A TIDBIT

It appears that Director Bergsma has provided a wonderful solution for Village owners who wish to stay abreast to the events occurring at our Board meetings.

He has researched different downloads for web conferencing and feels “GoToMeeting.com” is the best. Besides his time, he has spent money out of his own pocket and for awhile let our Park use his own personal computer and video hardware.
There are two features that will be provided. The first is the ability for any Board member to actively participate at any called meeting via the internet. The second is the ability to let up to 1000 owners view a Board meeting live or review it later from an archive. This may be featured at the August Board meeting if not before. If so, I am sure it will be highly appreciated by those owners concerned with our community. This would start our Village towards stepping into the 21st century, thanks to Director Bergsma.


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APRIL 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Pledge of Allegiance

Owners Speaking on Agendas
There were none

Presidents Remarks-P. Burke
She discussed weather, Armando at the doctors, and her upcoming trip to the North.

General Manager Report-DeMalade
He discussed violations, late fees, bath house #1 near completed, starting work on Arts & Crafts room, what to do about old Arroyo cable, and keys for the Arts & Crafts storage lockers. P. Burke said organizations like the Quilters will have priority over locker room use. Personal use will be last.
DeMalade said he wanted to correct a statement about our hospitality manager. He said the previous week someone said Les did not have experience to run a restaurant. He said that was false. He said his experience came when he ran food service for an assisted Health/Home Care facility. D. White asked to discuss this a bit further but P. Burke would not allow any comment towards DeMalade’s statement. She said something to the effect of nope, no, we are not going there Approval of Minutes
Motion made and approved for March 25th minutes.

Treasurer’s Report-Treasurer Steffensen P&L for February
This Feb. net income was $48,696 less than last Feb. 2008
Losses; Village Grill $12,415, Rental Dept $747, Laundry $177.
Profits; Golf course $10314, Newsletter $23

Committee Reports
A. D&E committee-D. White
Summer events include an Ice Cream Social on June 20th, LIV Cook Off July 4th, and Cocktail Party August 1st.
B. Golf Committee-D. Pelletier
Wish to report non-golfing people are now allowed to walk the golf course sidewalks at anytime and told P. Burke that you can now take your pictures.
C. Pool Committee-D. Steffensen
Motion made and passed to make wrist bands include everyone using the pool 365 days a year.
D. Management Committee-P. Burke
She said it appears Aramark is the cheapest of other (?) companies, have negotiated changes in the new contract and will have this new contract available for review soon.

The Board recessed to an Executive session to discuss a problem with an owner.

Unfinished Business

A. Litigation-P. Burke
The Arroyo, Cowen, and Smith lawsuits are still under discovery.

B. Other-P.Burke gave the floor to DeMalade to speak on non scheduled agenda items. Items he addressed were
1. He said the five year old skid steer engine will cost the Village $10,095 to replace. Board made a motion and approved it.
2. Indoor pool heater will cost $2358 to fix or $2980 to replace. Motion made and approved to replace at $2980. After the approval the GM said the heater was for the hot tubs instead.
3. Lift station #1 new pump will cost $2377 to replace. He said he needs one also as a spare. He said we’ve been replacing one or two pumps every year because they get clogged and motor runs dry and burns up. Motion made and passed to purchase two motors for $4754.

New business

A. Web Conferencing-D. Bergsma
Go to meetings software can handle up to 1000 users. D. Bergsma said wireless signal unstable and requested a hard line be routed to the Rec. Hall. P. Burke requested something in the news letter to see owner’s response to this on line meetings. This will not happen until August.
B. Village Grille-D. Halbach
The committee is still in review but D. Halbach requested the physical changes to the grille get started. P. Burke said Treasurer Steffensen needs the costs figures. Example of change is installing a new sound deadening ceiling tile to make the restaurant quieter.
C. Review of Amenities-P. Burke
DeMalade said the basketball court cement pour over from one bid was $8200. Supposedly two more bids are coming. P. Burke wished further review on this while she is gone.
D. Tennis Court Usage to Non Owners-P. Burke
The motion was made to have all people playing must have a wrist band.
E. Sidewalk Replacement-D. Pelletier
The bid approved by the previous Board for the sidewalk replacement in front of the activity center did not have the removal of the existing sidewalk. D. Pelletier made a motion not to exceed an additional $3000 for this. This was approved.
F. Summer Meetings-D. Pelletier
Motion was made to not have a board meeting in July and passed
G. Welcome Center Parking Lot-D. Pelletier
It was requested to get bids for applying a seal coating for the asphalt around the Welcome Center. DeMalade said he is looking at Pave Shield and with $18000 he said was in the budget, we might do both the Rec. Hall and Welcome Center areas.
H. Technology ( computer, copy/scanner)-D. Steffensen
The copy machine is down continuously. D. Steffensen wanted scanners for both the office and document recording archives. Copy Graphics have an extra copy machine with a scanner for less a month than what is being paid now. Lease cost is $540 a month. The term of the old and new lease was not disclosed. She said this is just a replacement for the office. There is still the need for another scanner for documents records.
Computer prices have come down. $10,400 was budgeted for computers and scanners in 2008. A company can supply LIV with seven Dell computers ($715 ea.) and a 1.25 Terabyte four drive Dell server, all for $7496.31. DeMalade said his maintenance computer was not mentioned and his has had problems. It’s for time keeping and schedules. D. Steffensen said we are looking to give maintenance the office managers computer as your replacement. He said he doesn’t recommend that. He didn’t want a laptop. They went back and forth for awhile. He said he didn’t know why you are replacing our office manager’s computer because it’s brand new. P. Burke stopped it right there.
I. Solar Panels for Pool/Hot Tubs-D. White
Sundance Solar came and left info for the Board to review. Pay back is in two years with this system. A committee is to be formed with D. White to head it up.
J. Summer Events-D. Montalvo
Canceled

Other

G. Guerra had a complaint about someone’s truck parked near the Bridge and wanted signage.

D. Steffensen said we are sitting here with this unsigned Berry Pool contract which was reduced $200 to $1295 each month. DeMalade was asked if LIV can pick and choose two which of the four units to keep, suggesting having automatic chemical injection units for the the pools only. A lot was said after this question by our GM but he never did answered her question. He did say Berry Pools carried us for eighteen months now and they will take their injectors out or not, it's up to you all. Motion was made and approved to pay Berry Pools $1295 each month . That's $15540 a year plus we have to pay market price (retail+) for chemicals plus any service fees beyond the contract. D. White brought up the current problem of no chlorine in the outdoor pool. DeMalade said we been working on that since Monday (4/27) said the chlorine cylinder (chlorinator) was clogged. He said Berry Pools discovered this problem on their scanner and solved the problem Monday. (4/47). Asked if they were aware this was happening the week before that Monday and DeMalade said first was aware of this problem that Monday when he saw Berry Pools here at the Village fixing it.
P. Burke asked D. Steffensen if this amount can be dealt with in our budget. D. Steffensen's answer was I can’t say yes or no. P. Burke then said let’s approved this Berry Pool contract contingent that we can find the money in our budget. P.Burke said this last year was less expensive for LIV before when we had a pool person. Motion was then made and approved.

D. Halbach said the pool players did a fund raiser for the tables and raised $737.
Pelletier made a motion to make May’s meeting on Wed. and June’s meeting on Sat. It was approved. The first variance was for lot “A” to put up an 8’x24’ screen to stop errant golf balls. Motion made and approved. The second variance was for lot 685 wanting stucco trim around the windows was denied.

There was a letter sent from Mayor Vega saying they would like to have a meeting to improve relations with our Village. P. Burke, D. Steffensen, and D. White will attend this meeting sometime after May 16th.

Meeting Adjourned.



