  Also, be sure to include your contact information in case we have questions.

 

2.  News releases
We welcome news releases on upcoming events and programs, but cannot run releases in their entirety due to space limitations.  Be sure to include contact information.

 

3.  Photos
Color photos are welcome IF THEY ACCOMPANY ABOVE DESCRIBED NEWS OR  INFORMATION.   All photos MUST be in ELECTRONIC format as a .gif or .jpg.  If photos include human subjects, be sure you have their permission to submit the photo.  Be sure to include a caption explaining what is in the photo as well as a name and contact information for the person submitting the photo.  If a photo was taken by someone other the person submitting it, you will need his or her written permission to  allow us to use the photo. 

 

4.  Deadlines
Information for the newsletter is due as follows:
The 12th of the month preceding the issue  (For example, information for the December issue would be due November 12th and so on.)
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Sylvan Lake Spotlight
Sylvan Lake Spotlight is published by the City of Sylvan Lake, 1820 Inverness, Sylvan Lake, MI 48320. Resident news and information are welcome, but must follow newsletter editorial guidelines. To request a copy of the Editorial Guidelines, contact City Manager John Martin at martinsylvanlk@comcast.net.
 
In the future, Advertising may be accepted from residents and local businesses. Please watch future newsletters to obtain advertising rate information, or to place an ad in the Community Service Directory or Classified Advertising section..
 
LEGAL NOTICE:  This email may be considered an advertising or promotional message.  If you no longer wish to receive this email, please unsubscribe using the link found at the top of this newsletter.  Views expressed or implied herein are not necessarily those of the City of Sylvan Lake, City Council or its affiliates.