The Quarterly Board Meeting for Hawthorn Park was held on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at the First America Bank. Here are the topics and highlights of the meeting.
Please note: These are not the official meeting minutes. The official minutes are recorded by Susan Thimmes, Property Manager, and are archived at the offices of Sentry Management.
Attendees
Board of Directors:
Ray Dalto (present)
Wendy Edler (present)
Mike Hogan (present)
Tyler Linkenhoker (present)
Frank Maruca (present)
Mike Sandstrum (present)
Sean Simpson (present)
Sentry Management
Susan Thimmes (present)
Several interested residents of Hawthorn Park: Len & Marilyn Sirotski, Lee Fioretto, Tom Falcone, Pat Whitesel, Ed Goff, Art Stadlin
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
1.Call to Order and Establish Quorum -- All Directors present!
2.Proof of Notice
3.Financial Report -- Our account balance is currently $57,310. All dues are paid up by all homeowners.
4.Approval of Minutes- from September 24, 2009
5.Management Report
Susan reported a palm tree issue.
The ponds had an issue, with lots of dead fish. Lake Doctor cleared it up.
Some homes have not responded to violation letters. Board voted to send strong letters, in advance of fines.
Fines Committee will be re-seated, to execute process already defined in our HOA rules. Mike asked Art to locate the names of the people from the previous fines committee, so the Board may request that they continue to serve.
6.Committee Reports
a.Activities Fund- F. Maruca -- Balance is $728. Nothing has been spent.
b.Social- S. Simpson -- Picnic canceled due to lack of interest. Garage Sale and Christmas Party coming up.
c.ARC- R. Dalto -- Ray has done 17 so far in 2009. No problems to report.
d.Landscape/Common Grounds
Frank Maruca and Len Lesjak will be power washing the front sign and stone work in prep for sign re-painting and holiday decorations.
Jamie will be asked to prune low handing branches from trees at the entrance.
There is a light burned out near the front entrance. It will be fixed.
7.Old Business:
a.Letter from Mike Hogan for Mailing -- The letter has been written, and will be mailed. The same mailing will also include the new budget proposal (two versions, with and without TV), and an errata notice regarding minor errors in the recent Proxy mailing. Mike's letter will review the SWFWMD lake project, which will cost about $135,000 (about $1,500 per home). Our HOA documents require a Special Assessment for this kind of expenditure. It cannot be covered in dues. Also, the ability to levy a Special Assessment will require a two-thirds majority of the Association to approve it. Mike's letter will make the point that the Association really has no alternative. Mike requested Art to email the letter out ASAP in the NewsFlash.
b.Sign’s for Lake -- Wording for the sign was discussed. It will bar trespassing and swimming for all, and it will bar fishing for non-residents. There will be one sign for each of the front ponds.
c.Front Sign Paint Color -- Decision was made to re-paint the sign in its original colors, the same colors that are on it now. The painting will start soon, after the cleaning.
8.New Business
a.2010 Proposed Budget
There will be two budgets proposed to the membership: One budget with TV contract, which will hold dues at current levels. And one budget without TV contract, which will reduce dues by the amount of the TV contract. Bulk TV contract yes or no will be decided by ballots mailed in advance, and by those ballots cast at the meeting. A simple majority of votes cast will determine the question.
The lake repair is not included in the budget because it is a Special Assessment, outside the normal budget. The date for the Special Meeting to vote on the Special Assessment will be announced at the Annual Meeting on 11/19/2009. The Special Meeting will likely be scheduled for a date in January, 2010.
9.Owners Comments -- Ed Goff read a new letter in favor of keeping the TV contract. His letter included a copy of his Bright House bill for their triple play bundle, plus other services. Ed said he had no intentions to carry his letter door-to-door, but requested that Art include it in an email NewsFlash.
10.Date of Next Meeting -- Annual Meeting, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m., at the First America Bank.
11.Adjournment