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ROTONDA WEST ASSOCIATION, INC
Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, May 9, 2007

 

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

Absent: Bruce Miller

Management: Norene Kugler, Assistant Manager, Diane Brophy, Deed Restriction Secretary

Others: Joseph Romano, Ken Hirsch, John & Margie Carroll, Derek Gilbert, John Eisele, Jim Tibert, Marilyn Sink, Dayle Tedeschi, Lois Burger, Don & Gerri Mahon, Richard Duggan, Dave & Wanda Pulaski, Hank & Sue Artz, Dave Prince, Elaine Jackson, Jim & Mary Guilfoyle, Diana Chaney, Victor Claussen, David Kelly, Barry Oglesby, Donna Krabbe, Cleon Kern, Noel Allan, Joy Barronette, Bob & Linda Bondeson, John G. Sciandra, Earl & Johnnie Haas, Lynn Adams, Tom Kelly

Call to Order
President Gizzi called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM with a quorum present.

Pledge of Allegiance
All present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Review of Minutes
In order to expedite getting our meeting minutes onto our website, we have started the practice of reviewing and approving the minutes via email; therefore the minutes from April 11, 2007 have been reviewed and approved.

Announcements
President Gizzi announced that as most of the audience is aware, Norene and Dianne tape the meeting. Mr. Gizzi asked that when someone is addressing the Board, they state their name and address, so that when the tape is transcribed, they can identify who is speaking.

President Nick Gizzi announced that Hank & Sue Artz and Earl & Johnnie Haas of the Buckeye Club were presenting a framed Certificate and a framed display case containing a United States flag. Sue Artz read the Certificate as follows:

The Flag of the United States of America

This is to certify that the accompanying flag was flown over the State Department’s Provincial Reconstruction Team Headquarters in Mosul, Iraq on 5 April 2007 in honor of the men and women who have served and sacrificed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This flag proudly presented to the Buckeye Club.

The certificate was signed by Col Mark Brackney, Deputy Team Leader and James Knight, Team Leader, Ninewa PRT, Mosul, Iraq

Treasurer’s Report
In the absence of Chairman Bruce Miller, Co-Chair Claudette Romano gave the Treasurer’s report. Mrs. Romano said that as required by the Deed Restriction, statement for delinquent assessments will be mailed by Certified or Registered mail on Friday, May 11.

Manager’s Report
First Vice President, Claudette Romano gave the Manager’s report.

As many of you have noticed, the Community Center offices have been painted a cheery yellow. No more institution grey or beige! New office blinds also make a difference.

The ladies and men’s bathrooms have also been painted and new faucets are in the kitchen ladies room. The kitchen cabinets and refrigerator have been emptied and cleaned. Paper plates, cups and plastic ware should be used. Food should not be stored in the refrigerator overnight.

The windows have been cleaned inside and outside on the front of the Community Center. Ceiling fans have also been cleaned.

Thank you to Norene Kugler, Dianne Brophy and Joseph Romano for a great “Clean Up” Crew. Bud Eisele, John Eisele, Derek Gilbert and George Krabbe make great “Rent-A-Husbands” for general maintenance around the Center, replacing light bulbs, faucets and hanging plastic racks, etc.

The outside of the building also is looking better. The front steps have been painted. New landscaping has greatly improved the look of our Community Center.

We’ve had numerous problems with our computers, especially with our accounting software. It was not operating for a few days. Now it is. Our program for automatically backing up our work is not operating at the present time. We have a computer company working it out. The many power failures seem to be causing our problems.

Mrs. Romano reported that there are sixty property owners who will receive a letter asking them to correct the vegetation overgrowth that is creating a fire danger and obstructing the view on the Right of Way.

Committee Reports

Election – Chair Sue Artz said the next West Ways newsletter will have an article from the Election Committee.   

Administration/Personnel – The Administration/Personnel Committee met on Monday, March 19 to discuss our insurance. The insurance agent’s office is in Winter Haven. It was decided that the RWA needs an agent located closer to Rotonda West. Richard J. Schmith met with Claudette Romano and Norene Kugler on April 9. His office is in North Port. It was agreed to recommend to the Board of Directors to change the Agent of Record for Rotonda West Association to Mr. Schmith.

