by Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          Since Monroe County has gone into the yellow phase during the Covid-19 pandemic, the board had a workshop at the Community Center while maintaining physical distancing, having temperatures taken and wearing masks.  Since the meeting was not recorded, I was invited in to document the meeting for the membership.  President Buz Whelan called the meeting to order at 10:03 AM.  All board members and General Manager Darryl Gamble were present.  Nicole Clemens, Assistant General Manager was working at the Administration building handling in-person business.  Since June 3rd, the office has been opened on Wednesday and Saturdays between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. CDC and DOH guidelines are being strictly followed. Only one person at a time is permitted in the office after their temperature has been taken.  All that enter must be wearing a mask and keep a safe distance from the staff.  All business that can be handled electronically should continue to be handled in that manner.

          Buz Whelan handed the floor over to Darryl Gamble for an update on the projects that are currently underway.  Gamble stated that there was new flooring at the Administration building and the office at the Community Center.  The boat stickers are in so the membership can start to register their boats. The tags/hangers are in and fishing permits will start to be issued next week.  Because of the virus and limited time allowed for Zoom meetings, Gamble set up an ELA account for a small fee which allows for longer meetings.  Committees are encouraged to start up their monthly meetings utilizing this account.  The Real Estate committee has already used this account and has had their first meeting since the pandemic occurred. 

          Currently Gamble has a map of the Association that identifies road issues.  The problem areas identify what repairs can be done in-house and what repairs need to be contracted out.  Anyone who knows of a pot hole that needs repair should report the area to Gamble to ensure that it is taken care of.  Gamble is looking into tar and chip roads and pricing for next year.  This method works best on a high traffic roads where there is cracking.  The cost for asphalt paving is $1,275 per square yard.  Please note in my last article, I mistakenly reported that figure as a square foot cost.

          A resolution was put forth by Secretary Dave Borsos for a Tax Assessment Appeal. This resolution is for reclaiming property tax payments that were billed to the Association in error. This resolution was seconded by Bob Leon.  It passed unanimously. 

          When the county goes green, the administration office will continue as it is running now.  The outdoor pool will open with a limited amount of furniture and limited snack shack items.  There will be scheduled groups allowed in for different time slots. The pool can allow a 75% capacity.  The porta potties and railing will be sanitized after each group leaves.  Pool attendants will be scanning IDs as well as taking temperatures.  The membership will be required to sign a waiver before entering the pool area.  Currently Gamble is looking to hire pool attendants for part time work.  If interested, please email the Assistant General Manager at nclemens@emeraldlakesassoc.com.

Gamble stated that supplies are trickling in for sanitizing through the amenities. 

          Both Main Beach and Pine Tree Beach are okay to go.  The bath houses will be sprayed down periodically by maintenance.  Within the next two weeks, the retaining wall repairs at Pine Tree will be started.  There will be a soft 6 foot slope to the beach and a drain will go to the right side.  These items will not go to the water so special permits will not be required.  Main Beach will be getting new sand and a few boulders.

          Basketball courts and tennis courts will require the membership to sign waivers.  There will also be signs posted to encourage the membership to maintain social distance and to wash hands.

The Community Center bar and grill will undergo some renovations to make thing more efficient and consistent.  A cut out with window will be between the pool and the bar.  A new bar will be reconfigured and needed electrical and plumbing work will happen behind the bar.  There will be a three bay sink and dishwasher.  The refrigerator will be moved to the back wall of the closet.  The left hand side will have shelving.  Cocktail makers will be procured so that drinks will be consistent.  Soda will be canned/bottled soda.  The bar menu will continue to be implemented.

          A discussion was held on the grass cuttings.  This discussion will be rehashed during the next meeting that will be live streamed.  The discussion was on the possibility of the membership cutting the grass at the front of their properties. 

          Whelan spoke about the need to set a date for the Annual meeting.  Since the high school will not be available for rental due to Covid-19, he discussed options for the board to consider.  One option would be by way of an emergency by-law change and move the date of the meeting for a few months.  A second option would be to rent a circus tent and have the meeting on August 15th, with a rain date of August 16th. 

          Whelan also stated that he usually puts out a paper before the open meeting but is holding off on the June issue so that whatever decisions the board makes at their next open meeting on June 27th can be covered and relayed to the membership.   Whelan also stated that meet the candidates will be 3 weeks before the voting so that the membership has sufficient time to mail in their proxy voting if they decided to vote in that fashion.

          Borsos requested that the voting ballots be corrected and that the reference to” any marks on the ballot will disqualify the ballot” be eliminated. 

          Bob Leon announced that according to Zillow we currently have 24 houses for sale, 8 lots for sale and 23 foreclosures.

          Steve Kavanagh made the motion to adjourn.  It was seconded by Bob Leon.  Meeting adjourned at 1:14 PM.