Minutes

Seminole Lakes Property Owners Association, Inc.

Board of Directors Meeting

February 12, 2007

Prior to the start of the meeting, Bob Toth introduced Adam Cummings, Charlotte County Commissioner of District 2. Mr. Cummings made a presentation on topics of interest to Seminole Lakes residents including but not limited to the Burnt Store Road expansion, the speed limit on Route 41, a sound barrier study on Burnt Store Road, and the possibility of a traffic light at the entrance to Seminole Lakes off Route 41. He fielded several questions from the audience.

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 10:50 AM by Bob Toth, President, at the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church.

Establish a Quorum: A quorum was established with the following present: Bob Toth, Sandy Blaesing, Al DiSessa, Linda Huber, and Dan Langone. Also present was Sherry Danko, Star Hospitality Management.

Notice of Meeting: The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Association Bylaws and Florida Statute 720.

Disposal of Minutes: Dan Langone moved, and Sandy Blaesing seconded to approve the January 8, 2007 Board meeting minutes. The motion carried.

President’s Report: Bob Toth began his report with an update on FP&L. FP&L has inspected three homes who reported problems with their electricity. FP&L will also disconnect power to unused electrical connections on a few residential lawns and will connect the new light post at the intersection of Stillwater Circle, Feathersound, and Seminole Lakes Blvd. FPL is also inspecting electrical connections in manholes to determine their condition. Bob Toth also reported that the US41 speed limit near Seminole Lakes will be discussed at a February 20th meeting with FDOT and representatives from Seminole Lakes and Burnt Store Meadows. The City of Punta Gorda has re-convened the Land Review Committee to review all proposed changes to the land regulations including zoning, types of structures allowed, and numerous other proposed changes to city ordinances. Bob Toth and two other residents will sit on this committee. Bob Toth mentioned that the board is aware that the pool is closed. The Board received a letter from the developer stating that there appears to be some missed communications. They were willing to rent the pool at $4000 per month, but the minutes published in the Grapevine made it appear that there was misleading information in support of raising the rate. This is a minor miscommunication and the Board made the decision not to continue renting the pool based on a number of factors. The developer said he is unsure of his direction, but would offer pool memberships if the pool complex opens.

Treasurer’s Report: Al DiSessa reported that the Board would be making a decision shortly regarding the accountant they would use to perform the annual audit. 2006 ended with an $81,550.43 surplus. $75,904.14 will be rolled over into 2007 to reduce monthly maintenance fees and the remaining $5,646.29 representing the Lake A surplus which will be rolled over into the Lake a Reserve fund.

Old Business:

Sweet Bay Lights: Dan Langone reported that he and Bob Toth met with Walt Peterson, Director of Property Management for Rudco Properties. Mr. Peterson conveyed that three lights would be shielded to help prevent glare. He also noted this issue would not be re-visited as the Plaza was in compliance with the City. Mr. Peterson reported to Dan Langone that the cracks in the wall would be addressed when construction, adjacent to the liquor store, begins.

Seminole Lakes Yellow Pages: Sandy Blaesing announced that Jay Ward was not going forward with his project of compiling and publishing a list of acceptable vendors as it would be in conflict with the paying Grapevine advertisers.

New Business:

ARB: Sandy Blaesing reported there were two applications. The first application was for hurricane protection. Dan Langone moved, and Linda Huber seconded to approve the request for storm catcher hurricane protection. The motion carried. Sandy Blaesing presented the second application which requested a fabric awning. Sandy Blaesing moved, and Dan Langone seconded to approve the request. Discussion followed on fabric versus metal awnings. Bob Toth added that State law makes it difficult to deny applications for additions and alternations if not spelled out in the governing documents. Al DiSessa stated that if someone was denied in the past, the application should be re-visited. Sandy Blaesing responded that owners could always resubmit an application for further consideration. The motion carried 4 "yes" votes to 1 "no" vote (Al DiSessa).