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OUR CEMENT POND

A week ago Tuesday I visited our pool facility as usual to bask in the sun, read, and use our Park’s water works. With these continuing water tribulations to which management along with Berry Pools seem inept to solve, I find myself testing the water before going in.

The outdoor hot tub this day tested well enough to use, but the outdoor pool tested zero for chlorine. I tested it twice. A friend of mine said he notified the manager in charge later that afternoon and was told there was an equipment problem and Berry Pools was coming out to fix it. Wednesday after our coffee meeting, I tested the water and again it read zero. I surely thought that management and especially Berry Pools would not let this chlorine problem continue into the weekend, but they did without closing the pool. I tested the water on Friday, Sunday, and Monday with the same results.
Tuesday, the 28th, I tested all the pools and hot tubs. The indoor pool tested fine but nothing else did. I went to maintenance and found only Gino to tell this to. He said he had heard of no problems with the pool but said he would pass this on. I told one of the pool monitors and she promptly made some calls. Within twenty minutes Leo and Oscar who work in the pool area said they solved the problem. They explained that they unclogged the chlorinator. I told them it may be a good idea to check all the hot tubs for the same problem since they didn’t register chlorine this morning. They said they would. Les came out and tested the outdoor pool and spa water and then left.
When asked about the problem at today’s Board meeting, our general manager said that he learned about this on Monday when supposedly Berry Pool’s system detected the problem and was out here fixing it. Strange that this fixed job on Monday was the same problem fixed by Leo and Oscar on Tuesday. Stranger is that Berry’s system didn’t detect that our outdoor pool was unhygienic for at least nine days. This was Berry Pool’s big selling point for having their expensive services. Are we once again being given the usual what sounds good fabrications from management?
Does someone have to die from catching some opportunistic pathogen before we demand some accountability? Does management even stop to think of what sickness or infections may result from fecal contaminations having little to no sanitation in our pool/spa water? What about an ensuing lawsuit, something this Park can ill afford?
Our Village pays through the nose for the care of our pool facility. Apparently what our Village receives in return is a fat nosebleed of questionable water quality, excuses, and lies. This is not an isolated incident but a continuous one. Adding to this atrocious problem is our general manager repeatedly saying the pool facility is in total compliance with State codes when they are STILL NOT. It seems outlandish that our Board President stated our park pays less now for this care than before. A lone person making $8 an hour was doing the same work as what we now have a manager, one and a half pool personnel, two housekeepers, plus the $1295 a month paid to Berry Pools do. It appears our Park is just throwing $1295 a month away for a newly approved Berry Pools service contract.
A better job needs to be done for our Village and soon.


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COFFEE WITH THE DIRECTORS

After the Pledge of Allegiance, VP Halback started with the suggestions and comments from the BOX.
Lot 229 Reta Priest wanted limits set for comments.
Lot 819 wished to have the lights that have been out since the hurricane repaired on the tennis courts. Owner gave a compliment about the newsletter along with the reported $1300 savings. Owner gave an overwhelming compliment on how good our new security guard was to them.
Lot 819 gave a compliment about the newsletter.
Lot 371 Jo Ann Sipp gave a compliment about the newsletter.
Lot 696 Shirley Ritten gave a compliment about the newsletter.
Lot 638 Wanted the can receptacle that helps to pay for our library to be removed because it attracts ants and bees.
SC 2 Catherine DeMalade gave a compliment to the newsletter.
Lot 749 made a request that management start taking care of the volleyball and basketball courts and provides the necessary repairs to make them safe.

Comments made from the FLOOR.
Lot 870 asked our GM when the fire hydrants were last flushed. Our GM would not answer and told this owner to ask the directors and not him. Second thing was the foul sewer type smell he said he still has on his lot and if this problem will ever be solved.
Lot 831 gave a compliment about the coffee comments being left in the library for later reading.
Lot 696 Shirley Ritten complained about paying more for security and that the new security isn’t able to have their own TV, microwave, and refrigerator. She said they aren’t allowed to take breaks nor have lunch hours. She asked the board to save us some money and change companies. A director asked where she acquired her information about they were not allowed to take breaks and received “from the source” as an answer.
Lot 170 said there was an article in a newspaper that the government may provide assistance to solar heating and we should take a look into it.
Lot 406 asked management to clean the front of the Rec. Hall better. She said it looked terrible.

The Board made individual comments on the comments.
The VP gave thanks and said to stay for the workshop.
P. Burke wanted to say a few things and after five minutes a Director Guerra gave a compliment to the golf committee for the flower boxes on hole #15.
Director White talked about the three events scheduled for D&E.
Selba Campbell said to see her if you wish to register to vote.

WORK SHOP
Director White questioned if she needed Board approval for the Park’s upcoming three events. She explained also that the windows in the indoor pool have never been clean all year along with the weeds that need to be taken care of and that the border tile in the pool needs to keep clean.
Director Steffensen talked about the pool committee putting together a list of recommendation for an identification program. She said this is a need because in 2007 they sold 3300 wrist bands to non owners that used our facility. Things discussed were having at hand year round pool monitors, security, and more.
Negative things were said about Securitas by P. Burke and it was to be one of the issues discussed when they have a meeting. P. Burke gave her lengthy summation about people in general, their culture, children and so forth. There were stories told about children be rowdy in and around the park. This went on for over thirty minutes.
Our gm brought up his solution to hire life guards to monitor and take chemical reading. He rambled on for ten minutes about this until he made another suggestion to find money in the budget or the take out of the insurance money to hire certified life guards. He said we are going to have to have paid positions for this. Director Pelletier was not in favor of that. P. Burke wanted the pool committee to put together solid directives and regulations for owners and non owners to go by.
P. Burke announced there will be a meeting at 11:30 with Securitas.
Director Halback along with owner Jerry Fleckinger have analyzed the Village Grille records-procedures and have come up with their take on what may help the restaurant from continuing the tens of thousands of dollars in losses. They brought up many examples of what would improve the restaurant, two being some remodeling and adding a full time restaurant manager while open. P. Burke asked to have an action plan started which would include Dir. Halback, Karen Pelletier, our gm and hospitality manager. Our gm said we could use some of our insurance money for this. P. Burke said the budget can be amended.
Director Bergsma explained he has found a system to best meet our Park’s web conferencing means. This system would include parties having e-mail notifications of upcoming meetings along with any absent directors being able to interact, and owners being now able to view meetings live or review from an archive at a later date. It was expressed these not be available to the general public such as U-tube. Cost for this service was determined to be less than hundred dollars a month. The gm’s wife said this would solve a lot of the gossip issues and that people would be on their best behavior if they were on camera. After discussions about possible director absentee abuse it was decided to administrate the free trial run available to see it functionality.
Director Gagan expressed the need to have a patrol boat manned by Aramark employees to go around our canals with the goal to clean up the water ways and cut down on damages to boats from its debris. He also wants identifying stickers that match up trailers to boats entering and leaving our Park.
Our GM said he got a verbal $2000 discount on a new motor for the Park’s 5 year old $30,000+ skid loader that will only cost LIV now around$9000 instead of $12,000.
Repair work is to begin in the arts and crafts room next month.
Our GM said that no one has complained before and gave the reason why for nine months the tennis court lights were not put up. He said they have to use this skid loader to do it or pay Rubio brothers $50-$100 to do it. The Board said to get Rubio Brothers to do it for them.
Our GM said he never kept the volleyball or basketball up because nobody has come to us in the five years he’s been manager to complain about it. He said he rarely sees people use these amenities. He added if he is going to do this, why aren’t they moved where they belong, in another area.
The shuffle board and horse shoe pits were said in need of attention.
He was asked by P. Burke to provide the board with info on all this and the re-location sites so they can make a decision.
After this owner our GM didn’t want to talk to earlier from lot 870 had left the meeting, our Gm now wanted to make a correction and give his side of the issue pertaining to the smell. He basically said this owner wouldn’t call him when he had this smell and he could do no more for this owner. P. Burke told our GM get someone outside the Park to come in and see what they can find.
Our gm said the solar panels comment today was brought up by him to the Board three years ago and told the board then the payback would start after three years.
The GM criticized security for not making a report when it was said they caught some kids who didn’t know their lot number and supposedly damaged a pool table. He said he wants to see the report on this. He went on to criticize security on what they don’t do.
Our Gm said our insurance agent said the current insurance company insuring the Directors and Officers will no longer do business with our Park after June and that our insurance agent is currently trying to find a company that will replace them.
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PAYING FOR CRAZY?

