Sunday, September 27, 2009

9/23/ 2009 COFFEE WITH THE DIRECTORS

Pledge of Allegiance

Directors Gagan, Bergsma, and Montalva were not present

From the Suggestion Box
SC 13 wanted the grass mowed and said whoever put in the asphalt in front of the Activity Center should not be paid for doing such a poor job. He also asked who OK’d that work.
Lot ? Asked if the rusted hot tub heater chimney pipes are going to be replaced?
Lot 288 thanked our new GM and maintenance staff for fixing some the things that have been an eyesore for so long.


Comments from the Directors
Director Guerra asked if the BBQ sitting on top of a structure had been removed. Response was notification letter was sent about code violation and haven’t received a response.
Director White said a Mr. Flores from the Census Bureau would like an audience with the Villagers.
Armando explained why the mowing was behind. There was rain and a death in the family that affected several employees. He also mentioned that he and the new GM were mowing.

Comments from the audience
Lot 870 gave a compliment to security. He also said he had continuous problems with barking dogs from a certain Sea Cottage.
After being asked, our Bridge Board President explained that two of the bridge lawsuits that LIV had previously won are being appealed.
Lot 870 said he had smelled a sewage odor around the pool. P. Burke said it is coming from Sun Harbor.
Lot ? Asked if at the next meeting there can be a discussion about what can be done with her problem of getting mortgage loans in our Park.
It needs to be noted that the manager in charge of Securitas, Mr. Salazar has been to every Coffee meeting since he took over the position.

Workshop
Treas. Steffensen said she would like to talk about at the next meeting that they are getting three bids for our refrigerator in Village Grille that has rusted out and needs to be replaced. The restaurant ceiling is being worked on. The menu is going to be changed a little. She will discuss the LIV’s CD. There was a question about trading out pool wrist bands because of sanitary reasons.
V.P. Halbach said he went to a dust meeting on what things that can be done solve this problem. Mulching certain areas was mentioned. He said he would keep everyone posted at what happens in the upcoming meetings. He made a negative comment about our Village Attorney. He mentioned the pool tables need to be recovered again, and the cost will be brought up at the Reg. Meeting.
Dir. Pelletier said in his opinion the hurricane manual was very well done and will be on the web site. He and Dir. Guerra opened one sealed bid for the road repairs.
Director Guerra asked if they could cut the rust off and replace the metal on that refrigerator for the restaurant. Answer was no.
Dir. White gave the update on the sound system and lights for D&E. She said Hot Dog day was a success and raised $ 320 for habitat of humanity. She had questions on mosquito fogging and asked if there can be less fogging the streets and more in the grass area this year.
P. Burke talked about possibly joining the Better Business Bureau. She said she had received two invitations from the Port Isabel Table of Commerce to join festivities which she and the GM will attend. Boys and Girls Club wants LIV to be sponsors which will be talked about at the next meeting. The committee formed for pricing the rent of the Rec. Hall came up with a list of charges. After P.Burke went through all of it, there still was some confusion about the charges which seemed to take this back to the drawing board. There was an issue about an owner asking if they could keep a litter of puppies for several weeks until they are sold. P. Burke asked the audience if anyone would like to make a comment on this. Larry DeMalade raised his hand and asked when is the work to be completed here in the Arts & Crafts room.
Dir. Pelletier wanted owners to send a bunch of letters to the City of Port Isabel about a condemned property being an eyesore on Garcia St.
There was small talk that did not pertain to the workshop.
Meeting adjourned.



Read more on this article...

Friday, September 04, 2009



OUR CEMENT POND

It seems like every six months or so, we get the privilege to hear another sales pitch from Steve, the Berry Pool guy. I believe most owners know why. At the last Coffee Meeting he showed up to tell owners what made our water again turned green and why we need to use his services. Let’s review some of what Steve said.

The Backwash Blame

This last batch of cloudy green water which tested having no chlorine was in Steve's words “a little incident.” The culpability for creating such pond scum did not fall on his faulty solenoid valve that he had trouble replacing or his company’s ineptness towards this every second monitoring system. No sir, Mr. pointing finger almost pierced the body of our pool employee who was accused of removing all the water’s stabilizer (cyanuric acid) while backwashing the water out of the pool for an accidental forty five minutes. On the surface this seemed plausible. So let’s review his rationale.
In swimming pool water, cyanuric acid does not float on the top but partially surrounds the chlorine on a molecular level, to protect the chlorine and prevent it from being quickly burned off and used up by the sun.

Most owners may not realize that our outdoor pool can be backwash forty five minutes, two hours, or all day and will drain close to the same amount of water. The water loss stays near the same because once you drained below the skimmer line; you start pumping air instead of water, along with ruining the pump’s seals and eventually the pump. This employee could have only lowered the outdoor pool water level by inches with this accidental draining.

