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ROTONDA WEST ASSOCIATION
Board Of Directors Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 3:00 PM

 

Present: Nick Gizzi, George Krabbe, George Burger, Earl Haas, Bruce Miller, Claudette Romano, Pete Traverso

Management: Norene Kugler, Assistant Manager, Jay Lyons, Office Manager

Others: John & Margie Carroll, Joseph Romano, Lois Burger, Bob & Linda Bondeson, Carl Couture, Richard Duggan, Victor Claussen, Ken & Pat Guillerm, Walter & Claudette Taylor, Hank & Sue Artz, Donna Krabbe, Ross Shahan, Barry Oglesby, Ruth Sargent, John Eisele, Gerry Townsend, Sue Nichol, David Kelly, Emanuel & Gayle Carlucci and Jason Witz, Assistant Englewood Editor for the Englewood Sun Newspaper

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
The minutes from the December 12, 2007 meeting were approved via email and are posted on the Rotonda West Association website rotondawest.org.

Treasurer’s Report - Chair Bruce Miller reported that there are 219 delinquent accounts, 143 for 2007. Uncollected funds total $88,037.37. There is $190,000 in CDs.

Office Manager’s Report - Office Manager, Jay Lyons stated that with the help of volunteers, the current priority has been to get the November/December West Ways to the Post Office for delivery, then to mail the annual statements. Mr. Lyons has been visiting 2 to 3 different Code Compliance issues per day. Things to be worked on in the future include Policy and Procedure Manuals, Employee Manuals and Work Sheets for verifying that the contractors work is being accomplished.

Committee Reports

Election - Chair Sue Artz said there is no report.

Administrative/Personnel - The committee met on January 3rd to discuss the current procedures and operations of the RWA office. Office Manager, Jay Lyons, reported that he and the staff would begin preparing a manual that would contain procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) beginning February 1st and expect to be able to review the first draft by March 1st. The Committee will be working on rewriting the Employee Manual. After discussion by the Board of Directors and the Office Staff, Motion by Pete Traverso to close the day after Christmas for 2008. Seconded by Claudette Romano and approved unanimously.

Aquatic Canal System - Chair Nick Gizzi announced that the committee did not meet in December due to the holidays. Mr. Gizzi and Norb Zoltowski as members of the Canal Infrastructure and Stormwater Outflow Subcommittee met with the Charlotte Harbor State Preserve Manager, John Aspiolea to discuss the breach in the 2,600 foot swale, which is on the state land and to solicit any help Mr. Aspiolea might offer to correct the breach. No assistance was offered, so a report was sent to the  Aquatic/Canal System Committee and to the Board of Directors.
Motion by Nick Gizzi to have Linda Harrison reappointed and Stan Plizga appointed to the Aquatic Canal System Committee. Seconded by Pete Traverso and approved unanimously.

Motion by Nick Gizzi to appoint George Krabbe as Chair of the Beautification/Mowing Committee. Seconded by Pete Traverso and approved unanimously.

Beautification/Mowing - Chair George Krabbe made a Motion that the RWA Board of Directors approve the following volunteers to serve on the RWA Beautification/Mowing Committee: Sue Artz, Linda Harrison, Bruce Miller, Barbara Peszko, John Peszko and Art Richards. Seconded by Pete Traverso and approved unanimously. Mr. Krabbe reported that the Englewood Sun Newspaper, the Englewood Herald-Tribune and the RWA came to an agreement on the installation of the newspaper boxes. The new boxes have been installed in the Memorial Parks. Rotonda Golf & Country Club and the RWA’s Oldies Dinner Dance and Silent Auction will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2008. The Silent Auction starts at 5:00 PM. The proceeds from the Silent Auction will benefit RWA beautification projects. Tickets can be purchased at the Hills Country Club or the RWA office for $25.00 per person. The next Committee meeting will be February 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM.

Budget and Finance - Chair Bruce Miller reported that there was no meeting in December, however, for the year 2008, a two digit department number has been added to the General Ledger numbers, for reporting purposes. Englewood Bank activated the request for a nightly sweep of the checking account. Anything over $5,000.00 is swept to an intermediate interest bearing CMSA “Cash Management Sweep Account”. The normal monthly CMSA fee of $250.00 has been waived by the bank.

