TIMS FORD COUNCIL
THURSDAY, MAY 11 2023
GENERAL MEETING
FRANKLIN COUNTY ANNEX BUILDING, COMMUNITY ROOM
AGENDA
Board Attendees: Adam Wonder, Bob Greving, John Casey, Jake Davis, Lois Brown, Marybeth Averill
Absent: Myron Yoder, Amanda Edmonson, Chase Lawson, Sally Lightner, Rick Silver, Katie Silver
General Attendees: 14 general members, 2 guests
Meeting called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Adam Wonder, President
Financial Report – Robert Greving
Month of April income of $15 due and expenses out were $235.71. Shortfall of $220.71 for the period, and shortfall of $374.67 year to date. Remaining balance of $5.738.85. No questions were raised.
Financial Minutes approval – Adam Wonder
Jake Davis motioned for approval, Bob Greving seconded, motion was approved.
April 13, 2023 meeting minutes were presented by Adam and had one correction listed being Tim’s Ford State Park, instead of City Park. Correction will be made. Jake Davis motioned, Bob Greving seconded and minutes were approved as corrected.
March 9, 2023 meeting minutes Marybeth reviewed the content with the group, Bob Greving motioned for approval, Jake Davis seconded and minutes were approved.
Old Business
Water Testing – John Casey
Process was reviewed that it starts in May and goes through October. Testing is once a month. A 30,000 foot look down map was shared to understand how water flows into the lake. The Council samples from Estill Springs over to Lynchburg where the ground becomes very steep. Major inputs are tested to ensure incoming water is within testing boundaries. The biggest input is from Woods Reservoir. Areas tested are the temperature, PH, alkalinity, nitrates, nitrites, e-coli and visibility. We do this because the TVA will advise it is the TWRA’s job, and vice versa so the Council is the only group that tests this lake. An explanation of the e-coli testing is performed. All mammals produce e-coli with the exception of beavers. Biggest contributor to our lake is run off from feed lots. We have three teams that test east, middle and west. A few questions were raised about any historical issues that arise. We have not had any to warrant calling anyone in and if we do see something suspicious, we talk to the contributor closest to that particular test site. We work with the marina owners as well as owners and boaters on the lake. Kick off meeting for testing was held Tuesday, May 9.
Lake Preservation Activities – Jake Davis
All is good on Tim’s ford at the moment while unfortunately a multi- state investigation is underway on the Tennessee River. For some unknown reason, hundreds of thousands of catfish are dying. One very important reason to stay on top of water cleanliness and testing.
Other Outstanding Items – None
New Business
Funding the Council – Adam Wonder
Community outreach and funding. We’d like to do more to reach individuals and companies in the area as well as have lake clean up events be friendly competition for prizes. As a result, we are looking to form two committees; Community Outreach and Funding. If anyone is willing to participate, please sign the sheet on the table on your way out and we’ll contact you.
Jake Dais– Shared that he has had meetings with Tim’s Ford Marina and Twin Creeks (both under new ownership) and they are very excited about what we are doing for the lake, along with Bass Nation. Developing this relationship with them will create good things we believe.
Also, the Tennessee Marina Owners presentation is coming up and Jake will present ask for funding and build awareness of the Council’s activities. He will also be meeting with the Rotary Club in Winchester. Bass Nation got the grant for habitat and lake clean-up and we will be able to utilize some of those funds as well in conjunction with the student programs.
Another water safety course will be offered in June for anyone who is interested. More details to follow but probably the second or third week from 5:30-7:30p.m. Anyone born after 1989 is required to attend this course if he/she will be driving any kind of watercraft. Boat captains are required to pass the course as well.
Jake then recognized Martin Tyler, Franklin County Bass team leader whose team received School of the Year with only a total of four boats.
Other - None
Special Presentation – Martin Tyler, Lifetime Docks; Andrew Shields, Shields Electric
Dock and Electrical Use Safety; What you Need to Know
Tim’s continues to have issues with docks breaking loose and according to Martin, the biggest problem is cables laying on the water and when high wind goes by the able has been loosened and it snaps. A new offering for docks is called a dock shock. This spring goes at the shoreline and is connected to the cable. The weakest parts on any dock are where the cables meet the land, and the ramp connection at the pier. This shock system allows more movement to protect your investment. The cost is $2500 for two, installed. This can be a good investment as repairs to docks can easily reach $8-10,000. While this will slow down Martin’s winter work, it is a good solution for the newer, heavier docks. It is not a solution that is needed for all docks. Between mother nature wreaking havoc with high winds, as well as people lacking boat etiquette many docks have high stress.
While the new wake boat law has helped in some areas, it has hurt others as these boats are finding other places on the water. Lifetime Docks is adjusting their anchor systems as they try to better manage the new boating world. Going forward, when Lifetime builds a new dock, the dock shock is being included in the quote. While it is not foolproof, it does help, especially for those who aren’t here full time.