Rick May, our Village insurance agent of twenty plus years made an appearance at our March Coffee with the Directors. He came there to plant the seed of an insurance premium increase in July.

In wondering how the insurance company feels about insuring our Village, one might envision them shaking of their heads and catching that glimpse of awe and bewilderment on their faces. You might imagine seeing dollar signs for pupils as they read our new insurance contract or just be in a state of trance pondering if they are the crazy ones instead of their clients, with insuring a place now better known by locals as the “Village gone wild”?

Several lawsuits seemed to be a result from poor oversight. One such oversight was a verbal instead of a written rearrangement in the method of paying Arroyo Cable. Simply speaking the Village was not paying the bill the way it was expressed in the contract. All the following boards allowed this to continue and with having nobody enforcing the “no” satellite dish clause, the lawsuit was just a matter of time. That time came when our Village cancelled their services.

Another oversight was when the Village was serious in buying the land beyond the Sea Cottages. Our Village reportedly filed a land easement right-of-way to this property with the Cameron County Office. When it was decided not to purchase this land, the board neglected to remove what they filed. The Cowen Group ultimately procured this land and of course they feel they should be allowed to use this right-of-way on file, thus the pending lawsuit.

Our insurance agent reported a lawsuit filed against our management and to many owners, this is one lawsuit too many. Management actions never seem to require much in a need for accountability, so little is known about the particulars.

Any of these bone head lawsuits above should have some effect towards this impending increase of the Park’s insurance premiums come July.

Many owners seem to feel that none of these above affect a premium increase as much as the grand daddy of all the bone head lawsuits, the one that was filed by Leroy Mulch and Reta Priest against six active board members. The apparent purpose of this lawsuit was to keep these six from requiring our general manager be held accountable for his actions and to thwart any attempt for his removal. Last heard, this lawsuit has cost Villagers well over $20,000 and thousands more yet to come. Villager’s contribution to this lawsuit has been high, but it is only a fraction to what it has cost the insurance company. With that being said, should not our insurance company feel compelled to charge our Village dearly in light of what many have viewed as an act of sheer lunacy?

We also have two lawsuits against our Village involving the bridge that is on a separate policy. At the 5/19/08 Bridge Board meeting it was said to have went up about 33% ($8000 a month to $12,000).

Owners still wonder why Leroy Mulch, Pat Burke and Mary Steffensen, as a group, made no effort to sit down and hash out the differences with these six other directors months before this costly and senseless lawsuit started.

We should not forget to thank those who have contributed to this higher insurance bill when our Village receives it come July.



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

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Clarity

The picture on the left was taken last Tuesday 3/24 around noon. Our general manager and board president said that the chemicals in this water were tested and found to be fine.

It was said that sun tan oil was the possible reason for its cloudy-green condition. I performed a water test when I took this picture using a Taylor Kit and the readings were 0-chlorine and 7.2-PH.
The picture on the right was taken today Tuesday 3/31 around noon. This was after our general manager decided to close the pool and fix the problem. Today’s water test reading was 5-chlorine and 7.8-PH.
It should be noted that ideal readings are 3-chlorine and 7.5-PH. It should be also noted that it would take a tremendous amount of suntan oil to cause this kind of problem and would have left a considerable amount of oil residue on top of the water and all around the border tile. There was no evidence of such residue.
It was said that the indoor pool’s chlorine level was so high that management decided to shut the chlorinator off to reduce it. When they turned it back on they later realized the injectors that fed the pool its chlorine were not functioning. It would appear they solved that problem.
Thus begs the question of why owners find it continually difficult to extrapolate the truth from the answers given by the people in charge. Why can’t owners be told the straight story from the start?

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RECOGNITION

The Vaughan’s have for years went the extra mile and contributed their time so people could enjoy a quality newsletter. It has been a pleasure to read the events occurring in our Village and wish that would never end, but it has. Since making their decision however, I have been hearing innuendoes coming from the same group of people who had vindictively fueled the rumor fire all last year against the many owners having a problem with our general manager’s actions. Instead of thanking the Vaughans for their contributions, they’re starting fictitious demeaning stories. Here is a copy of Cheryl Vaughn’s resignation letter to the Board.
From me I give you an appreciated "Thank You."


March 10, 2009

TO ALL OWNERS AT LONG ISLAND VILLAGE:

I have volunteered my time and expertise for the past 10 years to set up, do layout and design work, writing and editing for your monthly newsletter, the Long Island News. This process takes anywhere from 24 to 32 hours each month. In addition to the set-up work, there is the work done for each advertiser who pays to advertise in the newsletter. I can’t even tell you how much time is involved in this process, but it includes changes to ads each month, proofing and many, many phone calls. Some of this process with advertisers I get reimbursed for, but some is time which I volunteer.

I have prided myself through the years in that I have furnished the owners of Long Island Village a quality product with good visual design. The information inside the newsletter is informative, fun and gives a pat-on-the-back to the many residents and visitors who participate in activities at the Village.

During the past year, I have experienced a growing struggle between Board members to keep the LIV newsletter unbiased. My husband and I are in a unique position in that we are owners, and vendors. As owners, we are aware of the political struggles at Long Island Village. As vendors, we certainly appreciate the opportunity to print the newsletter, however as a volunteer, I have grown weary of this struggle.

Effective immediately, I will no longer be available to set-up and do the layout and design work for the LIV monthly newsletter, and the South Padre Office Center will not be available to print the newsletter.

Cheryl Vaughan
Graphic Artist
South Padre Office Center
LIV Owner, Lot 301




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MARCH 2009 BOARD MEETING

Pledge of Allegiance

Owners speaking on agenda items
Rick Hansen said he thought the 2007 bulk income amount was incorrect on the treasury report and the balance that the treasury report in the minutes shows should reflect the month end report. He also thought the four managers getting up to 4.5% increases in their salaries was inappropriate after the increase losses in every amenity plus having our current economy crisis. He said the management income proportion is excessive. The part on the treasury report was tabled giving time for the finance committee to get involved. Discussion about no giving higher management salaries because of non performance revenues appeared to be ignored.
Flora Gunderson said the indoor pool water had been cloudy since Thursday and thinks someone should take some direct action. She said she talked to the general manager who said Berry Pools has already come. She said if Berry Pools can’t fix the problem, then we have a problem. If this continues then someone else needs to employ them. The second thing was the palm trees are blooming and need to be cut.
P. Burke said she was aware of the problem with the pool. P. Burke said that Berry Pools, management, and an individual owner tested the pool water and all three said the chemical balance was fine. P. Burke said one of the possibilities were that somebody accidentally spilled something in the pool.
The general manager said this was not a chemical imbalance but that somebody spilled suntan oil in the pool which made it cloudy and that’s what we are trying to clean up. He said they put some agent (?) in the pool this morning and that didn’t clear it up. Director White said she understands if you can’t see the drain in the pool it should be closed. Our general manager said he talked to a Steve at Berry Pools about it and he said he didn’t feel it was necessary to close the pool. When asked about the cutting of the palm leaves he said he will schedule that.

President Remarks
There were several follow up items addressed by P. Burke.

