by Kathy Leslie-Whelan

Due to the Covid-19 and physical distancing the second virtual board meeting utilizing Zoom was held for May.  This meeting can be viewed on the official Emerald Lakes Face Book page or web page.  The meeting was called to order at 10:03 AM.  All board members were present.  Darryl Gamble, General Manager, and Nicole Clemens, Assistant General Manager, were also present.  Buz Whelan started his President’s message by saying that all zoom rules apply to the meeting.  The meeting was being held in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order except where local custom dictates otherwise and that the meeting was being recorded and archived.    Whelan further thanked the membership for their cooperation and understanding during this pandemic and stated we will continue to follow the governor’s guidelines/rules.  ELA is a quasi government where rules are imposed and enforced and penalties are imposed when rules are broken.  Whelan stated that yesterday he attended a Zoom memorial service for a 59 year old member who passed away from Covid-19.  Currently there are 31 confirmed cases in Long Pond.  The ELA Newsletter will hit the kiosks next week.  He encouraged the board members to submit articles for the publication stating that it is a chance for them to communicate to the membership.  This edition will contain the new fishing rules which were developed with the assistance of the fishing club.  These rules will be enforced when the governor lifts the bans on our area.  ELA cannot endorse anything that goes against the state’s mandates.  Whelan stated that there are many complaints about unreturned phone calls at the Administration.    Staff are only in the office one day a week and cannot retrieve their phone messages from home or change voice mail messages.  Our contract is with Frontier and it is expiring.  This firm will be replaced once the pandemic is done. The best way to contact management is by email. General Manager, Darryl Gamble’s email address is dgamble@emeraldlakesassoc.com Assistant General Manager, Nicole Clemens email address is nclemens@emeraldlakesassoc.com.

It takes approximately 10 days to credit accounts due to the process and limited access to the office.  Our CEO only comes to the office one day a week.  If you are requesting a permit it may take longer.  Once it is approved, you will be notified and it will be taped to the door at the Administration building.

Bill Baehr, Treasurer, stated that for the month of April,  $142,504 was for operations and $412,106 is in receivables.  The Code Enforcement Officer collections are currently at $99.5K YTD, while $60K was budgeted for the year.  Rental income is down by $39K.

Dues collections are currently at 72 1/2% for 2019 ($1,658,227 YTD)

2020 collections:

• Sunrise collections $ 104K
• In house collections  $256K
• Special Payment Plan $89K
• Attorney collections $ 90K

Unaudited cash surplus is $239K, dues for first quarter $241K, pre-paid dues $308K. 40 to 50 people have requested a special payment plan due to Covid-19.  The extension for dues payment is now June 15th.

Bob Leon made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report.  It was seconded by Steve Kavanagh and passed unanimously.

Under old business Whelan accepted a motion from Bob Leon to accept April’s board minutes.  It was seconded by Bill Baehr and passed unanimously. 

General Manager, Darryl Gamble spoke about the reopening procedures for the pools, beaches, Community Center, and Bar and Grill.  The outdoor pool is up and running but will not be staged until all restrictions are lifted.  We were under contract with Strand pool and moved forward with all tasks required for the reopening.  The pool area will be locked and the pool will be covered.  Currently we are not heating the pool until it can open.  Gamble stated it takes 3 days to heat the pool.  The indoor pool is in pristine condition and is operating at 100%.  It is monitored by Strand pool.  The beaches are being tended to also.  The bath houses are being brought up to snuff but will remain locked with the water turned off.  Signage will go up discouraging large crowds and that you are there at your own risk.  All indoor recreational areas will remain closed until Monroe County goes green. The Community Center/Bar and Grill pass through is being funded from past year’s money that was rolled over to reserves.  This project along with ceiling repairs and renovations of the amenity will move forward. Some renovations are needed in the bar area where pipes are leaking and electrical work needs upgrading. There is no contract in place at this time.  The estimated cost is $35K with a contingency of $50K.

Road maintenance will be started when the ban is lifted and materials become available.  Bowstring is on schedule to be paved this year but no contract is in place yet.  $150K is budgeted this year.  The road will be done right by using 3 inches of tar, laying a base and correcting water drainage.  In addition, several areas of roadway are identified to be repaired where large sections will be roll patched by the paving contractor.  Maintenance staff will continue to cold patch the pot holes and roll patch the smaller areas needing repaired.

Under Capital projects for this year, dam repair is under contract, but work is pending due to the ban from the Covid-19 pandemic.  Emergency Evacuation Plans a water monitoring system will be put in place for two dams.  Water will be measured daily, inputted into a computer program on a weekly basis and sent to the State yearly.  DEP/State fines will happen if we do not maintain and repair dams.  The plan is estimated at $61K, but with some repairs it will be $68K.  Truck purchase is on hold, however a new John Deere lawn mower was purchased.

The Community Center rubber roof is under contract. The Contractor received $28K as a down payment.

Pine Tree and Main Beach are a work in progress.  A retaining wall and curtain drains are required at Pine Tree.  Sand will be delivered when the ban is lifted.  Volunteers will be assisting maintenance with work at the main entrance.  Finally a new roof and fencing is needed at the Administration building.

Fines given to the membership are not issued without the member receiving a notice and a time frame to correct the situation.  If a member has a third offence on an issue, Gamble will reach out to the individual.  Tree removal, noise complaints and ATV infractions need a progressive scale for the member who doesn’t heed the rule.   

Under New Business:

• Discussion was on the “Meet the Candidate” and Annual August meeting.  A decision will be made at the June 27th meeting whether to move the meeting date or have a virtual meeting.   The decision will be based on the latest Covid-19 restrictions or ban lifting for the county.

Director’s Comments

Bill Baehr offered his assistance to the Administration office since he has been furloughed till the end of July. 

Two new members were welcomed to the Community.

Bob Leon made the motion to adjourn.  It was seconded by Dave Borsos.  Meeting adjourned at 12:15 PM.

Reporters Note: I write these reports based on notes taken during the meeting.  I get no special consideration or cooperation from the board.  I try my best to report accurately, but occasionally mistakes will be made.  I invite correction and have no desire to intentionally mischaracterize any comments or actions.