THE EVALUATION FLOP

Would you like to predict what our general manager’s evaluation score will be in August for a second time?

Don't bother, it should be AVERAGE.

Would you like to bet a few of the directors will loudly say the board cannot replace our general manager with an evaluation score that’s average? Go ahead and you’ll win big.

Why in the world are our directors and general manager putting on this extravaganza. It doesn’t take a psychic to see that this whole process has an apparent predetermined and predictable outcome.

One should ask why there is a need for this evaluation in the first place. Is it to create an accurate paper trail? If so, this fastidious trail is full of mud, cracks, and potholes.

This particular evaluation format poses 21 specific questions to a committee of four partisan board members. They will render one multiple choice verdict for each question.

It's my understanding that before a verdict is applicable, the subject of this query has been allowed to be in the presence of each individual committee member to review, argue, and influence their answer. Such things our general manager might or has argued is how can this director award an average grade when the evaluation question itself appears to require a yes or no answer? (E.G. possible evaluation questions # 2, #5 , #8, #10, #14, #16, and #18.) Our general manager might or by now declared that this evaluator has no way of knowing what he did so as to be able to give him an accurate grade. ( E.G. possible evaluation questions #11, #12, #17, #19, #20, and #21.) As a matter of record, our general manager has stated he will not give the maintenance records on Aramark equipment to any director, only to the president. How can these four committee evaluators grade #19? In my unassuming opinion his whole evaluation forum appears to be nothing but a charade.

It as plain as the nose on your face that this meaningless evaluation procedure was concocted to buy time. Time for certain people to do everything as humanly possible at making our current board appear dysfunctional, so as to cast doubt towards every board member’s action or decision. So far that has succeeded. Having a few people creating a petition to recall three board members for meaningless reasons was brilliant. It had every board member looking over their shoulder. As a follow up, a new trend was started to argue every board topic to the boiling point and then try to spin any decision off as being an attack on our general manager or Aramark. This is having a disheartening divisional effect on everyone here in the Park as well as on the board..

That being said, I would like for someone to show me where Aramark’s contract says a paper trail is necessary to replace any general manager they provide. it may say specific but not a trail. I would like to also read anywhere in that contract that our Village has to justify anything to them. We pay for them to provide a service. They are accountable to our Village. We by no means are accountable to them.

Concerned owners have asked if this is the best general manager Aramark can provide? Disquieted owners have also asked is this a manager whom you can trust? Some owners have questioned if this is the type of manager who can bring future harmony and prosperity to our Village? Many have asked these questions and received no answers. Some have witness our general manager being rude to both customers and owners. Even our own director Burke said he’s been rude because at times he was in a bad mood, after which she asked the audience if they ever have been in a bad mood. Director Burke should have asked the audience if at your work, would it be tolerated if you were rude to customers and those people who pay your wages?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Here is the committee’s evaluation form.

LONG ISLAND VILLAGE OWNERS' ASSOCIATION GENERAL MANAGER EVALUATION.
Reporting Structure
The General Manager is responsible to the Board of Directors of Long Island Village Owners’ Association. The General Manager is responsible for Implementing the policies and procedures passed by the Board in a prudent and expedient manner. The General Manager recommends to the Board all procedures and policy changes which will improve the operation of the Village.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The General Manager is responsible for the day to day operations of the Village and delegates authority to those individuals who have been assigned supervisory responsibility for performing dally activities,
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
The General Manager has the responsibility for the Implementation and monitoring of the budget as approved by the Board, The General Manager has the responsibility to report revenues and expenditures to the Board as required. This position makes recommendations to the Board as to the need for emergency expenditures and keeps the board informed about the future fiscal needs of the Village.
PERSONELL RESPONSIBILITY
The General Manager is responsible for all the personnel who perform functions for Long Island Village Owners' Association. The General Manager reports to the Board about dismissals, resignations, and hiring; follows policy In filling vacated and new positions; recommends to the Board and. receives approval for new positions to be added and recommends to the Board those individuals selected to fill managerial (salaried) positions.
EVAUATION
The Board of Directors is responsible for the quarterly and annual evaluation of the General Manager. The General Manager is responsible for implementing an evaluation process that assures that every employee's performance \s evaluated a minimum of once per year.
PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL OF THEGENERAL MANAGER; -
"Evaluate each function by marking (1) Outstanding (2) Satisfactory (3) Satisfactory but needs some improvement (4) Not satisfactory and needs improvement.
Administration

1. Supervises and provides direction to Office Staff, Hospitality Manager, Facility Manager and Security Service.

2. Conducts the operation of the Village within the context of Board adopted policies and bylaws.

3. Ensures that the Association's rules and regulations are enforced and assesses and collects penalties for violations.

4. Provides reports to the Board as required by the Association’s policies or as requested by the Board.

5. Prepares a realistic annual budget for the Village in conjunction with Board Treasurer.

6. Communicates with owners and guest and addresses their concerns.

7. Initiates recommendations to the Board for improvements to the Village.

8. Is accountable to the Board for managing within the approved budget.

9. Provides budget and financial reports to the Board on a regular basis.

10. Assures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles.

11. Reviews and approves journal entries, bank Account reconciliation, and payment of invoices and cash management transactions.

12. Regularly inspects the Village for violation of rules and regulations, landscaping improvement and visual attractiveness.

13. Develops and implements procedures for operating 1he Rental Office efficiently.

14. Issues damage refund checks and owners' commission checks in a timely manner.

15. Responds to requests and inquiries by members of the Board in a timely manner.

16. Complies with legal. Tax, licensing, permitting governmental and other regulatory requirements.

17. Tracks delinquent accounts receivable, approves payment plans for delinquent owners, submits accounts for foreclosure to attorney.

18. Supervises payment of appropriate State, Federal and hotel occupancy taxes in a timely manner.

19. Assures effectiveness of maintenance, repairs, lawns, recreational amenities mechanical equipment and common areas.

20. Assures effective functioning of Atrium Room, special events, catering service, golf course, Residence Center operations and events scheduling.

21. Creates and maintains necessary records relating to personnel, finance, maintenance, board activities and other services, activities and functions.

Read more on this article...

Note: There has been a correction made in the security article. I wish to thank the person who brought it to my attention through the comment sector. My apologies for the 14 words pasted twice in this article and any confusion it may have created.


SECURITY

This article is being renewed for a second time. It will use the board minutes as reference to the actions taken. They will be colored in red, highlighted, and will not be altered for corrections in grammar. This hopes to show the path that was followed in obtain the current security department contract.
Board giving our G.M.’s position the power.
Minutes
LONG ISLAND VILLAGE OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
Regular Board Meeting
March 26, 2003
Management Responsibility I Micro-management Dodson made a proposalto shift to management everything that is management like facilities! security!and building codes and then hold them accountable for. Hold Fletcher accountable and then he in turn hold his employees accountable. The Board to meet once every quarter and discuss any concerns! complaints and/or compliments with General Manager and Regional Manager. Still will have certain committees that will still be run by volunteers. Cain asked how would the process be handled. She wanted specification on how the process would be
different if Armando did it as opposed to the Board. Dodson said she would expect the Facility Supervisor, Armando Zamora, would be responsible for interpreting the building codes and if he had questions having to do with variances or the building codes then he must bring it up to the board! plus check building construction! issue building permits. There would no longer be a
Building Committee! which has done a great job but would like to turn over to made a motion that ARAMARK be awarded the contract for gate attendants and patrol. Board would then hold Armando responsible through Fletcher.
Call for a vote. All in favor except for Halbach who abstained. Motion approved.

Larry DeMalade was introduced on August 25th, 2004 as our new G.M. replacing Dave Fletcher. Four months later he wanted our board to have Aramark run our security.
At that time Business articles were being published talking about a new Texas franchise tax bill.

This new bill is design to correct all dissimilar and unfair practices that most of the out of state Services Corporations like Aramark, use to avoid paying most if not all Texas franchise taxes. It would seem plausible that every Aramark pencil pusher had their eye on this new bill because of the tremendous tax effect it would have for every Aramark business subsidiary doing business in Texas.

