By Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          The meeting was called to order at 9:33 AM. All board members were present.  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 March’s board meeting minutes.  A motion was made by Connie Simpson and seconded by Bob Leon.  It passed unanimously. 

Whelan started his President’s message by talking about potholes.  If you are a new resident here you should be prepared to encounter potholes not only in Emerald Lakes but all over the Poconos.  We live above the freeze thaw line where water goes under the pavement and freezes and expands numerous times over the season.  In addition to this, the pressure of traffic on the roads causes potholes to appear.  This problem is not unique to Emerald Lakes.  Maintenance is doing the best that they can.  Darryl Gamble stated that we already have gone through 3 truckloads of patch material and currently are on a waiting list.  Penn Dot has first dibs on the supply.  We use cold patch, which is more expensive, in the fall when the plants close.  Currently we have 6 pages of lists of roads to be taken care of.  Gamble has driven on these roads and is having the worst pot holes fixed first.   In some cases, like Red Fox Rd, the holes are too extensive and will be repaved once the outside contractor is hired.  Whelan added that if you live on a no outlet road, holes may go unreported.  Please report these roads so they can be added to the work schedule.  Part of the price of living here and having paved roads is potholes.  Whelan asked the membership to be patient.

Whelan turned the floor over to our Treasurer, Bill Baehr for his report.  Baehr stated that we are in decent shape and during March we operated within budget. Our income from dues for the month was $86,228.50.  Our collection rate was 76.67%.  Last year at this time our rate was 73.74% which shows us 2.93% ahead of last year.    Dues collected Year to Date (YTD) was $1,722,364.58; Bank and Rental income is $29,362.38 for the month; CEO revenues are $27,890.17 for the month; Public Safety violations were at $200 for the month; Community Center/Recreation revenue which includes access cards, boat/fishing permits, bar and grill income, private events, vending and event income was $18,092.56 for the month; Miscellaneous income which includes newsletter advertising, resale certificates and misc income was $1,970.69 for the month.  March income totals are $163,744.30.  On the expense side which includes, Administration, General and Professional services, Public Safety, Maintenance, Recreation, Bar and Grill, Community Center, Insurance and Utilities  was $215,572.21 for the month.  Our cash assets are $1,046,082.33; Reserves are $545,588.02; Investments are $129,138.43.

A motion was made by Maria Tirado-Quinones to accept the Treasurer’s report.  It was seconded by Bob Leon.  It passed unanimously.   

Connie Simpson questioned the procurement of 2 trucks where we took out a loan to pay for them during Covid.  The vehicles were needed for snow removal which saved the community money by not having to hire outside contractors.  Simpson was upset since she feels we are not following our bylaws. 

