By Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          The meeting was called to order at 9:33 AM.  All board members were present.  General Manager Darryl Gamble was also present. After the pledge of allegiance, Buz Whelan, President stated that October’s minutes needed to be amended.  A sentence was deleted from the proposed septic policy, the word “variance” was moved under the treasurer’s report and the board members present needed to be added to the report. A motion to accept the minutes with the amendments was made by Steve Kavanagh and seconded by Connie Simpson.  It passed with two abstentions from Chris Claude and Bob Leon.  Whelan opened his President’s message by mentioning the big party at the lodge that night.  The event is called “A White Christmas” and Whelan stated that the decorations were wonderful.  He also stated that our maintenance staff is ready for the winter season and was out last night treating the roads.  On Friday night the first movie night was held at the lodge. Attendance was low but enthusiastic.  The snowy weather probably hindered people from coming out.  It was a good trial run and experience for staff putting on the event.  Eventually a pull down screen will be added to the lodge so the picture for future movie nights will be bigger.

Whelan also said that next month’s board meeting will be moved to Saturday, December 10^th since there are many activities planned for the kids for Christmas.

          Dave Borsos gave the Treasurer’s report for October.  The good news is that we are in good shape financially.  Highlight of the financials are that dues income is at $972K YTD and is over budget by $103K; Rental income is at $436K YTD and is over budget by $110K; Community Center income is at $139K and is $73K over budget; Total income is at $1.6M and is over budget by $296K. On the expense side we are over budget on Administrative costs by $37K; Maintenance costs are over budget by $106K; Community Center and Recreation is over budget by $25K; total expenses are over budget by 165K.    Currently there is $784 in reserves and $129K in the investment account.   A motion was made by Bill Baehr to accept the Treasurer’s report.  It was seconded by Bob Leon and passed unanimously.

Under Old Business:

• A septic policy is in progress for the Association.  Items to be addressed are how to initiate the policy, enforcement of the policy and informing the members.  It was discussed that the policy will go into effect on May 1^st of next year and the membership will be notified of the policy with the mailing of the dues. More discussions need to happen on how to stagger the deadline for homeowner to have their septic systems pumped so that not everyone is on the same schedule. 
• A calendar containing a list of upcoming events at the Lodge will be posted on the ELA website. The scheduled events are:

• White Christmas – November 19^th
• Polar Express movie night
• Santa Event to include a pajama pancake breakfast followed by crafts – December 17th
• New Year Eve Party – December 31^st

Once a month events will include karaoke, trivia night, game night.  Other events being planned by the recreation club include wine and whisky nights, date nights, mother and child swims.

• A dues increase was discussed.  Our last increase was three years ago and the increase was $200 per year.  The increase plan is to ask for smaller dollar increases over a period of time.  Without an increase we are always trying to catch up.  In the past we have lived on reduced services and deferred maintenance. The increase would also help to keep property values high.  Gamble stated that it is better to be proactive instead of reactive.  It is anticipated that the increase will be asked for at a special meeting that will be held at the end of March. 
• On a side note $594K was spent on the roads this year.  $650K was budgeted; however, material for the work was unavailable.

Under New Business

• A short term rental (STR) policy, limiting the number of short term rentals was discussed.  Currently there are 286 out of the 1,680 developed properties that are registered as STRs. The question as to what percentage should these rentals be limited to.  The majority of the members are against STR’s.  The Real Estate committee will be asked for their input.  In addition, a legal opinion would be obtained to see if a policy can be legally implemented and how would the policy be enforced.

Committee Reports    

Appeals committee did not meet. 

Rules and Regulation will meet on Wednesday, November 30^th at 11:00 AM in the Community Center.

Kathy Whelan spoke on behalf of Finance and Planning.   The meeting was held on November 18th.  Whelan stated that for the month of October total dues and fees collected are $65K; dues and fees collected YTD re $975K; currently we are at a 73.35% collection rate; Rental income was $16.4K for October and YTD income $436K; Code Enforcement violations were $86.6 K YTD; Total income has a positive variance of $296K; access card income for October was $1.9K; bar and grill income for October was $5,542; Public safety has a negative variance of $22.3K due the procurement of a vehicle being coded to their budget; refuse collections is at $125.6K YTD and has a negative variance of $45.6K; overall total expenses has a negative variance of $165K  YTD, however, our actual income exceeds our total expenses YTD; $660K is in reserves; collections reported for October are $56K, where in house collections were $41K.  YTD collections are $651K; interest on investments is $28.22.  The next scheduled meeting will be held on Friday, January 20th at the Administration building.

