PMLA General Managers Message
Joe Powell, PCAM, CCAM-LS, CMCA, AMS
PG&E Powerline Undergrounding Project update
PG&E continues their powerline undergrounding project down Pine Mountain Drive. They will be temporarily suspending work during the Independence Day Holiday weekend. We have had a few issues with the contractor hired by PG&E such as working later than the agreed upon timeframe and delaying traffic by 30 minutes. PG&E stated that the longer traffic delays were the result of the contractor inadvertently trenching into GCSD water lines that were not properly marked on the original as-built plans. Given that the system is over 50 years old, the plans and documents that indicate location of water and sewer lines are not always accurate.
We experienced additional challenges due to the lack of communication between two PG&E project divisions. The division responsible for replacing power poles failed to coordinate with the division that is working on the powerline undergrounding project. As a result, there was a time when both lanes of traffic on Pine Mountain Drive were blocked for a period of time. We discussed this issue with our PG&E contact and anticipate that they will coordinate their tasks more effectively in the future.
Some members have commented on the rough asphalt patch work that the PG&E contractor left over the trenched areas of the PML roadways. Once this portion of the project is completed for this year, they plan on coming in and smoothing these areas out. After PG&E completes the remaining undergrounding work in 2026, they will put the PML roadways back in the same or better condition as when they started.
From a member communication standpoint, we put out the weekly project work schedule through our PML eSNAP direct email program and post on the official PML Website as soon as we receive this information from PG&E. We encourage all members to sign up for our email communication platform so that they can stay informed regarding this project and other important Association information.
PML Roads Refurbishment Project
Our roads refurbishment project was originally scheduled to start in May. We decided to reschedule it for September. While the roads project areas are not in the same locations as the PG&E undergrounding project, the potential impact of many large trucks and equipment in PML would undoubtedly have a negative impact on the membership. The road line striping work will be completed after they finish the roads refurbishment project.
Unauthorized parking at the PML Administration Office
We continue to see more and more short-term renters and guests, leaving multiple cars in the PML Administration parking lot all day and car-pooling to the lake. There is already limited space now for members to park at Admin to take care of their business. This has had an impact on our members, committees and others just trying to conduct business at the Admin Office. As a result, we are ramping up our monitoring and have been issuing parking tickets. If the trend continues, we may be forced to update our policies to include increasing the parking fine. We will be sending out notices to all short-term rental owners to make sure that they notify their tenants about unauthorized parking so that the owner does not become subject to fines as well for the behavior and violations by their tenants.
Recreation and Seasonal Operations
Our recreation team has been focused on final preparations for our annual Independence Day Celebration and fireworks event. We have also received multiple phone calls from members expressing appreciation for the staff presence on the beaches and the enforcement of the launch protocols. Another member who skis regularly shared how pleased they were to see an increased boat patrol presence, noting a noticeable difference on the water.
We are staffing Dunn Court and the Lake Lodge beaches to ensure that no watercraft are launched without the authorized registration stickers and invasive species inspections.
Over Memorial weekend, our staff inspected dozens of watercrafts and found that many had not registered their watercraft and many renters and guests who were not authorized to register or use their unauthorized watercraft on our lake. At the main Marina, 68 kayaks were inspected (20 without registration stickers); 30 Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) (15 without stickers) At Dunn Court they inspected and found 48 kayaks (2 without stickers); 32 SUPs (5 without stickers). At the Lake Lodge, they inspected and found 61 kayaks (13 without stickers); 49 SUPs (20 without stickers).
Watercraft without registration were not allowed to launch and were directed to the Marina Store to register or rent a kayak or SUP. We saw a significant increase in watercraft registrations compared to previous Memorial Day weekends due to the additional staff monitoring in areas that were not staffed in the past. This resulted in an additional $8,200 in watercraft registration fees for the Marina operation.
Opening day at the Swim Center, we saw a line of folks waiting to get in for our early morning aqua aerobics program. We are starting off the season with 3 certified Swim Instructors, allowing for more sessions, both groups and private lessons. We are offering 11 sessions until August 11th.