Q. Any benefit from when water rises and falls. Yes, it has 2’ of slack. We get a lot of damage, winter to spring. When we get a flood, docks rise fast and stresses cable systems. If I own a home, it would be a good idea to have if I’m not there all the time. As you need more slack it moves. Cables are problems when they’re loose, not when they’re tight. If cables are snug, it sits tight. It eliminates the shock factor.
Q. Docks are built different does that matter? No, it’s all about the shoreline anchor point. Pricewise, docks are 45% higher than they were 3 years ago. Entry point is about $70,000 up to $215,000. Lifetime has a lot of avenues to get help with to give as much protection as possible.
Q. What amount of slack should you have in your cables. It should be snug, not overly tight. It should never be in the water. Never splice your cables together. The coating comes off and the steel will start to snap. If the cable gets over tight, it can break bones in your hands so be very cautious.
Q. Are there criteria to get a new dock permit? Yes, through the TVA. Previously, if there was a permit, you could replace but not add without a permit. In 2000 some people ignored the regulations and built where they shouldn’t so there are some docks on the lake that are not permitted. It goes by parcel and some can, some can’t be permitted. Tao find out, there is paperwork to complete, you send it in, and it bounces down the line and you receive a site plan if approved. Some people are getting new land permits, but not most. Lifetime Docks will complete the form but then individuals must mail it in and see if they can get it permitted. Tim’s has become a job for the TVA due to its popularity. It now takes 5-6 months instead of 100 days for a response. Dock permit is not on the dock builder, it is on the homeowner. If you file a complaint, TVA is obligated by law to investigate complaints.
One thing people don’t keep on docks, are fire extinguishers and life rings. Make sure you have them on the docks.
Electrical Safety. This is an extremely important topic. If you have a dock and care about your family, pay $699 for a Shock IQ and have Andrew Shields from Shields Electric install it. Many docks have been here for years and many don’t have them grounded properly. So, while your dock may be fine, your neighbors may not.
Andrew. Touch on a couple of items. People have false sense of security of electric on your dock and there have been deaths on the lack because of it. Lifeguard was the original alarm system, and has been replaced by a system called Shock IQ. Shock IQ will instantly trip your circuit. Then you call Shields Electric and they will come test the water as it could be your dock or your neighbors. From its mounted position, it has about a 40’ radius as a minimum but he as seen it extend two times that far. An example was given where a landscaper cut a line to the dock, did a self-repair, didn’t tell anyone and it sent 120 volts into the water. This is a very inexpensive insurance fix for anyone around the water. The new version even has an app for your phone that will inform you remotely along with the level of voltage in the water.
On the two occasions he has been called out it more than likely saved lives. This is not a money maker for them, they are using them to provide protection. Electricity follows the path of least resistance and no one wants a body to be that path.
Weekend rentals should have these.
What to do if you’re in the water, don’t grab a cable, don’t swim to the dock. Swim to the shore. Get out of the water until the electrician has given the all clear.
Something he’s working on is a service to come by once a month and check the electric on docks. Tim’s Ford gets a lot of storm damage and that can jimmy the electric connections. Unfortunately, there is not a regulation requiring electric alarms so the best we can do is encourage everyone to have one installed.
Electricity is not straight forward it is the combination of the grounding as well as the Shock IQ working. For example, every dock needs a quick disconnect on the pier and a ground. If the grounding isn’t proper, shock IQ won’t work properly and that will tell you something is off. Have to have a continuous ground that shares with the house to your pier and dock. There is currently no enforcement of dock installations to ensure they are safe.
With Wi-Fi, you can get a service for $7/month to find out in real time where its coming from. Whether Wi-Fi or not, call Andrew and he’ll have someone come out.
Q. When dock goes dry, probes can break off. Andrew can order and reinstall if this happens to your system.
Q. How does it install. There’s a bracket for the post, a plug in for power and the probe. Where your lift is, install directly above the lift. It’s a utility outlet so it doesn’t have to be plugged and unplugged. Andrew explained how the system works. It used to be a self-install but now that option is not available.
There are certain areas on the lake that seem to always have a low voltage from .7 to 1.5. This has been seen over the lake by the dam and the big marinas. Whether its shoreline power or someone with a generator, it’s difficult to tell. While it would be great to have the marinas install systems it is unlikely as if it goes off it kills all power.
Q. What is the warranty. One year on consumer part, he’ll find out specifics and share back to the group.
Q. What does it sound like. It is very loud and sound will go off for 24 hours because it’s a 24-hour battery. You don’t need to cut the power to your dock because the system trips your breaker.
Q. How do you know if it’s on. If you have the app, look at status. If the red light isn’t on and your power has tripped the system is off. If it is chirping when the system is back on, that is the battery charging. We recommend leaving the power to your dock on at all times for maximum protection from the system.
Next General Meeting
Thursday, August 10, 7:00 p.m.
Adjourned at 8:25 pm