Rotonda West Association, Inc
Beautification/Mowing Committee
Minutes
Thursday, March 13, 2008

Present: George Krabbe (Chair), Sue Artz, Linda Harrison, Art Richards, Charlotte Plizga and Susan Vermette

Absent: Bruce Miller, Barbara and John Peszko

Management: Dianne Brophy, Secretary

Other Members: Ross Shahan, Earl Haas, Claudette and Joseph Romano, John Carroll, John Eisele,
Reggie Baker, Ray Lyman and Donna Krabbe

Minutes were accepted as presented.

Chairman Krabbe said the signs at the Memorial Parks have been discussed somewhat at previous meetings. We are working with the Properties Committee on the signs. Since the last discussion, I have done more checking. There is a product called alumalite, which is a 2-sided piece of aluminum with a plastic core inside. This product withstands weather better than the wooden signs. George Krabbe showed the committee a sample of alumalite. I have checked the signs at Broadmoor, Pebble Beach and White Marsh. The sign at Pebble Beach is made of white wood it is spongy and decaying. The sign at Broadmoor the paint is peeling off the back where the In Memory names are located. The White Marsh sign is relatively new and at this time there are no problems. I contacted Quick Signs, the maker of the signs, and explained the signs are faulty and asked if there was any warranty. Quick Signs went out and looked at the signs and agreed they are faulty. They are replacing the signs at their expense. I don’t feel that we should replace the signs with the same material. I asked Quick Signs if they had any other material the signs could be made of. Quick Signs has a material similar to alumalite but it is more expensive. At the Properties Committee there was discussion of erecting 2 signs. The consensus was to erect 1 sign. I would like to know the committee’s feeling on erecting one sign. The signs would be the same as we have now but the Rules and Regulations would be added. The Rules and Regulations are:

• Use at your own risk.
• No swimming alligators
• No open flames

We are trying to eliminate multiple signs.

Quick Signs was asked if they could do the new signs with all the information included. I was told it could be done with an adjusted price. Signs in a Day was also contacted regarding the price of the signs. A sign 32 by 32, two sided and non-reflective would cost $347.45. This price would include posts, installation and taxes. Chairman Krabbe asked the committee should we have the signs made of this new material and should a price be obtained from Quick Signs with the adjustment? Discussion followed. Art Richards said the signs should be separate. The Memorial Park sign with the names of people whose names are In Memory Of should be kept separate. George Krabbe explained the Rules sign would be smaller, but new posts would have to be put in. The Rules sign cannot be placed on the same poles as the Memorial Signs as the poles are too short. George went on to explain in order to be covered for liability you have to be able to see and read the sign. The sign needs to be in an area where people can walk up and see it. The lettering cannot be less than 1 inch; actually the lettering should be 1-¼ inches.

Joseph Romano asked was Quick Signs going to replace the defective signs? Yes. Joseph Romano went on to say with the tight financial constraints and Quick Signs replacing the defective signs why are we discussing additional signs for additional money. Chairman Krabbe said they would replace the signs with the same material and if we hold off on the Rules signs we are opening the Association up for liability. Claudette Romano said the Rules sign would be separate. Chairman Krabbe said I am asking this committee if they want to combine the signs or have 2 separate signs. Claudette Romano said the Memorial signs were made specifically for the park and should be kept separate especially with the names of the people who donations were made in memory of. The Rules signs could be placed by the water’s edge and are for insurance purposes. If we can get the signs repaired for nothing, let’s get that done. George Krabbe said do we want to have the signs replaced with the same material or do we want to go to the additional expense of the alumalite? Claudette Romano said let’s get the signs fixed and keep them there until we are out of the financial crunch. When funds are available we could have the signs made of a better material. Linda Harrison said she would like to see 1 sign. Charlotte Plizga, Susan Vermette, Sue Artz and Art Richards would like to see 2 signs.