Lake Dredging Project
The last time that Pine Mountain Lake was dredged was in 2010/2011. The project was a huge undertaking that started in 2005 and finalized in 2011. It cost several million dollars and required significant environmental review and studies. Fast forward to today and while our Maintenance team does a great job of maintaining our lake and surrounding areas, the amount of sediment flow into our lake coves and shorelines has increased over time.
As a result, the board directed management to solicit proposals from qualified consultants for the planning, design and permitting for the first phase of the Lake Dredging Project. Once we receive these proposals, we will evaluate them and present them to the Board with a recommendation for approval. We are also working with our professional lake management consultant to determine the best way to address coves by priority while spreading out the work and costs so that the entire project can be funded out of our reserves over time.
Given the complexity and cost of the dredging project, we are performing our due diligence on behalf of the board and membership and this takes time and we want members to know that we are doing a lot of work behind the scenes. Once we have information or proposals that require board action, we will bring it forward to an open board meeting for consideration.
Personal Fireworks are Prohibited
Personal fireworks are illegal to possess and use in Tuolumne County. Violators can be subject to significant fines and in some cases, jail time. PMLA uses a licensed professional pyrotechnic vendor and we have permits and work with our local fire services in order to conduct our annual fireworks display. Even so, every year we get a few folks that launch their own fireworks in our community. We are in an extreme wildfire risk area and we work directly with Cal Fire and law enforcement to identify those that put our community at risk. For those members who rent out their homes or allow family members and guests to use them, please remind them that personal fireworks are prohibited and violators will be prosecuted.
PML Advisory Committee Openings
We currently have openings on two committees, specifically, the Covenants Committee Environmental Control Committee and Equine Advisory Committee. Members can apply online by going to the PML Website. We also have a PDF version of the form that you can fill out that is on the website. These are all voluntary position and a great way for members to get involved in the governance of our community.
Until next month, wishing everyone a fun and safe Independence Day Holiday!
President’s Message
Mike Gustafson
As we are in PML’s “High Season” this message will be a potpourri of topics.
The 2025 Board of Directors Election has had an interesting turn of events! There are two positions open this cycle and only two people submitted their election paperwork: Dania Schaffer and myself. This is only the third time in the past 20 years where a full election process was not required. The two candidates will be approved by the current board “by acclimation” at the August Membership meeting. This means the Association does not have to spend about $20,000 to support a full election. I hope it also means most people are happy with our current direction.
Every three years the Association tasks the Long-Range Planning Committee with creating and running a Membership Satisfaction Survey. The 2025 survey will go live on July 1 and will run for 90 days. It is very important that you fill out a copy of the survey as the results will help drive the planning by the board and management for the next three years. The link to the online survey is here
One of our critical long range projects is dredging of the lake. The last time we dredged the lake was in 2011; unfortunately, sediment flows in every winter. We will be selecting consultants to help with the how and the where and, most importantly, the need for permits from various governing agencies. It’s a big job, but it has to be done periodically. The 2011 dredging cost about $2.0 million and took three years of planning and permitting. We estimate that this time it could cost $4 to $6 million. More on this project as we collect information.
A special event during our July 4 weekend is the Boat Parade! On July 5th at 6:00pm, there is a cruise around the lake for all the decorated boats. The theme this year is “Under the Sea.” Judges will select the best decorations in each category. Sign up at the Marina Office prior to 12:00pm on July 5th. This event is organized by Friends of the Lake.
After the Boat Parade, at around 9:15pm, we will have our wonderful fireworks display. If you plan to watch from the Marina remember, wristbands are required for entry the whole day. There will be extra security to keep everyone safe and PGE promises to complete their work before our big weekend.
The Waterski Club is offering free waterski lessons for kids at 8:00am on Friday, July 11. See www.pinemountainlakewaterskiclub.com for information and registration.
Friends of the Lake are also sponsoring their yearly Lake Swim event at 3:00pm on July 12. If you have ever wanted to legally swim from Dunn Court Beach to the Marina Beach, this is your chance. Please arrive at Dunn Court at 2:45 to sign up. The fastest swimmers usually finish in about seven minutes, but lots of people swim just for fun and a personal challenge. No children under ten please.