P. Burke said Lot A put in a request for a net to keep golf balls from hitting them while on their lot. This is to be referred to the Golf Committee that will then be reporting back to the Board. This appears to be the closest lot behind a green in our Park that is in a direct line from the tee. Slight distance error at hole #15 will easily reach this lot and has done such on a frequent basis.

General Manager’s Report.
After the usual number of fines and violations, our GM addressed the sink hole he brought up last week and found it to be an easy fix on the equalizer.

Armando’s Report
The usual work orders done within two hours. He said that Time Warner will be back out to bury the cables and put in new cable boxes. A different company will repair the landscape afterward. Owner Ed Smith gave some good info that if you give Time Warner the LIV Welcome center’s telephone number and then your lot number, they will find it in their system.

Approval of Minutes
The minutes were approved

Treasurer Report
Director Steffensen gave the operating fund, major project improvement fund, building permit accts, insurance escrow accts, contingency fund accts, March cash in the bank, and accts receivable. There was no profit and loss info. There was a motion and approval of the 2009 budget.

Committee Reports
D&E - Director White said there was a huge success with the entertainer Leslie. It was a great time. Over 350 people with a profit over $700.
Golf - Director Pelletier had nothing to report.
Pool – Director Steffensen said they will continue to try to figure out the best way to monitor the use of the pool without being unfair. It seems that they are leaning towards everyone having to wear a pool bracelet.
Management – P. Burke said Pro Com management was twice as much as Aramark and that Aramark will not raise their fees. P. Burke gave the impression that this company was at surprised that Aramarks fees were so low. There are supposedly other companies to review and Aramark’s revised renewed contract when completed will be available for review.

Unfinished Business
Law Suit about an owner with the last name Gage was discussed and nothing resolved.
Arroyo Cable lawsuit court date is April 1st.
Director White as to why cleaning logs sheets are not being signed by management for months. The only answer was that they were stolen or trashed.

New Business
Web Conferencing- Director Bergsma said Web Conference .com will provide us with a free trial of their service for board members only. It appeared the cost for five Directors to use this is around $59 a month with a onetime sign up fee of $29 each. A Director questioned thought that this was to be used by owners to watch our meetings. There was a concern about the bylaw quorum rules. It was tabled for later
Village Inspections & Building Codes – P. Burke said Directors Bergsma, Gagan, and Pelletier have requested interest in serving on this committee.
Request for funds for a re-route permit- P. Burke went into length to explained this request and then asked for Tom Cain to explain it further. The survey that Mr. Freeland wants us to share in said Tom, is for a permit that will be in Cameron County’s name instead of a private entity name. This may help in the future for a fixed bridge with financial help from the government. Mr. Cain emphasize this will be a very slow process. LIV’s contribution to this would be up to $2500. Motion made to table was not approved. Motion made to OK the spending on the survey was approved.
There was also a motion approved to mark the microphones to make for easier setups.
Work Order Request Changes – P. Burke said there is a new and better work request form for maintenance needs by owners.
Boat Ramp – P. Burke said there was a problem with the ramp gate to where people are able to enter when locked.
There was a motion past to remove a small portion of common ground near the boat ramp. (correction: the 2 1/2 feet was not removed, it was altered. the bridge assoc. poured concrete on it to direct rain water down the boat ramp. Thankyou commentor.)
Committee Assignments – P. Burke discussed the various committees wanting to be formed or kept continuing. I believe some that were discussed were finance, audit, service contract, legal service committees
Village Grille – Director Halbach said he and LIV owner Jerry Fleckinger are working toward many positive ideas of bettering our Village Grille's bottom line. A written format is forthcoming.
Other- BOD Election of Parliamentarian did seem to happen.

Adjourned

Editor’s note: After every agenda item discussed during this meeting, P. Burke asked if the owners in the audience wish to say or add something. Also she asked the board if the 2 ft. piece of common grounds to be removed at our boat ramp was in their mind a substantial alteration of commons grounds.


Adjourned


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MARCH 2009 COFFEE WITH THE DIRECTORS

Pledge of Allegiance

V.P. Halbach started the meeting saying there will be changes in how future meetings will be ran.
Changes are still in up the air but soon they will be announced. He asked for show of owner hands from the audience if they still want owner suggestions to be signed and owner’s name being disclosed. It stayed the same.



From the Suggestion Box
Lot 339 – Suggestion about the repair of the engine to the Skid Steer. Improper maintenance causing this to have a repair was also brought to light.
Lot 121 – questions asking about the Village infrastructure and getting money from the Government for a new Bridge.
Lot 121 – inquired about having a parking area for boat trailers.
Lot 708 – brought up the motion that past last April about management signing off on a log after inspecting the cleaning of our Village facilities.
Lot 249 – asked about video conferencing. It was said to be on the agenda for the next meeting.
Lot A – requested a 10’x24’ net to protect themselves and their property. It appears on hole 15 there have been a players using way too much club.
SC 68 – suggested relocating the boat ramp cement picnic table and chairs.

Questions from the Audience
Bud Sherry talked about the skid steer repair.
Lot 496 asked questions about Time Warner. It was said by the board they will hold them to the contract.
Lot 116 – requested to keep a little bit of the Grille functioning after it's close this week.
Lot ? – gave kudos to the election committee and complained that the trash dumpster lids are not closed when the trash truck comes. The open lids creates spewing trash .
Lot 288 – requested that management travel the park and do a better job on keeping the common grounds cleaner.
Ex-director Mulch wanted more coffee.
Trudy Costa said Time Warner couldn’t find her. P. Burke said for TW problems call 1-800-cable 55.
P. Burke said they were going to revise the work request form.
Time Warner people arrived and answered many questions. This took over an hour.
Adjourned

WORKSHOP
Rick May, the Village Insurance agent for 20 years, was present for no apparent reason at the meeting. One of the Directors asked Mr. May to a general summary of coverage while he was here. The last item he said was covered was a directors and officers liability policy to cover that ends in July. It is protecting the association if the members of the board should in his words, slip and cause financial harm to the association. Five claims have been submitted on this policy in the last three years. He said that is a lot of claims for a nonprofit organization. H e gave every indication that the premium will go up for this policy. The reason for his appearance is now known.
Director White asked Mr. May to tell everyone these five lawsuits. He said they were as follows.
1. March 8, 2007, claim filed against the Association for negligence in management allowance of Village permits on lot 375
2. November 9, 2007, lot 292 filed because that Board denied their request and along with a survey situation.
3. September 17, 2008 Cowan Island property seeking an easement through Sea Shell Blvd a property plus an injunction against LIV to deny them access.
4. September 29, 2008 Arroyo cablevision filed suit for breach of contract. Claims underpaying and allowing satellite dishes in the park.
5. August 27, 2008 six directors of LIV were sued for breach of fiduciary duties.
Board Agendas
Director Steffensen gave info on the Major Improvement Fund and the budget. Our cost for the Bridge will be $134,000 higher because of insurance cost due to lawsuits and attorney fees from over a year ago. Our increases in expenses will be $125,000 this year. Also she will give the pool committee minutes and suggestions.
Director Guerra wanted on the agenda a person to consult to Directors on how to be responsible. Director Bergsma set an agenda on web conferencing.
Director Halback's agenda is on the operation of the restaurant. He said he has someone who can provide some good ideas.
Director White wanted to discuss the current audio for board meetings as an agenda item.
Director Montalva mentioned wanting the different committees to be formed. It will be on the agenda.
P. Burke wants on the agenda up to $2500 towards Freeland's pursuit for the re-routing the intercoastals. There was a long review on the story behind the rerouting that P. Burke was happy to explain. This took about thirty minutes.
Our general manager said there was a gentleman who has waited here very patiently that owns lot 334. He has a rather large sink hole in the back of his property. It is under his deck stretching to his sea wall. He said we also have an equalizer on this lot. In order to find out what the problem is we will have to remove part of his deck and dig to inspect. Our manager said the sea wall is his problem but the equalizer is ours. P. Burke said just as long as the building code rules are followed as to who is responsible for what. The GM continued with this there is no concrete under the deck but when this is done he will put a sunken patio made out of concrete. The GM repeatedly said that the owner was willing to work with us. After P. Burke mentioned for the second time if they follow the building code rules it will be no problem. Our GM said once again that we are responsible for the repair of the equalizer. He then added this will include any damage to the pad when digging. One of the Directors asked why this didn't fall under maintenance and if so why bring it up. The GM said he just wanted to keep the board inform because we need to proceed on this. He said it might cost our Village as high as $6000.
P. Burke mentioned the Gauge lawsuit to be on as an agenda item along with Arroyo Cable.