Securitas gets the boot.
APPROVED MINUTES
Long Island Village
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
JANUARY 26, 2005
9 AM-Recreation Hall

MOTION: Mulch made a motion to proceed to give 90 days notice to Securitas and Cain
seconded the motion. Short discussion took place. Larry proposed having an in-house Security
force and how it will save money and be better having them under our supervision. Not all
security guards will be hired by us. All in favor. Motion unanimously carried.

The following four months our general manager was thought to be acquiring a Texas security license.

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Securitas gets un-booted.
MINUTES
Long Island Village
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MAY 25, 2005
9 AM-Arts/Crafts Room

Security Contract - last week signed a new one-year contract with Securitas. Had wanted in-house security but ARAMARK would not take security because the State of Texas has outrageous liability. This contract has 6 month probation and Security must perform to our rules. I cut cost around $30,000.00 a year since they don't supervise their people. (Twice in 8 months). Making changes in some of their personnel. Gave instructions that only bi-lingual security guards are needed.


It took four months for Aramark to figure out that Texas had an outrageous liability and to say we’re not interested. I’ll have to look a little closer at this $30,000 cost cutting at a later time.

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For the next sixteen months there seemed to be nary a word about in house security. During this interlude the new Texas franchise tax bill had passed. The news article below gives a brief explanation of this new tax bill.

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Texas / South Central News
Texas Business Tax Winners and Losers
May 8, 2006
The Texas Legislature has approved a bill that would enact a new, broader-based tax on businesses while granting businesses and homeowners some relief from school property taxes.
Industries that are expected to see their taxes reduced in 2008 include: - Mining, including oil and gas production, by 12.1 percent. - Finance, insurance and real estate, by 9.8 percent. - Wholesale and retail trade, by 3.8 percent. - Utilities and transportation, which includes the state's three big airlines, 2.5 percent.
Those that are expected to pay higher taxes: - Construction, up 25.7 percent; firms get little help from property-tax relief. - Services, up 19.7 percent; most now avoid the franchise tax. -Information, up 13.6 percent. - Manufacturing, up 8.3 percent.
House Bill 3, sent to Gov. Rick Perry this week, would replace the 4.5 percent franchise tax with a tax of 1 percent on a company's gross receipts minus either its cost of producing goods or payroll expenses (including wages and benefits).

Starting in 2008, Aramark being a professional services company will now have to pay its fair share of franchise taxes in the State of Texas.

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Let try this again, Securitas gets the boot again.
MINUTES
Long Island Village
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
August 23, 2006
9 AM - Arts/Crafts Room

In-house Security-Larry Since we have been moved to Business and Industry we got approval by Senior Vice-President to pursue getting Security in-house. Brought in proposal which is less than we are paying now with current Security plus also give increase to security employees. Need memo in writing to approve it. Better costing, $187,660 and now paying $190,000+, increase goes to employees. Guerra asked that this item be tabled to the next workshop. The
other board members said that they were present or had heard the discussions on getting in-house Security last year. The previous board had agreed to it but ARAMARK at the time was not able to accommodate them.
MOTION: Guerra made a motion to go ahead and approve getting Security in-house and to issue a 30 day notice in writing as required to current Security firm terminating their services. Burke seconded the made motion that ARAMARK be awarded the contract for gate attendants and patrol. All in favor except for Young who abstained. Motion passed.
MOTION: Burke made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Martin seconded the motion. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 AM.1
Minutes Taken By
APPROVED
Virginia Martin, Secretary
Board of Directors

Did our general manager, Aramark, and the board forget the reason why Aramark declined doing this the first time? Did the State of Texas all of a sudden change having outrageous liability?

The motion to give Securitas only a 30 day notice would seem to indicate that our management could obtain this security license quickly. Au contraire, after ten months our general manager was still handing out his list of security license excuses to the board. Our Village began paying Aramark during this interim to run our security until they got around to getting a license.

Posted in our June 2007 newsletter was, “Our long awaited license to operate a security unit in the State of Texas is close to arriving at LIV, says general manager Larry DeMalade.”
The license never came. Neither did an answer as to why.

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As a result of the consistant pressure from the Concerned Citizens of Long Island Village, the general manager requested time in the following board meeting to explain his side of this security debacle. At this meeting he addressed each divergence separately. He paraded a real show and tell. His orchestration ended with him saying it’s not that management wasn’t able to get a security license but it is Aramark who chose not to obtain it. He explained the State wants to charge Aramark a $20,000 out of state fee. He finished by saying this was the State’s way to keep all out of state security companies from taking away contracts from Texas based security companies.

Read between the lines on this one.
MINUTES
Long Island Village
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
June 27, 2007
9 AM - Arts/Crafts Room
Security/Patrol: Discussion about present security issues. Larry DeMalade shared that Aramark legal department is working on clarification with Austin. There was discussion about bids to outsource this service or keep it in house and the level/types of security. Board will discuss and define what services we want to provide in the area of security. Larry will seek bids from security companies within 70 miles to present at the August Coffee. Don Nixon will work with· Larry to attain bids and information. Additional information will be in next newsletter.

Does it seem just a bit odd that after 10 months of struggling to try acquiring a security license, that Aramark legal department is now working hard on getting clarification towards operating an unlicensed security?

A security info flier was inserted in the next LIV newsletter as promised. Many owners have said they thought the flier information was somewhat bias in wanting an unlicensed company. In addition to the way the insert read, the director who wrote it had previously seconded the made motion that ARAMARK be awarded the contract for gate attendants and patrol.

Disappointedly, our Village security concern has evolved from looking for the best apple in the barrel to now looking at apples and oranges.

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An orange is picked
MINUTES
Long Island Village
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
August 29, 2007
9 AM - Arts/Crafts Room

Les' Report
Security -Still doing our own Security through ARAMARK. We are currently taking bids from out source companies. Currently have 2 bids.

Security Bids - DeMalade
Larry reported that he has received 3 bids - 2 licensed and 1 is not. South West Texas Security - no overtime, basic service such as check gate, issue passes, contact owners, call Sheriff Department and patrol every 2 hours for $215/000. Fort Knox Security-same services for $250/000. ARAMARK with no license only for $187/000-same services including additional duties of pool monitoring, setup/work after hours.
MOTION: Mulch made a motion that ARAMARK be awarded the contract for gate attendants and patrol because of cost savings and the fact that we get more services. Also, another factor to consider is that this way, we have direct control of these people and Halbach seconded
the motion. Discussion took place with owners allowed to participate in discussion. Steffensen reported that 71 Security surveys were received of which 36 owners in favor of ARAMARK and 33 in favor of outside security and 2 letting BOD decide. Burke asked for a roll call vote:Halbach-yes; Martin -yes; Mulch-yes; Pelletier-yes; Steffensen-yes; and Young-no. Motion carried.


So there you have it.
Our previous board gave Aramark a in-house unlicensed gatekeeper contract for the following reasons.
1. To save a diminutive amount of money. An amount that appears less than our Village paid to truck our poop out for a couple of weeks during the sewer fiasco.
2. Our general manager said our gatekeepers would do more. Owners have told me the only more they have seen is more of the same.
3. Management will have direct control of the gatekeepers. This they appear to basically already have.
4. This may not be a reason because it’s hard for me to believe the board could be swayed by just 36 yes email votes wanting Aramark, especially when there was only questionable flier information to draw from.

Recently, on May 21, 2008, our general manager had reiterated that a $20,000 fee was Aramark’s reason for not acquiring a security license. When asked to clarify what that fee was; this license fee turned into a franchise tax. I’m not sure of all the revenues Aramark receives from our Village or which subsidiaries apply in total scheme of franchise taxable revenues, but I’m pretty confident that a one percent franchise tax on our current $187,660 gross security revenues is $1876.60, and not $20,000. Since the franchise tax rationale wouldn’t fly after such an elucidation, the general manager came up with a new reason. In the letter he received from Aramarke were now two reasons. The second reason was the Aramark person in charge of this did not want to be personally liable or be held responsible for signing the security license contract.

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Imagine that!

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Over two and a half years of Aramark and management wanting to run our Village’s security. Over fourteen months having our general manager saying they’re trying to get a Texas Security License. The many hours of deliberation and promises to the board and owners of LIV, and it unbelievably comes down to someone not wanting to sign a simple security license agreement?

