By Kathy Leslie-Whelan

The meeting was called to order at 9:35 AM. Six board members were present. Chris Claude was absent. General Manager Darryl Gamble and Assistant General Manager Nicole Clemens were also present. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Buz Whelan, President, called for a motion to approve February’s board meeting minutes. A motion was made by Bill Baehr and seconded by Bob Leon. It passed unanimously. Whelan started his President’s message by saying that if you are going out today, please walk and drive carefully. It is very icy out. Our local weatherman, Kevin Derk reported this morning that we should break out of this freezing temperature in two days when temperatures will be in the 50s. The board spent most of the time during this week reviewing the preliminary budget. He thanked Management and the Finance and Planning committee for the excellent document that was presented to the Board. Whelan turned the floor over to our Treasurer, Bill Baehr for his report. Baehr stated that we are in good shape and during February we operated within budget. Our income from dues for the month was $318,365. Our collection rate was 75.20%. Last year at this time our rate was 71.11% which shows us 4.09% ahead of last year. Dues collected Year to Date (YTD) was $1,636,136; Public Safety violations were at $0 for the month; rental program is $100,643: Community Center/Recreation was $19,286 for the month; Bar and Grill income was $9,597 for the month; Miscellaneous income which includes newsletter advertising, resale certificates and misc income was $1,903 for the month. On the expense side which includes, Administration, General and Professional services, Public Safety, Maintenance, Recreation, Bar and Grill, Community Center and Utilities and Communications was $269,071.72 for the month. Our cash assets are $967,858; Reserves are $547,372; Investments are $129,138.A motion was made by Bob Leon to accept the Treasurer’s report. It was seconded by Connie Simpson. It passed unanimously. Under Old Business• The Enumerate system is live. You can now pay your dues or make payments on line. Over 400 residents are now on the system. The system will automatically send out notifications to the members to join every two weeks for the next year. The membership was advised to set up their preferences for what they want sent to them. • The Clover Bridge resolution for replacing the bridge should cost between $750K and $1M. The resolution will earmark monies in the budget over the next 4 years. Maria Tirado-Quinones, Secretary, read resolution #03232024-01. Resolve that the board approves the allocation of $250,000 in reserves each year for 4 years to fund the Clover Bridge repair/replacement. Mike Camino seconded the resolution. All board members approved this resolution with Claude voting by proxy.• Public Safety vehicle skid on the ice and was a no fault accident and was totaled by our insurer. The vehicle was replaced with a 2024 same make and model vehicle. The cost of the vehicle was $33K. We received $18K for our insurance company and the balance was taken out of reserves. The new vehicle has had letters and lights installed and the vehicle is currently on the road. Under New Business:• The preliminary budget for 2024/2025 was discussed. The dues collection rate was set at 77% which is 2% higher than last years. Management feels this is a realistic number. The annual subtotals for dues are $1,874,265. Under income, the annual total for Public Safety is $10,000; Bank Revenue $22,500; Rental Revenue $743,500; Code Enforcement $140,000; Community Center/Recreation $304,000; Miscellaneous Revenue $77,750 for a total of $3,172,015. Under income the following changes were made: Resale certificate went from $150 to $500. The average on the mountain for other HOA’s is $500. An expedited certificate will costs and additional $50; the cost to register a water craft will now be $15.00; fishing permit $10 and boat rack rental $20. Boat rental income $12K. We currently have 10 boats in the program. Under expenses Administration $628,540; General and Professional $46,500; Maintenance $1.3M; Public Safety $247,700; Bar and Grill $139,000; Community Center $168,750; Insurance $159,109; Telephone/Utilities/Communications $3,087,399 for a grand total of $3,172,015. Our income is listed at $84,616 over expenses. On the preliminary Capital Budget $641,015 is the Total Capital Contributions with distributions at $498,000. The distributions include $80K for a new heating system at the Community Center. The system will allow us to heat or cool by zones and is being installed as a precautionary measure since we still have old piping in the building. Under the preliminary budget for Reserves there is $350,000 for existing reserve balance; dues to reserves $458,088; Investment Account $129,000. Total reserve is $937,088. On the expense side is $250,000 for the Clover Bridge which leaves us with $687,088 in reserves after expenses. Maria Tirado-Quinones, Secretary read Resolution # 03232024-02. Resolve that the Board approve the 2024-2025 preliminary budget as presented to the membership for comment and review for a period of 30 days. Bill Baehr seconded the resolution. All board members approved this resolution with Claude voting by proxy. Committee Reports Maria Tirado-Quinones spoke on behalf of the Appeals Committee. Five cases were heard. One case was upheld.Dave Borsos, chair of Finance and Planning (F&P), stated that they met twice in March. On March 15th the committee reviewed the preliminary budget and on March 22nd the committee met to review the financials. He stated that when events are planned at the Lodge, the attendance and income are up. The highest income producing event was the St Patrick Day event. Revenue was $1,720.25 with 53 people in attendance. Coming in second was Island Beach Party at $1,176.50 with 51 people in attendance. Karaoke income was $1,153.62 with 26 people in attendance. Events are doing well and bring in income. Borsos stated that short term rentals are at 321 and long term rentals at 85. Bar and Grill income is covering expenses. Vandalism expenses are up and we still owe $85K on the two trucks that were procured. 20% of income for amenity passes will be credited to the bar and grill income. Since the inception of Emerald Lakes Association we have $3M in back dues.Hillary Decker spoke on behalf of Rules and Regulations. She stated that there was a problem in communication. They feel the information submitted is not getting to the Board. Brian our Chief Public Safety Officer and Darryl Gamble will attend their next meeting. Maria Tirado-Quinones spoke on behalf of Chris Claude for the Real Estate committee. They talked about the new Tobyhanna policy with adding an addition 2 people to short term rentals. In addition they are reviewing and updating their charter.Director’s CommentsMaria Tirado-Quinones thanked the staff for everything they do.Bob Leon stated that there are 28 homes currently for sale in Emerald Lakes ranging from $209K to $945K. These homes have been on the market from 1 to 238 days. He feels that some homes being procured are going back on the market with a few months so he thinks we have homes being flipped. He also has noticed that some homes are pulled off the market after being listed too long and reappear after a while to start the clock again.Bill Baehr commended Chris Claude for the work of the Recreation Club. He stated that the Bar and Grill would run in the red without the events. He encouraged the membership to come out to the events.Mike Camino read comments from the FaceBook page that steams the meetings. They were what are the plans for paying off the truck loans? Will the Board be getting training for CAI certification? Connie Simpson reminded the members that the menus for the Lodge are on the Emerald Lake Lodge & Recreation FaceBook page and that food from the grill is available for takeout. Buz Whelan announced that the preliminary budget is available now for review over the next 30 days. He stated that our budget is complex and has high praise for Management and the Finance and Planning committeePublic Comments Dave Borsos stated that the budget is complicated and is a balancing act. Kathy Whelan gave a shout out to Chris Claude for all the work he has put into the Recreation Club. Claude has also spent his own money on some events. She understands, since Buz Whelan and Lola Lauri sponsored events at the community center and also put money out of their pockets into these events. Louise Leon thanked the Board and Management for their work. She stated that the bathroom renovations are incredible and she wishes she could move into the Lodge. Debra Rowe asked if we can pay dues on-line with Enumerate. She was told yes. Nine (9) new members were welcomed to the Community. A motion was made by Mike Camino to adjourn. It was seconded by Bill Baehr. Meeting adjourned at 11:09 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.