Seminole Lakes Property Owners Association
Board of Directors Meeting
July 11, 2011
Minutes
Call to Order: Bob Toth called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. At the Star Hospitality Management conference room.
Establish a Quorum: A quorum was established with the following present: Bob Toth, Fred Eyrich, Al DiSessa, and Bill Murphy in person or by conference phone.
Also present, was Sherry Danko, from Star Hospitality Management.
Proof of Notice: The meeting notice was distributed and posted as per the Association Bylaws and Florida Statute 720.
Disposal of Minutes: With no additions or corrections, the May 9, 2011 minutes were considered accepted.
President’s Report: Bob Toth welcomed everyone advising that two directors, Al DiSessa and Fred Eyrich, would participate via conference call. He announced that Linda Huber resigned from the Board. She was thanked for her many years of service to the POA citing the web page, e-mail system, newsletter, and role as Secretary. Anyone interested in being a director should contact Sherry Danko at Star. In the meanwhile, the Board will operate with four directors assigning Linda Huber’s committee oversight responsibilities to other directors. This will be discussed under new business.
Treasurer’s Report: Al DiSessa reported that June ended with a surplus of $8,387 bringing the year-to-date surplus to $39,306. The combined available balance for operating and reserve funds is $845,600. The month-to-month Treasurer’s Reports have been short and sometimes redundant due to very few expenses falling into the unanticipated category. The POA investment portfolio is made up of primarily CDs and CDARs. Al DiSessa looks forward to a more hands-on role when he returns in late July from visiting family.
Committee Reports:
CERT: On behalf of Ray Negrycz, Bill Murphy reported that the CERT team updated the light pole taping which indicates those individuals in residence during hurricane season. Ray Negrycz attend the Hurricane Seminar at the event center. One of the important topics included placing important documents into a waterproof container: emergency phone numbers, bank account numbers, family records (birth certificates, marriage and/or death certificates), inventory of household possessions, copies of wills, deeds, stocks and bonds, credit card info, and passports, social security cards, immunizations records, etc. Ray Negrycz suggested downloading this info on the computer and storing on a thumb drive and e-mailing to a family member.
Phone Directory: June Toth announced the 2011-2013 directory would be published and then distributed starting at the September Board meeting. This will be a complete edition including the entire sections and Rules and Regulations. The Committee is recommending Buffalo Graffix due to their pricing and quality workmanship. The cut-off for changes is July 15. The proposed cost is $1530.53 including tax. A motion will be made under new business.
Landscape: Jim Marchky reported on the following completed projects: Southwest Lawn trimmed two live oaks where the trees were overhanging the road and partially blocking a stop sign. The cost was $460. In May, the committee inspected the trees on residents’ property. Letters were sent to those owners who had trees hanging over the road which could pose a hazard. During April, Greenscapes applied a granular weed killer. During May, they spot sprayed throughout the community. Further weed control must wait until the hot temperatures have passed. In May, fertilizer was applied. Numerous homes did not receive the benefits of the weed and pest control applications as their irrigation was shut off and rain was minimal. Several residents have requested plantings along the Burnt Store wall to help shield the noise and dirt. Plantings outside the wall were all removed by the County. Greenscapes will plant 10 Buttonwoods at a cost of $265.00. Powell’s Nursery was the low bidder for six large live oaks trees. Four-four inch trees and two-two inch trees will be planted at the Burnt Store Road wall. Two-four inch trees will be planted at the exit side of Seminole Lakes Blvd. The total cost would be $2514.50.
Management Report: Sherry Danko reported on the current accounts receivable (9 owners owe for more than one month and 38 owners owe for July). There were 7 AVOs and 6 work orders submitted to Greenscapes. 68 violation letters were mailed with 40 of them being for trees creating a safety issue at the road. The next inspection will be in August.
