Just a tidbit 4/30/08
On Monday our indoor pool was closed for several days again because somebody wasn’t paying attention to see if the pool’s filtration and heater system was working, making the water turn a cloudy white color.
Last Sunday we also had a pretty good rain storm. It flooded the activity center ping pong and TV area with water. It is your guess where the water leaked from.
Our putt putt course appears to be getting new green covering. Just in time for the renters. The outdoor pool water looks great but is still around70 degrees. Brrrr!
The palm trees shoots need to be cut around the pool area. They’re sprouting and dropping hundreds of thousands of palm flowers into the skimmers that clogs the filtration system, which in turn may burn up the pump motors. This occurs usually two times a year and is never addressed promptly.
Read more on this article...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Board of Directors Meeting on 4/23/2008
The meeting started with our Pledge of Allegiance followed by a roll call. All the Board members were present. The Arts and Crafts room seemed to have more people attending this meeting than usual for this time of year.
The General Manager went through his manager’s report citing violations, late notices, building permits, the boat ramp gate finished, painting road stripes, replacing road signs, replacing palm trees, sprinkler checks, installed basketball backboards, repairing the hot water in the laundry, and having employees take classes on how to clean.
Director Hansen wondered if the basketball backboards were adjustable. The answer was yes.
Armando gave his report. He basically said all the work completed was done within two hours.
Director Hansen questioned this as he had done in a previous meeting. He said it was clear the work was not being done in two hours from the time of the request so this criterion is useless. Armando explained that the time starts when the work order was put in the computer and not when it was received. Director Henson asked for a motion to have work request start at the time the request was first received. Motion passed.
President Sullivan called for the approval of minutes.
Director Steffensen did the Treasury report. She said the improvement in income was due partly to the increase of condo fees, building permits, and the remaining special assessments. Cost of goods for our Village Grill has gone up like everything else and made us suffer a larger loss than usual. The golf course income was down due to less annual passes and water consumption. The laundry made a lot less but that was due to the changeover of laundry ownership last year.
Director Sullivan gave a golf report. He said a revision of the handicap flag will occur. We are to receive a bunch of railroad ties to be laid around the 6th green and pond areas.
Director Dodson mentioned that she is still working on the cable bids.
Director Peterson tabled the information on new equipment wanting to be purchased.
Director Hansen asked our G.M. if any written procedures were given to Security. The answer was yes.
Mary Steffensen said the request for a separate audit will be an internal one with asking qualified volunteers from our park. You may see this in our Newsletter.
Director McBride said our new five digit address number that was given to us last week was a wrong one. Director McBride is currently trying to acquire a five digit number for each lot to meet the reason the county is doing this in the first place, and that is so emergency vehicles know precisely where the address is.
Director Steffensen addressed lease bids for the scanner our Park needs to archive our old and new records. It was tabled until we find out what we can purchase one for outright.
Director McBride asked for a motion to record the owner concerns from our Coffee with the Directors and special meetings. It passed.
Director Steffensen explained how we can acquire the funds needed to refurbish of our bath houses from other Village projects. It was tabled.
Director Steffensen explained how the rental office that provides maid service was under charging and made a motion to increase the charge $10. It passed.
Director Peterson tabled the info on sand for the golf course and modular homes.
President Sullivan made a motion to book a Mariachi band and food for summer renters and owners. It was tabled.
President Sullivan made a motion to recess to an executive session with Mr. Polo from Aramark. I hope I spelled his last name correctly. This meeting was to last 45 minutes.
The number of people who stayed reduce to a couple of dozen.It was rumored that this executive session was about our G.M. being replaced.
While this executive meeting was being held, I saw our General Manager come into the Arts and crafts room and signaled to his wife to step outside with him. It was pretty obvious since everybodys head turned when he entered. She shortly returned and went around to a handful of people appearing to ask for their support.
After the Executive session ended and the regular meeting resumed, these half a dozen or so people who she had talked to immediately became very loud, with a few rude and unruly when President Sullivan made a motion to ask Aramark to replace our General Manager.
Director Burke requested for what was apparently called a discussion. The Board gave their approval. She brought up the devil and talked about not being informed about this issue. She said our G.M. has done what the Board has asked him to do. She said he has, at times, been stressed out, does not smile, and has been rude to people. She tried to poll the people in the crowd to raise their hands if they have ever been rude at one time or another?
Director Burke said that in the (executive) meeting, she told the other Board members we needed to have this discussion with the majority of the owners of this park and while the majority of people were here. She said while in this (executive) meeting, she told the Board they did not come up with this in the March meeting when the majority of the owners were here. She said that in this (executive) meeting she wanted to take it to the people, since we represent the people of this park but that was turned down by the Board.
Director Burke said she disagrees with the way we are doing it and the process in the way we are doing it. None of or most of the allegations she had received were ever discussed. She said there was no evaluation made by these new Board people and it was obvious to her that this process started before they were elected to the Board.
Director Burke said it was asked ( actually yelled by one of the unruly owners) how can you can get rid of a Board member. She said unfortunately it takes over 50% of the total votes in the park. She agreed with someone who also yelled that it should also take over 50% of the owners to get rid of our General Manager.
Director Burke said that this decision was made in secret at meetings and would be very bad for this park if this were to let happen.
Mary Steffensen said she wish to have a motion to a yea or nay table because this employee appears to have in front of her no priors, no paper trail, and without an evaluation ever made.
Director Mulch said that the items that our G.M. did wrong are just bull. He said that this was a witch hunt.
Director Burke said that in the contract with Aramark, the sewer problem that our G.M. was being blamed for was not Aramark’s problem but LIV’s. She said our G.M. worked 24 hours a day this summer on something he was not even being paid to do. Now we are going to treat him this rudely, this shabbily, by these people who are on a personal vendetta.
