Rotonda West Association, Inc.
Board Of Directors Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

PRESENT: Nick Gizzi, Claudette Romano, George Krabbe, George Burger, Bruce Miller, Pete Traverso

Absent: Ken Guillerm

Management: Julie Pittman, Manager, Norene Kugler, Assistant Manager, Dianne Brophy, Secretary

Other Members: Joe Romano, John Eisele, Donna Krabbe, Sue & Hank Artz, Ginni Mahon, Lois Burger, Linda and Bob Bondeson, Carl Couture, Walt and Claudette Taylor, Earl Haas, Barry Oglesby 

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. and Roll Call was taken. The minutes from August 8, 2007 were approved as presented.

Treasure's Report: Bruce Miller thanked Claudette for all the help she has given him since February. There are currently 207 delinquent assessments open. There is approximately $448,868 in CD's. 

Manager's Report: Julie Pittman, RWA Manager gave summary reports on the Election, Beautification, Budget/Finance, Community Relations, and Properties Committees.

Committee Reports

Election Committee: Sue Artz stated that Nick Gizzi and Earl Haas are the only two (2) candidates to come forward for two (2) positions on the Board. As this is the first time this has ever happened, the Committee wondered if there was any way they could forego the substantial expense of conducting a formal election. Attorney DeBoest advised that the election must be held. 

Madsen Law suit – At this time there is no news to report. 

Administrative/Personnel: Nick Gizzi stated there was an open meeting on September 7, 2007 with Attorney DeBoest. Most of the Board members were present. George Burger participated via speakerphone. Due to a new law that was enacted July 1, 2007, we may now collect Deed Restriction fines after properties have gone in foreclosure. The properties RWA listed prior to the July 1 date would not be affected by this law. Currently we cite specific autos for violations, Attorney DeBoest stated that RWA can site the owner of the property each time there is a violation, regardless of the number of autos involved. Attorney DeBoest encouraged RWA to rewrite the restrictions and we informed him that it is already in progress.

Aquatic/Canal Bank: Nick Gizzi stated that the Committee did not formally meet in August due to many of our members traveling. However, many of the Committee members communicated via email to put the finishing touches on the 2008 budget for Aquatics.

Special Meeting: Due to the efforts by our Canal Infrastructure & Storm Water Outflow sub-committee: a meeting is scheduled for September 19, 2007, between Charlotte County Public Works, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the South West Florida Water Management District (SWFMUD).  They will be discussing what must be done to correct the potential flooding danger to Rotonda West.  The structures (weirs) in the St. Andrews sub division (now part of the Charlotte Harbor State Preserve), are in disrepair and the Coral Creek Dam is overgrown with Pepper trees.  Nick stated that he would attend this meeting.

Beautification/Mowing: Claudette Romano reported that the Committee has continued discussing the Oakland Hills Marina Renovations that are scheduled for 2008.  At the August 9, 2007 meeting discussion took place regarding the Sun Newspaper boxes. MOTION BY CLAUDETTE ROMANO THAT THE SUN NEWSPAPERS MUST CONFORM TO THE STANDARDS SET FORTH BY ROTONDA WEST ASSOCIATION, INC., AND ALL BOXES MUST BE THE SAME AS THE PAPER BOXES ALREADY INSTALLED BY THE HERALD TRIBUNE.  IF UNWILLING TO CONFORM, ALL BOXES MUST BE REMOVED BY THE SUN NEWSPAPER WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS.  FUTURE INSTALLATION OF ANY BOXES MUST BE APPROVED BY ROTONDA WEST ASSOCATION, INC.  SECONDED BY PETE TRAVERSO.  MOTION CARRIED.  The Sun also has been informed to stop throwing their old newspapers into Rotonda West Association Inc., garbage cans.  The following projects have been completed by the Beautification/Mowing Committee in 2007:  White Marsh Memorial Park, all directional signs have reflective background and lettering, the Cape Haze Drive bridge enhancement and Rotonda Boulevard West bridge upgrade.  The Committee has agreed to adopt a few Rotonda West families for Christmas and provide them with a box filled with items for Christmas dinner.  Family Fun Day was held on Saturday, August 25, 2007.  The original closing time was changed due to the fact that it was a very hot day.  Eight children won bicycles of their choice or skateboards.  A thank you was sent out to all that helped with this event.  Donna Krabbe presented the Committee with a check for $115.70 from proceeds of their bake sale at Family Fun Day. The extra cookies and brownies were sent to the Troops over seas, donated to Meals on Wheels and the local Fire Station.