Motion by Nick Gizzi that the Administrative/Personnel Committee recommends to the Board that a letter be sent to Brown & Brown Agency requesting an Agent of Record change. Seconded by Claudette Romano and approved unanimously.

President Gizzi said that the busiest time of the year for our office staff is from February through April.  That is when the majority of the yearly assessment payments are received. The RWA is short one staff member, so First Vice President, Claudette Romano volunteered to help out and has worked in the RWA office for up to 8 hours a day for months.

Motion by Nick Gizzi that the Administrative/Personnel Committee recommends to the RWA Board that Norene Kugler be compensated $724.80 for a portion of the extra time she has given to the Rotonda West Association. Seconded by Claudette Romano and approved unanimously.

Last month the Board tabled the motion by Nick Gizzi to engage Shaver Employment Agency in the RWA’s search for a new manager. The reason for tabling the motion was that the Board felt that we needed more time to evaluate the new manager and suggested that the probation be 90 days. Shaver’s fee is 10% of the first annual gross salary, with a deposit of one (1) weeks salary. One half (1/2) of the balance would be due in thirty (30) days and the remainder would be due in sixty (60) days.

President Gizzi stated that Mr. Shaver is agreeable with three equal payments; one third (1/3) as a deposit, one third (1/3) would be due in thirty (30) days and the remaining amount would be due in ninety (90) days.

Motion by Nick Gizzi that the Administrative/Personnel Committee recommends to the RWA Board we engage Shaver Employment Agency to search for an Association Manager. Seconded by Pete Traverso and approved unanimously.

Last month we reported that our accounting system “21st Century” had been compromised. A volunteer, John Piepmeier offered to help us, but unfortunately that did not work out. During the past month we have had multiple malfunctions with 21st Century; however with the help of our support systems and Ken Hirsch, we have made several changes to our software and hopefully the problems we encountered are behind us. The accounting entries for 2006 are not current. We are working on this problem.

Aquatic Canal System – The Aquatic/Canal Bank Committee met on April 25. The progress on the 5 Year Plan was discussed and is progressing on schedule. Volume I should be completed by the end of May.

Although water levels are low, the canals generally look good. There are some areas that still have a high concentration of eel grass or Vallisneria. John Farrell of Florida Aquatics informed us that the only way to guarantee elimination of the Vallisneria would be to hit it hard with chemicals. The problem with this is that the majority of people on the canals irrigate their lawns with this water and the chemicals would kill their plants and lawns. The only safe way to do this would be to restrict any water withdrawals from the canals for thirty days. By using lower concentrations of chemical, the problem area can be controlled, but will take longer to see results.

Norb Zoltowski, Nick Gizzi and Cleon Kern met with the County Stormwater Manager Joanne Vernon and Project Manager John DeGiovine on May 1 at 1:00 PM. The purpose of the requested meeting was to determine Charlotte County’s intent/purpose in accepting Non-exclusive Outfall Drainage Easement from the Cape Cave Developer, adopted February 8, 2000, for a fee, after the Outfall property involved was sold to the State.

The County Storm Water Representatives were not aware of the documents existence, but said such agreements are generally accepted to allow access under emergency drainage conditions involving Public waterways. The County has no maintenance obligation or plans for the Rotonda outfall areas involved in these easements.

The Canal Infrastructure & Storm Water Outflow Sub-committee will continue to research methods to get these outfall areas repaired.

Sub Committee: Aquatic Trash Prevention and Clean-up – Don and Belinda Olsen would like to institute a monthly schedule of cleaning our streets and lots.

Motion by Nick Gizzi that the Aquatic/Canal Bank Committee recommends that Don and Belinda Olsen join the Aquatic Trash Prevention and Clean-up Sub Committee. Seconded by Ken Guillerm and unanimously approved.

The next Aquatic/Canal System meeting is scheduled for May 25, 2007 at 3:00 PM.