Director Burke made a motion to table it so there can be more input from the members of this board. Director Mulch seconded it.
The votes taken to table the dismissal of our G.M. for 60 days so the owners can be contacted for their feelings was tied at four each with the deciding vote to be made by the President of the Board, Mr. Sullivan. He voted aye.
Director Burke on other business made a motion to have the Board along with our attorney to find out our position to any legal ramifications we might have if we say no to this Cowen project of wanting an easement through our Village. She wanted this done before any futher discussions with the Cowen Group. It passed. Read more on this article...
The meeting started with our Pledge of Allegiance followed by a roll call. All the Board members were present. The Arts and Crafts room seemed to have more people attending this meeting than usual for this time of year.
The General Manager went through his manager’s report citing violations, late notices, building permits, the boat ramp gate finished, painting road stripes, replacing road signs, replacing palm trees, sprinkler checks, installed basketball backboards, repairing the hot water in the laundry, and having employees take classes on how to clean.
Director Hansen wondered if the basketball backboards were adjustable. The answer was yes.
Armando gave his report. He basically said all the work completed was done within two hours.
Director Hansen questioned this as he had done in a previous meeting. He said it was clear the work was not being done in two hours from the time of the request so this criterion is useless. Armando explained that the time starts when the work order was put in the computer and not when it was received. Director Henson asked for a motion to have work request start at the time the request was first received. Motion passed.
President Sullivan called for the approval of minutes.
Director Steffensen did the Treasury report. She said the improvement in income was due partly to the increase of condo fees, building permits, and the remaining special assessments. Cost of goods for our Village Grill has gone up like everything else and made us suffer a larger loss than usual. The golf course income was down due to less annual passes and water consumption. The laundry made a lot less but that was due to the changeover of laundry ownership last year.
Director Sullivan gave a golf report. He said a revision of the handicap flag will occur. We are to receive a bunch of railroad ties to be laid around the 6th green and pond areas.
Director Dodson mentioned that she is still working on the cable bids.
Director Peterson tabled the information on new equipment wanting to be purchased.
Director Hansen asked our G.M. if any written procedures were given to Security. The answer was yes.
Mary Steffensen said the request for a separate audit will be an internal one with asking qualified volunteers from our park. You may see this in our Newsletter.
Director McBride said our new five digit address number that was given to us last week was a wrong one. Director McBride is currently trying to acquire a five digit number for each lot to meet the reason the county is doing this in the first place, and that is so emergency vehicles know precisely where the address is.
Director Steffensen addressed lease bids for the scanner our Park needs to archive our old and new records. It was tabled until we find out what we can purchase one for outright.
Director McBride asked for a motion to record the owner concerns from our Coffee with the Directors and special meetings. It passed.
Director Steffensen explained how we can acquire the funds needed to refurbish of our bath houses from other Village projects. It was tabled.
Director Steffensen explained how the rental office that provides maid service was under charging and made a motion to increase the charge $10. It passed.
Director Peterson tabled the info on sand for the golf course and modular homes.
President Sullivan made a motion to book a Mariachi band and food for summer renters and owners. It was tabled.
President Sullivan made a motion to recess to an executive session with Mr. Polo from Aramark. I hope I spelled his last name correctly. This meeting was to last 45 minutes.
The number of people who stayed reduce to a couple of dozen.It was rumored that this executive session was about our G.M. being replaced.
While this executive meeting was being held, I saw our General Manager come into the Arts and crafts room and signaled to his wife to step outside with him. It was pretty obvious since everybodys head turned when he entered. She shortly returned and went around to a handful of people appearing to ask for their support.
After the Executive session ended and the regular meeting resumed, these half a dozen or so people who she had talked to immediately became very loud, with a few rude and unruly when President Sullivan made a motion to ask Aramark to replace our General Manager.
Director Burke requested for what was apparently called a discussion. The Board gave their approval. She brought up the devil and talked about not being informed about this issue. She said our G.M. has done what the Board has asked him to do. She said he has, at times, been stressed out, does not smile, and has been rude to people. She tried to poll the people in the crowd to raise their hands if they have ever been rude at one time or another?
Director Burke said that in the (executive) meeting, she told the other Board members we needed to have this discussion with the majority of the owners of this park and while the majority of people were here. She said while in this (executive) meeting, she told the Board they did not come up with this in the March meeting when the majority of the owners were here. She said that in this (executive) meeting she wanted to take it to the people, since we represent the people of this park but that was turned down by the Board.
Director Burke said she disagrees with the way we are doing it and the process in the way we are doing it. None of or most of the allegations she had received were ever discussed. She said there was no evaluation made by these new Board people and it was obvious to her that this process started before they were elected to the Board.
Director Burke said it was asked ( actually yelled by one of the unruly owners) how can you can get rid of a Board member. She said unfortunately it takes over 50% of the total votes in the park. She agreed with someone who also yelled that it should also take over 50% of the owners to get rid of our General Manager.
Director Burke said that this decision was made in secret at meetings and would be very bad for this park if this were to let happen.
Mary Steffensen said she wish to have a motion to a yea or nay table because this employee appears to have in front of her no priors, no paper trail, and without an evaluation ever made.
Director Mulch said that the items that our G.M. did wrong are just bull. He said that this was a witch hunt.
Director Burke said that in the contract with Aramark, the sewer problem that our G.M. was being blamed for was not Aramark’s problem but LIV’s. She said our G.M. worked 24 hours a day this summer on something he was not even being paid to do. Now we are going to treat him this rudely, this shabbily, by these people who are on a personal vendetta.