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OUR CONCRETE POND

Monday evening when I cut through the indoor pool facility to play cards at the Activity Center, I noticed the pool water was green and very cloudy.


Late morning on Tuesday the water still looked as bad, so I took a chemical reading. The water appeared circulating but found no chorine registering along with a lower than normal PH reading. I was told by several exercise patrons that this water has been this way since last Thursday. My questions are these, since our Village is paying over $19,000 extra per year to have Berry Pools do what we contract and still pay Aramark management to do in keeping the water safe and correct for owners, why is it not consistently being done. It is not a difficult chore, just one that has a need to have someone pay attention towards. For years LIV has paid Aramark to do this job 30 minute a day job and they have never provided us with management that seems to know how to do it. We are now paying both Berry Pools and Aramark management to do this with unfavorable results. Do we need to add a third party to do it?
This pool should have been closed with containing non chlorinated water. Just the liability alone that this magnifies should be enough for our Village to want to correct this reoccurring problem. Our Village doesn’t need another lawsuit. This has the welfare and safety of the owners and renters at risk here, so why isn’t someone being held accountable for this?


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The Election Results

Total votes 712

Elected were Mary Steffensen 429, Eddie Montalva 423, Pat Burke 389, Don Halback 387, Don Pelletier 374, Tom Bergsma 355, Jose Guerra 343, Annita White 323, Bill Gagan 309.

Not elected Virginia Martin 304, Ed McBride 287, Ted Burns 271, Shirley Ritten 281, Richard Hansen 266, Martha Nell Dodson 260, Joe Long 224, and Robert Wilson 162.

Thank you to everyone on the election committee, great job.
Good luck to the new candidates.



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ACCOUNTABILITY
( 10 a.m.)

One of the overheads here in our Village paradise lately has been wasting part of your life watching a diminutive group blindly protecting insincere Aramark employees from being accountable for actions affecting our Village. In the last nine months when management accountability was a question, something would come to life that one could only describe as the “spin wizards of rhetoric”. These wonder workers would try to change the issue under discussion and put focus on a different one such as agendas, due process, evaluation fairness, wrongful termination, micromanaging, divisive behavior, Aramark’s contract obligations, disgruntle employees, destructive behavior and so forth. My favorite “spinner” is that the Directors were at fault for asking questions which forced them into their unenviable situations. Why simple answers can’t just be explained about simple accountability questions is beyond me. One must scratch their head as to why every accountability question seems to always be answered with additional verbiage that attack the person asking.

Since September, management’s actions have been done with impunity due to a court order that includes having a total re-election of our Board of Directors. This imposed order is the result from what many owners feel is a senseless lawsuit initiated by Director Mulch and last year’s director candidate wannabe Reta Priest. It’s apparent the lawsuit’s intent was to neutralized the majority power of the Board who were for the first time asking the management questions and holding them accountable for their actions and statements. The court order also eliminated any possibility for this majority to once again take action and try to replace positions of management.

The chaos began almost a year ago when President Sullivan decided it was finally time to implement a replacement procedure for the GM’s position that resulted with the majority of Directors approving instead an insignificant 90 day evaluation. This evaluation gave the needed time for this group to incite an extraordinarily invalid recall campaign appearing to be a first attempt to neutralize the Board’s majority power and when that failed this exclusive lawsuit followed. This is wasting thousands of dollars of owner’s money just to appease this group against management accountability. This group says they speak for majority of Village owners. They will soon speak for you again when owners receive the final bill from this court appointed agency running our election called Long, Chilton, LLP.

Everyone in our Village has a right to express themselves stating their concerns and opinions, but to do so at the top of your lungs, pointing fingers, and trying to impose your will like several people of this group did in the last Board meeting in support of a manager was totally unacceptable. This type of planned behavior has happened too many times at Board meetings when the GM is questioned about his actions or statements. This has caused so much damage to our once peaceful, friendly, and carefree Village that it may never get back to the way it was for the rest of our lifetimes.

This group seems to feel the only solution to this problem is to elect Directors who will ignore Aramark management accountability to achieve some peace and give the illusion that everything is just grand. If this makes sense to you then let’s succumb to Aramark’s management and exempt them from their actions. Our GM said they don’t get paid that much so why put this extra burden of accountability on their shoulders and their need to work with every Director. We just need bobble head Directors that will be happy to close their eyes and get our Village back like it was when many owners were fairly ignorant about the Declaration and By-Laws or didn’t really care about what was going on with their investment within our community.

I believe owners are now wanting to become more aware of what has been happening and wish to receive accurate information about their park? I don’t believe the majority of owners want what this group has to offer, the need for management accountability to be ignored, distorted, or erased altogether. If they do, so be it.

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

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February 25, 2009 Regular Meeting

After the Pledge of Allegiance P. Sullivan gave what was considered a farewell speech.

Owners speaking on the issues relating to agenda items were for some reason asked to wait until the end of the meeting.

GM/Armando report was the usual fines, violations, and repairs. Outdoor pool was said to be open. Work started on bath house one. The bids on the roof were brought up.

Jan. 31st Minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s report – Director Steffensen read off the P&L. Director Hansen brought up for the second time the fact the board is putting different numbers in the minutes than what is disclosed at month end and feels that such is wrong. During this report Director Burke made a pointed remark towards Director Dodson.

Committee Reports
D&E- many parties were announced. Our GM said that one of the reasons for loss revenue from the restaurant is that they don’t sell enough to pay for the overtime wages.
Golf- P. Sullivan announces night golf raised $350 from tips which will turn into concrete. There will be club champion tourney. Concrete currently being poured between holes 1-10 donated I believe by Gary Stebbins.
TW update-Director Dodson again mentioned that the problems are being handled and they are becoming less. Director Dodson started to give Armando’s phone number to contact for problems in the future. Immediately our GM told her no Aramark employee is to handle anything pertaining to TW. Director Hansen asked the GM if he was saying he will not oversee the contracts of LIV and help to service the owners with problems. Director Dodson said she did not feel she should be a sole contact for service complaints. After Director Burke talked to the GM it was agreed upon a method similar to our previous cable company and management will forward complaints to the cable company.


Unfinished Business

Roof Bids- Motion passed to have Perry Roofing, the lowest bid, do our roofs at the Welcome and Activity Centers.

2009 Budget- There was a request by Director McBride to have a full time employee be added to the work force. Director Burke sided against it with saying that we have as per the Aramark contract. Director McBride said that the number of workers has not been getting the job done.

Berry Pools- Director McBride asks the board to consider cancelling the Berry contract and hire an experienced pool operator. Our GM appeared to have arranged a representative from Berry Pools there who gave a very good presentation but didn’t know the answers for many of our owners having hair loss and swim attire ruined. He did say he would look into it for answers.
There was no action to cancel their contract that is substancially increasing.

Rescind motion to transfer funds- was done and approved to wait until the end of the year.
Committees- It was talked about what committees to recommend to the new Board.