Records show if one wishes to reduce their stabilizer, they must replace approximately 25% of their pool water with fresh water. This figures to be about 22,500 gallons when talking about our outdoor pool and that’s just to reduce the stabilizer, not eliminate it.

The proper way to drain our outdoor pool water is to close the skimmer valve located in the big filter room and use only the bottom drain. Forty five minutes worth of doing that would drain about 13,000 gallons (14% of the pool water).
This accidental backwash did not create our pool facility’s water problem and someone owes this employee an apology. It appears the culprit is once again having a long duration of no chlorine being dispensed into the pool water, which turns that pointing finger around.

On top of their exorbitant monthly charge, our Board is now paying Berry Pools a very tidy sum to try to control this newly developed algae growth which had seemed to flourish in our latest high quality lagoon water.

Berry Pools is supposed to provide our Pool facility with water that’s balanced. That means the pool water’s chlorine; pH, alkalinity, and acidity are kept in line to make the water quality good for both people and equipment. It seems far too often though, our Park has been getting inconsistent water quality and periodic slick talking lip service.


Chemical Cost Higher?

At the Board meeting both Ms. Burke and Steve emphasize an increase in chemical usage. Common sense would tell most owners that more sun, more heat, more people, would mean more chemicals. Why mention it at all unless preparing the owners for chemical costs that are going through the roof. Is our Park still paying less for chemicals since hiring Berry Pools as Ms. Burke had claimed? Last year’s cost was a little difficult to compare with because of hurricane Dolly.

When Ms. Burke did say we are using more chemicals, she also said the Park is now being charged less per item/gallon. That may actually translate into our Park is not paying Berry Pools the full “Market Price” for a change. Has anyone read a word like “wholesale” in Berry Pool’s contract?

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

Steve threw this fear into everyone’s hearts about how the Federal Government is fining any organization up to $1.8 million who are not in compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. He also said there is this attorney frenzy happening as a result.
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act started on December 2008, and stated that each public pool and spa in the United States must be equipped with anti-entrapment devices or systems that comply with the ASME/ANSI 112.19.8 performance standard. That’s it, entrapment devices.
Please note though that our indoor pool may still not be in compliance since it appears each of the bottom drains seem to operate individually with its own pump.

Certified Pool Operator?

Steve was adamant about staff members who manually maintain our pool facility have to be licensed and certified technicians to be in compliance. Then Steve tells the audience he’s certified and proud to say his whole staff was.
The next thing we will to be hearing is the Board wanting to pay Berry Pools for some certification training.

Even though it is a good idea to have a certified pool operator in charge of you facility, it doesn’t guarantee that person knows what they are doing. (Case in point, see ex-gm)
It seems the Texas State Codes do not mandate a CPO or the equivalent towards organizations like our Village. Please read below.

The Texas Administrating Code
Subchapter L
Standards for Public Pools and Spas
265.203

(a) Required operator certification for certain types of post-10/01/99 and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas. Post-10/01/99 and pre-10/01/99 Class A or B pools and Class D pools operated in conjunction with a Class A or B pool shall be maintained under the supervision and direction of a properly trained and certified operator who is responsible for the sanitation, safety, and proper maintenance of the pool or spa, and for maintaining all physical and mechanical equipment and records. Training and certification can be obtained by completion of one of the following courses or their equivalent:

(1) the NRPA, "Aquatic Facility Operator" (A.F.O.);
(2) the NSPF, "Certified Pool-Spa Operator" (C.P.O.);
(3) YMCA, "Pool Operator on Location" (P.O.O.L.);
(4) the NSPI, "Professional Pool & Spa Operator" (P.P.S.O.); or
(5) the ASPSA, "Licensed Aquatic Facility Technician" (L.A.F.T.).

(Please notice that a Class C pool does not have this requirement.)

Definitions of pool classes
265.182

(A) Class A pool--Any pool used, with or without a fee, for accredited competitive aquatic events such as Federation Internationale De Natation Amateur (FINA), United States Swimming, United States Diving, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHSA), events. A Class A pool may also be used for recreation.

B) Class B pool--Any pool used for public recreation and open to the general public with or without a fee.

(C) Class C pool--Any pool operated for and in conjunction with:
(i) lodging such as hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums, or mobile home parks;
(ii) property owner associations, private organizations, or clubs; or
(iii) a school, college or university while being operated for academic or continuing education classes. The use of such a pool would be open to occupants, members or students, etc., and their guests but not open to the general public.
.
(D) Class D pool--A wading pool with a maximum water depth of 24 inches at any point.

My Opinion
For the past two years Berry Pools has cost far more and has done considerably less than a qualified pool attendant. It has not provided the expected assurance that the water chemistry in this pool facility is always satisfactory. The problems of the past have not been improved upon from this costly service. Steve was correct in saying that water chemistry is a science, but it sure doesn’t take a missile scientist to realize we have a dud here.