We are well into fire season, so please be careful and keep your lot cleared. Enjoy our summer weather, get an ice cream at the Lakeside Café or a margarita at the Grill, and always be Fire Safe!
Building Our Community
Suzette Laffranchi – Community Standards Director
An important reminder about making improvements to the exterior of your property or home! Be sure to submit your exterior projects to our Environmental Control Committee for review and approval. All exterior improvements, changes, addition, modifications, and landscaping on your property must be submitted to the ECC prior to commencement of the project.
Landscaping
· Decorative walls and boarders
· Excavation, drainage and soil erosion
· Fences (dog, decorative, garden, safety, privacy)
· Planting new vegetation
· Ponds, fountains, yard ornaments
· Retaining walls
· Tree Removal
Lighting
· Exterior Lighting
· Pathways, driveways, landscape, accent lighting
Structures
· Additions
· carports
· Containers
· Decks
· Enclosures
· Garages
· Gazebos
· Holders
· Outbuildings
· Receptacles
· Sheds
· Storage
Signs
· ALL signs
· Custom address signs (placement and size)
Parking Areas
· Driveways
· Asphalt
· Concrete
· Gravel
· Excavating
· Leveling
Paint
· ALL paint colors must be reviewed for approval
Propane tanks
· Painting
· Placement
· Screening
Lakeshore
· Beaches
· Decks
· Docks
· Kayak or boat holders
· Walls
All these items and many more that I did not name require ECC approval prior to the start of your project. Violations of these rules could result in fines and tear out or stop work orders may also be issued.
Be sure to submit your exterior projects to our Environmental Control Committee for review and approval before any changes or improvements are made to your property or exterior of your home. All exterior improvements, changes, addition, modifications, and landscaping on your property must be submitted to the ECC prior to commencement of the project. A convenient way to get information, find links, review frequently asked questions, or continue to develop a better understanding of the rules and regulations, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week is to visit the Pine Mountain Lake Community Standards web page. You will find our page at https://www.pinemountainlake.com/resources/ click on the Community Standards Icon or Scan the QR code for quick on the go access.
All projects require a plot plan that includes:
· Property Boundary Lines
· Setbacks
· Easements
· DPA/DE
The Environmental Control Committee of
Pine Mountain Lake Association has made guidelines available to you to acquaint
you with the rules, guidelines and Construction Standards. The guidelines also
pertain information on document preparation and other information that should
simplify your planning process. Also see PMLA, CC&R, Article VI, Minimum
Construction Standards for more details on requirements when submitting your
project. These documents are all available at your fingertips 24 hours a day at
www.pinemountainlake.com
If you have question regarding your submittal, documents or construction fees, please contact our Architectural Control Specialist, Ashley Henderson at ECC@pinemountainlake.com or call 1(209) 962-8605.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me, Suzette Laffranchi at 1(209)962-1241 or communitystandards@pinemountainlake.com . I am happy to guide and provide you with the information you need to navigate our governing documents to maintain our beautiful community.
PMLA Money Matter$
By Dan Szathmary, Association Controller
A Strong Start to Summer and a Promising Outlook for 2025
We’ve made it through the first half of the year, and summer is in full swing. As part of our 2024 financial plan, we set ambitious sales targets, not just for the sake of hitting numbers, but to strengthen the foundation that supports everything we do here at Pine Mountain Lake.
Our goal? To bring in additional revenue from outside the Association, particularly from our visitors, in a way that allows us to maintain and improve our amenities, roads, and infrastructure while easing the financial burden on members. With rising costs across nearly every category, this strategy is more important than ever.
Rather than passing the full impact of 10–30% cost increases directly onto our members, we’ve focused on growing revenue from sources that already bring significant value to our community. By enhancing the visitor experience and encouraging greater participation in our amenities and offerings, we’ve created an opportunity: guests leave with great memories, and their support helps keep member assessments comparatively lower.
Of course, any strategic shift carries some level of risk. We knew we couldn’t predict exact spending patterns, but we could focus on creating positive experiences and delivering exceptional value. Along the way, we’ve closely monitored sales and expenses, prepared to make adjustments if needed.
