ROTONDA WEST ASSOCIATION, INC
Minutes
Beautification/Mowing Committee
Thursday, April 5, 2007

Present: Claudette Romano (Chair), Margie Carroll, Linda Harrison, Barbara Peszko, John Peszko and Art Richards

Absent: Sue Arts, Bruce Miller and Ken Guillerm

Management: Dianne Brophy, Deed Restriction Secretary

Other Member/Visitors Present: Joseph Romano, John Carroll, Derek Gilbert and John Eisele

Chairman Romano called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm. Roll call was taken. Minutes of the March 1, 2007, meeting were approved as presented.

Oakland Hills Marina Update:

Chairman Romano gave an update on the Oakland Hills Marina project. On March 21, 2007, Art Richards, George Krabbe and myself went out to the Oakland Hills Marina. Art Richards suggested totally changing the looks of the Oakland Hills Marina to look like the Pebble Beach, Broadmoor and White Marsh Marinas. There is 36 ft. of concrete from the street swale to the curbing, Keep 20 feet of concrete from the street swale for parking. The remaining 16 feet of concrete will be taken out and dirt and grass will be added which will slope towards the water. The center steps will be removed and replaced with dirt and grass. Entrance to the Marina Docks will be on either side of the walkways gently sloping towards the dock area. A Flag pole with an American Flag will be installed. A place for one or two picnic tables will also be provided. Let’s make the area more user friendly. At one end of the new Marina area will be the newspaper box or boxes and also a bicycle rack. Lighting will be totally changed. Instead of the tall poles, other options are being considered. There will be up-lighting to accent the palm trees. We need to have all the details worked out so we can draw up specifications to go out for bids and have a dollar ($) amount for the 2008 Budget.

There could be a possibility of removing the end dock sets. John Peszko asked why would you remove some of the dock? Art Richards said we could take them all out, they are never used. Joh Peszko said you can shorten them up and leave it as a fishing pier. John Carroll suggest that railing should be added on the docks along with benches for the fishermen. Discussion ensued.

Joseph Romano asked what would be the cost of removing the docks. Claudette Romano said that would have to be discussed at a Properties meeting. Joseph Romano asked if the project was in the 5 (five) Year Plan is it scheduled for next year. Claudette Romano answered 2008. There was discussion about cleaning up the pump house, remove the existing driveway access and curbing. Fill that area with dirt and make a straight road ack to the pump house and put in a shell drive with curbing on either side. The FPL box will be screened with shrubs. Chairman Romano asked Art Richards to do a drawing to go out for bids to be submitted to Budget and Finance.

Chairman Romano also stated that the Beautification Committee has received a donation of $300.00 from Ron McGuire.

Clean-Up Week Update:

Linda Harrison gave her report on the Clean-up week which is scheduled for April 16 through April 21. Earth Day falls within that week. Linda stated that she has bag coordinators in each section to give out bags for trash pickup. Trash can be brought to the dumpster at the Community Center, taken home or left in the dumpster at the pavilion. John Peszko said he would bring his trailer for larger pieces of trash. There was some discussion regarding the RWA boat. John Peszko said he would check it out to see if the boat is usable. John Carroll suggested that everyone living on a canal clean there own area. Linda Harrison also said that ten (10) members of the Garden Club have volunteered to help. There will be a picnic at the Pavilion on April 21 between hours of noon and 3:00 pm. and it will be a chance to meet new people. Shirts will be distributed.

Art Richard talked about the curbing projects that have been discussed at the MSBU meetings. He suggested that Beatification Committee and the county work together on these projects.

There was discussion on problem drainage at homes abutting the Long Marsh Golf Course. Claudette said that some grates were missing and some need to be cleaned out. There was discussion on this problem. Joseph Romano stated that this standing water could become a health hazard attracting snakes and rodents. Chairman Romano stated the Rotonda West Residents are the one who are suffering from this problem. The golf course and county are still in litigation over this problem. Claudette Romano suggested anyone interested in this problem come to the RWA Street and Drainage meeting on Monday April 23, 2007 at 2:00 pm.

Linda Harrison told the committee that the Rotonda West Women’s Club has applied for a grant to buy two (2) defibrillators for the Community Center. All staff, committees and organizations who use the center will be trained on how to use the machine.

New Business:

Chairman Romano stated that spending will be curtailed for all RWA projects due to litigation. The Committee will need to make sure that there is money in the 2008 budget for the Oakland Hills Marina project.

There was discussion on work to be done of Rotonda Blvd. West. No monies will be used from Operating Expense. Money is in the Reserves. This will be discussed in August or September.

There was discussion on having a dinner dance similar to the one that was held the beginning 2006. Dates were discussed. January 26 would be the first choice and February 2 the second choice.

Art Richards talked about Parade Circle and the signs that are there and that something could be done to enhance the looks of the RWA signs. Discussion followed. Chairman Romano stated due to budget restraints we will not be able to do anything on Parade Circle. John Peszko said that MSBU has $100,000 in their budget for trees. Discussion ensued on how the RWA and the MSBU could work together for Beautification in Rotonda West.

There was discussion on a bike lane on Rotonda Blvd. West.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 pm

The next meeting will be May 3, 2007 at 2:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne M. Brophy
Secretary