New Business

Replace Skid tractor-there was a long discussion on repair. Questions on whether to keep it and buy a new mower, repair or don’t repair and trade it in for more usable piece of equipment that has mower capability. When all was said and done, a motion to repair it for now and have the new board take care of it after obtaining three bids on the above. Our GM said twice that this skid tractor was a $56,000 piece of equipment. He said it shouldn't being given away.

Commercial dump area control-Director Burke wants to put contractors on a specific dumping time schedule along with having an Aramark employee monitoring their dumps.

Copier use in Office- motion passed to install an identification emblem to the copier glass that will show on each copy. This will show if out copier is used.

Electronic privacy policy-There was a motion passed to have owners that don’t wish to have their private information sold to whoever wants to pay $25, must fill out a form saying such at the Welcome Center.

Stop sign enforce for bicycles and golf carts- Director Burke wants everyone on a bicycle and golf cart to make a full stop at each stop sign. It was suggested to tell security and put a notation on channel 18.

General Manager/Aramark contract/ Code of conduct-Director Hansen questioned the GM’s statements that he made at his personal town hall meeting last Tuesday, in which he explained his side of the nepotism situation. One question was why he told owners that Les did not report directly to him, the GM. Director Hansen recited four different items in the Aramark contract with LIV that said Les reports to the GM, or that the GM oversees Les. Our GM said that I told my story Tuesday night, I not going to report it again. Director Hansen then asked why he (the gm) said he was not related to Les. Our GM said he didn’t say that. Director Hansen said you said the last time I checked I was not related. Our GM said that’s correct and I said I would look into it. He said he is not speaking any more, and that this is an Aramark policy, this is Aramark’s code, they’re dealing with it, and you let them deal with it. Then he said they have already dealt with it. P. Sullivan cut it off right there and was instantly interrupted by an owner talking about the lawsuit court order that Director Mulch and Reta Priest caused in suing six of our Directors, claiming that no director can terminate our GM. Director Hansen response was he was trying to get facts, not terminate. There was a quite loud and unruly howl of comments from these same ten or so people who displayed their riotous actions at previous meetings.

Owners speaking on agenda items
Lot 170 I couldn’t hear clearly enough because he didn’t step up to the mike.

Lot 319 said we are doing a wrongful termination. He started shouting very loud at Director Hansen and received the applause of these same ten or so people.

There was a question as to why the action of removing our GM was made public and not done in private. Director McBride said that during the executive meeting in April our GM wanted it to be addressed in public and that Director Burke said he had every right to do that. The Gm said that this was not true. He said said he was asked to come upstairs to resign and told his boss to have them do in public, that he was ot going to resign and wash it under the carpet.

Lot 305 was the one who interrupted the President and said to end this meeting and let the new Board handle it.

Other

Director Dodson mentioned a few items about TW and additional cameras from Security.

Director Burke said the cost difference between unlicensed Aramark and Securitas was higher because taxes were added twice to Aramark.

Lot? Owner asked why don't all the Directors provide documents to verify their educational backgrounds.



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February 18th Coffee with the Directors

After the Pledge of Allegiance P Sullivan gave the floor to Selba Campbell who ask for every owner to register to vote.

VP Young then gave the floor to owner Becky Ray to explain election procedures.

Comments from the suggestion box

Lot? Complained of cold food at chicken night and on the buffet during a 40 plus breakfast get togeher that was scheduled at the Grill.

Lot 708 said the washrooms, women’s lounge area, indoor pool changing area's cleanup sign off sheet has not been posted or signed since Feb. 1st. Maintenance, trash area, and dumpster by the tennis courts are very unsightly. Why are these not being cleaned up? Armando who was sitting in for our absent GM said he would take care of it.

Lot 288 complained about the concrete forms that were laying in piles and look bad while killing the grass. Armando said it will be taken care of.

Lot 494 said that there were times no comment forms available this summer and if it is policy that the LIV copier and supplies are to be used by candidates seeking election? It was said there is no policy. It was also asked about seeing receipts for the recent items distributed.

Lot 494 said that last summer had complained about owner personal information being use such as names, addresses, and ph #. This was being divulged by the Village office and has again received mailing from this info by candidates running for the board. How are these individuals being provided with my name and address? Is it the policy of LIV to share owner information in an electronic form? Director Burke said like the last time this was brought up, anyone can buy this info from the office for $25.

Lot 249 complaint was pointed toward Director McBride because he didn’t give a response in writing back personally from his comment. He went on to say his negative opinions about the board and their harassment of management and Aramark this summer. Director McBride said he would mail him the same response that he had posted in the Library.

Lot 249 asked for the board to reconsider the decision not to financially help Mr. Freeland in a survey he is conducting. P. Sullivan said at Mr. Freeland’s request, this has been put on hold.

Lot 106 complained about lot 58 and 108 for their unsightliness and a few common ground items in need of repair.

Lot 586A complained about security letting them through with no sticker. Director Dodson said the security guard who did that has since been terminated.

Questions from the audience

Selba Campbell asked if security do rounds at night. Answer was yes.

Lot 638 asked questions about TW Internet service. Director Dodson said she is currently trying to get some answers. Director Burke said contrary to what Director Dodson had said that she knew of two men (high ups w/TW) named Trevino and Aguilar that said they could help with any of the problems with TW. Director Burke talked at length about how they said these two could help if we had a list of the problems and give the list to these two men. Director Dodson said that she and Armando have already been doing this for some time and if Director Burke wishes to take over this oversight, that would be just fine with her. She said Armando is taking down the complaints and faxing them to Xavier at ATW.

WORKSHOP
Budget items- Directors will have a week of review per Director Steffensen.

Director Hansen said he had a problem with the manager's salary staying the same when his responsibility is now less, referring to security now being ran by Securitas. Also spreading this salary now towards rental, restaurant, and golf course will show higher losses. Director Steffensen said he is on a salary that stays the same no matter what he does. Director Burke said this manager never received an increased for doing security so it should not be decrease. Director Dodson recalls that someone got a $7000 increase to wages somewhere when security became an unlicensed project by Aramark and will look into those exact fees. Director Burke seemed adamant that none of the managers received any increase in salaries.

A meeting was set on Tuesday the 24th at 10am to discuss more on the 2009 budget

Director Peterson wanted on the agenda to discuss what he feels is a problem that no one has a clue at what it cost our restaurant to make a hamburger for a customer and that our management has not had a health inspector in our restaurant for three years. Why?

Director Hansen wanted on the agenda to discuss the Tuesday’s the 17th town hall meeting that our GM held giving his explanations of being related another manager and why he stated in at a previous meeting he was not. He said that it needs to be put on record because it was a blatant lie and needs to be addressed.

Director Dodson said there will be items about changes to the using of the electronic owner information and more on TW.

Director McBride wants a review of certain ideas as how to keep from misusing of LIV’s copier machine. He also wants to discuss the use of Berry Pools and possibly going back to the way it was.

P. Sullivan said a $12,000 cost to replace a motor on a piece of golf course machinery as opposed to buying machine that can do more for $16,000. Director Steffensen asked how old is the equipment that is broke? The answer was 5 yrs. She then questioned the life expectancy of such equipment which brought up the reasons of why the ISIS maintenance information was never made available to members on the audit committee. P. Sullivan then tried to stop this conversation saying that it wasn’t relevant. Director Peterson said he thought it was because if maintenance is not being performed, then buying new equipment would not be advisable. The President stopped it there.

Director Burke wanted to talk about the commercial dumping and about bicycle/golf carts not stopping at stop signs.

Director Steffensen had annual report and budget, plus the allocation of $20,000.

Armando was asked about the bids on the roofs for the welcome center.

Director Hansen mentioned about the five CPL street lights that are still out.