Director Burke made a motion to table it so there can be more input from the members of this board. Director Mulch seconded it.
The votes taken to table the dismissal of our G.M. for 60 days so the owners can be contacted for their feelings was tied at four each with the deciding vote to be made by the President of the Board, Mr. Sullivan. He voted aye.
Director Burke on other business made a motion to have the Board along with our attorney to find out our position to any legal ramifications we might have if we say no to this Cowen project of wanting an easement through our Village. She wanted this done before any futher discussions with the Cowen Group. It passed. Read more on this article...
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
*
Coffee with the Directors on 4/16/2008
*Our Village Patrol was mentioned as Security 8 times during this meeting
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Selma Campbell introduced three people, two running for the School Board and a person for the Laguna Madre Water District Board. After their short resumes the attention was focused on our box of suggestions and comments.
Out of the suggestion box
No hot water for laundry facility.
SC 106 wanted low areas filled and 3’ deep hole in front of cottage
Lot 815 asked to keep our current management.
Lot 339 requested buying different equipment to replace the skid steer and also mentioned employee’s low wages.
Lot 51 said the concrete golf paths are not tall enough and will eventually be covered over.
Lot 380 complained about a home construction next to them caused damage to their property.
Board received a complaint about the parking around the bridge.
There was a request by Lot 32 to refurbish our basketball court.
There was a request from lot 570 for a separate independent audit to be done.
Lot 830 complained that every year the common grounds around their home are not watered letting everything die.
People commenting from the crowd
A man of the name Frogy asked of the where a bouts of the skid loader that was missing for three weeks. The answer was it was being used to load dump trucks with sand used on the golf course. This work was being performed in San Benito. Director Peterson made the comment that the answer just stated was not the answer given to him.
Lot 42 stated that the repair to her drainage problem approved two years ago has never been done. Asked for a date when this is to be done.
Owner asked why undeliverable UPS and Fed Ex were not being left at the Welcome Center. Answer was from management that it was unlawful to do such.
There was a concern about the two foot easement not being large enough, newsletter reminders of being courteous to your neighbors, and instead of for sale signs have color reflectors.
An owner told the Board that owners are not disclosed the wages of salaried management and hourly workers. It is not disclosed of the “Perks” management receives. The Board’s answer was we give Aramark the money and have no control on how they disburse it. The same owner said Security was not patrolling his street properly.
An owner said that there has been more improvement in this park in the last five years then in the last fifteen.
An owner from lot 318 talked about considering prefab homes.
Lot 307 asked why people are allowed to leave their parked trucks sticking out in the streets. A director gave a ten minute speech about how they measured their vehicles before buying them but ultimately gave no recourse.
Director Dodson announced that on this coming Monday Time Warner, Arroyo, and possibly Direct TV will give us their sales pitch.
There was a question if the Board is having a closed to the owners meeting with Aramark. The answer was yes with no mention of what was to be discussed.
The meeting finished with the meeting our Directors had with John F. Cowen whose company wants to develop five hundred acres into 5000 sq.ft. lots for condominiums and wants to be a partner in our Association and use our park as access. More meetings are scheduled and this should require owner’s majority approval.
33480 S. Garcia What you’re reading is our new address that started April 14th, 2008. It had been changed to help guide 911 units. You will have six months to make arrangements. Our Board may request additional changes to occur that would make more sense for our community, so don’t do anything just yet.
The Workshop
The workshop started with a thirty-five minute seminar on a scanner to possibly be purchased.
Our G.M. discussed how and where future effluent water will be piped in if this Cowen construction and LIV partnership becomes a reality. We would be the last to get water after it passes through the new project and Freeland’s. It would enter our park somewhere near hole #15 on the golf course, with the pond there to be converted to a fresh water holding basin. He commented that Freeland already had a permit.
The directors touched on the address change. The consensus was that if the new five digit number used by 911 emergency and police as a five to six feet address location, every lot should have a five digit number. They will continue on how to accomplish the best solution.
A discussion started about modular housing between an owner who seemed to have a vested interest and the board. The owners’ contention was that our current rules were in so many words, a farce.
The topic of having a different person doing a separate independent audit was basically argued about. Some seemed to think it was not necessary since we have an independent audit currently being done. Others thought the reason for this new audit request was to guide us on where and what areas we could improve on, which would be more of a company business profile analysis, which was argued why we have Aramark. It was also said if we did this it would imply that the Board and Aramark management were not doing their job. Interesting, I think there should be more on this.
Director Burke talked about easement policies with little to add except stories of her past.
President Sullivan went through a list of pros and few cons about this Cowen project. He said there was much to consider and was too early to make a true evaluation. Director Burke made an interesting intelligent comment on finding out LIV position on access rights.
Director Henson brought up buying water meters to survey water consumption a resident uses inside.
Director Steffensen said they are trying to get additional pool bids from Robertson pools and South Texas Pools. They would like to have more. Read more on this article...
Coffee with the Directors on 4/16/2008
*Our Village Patrol was mentioned as Security 8 times during this meeting
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Selma Campbell introduced three people, two running for the School Board and a person for the Laguna Madre Water District Board. After their short resumes the attention was focused on our box of suggestions and comments.
Out of the suggestion box
No hot water for laundry facility.
SC 106 wanted low areas filled and 3’ deep hole in front of cottage
Lot 815 asked to keep our current management.
Lot 339 requested buying different equipment to replace the skid steer and also mentioned employee’s low wages.
Lot 51 said the concrete golf paths are not tall enough and will eventually be covered over.
Lot 380 complained about a home construction next to them caused damage to their property.
Board received a complaint about the parking around the bridge.
There was a request by Lot 32 to refurbish our basketball court.
There was a request from lot 570 for a separate independent audit to be done.
