Rotonda West Association, Inc.: Meeting Minutes

ROTONDA WEST ASSOCIATION, INC.
Board of Directors Meeting
Minutes - January 10, 2007

Present: Nick Gizzi, George Krabbe, George Burger Claudette Romano, Pete Traverso, Bruce Miller, Ken Guillerm

Management: Diane Brophy, Norene Kugler, Assistant Manager, Tom Madsen, Manager

Others: Joseph Romano, Donna Krabbe, Judy & Carl Coture, Sue Nichol, Margie &John Carroll, Richard Duggan, Sue & Hank Artz, Earl Haas, Dayle Tedeschi, Steve Superak, Victor Claussen, Reggie Baker, Jim Tibert, Robert Bondeson, Dick Wasserman, Connie Johnson, Lois Burger, Bud Nill, Mel & Ann Rocheleau, Bette Albert, Wanda & Dave Pulaski, Walter & Claudette Taylor, Ginni & Don Mahon, Richie & Adele Pavlik, and Pat Guillerm

Bruce Miller reported that 2006 revenue was $55,000 greater than expenses.The largest negative expense variance was in the Management Salaries.The largest negative revenue variance was in Transfer fees, but this was more than offset by the gain in the Interest and Other account. Bruce reported that he, Claudette, and staff would soon be meeting with accountant Geoff Lorah to resolve some questions concerning the Reserve accounts.

The Manager reported on a plan to begin removing unkempt realtors signs, where the area under and around them had not been mowed, to allow these areas to be mowed.

The Manager also reported on the following initiatives concerning Coral Creek and St. Andrews:

On Thursday January 4, I met with a representative of King Engineering (Tampa), who is completing a Request For Proposal for a SWIFTMUD project. This project was requested by the DEP and would entail a study with the goal of restoring tidal flow up Coral Creek, possibly as far as the Core Area and White Marsh. This would entail removal of the dam, removal of sediment and plant detritus from Coral Creek and portions of St. Andrews, possible changes to the Buck Creek outflow and presumably modifications to the two ends of the Rotonda River on either side of Coral Creek in order to preserve the height of water within the canals.

Election - Chair Sue Artz announced that the first meeting of the Committee will be Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 10:00 am.

Administration/Personnel - Chair Nick Gizzi indicated that the first meeting had been held January 4, 2007 as an Executive Session of the Board, with Attorney DeBoest in order to discuss personnel issues.

Aquatic/Canal Bank - Chair Nick Gizzi moved that the following persons be added to the Aquatic/Canal Bank Committee:

Chair Nick Gizzi moved that the following names be added to the Aquatic Clean Up sub-Committee:

Chair Nick Gizzi moved that the following names be added to the Lake Watch sub-Committee:

The first meeting will be held on January 24, 2007.This will be preceded by Committee field trips on January 16 (Rotonda River/Coral Creek interface) and January 16 (Buck Creek outflow).

The Beautification/Mowing Committee met on December 28, 2006 for a Pre-Bid Meeting and then again on January 4, 2007 for the Bid Opening. Two Contractors attended the December 28 meeting - Blue Heron Irrigation and Landscape Services from Nokomis, Florida and John Eisele Incorporated, from Rotonda West.

Blue Heron Irrigation and Landscape Services
Price for Park Area/Trees but excluding Plants	$49,983.00
(Plants were extra but included delivery and installation)
Price for grading and sodding of lake bank	6,750.00
Total Package	$56,733.00


John Eisele Inc.
Price for Park (Top Only) Complete	$39,000.00
Price for Bank (Includes Slope & necessary drainage, sod)	10,500.00
$49,500.00
Package Discount	1,850.00
Total Package	$47,650.00

The Beautification/Mowing Committee recommends that the Board of Directors Approve John Eisele, Inc as the Contractor for White Marsh Marina Memorial Park.