An owner asked to speak about rental property and what is LIV’s responsibility when not going through the rental department. P. Sullivan indicated said that there is none?

Director Steffensen had a problem between the original and revised minutes. Director Steffensen went on to say that the minutes should read as the original. Director McBride said he edited the redundant comments, long conversations, and try to keep to motions made and who voted. Director Steffensen said that this was why Director Mulch was relieved of his position. Director Mulch made the remark that that when he was secretary he tried to be fair, but that you (referring to Sect. McBride) don’t know what the word fair means. Director McBride said anything that someone wishes to add, he would add it.

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JUST A TIDBIT
It has been an interesting week. There was a letter sent to Aramark with information about our GM’s hiring practices. We had our Coffee with Directors that had the usual fireworks. A candidate running for the Board acted out of line towards an owner on lot 820. We’ve had thirteen candidates show up at a very thoughtful McAllen meeting. We were all captivated about this remarkable story our general manager gave to anyone on Tuesday night. To top it off we shouldn’t forget Reta Priest, our invalid recall leader and lawsuit happy person that’s costing our Village a ton of money. She was passing out for our GM at this meeting and the Coffee, an eight paragraph letter containing his political views. The dwindling GM supporters were upset that his epistle was rejected after he had tried to post it in our Village Newsletter.
Correct me if I am wrong but isn’t our GM’s political position supposed to be a neutral one? Are employees from Aramark allowed to use their positions to sway voters towards their political views? Is not the attempt to use our Village Newsletter at the expense of every owner a bit over the top?

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

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THE WHEELS KEEP ON TURNING

How many ways can our GM explain the story about the purchase of tires and wheels? Let’s review this metamorphic story.

One of the agenda items from the August 20th Coffee/Workshop was to address if personal tires and wheels may have been purchased by our GM with his Aramark credit card. When the GM gave his explanation that on August 12th, 2008, his truck received a scheduled new paint job along with tires that were damaged from Hurricane Dolly and a set of wheels. He said he had paid for these in full out of his own pocket and made it clear that they were not on the credit card. He plainly gave the impression that they never had been. He displayed to the audience the copies of his checks and receipts that proved such?

Because of this apparent clarity of proof, the issue was laid to rest.

It resurfaced at the January’s Board meeting when the audit committee discovered the date and number on the receipt that our GM had previously waved at the audience months earlier didn’t seem to correspond with the dates and numbers on receipts given out from the office for that particular day. During the motion requesting the approval for the audit committee’s recommendations; Director Hansen said the recommendation towards the use of Aramark’s managerial credit cards was a little weak. He went on to say it appeared that the GM used the Aramark credit card for his August 12th purchase and paid it off on August 25th, just before it was to have been brought up to discuss as an agenda item. Our GM sat silent and gave no response.

Hours later, the recessed meeting resumed and was immediately interrupted by the general manager now wanting to give his explanation with demanding this to be put to bed. He said in one of the Town Hall meetings (?) after Hurricane Dolly, they (?) brought up and said that they (?) were going to present the paying for his damage tires to the board. He said he purchased these tires and wheels using his along with another manager’s company credit cards. He said he withheld any action on repaying this because the credit card receipt would not be due for thirty days and he was waiting for they (?) to get this purchase approved through our Board. He said that never came about, so before the thirty days was up, he on August 25th, went to the front office and paid the $558.61 balance. He said by mistake he was given a receipt with the same date that was on his purchase receipt.

One must now wonder with this story why there were no references to these events months ago. Who exactly is “THEY” suggesting to pay for these tires? To make this even weirder, after this was all said and done, our Board President said that he had signed a petty cash check and agreed to pay for these tires. He said this was done after the fact and couldn’t remember on what date. Why didn’t he bring this up earlier to shorten Director Hansen’s inquiry? Why didn’t the second director whose signature is required for the petty cash check say something?

Why was this strung out so immeasurably long? Why didn’t our Gm just explain this on August 20th to the parties interested? Why didn’t “THEY” who suggested paying for the tires just explain this on August 20th to those concerned? Why were all of the Directors not informed that we, the owners of LIV, paid for our GM’s tires and wheels? The more this onion gets peeled, the more this story changes. The more this story changes, the more it doesn’t make sense. Who did what, when, and where with our owner’s monies? We, as owners deserved to be correctly informed the first time around and not have to rely on an audit for straight answers. It was not made clear if the reimbursements check our President had signed included the $250 for the chrome wheels.

Director Hansen address this as an example of Aramark credit card misuse and just wanted better policies implemented to keep any future misuse similar to this from happening again. Regardless of what really happened, the company credit card should not have been used like this. When Director Hansen directly asked our GM are you supposed to use your Aramark credit card for personal use? The GM replied” I can do that”.

Do you feel management should be able to use company credit cards for their personal use?

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JUST A TIDBIT

The few owners who stayed through Hurricane Dolly were invited to have free dinners at our Restaurant patio area. It was said in appreciation, the food and beverage was given to us from Aramark.

Aramark laborers, who had put in a tremendous work effort, had also enjoyed this generosity. Our GM said in one of his many dinner speeches that this is what we, Aramark, are all about.

The audit committee apparently found that Aramark charged our Village $1,700 for this food and beverage. As our GM said, that’s what they’re all about.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 1/31/2009

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

OWNERS SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEMS
Don Pelletier made a suggestion that future contracts have the manager’s signature on them also.
Director Mulch said he was ashamed with the way the board had handled the Security and Time Warner contracts. He said the security contract was completely controlled by Director Dodson’s committee and the Board was never brought in as a whole to discuss it. He said he was not allowed to see any of the bids, management was not allowed to have any impute but they will have to end up managing security. He said that it was arranged that the Board would control security instead of management. He said the contract was just a standard two page contract. In a nutshell he said it was vague and didn’t specify the exact duties to be performed. He said the only way to have the exact things you wanted to have security do was to bring in the Board and management. The same is said by him on the Time Warner contract. The manager never saw the contract. He complained management had no say but had to repair the problems.
Director Dodson’s response to both Don Pelletier and Director Mulch was that everyone was informed. Management was invited to all security meetings and only came to the last one. She said the Board approves these contracts after all were given the opportunity to review the contracts. She stated that she worked very hard on both and is not going to make any apologies when and if any member here who may have not received or lost their copies had to only asked her for another.
Director Burke said she did not see the Time Warner contract until after it was done and thought that Director Steffensen didn’t either.

PRESIDENTS REMARKS
Show of hands for the Saturday attendees that isn’t able to make Wed. meeting.

GM REPORT
There was nothing note worthy except pool and spa plastering is done and curing. Bathhouse one is going to be remodeled this week. Director Hansen asked about the treadmill down. Part on order was the response. Director McBride asked the GM about him saying there was no drain for the outdoor pool when there seems to be one and if that is in compliance. He said that is not a pump drain. He said it was an indicator drain showing that there is water underneath the pool when you drain it so it doesn’t pull the pool out of the ground. He said there is a new entrapment grate installed. Director McBride asked we were in compliance. Our GM said we are in complete compliance for all our pools and hot tubs.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Nov.19th and Dec. 17th 2008 minutes were approved

