REGULAR MEETING

 

THURSDAY, May 26, 2011

 

At THE GULF BEACH BAPTIST CHURCH

 

MINUTES

 

In attendance were board members Gus Martell, Jerry Hall, Ray Lake, Bob Henry, Bob Gilbert, and treasurer George McNitt.  The association lawyer, Bill Henry, was also in attendance as well as 5 other Glades homeowners.

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P. M. by President Gus Martell

·         The first discussion focused on the difficulties our association has in amending our current by-laws.  The association currently has 268 votes and our by-laws require a quorum of voters be present at any meeting where by-law changes are being made and that 2/3’s of the majority of votes from voters either present or by proxy is needed to make changes.  Recent state legislation has reduced the number needed for a quorum to 30% of membership and has allowed association boards to remove voting privileges to those owners who are more than 90 days delinquent on their assessments.  These changes are beneficial, but getting enough people to meetings for votes remains difficult.

·         Bill Henry also explained that state legislation has made changes so that association boards now have the right to fine owners that violate stated covenant rules, even if such power had not been expressly given to them in their current by-laws.  These fines cannot exceed $100 per occurrence, and cannot accumulate beyond $1,000.  It was discussed that some type of committee, not of board members, would need to be established to oversee the process for hearings concerning fines.  The board did not discuss if or how it might implement this new ability, but it was recommended that the membership be informed of this possibility in writing so they would be aware of changes they might face.  Methods for providing this information to owners were discussed, such as, at meetings, by letter, by newsletter, but no final decision has been reached yet.

·         Bill Henry stated that state law now allows the association to serve a renter of a property where the owner is behind on his assessment payment papers making them liable to the association for the assessment.  It also allows the renter to deduct this from his rent payment to the owner.

·         Bill Henry asked for a motion giving him authorization to send a letter to owners whenever they are delinquent in paying assessments or for other concerns discussed by the board.  It was emphasized that the letter was not to be threatening, but hoped contact from a lawyer might convince owners to meet their obligations.  Discussion focused on whether this would be an effective enough method and would a collection agency be a more effective option.  It was explained that collection agencies do not give a very good return for the money spent and causes animosity that the association would like to avoid if possible.  After discussion, the motion giving the lawyer permission to send a letter was stated by Jerry Hall and seconded by Bob Henry.  The motion was passed.

·         Bill Henry ended his discussions about changes and Gus Martell requested an outline of all that he had presented for the board’s benefit and he agreed to do so.

·         OLD BUSINESS:  President Gus Martell stated that the owner’s picnic was a wonderful success.  There were 160 people present representing 86 addresses.  Everyone present at the meeting agreed that the picnic was a very good event.  In a show of appreciation, it was noted that Bill and Connie Cocklin were presented with a $50 gift certificate to Salt Water Grill for their efforts in coordinating the picnic.

·          Next George McNitt asked about starting the association newsletter again.  Jane Moffitt spoke up to say the person who did the newsletter in the past had concerns about getting the news items from people in a timely manner and about distributing the news letter to the owners.  Discussion focused on delivering the newsletter and many methods were explored.  Also talked about was what the newsletter would contain. The new by-laws, the covenant rules, coming golf tourneys were all topics that were considered.  No definite method of delivery was agreed upon but Jane was given assurance that it would be handled without Judy having to deliver them.  Gus and George both said they would talk with Judy about starting the newsletter again.

·         TREASURER’S REPORT:  George McNitt handed out the reports and noted that as of today, the balance was $43,219 with net earnings of $37,527.  George also handed out a Transaction Detail By Account sheet to show where all of the money is allocated for projects.  It was shown that the fence project had completed 13 sections with $1900 remaining from the original $4000 budgeted for the work.  He said this was enough to schedule the installing of 13 more sections.  A motion by Jerry Hall requested that 13 more sections be purchased and installed.  Bob Henry seconded the motion and it passed.

·         ENVIRONMENTAL:  Jerry Hall stated that the home with the blue tarp at 131 Glades Turn is in foreclosure.  Whether it would be resolved is still unknown.  Also the issue with exposed propane tank and air conditioning unit at 92 Hombre Circle has been discussed with the homeowner and the owner assured Gus Martell it would be rectified in 3 to 4 weeks.  Jane Moffitt stated that the owner has made these types of promises before without complying, so Gus agreed to return and speak with the owner again.  116 Hombre Circle has a new owner who said the yard would be maintained and 99 Hombre Circle is in bankruptcy.

·         REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE:  Ray Lake asked for input about anywhere else landscaping needs exists.  He was asked to check on the sprinklers at the Middle Beach entrance and have them repositioned so they did not water the road.  Ray was also asked to check on the watering schedule to see how often and when during the day they ran.  Swatt had expressed a concern that the landscaping would die if not watered sufficiently.  Ray was also commended for taking the initiative to repaint the entrance sign on R Jackson Blvd. and changing the sprinklers there to prevent further discoloring of the sign due to the water hitting it and staining it.  It was also stated that there would be no need for hiring a company to keep the ponds clean.  The association got a renewal on its state permit for carp in the ponds which should keep them clean.  Ray said he was waiting for the fishery to tell him when to pick up the fish.

·         NEW BUSINESS:  There was a complaint filed concerning the dumping of trash and yard waste by Terra Verde residents along S Glades Trail.  The city says it is legal since S Glades Trail is a city street.   The city said that they will be picking the refuge up every week but this will not stop people from leaving their trash along the road on city easement.  It was suggested that a letter be written to the Terra Verde homeowner’s association about being a good neighbor and honoring the concerns of people living opposite where all the trash is being deposited.  It was also suggested that the city be contacted and asked to put a no dumping sign in the area.  No formal action on these suggestions was initiated.

·         The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 by President Gus Martell.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Bob Gilbert

Secretary