Community Relations - Chair Earl Haas made a Motion to appoint Sue Artz and Wayne Mengel to the Community Relations Committee. Seconded by Bruce Miller and approved unanimously. Mr. Haas said the Committee is encouraging everyone to view the RWA web site. The new “History Page” will bring back many memories. Be sure to look at the “Home Price Sheet” to see the prices for new homes. The web site, rotondawest.org will be posted on the front page of the West Ways. The Committee has not yet had anyone step forward so the current editor, Don Mahon, can “retire“. Mr. Mahon has agreed to help train a new editor. The next meeting is February 6th at 3:00 PM.

Compliance – The Compliance Committee voted John Forster as Chairperson again for 2008. Mr. Forster reported that at the January 8th meeting, Committee Hearing guidelines and the written format for a hearing were reviewed. Mr. Forster reminded members that it is the Committee’s responsibility to respond to a homeowner request for a hearing before the fine becomes effective. In isolated cases the RWA Board of Directors could request that a hearing be held if they feel that is appropriate.
Motion by George Burger that the following be approved for membership on the Compliance Committee: Ruth Sargent, Fred Warner, Victor Claussen, Marty Mayer, Rich McKenna. Alternates: Karen Radzik, Jim Mayer, Dick Duggan, John Forster. Seconded by Claudette Romano and approved unanimously.

Deed Restrictions - Chair George Burger said the Committee met on January 8th and continued discussion on Section 21, parking.
Motion by Pete Traverso to untable and bring before the Board the 226 Annapolis motion (from the December 12, 2007 Board of Directors meeting). Seconded by Claudette Romano and approved unanimously. Mr. Traverso said that at the Deed Restriction meeting there was discussion of the fiduciary responsibility to insure that the values of the properties remain where they are and increase. The fines for this property started in 2005. Mr. Traverso said he felt very strongly that the proposed agreement be sent back to the Compliance Committee for their review and recommendation. Mr. Forster stated that the Compliance Committee has never heard this case, but he would not be against the Committee reviewing it.

Motion by George Burger that the following settlement regarding 226 Annapolis Lane be approved -

  • Use the $350 paid on account against the outstanding assessment charges and we remove the lien.
  • The owner be given 30 days to clean up, mow & trim the yard and bushes
  • The owner be given 120 days to clean up the exterior of the house itself
  • That we continue $1,000 of the current fine

Mr. Burger said the agreement goes on to say that the owner will submit to the RWA copies of invoices as work is done to improve the property that equal at least $5,715.00. Failure to meet these conditions will result in all Deed Restriction fines, fees, etc. being reinstated. Seconded by Pete Traverso.  Roll call vote - Yes - Nick Gizzi, George Burger, No - George Krabbe, Earl Haas, Bruce Miller, Claudette Romano, Pete Traverso. The motion failed.

Motion by Claudette Romano that the Board of Directors instruct the Compliance Committee to review the proposal on 226 Annapolis Lane. Seconded by Pete Traverso and approved unanimously.

Properties - Chair George Krabbe reported that the Committee met on December 17th at 9:00 AM and reviewed the 2007 Five Year Plan and discussed what was accomplished in 2007. The Committee agreed that projects must be prioritized in 2008 due to budget restraints. The major goals for 2008 are: Replacing the safety signs at the Gazebo area, installing safety signs at the Memorial Parks and to get ideas to make the Community Center weather tight. The Committee agreed to change the time of the meeting to 10:00 AM on the 4th Monday of the month unless it falls on a holiday. In that case the meeting will be rescheduled. Mr. Krabbe said there has been door to door solicitation to sell water softeners or water purification systems. A Sheriff’s Deputy came out and said that because certain entrances are not posted with “No Solicitation”, he was unable to enforce “No Solicitation” in Rotonda West. So we have a problem that at Rotonda Blvd East, the entrance sign is controlled by Rotonda Lakes - John Brandenberger. It will be brought before the Rotonda Lakes Board to find out if we can add “No Solicitation” and “Patrolled by Neighborhood Watch” to their sign. The other instances are Boundary Boulevard where the Rotonda Lakes, Rotonda Sands and Rotonda Meadows have entrances in to Rotonda West, but if we get Rotonda Blvd East posted, the only other area would be the entrance from Rotonda Heights through Indian Creek Drive. We have to call the Sheriff’s Department for confirmation of the exact wording and location for the signs to be enforced. As soon as the confirmation is received, Mr. Krabbe said he would go before the Budget and Finance Committee to get the OK for the expenditure for the signs; to get solicitors to stop coming in to our Deed Restricted area.

Residential Modification - Chair Pete Traverso said there are a number of applications that the Committee had to look at again. The RMC meeting will be posted for Monday, January 14th at 3:00 PM, to go over several applications that seem to be a little outside of the guidelines.