TREASURER’S REPORT
Revenue Centers all lost for a total of $78,278 more in 2008 than in 2007.
Director Hansen’s had a concern of approving a different monthly revenue number in the minutes than what is in actual months end.
The Board tabled a decision of where to transfer $20,000 until the budget is approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Audit Committee – Director Steffensen said the two areas talked about were the Village Grill and Petty Cash.They have had 28 meetings toward four revenue areas since August. They have made a total of 51 recommendations and have 20 in place so far. She went on to explain numerous avenues and examples of the different items changed and looked at for the Village Grill.
Director Steffensen made a motion for the Board to accept the Audit Committee’s Village Grill recommendations. Approved
The Petty Cash became a topic of discussion after the explanation of numerous recommendations. When Director Steffensen made the motion for the Board to accept the Audit Committee’s Petty Cash recommendations.
Director Hansen stated that manager’s personal use recommendation on the credit card was a little weak. He said on August 12th our GM used his Aramark credit card to purchase tires and wheels for his vehicle. Because he only had a $500 limit, He then used another manager’s Aramark credit card for an additional $58.61 towards the purchase. Director Hansen said we brought this up at the Coffee with the Directors meeting on August 20th and put it on the agenda to discuss at the next regular board meeting. That meeting never came. He said later our GM had said he had paid for this out of his own pocket and it wasn’t personal use on that credit card. Director Hansen said he was then shown a receipt that the wheels and tires were paid for on August 12th and that the GM did not pay that back until August 25th, after it was brought up at a Board meeting. Director Hansen said he thought that was a clear abuse of his credit card.
There was a very long pause with no response from the GM or anyone, then P. Sullivan spoke up and said I don’t think we have to go any further than that, it has been brought to everyone’s attention.
Director Steffensen’s motion was then approved.
Director Dodson made a motion to recommend to the next Board that the audit committee stay intact. That was so noted.

D&E Committee – Director Dodson explained a tremendous number of activities, way too many to list here.

Safety Committee – Director McBride talked about the coming Hurricane season and touched on attending these meetings because they will be very informative. There were other comments about owners anchoring their possessions and empty their freezers. An updated insert will be sent in LIV newsletter.

Golf Committee – P. Sullivan said there is a new driving net. Director Peterson wanted everyone to thanked Kurt and Jenny from Marlin Construction for their donations of material and labor.

Management Committee – Director Burke said they have had two proposals from additional Management companies. They will try to have their report by the annual meeting.

Pool Committee – Director Steffensen said they have purchase 30 chairs at the cost of $3300. The chairs being replaced had a motion to be sold at $10 each on Monday Feb.2nd. Motion was approved.

Election Committee – Director McBride had Becky Ray speak who is one of five on this committee. She made a thorough presentation which fully explained our somewhat different and difficult election procedure. Candidate’s night is on March 2nd, 7pm at the Rec. Hall. They will have a question box located at the Activity Center from Feb 11th-25th from which it will receive question forms filled out by owners on subjects they would like the candidates to answer. She said all packets will be mailed because we are under the umbrella of the courts and there are changes in these packets, so read them carefully. Every ballot must be signed. No ballot will be made public. She said this election has been designated by the court to be handled by Long Chilton, LLP firm and will be extremely expensive.

Security Committee – Director Dodson said this committee is an ongoing committee that is not here to run security.

There was a 15 minute recess

UNFINISHED BUSINES

This started with our GM wanting to put something to bed. He said he had made arrangements before the hurricane to get his truck painted. He said that this arrangement was canceled due to the hurricane. He said that after the hurricane he had it painted. He said he had a receipt for that and a cancel check from his personal checking account for the $600 he put down. He said he also had a cancel check from his personal account of $650 for the balance of payment. He said he paid out of his own personal account for a paint job. He said after the hurricane in one of the Town Hall meetings, it was brought up that they were going to present paying for my tire damage to the board. He said he purchased the tires, got a receipt and put it on the credit card. He said he withheld the receipt because he knew the credit card receipt would not be due for thirty days, thus waiting to present this to the Board. He said it was never brought up so before thirty days was up, he went to the front office and paid $558.61 and here is the receipt. He said Erma when writting him the receipt, mistakenly put the same date that was on the purchase receipt of 8/12/2008. He again said he paid for this out of his own personal money and wants this to be put to bed and not brought up again.
Director Hansen plainly asked the GM, are you suppose to use the Aramark credit card for personal use, yes or no. The GM response was when he bought this the board had made the suggestion that they were going to pay for the tires. Director Hansen repeated his original question and wanted a yes or no. The GM’s answer was yes I can do that. Director Hansen then brought up the wheels which had been purchased along with the tires on the Aramark credit card that were items not damaged and were not suggested to be paid for by the board. The GM said I paid for them. Director Hansen said you paid for them on August 25th, five days after it was brought up in a Board meeting about the paint job and your tires. Our Gm said he was holding the receipt to see if the Board was going to pay for the tires. The receipt that showed our GM paid for the credit card charge was dated on August 12th and not on August 25th when he actually paid. Our GM said it was a mistake and didn’t know about it until yesterday. Director Hansen said you flashed this same receipt at a previous meeting and it certainly appears that someone is playing with the books. Our GM said you have made accusations about me all year. He said I did nothing wrong and I paid for everything myself. Director Hansen asked when Aramark is to do their Audit and wanted them to look into the GM’s use of the Aramark’s credit card. He also said the GM not only used his credit card but Armando’s card as well.
Our Board President interrupted all this to say that he had agreed to pay for the GM’ tires. He said he signed a petty cash check for the tires after the fact. He said he didn’t remember the date of it but was asked to consider that.

Time Warner- Director Dodson said if anyone's cable reception is a problem, provide her with your lot info. A question was asked about service charges. Owners are responsible from the outside hookup box to your TV. It was also expressed that any damage to the property by TW will be repaired.

Microphones- Director McBride said we are now using three new microphones.

Office Computer & LIV website – Director Steffensen said the office computers are on hold until financials. LIV website has received three quotes; Rio Tech-$3630+$60 per hr, Blue Starfish Design -$1990 + $25 per hr., and MCC studios at $14,400 + $125 per hr. Director Steffensen recommended Blue Starfish Design. Motion was made to use them and was approved.

Fire Hydrant- Director McBride said he talked to the Fire Marshall and made arrangements to test the hydrants. He said there was no real record in the minutes of these fire hydrant bids. He said I won’t bring it up again.

Bath Houses – Director McBride said the signoff sheets are not being signed as frequently as before and feels that the cleaning of the areas are slipping a bit. After a three minute orientation from the GM about the sheets being torn off and trashed, Director McBride said that this was not the problem he was concerned with. It was that the areas are not being clean.

Major Improvement fund for 2009 - Director Steffensen said we borrowed $18,000 out of the operating capital to pay cost towards the sewer line removal and wants to replace it back in to operating capital. There was a long discussion of if this is where the money should be relocated.

NEW BUSSINESS

Allocation of $2000 to Bridge Board for the channel depth certification – P. Sullivan said they will not make such an allocation.

Aramark Contract, Utilities + one year contract-Director Hansen wished to have utilities work by Aramark employees better defined. He also wishes to have a one year instead of multiple contracts for Aramark only since they are already established and because it does not benefit our Village at all having multi-year contracts with them at this time. This was not approved.

Berry Pool Contract Agreement – Director Burke was not discussed.

Pool Consultant – Director McBride had the GM tell everyone the consultant after supposedly a quick look is doing this work for free.

Forming Standing Committees - Director Hansen had numerous category committees he wished to have assembled. It’s under advisement.

Benches at the Bridge, Sand dollar, and the letter lots – P. Sullivan said they are still being decided as to the exact locations and will purchase two more.

Counter Suing Arroyo Cable – Director Hansen thought such would help get rid of their cable equipment they have abandoned and possibly help the current litigation case.

Property minus utilities-Director McBride wanted it noted that the Board will back up management in calling law enforcement when people steal electricity from a neighboring lot.

LIV Questionnaire – Director Hansen ended up saying this questionnaire will more than likely be sent as an insert with our newsletter and will not be in the electoral owner packets.

Saturday Board meetings- Director McBride ended up having Saturday Coffee and Regular Meetings happening every three months at 9am.

Burr Clover – Director McBride asked for management to apply weed killer.

Pickle Ball – Director Dodson has obtained the approval from the Board for Pickle Ball to be played on our tennis courts.

ADJOURMENT



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