Board meeting
notes... November 15, 2016
Open forum for
property owners featured Pam Cangelosi speaking on the untimely
passing of John Schultz and Karl Steiskal speaking on the necessity
of promoting Candlewick with events bringing in outside folks to show
off our community
The AQUA update included discussion of the problem using flowable fill on Prince Court with the main replacement. It would involve leaving the trench open and a danger to residents so an alternative was used. Further note was made on the type fill used and the necessity of longer notice of upcoming projects.
Finance Commission has not met yet this month so no report. Finance meets on the third Monday, which is next week. We do, however, have the accounting adjustments of $0 this month and write offs in the amount of $1,850.02
Lake Management reports Blue green algae is still present in very limited quantity and testing will be performed when it clears. Milfoil is spreading in our lake so quotes are being obtained for a professional spraying to get this under control early spring. The fish delivery came including 1,100 Smallmouth Bass and 2,200 Walleye. The leaf collection went well with plenty of volunteers.
Events reports $143.00 came in from the Chili Cook-off / Fall Festival with 60 to 70 in attendance. Consideration is being given to not charging for the chili tasting. Decision to come later. Turkey Bingo will be a go again this year. Breakfast with Santa tickets go on sale November 28th through December 5.
Communication Commission is considering online voting for the photo contests. (Good idea!)There is consideration of adding elves to the Christmas display at Sinnissippi Gardens.
The Rec Commission mentions program attendance is about the same. If attendance drops the class will be discontinued. 28 people came to Bunco. Lake and Link fest was discussed. A new elliptical machine was delivered.
The Outpost rebuild was discussed in depth. The architect was in attendance to explain why the projected cost is so high and ways to possibly reduce the building cost. I had some months ago indicated in my President's Prerogative I would be on board after I did some research on the affect on dues of a $300,000 structure. Since the Outpost had been depreciating many years in our replacement reserves and with a depreciation of the new structure over 39 years it would be doable with little affect on our replacement reserve yearly donation. The number is coming in far, far above the $300,000 at over $600,000.00. I can not see how we would be filling our fuduciary responsibility if we spend over a half million dollars on a building that is used mainly for party rental and free usage. It would take about 20% of our total reserves for that one project.That being said, I for one can no longer support the rebuild and feel an alternative such as a pavilion should be considered.
Your board decided to allow the commission more time to bring in a proposal that is financially acceptable. More to come.
Public Safety Commission tells us the elimination of exit stop signs at the East and West gate is being discussed. Recommendation will come at the next meeting. I have some concern about cars going through the out lanes at 25 miles per hour if someone comes around the gate house. Cars also often change lanes right after passing the guardhouse. Risky in my opinion. John Schwartz has stepped down as chairman of the commission. Pam Cangelosi will take his place.
It is with extreme sadness I have to report John Schwartz passed away since that last Public Safety meeting. He was a fine man who always was very concerned about and involved in Candlewick matters. Pam Cangelosi spoke of him glowingly in the public segment.
Savannah Oaks clubhouse reports the End of Season tournament went well with 23 participants. Sixty five people turned out for the very successful Halloween party. The final Pub Trivia will be December 3rd and the last day open for the club house will be December 31st for the New Year's Party. The clubhouse is still struggling and the numbers are not good compared with last year. Revenue is up but additional costs are far exceeding revenue. We must stop the bleeding by any means possible.
Savannah Oaks reports the course is being set for winter with the suction line from the pond removed and blown out along with the irrigation lines. The course should be in good shape for the winter and the spring opening.
Maintenance reports along with their normal duties the winter buoys are now in and summer buoys out. The beach area is set for winter as well. The pool is winterized and the carpet cleaned at Savannah Oaks.
Resolutions were passed detailing the private lake weed control rule, A contract renewal for Links Management to handle Savannah Oaks course maintenance with the same cost structure, replacement of four lake aerator compressors that have died, and move the maintenance of our 401K from Alpine bank due to a cost increase.
Mary and Dan from Dandy Donuts presented ideas for promoting our community through more events. Two events that sound quite interesting were approved. There will be no cost to Candlewick.
Discussion was held regarding the possibility of trying an event tentatively names 'Lake an Links." Several events would be featured that day and gates would be opened for part of the day. $3,000.00 was requested to cover the event. My feeling on this issue is we already have our gates open more than we should and we have plenty of celebrations. Our property owners let us know in no uncertain terms they want our gates up and we are getting requests way too often to open them. We are in budgeting season and the board has had to deny many requests from commissions and departments, including no camera for Administration, no dock extension for Lake Management, no new T.V. for Savannah Oaks, no greens blower for the golf course, no storage shed for Maintenance, and more... but what the heck, let's throw a big party and let everyone in from the outside. I say let's take care of our own needs. We already allocated another $5,000 last year for advertising to our east and we don't need to add another $3,000 to the venture by trying to pull in those same people from the east. These things become a permanent part of our budget and raise dues forever. Another point to consider about the open gates, there are people who specifically are not wanted in our community both through being banned by your HOA and specific problems they have caused for individual propery owners. They will have free rein in these instances of open gates.
Your board decided to allow it for one year on a trial basis and revisit it next year.
Your board discussed the issue which was brought up regarding allowing people wanting to drive through our community a pass for two hours. The suggestion was to let the gates issue passes. Currently the office handles this but there is really no good tracking procedure and some can not enter if they do not come during office hours. Here is my take on the issue... we already have open gates for open house hours, or they can get in any time with a realtor. We are, after all, a gated community and that in itself is a draw. If we allow the gates to handle it we will have tied up traffic at the gates, people will just be showing up as they wish to take advantage of our amenities, some may want to come in that are not wanted here by specific residents due to certain issues. Again, we need to keep our gated status as solid as possible. It seems we are constantly being asked to throw open the gates.
Your board decided to allow no passes to be processed at the gates.
A proposal was discussed regarding an outside company spraying for the Milfoil, which is very invasive and spreading like wildfire in the shallower water near the shorelines. I questioned the bid submitted, which to me included unnecessary items having nothing to do with mapping the areas in need of spraying.
Your board decided since we must have the Milfoil eradicated we should go with the proposal to get the process started. It will be expensive but we have no choice if the lake is not to get choked.