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The more I review these events, the more incredulous my thinking has become.It has me ask myself; has our general manager been giving forthwith accurate answers? Has our management and Aramark been serious towards the acquisition of this security license? ... Or is this all a Potemkin village?

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I leave it to your own discretions on what to make of all this. What do you think?

Read more on this article...

THE COFFEE WITH THE DIRECTORS 8/20/2008

Pledge of allegiance was followed by the comment/suggestions from the suggestion box, which had to open by cutting the lock off.
Lot#400 Owner upset at an unauthorized trailer on his lot.
Owners at Lot #356 had a complaint about two ladies harassing them for about twenty minutes.
Lot #836 wanted more ping pong tables, outlet plugs to use, and more DVD players for owner’s residences.
Lot # 599 said the hot tubes (as written in the suggestion) temperature was not consistent and wishes that thermometers were available. The general manager said all the hot tubs stays at temperature of 102 degrees and never changes. He said this numerous times and that temperature is a standard. When asked if they could be set at different temperatures he answered yes. He went on to say he never recalled though it ever being over 102 degrees and looked at Les for a response. Les said the indoor spas are set at 104 degrees and outdoor spa at 102 degrees.
Lot #--- complained that kids under the age of 14 were frequently using the spas, the rope needed replaced, and if the pool monitor could possibly stay longer. They also asked at the bottom for this suggestion for it not to be read at the meeting, which is why the Lot # is blank.
Lot # 306 said needed more electrical outlets for the computer.
SC# 64 said a few years ago Aramark said they were to install accessible shutoff valves to the sea cottages so water for the sprinklers could be turned off when it rains. It has yet to be done because they belong to the owners.
Lot #828 said the nonpayment of condo fees should be posted with the amount due and owners names, along with owners be given the heads up to have first choice to purchase foreclosures. Manager said when he hands it over to our attorney that’s the last he hears about it. He said he had no knowledge whatsoever of recent foreclosure purchased by a Brownsville residence at a pretty nice price.
Lot #158 complained about the lack of security. They had four trespassers fishing off their property and the neighbors. We asked where they were from and the four said Weslaco. We asked how they got in the park and the trespassers said they told security they were seeing a friend. They said this same friend told them they could fish anywhere they wanted but when asked, didn’t want to disclose the name. Their truck was parked I believe on lot #136 with no visible LIV pass. They left with headlights off when told the sheriff was called. Owners stated this has happened before with us having to clean up the mess they leave behind. It was requested for the board to take action. Management questioned why they didn’t call security. The owner who wrote this comment got up and said they saw no need to waste their time because when security was previously called last year, they laughed and joked with the trespassers and left with their arms around each other. Why call?
SC #57 Owner stated the shame that both pools water have been consistently inconsistent. They said you never know what you’ll find when coming to the exercise class. This has been too ongoing and needs to be addressed once again. Another owner stood up and said the indoor pool has been green, green, and green. It was mentioned too that there have been skin irritations.
An owner stood up to ask a question on security. He asked why vehicles aren’t being checked when leaving. Director Burke said it was against the law. Security doesn’t have police powers. She went on and on until one of the new owners said he understands this law applies to public property but not to private property. He said we have that right to inspect anything that leaves our private property. No response from Director Burke.
Lot #525 wished to take the time to thank Gene Rutland for his efforts toward getting our bridge open during the hurricane.
There was also a special thanks to Bill Gagan for his multiple efforts.
There was a suggestion to give bonuses to the grounds and housekeeping crew for their twelve hour a day efforts.
There was comment from the floor on what are the hurricane plans for the future? The responses were varied, but generator access seemed to come up the most. Management said we need to get a three phase for the bridge and that the sewage pump stations can be made to run off either one or two phase. It would seem certain that we will not be without generators in the future.
From the audience our general manager’s wife said she had a problem with me and this blog, saying I should remove certain comments that are supposedly not true.
Another owner from the audience made a suggestion about wind power to operate our electrical needs.
Another person made the comment that this blog is a waste of time, some of the comments are true but you can read between the lines. Most of it is a bunch of BS she said, and all the comments are signed anonymous. No guts no glory. Sign your name she said.
Director Hansen asked management what it meant in the hurricane plan to check generators. Answer was gas and oil change. Director Hansen asked how many do we have. Answer, one small one, now.
An owner said a fund raiser for a generator would be a good idea. Another owner said why not makes arrangements with a rental agency for them ahead of time.
Director Burke made the statement it was the board’s responsibility for what happened during this hurricane crisis and to sit down and go over what we did wrong and what we did right.
It was said that our general manager arranged with the coast guard that during this crisis, we could keep our bridge closed to barge traffic for long periods of time.
SC#36 made a comment on what a fantastic job our general manager has done in the past and present. It criticized Directors Hansen, Peterson, and Mc Bride on attempting to replace him.
Lot #301 gave a special thanks to Kirk and Jennifer Holberg for their help in ferrying employees and owners across the channel. Bill Gagan was also mentioned by Director Burke for the same.
Lot #768 The final written comment from the suggestion box was from Director Burke addressing her problem with Director Young. In short, she made an insinuation that Director Young has denied LIV owners their right to vote. Her charge was the petition to remove three of our board members has been willfully violated by Director Young actions, telling voters to mail their votes to him instead of the address on the pre-paid envelope. She said he admits to having received these ballots and refuses to release them. She said in the comment, if this is true, it borders on being illegal and Director Young should resign. Director Young said he received three or four letters that were address specifically to him, unknown to him ahead of time why. He never solicited anyone. They were mailed to him personally and told Director Burke that she was completely out of line with this. Director Burke question Director Young and started to ramble about how she didn’t vote because she on the board and other subjects. After which she had Rita Priest, who is running this petition, stand up and explained that she was told by an owner that they were instructed to return her ballot to a box 155 (Director Young’s box) and was holding an envelope he supposedly sent in her hands like an apparent exhibit A. She said she went to Director Young who refuses to give her his mail. She said she then went to President Sullivan to no avail. She then turned to the audience and stated that if anyone of you has mailed your vote to any address other than box 199 or what was designated on the return envelope, it will not be counted.
She was told by some to give it a rest but didn’t.
Dick Stabler rose and asked permission to say a few things. He said forget what address this or that goes to, it’s over. Let’s forget about all this and live with our differences. We’ve raised our kids and are here now to enjoy ourselves. He pointed to our general manager and said you do your job and then to Director Burke with saying the same. We’re supposed to be adults, but right now we are acting like kids.
Director Burke continued to slay on this voting rights tirade towards Director Young. Mr. Stabler finally stopped her rants by asking her why she didn’t vote. She answered with she is on the Board and had to live with these people. He said he didn’t vote either because he knew everyone of you. This should not go on! This has happened to both sides, forget it! That just seemed to accelerate Director Burke’s verbal motors. Finally Dick Stabler said that sending your vote to an unknown address is just as wrong. He said he agreed with her the right to vote, so now forget it. All we should be doing here is to make sure things we enjoy are working properly and that we are spending our money right. Then he finalized it all by apparently looking at Director Burke and Rita Priest and told them to grow up!

WORKSHOP

1. Sea wall issues -- Larry will talk to Corp of Eng for recommendations.
2. Variance requestof 6" on Lot 564. Board will look at and grant at next board meeting.
3. Electrical plugs at computer table - Larry put in a work order for this.
4. Burke wants owners to give a employee appreciation party and take up money for a Dolly bonus for them.
5. Owners in valley want BOD meeting to be held on Sat AM instead of Wed so they can attend.
6. Hurrican readiness was discussed at length and will be discussed some more.
7. The park management contract is up for cussing & discussing.
8. Larry wants PMs to be allowed to be 22" off the ground instead of 36" and wants to change the building codes to reflect this.
9. SC roofs need to be 30 yr shingles to withstand 120 mile per hour winds instead of 40 yr ones that only withstand 90mph winds. Need to change building codes.
10.PM need to be certified with TDI if you want to get wind insurance for them.
11. There were eight sealed bids received from area security companies. Before the bids were opened, Director Burke started on telling Director Dodson about her demands and how she already knows she would not be ready by the next meeting to make any decisions. This continued for twenty minutes. Director Burke seemed again upset. The committee will review and make their recommendations. Director McBride praised the idea of sealed bids for a change. It was said to their knowledge, this has that been done only one other time
12. Hansen asked about having over $100,000 in two banks. Are we insured fully and are we drawing interest on our money. Review of additional bank account in progress.
13.Hansen wants a detailed accounting of petty cash monies.
14. Hansen wants to readdress the garbage collection issue.
15. Hansen wants to present 6 programs and wants to collect donations to pay the speakers for an appreciation dinner. Wants board approval.
16. Burke wants to set up meeting with Vega.
17. Last thing talked about was a decision to cancel a restraining order on an owner. Any incorrect information previously is being corrected or removed. Thankyou.
Adjorned a little after 1PM Read more on this article...