Budget & Finance: Bruce Miller stated that Budget& Finance had met three (3) times in the past month. The restructure of the General Ledger System has continued. The work on the 2008 Budget has begun. Bruce asked the Board for some direction for this Budget. Bruce suggested that a column be written up in the next West Ways issue to explain the spending. Pete Traverse stated that 15% has been in the Deed Restrictions for many years and as RWA grows, the demand for services will increase. Claudette Romano asked the Committee Chairs to look at their Budgets and concentrate on what really needs to be done in 2008.  Bruce agreed with this concept. 

Community Relations: The Community Relations meeting was held on September 5, 2007. Editor Don Mahan reviewed the items for the next issue of the West Ways newsletter. The web site is current with Rotonda happenings, thanks to the efforts of Ken Hirsch and Wayne Mengel. We now have a first class web site for all to be proud of. Discussion was dedicated to the Elks/RWA Christmas Parade. Representatives from the Elks outlined their plans. The parade will coincide with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at the Gazebo. Linda Harrison has accepted the roll to represent the RWA in this undertaking. She will be the conduit between the Elks and RWA. All questions and suggestions should be directed to Linda. She will then discuss it with the Elks. Volunteers are sorely needed to aid in the endeavor. Please contact Linda to offer your services. From all indications, the parade will be outstanding and any donations received by the Elks will provide Christmas to the needy children in Rotonda. Perhaps this will lead to another annual event. The Board is very interested in seeing a copy of the permit from the County to ensure that RWA doesn't need to obtain insurance for this event.

Compliance: no report

Deed Restrictions: George Burger stated that the Committee has been working on updating the Deed Restrictions.  George will work with Julie to compose a letter to collect some of the outstanding fines.

RWA Properties: The Properties Committee met on August 14, 2007 and August 27, 2007, to prepare their budget request. There are funds available in the Reserves for office equipment. The purchase of these items will make the office run more efficiently.  The purchases will be in 2007. The copier and fax machine have been purchased. We are investigating and gathering information for the purchase of two (2) computers, a telephone and internet system, a digital media projector and a home owner's association software (with training). In the 2008 budget request, we are asking for funds to repair the exterior of the Community Center, repair the Gazebo, landscape the gazebo island, install signs at the gazebo and memorial parks, repair or replace the irrigation systems and lighting at the memorial parks and lot B, maintenance and repair of the RWA boat, motor and trailer. The Committee is asking that funds be put into the Reserves for repair and replacement of the roof, air conditioners, air handlers at the Community Center, and the repair or replacement of the docks and bridge.  MOTION: BY GEORGE KRABBE TO PUCHASE TWO (2) COMPUTERS, TELEPHONES, UPDATED INTERNET SERVICE, A DIGITAL MEDIA PROJECTOR AND HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION SOFTWARE. PURCHASE NOT TO EXCEED $9500.   SECONDED BY BRUCE MILLER. MOTION CARRIED. George discussed the Community Center Janitorial Service. He has gone over the original contract and stated various items that were not being done. He requested that the cleaning of the Community Center be sent out for bid. George asked Julie to obtain three bids. 

Residential Modifications:  Pete Traverso asked Dianne Brophy, Deed restriction secretary, to give the RMC report.  Dianne said there have been 8 RMC applications for the month of August.

RWA Street and Drainage:  Claudette Romano stated that on September 11, 2007; she, John Eisele and Tara Musselman, from Charlotte County Public Works, toured Rotonda West Association to discuss several different areas of concern. The pipes have been repaired at Pinehurst Road between Mariner Lane and Fairway Road, Broadmoor Road between Broadmoor Lane and Sportsman Road, washout at bridge between Rotonda Blvd. South and Boundary Blvd (Brass Bridge) and grade work on Marker Road. The flooding issues will be addressed in the 2008 Budget. There is a drain missing on Golfview Road (at the end before making a left/right). Tara is checking on this. Additional asphalt is needed across from the Pebble Beach Memorial Park in order to pitch the water into the grassy area. We are waiting for a patch crew to be in the area. Where the new curbing has been installed, (the V area to allow water to drain off the roadway) is blocked by dirt. A crew will trench this area for now and there is a concrete spillway in the Budget for 2008. Several bad/missing grates have been replaced and/or repaired. County needs to apply for "Right of Way Access" to fix Grade in Swale that was covered up during entrance construction (Tall Pines Condo Entrance). There are depressions in roadway located at 657 and 1140 Rotonda Circle that Tara is checking on with CCU on this.    Tara indicated that the faded "No Trespassing" and "Bird Sanctuary" signs could be removed.

Unfinished Business:  none reported

New Business and Communications: none reported

Members Input: Joe Romano, 313 Rotonda Circle stated that he would like to see the Sun newspaper box issue resolved.

Directors Input: Bruce Miller suggested that Earl Haas be added to the distribution list.  Bruce was informed that Earl is on the list.

Adjournment: 4:39 p.m.

Next Meeting: October 10, 2007

Submitted by:  Julie Pittman, CAM Manager