BURNT STORE LAKES PROPERTY OWNER S ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING HELD IN THE BURNT STORE LAKES POA CONFERENCE ROOM 100 MADRID BLVD., UNIT #212, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 March 13, 2012 CALL TO ORDER, PROOF OF NOTICE and ROLL CALL President Rob Hancik called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Celeste Camire reported that the Meeting Agenda was posted on-line at the website and at the kiosk on March 9 th and met the guidelines as set forth in the By-Laws. Celeste took the roll call: present were Rob Hancik, Bob Reichert, Stan Hochstadt, Aimee Schneider and Bob Pietrasanta. Absent were Bob Lilley and Gordon Quick. Rob Hancik stated that Gordon Quick resigned his post as Director during February citing personal reasons. His resignation was accepted by the Board. Rob noted that the vacant position would be filled at a later date. Property owners would be asked to come forward with an interest to serve on the Board and provide a brief summary or biography. A new Director appointment may occur during April or May. Public Input: There was no public input at this time; however, property owners indicated their intent of questions or comments on Agenda items: Rick Mathis, Neighborhood Watch; Rich Barbito, Kayak launch. DISPOSITION OF MINUTES Rob asked if there were any corrections or additions to the February 9, 2012 regularly scheduled meeting Minutes and the corrected December 13, 2011 Meeting Minutes. There being no changes, additions or corrections, Bob Reichert moved to accept the Minutes as presented. Bob Pietrasanta seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed with Rob Hancik, Bob Reichert, Stan Hochstadt, Aimee Schneider and Bob Pietrasanta voting Aye. TREASURER S REPORT Bob Reichert reported that the cash position as of February 1, 2012 was $584,966.89. Cash received was $24,207.37 included earned interest in the amount of $194.61. Disbursements for the month of February were: Operating expenses at $30,799.58 and Reserves were not expended. The cash position ending February 29, 2012 was 578,374.68. Assessment receivables were $212,741.67. Bob also commented that February operating expenses were slightly higher than in January and were representative of expenses at this time of year. Assessments receivables dropped by $22,213 since January. However, the current collection rate is at 84% and is up 3% as
2 compared to last year at this time. The increase could be attributed to the Association s ability to process credit card transactions. Bob expressed concern about the Money Market account balance being higher than the federally protected sum. He provided comments regarding his bank review for a location to move the money and stay below the $250 thousand maximum. He stated that banks are consistently offering one-quarter to half of a percent interest and felt that Charlotte State Bank was the best location to meet the Association needs. He requested comments from the Directors. A brief discussion followed. Stan Hochstadt made a motion to move excess funds from the Regions Money Market to Charlotte State Bank to reduce the money market balance below $250,000. Aimee Schneider seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed with Rob Hancik, Bob Reichert, Stan Hochstadt, Aimee Schneider and Bob Pietrasanta voting Aye. MANAGER S REPORT Celeste provided the following information: Website: Through efforts to improve the website and allow for credit card processing one web host provider was identified as a resource as opposed to using available do it yourself services. Joyce Punt and Andrea Millerschoen requested permission to add a property owner s page to the site. Their idea allows for a community bulletin board where owners may post their business or general events and happenings. Also mentioned was the inclusion of a community blog area. Discussion resulted in the need to form a procedure and guidelines for postings. Second Assessment Billing: Celeste completed certified mail process as required by law. This second billing has generated receipt of additional assessment income. Maintenance Items: Debris left by a storm cell that passed near Acapulco Rd was cleaned up on March 2 nd. Bob Lilley will report on replacement of one compressor; insufficient info available at the time of this report. Comcast was contacted to facilitate removal of their lines to the new poles along Cape Horn. Upon completion, FPL will remove the vacated poles. BSLPOA has requested to keep the poles which will be used for future BSL projects. Request to clear FPL lines: An online request was made to ask that the meter and power lines at the entrance to the park be cleared of vines etc. The response received indicated that an answer would be given in 21 days. OLD BUSINESS: DIRECTOR REPORTS: SAFETY & PREPAREDNESS Bob Pietrasanta Bob Pietrasanta reported that he has researched a program previously investigated by the Association and has renewed the effort to begin a CERT program within the Lakes.