Beautification/Mowing – Chair Claudette Romano gave the following report. The Beautification/Mowing Committee met on May 3, 2007. Art Richards brought his drawings of what the Oakland Hills Marina will look like. It will have a total make-over. The drawings are on the wall of the Community Center meeting room. After the meeting you are more than welcome to look at them.

Clean-Up Week was a great success. Nick Gizzi stated that 150 bags of trash were collected, which was approximately 1,500 pounds of garbage. Other items picked up were tires, a hot water tank and a stove.

I am sure many of you, while crossing the Cape Haze Bridge, when coming to today’s meeting have noticed the “dead” Pigmy palms. Five (5) of the six (6) palms have been deliberately killed. A Report was made to the Sheriff’s Office on Monday, May 7. Calls have come into the Office asking about these palms. We have been keeping an eye on them for a few weeks now, but instead of improving, they died. Oak Farms is very upset that someone would deliberately kill these palms. Bill Newberry, owner of Oak Farms, will replace these palms and one coconut palm tree. Mr. Newberry stated it is a reflection on Oak Farms and RWA for the condition of the plantings on the Cape Haze Drive bridge. Mr. Newberry is asking for some help from RWA to defray some of the cost. The cost of a Pigmy palm is $175.00, planted.

Motion by Claudette Romano that the Beautification/Mowing Committee recommends to the Board of Directors that they approve $500 to be paid to Oak Farms Nursery to help defray the cost of replacing the Pigmy palm trees. Seconded by George Krabbe and unanimously approved.

A Family Fun Day is being planned by the RWA Beautification/Mowing Committee, Rotonda Golf Partners (David Kelly) and the American Legion Post #113 to be held at the G. C. Herring Park (near the American Legion building). The date is Saturday, August 25, with a rain date of August 26. David Kelly stated that it would be similar to the Placida Seafood Festival. We could sell space to vendors who are children oriented and have booths that sell hamburgers, hot dogs, sodas and cotton candy. This will go to the Rotonda West Beautification Committee. David Kelly stated that Charlotte County has approved the use of the park. There could be a charge to the vendor of $50.00 per booth.

Committee Member Bruce Miller questioned if any Committee is taking ownership of the problems at Pinemoor Golf Course. The answer was “No”. Mr. Miller stated that a Committee needs to follow up on this problem. Discussion ensued and the Committee consists of Nick Gizzi, Claudette Romano and George Krabbe. A meeting has been scheduled with Commissioner Tom Moore on Wednesday, May 16 at 10:00 AM, in Commissioner Moore’s office. If you are affected by this situation, please write a letter and deliver it to the Rotonda West Office by Tuesday, May 15. We will personally deliver the letters to Commissioner Moore on Wednesday, May 16. A few other issues will also be discussed with Commissioner Moore.

Budget and Finance – In the absence of Chair, Bruce Miller, Co-Chair Claudette Romano gave the report. The Budget & Finance Committee met on April 26 at 2:00 PM. As discussed at the Board of Directors meeting on April 11, RWA’s Checking and Money Market accounts were zeroed out from First Community Bank. The total amount $71,016.76 was placed in RWA’s Money Market account at Englewood Bank.

The one (1) year CDARS matured on May 3, 2007. The starting balance was $61,945.53. RWA received a check for $64,724.00 which was deposited in the RWA Money Market account at Englewood Bank.

The Committee discussed and decided to purchase two (2) $60,000 certificates of deposit to mature in December, 2007. $60,000 of the CDARS which matured on May 3 will be invested in a CD which will mature in November, 2007.

Discussion ensued pertaining to keeping separate the Reserve dollars and Operating dollars, which are invested. Our Reserve funds could be invested in longer maturing CD’s – 6 or 9 months and even 1 year. In order to do this, ALL Committees will be asked to not only come up with dollar ($) amounts for a project, but also a time line for projects to begin, making sure the invested Reserve dollars come due at the time of the project.