The outdoor pool was opened Monday. Leo the pool tech worked hard like always to clean up the debris that has been sitting in the outdoor pool since Hurricane Dolly. (28 days) The indoor pool and outdoor pool may be a topic of discussion at the Coffee with the Directors this Wednesday. It seems that the indoor pool has had some issues on clarity again. Read more on this article...

The following is the Island Breeze article about the Cowen Group request to LMWD.


New development proposed near swing bridge
By CARL PHILLIPS Island Breeze

Known as the swing bridge, the structure could be a passageway to a new real estate development, one tentatively named “Palm Island”.
Expensive to maintain, the bridge is currently owned by the Long Island Village Owners’ Association. If the land were ever annexed by Port Isabel, the bridge could be sold to the city or to other private owners.
The new development planned for the property is on the southeast side of the road, just past the swing bridge on S. Garcia Street. The plan was revealed at the meeting Wednesday night, August 13, of the Laguna Madre Water District.
Palm Island is being developed by Cowen Island Properties, a limited partnership consisting of John Cowen, John Cowen Jr., Jeremy Ford and Ryan Harden.
The project is planned for the area to the east of Long Island Village, just across the street from Long Island’s offices.
According to developers, the purpose of the project is to “provide an active adult/second home resort lifestyle…whose physical structure will engender a sense of community that is able to support an evolution towards a self-sufficient village or town.”
They explain that Palm Island will offer residents a quality of life that a large segment of Laguna Madre real estate buyers can afford.
The development promises boat access and amenities, including direct deep water access to the Intracoastal Waterway to the Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico.
Planned are 550 lots, with a sales price of $350,000 to $450,000 each. Fully developed, the total tax value would be in the neighborhood of $227.5 million dollars.
Over a period of 20 years tax revenues for Cameron County, the Point Isabel Independent School District, the Laguna Madre Water District, Cameron County Emergency and Texas Southmost College would total $38,397,340 at current tax rates.
This does not include the estimated $3,785,000 the water district would receive for 550 new water and sewer customers, nor nearly a million dollars in water and sewer tap fees the district would collect.
In return the developer is asking the water district to install and maintain, at district expense, a six-inch sewer line, a lift station and a domestic water line along the edge of the property.
The district is currently planning to lay a raw water line at the edge of the property to serve as an irrigation source for Long Island Village’s Golf Course. Cowen Island Properties pointed out that the lines they need could be laid at the same time, at a considerable savings.
Costs to the water district could amount to half a million dollars, depending on several factors. If the development proceeds as planned, Cowen Island points out, it would alleviate of lot of blowing dust problems that originate from the site of the proposed community.
Water district directors, wanting more information, tabled Cowen’s request for laying water and sewer lines at district expense.
Developers were unavailable for comment on Thursday Read more on this article...

MY PERSONAL OBSERVATION

There has been an interesting scenario developing within the past three weeks. Management’s opportunity to get a reprieve arrived with a Hurricane called Dolly. While management appeared to provide nothing resembling an effective hurricane plan, the free food seemed to buy a lot of support.
Dolly gave us its top north winds that Wednesday morning, avoiding the destructiveness created by its easterly tidal surge winds. When finally coming ashore north of us, we received Dolly's back winds coming from the northwest, west (being the strongest at over 100 mph), and southwest. Only pure luck kept this from being a very deadly and devastating storm.
The following is a short summation of events as I recall.
Monday, July 21st, Stage One was in effect. Supposedly this has us prepare for a possible tropical storm or hurricane within 72 hours.
Tuesday morning a hurricane warning was in effect with no mandatory evacuation. This was the last information posted on the marquis and channel 2.
At midnight I called our gate keepers to ask if Stage One had changed. I also asked about the bridge. They told me they had not been informed as to what Stage we were in and had no idea about the bridge, but offered to call me when they received word, to which I accepted and around 3:30 am I received that call. In a torrential rain storm these gatekeepers began their journey door to door notifying people about the bridge closing. I was told they had to use their personal vehicles to accomplish this, since their golf cart was useless in the storm. There were many people packed and set to leave, but were not notified. I know these gate keepers did their best, but the elements were blistering. The bridge locked down after 5am and Dolly was on the doorstep.
At 7 am I drove around taking photos and checked on a few people who stayed. I pulled into the Activity Center parking lot and was surprised to see the Rec. Hall lights on and vehicles parked near the door. I went back home to sit out the storm, but that was short lived. The 90 mph gusts from the north rocking my park model literally told me to check out the Rec. Hall. There I found three gate keepers and one owner. During the next six hours only a handful of people found shelter there. All took a chance it might be open. I’m sure we would have had a lot more people there if the opening had been made public.
After Dolly wrath left us on Wednesday, it was noticeably apparent no real plan was implemented? For days we had no generator power or comunications, limited and questionable water, sewage disposal backup, and no bridge. Information given by management was sketchy at best and differed. Only by word of mouth did we have a Saturday town hall meeting where we received again accurate and some inaccurate information. One of these accurate items was that owners were to be granted free dinner for the next five days by the grace of Aramark.
I attended the first of these and found it similar to a homeless shelter routine, where the price you pay for the meal is listening to a sermon. I was a little bothered that we had employees cooking, catering, and cleaning up after us when it would seem they really needed to be at home with their families, picking up the pieces left behind by the storm. If they needed the hours, they should have been directed to spend the time on Dolly cleanup and we should have taken care of ourselves about the free food. (just an opinion)
You can put "it is obvious" in front of the following.
First: who worked their tails off at cleaning up this place. The grounds crew along with housekeeping should get more than the lion’s share of credit for an outstanding effort.
Second: who made the boo-boo for not having generators ready to use.
Third: that there was a lack of having or following any predetermined procedural steps.
Fourth: that there was no thought to plan for communication venues.
Fifth: that someone dropped the ball for supervision of water, water contamination, or implementing a schedule for common water use.
Sixth: why people get so upset at what we are to believe? One day we are to believe (as stated in the Board Minutes) that things were done so poorly during Hurricane Emily because our general manager was new and inexperienced. Then at our most recent board meetings this same general manager is having us believe that he had been through four plus major hurricanes up north and knows what’s to be done? Which is true?

Agree or disagree, feel free to express yourself. Read more on this article...

Our August 4th Town hall meeting.

The August 4th town hall meeting basically only touched on three things. One was the introduction of a man from Aramark who is going to inspect our buildings and prioritize our plan of action. The second was the Ladies Kingfish Tournament will be held in our Rec.Hall on that Friday and Saturday. We are to supposedly to receive $1800 per day. The third is a good will gesture to the Port Isabel School District. This gesture is to allow them to hold their Teacher In-service at our Rec. Hall Facility and our Arts and Crafts Room at no cost to them for seven days in a row.(August 15-21).
Correction to the above being the Ladies Kingfish Tournament, it was to be the Men's Redfish Tournament. It doesn't matter since they used another facility and supposely didn't notify management. Read more on this article...

This is the comment box. If you want to make a comment on anything instead of a suggestion, please place it here. Please refrain from personal attacks and vulgar language. It will not be posted.

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Besides working to restore the area where I work, I seem to be having some technical problems with my computer and have had to use the libraries computer. I will post as soon as possible the events happening or had happened. Read more on this article...

COMMENT ON WHAT YOU FEEL HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST PROBLEM OR BENEFIT SINCE OUR BOARD REQUESTED THE REPLACEMENT OF OUR GENERAL MANAGER. BLOG POLICY APPLIES. Read more on this article...