Bob Leon reported on the Real Estate committee was meeting today so he was unable to attend. 

Director’s Comments

          Dave Borsos stated that he wanted to recognize the recreation club and all the new activities that are happening in the community.  He stated that the community is becoming more vibrant and more pleasant to live in.

          Bill Baehr gave a shout out to Trunk or Treat and the Veteran’s day brunch.  Both events were a tremendous success.  He also cautioned the membership to be careful walking on the roads especially when it is dark.  Cars need to be more cautious and slow down.

Bob Leon thanked Gamble for the new yellow lines in the community.  He stated that there are approximately 28 homes available for sale.  Prices on homes are coming down.

Connie Simpson invited people to join them for the Rules and Regulations meeting that will be held on Wednesday, November 30^th at 11:00 AM in the Administration building.

Public Comments

                    Mary Kavanagh requested that a country night be held at the lodge for line dancing. She also stated that other communities besides ours are having issues with STR’s.  She mentioned that they had trouble with the WI-FI at karaoke and was told that staff is working on the issue.

          Ange Noonan mentioned that she missed everyone on the board but it gave her time to start up a women’s group.  The group now meets once a month on Sundays at 12:30 in the lodge.  The group is called the Emerald Ladies and the motto is “Community First”.   Some of the ideas that are being planned for next year are Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) for feral cats in the spring and a free library in a box.  Folks can take a book and or leave a book, blood drive with the American Red Cross, walking groups, short trips, sunshine group to check on the elderly or those living alone, community wide clean-up events and covered dish events.

          A motion was made by Bill Baehr to adjourn.  It was seconded by Steve Kavanagh.  Meeting adjourned at 11:45 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.

Emerald Lakes Board of Directors Open Meeting, November 19, 2022

By Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          The meeting was called to order at 9:33 AM.  All board members were present.  General Manager Darryl Gamble was also present. After the pledge of allegiance, Buz Whelan, President stated that October’s minutes needed to be amended.  A sentence was deleted from the proposed septic policy, the word “variance” was moved under the treasurer’s report and the board members present needed to be added to the report. A motion to accept the minutes with the amendments was made by Steve Kavanagh and seconded by Connie Simpson.  It passed with two abstentions from Chris Claude and Bob Leon.  Whelan opened his President’s message by mentioning the big party at the lodge that night.  The event is called “A White Christmas” and Whelan stated that the decorations were wonderful.  He also stated that our maintenance staff is ready for the winter season and was out last night treating the roads.  On Friday night the first movie night was held at the lodge. Attendance was low but enthusiastic.  The snowy weather probably hindered people from coming out.  It was a good trial run and experience for staff putting on the event.  Eventually a pull down screen will be added to the lodge so the picture for future movie nights will be bigger.

Whelan also said that next month’s board meeting will be moved to Saturday, December 10^th since there are many activities planned for the kids for Christmas.

          Dave Borsos gave the Treasurer’s report for October.  The good news is that we are in good shape financially.  Highlight of the financials are that dues income is at $972K YTD and is over budget by $103K; Rental income is at $436K YTD and is over budget by $110K; Community Center income is at $139K and is $73K over budget; Total income is at $1.6M and is over budget by $296K. On the expense side we are over budget on Administrative costs by $37K; Maintenance costs are over budget by $106K; Community Center and Recreation is over budget by $25K; total expenses are over budget by 165K.    Currently there is $784 in reserves and $129K in the investment account.   A motion was made by Bill Baehr to accept the Treasurer’s report.  It was seconded by Bob Leon and passed unanimously.