Lot 830 complained that every year the common grounds around their home are not watered letting everything die.
People commenting from the crowd
A man of the name Frogy asked of the where a bouts of the skid loader that was missing for three weeks. The answer was it was being used to load dump trucks with sand used on the golf course. This work was being performed in San Benito. Director Peterson made the comment that the answer just stated was not the answer given to him.
Lot 42 stated that the repair to her drainage problem approved two years ago has never been done. Asked for a date when this is to be done.
Owner asked why undeliverable UPS and Fed Ex were not being left at the Welcome Center. Answer was from management that it was unlawful to do such.
There was a concern about the two foot easement not being large enough, newsletter reminders of being courteous to your neighbors, and instead of for sale signs have color reflectors.
An owner told the Board that owners are not disclosed the wages of salaried management and hourly workers. It is not disclosed of the “Perks” management receives. The Board’s answer was we give Aramark the money and have no control on how they disburse it. The same owner said Security was not patrolling his street properly.
An owner said that there has been more improvement in this park in the last five years then in the last fifteen.
An owner from lot 318 talked about considering prefab homes.
Lot 307 asked why people are allowed to leave their parked trucks sticking out in the streets. A director gave a ten minute speech about how they measured their vehicles before buying them but ultimately gave no recourse.
Director Dodson announced that on this coming Monday Time Warner, Arroyo, and possibly Direct TV will give us their sales pitch.
There was a question if the Board is having a closed to the owners meeting with Aramark. The answer was yes with no mention of what was to be discussed.
The meeting finished with the meeting our Directors had with John F. Cowen whose company wants to develop five hundred acres into 5000 sq.ft. lots for condominiums and wants to be a partner in our Association and use our park as access. More meetings are scheduled and this should require owner’s majority approval.
33480 S. Garcia What you’re reading is our new address that started April 14th, 2008. It had been changed to help guide 911 units. You will have six months to make arrangements. Our Board may request additional changes to occur that would make more sense for our community, so don’t do anything just yet.
The Workshop
The workshop started with a thirty-five minute seminar on a scanner to possibly be purchased.
Our G.M. discussed how and where future effluent water will be piped in if this Cowen construction and LIV partnership becomes a reality. We would be the last to get water after it passes through the new project and Freeland’s. It would enter our park somewhere near hole #15 on the golf course, with the pond there to be converted to a fresh water holding basin. He commented that Freeland already had a permit.
The directors touched on the address change. The consensus was that if the new five digit number used by 911 emergency and police as a five to six feet address location, every lot should have a five digit number. They will continue on how to accomplish the best solution.
A discussion started about modular housing between an owner who seemed to have a vested interest and the board. The owners’ contention was that our current rules were in so many words, a farce.
The topic of having a different person doing a separate independent audit was basically argued about. Some seemed to think it was not necessary since we have an independent audit currently being done. Others thought the reason for this new audit request was to guide us on where and what areas we could improve on, which would be more of a company business profile analysis, which was argued why we have Aramark. It was also said if we did this it would imply that the Board and Aramark management were not doing their job. Interesting, I think there should be more on this.
Director Burke talked about easement policies with little to add except stories of her past.
President Sullivan went through a list of pros and few cons about this Cowen project. He said there was much to consider and was too early to make a true evaluation. Director Burke made an interesting intelligent comment on finding out LIV position on access rights.
Director Henson brought up buying water meters to survey water consumption a resident uses inside.
Director Steffensen said they are trying to get additional pool bids from Robertson pools and South Texas Pools. They would like to have more. Read more on this article...
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Is it our Village Patrol or Village Security? 4/09/2008
I was surprised when told by employees of our in house non-security staff patrol that since its inception, our management has not provided any particular updated procedural guidelines or training. I've been told there has been no training in the use of our pricey defibrillator. Our Village spent $2500.00 to have a usable machine and lightly trained people on hand in order to help save your life or mine. Most of the eight staff members are gone that passed what is believed the first and only CPR and AED (defibrillator) training on April 7th, 2004. The few remaining employees may have forgotten most of what they had learned. After four years I know I have.
It appears that Management’s involvement in any consistent training of our Patrol Staff has virtually been non-existent. In fact the staff has said that they have to rely on using the same old handbook that was left from the previous licensed security company for procedural guidance.
Should we blame our management that appears to have had zero training, experience, or background in the area of security? Should we blame our management which had tried for months and failed to acquire a Texas Security License ?
I think not. Last year our Board made the decision to have them run it.
I feel no one is to blame for this but ourselves. We elect the people who serve for us on a Board. This Board oversees the running of all daily activities of our Village. They are in control of management policies and procedures.
Most on the Board work hard and all get paid nothing for their efforts. Their only reward may be the knowledge that they are making a difference to better our Village. Most have agendas, some do not. They all try to do their best, but when it’s all said and done, the outcome usually ends up as a non-pay what have you done for me lately thankless job.
I'm all for stopping the blame and focusing on correcting a problem to which I feel is an inevitable law suit waiting to happen. I understand we have several lawsuites currently pending, so why gamble for more. Even more important is improving an owner's or renter's chances of not having a harmful experience in our Village.
The problem;
Our Village is giving every indication that this gated community has a full time trained security staff. This Staff is constantly called Security in our Board meetings, newsletters, and is advertised as 24 hour security in rental ads. Visitors entering our Village can’t help but think they are Security. They see uniform employees screening people that enter, doing patrols, and inforcing Village rules. Thinking this makes anyone feel somewhat safer which promotes letting their guard down. Our Village is promoting this illusion which makes us responsible. The Village's liability should reduce drastically if our Board would put in motion some simple actions in protecting ourselves.