OUR VILLAGE HURRICANE UPDATE

1:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Our Village started stage one last Monday. This basically meant preparation and voluntary evacuation. Tuesday the hurricane watch changed to a warning and the grounds crew boarded up common building windows and patrolled the area for potential projectile items to secure. Channel 2 first posted the watch and then this warning and said to monitor the news and be prepared to evacuate. We’ve had a little rain but it’s not raining now. Winds are at best breezy. I just got off the phone with the Gate Keepers and was told as far as they know its still stage one with voluntary evacuation. They had not received any information about the swing bridge closing and offered to call me when they do. I accepted and will post that when called. These poor guys are up there without a working TV or radio in that gate keepers building. It appears there are many who are staying here to ride this hurricane out. More later.

At 3:20 a.m.
I was called by one of our gate keepers that they are closing the swing bridge. He mentioned that he was preceeding to let everyone know. It is windy, but not raining. More later.

At 6:30 a.m.
It is blowing pretty hard. My park model is shaking. As soon as it gets light out I'll try to look around. The weather channel said it is going to get worse. Oh well.

At 8:00 a.m.
I cruised the area and took the photos below. The weather channel said the worse is still yet to come. It's blowing real hard now. Amazingly the power is still on. It will be a catagory 2 hurricane within the hour and the eye bands will hit us with the highest winds. It does appear they have the Rec. Hall open for those who wish to go there. It also appears our G.M. is there. Will continue later if the power stays on and I don't get blown away. Read more on this article...

Do we or do we not have renters in our Village?

This is addressing the Rental Department to which we Village owners subsidize. In our last Board meeting our general manager twice mentioned he didn’t know why rental numbers were down but guessed it was due to gas prices. Twice Director Steffensen said based on the number of renter wristbands sold to use our cement pond, the Village renter numbers were not down; they were just not going through our rental department.
This leads me and others to ask the following questions. Do we have a general manager on top of this department? Does he know and plan for the future situations and implement new policies for such? Are he and Aramark not being paid to run this Rental Department as if it were a business instead of a babysitting job? Should not our general manager be at least knowledgeable at the approximate number of renters entering our Village? Did we hear past excuses for 2005, 2006, and 2007?
Did not the majority of the 2006 Rental Program Committee determined our rental department should be closed until Director Burke explained her dubious findings to the board that showed our Village would lose twice as much money if this closing were to occur?
Does not our Declaration clearly state that our rental department is to have exclusive rights. Whose job was it to make certain this was adhering to?
To add, our Village was on KGBT 4 Action News twice yesterday. They interviewed a lady whose family’s 4th of July holiday was ruined solely from the actions of LIV’s rental department. Our management chose not to explain their side to channel 4, but instead told them to leave.
Do you wish to express yourself?

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I wonderin if thar's catfish in our cement pond?

It should be to nobody’s surprise that yesterday, July 15, 2008; our outdoor pool once again was closed due to water problems. Two weeks ago it was closed down when it was pond scum green and tested to have absolutely no chorine for water sanitation. A week ago we had five days of heavy rain so there were no bathers and lots of fresh water. On my day off from work yesterday I wanted to enjoy our facility and noticed the water was not looking quite right. I tested it before jumping in and I’m glad I did. No chorine registered again. I dropped the idea of using the pool and went to use the outdoor hot tub. Well it didn’t look right either. I found out the filtration pump was not operating. Not to make a fuss I went to use the indoor facility and while the water appeared ok, the tiles bordering the pool and spas had a thick dark filmy crud line. I called maintenance after using the indoor facility and turned in the problems about the outdoor facility. After an hour and a half without a response I decided to bothered our pools monitor. To her credit she immediately left the pool area towards maintenance to solve the situations. Within fifteen minutes we had Armando’s assistant Gino and Tony the plumber there. That was followed soon after with the appearance of Armando and the general manager. They close the outdoor pool until its water correction.
I went today and the outdoor pool and hot tub were opened and the water appeared considerably better. A person swimming in the outdoor pool asked the pool monitor if anyone had turned in that one of the pool lights was dangling out of its socket. The monitor told this person that she had told them (maintenance) several times, and promptly left to find Leo who works pool cleanup and light maintenance. This guy does work hard. Within 25 minutes the light, which had been out of its socket for well over month, was reattached. I think after seeing what our monitor can accomplish, I'd might hire her to manage the pool facility.
I feel we should question management on why we are paying Berry Pools nearly a grand each month for the last year to assure us the proper combination of pool chemicals are being administered and that they are on top of this by supposedly monitoring the chemical readings every two hours that should avoid these continuous dangerous situations. What’s your thought?

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Hey Pa! I'm gonna take me a dip in the cement pond!

We seem to now have our own cement pond right here in our Village. Last Monday, June 30th, the water in the outdoor pool once again got cloudy and by Tuesday it was pond scum green. Our Board of Directors was sold on the idea to give Berry Pools $10,000 a year to do what our management seemed incapable of doing, and this still happens. Berry's original proposal said they would monitor the water at two hour intervals.

It will be interesting to hear what caused the problem.
I hope this information that was put on the "pool close" sign posted on the activity center’s front door was not the same person in charge of our Village pools. Even the worse pool tech knows you don’t adjust the PH with shock.

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A PROBLEM SOLVED

It appears the Directors won’t mouse around with our Meeting Minutes. Director Mulch came up with a simple remedy at the last Board meeting. He’ll e-mail the minutes to each B-member and they in turn will e-mail back any corrections. This will eliminate the repeated editing and copying that Director Mulch had to do. This was a great idea on his part. This also keeps from eliminating any of the content spoken at our Board meetings which was the original thought to do. I'm sure every owner who reads the minutes in the LIV newsletter will be delighted to hear that nothing has been changed. They can still stay abreast of the happenings in our Village.