3 CERT involves a series of training to provide Community Emergency Response Trained individuals to act as a first line of responders when area professionals are unavailable in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency. Once a sufficient number of volunteers are interested he will begin to coordinate the necessary actions to schedule a series of training sessions with the County in an effort to revitalize the safety & preparedness aspect of the community s readiness for an emergency. He would also like to further identify those individuals in the community who might have a need for ongoing or life sustaining medical assistance in the event that the area loses power. MECHANICAL & MAINTENANCE Bob Lilley Bob Lilley was not in attendance at this meeting. A proposal summary to re-locate the Park gate in order to deter unauthorized use was presented by Bob Reichert. After discussion, the proposal was tabled for further investigation. A proposal summary was provided to complete drainage work at the corner of Monza & Thyme. The scope of the work involved removal of vegetation and grading to repair the area for proper drainage. Stan Hochstadt made a motion to approve the drainage repair at a cost not to exceed $1,800 as outlined on the summary proposal. Bob Reichert seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed with Rob Hancik, Bob Reichert, Stan Hochstadt, Aimee Schneider and Bob Pietrasanta voting Aye. LAKES WATER QUALITY Bob Lilley There was no report at this meeting. Bob Beahn discussed an idea among he and his neighbors, to purchase a water fountain feature for their common lake. The purchase cost of $2,500 and associated installation would be borne by these property owners with on-going maintenance assumed by the Association. Conversation surrounded the fountain capacity to provide aeration, mechanical connections and etc. It was decided that additional information is necessary as well as a recommendation from Aquatics Systems, the lakes water contractor. Other discussion involved a considerable reduction to non-existence of midges seen since the recent water treatment. COMMUNICATIONS Aimee Schneider Aimee reported that one CIN message was sent related to a scheduled community meeting for the kayak launch. Aimee requested articles from the Board of Directors for the Spring Newsletter to be provided by March 30 th. BEAUTIFICATION & ENHANCEMENT Stan Hochstadt Stan reviewed the Committee report provided. He summarized by saying that most of the holiday decorations were received and in storage. The memorial brick program was
4 recommended to be discussed by the POA membership at the Annual Meeting in October. If approved by the membership, the program should proceed upon receipt of fifty per cent of the orders to allow for start-up costs to be covered and keep the project separate from the operating budget. Stan also reported that the dangerous sidewalk conditions at the corner of Cape Horn and Vincent, identified by the Committee, were resolved by the County. The Committee will address budget issues and future projects at their next meeting in May. COMMUNITY STANDARDS - All The Deed Restriction Report was reviewed and showed seven violations; three of which were resolved. LONG RANGE PLANNING Bob Reichert Prior to a report provided by Bob Reichert, property owner Rich Barbito voiced his opinion and requested documentation of a boat ramp vote by the membership. After much discussion regarding the boat ramp / kayak launch history, Rich Barbito asked if there was ever a stand-alone vote with regard to the launch. Board members stated that there was and that the kayak launch was specifically included in the budget, voted on at the Annual Meeting. Rich Barbito next asked why his email was answered by Marilyn O Donnell and Terry Tattar. Response explained that those individuals were involved with the specifics of his request and answered for the Board. Rich Barbito requested a copy which he received. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW Bob Pietrasanta Bob Pietrasanta stated that the following properties were recommended for approval to the Board of Directors: 92627, new home colors; 85814, enclosure shield; and 97509, fence and further made a motion for approval. Aimee Schneider seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed with Rob Hancik, Bob Reichert, Stan Hochstadt, Aimee Schneider and Bob Pietrasanta voting Aye. COUNTY RELATED ITEMS The County Commissioners are expected to support the widening of Burnt Store Road Phase II project (from Notre Dame to Zemel) yet it remains important that voters and property owners support the idea at the Commissioners meetings or by emailing their opinion to fund Phase II of the project. This can be done by visiting the Charlotte County Commissioner website and selecting the option to email and include all Commissioners. Phase II funding for engineering and surveying is established but $10 million is needed to complete the project. Jim Brown stated we should remember that $9 million of the slated $13 million went to the Parkside Project due to the high level of input from property owners in that area. He reiterated the importance to send supportive opinions to the Commissioners. At this time, Rick Mathis mentioned there was a high level of controversy regarding the Community Watch t-shirts, funding and dispensation of any profit. As the Neighborhood Watch is a program in coordination with the Charlotte County Sheriff Office and
5 independent of the Board, Rick Mathis clarified for the record that the t-shirts were purchased by Charlie Burgese, Coordinator of the team, specifically for the Neighborhood Watch. The t-shirts sell for $10 each with a $2 profit margin which will be used to purchase additional t-shirts or other accessories as needed. He urged people to purchase and use the t-shirts throughout the community. The Pot Luck St. Patrick s Day picnic sponsored by the Welcoming Committee scheduled for Sunday March 18 th was announced. NEW BUSINESS No new business was discussed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m. OPEN FORUM Jim Brown mentioned that three Commissioners are in favor of funding Phase II widening of Burnt Store Rd. People should go to: BCC on-line to email their positive support to encourage their decision before the August primary. Boat ramp discussion surrounded the history of the project and a positive survey result showing community support. Plans for a launch were originally targeted at a location off San Edmundo Rd; FDEP permits were applied for but were eventually withdrawn without prejudice as a direct result of strenuous opposition from a resident in Pirate Harbor. The location was abandoned and the overall plan for a boat ramp was downgraded to a more manageable kayak / canoe launch off Acapulco Rd. Jim Brown mentioned that $1433 was spent on a recount of the election without explanation of the results and requested the reason why it was done as it caused disparity on the Accounting firm reputation as well as that of the Board for no good reason and has to be answered. Bob Beahn replied that a report would be provided at the next meeting. Rick Mathis stated that he was CERT qualified in Florida and Virginia and gave additional details of the CERT program mentioned by Bob Pietrasanta, adding that each trainee is provided with a back pack filled with essential tools and safety gear. Bob Beahn added that he and a group of others are listed as responders with large vehicles able to access water areas or heavy tow capability. Rick Mathis referenced the discussion regarding the Park gate to report that County workers are seen there having their lunch and he goes daily to remove their trash.
6 Respectfully submitted, Celeste M. Midolo, Administrative Assistant To the Board of Directors Note: Meetings are usually held the second Tuesday of the month. The next regular meeting for the Board of Directors is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday April 10, 2012.