by Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          The meeting was called to order at 9:37 am.  Five board members were present.  Bill Baehr and Steve Kavanagh were absent.  General Manager Darryl Gamble and Assistant General Manager Nicole Clemens were also present. After the pledge of allegiance, Dave Borsos, President started his message by stating that his message would be brief since there were many topics on the agenda.  He stated that it seems late spring is finally here. He feels that we are heading into the homestretch with Covid 19.  He feels that things should be close to normal by Memorial Day with some exceptions.  Once 70% have been vaccinated, restrictions should relax more.  The basketball courts and the mailbox area are being resurfaced so kids should head over to the Community Center for now if they want to play basketball.  Borsos invited the membership to volunteer for committees.  The outdoor pool and beaches will open on Memorial Day weekend.  Borsos said bulk trash day will be held on June 12th and currently the Assistant Manager is hiring pool attendants and security personnel.  On July 17th, the fishing club will host a fishing rodeo.  Kids up to age 14 are invited to fish off Pine Tree Beach.  Prizes will be given out for the first, largest and the most fish caught.  Hot dogs, soda and ice cream will be available for the kids.  There will be no charge to the membership.

          Bob Leon made a motion to accept the April’s 2021 minutes.  It was seconded by Buz Whelan and passed unanimously.

          Buz Whelan presented the Treasurer’s report which was prepared by Treasurer Bill Baehr.  He stated that for the month of April the Association operated within budget.  Operating costs were $160k and are within budget.  Receipt deposits were $173k.  Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) collections were $119.7k year to date and are on track to exceed the budgeted amount. Permits were $6.2k.  Public Safety citations were $12.2k.  Compactor card revenues were $5.4k.  Rental income was $27.6k and $292.3k YTD.  Reserve income was $20.4k and $621k year to date.  Dues collections are currently at 71.47%.  April dues collected was $60K.  Income of dues to date are $1.8M which includes dues income, prior year’s dues, dues interest, dues late fees, payment plan income and collection fees.  The amount of dues billed are $2.3M. Delinquency collections for YTD are $60k under special plan collections,  $79k under Sunrise Collections, $265k for collections for prior years and $14.4k under attorney collections.   When reporting on compliance rates Whelan noted that it was important for dues paying members to know that they were not carrying delinquent members.  When people are late with their dues payments they are first contacted by mail and assessed late fees.  If there is not a positive response, AGM Nicole Clemens steps in using various means to contact the delinquent member.  Often a payment plan designed to bring the member into compliance is agreed upon.  When that fails the delinquent account is referred to Association counsel. A final measure would be court action in which a judgment is rendered. HOA’s, including Emerald Lakes, rarely lose delinquency cases against members.  Whelan also stated that the CEO numbers indicate that he is doing his job well.  Whelan also commented that if the CEO is the most hated person in the community, it probably means that he is effective. 

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

Under New Business

No new business

Under Old Business:

• Work on the dams and the Clover Bridge will be starting shortly.  The work at the bridge may go into the fall.  The bulkhead will be replaced and that roadway will need to be closed.  Gamble is requiring the contractor to finish the project during one specific time.  Once they start he expects them to continue to work on it until it is completed.
• The work at the Community Center is moving forward. Due to material shortages it is a slow process.  A shipment of ply wood and 2 by 4s is due in on June 2nd, however, many orders are cancelled by the suppliers.  When it opens Gamble will start with indoor pool.  No corners are being cut.  Everything is being repaired correctly.
• Maintenance staff is continuing with the road work.  A contract is being finalized with the paving contractor for new paving and repair.  The contract will be awarded at $332k while $300K was budgeted.  Contingency money will be used if there are drainage issues since it is fruitless to pave an area with water issues.  The current plan is for Bowstring to be paved, Glade and the basketball courts by Administration, Sycamore and Yellow Birch, and Minsi.  Main Beach parking will be resurfaced, the outdoor pool parking lot will be paved.  Currently dirt from the lot blows into the pool. Permanent speed tables will be installed at the outdoor pool and at Main Beach.  These are wider speed bumps that encompass the entire road.  Large boulders will be placed at either end so that a motorist cannot bypass these bumps.  These bumps will be stripped and signage will be installed alerting the motorist of their existence.  This signage will also help our maintenance team identify these areas during a snow storm.   In addition, the temporary speed bumps will be installed at problem sites.
• New Public Safety staff is being trained and Gamble wants to hire more for the summer. 
• Bulk trash day is June 12th.  Gamble stated that the Association will not make any money on this day but hopefully it will be a deterrent for folks dropping items off on the road side.  It cost money for maintenance staff to have to go out to pick up mattress, old furniture, etc.
• In September a pick up trash day will be scheduled.
• The outdoor pool and beaches will be opened on Memorial Day weekend and close during the week until the schools close. On June 12 the pool will be open every day.  Water aerobics will be able to set up times for use.  The staff will be easily identified with color coded uniforms for the pool attendants.  The snack shack will have limited snacks such as chips, soda and ice cream.  In addition to the bathhouses at the beaches, ADA accessible porta potties will be located in the parking lots so that after the boat houses close, bathrooms will be available. 
• Currently maintenance rakes the beaches daily to remove geese droppings.  New sand was installed at Main beach, however, with the sand shortage, Pine Tree Beach sand installation will be delayed.  In addition, picnic tables are hard to come by so that is also on hold.  The beaver location plan was successful. 
• Nicole Clemens is reaching out to the high school to schedule the August Annual meeting.  If she is unsuccessful with the rental the meeting will be held at the Community Center under tents.  If the high school is available and very few of the membership show up, a determination will be made to see if attendance is down due to proxy voting and if the high school auditorium may no longer be needed.  
• Starting June 1st, the Administration building will be Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Badges will continue to be issued on Fridays between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM  and Sundays between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
• Electronic signs are being considered to be installed at various locations in Emerald Lakes.  The first will be installed at the Community Center.  Events and announcements will be posted.  The sign will have a software program which allows it to be operated from the Administration building.  
• A draft letter was prepared by Whelan to invite new members into the Association.  These are individuals that live within the footprint of Emerald Lakes but are not part of the Association.

Committee Reports

          Ange Noonan reported for Rules and Regulations.  They are scheduled to meet on May 29th.

          Chris Claude is gotten through most of the backlog for appeals.  Since there are not that many left, this committee may meet quarterly.  Claude wants to look at all the citation to see that there is consistency with them.

          Buz Whelan stated that the Real Estate committee did not meet this month.  They are arranging meetings with landlords only.

Director’s Comments

                             Bob Leon stated according to Zillow this morning homes sales are drying up.  1 home has been on the market for more than 200 days and 8 for under 60 days.  2 homes have been on the market under 60 days.

          Chris Claude recommended that speed bumps be placed at the bend in Glade by Country Court.  He also wants to contact the owner of the lot that is on the bend so that trees can be removed to eliminate a blind spot.  Just recently a child was hit by a car while riding his bike in that area.  In addition, Claude would like to see more transparency by posting projects on the official website.  The posting should include what the projects are with a status update as well as future projects planned.

Public Comments

          Tom Thompson stated that he has been a member since 1987 and he wanted to know when Emerald Lakes became a truck stop.  He has noticed that things are getting out of hand and that no commercial truck should be parked in Emerald Lakes.  He was told that if it is the homeowners’ livelihood they can park their tractors on their properties as long as they are registered and insured.  Thompson also had an issue with excessive trash, especially along Sullivan Trail by the overpass.  AGM Clemens stated that she has reported that trash to the Waste Management Authority.  If the individuals are identified they are fined.

Kathy Leslie Whelan thanked the maintenance staff for all their hard work.  She stated that every time she sees them they are working hard.

                    Five (5) new members were welcomed to the Community.

          Bob Leon made the motion to adjourn.  It was seconded by Buz Whelan.  Meeting adjourned at 11:50  AM.

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.