Landscaping: Sandy Blaesing presented a proposal for additional red mulch to supplement the mulch put down in August. Sandy Blaesing moved, and Dan Langone seconded to approve 375 bags of red mulch and labor at a cost of $1,002.50. An owner reported that red mulch may have a high arsenic content** which could seep into the water table. In light of this statement, Sandy Blaesing withdrew her motion until the red mulch could be researched further. She requested the specific reference from the resident. Another owner asked about the placement of mulch near her home which is located by the Sweet Bay Plaza. It was noted this area belongs to the Plaza. Sandy Blaesing stated she would visit the area to evaluate. Sandy Blaesing continued with a presentation of a proposal from Greenscapes for a more pro-active approach to weed control. Greenscapes has been testing a product (impregnated fertilizer blends) and have found noticeable improvement in weed control. Sandy Blaesing moved, and Linda Huber seconded the proposal for two applications in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2007 at a cost of $4,913.10. Al DiSessa asked if there would be a credit for the "old" weed control products. The answer was no as they would still be applied. It was noted that it would take one to two years to have a more profound impact. Owners inquired about the product being harmful to both pets and humans. Greenscapes would be invited to speak at the April Board meeting. The motion carried with 4 "yes" votes and 1 "no" vote (Al DiSessa).

Resident Recognition: Linda Huber announced that Linda Mack was the winner for February. Linda Mack received seven nominations citing her work for the Grapevine. Linda Mack was given a gift certificate to a local restaurant. MVP Feb

Committee Reports:

Covenants: Nick Cole began his report by thanking Dick Swett for his work over the past year. Per Nick Cole, the Covenants are a contract which owners accepted when they received their deeds upon purchase. The Statute requires the Board to enforce the Covenants. Many owners bought a home in Seminole Lakes due to the protection of the Covenants. The Committee is currently working on updating the Rules and Regulations. Current issues being addressed are pickup trucks, moldy mailboxes, dogs off of leashes, and holiday decorations still on homes.

Election Committee: Linda Huber gave the report for David Doupe who was away and announced that only two candidates, Bob Toth and Jay Ward, had submitted their names to run for the March 2007 election. As there were only two candidates for two positions, the candidates’ forum was cancelled.

Maintenance: Fred Eyrich reported that the cleaning of the Burnt Store wall would commence on Wednesday, February 14th, weather permitting. Volunteers were needed to assist with the washing and painting. Painting would begin on Friday, the 16th, contingent again upon cooperative weather.

Management: Sherry Danko reported that the POA’s accounts receivable is in great shape with only 2% of owners having delinquent accounts beyond the current month. 8% of the owners still owe for February. She also stated that Greenscapes dropped off the completed AVOs that morning. Copies would be mailed to the owners. Anyone with unanswered AVOs should contact Star for assistance. Sherry Danko announced that the 30-day notice of annual meeting was mailed. All owners were encouraged to return their proxies or attend the meeting in person.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be Monday, March 12, 2007 at 10:00am at the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church and will be the annual membership meeting followed by the organizational meeting.

Comments for Future Consideration: A number of members took exception to the closing of the pool and expressed concern about the impact on home values without this amenity. A petition to convey owner opinion to the Board was mentioned.

Adjournment: With no further business to come before the Board, Dan Langone moved, and Al DiSessa seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 12 noon.

Sherry Danko

Submitted for Linda Huber, Secretary

**THE POSSIBILITY OF ARSENIC IN RED MULCH WAS RESEARCHED BY THE BOARD AND LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE.  VARIOUS REPUTABLE SOURCES INDICATE THAT NOT ALL RED MULCH CONTAINS ARSENIC.  REGARDLESS OF COLOR, THE MULCH TO AVOID IS THAT CONTAINING CCA (CHROMATED COPPER-ARSENATE).  THE BOARD AND LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE CONTINUE TO PURCHASE ONLY MULCH CERTIFIED BY THE MULCH AND SOIL COUNCIL TO BE FREE OF CCA.