Rotonda West Association, Inc
Beautification/Mowing Committee
Minutes
Thursday, February 7, 2008

Present: George Krabbe, Chair., Bruce Miller, Barbara Peszko, John Peszko, Linda Harrison and Art Richards

Absent: Sue Artz

Management: Dianne Brophy, Deed Restriction Secretary

Other Member/Visitors Present: Claudette and Joseph Romano, Susan Vermette, John Carroll, Nick Gizzi and Charlotte Plizga.

Chairman Krabbe called the meeting to order and roll call was taken. Minutes of the previous meeting December 6, 2007, were approved as presented.

Chairman Krabbe explained to the committee how he runs meetings and that he welcomes input from committee members and attendees.

Chairman Krabbe stated the newspaper boxes in the Memorial Parks have been installed as of January 4, 2008. Advertisements will not be allowed on the boxes and the boxes will be well maintained. Bruce Miller suggested a Thank You be sent to Lang Capasso. Chairman Krabbe stated he sent a Thank You to Mr. Capasso and also thanked Claudette Romano for her involvement in getting all the same newspaper boxes at the Marinas.

George Krabbe stated safety signs are needed at the Marinas for insurance purposes. A meeting was held with the insurance agent and he suggested that these signs be put up to protect the Association. The Properties Committee and the Beautification and Mowing Committee will have to work together on this project. This committee needs to decide the type of sign and the information needed. Currently the signs at the marina state, "Marina Or Memorial Park is for the use of Residents and Guests only and use at your own risk, alligators in the area and no swimming." George Krabbe suggested other information on signs be no littering and no open fires. Chairman Krabbe asked the committee members what they would like. Art Richards said the metal signs should be removed. Discussion followed on type of material to use for sign and wording on signs. It was suggested the signs be similar in materials to the signs at the Memorial Parks. George Krabbe said the signs have to say, "Use at your own risk." The insurance agent said there is no standard language for this type sign. John Peszko asked who will be paying for these signs. George Krabbe said it will be under either the Beautification Committee or the Properties Committee. Because of the liability issues these signs are needed. Linda Harrison would like to have the least amount of words on the signs. Art Richards stated that there was an agreement with the county that a sign would be posted, " No Parking in Right of Way." Claudette Romano suggested No Long Term Parking. Bruce Miller would like to see only one (1) sign. John Peszko asked who will be enforcing these rules. It will be a deterrent. Bruce Miller asked if there are any Catch and Release signs. Yes, they are at the marinas and they are metal signs. They are not mandatory. They should be removed. George Krabbe said he will get prices for the signs and will have to go before the Finance Committee regarding funding. They will be of the same material as the signs at the Memorial Parks and the wording will be Use at your own Risk, No Long Term Parking, No Littering and No Open Fires. There was discussion on the Catch and Release signs. Nick Gizzi said he was having someone come in from Fish and Wildlife to discuss stocking the canals.

Chairman Krabbe gave his report on the Oldies Dance and Silent Auction. The dance was on January 26th , music was provided by Leo’s Dance Party and there were 107 people in attendance. There were thirty six donors and we grossed $2,085.00 less expenses of $50.00 for a net of $2,035.00 which will be used for Beautification projects. There was coverage in the Englewood Sun Herald on February 6, 2008. A list of the donors and pictures taken by Dave Pulaski were sent to Susan Erwin. She said if space was available they would be in the newspapers. Only one picture and none of the donors were in the newspapers. George Krabbe asked the Committee if an ad should be taken out in the newspapers thanking the donors. Committee members said yes. John Carroll said David Kelly should put an ad in the newspapers thanking the donors. George Krabbe said David Kelly did the dance. George said he and John Eisele told the donors they would be thanked in the press. Bruce Miller said since the donors were told they would be in the paper, it needs to be done. George Krabbe said he would check prices.