Such simple actions are:
Have an annual security audit. The local police or independent security agencies will often conduct a security audit of the premises, pointing out potential areas of weakness. Follow their recommendations. The audit demonstrates due diligence on the part of the association.
Continuous training that should include patrol techniques and procedures, visitor and vehicle access control, crime prevention, incident report preparation, physical security equipment and inspections, hazardous material response, company and property policies, fire prevention and suppression, use of force, basic emergency first aid procedures, reporting incidents to emergency services, and interpersonal relations specifically designed to meet the requirements of the property. Sounds a little complicated? It is and this training should be done regularly.
Have our board set the performance goals. Job performance should not be judged by management but by the Association. Keep accurate records of these job performances.
A proactive approach of this manner is the only way to drastically reduce our liability while making our Village a safer place.
Let's git er done!
Similar article was posted 3/09/08
Thursday, April 03, 2008
OUR POOL FACILITY ISSUE
I question the cavalier manner to which Village management has approached this six year problem. This bottom application had problems since the beginning. Our Village paid a lot more to have this type of bottom coat added. It was installed because our Village was told it by South Texas Pools that it would last a lot longer than the normal plastered application. It didn't even last four months.
January of 2002 General Manager Dave Fletcher received four bids to reconstruct our Village’s outdoor pool.
February 27th, 2002 General Manager Fletcher states the bid of $107,850 was awarded to South Texas Pools and they will start within a week with a completion date scheduled May 1, 2002.
On October 7th 2002 management requested South Texas Pools to repair and “touch up” pieces of the bottom cracking and coming apart.
February 27th, 2002 General Manager Fletcher states the bid of $107,850 was awarded to South Texas Pools and they will start within a week with a completion date scheduled May 1, 2002.
On October 7th 2002 management requested South Texas Pools to repair and “touch up” pieces of the bottom cracking and coming apart.
December 18th, 2002 in an attempt to rectify the numerous complaints about the pool being filthy and the chemicals causing problems, our Board passed a motion to acquire three bids to outsource the pool maintenance?
On January 22th, 2003 the management apologized for the many pool problems and that pool maintenance bids have been solicited
On April 23rd, 2003, management had A.N.A. Laboratories test our pool water. The results were never published. During this time management also started advertising for Certified Pool Operators and had no response.
May 23rd, 2003 management hired an employee to maintain the pools from 5am to 1:30pm and plans will be made for him to take and pass a pool certification course.
August 22nd, 2003 certification for this employee has been put on hold because management says the Department of Health has to get a minimum of twenty people to sign up in order to have a certification course.
On February 5th, 2004 the Board looked into the idea of spa covers and found them not feasible.
On January 22th, 2003 the management apologized for the many pool problems and that pool maintenance bids have been solicited
On April 23rd, 2003, management had A.N.A. Laboratories test our pool water. The results were never published. During this time management also started advertising for Certified Pool Operators and had no response.
May 23rd, 2003 management hired an employee to maintain the pools from 5am to 1:30pm and plans will be made for him to take and pass a pool certification course.
August 22nd, 2003 certification for this employee has been put on hold because management says the Department of Health has to get a minimum of twenty people to sign up in order to have a certification course.
On February 5th, 2004 the Board looked into the idea of spa covers and found them not feasible.
May 26th, 2004 the exhaust fan and a sliding door were not working and were asked to be fixed. Shower in the lady’s restroom was replaced for the indoor pool.
July 28th, 2004 the indoor pool replaced one set of belts for the retractable roof at a cost of over $1000.
July 28th, 2004 the outdoor pool bottom has had pieces again breaking up for over a year and will be repaired in the coming winter still under South Texas pools warranty.
August 28th, 2004 a new General Manager Larry DeMalade was introduced as the new G.M.
January 26th, 2005 the outdoor pool’s bottom is under warranty repair
June 22nd, 2005 maintenance replaced tile behind Library at the outdoor pool.
August 24th, 2005 pool furniture was agreed to budget for spring by the Board.
September 28, 2005 maintenance installed two new pumps and changed filter sand for the Indoor pool.
October 26th, 2005 an additional gate was installed at the northeast corner of the outdoor pool. New signs were put up. Outdoor pool bathrooms were remodeled.
November 16th, 2005 maintenance replaced the drain for outdoor pool shower and replaced “a filter" (probably the sand in the filter) to the outdoor pool.
April 26th, 2006, for the third time, the outdoor pool has had numerous pieces breaking off the bottom for the last year. It is scheduled for again a major patchwork of the bottom. This will be the third incident and the second time that approximately 100,000 gallons of water will have to be drained. A Director asked management why the pool needs to be resurfacing when it was put in new three or fours years ago. Management’s answer was the original pool contractor had too few workers and was working in sections letting the plaster dry out too long and become delaminated.
May 24th, 2006 maintenance brought in gravel and pipe to repair the outdoor pool shower for the second time.
June 28th, 2006 a gazebo was brought in. Gravel and new drain pipe to replace outdoor pool backwash drain that was broken by the truck that brought in gazebo. It was mentioned management is still working with the manufacturer who made the material we bought and management thinks our Village didn’t get what we paid for. Management said either it will be replaced or have patchwork done.
August 23rd, 2006 the construction for the middle area of the pool started. This included new concrete poured on common areas, addition of a fountain, new fence around pool perimeter, and refurbishing the gazebo. New showers were put in the indoor pool bathrooms, lights put on roof to light pool area, and cool deck applied. New thermostat for the indoor pool was installed and management said it was set at 88 degrees because higher will start building bacteria. Management addressed a drainage problem behind the gazebo.
