Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting

Seminole Lakes Property Owners Association, Inc.

May 8, 2006

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM by Bob Toth, President, at the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church.

Establish a Quorum: A quorum was established with the following present: Bob Toth, Bob Foiles, Al DiSessa, Linda Huber, and Sandy Blaesing. 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: Bob Foiles moved, and Linda Huber seconded to approve the April 10, 2006 minutes as distributed. The motion carried.

President’s Report: Bob Toth read from prepared remarks emphasizing proper board meeting procedures with particular attention to motions and the membership’s method of participation. May President's Report

Treasurer’s Report: Al DiSessa presented his Treasurer’s Report which provided comments on the April bottom line. The current surplus is $45,946.46. After eight weeks on the job, Al continues to move forward with his evaluation of the Association’s financial picture which Al considers to be in excellent shape. Al also noted that he and the Finance Committee have the financial resources readied for possible hurricane demands. He stated the Insurance Committee prepared a 26 page document with full color photos to distribute for insurance quotes.

Committee Reports: Linda Huber introduced the Chairs to present their committee reports.

Access Control: Chair, Jay Huber, reported that reflective tape was installed on the front entrance gate, the reader has been re-positioned and red tape will be placed on the pavers to help guide drivers. The lighting issue will be addressed in the next two weeks. New uniforms have been distributed to the Guards. The Committee is asking to borrow the speed warning device from the police, and is considering 19 MPH T-shirts for walkers, bikers, joggers as a safety reminder. May Report

ARC: Chair, Herb Hagmann, reported that one request for hurricane shutters was approved and one request for exterior painting was approved. Both will be submitted to the Board oversight director for final approval. May Report

CERT: Ray Negrycz presented the CERT report which discussed a priority list for responses with two phases, non-ambulatory and all others. Ray requested approval from the Board to mark the light poles with red tape for priority one and yellow for all others. He also advised owners to purchase their hurricane supplies during the tax free dates of May 21 through June 1. May Report

Covenants: Chair, Dick Swett, reported that all of our Governing documents are on the web page. He also indicated the committee would be looking for creative ways to respond to violations similar to Fred Eyrich’s red tag idea. The committee is also addressing for sale signs as well as working with the landscaping committee on violations. May Report

Finance: Nick Cole stated that his committee researched and made a recommendation on a CD. Forthcoming, the committee will review the Association’s financial institutions to maximize service. May Report

Insurance: Herb Antine reported that the committee is first addressing a replacement carrier for the policy expiring on July 7th. In conjunction with Star, the committee will approach various agents. Herb has already met with Amberg Insurance, the current agent. Herb also reported on golf cart insurance issues. May Report

Landscaping: Pat Hart reported that the main concerns from the monthly drive through were weeds in the flower beds and carpet grass, both of which are the responsibility of the owner. Clean up and planting at the Arrowhead lift station was completed. Owners were reminded of the City’s irrigation restrictions. Call 575-1432 if you are interested in learning how to repair sprinkler heads or adjust the timing of the irrigation clock. May Report

Maintenance: Joe Gartner noted that the traffic signs and posts have been painted. Also, work on the Lake A headwalls, damaged from Hurricane Charley, has been completed. Joe reported that the red ribbon on the lamp post project is an overwhelming success, all but three of the 25 have been replaced. May report

Welcome: Chair, Sue Ziegler, reported that her committee hosted a welcome tea at which five new owners attended. The committee is visiting new residents with welcome packets. May Report

Management: Sherry Danko made some remarks on the procedure for AVOs for Greenscapes, owners’ response to letters regarding dry areas on their lawns, and follow up to the ARC’s decisions.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Lake D Plantings: Bob Toth provided details on the need to replace littoral plantings on the Lake D shoreline to help with erosion. Sandy Blaesing moved, and Al DiSessa seconded to spend $1800 to contract with Earth Balance to supply and plant 1700 plants. The motion carried. Linda Huber added that this should be done prior to the start of rainy season.

Stocking Carp: Bob Toth reported that sterile carp help keep the lakes healthy and weeds are controlled. The lifespan of the carp is about 9 years and it is time to restock the lakes. The project costs are in the 2006 Budget. Bob Foiles moved, and Linda Huber seconded to approve spending $856 to restock the carp. The motion carried.