Unfinished Business:
Burnt Store Road Proposed Tree Planting:: Bob Toth reported that considerable effort was spent in inspecting the common area behind the homes along Burnt Store Road. It was also noted that three trees had previously died and were never replaced. Bids were secured from Greenscapes, Powell’s, and Southwest Lawn to purchase and plant six large live oaks. Prices ranged from $350 to $700 each. The landscape committee met with Powell’s and feels they can deliver a quality tree at the lowest price. Six will be planted near the wall. Two will be planted on the south side of Seminole Lakes Blvd. near the exit. Al DiSessa recommended paying for this project from available operating monies rather than the landscape reserve. By planting these trees, the POA will settle the earlier tree trimming violation from the City as well as benefiting the POA. Bob Toth moved, and Bill Murphy seconded to award the contract to Powell’s Nursery in the amount of $2,514.50 to plant eight live oaks trees. Fred Eyrich asked about a warranty—it is one year. An owner thanked the board for planning to have two trees planted at the entrance. He asked that they consider larger trees. The Board responded that they were up against a deadline. Also, the plans are meeting the requirements of the City. The motion carried.
Traffic Enforcement: Bill Murphy advised the Board held a workshop in May regarding the traffic problems. He read a report presented by Jay Huber on behalf of the access control committee. The committee spoke to many residents, observed traffic, and visited other gate communities. Their conclusions were: 1)most residents do not want speed bumps due to the cost, potential damage to vehicles, and the opinion that drivers will still speed in between the bumps; 2) inviting the COPG Police to come in and ticket speeders is not a good solution; and 3) electric speed monitors would be effective in the beginning but would soon be ignored. The committee’s recommendation is to survey the owners to determine the majority of owners would like to see rather than a minority of voices. It was also noted that reminding owners to drive at the speed limit and stop at the stop signs would be most effective. Bill Murphy thought the committee was going to focus more on the possible products designed to help with speeding. He added that bumps, humps, and rumble strips are not the practical solution. Nor is bringing in the police. One owner suggested a periodic attention getter such as balloons at the speed limit and stop signs. Another suggested a speed limit radar sign that can be moved from place to place. Bob Toth added the following comments:
At the May 9, 2011 Board Meeting, a motion was passed to contact the city of Punta Gorda to investigate the POA entering into an agreement with them for traffic enforcement. The motion also included establishing a committee to investigate the feasibility of installing speed bumps to reduce speeding. Bob Toth read the following statement:
“Since the May board meeting and after our letter and meetings with the police department, the City of Punta Gorda has formally responded that we could enter into an agreement with them for traffic enforcement. I previously supplied the City with documentation that demonstrated gated communities in Florida with private roads could enter into agreements with local law enforcement departments to provide traffic enforcement.
I will read the formal reply by the City Attorney:
“I have reviewed the documentation forwarded to me regarding Seminole Lakes Traffic Enforcement Request with respect to the issue concerning golf carts. I would note that neither Chapter 316, Florida Statutes nor the Attorney General’s interpretation thereof in AGO 2009-16 would prevent the City from entering into a traffic control and enforcement agreement with Seminole Lakes and excluding from said agreement enforcement of any State regulations concerning the operation of golf carts. In my opinion, the agreement can be as inclusive or exclusive as the parties negotiating the agreement desire the agreement to be”.
I am adding this to the minutes of this board meeting so there is a clear understanding that if the POA wants police department enforcement including issuing warnings and tickets for offenders, we can do so.
Numerous details would have to be agreed upon, which could mean changing our stop signs to conform to Sate standards.
The second part of the motion at the May board meeting included a review of the feasibility of installing speed bumps in Seminole Lakes. Jay Huber headed up that committee and I am asking him to report on the committee’s findings.”
Bill Murphy added that other communities have their guards drive around with flashing lights and hand out tickets. Fred Eyrich suggested flashing solar lights around the stop signs. Al DiSessa stated it was the Board’s fiduciary responsibility to research this matter and keep it at the forefront Other owner comments included: witnessing a motorcyclist traveling at 50 mph and concern about a serious accident. Bill Murphy summed it up by saying the matter is not closed and will be regularly addressed.
Foreclosures: Bob Toth reported that one owner has not paid assessments in over three years. The owner ignores the POA’s demand letters. Previously, the bank appeared to be pursuing foreclosure but this has not happened. The POA will begin its own foreclosure action. The Board is in full agreement on this.