Board of Directors "Waive" the bidding for the Ground Maintenance for the White Marsh Marina Memorial Park and approve John Eisele Inc. at $400/month commencing at the completion of this project.

At the next Aquatics Meeting, I will ask if they would be willing to pay for the grading and sod for the canal bank as they did in the past Linda Harrison, a member of the Beautification/Mowing Committee has graciously volunteered to Chair the Earth Day Clean-up Week and culminating with a BBQ on Saturday, April 21,2007. More information will be presented at the February Board Meeting.

The Beautification/Mowing Committee would like permission to proceed with booking the Pavilion (S32.10) at the Rotonda Park and whatever preparations would be necessary for this to happen. The BBQ would be from 12NOON until 3PM.

The Beautification Committee is looking into giving the Oakland Hills Marina a "Face Lift." We are in the discussion stages. Art Richards has a drawing that somehow met with suggestions given by members of the Beautification Committee. The next Memorial Park is slated for - Long Meadow - 2008.

Mr. Madsen was asked to obtain the Right of Way permit from the County. He was advised to call Steve Reager.

Mr. Madsen was asked to look at obtaining prices for Pest Control for Tract B and the Gazebo area. Also the irrigation pump was hit by lightening and needs to be replaced or repaired so Tract B can be watered.

Our next Beautification/Mowing Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 1 at 2PM.

Chair Claudette Romano moved that the Board follow the recommendation of the Beautification/Mowing Committee approve John Eisele, Inc as the Contractor for White Marsh Marina Memorial Park at a total cost of $47,650.00. Motion seconded by George Krabbe and approved unanimously.

Chair Claudette Romano moved that the Board waive the bidding for the ground maintenance at White Marsh Marina Memorial Park and approve John Eisele, Inc to perform this service at a cost $400 per month commencing at the completion of this project. Motion seconded by George Krabbe and approved unanimously.

Chair Claudette Romano moved that the Board approve the expenditure of $32.10 to book the Pavilion at the Rotonda Park on Saturday April 21, 2007. to hold a BBQ from noon until 3PM. for the participants in the Earth Day Clean-up. Motion seconded by Nick Gizzi and approved unanimously.

Budget & Finance - Chair Bruce Miller indicated that the Committee had a workshop on January 5, 2007 to discuss the President's letter/Budget Explanation which will accompany the 2007 Assessment.

Scheduled meetings of the Budget & Finance Committee will be held on the final Thursday of each month. The next meeting is January 25, 2007 at 9:00 am.

Community Relations - Chair Ken Guillerm indicated that one of the problems Rotonda West had was a lack of communications, and the Community Relations Committee was moving vigorously to address this problem through West Ways and through the RWA website.

Sue Artz asked to leave the Community Relations Committee. The reason for Sue Artz resigning the Community Relations Committee was due to a conflict of duties.

Chair Ken Guillerm moved that the Association hire Julie Ruhr as the layout designer for the West Ways at a cost of $100.00 per issue. Seconded by Bruce Miller and approved unanimously.

Compliance - George Burger moved that the following people be appointed to the Compliance Committee:

Ruth Sargent, John Carroll, Dick Duggan, Derek Gilbert, Fred Warner, Jim Mayer, Marty Mayer, Rich McKenna, John Forester, Marilyn Sink, and Karen Radzik

Deed Restrictions - Chair George Burger moved that the Board approve the following policy concerning RWA "No Parking" Signs:

3) The RWA will distribute signs to RWA owners as they may request, subject to availability and eligibility.

1) These signs are intended to minimize the possible impact of nearby construction activities on an owner's property.

2) These signs are available to any RWA owner who has building activity on their street in the following areas:

i. In the two lots immediately adjacent to the owner’s property to either the left or right.

iii. In the two lots immediately adjacent to the lot across the street to either the left or right.

3) The RWA NO PARKING signs may be placed on the owner’s property at the start of any construction in the area described above.

4) The RWA NO PARKING signs must be returned to the RWA Office by the owner immediately after construction activity has ceased. As a general rule, if grass has been planted by the property under construction, the signs must be taken down and returned.