December 20th, 2006 our General Manager was asked if there was a warranty for work on the bottom of the outdoor pool that still needs to be repaired. The General Manager said no, no longer in warranty. The G.M. said the patch work will be around $3500. Have proof that they used the proper material but procedure was wrong, but that was before I came here.
December 20th, 2006 it was asked if our Village could go after the contractor. This item was taken up with the Village’s attorney Ramona Kantack. Outcome is unknown by us.
January 24th, 2007 our Hospitality Manager Les Heier stated no more complaints have been received, so must be doing okay. He said he put an ad in the paper for more help.
February 28th, 2007 maintenance installed new outdoor hot tub heater and installed new indoor hot tub blower.
March 28th, 2007 the Board president questioned pool maintenance. Indoor pool and hot tubs under went an acid wash and new filters (probably meant replaced the sand in the filters) installed.
April 25th, 2007 our management is getting bids for solar heat for the outdoor pool.
May 23rd, 2007 a motion to accept the $2900 solar heat bid died due to a lack of a 2nd motion.
June 27th, 2007 the indoor pool restrooms were being remodeled. Money to replace the pool furniture was brought up again.
August 29th, 2007 our Hospitality Manager stated that we had some pool issues in the month of July. He has been training Maria Onofre on the chemicals and getting the problems under control. We are looking into installing an automated chemical feed system and just cleaning the pools with housekeeping.
August 29th, 2007 General Manager said to all present that Berry Pools gave their bid and presentation at the Workshop. It was said this would save our village 30% on chemical cost. Motion was passed to accept this bid.
February 2008 maintenance replaced indoor spa blowers and found water leaks for the pool and hot tubs.
July 28th, 2004 the indoor pool replaced one set of belts for the retractable roof at a cost of over $1000.
July 28th, 2004 the outdoor pool bottom has had pieces again breaking up for over a year and will be repaired in the coming winter still under South Texas pools warranty.
August 28th, 2004 a new General Manager Larry DeMalade was introduced as the new G.M.
January 26th, 2005 the outdoor pool’s bottom is under warranty repair
June 22nd, 2005 maintenance replaced tile behind Library at the outdoor pool.
August 24th, 2005 pool furniture was agreed to budget for spring by the Board.
September 28, 2005 maintenance installed two new pumps and changed filter sand for the Indoor pool.
October 26th, 2005 an additional gate was installed at the northeast corner of the outdoor pool. New signs were put up. Outdoor pool bathrooms were remodeled.
November 16th, 2005 maintenance replaced the drain for outdoor pool shower and replaced “a filter" (probably the sand in the filter) to the outdoor pool.
April 26th, 2006, for the third time, the outdoor pool has had numerous pieces breaking off the bottom for the last year. It is scheduled for again a major patchwork of the bottom. This will be the third incident and the second time that approximately 100,000 gallons of water will have to be drained. A Director asked management why the pool needs to be resurfacing when it was put in new three or fours years ago. Management’s answer was the original pool contractor had too few workers and was working in sections letting the plaster dry out too long and become delaminated.
May 24th, 2006 maintenance brought in gravel and pipe to repair the outdoor pool shower for the second time.
June 28th, 2006 a gazebo was brought in. Gravel and new drain pipe to replace outdoor pool backwash drain that was broken by the truck that brought in gazebo. It was mentioned management is still working with the manufacturer who made the material we bought and management thinks our Village didn’t get what we paid for. Management said either it will be replaced or have patchwork done.
August 23rd, 2006 the construction for the middle area of the pool started. This included new concrete poured on common areas, addition of a fountain, new fence around pool perimeter, and refurbishing the gazebo. New showers were put in the indoor pool bathrooms, lights put on roof to light pool area, and cool deck applied. New thermostat for the indoor pool was installed and management said it was set at 88 degrees because higher will start building bacteria. Management addressed a drainage problem behind the gazebo.
December 20th, 2006 our General Manager was asked if there was a warranty for work on the bottom of the outdoor pool that still needs to be repaired. The General Manager said no, no longer in warranty. The G.M. said the patch work will be around $3500. Have proof that they used the proper material but procedure was wrong, but that was before I came here.
December 20th, 2006 it was asked if our Village could go after the contractor. This item was taken up with the Village’s attorney Ramona Kantack. Outcome is unknown by us.
January 24th, 2007 our Hospitality Manager Les Heier stated no more complaints have been received, so must be doing okay. He said he put an ad in the paper for more help.
February 28th, 2007 maintenance installed new outdoor hot tub heater and installed new indoor hot tub blower.
March 28th, 2007 the Board president questioned pool maintenance. Indoor pool and hot tubs under went an acid wash and new filters (probably meant replaced the sand in the filters) installed.
April 25th, 2007 our management is getting bids for solar heat for the outdoor pool.
May 23rd, 2007 a motion to accept the $2900 solar heat bid died due to a lack of a 2nd motion.
June 27th, 2007 the indoor pool restrooms were being remodeled. Money to replace the pool furniture was brought up again.
August 29th, 2007 our Hospitality Manager stated that we had some pool issues in the month of July. He has been training Maria Onofre on the chemicals and getting the problems under control. We are looking into installing an automated chemical feed system and just cleaning the pools with housekeeping.
August 29th, 2007 General Manager said to all present that Berry Pools gave their bid and presentation at the Workshop. It was said this would save our village 30% on chemical cost. Motion was passed to accept this bid.
February 2008 maintenance replaced indoor spa blowers and found water leaks for the pool and hot tubs.
I've found these to be most of the repairs that have happened to our pool facilities from 2002 until present. We are now currently being asked to pay over $30,000 to repair the outdoor pool bottom again along with some pumbing upgrades.
