Thank you, everyone, for making the Sylvan Lake Ice Cream Social. We were expecting fewer people this year, but we think it was the largest ever. We thank the cake bakers, the DPW, the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society for bringing the 19^th Century games and boat motors, all the servers, and those who cleaned up after—just to mention some of the volunteers.

The ice cream social is just one of the activities sponsored by the Sylvan Lake Garden Club. We have informative speakers and field trips. We conduct clean-up and planting days at Memorial Park. We hold a yearly plant exchange. The dues are only $5 a year. Our meetings are usually held the third Thursday of the month. We would love to have you join us.

- Helen McAllister

Family Fun Night

This great night will take place on Saturday, September 12th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Community Center. There will be crafts, board games, short movies, and snacks and refreshments.

Fall Soccer

Soccer begins on Saturday, September 12th and will continue until October 17th. This is for kids ages three and up, and it will take place at Ferndale Beach. The cost is $45 per child. There are forms available at City Hall, or you can email Sharon Black at semblack@sbcglobal.net.

GWBHS 35-year Anniversary Celebration

This even takes place on Sunday, September 13th. Click here to read more details.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Click here to read the details about the HHWC on Friday, September 25th.

Halloween Party

This year's Halloween party will be on Friday, October 30th. Watch for details in the October newsletter!

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).

Millage Information

A seperate newsbyte will be sent out with information.

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 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.

New Stop Signs

Please take note the following streets have had traffic control signs erected as of 8/24/09:

Four (4) Way Stops at intersection of Woodland and Pleasant

Four (4) Way Stops at intersection of Lakeland and Pleasant

ZBA Hearing

A Zoning Board of Appeals Hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16th, at 6:30 p.m. at Community Center for 2024 Garland. The petitioner is seeking approval for the total lot coverage to be approximately 30% of the lot area. The zoning ordinances states a maximum lot coverage by all structures cannot exceed 25% of the lot area. Written comments will be accepted at City Hall until 4:00 p.m. on September 16th, 2009.

Planning Commission Meeting

Planning Commission is continuing to work on the noise ordinance. They are also investigating an ordinance to regulate outdoor seating for local restaurants (currently not allowed) and an ordinance to regulate the outdoor storage (not parking) or vehicles. If you have any thoughts on these topics, you are encourage to share them. You can do that by sending a letter or email to City Hall or attend a Planning Commission meeting. Planning Commission meets the first Tuesday of each month.

City Council Meeting

The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on September 9th. On the agenda will be a brief (10 minutes) presentation of information on the proposed Charter Amendment.

Summer Tax Time Is Here!

Summer Taxes are due September 14th, 2009 before midnight. No postmarks are accepted. City Hall is closed, but payments can be left in the drop box. Penalties will be applied to any taxes paid after midnight. Payments by credit card must be done online at paylocaltaxes.com.

"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

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.

Recreational Vehicle Storage

Please remember that you must keep your RV’s at least 45 feet from the edge of the road and three feet from the side and rear property lines. Boats and/or boat trailers (only) may be in the driveway within 45 feet from the edge of the road for the summer (April 1st to October 31st). RV’s and/or boat trailers cannot be parked in the road right-of-way at anytime. Only two RV’s are allowed on one property at a time.

Do Not Feed Ducks and Geese

Click here to read about some reasons why you should not feed the ducks and the geese.

Budget Deficit

Since the millage proposal was not passed at the last election, City Council is continuing their discussion on how to address the budget deficit. They are asking residents to come to the meetings and voice their opinions, to learn what is going on, and to know what is being done. The City has been proactive in making cuts in expenses, including cutting employees and changing medical benefits, but the budget is still not balanced. Some of the items being discussed are:

Increase in summer fees (docks, parks, etc.) (Increase for 2010 was Rescinded)

Increase the fee for the RV storage lot (done)

Sell some city property

Open the rental of the Community Center to nonresidents

Open the Parks to the public at an increased fee for an annual park tag

Eliminate the park ranger

Eliminate extra summer park patrol by the police department (done)

Reduce the frequency of lawn mowing (partially done)

Outsourcing the Police Department if economically advantageous (being investigated)

Combining Police Departments or sharing staff if economically advantageous (being investigated)

Reduce the hours of the Ordinance Enforcement Officer by half (done)

Close City Hall one day per week (done)

Change Medical Benefits for employees to reduce cost (done)

No pay increase for employees (done)

Reduce City Staff (done)

No capital improvements in the City (done)

Unfortunately, most of these items are not long-term cost-effective solutions and the City cannot continue to operate at the current level of service on the current income.

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Scrapbook Volunteer Needed

We are in need of a new person to be in charge of the city scrapbook. Duties involve requesting and gathering photos from neighbors, possibly taking photos at City events, and completing scrapbook pages on his or her own or with other City volunteers. Time required is only a few hours every couple of months. Please contact Carrie MacGillis to receive the current scrapbook, supplies and photos, 248-683-9118 or carriemacgillis1@comcast.net.

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.

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.

Whitfield School Reunion

A reunion of Daniel Whitfield students, teachers, and principals was held on August 2nd at the Sylvan Lake Community Center. Over 65 people attended. Pauline Jorgenson Williams attended Whitfield School when the school was dedicated in 1929. Classmates from the 1930’s to the early 1990’s attended. Reverend Charles Whitfield, great grandson of Daniel Whitfield, his wife Judith, and their son Daniel Charles Whitfield also attended. Reverend Whitfield attended the school for second grade.

Everyone enjoyed reminiscing about their days at Whitfield School, the teachers, principals, and friends. People traveled from as far as Texas to attend the Reunion. A DVD was put together featuring the class that graduated from Whitfield School in 1951 by friends for over 65 years who still keep in touch. We are looking for Whitfield School class pictures, scout activities, and anything pertaining to Whitfield School. For more information, please contact Helen Jane Peters.

Special Thanks/Kudos

To the Sylvan Lake Garden Club for once again hosting a spectacular Ice Cream Social.

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.

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September Calender Of Events

9th    - City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m.

12th   - Family Fun Night beginning at 6:30 p.m.

12th   - Fall Soccer begins

14th   - Taxes dus before midnight (postmarks not accepted)

20th   - Household Hazardous Waste Collection

24th   - City Council Study Session at 6:00 p.m.

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 12^th of the month preceding the issue (For example, information for the December issue would be due November 12th and so on.)

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.