The great news? We haven’t had to pivot. After a full month of peak season activity, we’re seeing record-breaking sales across the board. This is a tremendous achievement, and it’s a direct result of the dedication, creativity, and hard work of the PMLA managers and employees who have brought this vision to life.
These teams are not only meeting our challenging sales goal, they’re exceeding them. And that success is the key to keeping assessment increases lower than inflation and preserving the high standards of service and maintenance that make Pine Mountain Lake such a special place.
Looking ahead, 2025 is already shaping up to be a strong year. We’re excited about what’s to come and deeply grateful to everyone, members, visitors, and staff, who make this community thrive.
As always, we welcome your thoughts and questions. Feel free to reach out to me anytime at Controller@PineMountainLake.com or 209-962-8606
Let’s Ask Angela
Angela Hicks, PML Administration Office
Hello everybody! How is summer treating you so far? We are knee deep into the season and I hope your friends and families are enjoying Pine Mountain Lake and everything it has to offer. This month I have some flawless guidelines that will make this season easy and breezy just like mac n cheesy!
As always….
The PML administration office are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes daily from noon until 1 p.m. for lunch and is closed on weekends.
Feel free to call 1-209-962-8600 or email me at admin@pinemountainlake.com with any questions or concerns. We are always here to help!
Ready? Set? Go!
Does PML do anything special to celebrate U.S. Independence Day in PML?
PML has a spectacular Independence Day celebration every year. PML celebrates it on the Saturday closes to the 4th, this year the event will be held on July 5th. Each member can pick up their two free wristbands at the Administration Office during business hours — Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 pm. The Administration office will be open on Friday July 4th and Saturday July 5th, from 8 AM – NOON for wristband pick up. The Marina will not give out any free wristbands. Additional wristbands can be purchased at the Administration Office prior to the event. Or additional wristbands can be purchased at the Marina on the day of the event. Wristband prices are $12 for adults and free for children 8 years and younger. You must be a member, long-term renter, or short-term renter to purchase a wristband. For any questions, please call us at 1 (209) 962-8600.
There will be a shuttle service with pick-up spots throughout PML. Check the shuttle map for designated pick-up locations.
Property Owners that rent a beach space or boat slip at the PML Marina may pick up their wristbands to gain access to their boats. These wristbands do not give access to the Marina beach.
Please be advised that lost, forgotten or misplaced wristbands will be replaced for a fee of $12 for adults.
Once you arrive to the Marina, you are welcome to set up your chairs, canopies, and blankets for the day. Please note: one person MUST REMAIN with your items once they are placed on the beach. If you leave the marina area, and your items are left alone, then your items will be taken down to allow space for other property owners and guests. Please stay with your items once placed on the beach.
Sizzling Summer Advice!
In recent years, California summer temperatures have been a little ridiculous. You walk outside and it feels like as if you are standing on the sun. Personally, I find that July is the leader in the clubhouse for extreme heat of the summer months. Here is some solid advice for everyone to have a safe and happy summertime.
Water: Keep a water bottle with you and drink regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty. Try and refrain from sugary and caffeinated drinks. These may quench your thirst, but they will also just dehydrate you.
Dress Appropriately: Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Light colors reflect heat, and loose colors allow sweat to evaporate. It is also wise to use sun protective clothing. Wearing a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses will protect your face and eyes from the sun.
Stay Cool Indoors: Use fans and/or air conditioning in your living space to keep everyone and everything cool. Closing curtains and blinds will also help block out the sun and keep your home cooler.
Eat Light and Fresh: Choosing cooling foods like salads, fruits and vegetables are not only healthy but also very hydrating. Eating heavy during hot weather usually doesn’t mix well with high temperatures. Personally, ice cream is totally acceptable for dinner during the summertime.
Sunscreen: Ensure your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB. SPF 30 or higher and opt out for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you will be swimming or sweating, choose a water-resistant sunscreen.
Wishing you a summer filled with endless laughter, ice cream cones, and adventures that make your heart skip a beat.
Give me a call or send me an email with any questions or concerns because I am happy to help you find a solution.
Do ALL the things that bring you JOY!
