by Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          The meeting was called to order at 9:41 AM. All board members were present.  General Manager Darryl Gamble and Assistant General Manager Nicole Clemens were also present. Buz Whelan started his President’s message saying that the minutes from May’s open board meeting are not available at this time so the approval of the minutes will be done at the next open board meeting.  The meeting was being recorded and strict physical distancing was being observed.  Whelan stated that he expects a business-like  decorum when entering the Administration building.  He stated that an overwhelming number of people are observant and have been appropriate in their contact with staff.  He is grateful for that, however, over the past couple of weeks several people have entered in a rage using ethnic slurs, vulgar language and abusive or condescending behavior. This will not be tolerated and the individual exhibiting this behavior will be asked to leave or be removed. 

          Whelan further complimented the General Manager and maintenance staff on the appearance of Pine Tree beach.  He saw staffing gathering for work at 8:00 AM all week and working hard throughout the day even though it was hot and humid.  Whelan stated that the stone wall is attractive and compliments the beach.  It is a whole new look.

          Whelan further stated that since the Memorial Day ceremony was cancelled due to Covid 19, there will be a small ceremony at the main entrance flagpole on July 4th at 9:00 AM to recognize those who gave their life and made our country what it is today. The ceremony will be a flag raising, pledge of allegiance and singing of a patriotic song. 

          Bill Baehr, Treasurer, started his report stating that for the month of May the Association operated within budget.  Operating costs were at $110K and are within budget.  Deposits are at $220K.  Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) collections are at $16,440 and are on track to exceed the budgeted amount.  Rental income is at $27K which exceeds last year by $11,751.  Dues collections are currently at 47% since we extended the deadline of the first quarterly payment to June 15th.  Income from dues is $467,500 to date, which includes delinquency collections. In-house collections are at $141K, attorney collections are at $250 and collections from Sunrise are at $1K.  The Association is always moving forward against anyone that owes money on behalf of the membership.  Currently Emerald Lakes has an A + rating with collections.

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

Under Old Business:

• Gamble stated that they are using a map to tackle the pot holes in the community and have been working aggressively to address these holes.  Two men are always working on pot holes when the weather is nice. Staff will also be using the rolled tar patching in more areas. Gamble is currently waiting for a report and pricing from a Contractor to do outside road work.  Gap View down to Main beach roads will be repaired and Clearview will be taken care of.  Under consideration is paving of the parking lots with gravel, chip and tar.  He is currently looking to procure a tar buggy. 
• The outdoor pool is doing okay.  Last weekend was the first time the pool was opened due to Covid 19.  On the first day 50 adults entered the pool area.  The second day a total of 20 adults went to the pool.  People are reminded to wear masks to the pool.  The rules are as follows:
• you need to wear a mask to enter
• you must read and sign a waiver
• you are required to wear mask if you are not swimming, drinking or eating or in your small group
• you must social distance
• no arguing with the attendants
• IDs are required for entrance

Badging scanner on laptop will soon be in place to check IDs at both the compactor and the pool.  Training is starting with 6 new pool attendant hires.  4th of July week the pool will be open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  It is the intent to open the pool for more days once the new hires are trained.

• Community Center has a long range plan to open.  The pool will open first and the number of people will be limited. More pool attendants will be hired.  There will be no access to the restrooms, showers or sauna.  Porta-Potties will be available.
• The bar and grill will soon start renovations.  An opening from the bar to the pool and reconfiguring of the bar will soon commence.
• Basket ball courts will not be opened, however, the tennis courts are currently opened.
• Firework have become an issue in the community as well as nationwide.  Most major news stations are carrying stories of this issue.  If fireworks cannot be stopped it will try to be controlled.  A public safety member will be patrolling between 10:00 PM and 3:00 AM. $500 fines will be issued.  The violations will be posted in the Emerald Lakes newsletter.  Last week 18 violations were issued for fireworks.

Under New Business:

• The annual meeting will be held on August 15th at the Community Center.  A tent and chairs will be rented to have the meeting outdoors.  A rain date was set of August 16th.  The call to meeting will identify ways to contact the staff for notification of postponement.
• Meet the Candidates will be held on July 25th.  It will be live streamed and the membership can ask questions of the candidates at that time.  Since this is the date for the board’s open meeting for July, that meeting will be rescheduled to August 1st.
• Notification will be going out to the membership reminding them that enforcement of our Rules and Regulations referring to grass cutting will be enforced.  It is the homeowner’s responsibility to cut the grass in the front of their property out to the roadway.  There will be a 60 day courtesy grace period with warning going out to the members who do not comply with this rule.

Director’s Comments

          Ange Noonan stated that she had good results from the police and AWSOM when dealing with loose dogs. She also noticed that properties are looking beautiful possibly due to people at home due to Covid 19.

          Chris Claude stated that unregistered RVs and vehicles need to be removed throughout the community.  Clemens stated that any identified vehicle should be reported to the CEO.

          Bob Leon stated according to Zillow this morning 23 homes are available for sale, 10 properties are available for sale and there are 24 foreclosures in ELA.  Leon also warned the members not to park on their septic mound.  If they collapse it could possibly cost the homeowner thousands of dollars.  Leon stopped at a house to tell a member that had a car parked on the mound.  Finally, Leon questioned our phone system.  Currently a new system is being looked at.  Once our contract expires with our current vendor a new system will be installed.

          Steve Kavanagh stated that the fire on Granite road was a kitchen fire and did not start from fireworks.

          Bill Baehr stated that he is happy with the animal rescue crew (FURR) which is assisting the membership with feral cats.  He also noticed more family members walking in the community probably due to Covid 19.  People are working in their yard and everything looks nice.

          Dave Borsos had questions and comments from the Real Estate committee that met via Zoom.  They were annoyed that phone calls were not being returned.  They were advised to utilize email instead.  They wanted to know why the office could not be opened on Friday for weekend rentals.  Currently we are down two staff members at the Administration office and Nicole Clemens is handling all issues.  She sometimes works a 10 hour shift.  Management is looking to hire a part time worker to replace a worker that quit.  Another staff member is currently out on maternity leave.  The committee inquired if they could pre purchase badges or seasonal badges for their tenants, ones that would last for the entire season and could be transferable.  They were told no.  The committee inquired about the training procedures for public safety.  They were told that training was in-house and based on (Standard Operating Procedures) SOPs.

          Buz Whelan stated that it is race weekend and since no spectators are allowed due to Covid 19, traffic shouldn’t be a problem.  He stated that the raceway holds 350K spectators.  Whelan also stated that a special annual meeting edition of the Emerald Lakes newsletter will be coming out and will contain the candidate bios as well as any information needed for the annual meeting.  This will help streamline the annual meeting.  Whelan further stated that after the pandemic is through he would like to move forward with a kayak/boat rental program and complimented Gamble and Clemens on the idea.  In addition to these rentals there will be life vest rentals, basketball rentals and tennis racket rentals.

Four (4) new members were welcomed to the Community.

Bob Leon made the motion to adjourn.  It was seconded by Steve Kavanagh.  Meeting adjourned at 12:29  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.