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DIRECTORS MEETING 6/25/2008

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

OWNERS SPEAKING: Jose Guerra at lot #779 had concerns about the comment of having so many Spanish channels LIV’s cable TV. He said the Hispanic owners are people and their money is just as green. Mr. Guerra had questions about our general manager’s evaluation meetings. Our president started to explain but was interrupted by the director Burke who laid her lengthy interpretation of the procedures of the evaluation process. Mr. Guerra’s third concern was about owners using LIV equipment and argued why only one owner is allowed to use Park equipment. The fourth concern was directors using the July cancellation of the board meeting as a way of manipulating by-law rules.
OWNERS SPEAKING: Betty Woodward lot #226, who lived in LIV for 28 years, gave our general manager praise and asked if we are trying to become a volunteer run park, This lead to a couple of the directors commenting and then having our president state there will be a future committee formed to look into the next management contract and see if we can get some good deals with concessions from Aramark, and also explore other avenues. We will look at dollar for dollar, service for service. He said the two who we have ready to serve on this committee are Director Burke and Director Steffensen. This started a series of board members questioning President Sullivan. Director Burke appeared more than just ready to serve. She seemed already in charge when stating that she would like to have Director Steffensen on the committee along with people from our Village. She recommend to the board to have four Village volunteers not associated with the board. Director Dodson requested having the board to first vote for this committee and then vote to who is to be on such a committee. The President seemed dismissive towards her request so Director Dodson volunteered to be on the committee. Director Burke immediately voiced stridently her displeasure by such an offer, quoting a list of reasons. The chairman was summoned that Director Burke was out of order. This ended without being finalized.
PRESIDENT’S REMARKS: Our president read a letter which was not read at the Coffee w/ Directors meeting. This owner wrote that a director had lied to him and wished for him to resign. If he did not, the owner would take legal action against that director for fraud. This owner also added that others should be recalled including the one reading this letter. He made a negative comment about another director’s background and more. If our president mentioned this person’s name, I didn’t hear it.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT: Our G.M. talked for over twenty minutes before he did Armando’s report because he was being checked out at the hospital. Later Armando called to say he was OK. He also covered for Les who was not present because his car was broken down in Donna. Our general manager said the rentals were down and could only guess it was due to gas prices. He said last year we did real well. Director Steffensen informed him that she believes we had plenty of renters but they're not going through the Rental Dept. Our general manager agreed and said that it seems to be getting more and more like that.
**He said while he had the stage, our general manager wanted to make something very clear to the board. He explained it was said from the previous meeting there were no managers on duty Memorial Day weekend. He said that was not quite true. He explained he was here. He said Armando was also here day and night. He said there was an incident which proved that all three managers were here on that weekend. He repeated by saying he was there a half a day on Sunday and Armando was there the whole weekend. He said I will assure you we will always have a manager on location here and especially on holiday weekends. He said he didn’t know where this information came from, but the fact was that all three of us were there. Director McBride spoke up and said that this originated from him because the hot tub was closed down and he wanted some information about it. He went to both the Welcome and Activity centers and was told there were no managers on duty. This started questions from other directors asking about what time did this happen, who told him and so forth. When it became apparent that no Manager at that time was actually on duty, our general manager interrupted and wished to clarify what he had made clear earlier in saying there is no manager really on duty, per say, on the weekends, but we are on call.
**The general manager said that the Dept. of Public Safety came out on three different occasions to visit our gate attendants and found no problems. It was asked if the gate attendants were given a name in which to identify any of these three DPS representatives and our general manager said no.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Was approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Director Steffensen as usual did a great job expressing her report. Every Center (Village Grill, golf course, rental, and laundry) except the newsletter was down a total of about $34,000 from last year.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
D&E: Director Dodson said July 12th Karaoke will have one dollar root beer floats. At the end of July there will be a HIT PARADE.
GOLF: President Sullivan said using the golf carts for shade was great and the honor system for after 5pm golf has been good.
POOL COMMITTEE: Director Steffensen said from May 15th through June 15th we had 830 renters who acquired wrist bands for the use of our pools and spas. Again she expressed this shows that we had a large amount of renters here. She said the gazebo hot dog get together was a success and will soon have another.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Status of Licensed Security Company Meeting: Director Dodson said letters were sent to 14 Licensed Security Companies ranging from Brownsville to McAllen. Director Burke intervened and said there was a letter that a member of the Security Committee asked to be read. This letter complained about me giving my input which was requested by Director Dodson. My intention was only to help and not hurt anyone’s feelings. It appeared that Director Burke and another director had a problem with not having the opportunity to give their contributions. The dialogue from Director Burke seemed quite odious. Director Dodson finished by asking the two remaining Security Committee members if they were completely satisfied with what the committee had accomplished. Both responded without hesitation with a yes. President Sullivan addressed this issue as to be resolved later.
Status of Time Warner: Director Dodson said our attorney is in the process doing the contract with Time Warner.
Other: Director Burke said she had issues of board members violating the motion made with regarding the evaluation committee. Director Burke said Director McBride violated a passed motion by sending negative comments to Mr. Polo at Aramark without first submitting them to the board. Director McBride’s rebuttal was he never bypassed the board. He always turned in every item as instructed, including the ones passed on to Mr. Polo. Director Burke said the evaluation committee had never received these comments. This went on for some time until it was found that these comments were given to the Board President, and from a mix up there they were not passed on to the evaluation committee. The Board President was asked if members of the board were not allowed to communicate with Aramark. Director Burke started quoting the evaluation motion that was passed when President Sullivan intervene by restating the original question and said he did not know of any reason why a director can not talk to Aramark.. Director Burke said why have evaluation committees, if board members are going to undermine its content. Director McBride said that Mr. Polo from Aramark had told board members that he had never known of any complaints. Director McBride felt he should be advised of situations and informing him has nothing to do with the board’s evaluation process or would undermine it.
**Our general manager spoke up and wanted to know why he had not seen the 2007 evaluation. He asked why Director Young had not attended the evaluation meeting. He asked why Director Dodson was attending. He declared that Director Dodson was to be Director Mulch’s alternate. He said he wanted to know where he stood. President Sullivan said the 2007 evaluation was delayed because you Larry would not accept Director Young’s evaluation and Director Young would not rescind his opinions. President Sullivan gave our general manager choices on how his evaluation was to be calculated. Several directors immediately said they had a problem with that. Director McBride asked the president if our general manager is evaluating himself and why is he even present during the initial evaluation discussion? Our general manager growl it’s against the law to have an evaluation without the employee being there. Director Burke elucidated that Director Dodson’s was Director Mulch’s alternate. Director Burke then volunteered to be the alternate for Director Young on the evaluation committee to even out in her opinion the pros and cons. Director Dodson made this statement. I was asked to sit in for Mr. Young here, not aware I was making any kind of problem. She said she is still on the fence and does not know how the evaluation is turning out. Director Dodson said she resents being categorized as being pro or con on any subject and said she walks right down the middle to see the full picture. She said she is not pro and she is not con. She tries to see things clearly and be as fair as possible for the betterment of this park. Director Burke argued that point immediately. President Sullivan said even though Director Burke’s feelings may be slanted, he thought she would look at the evaluation objectively.
**I had a hard time at following what Director Mulch was reading at the beginning but it appeared to reflect procedures that were not being followed by directors in the use of management and employees. This was to include their micro managing and that the new board members were being divisive. He commented their differences have seemed to put us in a crisis and wished both sides put down these differences so as to deal with the more important issues facing our park. Director McBride said he and the other new board members were elected because the majority of people saw different things that needed to be changed. We brought those as motions to this board with respect and have not tried to micro manage. I hope that’s not what is considered divisive. We have sat down and discussed issues that were brought to the table and I have supported you on this board. I believe we are not being divisive and should at the very least be given a chance. Director Mulch said we have members on the board who are not acting like board members and I have proof they are not acting like board members. They should start acting like board members instead of going off on their own little way. That’s it!
**Director Dodson said I am glad you used the word we so as to include all board members. I’m getting sick of hearing how bad the four new board members are doing. We are actively doing many things in trying to better our park. Providing a new cable network, a committee for new security, improving our golf course, and evaluation of our current management? We have only been appointed for four months. I feel it’s not right for these board members to bombard us at every meeting about what we have done that was so wrong. Not to mention the “no name” hate mail received from a few owners to whom I feel sorry for. She said it takes all nine of the board members to want to work together. It was asked how this hate mail gets back to the private mail boxes.
**Our general manager said if you want to make a motion to have your mail delivered to your door, we’ll do that.
**Director Dodson said there was a past motion already In effect to have any unauthorized mail requiring a signature. One senior board member said that was five years ago. There was a question if Director’s Young phone number and address were correct in the directory.
NEW BUSSINESS
Employee Fuel Cost Crisis: Director Steffensen said this is to affect 41 hourly Aramark employees. A 50 cents raise would result paying $3,280 a month plus a labor burden of $618 a month totaling $3,898. Six months would equal $29,382. This would result with a $58,782.increase for 2009 and would raise everything across the board. A gas credit was suggested for about half as much with a two month later evaluation. Director Burke made a motion to provide for the months of July and August the 41 hourly employees would receive a $50 a month gas credit. There was some discussion, a lecture by Director Burke about her opinion on economics, with some disapproval from owners in the audience saying this is treating the employees like they are children.
**Our general manager wanted to know where this idea of giving employees more money came from. He stated that no employee approached him on wanting more money because of gas. Our Board President said the idea came to him when talking with an employee at Whataburger in Brownsville. Again our general manager said nobody asked him about a raise. We were again blessed with two more short economic lectures from Director Burke and what she thought her paramount duties to the park were. In the end the motion was changed to be a HEB credit to also include food. It was approved.
Cancelling July Board Meeting: Director McBride made a motion to cancel the July regular board meeting. After Director Burke requested and received a list of which directors will be here that July month, it was approved.
Fence Removal and Replacement: Director Burke made a motion to notify Mr. Freeland that LIV wishes not to remove the current fence, and if he removes it, he must replace it with a same or better one. It was approved.
Audit Committee: Have five members on the committee. The committee will meet with management one day each month for four months starting in August. It will audit one center per month.
Golf Cart Control: Director Mulch wanted to have it written that carts can only be operated by or accompanied by a person with a valid license. The cart will not be allowed to accommodate more passengers than it can seat. No standing on the back or sides will be allowed. This form is to be given to our patrol staff to show this is a rule to the cart operator when enforced. Director Mulch made the motion to accept this and it was passed.
“Suggestion Box Records”: Director McBride made a motion to email the records to the membership. A motion was also that the minutes be email for review to make it easier for corrections. Both were passed.
Safety Committee: Director McBride made a motion to form a safety committee. It was approved by the Board President without the motion.
Board Action-Emergency Modular Housing: Director Sullivan asking to give the board special powers to allow modular homes in case of a disaster. This ended with having our attorney to look at our current by-laws, plus researching what new park models hurricane ratings are and what may be future requirements?
Other: Bids for bath house one is still open. Drop off at welcome centers. These will have three individual bathrooms in the bath house. Director Burke made a motion to set a time limit on bids and other qualifications too quick for me to get. It was approved.
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CHANGE

..................