Angela Hicks
19228 Pine Mountain Drive
209-962-8600
Bass Pond – The Association’s Other Water
STEPHEN McCORD – PMLA LAKE MANAGER
Mats of algae (not cyanobacteria) on Bass Pond in spring 2025.
On the far side of the airport, near the equestrian center, lies little ol’ Bass Pond. It really is small and unassuming at about 2 acres in surface area when full (Pine Mountain Lake is 200 acres) and 10 feet deep (Pine Mountain Lake is over 90 feet). It’s older than the association, and the pond is easy to miss—off Clements Road behind some homes and down a gated gravel path. But alas, it’s an amenity anyway, with scenic views and some fish to catch. Horseback riders occasionally venture out from the equestrian to walk around it.
The pond also provides some benefits like flood control, water treatment, groundwater recharge and wildlife habitat. But maintaining the pond is a challenge—it has no freshwater inflows most of the time; it is sheltered from beneficial wind mixing; runoff from the watershed deposits excess sediments and nutrients, invasive plants and animals can dominate the ecology, and there are no controls for adding or releasing water.
Dam It!
Although the association has a right to stock water in the pond, the dam is below the threshold for any regulatory oversight, so it wasn’t maintained for many years. The large trees on the dam provide stability while living but could seriously compromise the dam’s integrity whenever one dies or falls. At this stage, the trees cannot be safely removed. The only viable maintenance is to support their health by trimming dead branches and protecting the area from wildfire. The other risk to the dam structure itself is the sewer line running under the spillway and across the length of it.
Even if the dam failed, the fairly small volume of water and sediment it retains would not likely cause substantial damage. The spillway was lowered by one foot in summer 2023 to prevent flooding of a storm drain just upstream of the pond. Consequently, when the rainy season ends in spring, the lake level starts the dry season one foot lower than previously.
Water flowing over the spillway enters an unnamed channel, which heads west about 1,000 feet through a culvert under Yorkshire Road before discharging into Big Humbug Creek. Big Humbug flows northward and discharges into the Tuolumne River, not into Pine Mountain Lake.
My, Aren’t You Productive
Nutrients accumulate in the pond sediments delivered by inflows, dead algae, migratory waterfowl (our favorite Canada geese) poop, and decaying plant material. Over time, the sediment bed has become a more significant source of soluble nutrients that leads to more plants and algae growing over time. Your new term for the day is “cultural eutrophication”, which means an increase in ecosystem productivity due to human activity.
When the pond water is relatively clear, sunlight penetrates to the pond bottom. With those conditions, rooted aquatic plants (mostly Eurasian watermilfoil, giving you another term to impress your friends) grow throughout the bottom surface. Most years begin with a dirty but open water surface, a mat of algae in spring, and rooted plants growing up all around the pond’s shallow perimeter by late summer. In 2023 the association removed massive amounts of invasive, non-native cattails from the shoreline, which will grow back over a few years. Until then, algae will likely “bloom” at times. Something will always find a way to eat at the pond buffet.
Bass Pond’s dam crest showing trees growing in it and the community sewer line access port in the foreground.
Fish are not stocked in the pond. Nonetheless, some sportfish are present due to prior stocking or illegal release and have since reproduced naturally: bass (likely largemouth), bluegill (and/or crappie and sunfish) and minnows (species unknown). The latest fish tale I heard from a local resident was that a kid caught an eight-pound bass this spring.
Does It Look Bluish-Green to You?
There’s a certain type of bacteria called cyanobacteria. They tend to have a blue-green color and act like algae, so they were first called blue-green algae. Your factoid of the day is that cyanobacteria were likely the first multicellular organism on the planet, producing oxygen via photosynthesis. Some species sometimes produce toxins, which can cause all sorts of problems—occasionally even killing animals drinking toxin-laden water.
Bass Pond in spring 2023 prior to removal of shoreline cattails.
In August 2024, a single sample of pond surface water from the south shoreline was analyzed for cyanotoxin analysis was reported to detect anatoxin-a and saxitoxin. Both results were close to the reporting limit, but nonetheless it triggered a “caution” level. Follow-up sampling in fall again had detectible concentrations of both toxins. Samples collected this May were back to normal. The association will continue to test pond water and post warnings as needed.