3) These signs MAY NOT be placed in the Charlotte County Right-of-Way. They must be placed on the owner’s property. Generally this is a MINIMUM of 15 feet from the edge of the road. It is the property owner’s responsibility to determine where his lot line is.

5) The owner is responsible for the removal of signs from his property and the return to the RWA Offices.

Motion seconded by Pete Traverso and approved unanimously. Pete Traverso commented that the Committee needs to determine how to enforce the above policy.

Chair George Burger moved that Bruce Vermette be added to the Deed Restrictions Committee. Motion seconded by Bruce Miller and approved unanimously.

Chair George Burger moved that Pete Traverso be added to the Deed Restrictions Committee. Motion seconded by Claudette Romano and approved unanimously.

RWA Properties - Chair George Krabbe moved that the following people be added to the Properties Committee:

Director George Burger submitted his resignation from this Committee in order to lessen the number of Directors on the Committee.

Residential Modification - Chair Pete Traverso moved that the following people be added to the Residential Modification Committee:

Pete Traverso discussed how the Committee functions. Usually, the Committee does not meet on a regularly scheduled basis. When a modification request is received, 2 members of the Committee will meet to consider it. And make a decision on it. There will be a formal meeting of Committee Members if the modification request is outside the Guidelines. There will be an organizational meeting of the full Committee on January 12, 2007 at 10:00a.m.

Director George Burger moved that the Rotonda West Association open every meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion seconded by Claudette Romano and approved unanimously.

1) All Committees should prepare 5 year plans covering both proposed new initiatives and the funding required to implement them.

2) Research the possibility of charging an additional maintenance fee to mow vacant lots.

3) Reinstate the transition team to make changes prior to any turnover of the Association by the Developer. George Burger moved that Pete Traverso be appointed Transition Liaison with the Deed Restriction Committee. Motion seconded by Claudette Romano and approved unanimously.

4) Explore the possibility of appointing an Ombudsman. Pete Traverso suggested using the duties of the State of Florida Ombudsman as a model. The Manager was directed to get information on ombudsman for the Board to consider.

5) Discuss whether the Board may wish to either give or deny the Manager the authority to alter a fine once staff has levied it.

6) Communicate our concerns about Pinemoor to the County and look for solution to cleaning up mess left behind by developer.

7) Establish a building fund to accept gifts and bequests from Rotonda residents. Investigate whether this fund should be separate from the Rotonda West Corporation so as to not be subject to deed restrictions. Ken Guillerm suggested that West Ways conduct a survey on what the community may want.

8) Consider request that Board Meetings be held later or on weekends. George Krabbe, Ken Guillerm, and Pete Traverso all indicated that prior experimentation with this had not resulted in either increased attendance or in there being many new faces in attendance.

9) Determine the location of the donated flag pole.. George Burger suggested locating it in front of the Community Center, remarking that the Board would have to find someone to raise and lower it. George Krabbe suggested the Oakland Hills Marina. Ken Guillerm recommended it be placed within the confines of Rotonda West. Bruce Miller recommended that the Beautification Committee suggest a location to the Board.

10) Establish an electronic reference file containing the motions of previous Boards. The Manager was directed to investigate.

Joseph Romano asked about progress on upgrading the sound system for Board Meetings.

Walter Taylor commented about the southward extension of the Pioneer Trail in conjunction with comments in the Manager's Report concerning SWIFTMUD and DEP initiatives.

Mrs. Gibson asked about an "illegal" closed meeting of the Board of Directors. Mrs. Gibson was informed by President Nick Gizzi and Director Claudette Romano that this meeting was not an illegal meeting, it was noticed as a Board of Directors Meeting - Executive Session. The RWA Attorney, Mr. Richard DeBoest and the Board of Directors discussed Personnel issues.

The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m. The next scheduled regular Board meeting is February 14, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.