Rotonda West Street & Drainage Committee - Chair Claudette Romano read the email she sent to Tara Musselman, MSBU County Chairperson and to Dr. Bill Coy, Rotonda West’s Chairperson for the MSBU, asking Ms. Musselman the status of the following:

  1. 61 to 86 Pinehurst Place - In budget after October 1, 2007. Both sides of street were to be “line shot” and regraded for better drainage. Was this started/completed? Reply: Barry has been working on this and work should be done this month.
  2. Across from the Pebble Beach Memorial Park - Palms Golf Course - additional asphalt was needed to pitch water into grassy area. The last I heard the County is waiting for a Patch Crew to be in our area. Was this completed? Reply: Scheduled SR#3639 - no date given.
  3. Tall Pines Condominium Entrance - Overgrown/damaged grate in swale - County was going to apply for a “Right of Way Access” to fix the grate. What is status? Reply: Still not sure if we are doing work in greenbelt. Issue in Legal Office. We are going out again to see if they can find the grate.
  4. Trash bins in County “Right of Way” (swale) - Boundary Blvd. This was going to be corrected by the County. What is status? Reply: Association needs to contact Code Compliance or the Condo owners directly.
  5. Repairs made to Hump-back bridges - White rock - do they stay or will it eventually be sodded? Any decision? No reply.
  6. What is the status on the failed “outfall pipe” in Oakland Hills? New location was being looked at. What is status? No reply.
  7. Washouts on apexes and bridges (47 in total) - Have the needed repairs been scheduled for 2008? If yes, can a copy be sent to Jay Lyons, RWA Office Manager? No reply.
  8. Standing water on properties in Long Meadow (Long Meadow Road) - the entire cul-de-sac where Barbara and John Peszko live (snakes, rats, debris, etc.) No reply.
  9. The Committee is wondering if signs stating “No Outlet” can be placed on specific streets in Rotonda West? This would alleviate people, unfamiliar with this area, from turning onto these streets. The Committee would give you a list of these streets. No reply.

The Street and Drainage Committee is scheduled to meet on January 28th at 2:00 PM. Mrs. Romano announced that there are openings on the Committee for Pebble Beach, White Marsh and Pine Valley.

Unfinished Business - Motion by George Burger to untable the previously tabled motion - That no Committee Chairman with a budget proposal before the Budget & Finance Committee be a member of the Budget & Finance Committee. Seconded by Pete Traverso. Motion passed unanimously to untable the motion. After discussion the vote on the motion was: No - Traverso, Romano, Miller, Haas, Burger, Krabbe. Yes - Gizzi. Motion failed.

Last month, Office Manager Jay Lyons obtained a brochure describing the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. The brochure was circulated to the Board members. President Gizzi stated his opinion that it would be beneficial to the RWA to join the Chamber. He asked for the opinion of the Board Members. After discussion of the benefits of the contacts that would be made and the visibility it would give the Association, it was agreed that the topic would be discussed at a Community Relations Committee meeting.

New Business
Mr. Krabbe announced that the next meeting of the West Charlotte County Civic Association is Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 9:00 AM at the meeting room on the second floor of Bay Harbor Ford in Englewood. The guest speakers will be Mr. Ray Sandrock, Budget Director, Charlotte County and Mr. Roger Blatz, Assistant Administrator, Charlotte County. The topic is “How will the Florida January 29 property tax amendment vote affect you and your community?”

President Gizzi distributed “RWA Goals and Guidelines for 2008” to the Board. He asked the Board of Directors to review it for discussion and possible expansion of it at next month’s Board of Directors meeting.

Member Input
David Kelly, General Manager of Rotonda Golf and Country Club, asked for help with the problem of residents clearing land on golf course property. He said that after a contractor clears a vacant lot of overgrowth, the resident sometimes clears the adjoining golf course property. He said it is a form of vandalism, illegally altering the golf course property.

Walter Taylor, President of Neighborhood Watch advised that the cost to rent the Rotonda Community Park has increased from $10.00 per hour to $20.00, with a minimum of four hours.

John Eisele read a list of eight questions. Mr. Miller recommended that a copy of the questions be given to Nick Gizzi, for discussion with Mr. Eisele.

Emanuel Carlucci asked what is being done to collect unpaid assessments and Deed Restriction fines. Bruce Miller explained that there is a process that is being followed, but that the Board is looking at ways to improve the process.

Directors Input
None

Adjournment
President Gizzi announced that the next scheduled Board meeting is Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 3:00 PM. The meeting adjourned at 4:47 PM.

Norene Kugler
Assistant Manager