Read more on this article...

Thursday, September 03, 2009


SEPTEMBER SUGGESTIONS

We would love your suggestion that will improve our Village. Suggestions may be viewed by those visiting. We will renew the display each month. Anonymous are welcomed. So throw one in the box.

Read more on this article...

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

AUGUST 29, 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call
Dir. Halbach not present

Owners Speaking On Agenda Items
Lot 828 had questions of the GM on the checking account. It came to light that any amount over $1000 has to be sign by Board Members.

Lot 834 had issues on the appearanceof of certain rental property, wants it maintained.

Lot 280 had parking lot suggestions for our Welcome center.

Lot 828 commented on the $1000 GM limit. He said he has had the experience of receiving multiple checks to pay for a single item.

Lot 461 had a concern on security and was introduced to the head of Securitas who was at the meeting.

President’s Remarks (Follow up from the Coffee with the Directors.)
Letter was sent to owner who had their grill on top of a box.
The sprinklers were fixed around the miniature golf.
Palm trimming is being done.
Lot 267 still is working through the attorney.
Lot 549 boat trailer has been removed.
Golf course pump house door was fixed.
Ordered signs for the Welcome center parking area along with no dog allowed signs for the pool.
Pool rails are still waiting to be installed.
Pool will be closed from Monday the 31st through Saturday the 5th for getting the black algae in our pool under control.
Lot 82 was sent a letter about their shed damage.
Letters were sent to the owners who have left their Recreation Vehicles too long without applying skirting and tie downs.
Publishing reports in our Newsletter of owners in arrears was not recommended by our Village Attorney. P.Burke said it was her own opinion not to publicize and recommended someone to make a motion to keep policy the same. Motion was made and passed.

Managers Reports
Armando had his usual report
Rick Horner, the GM, said he was trying to address as many of the issues as possible and anyone having a problem to please call him.

Approval of Minutes
Motion made and passed

Treasury Reports
The report figures were read. It was mentioned that our Board has spent out of our major improvement fund $138,301.00, which is almost double from last year.

Revenue Center have the Village Grill -$ 9,379, Golf Course -$ 4,731, Rental Office $ 24,061, Laundry -$ 607, Newsletter $ 421.
Treas. Steffensen said the Golf Course water and wage cost have increased this year. The rental increase was due to a $ 38,712 insurance check from last year, so the Rental Department actually lost -$14651 so far this year. There was no good reason given for why our Park lost money in the laundry other than not enough revenue was generated.

Committee Reports

D&E (Dir.White) mentioned the $593 July 4th cook off donation from David and Arlene Garcia. Cocktail party was mentioned along with the Karaoke Party.
Golf (Dir. Pelltier) Nothing
Pool and Finance (Treas. Steffensen) Wrist bands revenue is $9,624 and band color will change in May of each year. The new auditor will be Juan Rivera until the end of this year at the same cost. There is a need to review late fee policies that seem to being followed correctly. There was a motion passed to pay the $22,473 sinkhole repairs by the Rubio Brothers out of the allocations saved for the outdoor pool.
Other

Unfinished Business
Litigation: Arroyo cable lawsuit court date has been set for Jan. 25, 2010. Smith case had nothing new. Hamlinck case is set for November 6. The Cowen case is still in discovery mode.

Steffensen: Rental Check in Procedures. After further review of the by-laws, we would be in violation of our rules by making a new form that the owner has to sign giving permission to rent.

There was a short intermission so the President could use the bathroom.

Guerra: Cameron County Chief Appraiser to address to LIV owners Jan 2010. P.Burke asked our GM to contact the appraiser office.

Pelletier Lot 88 Persons living under deck (below flood level.) Owner will be notified that this is in violation of Village and possibly county codes.

Hot Dog Day September 5th 11-2pm Motion made and was passedf or the Benefit for the habitat of humanity called hot dog day.

Burke
1. Resolution to put new GM on checking account. Motion made and passed.
2. Review of Rec. Hall rental policy. After a lengthy back and forth, this was tabled.
3. Canal Silting. P.Burke gave the same speech as in the Coffee Meeting about her point of view. GM to contact Army Corp of Engineers.
4. Welcome Center parking limits. Signs ordered. 30 minute check in approved
5. Check in fees & procedure was discussed earlier.
6. Builder permit application- owner signature. P.Burke asked for a motion that owner sign form in office or have a notarized copy in hand. Motion made and passed.

Other. Talk about getting bids and their procedure. Talk about Berry Pools training our employees.


Adjournment. The Board went into an executive meeting. There was no announcement of the general reason for the executive meeting.
Read more on this article...