Under Old Business:

• A septic policy is in progress for the Association.  Items to be addressed are how to initiate the policy, enforcement of the policy and informing the members.  It was discussed that the policy will go into effect on May 1^st of next year and the membership will be notified of the policy with the mailing of the dues. More discussions need to happen on how to stagger the deadline for homeowner to have their septic systems pumped so that not everyone is on the same schedule. 
• A calendar containing a list of upcoming events at the Lodge will be posted on the ELA website. The scheduled events are:

• White Christmas – November 19^th
• Polar Express movie night
• Santa Event to include a pajama pancake breakfast followed by crafts – December 17th
• New Year Eve Party – December 31^st

Once a month events will include karaoke, trivia night, game night.  Other events being planned by the recreation club include wine and whisky nights, date nights, mother and child swims.

• A dues increase was discussed.  Our last increase was three years ago and the increase was $200 per year.  The increase plan is to ask for smaller dollar increases over a period of time.  Without an increase we are always trying to catch up.  In the past we have lived on reduced services and deferred maintenance. The increase would also help to keep property values high.  Gamble stated that it is better to be proactive instead of reactive.  It is anticipated that the increase will be asked for at a special meeting that will be held at the end of March. 
• On a side note $594K was spent on the roads this year.  $650K was budgeted; however, material for the work was unavailable.

Under New Business

• A short term rental (STR) policy, limiting the number of short term rentals was discussed.  Currently there are 286 out of the 1,680 developed properties that are registered as STRs. The question as to what percentage should these rentals be limited to.  The majority of the members are against STR’s.  The Real Estate committee will be asked for their input.  In addition, a legal opinion would be obtained to see if a policy can be legally implemented and how would the policy be enforced.

Committee Reports    

Appeals committee did not meet. 

Rules and Regulation will meet on Wednesday, November 30^th at 11:00 AM in the Community Center.

Kathy Whelan spoke on behalf of Finance and Planning.   The meeting was held on November 18th.  Whelan stated that for the month of October total dues and fees collected are $65K; dues and fees collected YTD re $975K; currently we are at a 73.35% collection rate; Rental income was $16.4K for October and YTD income $436K; Code Enforcement violations were $86.6 K YTD; Total income has a positive variance of $296K; access card income for October was $1.9K; bar and grill income for October was $5,542; Public safety has a negative variance of $22.3K due the procurement of a vehicle being coded to their budget; refuse collections is at $125.6K YTD and has a negative variance of $45.6K; overall total expenses has a negative variance of $165K  YTD, however, our actual income exceeds our total expenses YTD; $660K is in reserves; collections reported for October are $56K, where in house collections were $41K.  YTD collections are $651K; interest on investments is $28.22.  The next scheduled meeting will be held on Friday, January 20th at the Administration building.

Bob Leon reported on the Real Estate committee was meeting today so he was unable to attend. 

Director’s Comments

          Dave Borsos stated that he wanted to recognize the recreation club and all the new activities that are happening in the community.  He stated that the community is becoming more vibrant and more pleasant to live in.

          Bill Baehr gave a shout out to Trunk or Treat and the Veteran’s day brunch.  Both events were a tremendous success.  He also cautioned the membership to be careful walking on the roads especially when it is dark.  Cars need to be more cautious and slow down.

Bob Leon thanked Gamble for the new yellow lines in the community.  He stated that there are approximately 28 homes available for sale.  Prices on homes are coming down.

Connie Simpson invited people to join them for the Rules and Regulations meeting that will be held on Wednesday, November 30^th at 11:00 AM in the Community Center.

Public Comments

                    Mary Kavanagh requested that a country night be held at the lodge for line dancing. She also stated that other communities besides ours are having issues with STR’s.  She mentioned that they had trouble with the WI-FI at karaoke and was told that staff is working on the issue.

          Ange Noonan mentioned that she missed everyone on the board but it gave her time to start up a women’s group.  The group now meets once a month on Sundays at 12:30 in the lodge.  The group is called the Emerald Ladies and the motto is “Community First”.   Some of the ideas that are being planned for next year are Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) for feral cats in the spring and a free library in a box.  Folks can take a book and or leave a book, blood drive with the American Red Cross, walking groups, short trips, sunshine group to check on the elderly or those living alone, community wide clean-up events and covered dish events.

          A motion was made by Bill Baehr to adjourn.  It was seconded by Steve Kavanagh.  Meeting adjourned at 11:45 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.