It was announced in our last Coffee Meeting that a future motion will be made by Director Mulch to change what is to be recorded into our Board meeting minutes. This next week’s regular meeting motion may ask to eliminate all that is said and record only the motions and their results. It may lack opinions, discussions, questions, and possibly who seconded any motion. Director Mulch is problemed with the constant revising of the minutes and does not wish to keep a verbatim record of the proceedings. I don’t blame him for being frustrated and aggree with him there's a need to help simplify the minutes a little. But let’s not forget that these records of our board meetings that govern our Village will be read in large part by absent members of our Association, so these minutes should best illustrate the actions taken, particularly if reviewed many years later.

I do have a suggestion. I believe if you pass a motion to put a time limit on a director's speech, discussion, debate, opinion, and so forth, it may help to shorten the intended gist of that director’s statement along with shortening the meetings.
What do you think? Any suggestions?

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE A COMMENT ABOUT THIS LAST JUNE'S DIRECTORS MEETING?

COMMENTS


This is the comment box. If you want to make a comment on anything instead of a suggestion, please place it here. Please refrain from personal attacks and vulgar language. It will not be posted.

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COFFEE WITH THE DIRECTORS June 18th, 2008

After the Pledge of Allegiance, the suggestion box items were read.
Lot #696 comment was to let management manage and for everyone to get a life.
Lot #738, I could not hear most of the comment except the part they were proud to live here.
Becky Ray at Lot #284 asked for our gatekeepers to enforce the parks fireworks rules from now past the Fourth of July. There was some discussion on it. Issue is pending for further thought.
Mr. Risinger at Lot #281 asked to reconsider the board's cable decision on Time Warner to Dish Network.
Lot #27 had negative comments on the new fence around south end of bridge.
Lot #554 made a comment on how dirty the outdoor pool was. It was said that management hired another new employee who has been doing a good job as of late.
Lot #262 had a complaint of children driving golf carts and running wild way after curfew. It was said as of late a better job has been done on catching children driving carts.
Lot #249 suggested our three new directors who are named on the petition resign.
Lot #O asked about HD channels from Time Warner. The answer was zero but could get HD for $7.95 more. A second comment was about having a problem on acquiring new pool bracelets. Director Steffensen gave a sincere apology and said this rarely happens.
Larry from Lot #142 made a positive comment about the pool monitors.
From the floor Mr. Risinger wanted information on the lock procedures for the new bridge fence and if management will be enforcing on keeping the outsiders from fishing. That started a long discussion on why the fence was put there in the first place. It was basically for liability reasons.
Larry from Lot #142 said the owners should try to be the examples of showing respect.
An owner asked what distance from the seawall does an owner have? The answer was 21 feet.
Our board president announced Director Peterson was not in attendance due to the death of his mother.
Hurricane stickers were a topic of discussion. In short it was said to get them in Port Isabel. They are good for years. You will not be able to enter LIV until our manager says you can after an evacuation. There will be a phone # and e-mail available to owners.
An owner said numerous golf carts are not tied down. This started discussions about fines, flower pots flying, tornadoes and so forth.
An owner asked why the tie down rules appear to be only in the building rules instead of elsewhere, so as to be more notable? The response was, it is.
That’s it.

Board of Directors Workshop

Agendas to be covered at next meeting

Director McBride agendas were fire safety,recording of the coffee w/directors comments, and providing a copier for owners.
Director Steffensen has reports for the pool and audit committees.
President Sullivan said we have to raise the hourly payroll about a dollar an hour because of gas prices. It was then noted that a 50 cents raise would cost the Village $42,640 annually. It was tossed around and will be a finalized in the next weeks meeting. Modular housing was brought up as a subject on home replacements in case of a hurricane to review.
Director Mulch wished to shorten the process on the Board’s minutes and their corrections. It was also suggested only to record the motions that pass and not the conversations and opinions on how and why they were passed. What was done and not what was said. A director said my opinion or anyone's opinions should not be recorded in the minutes.
Director's Burke said her agenda is to act on our gated fence which sits on Mr. Freeland’s property. It appears that the board will give him their response in writing to keep an existing contract tight. Read more on this article...

Special Meeting posted June 16th, 2008

The Special meeting on Saturday June 14, 2008, was an “it’s time to do something” get-together. We had our attorney in attendance who expressed incorporation as the best direction she could foresee. We had Mr. Freeland who expressed the re-routing of the Intercostals as the best direction. The talk of amending the Bridge Declaration was said to be limited but opened for suggestions. The solution wanted was one which our Village doesn’t get stuck for more than their fair share of the bridge bill. Which solution aids our Village the best to pay for our current money pit swing bridge and its soon to be eventual replacement, should start now while we, the Village, have the majority rule in this area. At this meeting, a committee was formed to pursue the best solutions and lay the foundation to start the ball rolling. This committee is represented by Director Burke, Selba Campbell, Mr. Freeland, and Director Young. Their finding, recommendations, and eventual actions of the board in this matter will be posted as presented to Village owners. Do you have any suggestions on amendment changes or current policies that may help in this matter? Speak freely. Read more on this article...

A TIDBIT Posted 6/13/08

The subject of changing to a licensed security is currently being addressed by the board. It appears the opposition towards change in our existing Aramark ran unlicensed gatekeeper staff has come from the general manager’s supporters? These supporters have conveyed that our Village may have legal issues about breaking this Aramark contract without having good enough reasons, plus they say all we get with a licensed security company is a bigger bill.

Since only a select few may know for sure that our Village only spends $187,660 for our current concierge’s service, how can we know which is a bigger bill? Those summer renters that will run roughshod through our Village because our caretakers will not, because now they cannot, enforce rule policies. Are we able to know after that which the bigger bill is? It won’t be long before we are sued due to someone letting their guard down because of our park creating this security illusion and a jury hears cost was the only concern our Village had. I bet then we’ll know which the bigger bill is. Would you like to give your opinion?

As for breaking the Aramark contract, I was told there is no provision that says we have to give a reason. Even if there is a provision about contract termination, do you think that Aramark would really get upset for cancelling it? Our general manager has repeatedly stated that Aramark is only making $6000 a year off of this. They should be delighted to have this potential liability monkey off their back. Quite frankly, should not we, the owners, be the ones upset for our general manager and Aramark giving our Village a 14 month security license run-a-round that seems to have put us in this situation. Did they do what they originally said they would do for our Village? Should not we be the ones upset for signing this unlicensed doorkeeper contract that was to give our Village not only the same provisions we had before, but even more for less money? Did we get what they said we were to receive?

What do you think?

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HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?

The gloves seemed to have come off and the hits just keep on coming from certain inimical people in this small petition group.
We had an Aramark employee who represented himself as head of security and said he was instructed to delivered large envelopes containing documents. These documents described the court proceedings of a long ago disconsolate divorce and a nobody’s business illness that our newly elected director Jim Peterson had experienced. This Aramark employee who again I must say described himself as security, visited every director’s home and wanted signatures for these packets of trash. If they were not at home, they somehow were placed in the director’s SECURED mail box. This harridan who drilled the Aramark employee conveniently failed to give him HER name, but from his description it's very obvious who SHE was.
The cover letter to the directors said” these court documents are public information. The responsibility lies upon those who hold the position of the board of director to protect the LIV owners.” That’s all fine and well, but the intent for this malicious attack on Director Peterson's past personal troubles and physical problems goes way beyond the conduct we owners should tolerate in our Village.
Our board president sternly asked our general manager as to who authorized this employee to deliver such documents; the reply he received was simply, not me because I was in Harlingen. Our general manager did go on to say it is not uncommon that these employees are used to deliver paperwork and that in his opinion since this was public information, it was not slanderous.

