DECEMBER 16TH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Pledge of Allegiance

Owners Speaking on Agenda Issues
Lot 759-Owner had concerns about the proposed $20 condo fee increase. She asked where we get the information that future increases are going to happen. Owner asked why not one time assessments instead of an increase in fees that never will decrease. She also asked if these increase percentages are going to be an annual event.

Presidents Remarks-Burke
Urged owners to register to vote so as to influence government help with the swing bridge and keep Port Isabel from annexing our Village.
Tom Cain will not continue on the Bridge Board and asked for replacements.
She gave the Christmas house lighting contests results.
She expressed the legalities of driving a golf carts outside the Village.

Manager Report-Horner/Zamora
Work orders from Oct-26 to the end of Nov-57, with most completed. Late condo fees (73-15 to 30 days) (22-60 days) (3-90 days). There are 98 lots in arrears for a total of $34,158. Third letter issued to Lot 784 for not keeping the lot clean and neat. Building permits 4. Golf course sprinklers working while it’s raining were again mentioned. An issue about the pool exhaust fan coming on and being too noisy during exercise class.

Approval of Minutes for November-Burke
Motion made and approved

Treasurer Report-Steffensen
The December report balances were read with no questions. Profit & Loss net income for 2009 was $157,326 less than 2008. All Profit and loss centers were in the red except the rental office. That showed $27, 982 in the black, but it was reminded that $38,000 from hurricane insurance was added to that department. The laundry was questioned as to why it was still a loser. No answer was able to be given.

Committee Reports:
1. D&E-White said there were 218 people at the cocktail party w/Leslie. New Year’s party coming up.
2. Golf-Pelletier said meetings are at noon on the first Wed. of each month at the restaurant patio area. Everyone is invited. Is beginning a fund raiser in selling brick paver memorials.
3. Pool-Steffensen N/A
4. Finance-Steffensen said there will be a meeting in January
5. Other

Unfinished Business
1. Dredging Report-Bergsma said LIV needs a hydrographic survey engineer to come in with his equipment and pull readings of the canals. This will give an accurate amount of dredging material removed. He said the amount that is read on the dredge company's meters are inaccurate and this could save the Village a tremendous amount of money. He said that he talked to John Freeland who wished to share the use of the dredging company and that will also reduce the cost. Freeland will take our dredge material onto his land which will again save LIV money. One problem is that this must be done within six months per Freeland. It was said by Dir. Bergsma that the cost will probably be in the area of one million dollars. There was talk about property values if this was not done. Dir. Bergsma is currently looking for a surveyor.

2. Budget 2010-Steffensen said she put the newsletter an eight year comparison of direct expense increases. She reviewed the needs for a condo fee increase, and then made the motion for a $20 monthly increase starting Feb.1st. Motion passed unanimously. P. Burke said that if we have too much money, we have to give it back. Treas. Steffensen wants the finance committee to take on a five year plan towards projected capital needs of our Village.

Intermission

Owners given opportunity to speak
Lot 679 commented that she thought most owners would like to know where the increase in fees is going to be spent. Treas. Steffensen said the money is for the $41,000 budget deficit and the $126,000 major improvement plans. We have $110,000 that also has to be spent on patching the roads.
Lot 759 said she personally would like to see the Board go one step further and show evidence to owners of these costs increases we are having . She wished for more transparency. P. Burke said they do provide information when asked and then mentioned something about if you want a full time treasurer, but didn’t finish her statement. This owner said because of a condo fee increase a few years ago along with this one, she just wanted a little more transparency that shows these increase in costs.
SC111 remarked angrily towards the owner of lot 759 even questioning the Board.

New Business
1. Revised Policy 5.2 Quarterly Assessment/Late Fees-Burke
Board made clearer wording about assessments due dates and late fees to create a better position when legal action occurs.
2. Clergy Pass-White
This is still being debated on exactly how to implement.
3. Owner-Agent Resignation Form-Burke
This form is for owners to authorize and allow a hired agent to do things to their property and hold our Village harmless to such events. Motion made and passed.
4. 2010 Election-Burke
Leroy Mulch and Liz Deitrick was appointed by P. Burke to replace Sandra Etter on the Election Committee.

Other

Adjournment




Read more on this article...

DECEMBER 9TH COFFEE with the DIRECTORS

Directors Gagan, Bergsma, and Montalvo were not present. GM Horner was not present.

Pledge of Allegiance

Comments from the Directors
Dir. White mentioned December’s activities. Friday (11th) Employee Christmas Party at 3pm, Saturday (12th) White Elephant Party, Monday (14th) Christmas Cocktail Party bring a toy w/Leslie, New Years Eve Party. She also mentioned church functions for the needy. Dir. Pelletier thanked the choir and golf parade participants.

P. Burke said to wear swim bands.

Treas. Steffensen mentioned the number of people around the world that visit our LIV website.

From the Suggestion Box
SC 109 asked to investigate solar heat for the swimming pool.

Comments from the Audience
Lot 251 said the curve at Cockle and Conch needs attention because people are running off the pavement and making a deep rut.

Lot 638 asked for the Board to consider charging owners a membership fee to our restaurant. He asked if the security cameras were operating in the maintenance area. He asked if there was an arrangement to have a trailer park there until after the hurricane season. After P. Burke gave her rendition of the event, this owner thought the park should replace the tires to the owner of that trailer that were thought to have been vandalized. P.Burke went on at length to scold the scoundrel who did such a thing. Other members of the Board thought likewise on giving compensation.

Lot 329 said it was announced that there’s a new government grant that was just issued that our Village might look into. He also asked questions about items in the budget.

Lot 832 asked if all the water goes through the golf course. Answer was no.

Lot 512 asked if clergy could get a clergy pass. There was discussion.

SC 120 said she for the Boards information that she heard there were osprey towers used for nesting that the Cowen Group wanted our Park to remove. P. Burke gave a lengthy legal orientation on ramifications towards anyone removing these.

WORKSHOP
It was announce the Library will have a get together 4-6 pm this Sunday. Also the manager of Securitas was complimented on showing up at our meetings every month.

Dir. White wanted the clergy pass on the agenda

Dir. Guerra asked about progress on lot 267 about their repairs and what the attorney said. Nothing further has happened.

P. Burke wants to revise wording on condo fees (assessments). She wants to talk about owner designation forms to better protect our Park. This will clarify on who has authority to act for owners in our Park. She also mentioned the Election Committee President has resigned and will need to be addressed.

Treas. Steffensen discussed different items in the budget with the other Directors. She explained on the capital side there is a $41,000 budget deficit for 2010. On the major improvement side we are looking at $126,000 for 2010. In her opinion a revenue increase is the only way to make this possible. She said a revenue increase of $20 will cover both above and leave $59,000 that would be put towards the Park’s roads. This increase now has to be voted on by next week because of having to give notice and make the coupons to send. P. Burke then gave a speech on why it’s not a bad deal. An owner asked why not just increases it by $5 and P. Burke said we need to do the roads. There was mentioned the electricity and legal fees are expenses LIV has no control of.

The Board started suggesting implementing a set revenue increase amount every year, then switching to fill in the amount as needed. When all said and done, Treas. Steffensen said she will bring up a motion next week of a $20 increase in the condo fees starting Feb. 1st and study on automatic increases each year.

Dir. White asked how far we are at removing the hydraulic system from the sprinkler system on the golf course. It will be completed this coming year. It was also asked about the sprinklers running when it rains.

End




Read more on this article...

DECEMBER 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...