I question the cavalier manner to which Village management has approached this six year problem. This bottom application had problems since the beginning. Our Village paid a lot more to have this type of bottom coat added. It was installed because our Village was told it by South Texas Pools that it would last a lot longer than the normal plastered application. It didn't even last four months.
Dave Fletcher was our General Manager at the beginning of this project . Now I have to say that I would be the first not to want to inherit someone else’s mistakes or problems, but our current management was running this park for five months before they supervised the second large patchwork nearly four years ago. This patchwork was done while still under South Texas Pools warranty.
The problem with the pool bottom seemed very apparent and it was also no secret that South Texas Pools did the application to the bottom incorrectly.
Why in the world wasn't something done to correct this problem before the warranty ended? Why wasn't South Texas Pools asked to redo the whole bottom when it appeared unfixable. Should we owners just say “oh well” and “how much?”
Should we find out what our attorney said after being asked about going after the contractor on December 20th, 2006?
Should we ask how many bids did our management receive for their new $30,000 + project?
What other questions should we ask? Leave a comment.
Read more on this article...
Should we find out what our attorney said after being asked about going after the contractor on December 20th, 2006?
Should we ask how many bids did our management receive for their new $30,000 + project?
What other questions should we ask? Leave a comment.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
This March 26th Board of Directors meeting was very interesting. It started with President Sullivan requesting to discuss some legal matter in an executive session after the meeting.
Our General Manager went through his manager’s report. Some items covered were fines, sand from the pool filter being the reason why the pool were always dirty, and spraying our common areas three times for what he called clover. Director Hansen questioned items in a management report.
The next thirty-five minutes was spent on beating a dead horse about a lock for our boat ramp.
Don Pelletier made a comment on the having of a contractor’s certificate of registration.
Armando gave the usual report of the gazillion thing done in two hours. Director Hansen pointed out that these every two hour job completions were “garbage”. Director Hansen questioned why the shower stall drains were not fixed. Armando said he would check into it.
Les Heier gave his report. Director Hansen asked questions pertaining to his management procedures of the Village Grill. He was also asked if he was obtaining a pool certification. The reply was no.
Director Dodson said she thought he had already been qualified with the course he took. She must have remembered our General Manager saying Les past a pool test last year along with several other employees during a Board meeting.
Our General Manager said you only need a certified pool operator (CPO) on site, and not involved with any duties. He said a certification course doesn’t teach how to test and balance the water or how to take care of the pools. He said it goes into how to calculate water volumes, size of pools, and so forth.
Director Dodson complimented the D&E Committee
President Sullivan said the Golf Committee fundraising and donations totaled a whopping $42729. They have about $16000 left for future cement.
Director Steffensen did a rather great job with the treasurer report. Besides doing the normal report, she addressed some questions mention in this blog and did it without showing any displeasure. She went on to answer thoroughly many pointed questions from Director Hansen and others. She put a tremendous amount of her free time to accomplish this and should be saluted for these efforts.
Director Peterson asked about the new copier and continued with asking questions on the scanning of our records. Subject was tabled.
Appointments were made for Asst. Secretary, Asst. Treasurer, and two positions on the Bridge Board.
Year end reports were accepted.
Motion made to increase permit fees and have the increase put into a road repaving fund. It passed.
Amendment to our building rules was tabled.
Information of contractor’s certificate of registration on permits was passed. It will start in Sept.
Fines for construction vehicles that are parking illegally were tabled.
The never ending pool issue surfaced with a motion to employ someone to train current pool employees. It passed.
Motion to have employee and manager sign off on cleaning the pool and bathrooms passed.
It was requested to advertise in our LIV newsletter for volunteers with them giving their background expertise.
Director McBride talked about Aramark’s contract with our Village and talked about management’s non performance of our common grounds upkeep. The managements excuse for non performance was not being able to hire help. The reply to that was do your job or you will be replaced.
The General Manager talked about an employee leaving us and going to the border patrol. He went on about how the border patrol had reduced their hiring criteria.
Other items touched on was effluent water running through the old sewage pipes on the swing bridge, the cable bids, and phase 3 at our pump station.
The meeting ended with an executive meeting request for a personnel issue and not the legal issue.
Please note, I basically gave the meat of the meeting and not the sizzle. From the beginning of this meeting our management seemed to be under fire from three or four of the Board members. Specific questions and comments were made on management’s performance and procedures. It appeared to me Director Burke became our General Manager’s defense attorney near the end of the meeting. She seemed to become very agitated. It was a very dicey meeting.
In this meeting our gate staff and Village patrol was again referred to as security 6 times by our Board and management.
I’ll save my comments about this meeting for a later article.
The March 19th Coffee with the Directors was a breath of fresh air. It started with the suggestions being read with who wrote them. Questions asked by owners were given an answer right away instead of being passed and lost to management or by expressing “we’ll look into it”. A special thanks to Vice President Young and the rest of the Board.
Most of the items brought up in our open session were the following:
The boat ramp gate was being left open for anyone to use it.
Have a separate room just for Villagers to use their computers.
The problem with the gate staff (they said security), opening both gates at the same time.
What is the progress on switching to another cable company? Answer was waiting for bids.
Vehicles are parked sticking out into the street.
Chicken night tickets that were being sold to a large group at the door.
Office employees mistreating our customers at the Welcome Center.
The board would like suggestions and your input for the LIV’s new web site.
Address the parking of construction vehicles.
It was asked starting an escrow account for road repair.
It was asked that management keep in compliance to the upkeep of our common grounds.
There was a question about our water meters.
It was asked if boats are charged for parking in our parking lot and if so, where is the money is going? There was a question about past improper dredging,
The subject of the need of effluent water was brought up.
An owner was upset by the way management treated him towards managing his rental property.