WHAT ACTION DO YOU FELL SHOULD BE TAKEN? Read more on this article...

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MAY 28TH, 2008

After the Pledge of Allegiance our board president asked the audience if there were any comments pertaining to our agendas. Owner from lot #170 made a comment that the discussion on modular housing should be done in the fall when owners are here. Our president agreed and said the intent was for review and there will be no motions on this issue now or this summer. The owners have their say.
The president said Aurora, our Village office employee, recently lost both her mother and grandmother. We wish to give her our condolences.
Our president said sea cottage #52 asked for their request on a variance or change in the building rules be withdrawn so as not to create any turmoil within our park. That request was accepted.
Our president asked director McBride to withdraw the motion to replace our G.M. because of the ongoing evaluation of our G.M.
Director Burke said she would forego the motion of table.
Director McBride before doing this wanted to make a statement. He said there were no secret meetings prior to the letter which was never sent to Aramark. This letter was composed by our board president and not by Peterson, Hansen, or me. He said my motion to replace our G.M. was at the request of our board president. The accusation list, as so it was name, was a list made up by yet another different director. The handful of remaining items that were said about me was untrue. He said this will not interfere with my decision making when Aramark’s service contract is up and when looking at other companies. He will make sure that Aramark fulfills their contract. He won’t be intimidated by this when comes to the welfare of the Village. He withdrew by saying the motion is the floors because the board had seconded it.
Our president stated the board is still proceeding with the 90 day evaluation.
Our president had a question about clarification on the park’s responsibility for the restrictions to the equalization channels repairs after the work is done.
Our president said if you feel you are being tax unfairly, he has a name and number to give you.
Our president said there will be a town hall meeting Thursday May 29th to meet and discuss issues pertaining to the Cowen group development and their request for access through our Village.
The general manager gave his report. In no time there was a dispute about lawn equipment. Our general manager even started out basically saying Director Peterson was interfering with the chain of command about a deck that was ordered for a mower. Director Peterson denied interfering.
Armando gave his report and our general manager said this is a detail report that we use to do but the board said to give them a summary. If this board wants to have this long detail report, it’s no problem. Director Dodson asked if they could do an inventory report the same way. Larry’s answer was too long to print, but I think it was yes.
Les had nothing to report except that rentals were down about 50% this holiday and blamed it on the gas. Larry said all the rentals were down this year and it was due to gas.
Director McBride questioned why there aren’t two full time employees for the golf course as per Aramark’s contract? The general manager’s response was there is. When corrected by director McBride that one was part time, Larry D. said you’re right and we are advertising for that open position. When asked where are you advertising? Our general manager looked confuse and asked Armando. Armando asked Mary from the office, are we advertising in the newspaper, or the Texas workforce? She had that same look as our general manager had on his face and with that, Armando said in the Texas workforce. That is where we are advertising.
Eric Moss lot 414 asked why we lost Mr. Franco from security. Larry said he self terminated by not showing up for three days. Larry admitted no employee could get a security license if working only here.
Director Mulch wanted approval of last months meeting. Director Dodson said she would like to go on record today saying there were no secret meetings held in reference to last months statements of the contrary. Director Burke said that what my statement was and Director Dodson said that’s true, but that was for last month and this statement I want in the minutes for this month. The minutes were approved.
Mary Steffensen gave the Treasurer and P & L. report. Nothing out of normal other than Village was down about $12,000 because of cost of goods.
Golf committee has changed the rules for the handicap flag and driving too close. They added a new rule that non handicap carts from June thru October can be driven because of the heat. Director Burke spent the next thirty minutes on why everyone can’t use the course to bird watch or any other activity after hours. She argued that we pay for this, so why not? It was going good and even the president said, I don’t know why, until Director McBride said there are no after hours. The course is open from dawn until dark, and sometimes they play after dark. There was a question to clarify the handicap rule which started yet another 20 minute orientation by director Burke on the handicap laws and how they apply. It was easily settled by making it a rule if a person proves they’re handicap, they can get a get a temporary ok.
Mary Steffensen explained the scanner that was the first choice is still the best deal and wanted to table it until October since it is not on the budget. It was tabled.
Director Peterson gave his report on the cost and type of sand for the golf course. Basically sand and silicone mixed is desired and wants the board to ok this by fall.
A motion was approved that Time Warner will be our Village’s future cable network. This would have 82 channels at $10.95 per month (HD @ $7.95 more). We will be obligated to a 10 year contract with a 5% max increase per year. They will lay new state of the art cable which may take up to 5 months. They will have a 24-36 hour service completion after notification. To note, if they increased the maximum 5% each year for the next ten years, it still would cost about the same as what Arroyo would be charging us starting today. Arroyo would only provide 46 channels in the amount of $16.57 a month that would go up after two years with no improvement on their existing cables. They would provide us HD in that price with those same cables along with a five year contract.
As was asked of him to research and evaluate, Director Peterson was criticized by Director Burke for recommending purchasing use equipment that would speed up the grass cutting time of our employees. Director Burke seemed totally against it. The conversation carried on until the talk seemed to air numerous criticisms. Director Peterson criticize management on giving him the run around when trying to obtain maintenance records on certain equipment to help his assessment and management criticized Director Peterson on asking employees for this maintenance information. Director Burke then seemed bent on making a lengthy speech about policies towards employees. It started to become silly in the way she was ranting. Director Dodson finally put a brake on Director Burke’s chatter by asking her just one question. The question was if the board president asks a director to pursue research on a subject, should this request have to wait until the next month board meeting, which was basically what director Burke was inferring the board members should do. This went on for over 40 minutes of verbal exchanges between these two. Armando even got into a heated exchange with Director Peterson. Finally it went to a motion to wait to purchase such equipment until it can fit into the budget. Motion passed.
Director Mulch made a motion to handover to our general manager the rough outline of remodeling the bathhouses and request that he get three bids. Motion passed
Director McBride asked our general manager why management wasn’t following up the everyday cleaning of the common areas as the board had required. The general manager’s response was he thought it was once a week that was requested. Director McBride said it was every day until its thought not necessary by the board. Director McBride asked where he at was near to the purchase of a public copy machine as requested on March 26th. The general manager said I had not purchased it yet.
Director Mulch stressed concern about the fire extinguishers in the bath houses being stolen or used to vandalize property.
Director Burke spoke at length on the fence description and legalities of the bridge south side fence which was the same as in the bridge board article, made a motion to spend $2100 out of the budget for this.
Director Dodson made a motion on security. It was two motions actually. One to get bids from licensed security companies and the second was giving Aramark a cancellation notice. She talked about the illusion we are giving everyone with our unlicensed gate keepers and the powers they do not have. She gave out this list of can’t do items. It appears they can’t lawfully function to protect us. It was agreed that we first get the bids from other security companies before giving any notice to Aramark. Our board president expressed concerns on the legal issues of breaking Aramark’s contract. Director Dodson said this was an open end amendment to the original Aramark contract and had no expiration date. Director Burke again started her opposition. She asked what services have Aramark not provided that was in the contract. Director Dodson said they were not license and was interrupted by Director Burke with saying we all were aware they do not have a license. Director Dodson continue saying they were not licensed. We were told that they would do what a licensed company would do and that’s not has happened. Director Burke said Aramark’s legal department had gotten with the Dept. of Public Safety and found they could do certain services. She did not go in to what those services were. Director Burke continued with saying we can not terminate this contract for that. She loudly said I want you to tell what services are not being provided in this contract. Director Dodson calmly said I do not have to tell you anything. Director Dodson said she feels at this time the previous board was wrong and wants to attempt to correct it. Director Burke started up again and was cut short by Director Dodson who asked the president for a vote on her motion to seek bids by licensed security companies for the purpose of replacing unlicensed Aramark. The motion passed. There were two non board owners that will be part of a committee to put together what our new licensed security must provide to our Village.
The owner of sea cottage #52 thanked the board for their time towards his request on a variance, but in the essence of unity and peace he would like it withdraw as it was recognized at the start of the meeting.
Director Hansen had comments on trash pickup via an email.
Lastly, there were some negative comments again about the pool facility. Read more on this article...