Jay Lyons asked if the Rules sign would be made of Alumalite. Yes. Jay Lyons also said if the signs are separate you could put a large red warning on the Rules sign where it would be noticeable. Joseph Romano asked if prices were given for individual signs. George Krabbe said the price for a single sided sign using 24 by 32 white wood sign, the material at the Memorial Parks now, with the posts and all $325.00. If we went with an engineered aluminum sign material for the Rules, a single sided sign would cost $175.00.
Signs in a Day for a 32 by 24 with 8 foot posts and caps is $230.00 and the Rules sign on the same post the cost would be $85.00. Art Richards asked if the Survey Disc signs from the Department of Public Works could be removed. George Krabbe said he would have that checked out. John Eisele asked if reflective tape would be placed on the signs or use up lighting. George Krabbe said reflective signs are very expensive.

George Krabbe, Jay Lyons, Nick Gizzi, Art Richards, and John Eisele met with Tara Musselman and Gregg O’Connor of Public Works regarding the trees in the medians on the boulevards. A draft of Landscaping Rules and Regulations was provided. The county is trying to get away from planting large trees due to the safety factor, especially where there is no curbing. Trees have to be 7 feet away from the edge of the pavement. The root systems of the larger trees ruin the roadway. Therefore, we cannot have any trees with a truck size over 4 inches. This will be a redo project, which means some trees will be removed and putting in a different planting scheme. George Krabbe showed the committee 3 different schemes from the County. A resident from the audience asked if the county’s intent was to remove all large trees from the medians from the boulevards. Yes, that is their intent. Only the county or their vendors can plant trees in the rights-of-way. George Krabbe went on to say that a list of all the native trees was provided. All the trees and plantings will be from the Native Tree Fund, which is $100,000.00 and designated for Rotonda West. The maintenance and watering would come out of the MSBU Fund. Joseph Romano asked MSBU Funds would be used for the maintenance and watering on these trees. George Krabbe said there would be no expense to the RWA. This is strictly a MSBU and Native Tree Fund project. Charlotte Plizga asked where are these trees going to be planted. On Boulevard North, Boulevard West and Boulevard East. George Krabbe said I don’t see how they can do 6 miles of roadway, which are the 3 boulevards, for $100,000.00. Art Richards asked how far would this money go. Should we do 1 boulevard and see how it works or should we take all the funds. There are 13 islands on each of the boulevard. The 39 islands would be done with one of these schemes. I do not believe it can be done for $100,000.00. Art Richards talked about the meeting with Tara Musselman and Gregg O’Connor. The schemes that we have are deceiving. What is on paper will never be seen. Art Richards explained what the schemes would look like if drawn to scale. The money is in ground cover and not in trees. Anything the county is showing or telling us is better than what is out there now. Each boulevard has 15 islands. The 2 on each end have to be deducted leaving 13 interior islands per boulevard. The one island I would like to see done over any other is where our Gazebo is. I would like to see that done as a sample. The question is how many islands do you want to do to make it worthwhile. That has not been answered yet. Earl Haas asked if the county was going to remove the trees over 4 inches or wait until they die to be replaced. George Krabbe said that question has not been answered yet. George Krabbe said do the Gazebo median and if we like the project there we could take it under advisement to do the median strips. Claudette Romano said by doing that we could see the cost. Also MSBU said it could be up to $100,000.00. George Krabbe said that amount does not include the watering and maintenance. George also said curbing was discussed, but that is very expensive. An audience member asked if this had been done in other communities. Yes. Art Richards said if the MSBU was to complete the curbing at the 3 boulevards we could put in low type vegetation to beautify the intersections; and then do something with the earth island, and if money persists go on to the inner circle portion to Parade. Art Richards went on to say if they want to remove the palms they can place them at the bridges where the Association initially wanted them planted. John Carroll asked if someone from the county could attend a meeting and answer our questions. George Krabbe said we need Gregg O’Connor to come in and explain exactly what he is doing. Art Richards said we could tell him what we would like see. George Krabbe said I would like to see this project done right. I will ask Gregg O’Connor to come to our next meeting. Art Richards suggested that Mr. O’Connor bring in scale drawings so we can see it in its natural perspective. George Krabbe asked if the committee would like to see the Gazebo median done first. The committee said yes. Susan Vermette said she would like to see the beginning of the boulevards done first. Linda Harrison said she has concerns about the watering. We should have a watering schedule. George Krabbe said the trees are guaranteed for a year. Art Richards said he would like to see the project inspected by the county and one of our designees instead of just the county’s designee. John Eisele said this should be done before all the MSBUs are combined. Tara Musselman also said there is more money out there. There is also money for up lighting. John Carroll said she has $650,000.00 committed to the bridges and $700,000.00 that is not committed to anything. Claudette Romano said Tara Musselman wants to make sure all the drainage is correct before the curbing is installed.