Also discussed was obtaining a Line of Credit from Englewood Bank, which would be used ONLY in case of Emergency – Storm Damage. Committee member, Lois Burger indicated that RWA could have an Equity Line of Credit which would be backed by our CD’s.

Another issue discussed was “Overdraft Protection”. Paper work has been obtained and will be processed by the end of the week.

Director George Krabbe stated that the five (5) Silk Oak trees, which are in the Poison Ivy family, need to be trimmed or removed. These trees are dead and infested with carpenter ants and termites. A skin from a pigmy rattler was found inside a tree.

A severe trim would cost $100 per tree. A motion was made by John Carroll and seconded by Bud Nill to recommend to the Board of Directors to have John Eisele Inc. severely trim these trees, which were overhanging the Community Center Building. Motion passed unanimously.

Once trimmed, it was clear that they were dead and needed to be removed. An e-mail was sent to all Board members asking their approval to totally remove these trees and replace them with soil and sod. Six Board Members gave a positive reply to remove the trees. The job was completed Monday, May 7.

The four (4) Pigmy palms you see at the ends of the Community Center building were donated by John Eisele Inc. and Bill Newberry, owner of Oak Farms Nursery.

Thank you John Eisele for your dedication to Rotonda West.

Director George Burger stated that the RWA budget is based on all owners paying the annual assessment. Approximately 500 assessments are not yet paid.

Community Relations – Chair Ken Guillerm stated that the Community Relations Committee met on May 2, 2007. Items discussed were:

  • The list of issues for the next West Ways
  • Specific financials should not be included
  • The survey about parking, that was requested by the Deed Restriction Committee should not be included in West Ways

Motion by Ken Guillerm to recommend to the Board of Directors to withdraw their motion to include Commercial Vehicle Parking survey in West Ways. Seconded by Claudette Romano.

It was explained that the reasons for the motion are that the responsibility to define parking problems should fall on the Deed Restriction Committee and not the consensus of the membership, and that it would open the West Ways to become a poll/forum for negative or false complaints.

Motion by George Burger to revisit the motion. Seconded by Pete Traverso and approved unanimously.

The Committee agreed to not include Pinemoor troubles in West Ways. Additional pages in the West Ways were discussed, but no decision was made at this point.

Motion by Ken Guillerm to recommend to the Board of Directors to pursue a small claims court case to obtain the cost of RWA West Ways Production Software per the direction of the attorney. The motion was seconded by Pete Traverso and carried unanimously.

There was discussion about including a telephone directory on the RWA website. The Committee concluded that the RWA is too large for a directory to be feasible.

The next meeting of the Community Relations Committee is scheduled for June 6, 2007 at 3:00 PM.

Compliance Committee – President Gizzi said he received a phone call from an owner on Annapolis Lane pleading for a chance to speak to the Compliance Committee. He owns a rental property and had bad tenants. Deed violation fines accumulated to over $2,000. The owner’s brother had represented the owner at a Compliance hearing. The Compliance Committee decided not to remove or reduce the fine. The owner claims that he was not properly notified that he was being fined, and would like to be heard.

Another owner from Oakland Hills Road recently came into the office pleading hardship. His fines for an unlicensed truck are over $3,300. He said he was up north in a terrible situation and asked if the Board would be willing to reduce his fines. A letter from the owner was received after the scheduled Compliance meeting. Mr. Forster said a second notice of hearing was sent to the owner, suggesting that someone stand in for the owner. Mr. Forster received no reply.

President Gizzi and Mrs. Romano were in the office when the owner came in to speak with them. Mr. Gizzi said the owner was very credible. Mrs. Romano said there were extenuating circumstances. George Burger said Mr. Forster went out of his way to meet with the owner, but it didn’t work out.

Compliance Committee Chair John Forster said both compliance hearings were this year under the current Board of Directors. It is his opinion that both fines should stand.

Motion by Pete Traverso to uphold the Compliance Committee actions on both hearings. Seconded by Ken Guillerm and unanimously approved.

Deed Restrictions – Chair George Burger reported that the Committee met on Monday, May 1. The Committee will begin to revise the Deed Restrictions in four or five sections, to be ready for approval when the Developer turns over the Deed Restrictions to the RWA.