Chairman Krabbe said next item on the agenda are the dead trees on the boulevards. This goes back many years. The MSBU has $100,00.00 for trees. John Eisele, Barb Peszko and George Krabbe took a survey of the trees on the boulevards–East, North and West. The trees were not planted according to the plans submitted to the County; therefore, the median sections are different. Some medians have two (2) palm trees, some have five (5) and some have no palms. Examples are shown. This was done in three (3) phases and first phase was approved and the plan was approved but the County did whatever they wanted. A copy of this plan was shown. Some of the trees have died and some maybe dormant. Discussion followed on the condition of the trees. Art Richards said to get in writing from the County all the information needed. John Carroll said Dr. Coy said a botanist is needed and Tara Musselman said we don’t need a plan just tell us what you want. We don’t have a choice of when and what the County does. John Carroll said we have to keep on them to make sure they follow a plan we want. George Krabbe said when he went around with John Eisele and Barb Peszko, approximately 56 Cabbage Palms and 231 other trees are needed. We have to wait until growing season to see if some of the trees are dead or just dormant. We need to find out from Tara Musselman the type of trees available, who is responsible for planting, maintenance and watering of the trees and, if there is a warranty, how long is it good for. Will the RWA incur any expense in this project. John Peszko said this $100,000.00 is a result of the builder’s fines for not putting trees in certain places. That $100,000.00 is dedicated just for Rotonda. It has to go out in a bid from the County. You may be able to pick the trees you want out of the group they give you. Discussion followed. There was discussion about the trees planted and that they were from Miami. It was discussed that trees have to come from this area to survive. Claudette Romano said when you have a meeting with Tara Musselman bring up these problems. Art Richards said the layout is already on record. There is no call for another drawing. Changing trees would be no problem. There was discussion on the planting of the trees. George Krabbe said a meeting is needed with Tara Musselman. Claudette Romano said the major question for Tara is who is responsible for watering.

Next on agenda is the Five Year Plan. Some of the projects are completed. George Krabbe reported on what has been done and is waiting to be done. John Peszko asked about the signs placed by the golf courses. Secretary Brophy said the County has okayed the signs. There was discussion regarding the entrance signs. Bruce Miller said they look like they were painted. George Krabbe said the large signs at Rebel Court, and Boulevards North and West; and the small signs at Cape Haze Drive and Boulevards North and East were painted in 2007 and there is no money to replace them at this time. Bruce Miller asked why is it on the Five Year Plan. George explained this was from last year. The Oakland Hills Marina upgrade has been put on hold. George Krabbe asked the Committee if they want to start planning or leave it until June and see what monies are available. Discussion followed on the Oakland Hills Marina project. Oakland Hills Marina plan is done. The CCU connection is incomplete. Bruce Miller stated we should plan now. Get it on the books, so when we develop the 2009 budget it is there. It can at least be considered at that time. Nick Gizzi said I would like to see this Committee go five (5) years out. We should set a goal and put numbers in place.

Barbara Peszko asked about upgrading the street lights in Oakland Hills. It was stated it was for the up lighting at the Oakland Hills Marina.

George Krabbe said we have no idea what the cost will be to do Marina. We need to decide if we are going to do it in stages. Barbara Peszko asked if there is any money in the budget to do any marina. George Krabbe said there is no money allocated for anything. The board said to wait until the end of the second quarter before any major projects are thought of. The only money that Beautification has is what is in reserves. Claudette Romano said there is $12,000.00 in reserves.

Art Richards said a couple of things that would enhance our projects is waiting on a determination from MSBU of power to light up our bridges when you come in to Rotonda West. All that is need is power to those areas. Claudette Romano said at the last MSBU meeting it was stated the money is still there for this project. Art Richard said the bridge markers would enhance this area and are a safety issue and that they have started but not completed. John Peszko said the County is saying due to the tax reduction there is no money to do anything. Art Richards said the bike paths need to be revisited. Discussion ensued. In Pine Valley something should be done with the Brass Bridge–Boulevard South Bridge. George Krabbe said that can be added into our Five Year Plan. Art Richards talked about the work pit on Tee View causing dirt and dust. Discussion followed on this problem.

Bruce Miller said he would like to see this committee follow through on the Oakland Hills Marina renovation. Get a plan, get a price as one project and submit specs and see what that will cost. Get all the information so that when it comes time to work on our budget, at the end of the year, we know where we stand and how much money we want to allocate for canals and mowing and beautification. We will need that information no later than August–Budget and Finance. There was discussion about contacting some contractors to see if an estimate of the cost of this project could be given. There was discussion about the bidding process and the associated costs. Linda Harrison asked if there is a website this could be put on.

George Krabbe said up lighting of the entrances could be put on projects for 2008. George Krabbe side he would add the up lighting when he e-mails Tara Musselman about the trees.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm

The next meeting will be March 13, 2008 at 10:00 am

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne M. Brophy
Secretary