New Business:
Architectural Review: Bill Murphy presented the following:
10257 Arrowhead Extend lanai 6’ and enclose with roof---new structure well within setbacks and identical to one 2 doors away, except it will be white instead of black
26030 Seminole Lakes Blvd Paint house-common colors (beige/brown trim)
26173 Feathersound Request for variance---14.9’ in front, 4.6’ on one side, 8.5’ to 9.1’ in rear.
No architectural changes are being made. Improper setbacks were discovered
through a routine survey in preparation for sale of property. Our approval is
necessary in addition to city.
26127 Stillwater Paint house---common colors tan (ARB says “mauve”)
10501 Serernoa Ct. Install curbing both sides and rear. Kill grass and re-sod various areas of yard
Bill Murphy moved, and Fred Eyrich seconded to give final approval to all five requests. One owner expressed concern that the variance for the setbacks would set a precedent. Bill Murphy responded this was addressing a prior issue—not new construction. The motion carried.
Management Agreement: Bob Toth stated that Star was requesting a 2% increase effective July 15, 2011 and would be for a two-year period. Their last increase was two years ago. Bob Toth noted that all other incidental charges remained the same. He also reviewed those items for which Star does not charge (storage, file folders, archive boxes, recording tapes). Bob Toth added that Burnt Store Meadows recently went out for bid and decided to remain with Star. He added that he has researched management companies and feels the POA is getting value for its money. The proposed monthly increase of $117 was accommodated for in the current budget. The increase requested due to the increase in salaries, utilities, etc. Bob Toth moved, and Bill Murphy seconded to enter into a new two–year contract with Star effective July 15, 2011 at a monthly fee of $6013. The motion carried.
Printing Phone Books: Based on the earlier presentation, Fred Eyrich moved, and Bill Murphy seconded to approve the bid from Buffalo Graffix to print the phone directories at a cost not to exceed $1550. The motion carried.
Director Oversight Assignments: The first order of business was to address the Secretary position. Bob Toth moved, and Bill Murphy seconded to appoint Al Disessa as (Interim) Secretary. The motion carried.
The following committee oversight assignments were discussed:
Website: Al DiSessa with Star
Access Control: Bill Murphy
Covenants: Bob Toth will share with Bill Murphy (temporary)
E-mail: Bob Toth
Newsletter: consider a quarterly edition—will leave oversight position until an editor is found
Bill Murphy stated the following regarding the vacant director position:
“As we are all aware, the backbone of a strong and thriving community is the involvement and input on the part of it’s members. This has certainly been true here in Seminole Lakes, as we have been blessed with a large number of residents participating in the operation and day-to-day needs of our community. The Board of Directors and the numerous members of our committees works hard and tirelessly to maintain Seminole Lakes as one of the premier communities in our area.”
We currently have one vacancy on the Board of Directors. This Director will serve the remainder of a term expiring in March, 2012. In addition, we are seeking individuals to serve as Chairperson of the Grapevine, Website, Email and Covenants committees.
We are actively seeking individuals to fill these important positions. If you are interested, please contact Sherry Danko at Star Management either via email at star@sunletter.com or by telephone at 941-575-6764. If you have any questions regarding these positions, you can either contact Star or any member of the Board of Directors. Thank you for your interest in our community.”
Declaration of Covenants & Instructions Expiration: The Seminole Lakes Covenants & Instructions expire 9/23/2011. The applicable paragraph states the Covenants renew automatically for an additional 20 years unless 2/3 of the parcels vote not to renew. Bob Toth contacted the association attorney to confirm this was the appropriate interpretation and indeed they would renew. The attorney did confirm this. Al DiSessa suggested adding a copy of the attorney’s opinion to these minutes. (Applicable page attached.) The attorney did remind the Board of the Marketable Record Title Act which would extinguish the Declaration unless appropriated re-recorded with applicable searches, etc. This will be need to be addressed by a future Board.
Next Meeting: There will be a Board workshop on August 4th at 10 AM at Star Hospitality Management.. The next Board meeting will be on September 12, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church.
Comments for Future Discussion:
Bill Murphy reported that stakes have been installed where the new trees are being planted.
An owner expressed concern about the Burnt Store Road wall once the County removes the berm. This will be addressed at the next Board meeting.
Adjournment: With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 11:27 AM.
Submitted by,
Sherry Danko
Sherry Danko
For Al DiSessa, Secretary/Treasurer