Annual Membership Meeting
May 30, 2004
Agenda
Meeting Minutes
Board Members Present: Arlene May, Walter Nalezyty, Carol Posey, Rick Anderson, Robert Croaker, Victor Kams, Ernest Wert, Robert May (Summer Manager), and Cathy Eppard (Secretary/Treasurer). Members Absent: None
The Annual Meeting was called to order at 1:20 p.m. by Arlene May, president of the association. A moment of silence was observed in honor of Memorial Day.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read. A motion was made by Richard Allarding and seconded by Rita Moe to accept the minutes as read. Motion carried.
The president's report was given by Arlene May on the state of the Association. (Attached) Arlene also announced her resignation from the board. The membership thanked Arlene for all of her hard work and dedication.
The treasurer's report was given. A motion was made by Roberta Stolzenfeld and seconded by Rita Moe to accept the treasurer's report as given. Motion carried.
The proposed budget for 2004 was given. Cathy Eppard informed the membership that with concerns about cost cutting that the board had voted to discontinue paying the employee portion of the FICA tax as of July 1, 2004. In addition some employees had refused their cost-of-living raise last year to help balance the budget. The cost of snow removal and trash removal is continuing to increase; therefore it may be necessary to increase the assessments for home owners who reside full or part-time within the association. A motion was made by Roberta Stolzenfeld and seconded by Jeanne Rapley to accept the budget for 2004 and to continue the freeze on wages to the 2003 level as well as implement cost saving measures as needed. The motion was amended to include contributing the saved monies from the FICA tax to increase the savings account for emergency funds in the future. Motion carried.
Reports from committees were given. Roberta Stolzenfeld reported for the rules committee. As a group their plan was to incorporate the association rules into amendments to the by-laws in order to enforce the needed changes. This will require additional membership in the rules committee. Kay Wert and Karen Formentin agreed to become part of the rules committee. James Priester reported for the campground committee. He informed members that a new dryer is now available in the campground at a fee of $ 1.00 per load to dry hunting clothes, etc. when needed. Members were asked to place the money in an envelope and add it to the payment drop box.
Discussion was held on the status of the roads. Members were informed that because of the quick thaw this past spring the roads were left in terrible condition and it has taken a great deal of work to bring them back to standard. Some of the membership complained that they had difficulty getting in this past winter. This was due to the heavy snow fall and the lack of use of some of the roads to pack down the snow. All roads were plowed at the same time. Concern was also expressed over Bern Road not being plowed by the county. Bern is designated a seasonal road and they do not have to plow it during the winter. Mr. Bell offered his assistance with some heavier equipment to help with the removal of snow and road work.Members were also reminded by Kay Wert that they cannot leave large items at the trash dumpsters to be removed. The trash removal company may not take these items. If you have a great deal of trash to remove you can call Waste Management directly and pay for a separate pickup so that the association will not be charged for the overload. There was a question if arrangements could be made to have a pickup by Waste Management for large items a few times per year. That matter will be checked into by the board.
Volunteers were asked to count the ballots by Arlene May, Board president.
Ernest Wert reported on the stocking of fish to the lakes. Discussion was held on what type and size of fish should be stocked in the lake. A motion was made by Jeanne Rapley and seconded by John Todd to set a $500 dollar amount to purchase feeder minnows for both lakes and stock fish in Alpine Lake this year, with a stocking of fish the following year to Swiss Lake. In addition what ever type of fish that is stocked, will be closed to fishing that species for one year. Motion carried.
Cathy Eppard reported that the association had been approached by a logging company to log some of the different type of trees on the association common grounds as well as individual properties. The membership was asked how they felt about this possibility. After much discussion and concern about the pros and cons of logging in the area it was decided not to take the logging companies offer.
Discussion was held on the new web site at http://swissalpine.delpiere.com. Members were reminded that they needed to remove the www before typing in the web site. If their browser automatically added the www they will need to back space it out before starting the search. In addition those members who have lots for sale are welcomed to e-mail the association secretary treasurer at saasecretary @ delpiere .corn and leave the information about their property which can be posted on the web site. Many people contact board members looking for property and we aren't aware of what is for sale. This will help alleviate that problem. Additionally a motion was made by John Kams and seconded by James Priester to post the website at the entrance for guests and members. Motion carried.
The results of the ballots were given. James Priester - 114, Richard Allarding - 92, Jackie Knuth - 89. The top two will be the new board members for the next three years. The membership wishes to thank all of those who participated.
A motion was made by Jeanne Rapley and seconded by Roberta Stolzenfeld to adjourn the meeting at 2:45 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine A. Eppard
Secretary/Treasurer
Presidents Report
On behalf of the board of directors, welcome to the 25th Annual Meeting of the Swiss Alpine Association, with a special welcome to all of our new members.
Thomas Miles bought the home at 10061 Swiss Drive, and Christina McMillan is now living in the mobile at 10220 Lucerne with her son Bobby; Ron Delpiere-Smith and Jaci Knuth new owner of the cabin at 10107 Alpine Drive that has been vacant for so long, and Richard and Kimberly Bell are now living in the mobile they have fixed up at 10377 Schwyz Circle.
We now have a dock on Swiss Lake. I haven't been out on the lake since it was installed but it should make it easier to get in and out of the boat, especially or some of the older residents Mr. Wert did the leg work for that project and assisted with the installation. Earl has also researched prices for restocking the lakes with fish. He will give a report on what he has on that subject. We wish to thank him for his help.
The people that helped with the cleanup yesterday are already aware of the new leaf vacuum we got last fall. It is a big help with the cleanup since we do have so many leaves here. Bob was busy last fall cleaning up leaves and has spent many hours cleaning around the Clubhouse and other areas down in the campground. There is now grass growing in front of. the bathhouse where it was dug up last year to replace the water pipes. Ron worked on that project, and also removed of some of the dead trees.
There is a clothes dryer in the middle room of the bathhouse that was donated by Jim Priester for the campers to dry their clothes if they get wet. It’ll be especially helpful for the hunters if they get caught in the rain or just get their clothes wet while hunting You are asked to pay one dollar for each load you dry. You can pay by putting the money in an envelope and putting it in the slot in the door.
Swiss Alpine now has a web site that was set up by Ron. He will explain it to you a little later in the meeting. A special thanks to Ron for all the time he has invested.
I have put together a directory of Swiss Alpine. Many of you already have one, but for the rest of you that want one they are available for a two dollar donation to help with the cost of printing. I hope you find them helpful to know who your neighbors are.
Thanks to the ladies that worked on the dinner; and also thanks to Cathy, our secretary, and Bob our manager, and all the board members. They put many hours in to keeping affairs running so smooth here in Swiss Alpine. Also thanks to the members that helped with the clean up yesterday, and anyone else that has helped in any way.
I am retiring from the board. This is my last meeting. I have enjoyed working with everyone the past few years, but I had my 70"' birthday last winter and I think it is time to retire and give someone else a chance to fake their turn on the board. I have other projects and hobbies I want to pursue, but will still be available to work on the flowers and anywhere else I can be of assistance. Thanks to everyone that has helped in making Swiss Alpine the good place it is to live and visit.
Sincerely,
Arlene May
President
Swiss Alpine Association
Treasurers Report