Quite a while was spent on condition of the pool and training for pool and housekeeping employees. Management said the new employee was on time the first day, but was late the following two.
Workshop
Mr. Perez, who sells for Time Warner, did a pitch for his cable company. Director Dodson said she wanted to get more bids.
Most of the Items discussed I the workshop were the pools, a lift to cut the palm trees, builder rules, pump station pumps, the suggestion box, a siren system, forming more committees, having activities for kids to play golf and tennis, having dances for renters, the watering of our grass, time change for Board meetings, and the mailer received of the homestead tax cap notice. Director Burke took the credit for getting the Laguna Madre Water District to except $5000 for hauling our sewage. Read more on this article...
Our General Manager went through his manager’s report. Some items covered were fines, sand from the pool filter being the reason why the pool were always dirty, and spraying our common areas three times for what he called clover. Director Hansen questioned items in a management report.
The next thirty-five minutes was spent on beating a dead horse about a lock for our boat ramp.
Don Pelletier made a comment on the having of a contractor’s certificate of registration.
Armando gave the usual report of the gazillion thing done in two hours. Director Hansen pointed out that these every two hour job completions were “garbage”. Director Hansen questioned why the shower stall drains were not fixed. Armando said he would check into it.
Les Heier gave his report. Director Hansen asked questions pertaining to his management procedures of the Village Grill. He was also asked if he was obtaining a pool certification. The reply was no.
Director Dodson said she thought he had already been qualified with the course he took. She must have remembered our General Manager saying Les past a pool test last year along with several other employees during a Board meeting.
Our General Manager said you only need a certified pool operator (CPO) on site, and not involved with any duties. He said a certification course doesn’t teach how to test and balance the water or how to take care of the pools. He said it goes into how to calculate water volumes, size of pools, and so forth.
Director Dodson complimented the D&E Committee
President Sullivan said the Golf Committee fundraising and donations totaled a whopping $42729. They have about $16000 left for future cement.
Director Steffensen did a rather great job with the treasurer report. Besides doing the normal report, she addressed some questions mention in this blog and did it without showing any displeasure. She went on to answer thoroughly many pointed questions from Director Hansen and others. She put a tremendous amount of her free time to accomplish this and should be saluted for these efforts.
Director Peterson asked about the new copier and continued with asking questions on the scanning of our records. Subject was tabled.
Appointments were made for Asst. Secretary, Asst. Treasurer, and two positions on the Bridge Board.
Year end reports were accepted.
Motion made to increase permit fees and have the increase put into a road repaving fund. It passed.
Amendment to our building rules was tabled.
Information of contractor’s certificate of registration on permits was passed. It will start in Sept.
Fines for construction vehicles that are parking illegally were tabled.
The never ending pool issue surfaced with a motion to employ someone to train current pool employees. It passed.
Motion to have employee and manager sign off on cleaning the pool and bathrooms passed.
It was requested to advertise in our LIV newsletter for volunteers with them giving their background expertise.
Director McBride talked about Aramark’s contract with our Village and talked about management’s non performance of our common grounds upkeep. The managements excuse for non performance was not being able to hire help. The reply to that was do your job or you will be replaced.
The General Manager talked about an employee leaving us and going to the border patrol. He went on about how the border patrol had reduced their hiring criteria.
Other items touched on was effluent water running through the old sewage pipes on the swing bridge, the cable bids, and phase 3 at our pump station.
The meeting ended with an executive meeting request for a personnel issue and not the legal issue.
Please note, I basically gave the meat of the meeting and not the sizzle. From the beginning of this meeting our management seemed to be under fire from three or four of the Board members. Specific questions and comments were made on management’s performance and procedures. It appeared to me Director Burke became our General Manager’s defense attorney near the end of the meeting. She seemed to become very agitated. It was a very dicey meeting.
In this meeting our gate staff and Village patrol was again referred to as security 6 times by our Board and management.
I’ll save my comments about this meeting for a later article.
The March 19th Coffee with the Directors was a breath of fresh air. It started with the suggestions being read with who wrote them. Questions asked by owners were given an answer right away instead of being passed and lost to management or by expressing “we’ll look into it”. A special thanks to Vice President Young and the rest of the Board.
Most of the items brought up in our open session were the following:
The boat ramp gate was being left open for anyone to use it.
Have a separate room just for Villagers to use their computers.
The problem with the gate staff (they said security), opening both gates at the same time.
What is the progress on switching to another cable company? Answer was waiting for bids.
Vehicles are parked sticking out into the street.
Chicken night tickets that were being sold to a large group at the door.
Office employees mistreating our customers at the Welcome Center.
The board would like suggestions and your input for the LIV’s new web site.
Address the parking of construction vehicles.
It was asked starting an escrow account for road repair.
It was asked that management keep in compliance to the upkeep of our common grounds.
There was a question about our water meters.
It was asked if boats are charged for parking in our parking lot and if so, where is the money is going? There was a question about past improper dredging,
The subject of the need of effluent water was brought up.
An owner was upset by the way management treated him towards managing his rental property.
Quite a while was spent on condition of the pool and training for pool and housekeeping employees. Management said the new employee was on time the first day, but was late the following two.
Workshop
Mr. Perez, who sells for Time Warner, did a pitch for his cable company. Director Dodson said she wanted to get more bids.
Most of the Items discussed I the workshop were the pools, a lift to cut the palm trees, builder rules, pump station pumps, the suggestion box, a siren system, forming more committees, having activities for kids to play golf and tennis, having dances for renters, the watering of our grass, time change for Board meetings, and the mailer received of the homestead tax cap notice. Director Burke took the credit for getting the Laguna Madre Water District to except $5000 for hauling our sewage. Read more on this article...
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