Pete Traverso met with Steven Norton at the North Port Florida Power and Light office, to discuss drop lines. Mr. Norton recommended a recorded resolution for new construction in Rotonda West. The cost to the owner would be less if the new home is built on the same side of the street as the existing power poles. The cost would be more if the house is on the opposite side of the street, which would require boring under the road.

Motion by Pete Traverso to recommend to the Board of Directors to create a resolution, joined in with the Developer that would require all power, telephone and cable TV on the line drops to be underground as of the recording date of the resolution. Seconded by George Burger and unanimously approved.

Motion by George Burger to recommend to the Board of Directors that the Rotonda West Association attorney write the line drop resolution. Seconded by George Krabbe and unanimously approved.

Chair Burger announced that the next meeting of the Deed Restrictions Committee will be June 5 at 9:00 AM.

RWA Properties – Chair George Krabbe gave the following report.

  1. The steps in the rear of the Community Center have been repaired and repainted.
  2. The handicap ramp has been repainted with a sand finish.
  3. The front steps of the Community Center have been repainted by John Eisele, Inc. There were no labor charges, it was donated by John Eisele.
  4. The outside of the Community Center was power washed by John Eisele, Derek Gilbert and crew at no cost.
  5. The offices at the Community Center have been painted.
  6. The 3 window blinds in the offices have been replaced at a cost of $11.00 each.
  7. The kitchen walls and cabinets were cleaned by Claudette Romano and Dianne Brophy.
  8. The refrigerator was cleaned by Claudette Romano.
  9. The windows on the front of the Community Center were cleaned by Norene Kugler.
  10. The faucets in the women’s restroom were replaced. Bud Eisele installed the faucets at no cost.
  11. The kitchen faucet was replaced.
  12. The ceiling fans in the Community Center were cleaned by Joe Romano.
  13. The trees that were overhanging the Community Center were cut down. They were rotted and full of termites and carpenter ants. The area was filled in with top soil and sod was laid. John Eisele, Inc. and Oak Farms nursery donated and planted 4 palm trees at no cost.

I wish to thank Claudette, Norene, Dianne, John and Bud Eisele, Derek Gilbert, Joe Romano and anyone else involved in these projects.

We discontinued the rental of storage unit 161 at U-Store of Rotonda effective May 1, 2007. This will save the Association $53.00 + tax per month.

There were 2 incidents of vandalism to the Gazebo reported to the sheriff’s office. April 6, 2007, two boys were observed by Claudette Romano throwing and spreading mud on the gazebo. The boys got away. John Eisele, Inc. cleaned and painted the gazebo. On April 16, 2007, I checked the gazebo and found graffiti on the columns and bench. On April 17 on my way home from the Community Center, I noticed two girls at the Gazebo. One of them appeared to be writing on the bench. I stopped and talked to the girls and called the sheriff’s office. The girls admitted their involvement to the sheriff’s officer. The columns and bench were repainted by the girls and their families on April 19, 2007.

Nick Gizzi and George Krabbe met with members of Greater Rotonda Organization (GRO) and their lawyer on April 27, 2007 regarding the voluntary building fund. Their lawyer is checking several options.

The Properties Committee is working on a 5 year plan and taking an inventory of the properties and equipment for the reserve study.

Residential Modification – Chairman Traverso asked Dianne Brophy, Deed Restriction secretary to give the RMC report. Dianne Brophy said there have been 11 RMC applications for the month of April.

Rotonda West Street & Drainage Advisory Committee – Chair Claudette Romano gave the following report. The Committee will meet on the third Monday of the month at 2:00 PM. We are still in need of Section Leaders for Pine Valley and White Marsh.

Tim Free, Maintenance & Operations Manager of Charlotte County Public Works and Barry DiMello will try to make our meeting on May 21 to give us an update on our drainage situation.