Cleaning of Outlet: Bob Toth noted that the outlet on Lake D is the only outlet for the drainage system for all of Seminole Lakes. That outlet has a number of trees and bushes that require removing to prevent them from impeding the water flow. Sandy Blaesing moved, and Bob Foiles seconded to engage Greenscapes, at a cost of $1500 to remove the debris. Owner comments included mention of the responsibility of the developer to this issue and the need to utilize the attorney to obtain reimbursement from the developer. The motion carried.

CAI: Bob Toth reported that it would benefit the Association and Board to join the Community Association Institute as a means to have access to seminars, information, statute updates, etc. Sandy Blaesing moved, and Al DiSessa seconded to approve the $350.00 membership fee. The motion carried.

Attorney Review: Bob Foiles suggested a change in attorney’s who specialize in HOA’s issues especially with the on going development of the Seminole Lakes Plaza around Sweet Bay. Bob Foiles moved, and Linda Huber seconded to change to Becker & Poliakoff for the Association’s attorney. Owner comments included concern regarding the distance of the attorney office and the review of documents by the past or present attorney. The motion carried.

Rental Policy Review: The Board has been advised by the attorney that the rental policy adopted at the February 13th POA Board Meeting charging $100 is not valid as it is not in our Covenants. Linda Huber moved, and Sandy Blaesing seconded to nullify the rental policy form, and $100 fee adopted at the February 13th meeting. Owners’ comments included the concern that a strong policy is needed and the need for enforcement. The motion carried.

Linda Huber introduced a rental procedure which would require the homeowner to screen the prospective lessee and submit a Rental Application form between the Homeowner and the Lessee to the Board. The agreement states that the Homeowner has provided copies of the Declaration of Covenants, By-Laws and Rules and Regulations to the lessee and the lessee signs agreement to abide by all of the Governing Documents. The Board receives a copy of all signed documents and acknowledges same and provides Star Management with copies. Linda Huber moved, and Sandy Blaesing seconded to approve this policy. The motion carried. The Rental Policy and Application form can be obtained through Star Management or the Seminole Lakes Website: www.slccfl.com

Review of Liens/Foreclosures: Al DiSessa introduced two letters to be used for delinquencies and final notice to pursue foreclosure. Al DiSessa moved, and Sandy Blaesing seconded to approve the letters. One owner commented on liens currently in process. The motion carried. Al DiSessa moved, and Sandy Blaesing seconded to begin the foreclosure process for two owners who have large outstanding amounts. The motion carried.

New CD: Bob Foiles moved, and Sandy Blaesing seconded to approve moving $100,000 from the Money Market into a new Sun Trust 13 month CD with 5.35 % interest. The motion carried.

New Money Market: Bob Foiles moved, and Sandy Blaesing seconded to move excess funds from the operating account combined with any operating surplus in the reserve bank account into an operating money market. The motion carried.

ARC: The ARC forwarded an application to the Board for review regarding the installation of a screened room at the rear of a home. Bob Foiles moved, and Sandy Blaesing seconded to reaffirm the ARC’s disapproval pending further consideration upon receipt of a plot plan. The motion carried with Al DiSessa abstaining. The ARC also forwarded an issue regarding awnings. Bob Foiles moved, and Sandy Blaesing seconded to grandfather the awnings conditional upon no further repair or replacement in the event of damage. The motion carried.

Resident Recognition: Linda Huber placed the names of the nominees into a bag and asked a member of the audience to select one name. The recipient, Jack Carpenter, was awarded a dining gift certificate for his contributions to the Community. Linda read the comments noted on the nominations for Jack. Jack was on vacation and will be honored again at the June meeting. MVP May

Priority Responses: Sandy Blaesing moved, and Bob Foiles seconded to approve CERT’s recommendation for the priority responses system and use of colored tape. The motion carried.

Residents’ Survey: The entire report will be on the website. The major concerns included: the purchase of the pool (not currently for sale); review of financials (there has been a budget review and reduction); and restore respect for the Board (mission statement and rules of conduct have been implemented). Resident Survey

Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be Monday, June 12, 2006 at 10:00am at the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church.

Owners’ Comments: Comments included: concern about the sunshine law and the Board workshops; concern about the developer and efforts to hold him responsible when necessary; concerns about the hurricane reserve; monitoring the lake levels; structural damage to the lakes and drainage systems and if insurance would cover; and finally concerns regarding security.

Adjournment: With no further business to come before the Board, Sandy Blaesing moved, and Al DiSessa seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 12:13 PM.

 

Sherry Danko

Submitted for Linda Huber, Secretary

May 13, 2006

 

 

            Hit Counter