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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Personal board meeting notes of July 15, 2014


The meeting started at 6:30 with small attendance again, coming in at 10.
Open Forum speakers spoke regarding our new dog quantity rule we would be voting on plus one speaker asked about incorrect information he had received regarding Rabine Paving going out of business. It is not.

The Aqua update reports from the end of April until July 7th 14,000 feet of sewer lines have been relined. Flow meters had been installed at four sites and recorded a lower storm water flow that is well within Aqua parameters. Smoke testing is to begin in late July to look for any leaks and smaller mains will be replaced with large mains in the cul-d-sacs in conjunction with road work and manholes will be sealed to reduce water inflow.

Savannah Oaks appears to be gaining ground in the effort to cut losses. We are looking better than last year in that regard. The amenity will never be profitable but the aim is to hold losses to a minimum so I am happy to report better results. They are currently running very short staffed but they report with the exception of #8 green and some path problems from the rain the course is not in bad shape.

The Finance Commission reports our financial status is as follows... operating cash $1,264,280.06... operating investments $284,347.76... roads money market $365,144.52... reserve investments $2,857,513.78... Total cash = $4,771,286.12
Revenue better than budgeted by $25,120.29... Expenses under budget by $53,985.08... Savannah Oaks under budgeted loss by $30,634.30
Compared to budget we are to the good so far this fiscal year by $109,739.87. Do not expect this number to hold solid due to purchases that were budgeted for this time period but were postponed for various reasons and items like payroll that can fall into the next month's report due to timing of the checks. That being said, we are still in very good shape.

Lake Management Commission reports there will be a fish shocking in late September after which decisions will be made on fish stocking for the fall.
At the recommendation of our lake biologist they recommend the board adopt a blue-green algae protocol. I will post that here later.
The goose charity harvest handled by the Illinois DNR netted 64 birds and 47 pounds of goose meat that was donated to a food pantry.
The commission voted again unanimously to not allow any use of the dam except for authorized personnel.

The Recreation Commission swimming lessons are starting in July. Tennis lessons are canceled due to low participation. Kayaks are here and ready to rent. A meeting on the proposed dog park is set for August 7th at 7 p.m. For any residents who would like to help. Glo-go run is set for September 28th with a two mile course at Savannah Oaks.

The Public Safety Commission discussed at length the limited use of the dam and again voted unanimously to leave usage as is, only for authorized personnel.
National Night Out will be August 5th with an ice cream social, bike registration, and Public Safety vehicles and personnel on hand to met the residents.

The Events Commission reports Dandy Donuts raised $250.00 toward next year's fireworks fund so that was a success. At the recommendation of the Finance Commission the board agreed to set up an account for accruing fireworks donation through the year as a line item.
Michele Vronch has resigned her position as Rec Center Director but would like to continue to help with events. (That is very nice of her. She is a loss to our association. Ken)

The Capron Rescue Squad made a proposal to purchase a property at 205 Tamarack Hollow to build a structure to house an ambulance and crew. The building will not exceed the standard Candlewick Lake designed home. They will pay all sewer and water fees and dues. Siren use will be held to a minimum, only when absolutely necessary. (This is a lengthy contract but in general the structure will look like another house except possibly for the bay that houses the ambulance. To me this is a great thing for Candlewick to have the rescue squad right here for emergencies and I will definitely support the proposal... Ken) The Rescue Squad presented us with a report on calls from the first of the year. I will post it here later.

Once again the Dam usage issue raises it ugly head. I am the one that put forth this compromise proposal but frankly after seeing both Lake Management and Public Safety commissions vote to kill this compromise I can not vote for it. The resolution failed. I have all along been against any use of the dam except for authorized personnel but tried to use this compromise in an effort to stop almost unlimited use. I guess it is time to roll the dice and hope the prior proposal does not resurface and if it does it dies a horrible death.

Next came the reso limiting the number of dogs per residence with a grandfathering clause included. With only five board members in attendance it was voted down with the stipulation any dog issues will be dealt with using existing trespassing and nusiance rules and fines already on the books.

Bad debts were written off in the amount of $7,846.57 mainly for judicial sales and attorney fees. Accounting adjustments were in the amount of $1,497.32 mainly due to rental changes.

A reso was passed purchasing nine DVRs necessary for various Candlewick locations in the amount of $2,381.73. All but $264.64 of this expense will come from budgeted reserves.

A property usage agreement was presented to allow bocce ball courts and horseshoe pits on the lot at 104 Savannah Drive. This agreement could not be terminated unless both parties agree, the lot is sold, or a home is built on the lot. Also in the agreement is to maintain another lot owned by this property owner as well as pay him $500.00 per year. It was voted down.

I argued against this agreement. Let's think about it for a minute... Candlewick (meaning you) will be locked into this agreement forever unless the property owner decides he wants to build or sells the lot plus we mow another lot and give him $500 to boot every year for the privilege. Candlewick owns a lot of property that can be utilized for the same without mowing someone's lot and paying them as well mowing another lot of theirs that we never use. This is not in the best interest of Candlewick. If this P.O. wants to allow use of his lot for those activities we should absolutely maintain that lot but no other and no $500 per year of your dues to use it. If we do not use it the P.O. will be mowing it himself with no income.