A recent update that I received from Tim Free states:

  1. The backyard/greenbelt swale and golf course ditch ownership issue is the same – it is in Legal’s hands.
  2. The failed outfall pipe on Rotonda Circle near Oakland Hills Place cannot be lined. We cannot replace it without fear of damaging the homes foundations. This is with our Engineering Department to determine how to re-route the drainage to a different location. I submitted this to Dan Quick, the County Engineer.
  3. The survey has been received for the drainage coming from Golf View flowing through the golf course. There are many under-sized pipes within the golf course where the water drains. This problem will not be corrected by County crews, unless I’m otherwise directed to do so. For the most part, there were no major blockages identified in the open swale areas of the golf course. It is working according to the drainage plan and the pipes are open to the Rotonda River. I spoke with our Storm Water Department and it is our opinion that the dam across Coral Creek was not operated properly which in turn raised the Rotonda River preventing some area from draining as they have in the past.
  4. We are still working on opening the outfall pipes where they enter the greenbelts. I’m sure Barry would be more than happy to update the Committee at your May 21st meeting.
  5. The grate/catch basin situation is still being investigated by my staff to determine what all needs to be done. Once we have this info, the work will be scheduled immediately after. I believe we should be able to schedule this work within three (3) weeks.

Unfinished Business
President Gizzi asked David Kelly (Rotonda Golf Partners) to give an update on the Pine Valley Golf cart paths. David showed drawings for the proposed golf cart paths.

Motion by George Burger that the RWA approve the Pine Valley golf cart paths as presented on the two (2) DMK Associates Inc. drawings. The golf cart paths will be concrete. Seconded by Claudette Romano and approved unanimously.

New Business
Mr.Gizzi said he, Claudette Romano, George Krabbe and David Kelly are scheduled to meet with Commissioner Tom Moore on Wednesday, May 16 at 10:00 AM to discuss RWA concerns – Pinemoor Golf Course, maintenance responsibilities, flooding issues, sink holes, curbing of Rotonda Boulevard West, etc.

Mr. Gizzi asked that anyone affected by any of these issues, please write a letter and deliver it to the Rotonda West office by Tuesday, May 15.  The letters will be delivered to Commissioner Moore on Wednesday, May 16, 2007.

Members Input
Jim Tibert expressed his appreciation to members of the Board of Directors for their work during the time that there is no Association Manager. Mr. Tibert suggested that payables checks be signed by Board members, other than the member who is working in the office.

Directors Input
President Gizzi said water pressure and water quality during the past few months have been intermittently below average in Rotonda. Last month one of our members, Jim Guilfoyle, asked why the idle reverse osmosis plant in the center of Rotonda West wasn’t activated as he was told that it could be activated within 48 hours if necessary. Mr. Guilfoyle asked if activation of the plant would increase the quality and quantity of water for Rotonda West.

President Gizzi asked Charlotte County Administrator, Bruce Loucks this question. Mr. Loucks asked Jeff Pearson, Utilities Director for Charlotte County Utilities the same question. Mr. Pearson’s reply was, “The Rotonda Water Treatment Plant was decommissioned several years age. The wells went bad and the lime softening plant was unable to meet drinking water standards when it was decommissioned.  I looked at the plant a couple of months ago; it’s in a state of disrepair and needs to be demolished. CCU has been receiving little, to no low pressure complaints since we repaired the Rotonda storage tank except when we have had to perform routine emergency repairs.”

A confusing situation has been corrected. There were two Pine Valley Lanes. One of them has been renamed West Pine Valley Lane.

Ken Guillerm reported that in response to his email to Commissioner Tom Moore, Tara Musselman of Charlotte County Public Works stated that Charlotte County will be going out for bids for the trees and median curbing for the Rotonda Boulevard West entrance. The work should be complete within 60 days.

Claudette Romano announced that Treasurer, Bruce Miller has completed radiation treatments. Bruce Miller’s wife, Deanna is scheduled for lung surgery on May 18. Art Richards, Aquatic Canal System member will have triple bypass surgery on May 18.

Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:34 PM.  The next scheduled Board meeting is June 13, 2007 at 3:00 PM.

 

Norene Kugler
Assistant Manager