George Krabbe said the palms on Rotonda Boulevard West Bridge have been replaced at no cost and the replacements are not under warranty.

On March 6th John Eisele called the office and said 3 foxtail palms were stolen off the Rebel Court Bridge and 2 trees were broken. Be on the look out for anyone selling trees. Also Pete Traverso said trees were stolen from his office and a call was received from a resident in Long Meadow that trees were stolen from their property.

George Krabbe said the Rotonda West Community Church on Boulevard West is requesting permission to put signs up in the Parade area. George has a map showing the locations of the signs. The signs will be on the developer’s land and in the right-of-way; therefore, the Association does not have the authority to approve the placement nor can we give permission to place signs on private property. Your request has to go to the county for permission to put up a sign. Our Deed Restrictions allow for 12 by 18 inch signs only. Pastor Layman asked where could he put his sign. On church owned property. Secretary Brophy said if it were a commercial sign, the developer would have to approve the sign. Art Richards said when he submitted Rotonda West Signs to the county they were carefully scrutinized by the county.

George Krabbe said he received a call from a resident who is concerned about the washing away of the bridge areas because there is not enough growth on the bank. She would like the association to plant some type of perennial to hold the bank. George said he explained the county is talking about redoing those areas.

Ross Shahan addressed the committee on the mowing of vacant lots. He asked who is responsible for checking the work of the mowers. George Krabbe said the previous manager went out to check what the mowers had done. It will be Jay Lyons responsibility when he receives his CAM license. Mr. Shahan said the lot on the corner of White Marsh Lane and White Marsh Road was being mowed 3 years ago and now it is not. George Krabbe said Jay Lyons and I looked at the lot this morning, and the perimeter of that lot can be mowed but the interior cannot be mowed because of the trees. Mr. Shahan said cutting the outer perimeter is the same as cutting the right-of-way. George Krabbe said it appeared they are cutting as much as possible without jeopardizing their safety and equipment. We have to deal with what we have today. Mr. Shahan said at 209 Long Meadow Lane on April 12, 2007, he had that lot cleared and chipped. Jay Lyons said the lot across from 210 Long Meadow Lane is being mowed. It is just not cut close to the ground. There was discussion regarding 209 Long Meadow Lane. George Krabbe said when the vacant lots are cut in April; Mr. Lyons will make sure the lots are mowed. If they are not mowed to what the Association feels is a satisfactory condition, Mr. Welch will be notified to go out and re-mow that lot. George Krabbe said you have the right to mow the lot the way you want to. What I am saying, if you don’t like the height the Association is mowing the lot, you have the right to mow it to your specifications. George said again, in April if you do not like the way it had been cut call the office and Mr. Lyons will go out and look at the property.

