Board of Directors
August 29, 2004
Agenda
- Call Meeting to Order
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting.
- Treasurer's Report
- Manager's Report
- President's Report
- Jean Schember Report on Layer and Foreclosures
- Unfinished Business:
a. Architectural: Fay Wilson's wood shed
b. Fire Hydrant Update
c. Motion Sensor Lights update
d. Fish Stocking
e. Tractor Hydraulic Leak
f. Book Update
- New Business:
a. Miscellaneous Items
Meeting Minutes
Members Present: Walter Naleyzty, James Priester, Richard Allarding, Robert Croaker, Victor Karns, Robert May, (Summer Manager), Cathy Eppard (Secretary/Treasurer).Absent: Ernest Wert
The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by Walter Naleyzty.
The board president informed the membership that the meeting would be operated based on Robert's Rules. Members were to be recognized before speaking.
Stan Stump addressed the board concerning the usage fee for residents of Swiss Alpine. He informed the board that the meeting was illegal, because it was a special meeting and didn't include the entire membership. He also stated that Dick Allarding didn't vote for the resolution; and Victor Karns and James Priester should have been excluded because they are not full-time residents. Mr. Stump said there wasn't anywhere in the by-laws or covenants that special fees were allowed. The board informed him that special usage fees have been charged in the past and that included the campground. These fees were based on the covenants in Article 4, Section 3, and Subsection (d): ^he right of the Association to charge reasonable admission and other fees for the use of the common properties". Trash removal and roads are common properties. Mr. Stump also stated the number of hours he worked did not agree with what is being reported on the income statement. Cathy Eppard stated that the W-2s given to employees in January do reflect the total amount of the checks that were paid in the previous year and that is on the financial statements. No complaints were received from paid individuals that the paycheck amounts or W-2's were inaccurate at the time of receipt
Other members suggested paying higher fees in the summer and lower fees in the winter, based on usage. This would cause a billing problem when establishing who was here which months. Some members felt that all members of the association should pay for an increase. They were reminded of the difficulty in passing an increase in assessment fees a few years back. Tom Stolzenfeld recommended that we ask for an increase based on the cost of living. That would eliminate the continual need to vote on increased assessments.
Mr. Childers said that wages were too high and better control needed to be established as to what hours were worked and authorized. He also stated that relatives should not be on the board. It was causing a conflict of interest Other members stated concerns about what the different jobs required and how much work was involved. In the past the manager's did the plowing as part of their job. That statement was corrected when members were reminded that previous managers were paid additional to do the plowing, but that much of the work that was accomplished around Swiss Alpine in the past was based on volunteers. We are presently not getting the volunteers we need to accomplish the job, especially now that the numbers of people who live in Swiss Alpine have increased and we are becoming a larger operation. Members were reminded that they are paying only $8.33 per month to get their roads maintained, plowed, trash removed, and access to the clubhouse, lakes, etc.
Bob Anderson was concerned as to when do the usage fees stop. Is this going to become a yearly issue or is this a one time situation. The board replied that usage fees were based on the need to finance the on going operations. Merle Eisenhauer expressed concern about the infighting that was on going and could the association survive.
Rita Moe reminded the members present that there is nothing in the covenants or by-laws that say the association must pay for trash removal That is a service that has been provided because of previous problems with dumping trash and wild animal control. The cost of individual pickup is significantly higher than what we are presently paying and $100 is much more cost effective per person than the cost of individual pickup. Christina McMillan agreed with Rita that the $100 is much cheaper than paying for individual pickup. This is especially a concern for low-income and fixed-income individuals. Also those present were reminded that recycle is available in Osceola County and taking advantage of that service would reduce the amount of trash being placed in the dumpsters as well as help the environment
Dick Allarding made a statement to those present that clarified he did vote for the $100 fee, and supported the board's decision.
Members that had paid the $100 were offered their money back if they didn't wish to pay the usage fee. The board announced discussion was closed on the topic and they would continue with their regular meeting. After more research a decision would be forthcoming.
The minutes of the August 1 meeting were read. A motion was made by Carol Posey and seconded by Victor Karns to accept the minutes as read with the following corrections: Page 1, paragraph 8 should include "to accept Stan Stump's resignation from road maintenance with regret and thanks"; page 1, paragraph 6 should read " A complaint was received from Christina McMillan over rocks and logs placed in the road by children, but that seems to have been resolved" and "Mrs. McMillan had approached the manager and he handled the situation"; page 2, paragraph 5 should read "Indian Lake"; page 2, paragraph 7 should read "common property" not "Bell property". Motion carried.
The treasurer's report was given. A motion was made by Robert Croaker and seconded by James Priester to accept the treasurer's report as given subject to audit Motion carried.
The board requested that a spread sheet showing monthly expenditures and income be established to see how much is left in each area on the budget
The manager's report was given. The tractor mower is still leaking oil, and there is a problem with vandalism in the bathrooms in which the water had been turned off.
The president's report was given. Walter Naleyzty reported that he still has not received a call back from Waste Management reference the cost of switching to individual pickup for trash. He continued the report on the tractor and said that one of the leaks is fixed and they are researching the other for repair. He also donated his time doing road maintenance.
A motion was made by Carol Posey and seconded by Victor Karns to approve the annual meeting minutes corrected from the previous meeting. Motion carried.
Wilson submitted an architectural plan for lot #492 to build a wood shed as part of a furnace system. A motion was made by James Priester and seconded by Robert Croaker to approve the architectural request as "an open shed to be used only for wood storage." Motion carried.
Carol Posey reported on the fire hydrant. She plans on inviting the fire chief to the next meeting.
stocking offish was tabled until the next meeting when Ernie Wert is present
A book update is needed to combine the health and township zoning approval under one category.
James Priester approached the board on the possibility of an Awards Committee to present awards once per year at the annual meeting. A motion was made by Victor Karns and seconded by Robert Croaker to approve the creation of an Awards Committee. Members will be added next meeting. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on the possibility of increasing the fees for the clubhouse to $100 per rental. It was felt that the clubhouse was not a money making venture, but here to encourage usage by members to socialize. Therefore the fee will remain at $50. The next meetings are set for September 26 and October 24. All meetings are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. in the clubhouse.
A motion was made by James Priester and seconded by Robert Croaker to adjourn at 1:00 p.m. Motion carried.Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Eppard
Secretary/Treasurer
Presidents Report
Treasurers Report