The
meeting attendance was small again, about 10 attendees. The open
forum consisted of a requested update on the AQUA situation, a
question about if we have fines for cigarette littering, and a thank you to the board for our work in the last year. ( we do have a rule and fine for
littering in general. )
The
next major issue was the AQUA update for the property owners. The
report is three pages long so I will just give you the gist of it.
Our engineers and legal have currently reviewed over 5,000 pages of
documents but were still missing some information from AQUA to make a
firm analysis and recommendations for remediation. AQUA, due to our
threatened litigation, was not cooperating to the fullest extent
possible because of the threat and not wanting to provide ammunition
for a law suit. Due to this and the costs to the property owners of
what would undoubtedly be protracted litigation it was decided to go
to a less confrontational stance and lawyers from both parties are in
agreement information obtained through this process will not be used
as material for litigation. To put it simply both parties want all
discharges to stop and working together will get the situation
resolved more quickly than digging in our heels for years while
waiting for a verdict. (This is for the best, move forward and get
this done!) Our management and engineers will meet with AQUA in an
open and cooperative environment to handle the situation.
The
IEPA is working with AQUA from a regulatory standpoint to possibly
place additional conditions on AQUA permits.
Our
staff and engineers will be working to assure our beach will be open
in plenty of time for next summer swimming.
Most
of you know AQUA is once again requesting a rate hike. You will be
kept informed as this progresses so we can do what is necessary as
was ably handled last time.
(remember
the AQUA update is my take on the three page document so read the CWL
paper to see the full text)
The
resolution about parking restrictions on Candlewick roads after a two
inch snowfall was read and passed after some discussion. The reso.
indicated no parking of any vehicle on any Candlewick road after a 2”
snowfall or an ice storm until plowing or ice control material is
applied.
A
reso. was read saying no guest vehicles shall be allowed on
Candlewick Lake when the lake is frozen just as guest boats are not
admitted during the summer due to liability. Resident's vehicles will
be issued stickers affixed by our personnel if they are to be used on
the lake. Proof of ownership is required and lawn mowers are
exempted. The motion passed.
Our
maintenance gate opener needed replacing and was paid through the
operating account. A reso. as passed transferring that charge to the
replacement reserve account.
The
bathhouse at Friendship Park has been an ongoing problem with
vandalism and general misuse. I have written of that here before. A
reso. was passed spending about $6,500 to remodel the bath house and
turn it into a small one stall, one urinal unisex bathroom using our
own maintenance labor. The newly remodeled bathroom will be almost
vandal proof. Bids from the outside came in at forty to fifty
thousand dollars for a complete remodel so this is a steal. Funds are
from the replacement reserves so there is no affect on the operating
budget.
We
passed a reso. to spend the $3,000 as we have been doing yearly for
sign replacement.
Our
financial status remains strong with road reserves of $364,553.90,
replacement reserves of $2,666,102.78, operating cash $414,989.35,
and operating investments of $429,138.90
Total
cash $3,874,784.93 as of 12/31/2013 (looking good!)
We
are also under budget by around $40,000 so that is a plus.
The
proposed budget was discussed and there will be no dues increase for
next year due to our strong cash position.
The
January bad debt write offs amounted to $3,635.82. We have these
about every month due to foreclosures and bank payment restrictions.
February
25 at 7 p. m. will be an open meeting with the Boone County Sheriff
candidates in the primary election. This will be your chance to ask
those important questions. More will be published here as the time
approaches. Rich Witt agreed to moderate the event.
As
always, these are simply my personal notes and not official minutes.
Ken