George Krabbe talked about the Five Year Master Plan. A copy of this draft plan was given to the members of the committee. Chairman Krabbe talked about the Table of Contents. This will give us the basis of how we will do our Five Year Plan. We will have to put in our accomplishments. Claudette Romano said subsection 4.1 is wrong, transferring the greenbelt, swale and Parade Circle to the Rotonda West MSBU. We are asking that the county re-grade and re-shoot that area. George Krabbe said at a meeting with Tara Musselman regarding the trees, Tom O’Kane said he wanted the mowing and everything else or it would not go through. Claudette Romano said that was not the way it was presented to the Commissioners. All we wanted was the county to re-grade and re-shoot those areas. George Krabbe said that is what we explained to Ms. Musselman. She said she would go back and talk to Tom O’Kane. Jay Lyons said the Commissioner stated Rotonda West is very unusual. But because of the structure we have they may be willing to give us the dollars to do our own maintenance. The county would do the drainage and re-grading issues. It started off DPW wanted to take over the whole thing. George Krabbe said I just want to go over the Table of Contents. I want the committee to take this home, read it over and write up something.

Jay Lyons said Gregg O’Connor would be here on April 10th at 2:00 pm. He understands that the drawing are not drawn to scale, it could be more or less trees than wanted. He is just showing layout, the kind of concept. He will answer any questions we have.

George Krabbe said we have the general mowing contracts and we can put a budget figure in there. Then we have mowing the canal banks and green belt mowing and then the vacant lot mowing. Section 5 Community and Completed Project Maintenance, which would be the Memorial Parks. Under that section you have specialty mowing, Landscape Services, Irrigation, Electric, and Trash/litter pickup. Section 5.2 is Marinas and Parks which include Specialty mowing, landscape services, irrigation, electric and trash and litter pickup. Section 5.3 includes swale trash and litter pickup, swale drainage, and grate cleaning. Section 5.4 Community Center Area includes Specialty mowing, landscape services, irrigation, electric and trash and littler pickup. Section 6 Future Beautification Projects. The committee needs to plan what we want to do. A cost needs to be applied to the projects. Some of the projects have been started. We want to get into Oakland Hills, Long Meadow, Pinehurst and Pine Valley. We also would like to get into the Brass Bridge. I would like to see Pine Valley built up more before we put trees and landscaping in that area. Section 7 calls for a Committee Liaison because the Beautification and Mowing Committee works with Rotonda West Property Committee and the Aquatic Committee. Section 8 is Funding Priority and Allocation. Section 9 is the Budget Approval Process. This is just a draft and needs work. It is something to work with. Chairman Krabbe said I need a lot of help, ideas and input. The committee talked about contracts and the price of fuel.

Art Richards talked about Boulevard North where the palms were put in. We should be upgrading the base of the palms. All the bridges now have curbing and fire rock. This is the only area that has not been upgraded. Discussion followed regarding this area.  George Krabbe said that is a subject we can talk to Gregg O’Connor about. Art questioned the concrete blocks that are on a vacant lot on Cape Haze Drive. Claudette Romano said that is not in Rotonda West Association, Inc. If the property has a valid building permit, they are allowed to leave the block. Art Richards went on to talk about the newspaper stands on Boulevard West outside of Boundary Boulevard. He said this is a very hazardous area with residents stopping for newspapers.

John Eisele asked if the committee was going to have conversation about Robert Spade concerning the Tall Pines Sign. George Krabbe said Robert Spade wants the developer’s sign removed. Jay Lyons said the sign is 22 feet off the road. Chairman Krabbe said the sign may have to be moved.

John Eisele asked if the letters were still being sent to homeowners requesting they clear their lots. George Krabbe said there has not been time to send out letters, and we cannot force people to clear the lots. Jay Lyons said we do not have specifications for the clearing companies to follow. Those lots that have been cleared may still not be able to be mowed because the clearing companies leave stumps and debris on the lots. It is a voluntary program and if the clearing company leaves the stumps and debris the lots are still going to be un-mowed.

Joseph Romano asked about the trees that were removed from Rebel Court. George Krabbe said we cannot do anything until we have money to replace them. At the meeting with Gregg O’Connor, I will see if the trees can be replaced through the MSBU.

The next meeting is April 3, 2008, at 2:00 pm.

The meeting adjourned at 3:45 pm.

Dianne Brophy, Secretary