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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

April 15, 2014 personal board meeting notes


The meeting started as usual with formalities then the open forum for property owners. Attendance was stronger than it has been lately with approximately 30 in attendance.
Pam Cangelosi stated the many reasons both Lake Management and public safety considered opening the dam to recreational use is a very bad idea and why both had voted unanimously to not change the current rule. 
The dues reduction raffle drawing was held with Tyler Ramsey, Sue Pilgreen, Deborah Smallhouser, and Tina Heffner winning the prize of $561.25 deducted from each of their dues.
I had the honor of swearing in Rich Witt to fill the seat of Karl Steiskal until the next board election.
Don Parisi read the resignation from Tracy Carter. He is a loss but all good things come to an end and he will be where he doesn't have to shiver his way through another winter. It is a great opportunity for him in the type climate he loves.
There was an update on the AQUA situation regarding discharging into the lake. AQUA has contingency plans if there is another rain event like last year. Smoke testing & lining of lines is currently underway as well as other methods to assure good system sealing. Our beach and lake will open as usual this summer with testing as we do every year so things are moving along and falling into place.
Since I attended the Lake Management meeting and already posted the results here earlier I will not re-post them now.
Rec Commission reports the the next biggest loser contest is to start April 21 and run for eight weeks. No cost to participants for the contest. Attempts are being made to find a coordinator for the project. Suggestion was made to have an American Flag installed suspended in the gym.
The Golf Commission voted three to two not allow gaming machines in the club house and to recommend that to the board. Doug Bouback is now a full commission member.
The Pubic Safety Commission voted unanimously to agree with the Lake Management Commission in their recommendation to the board to leave the policy regarding admittance to the dam as is currently in the rules. The issue was discussed regarding limits to the number of dogs allowed per household. This will be discussed further and a recommendation will be made to the board.
The Communications Commission reports 140 people have signed up for e-blasts on the new site. Don Parisi will take the lead on the golf outing for media/realtors in an effort to familiarize them with our community. Narcotics Anonymous has asked to be a CWL sponsored group.
Resolution 14-R-05 was read agreeing to enter into a contract to place gaming machines in Savannah Oaks. I suggested a compromise. Since the Golf Commission and others feel they can cut the deficit in the coming year with new programs we should table the issue until they have a chance to see if the plans work without the gaming machines. If the ideas do not pan out the machines will be reconsidered after the season results are available. This motion passed so the proposal is on hold with no action at this time.
Policy 14-02 was read specifying children ten and older are permitted into the pool without a chaperone. Younger than that must have a chaperone age sixteen or older. This reso. passed. I will post the complete reso later this week.
The finance Commission reported write-offs in the amount of $53,225.20. This sounds like a large number, and it is, but the commission is catching up on some amounts being carried on the books that are doubtful. These can be re-entered if and when collected but it will make for a more logical and clean reporting. Some are bankruptcies and some are bank repossessions that are only forced to pay six months of dues so these are probably uncollectable. Our financial position remains solid.
A reso was read and passed retaining our current legal council, Scott Pointner, for the coming fiscal year.
A reso was passed committing the board to two more years of the Adopt-A -Highway program for clean up of a section of Caledonia Road. (this need it now!)
A reso was passed to purchase new computers for all work stations as budgeted in the reserve study. The expense will come from replacement reserves.
A reso was passed contracting with United Energy Consulting to conduct an analysis of utility bills for your association at no cost to us unless verified savings can be found and produced. The company will receive one half of the verified savings as their fee for the service.
A reso was passed to record the recently passed By-Laws at the Boone County Clerk and Recorder's office.
A reso was passed authorizing replacement of the carpeting in the clubhouse at Savannah Oaks in the amount of $5,807.75. This is again a budgeted expense and will come from replacement reserves.
A reso was passed authorizing the purchase of a commercial mower that replaces on that has has simply worn out after many years. The cost will be $7,315.18. Again, this is a budgeted expense from replacement reserves.
A reso was passed purchasing a new postage machine and to rent a meter in the total amount of $5,655.00 including the three year rental of the meter. The old machine was at the point there is no longer service or support available and it would not accept postage rate updates so this was necessary. The contingency find will be the source of funds.
A reso was passed allowing the purchase of three one horse thrusters for the dip area to help with stagnation. The total cost is $4.328.55 plus screening materials not to exceed the cost of $300.00. This will come from the operating capital 2014/2015 account. I discussed specifics in a post from a week or so ago.
A reso was passed for the purchase of rip-rap to replace and add to existing shoreline stabilization. The cost is $5,000 and will come from replacement reserves. It is a budgeted expense yearly.
Our brush chipper has reached the end of it's useful life so a reso was passed authorizing a replacement in a cost not to exceed $9,447.67. This is again coming from budgeted reserves.
Next came the first reading of the reso regarding recreational use of the dam. Every one of you know my stand on this issue. Remember also the Lake Management Commission as well as the Public Safety Commission each voted unanimously to not allow this. I will post the complete reso here in a couple days for you to read. This was the first reading so no final action was taken but I put forth a motion to stop consideration now and keep the current rule in affect. The motion failed on a 5-2 vote with only myself and Don Parisi voting yes. I am hoping the final vote next month will change considering the serious downside to the proposal. If you agree with Don and I I urge you to let the board know by e-mails or personal calls or it is a done deal.
The next reso was the one allowing personal watercraft of higher h.p. to operate with the same restrictions as over 70 h.p. Boats, meaning no-wake. This was the first reading so no vote taken at until May. I don't expect this to be used much and we will need to insist on strict enforcement and ticketing for violations just as we have with over h.p. Boats. I will post this reso for you to read in it's entirety later also.
Several commission charters were passed by the board.
An offer was made to purchase an association owned lot. The offer was accepted. So congratulations to our new property owner Jennifer Coyne.
As you look at my notes it will appear a lot of money was spent at this meeting and it was, but remember the majority of this is simply wrapping up the last fiscal year and it is for the most part budgeted (meaning expected) expense.
We are nearing the 15% base in our rental units. This is a base, not a limit. An ADHOC commission is being established to determine what course to take including documenting rentals and including enforcement of rules indicting we are a single family home community. Recommendations will be forthcoming to the board from this commission in the future for any necessary action.

Watch your Candlewick Paper for the official minutes of the meeting. Ken