Under Old Business

• Resolution # 042724-01 2024/2025 Budget Approval as presented to go into effect on May 1^st.   Whelan opened the floor for public comments on the preliminary budget.  Linda Shuey stated that $13K for a changing room was too high and that there were other options such as buying a small 6×6 shed.  She also questioned why we were not doing a bathroom there.  On a side note, Claude has been researching other options for a bath house, however, the Sewer Enforcement Officer (SEO) has informed us of the many obstacles. Resolutions are still needed and being researched. As an example, we cannot use septic storage tanks.  Shuey feels boat registration should be free since we do not charge for other amenities.  Amenities should be covered by our dues so this charge is unfair.  Finally, Shuey was unhappy with the $40K for events.  Chris Claude made a motion to accept the budget as presented to the membership.  It was seconded by Mike Camino.  The resolution passed unanimously. 
• Before the next 6 resolutions were read, Whelan complimented Debra Rowe and the Rules and Regulations Committee for their diligent work on the resolutions they were presenting for approval.  The committee will meet monthly but will present their changes twice a year. 
• Resolution # 042724-02 Emergency 911 sign.  The fee structure for not having the emergency service signs displayed at the end of the driveway for emergency vehicles is 1^st offence a 15 day warning.  2^nd offense at $50 fine.  The motion was made by Connie Simpson and seconded by Maria Tirado-Quinones.  It passed unanimously.  
• Resolution # 042724-03 for unauthorized posting of signs.  These signs must be removed immediately.  First offence is a warning.  Second offense is a $50.00 fine.  The motion was made by Connie Simpson and seconded by Chris Claude.  It passed unanimously. 
• Resolution # 042724 – 04 on speeding.  The new fee structure is anyone caught speeding 1 to 10 miles over the speed limit will receive a fine of $50 for the first offence, $75 for the second offense and $100 for the 3^rd offense.  For any speeder caught traveling 11 to 15 miles over the speed limit, a fine of $100 for the first offence, $200 for the second offense and $300 for the 3^rd offense.  For any speeder caught traveling 16 to 20 miles over the speed limit, a fine of $150 for the first offence, $300 for the second offense and $500 for the 3^rd offense.  21 miles over the speed limit is considered reckless driving.  Warnings are at the discretion of Public Safety and the offender will be fined accordingly.  The schedule of multiple offenses will be reset every May 1^st.  The motion was made by Connie Simpson and seconded by Chris Claude.  It passed unanimously. 
• Resolution # 042724 – 05 states that no person may engage in disorderly conduct when present upon property owned by the Association or when communicating with Association staff.  Disorderly conduct occurs if a person; a) engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; b) makes unreasonable noise; c) uses obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture: d) creates a hazardous or physical offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.  The motion was made by Connie Simpson and seconded by Chris Claude.  It passed unanimously. 
• Resolution # 042724 – 06 for Unsightly property.  On page 18 of the rules and Regulations document, Section 1 add, Contractor must follow all items under Building Procedure Compliance.  No part of any lot or property shall be used or maintained as a dumping ground for household garbage and trash, contractor or building materials, broken or abandoned items such as bicycles, refrigerators, cars or for any other type of disposal.  The property will be considered unsightly if any of these conditions exist.  Page 27, “Fines shall include that a written warning will be issued to comply with required clean up to be done within 15 days of written notice with exceptions. 1^st offense is $50, second offense is $100, subsequent offenses $200.”  The motion was made by Connie Simpson and seconded by Chris Claude.  It passed unanimously. 
• Resolution # 042724-07 for the Clover Road Bridge.  The board authorized that RKR Hess to begin preliminary engineering work for the replacement of the Clover Road Bridge.  The motion was made by Maria Tirado-Quinones and seconded by Mike Camino.  It passed unanimously. 
• Resolution # 042724 -08 for failure to stop at a stop sign.  Fines will be lowered to $100 for the first offense and $200 for the second offense.  The motion was made by Connie Simpson and seconded by Bill Baehr.  It passed unanimously.  It is important to note that the number of offenses is counted by the number of offenses that happened during a fiscal year. 
• Amenity update from Darryl Gamble are as follows
  • New heating and air conditioning units at the lodge are being installed now.  Currently the electrical work is being completed.  One older unit will be left on the roof as a backup unit.
  • Pine Tree beach is being cleared for the boat rental shed and boat racks.
  • A shack was built for the entrance at the outdoor pool for badge checking.  The snack shack is being worked on also.
  • Potholes were addressed above.
  • Prep for summer is underway.  The amenities will open for the Memorial Day weekend and weekends until school is dismissed for the summer which is June 4^th. 
  • The floating dock for Main beach will be installed once all the permits are received.
  • The Main beach play set installation is delayed due to the authorized representative for the manufacturer of the play set.  We are on a waiting list.  Gamble will reseed that area so that it will look more pleasing until the unit can be installed.
  • Currently we are hiring for the summer season;

Under New Business:

• Buz Whelan and Darryl Gamble never stopped working on bringing bingo back.  They are working on getting Bingo back up and running.  Bingo will be held on Sunday afternoons.  Currently, they are looking for a dependable individual and a back up to call bingo.  We will be able to do cash prizes as well as having a cash pot carry over.  Players will be asked to pay $5 each.  This money will be contributed to a 501C nonprofit charity on a monthly basis.

Committee Reports    

Maria Tirado-Quinones spoke on behalf of the Appeals Committee.  Six cases were heard.  Five cases had reduced fines.  One case was upheld.

Dave Borsos, chair of Finance and Planning (F&P),   stated that they met on April 19^th.  He stated that events at the Lodge are doing well.  On April 12^th for Movie night income was $1,200.30; April 6^th, when there was no event, income was $982.50.  On April 16^th for karaoke, income was $938.95. Borsos stated we are operating in the black and within budget.  He feels it is good that the board is moving forward with new things while maintaining what we have.  Our budget is being handled properly by the Board and Management.  Borsos stated that we currently have 2 full time and 4 part time staff in Public Safety, the transfer fee is being raised to $500; inventory for the bar and grill is $8,666; the collection rate is at 76.67%.  Borsos ended with requesting a meeting to be scheduled with a financial advisor regarding our investment account that will occur sometime in the new fiscal year.

Real Estate committee did not meet this month.

Debra Rowe spoke on behalf of Rules and Regulations.  She was pleased that all the resolutions submitted by the committee passed.  She also thanked Bob Leon for serving on the committee as liaison and announced that Connie Simpson will replace him.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 8^th.

Director’s Comments

Maria Tirado-Quinones stated that with the nicer weather she would like to see a community wide yard sale at the Lodge.   She also stated that Chris Claude has received CAI certification and she is currently working on hers.  A new bylaw will be presented to the membership making this a requirement for board members.  Finally she stated that she felt it was not a good idea for the members to try to install cold patch on their roads.

Bob Leon stated that he has been reassigned to gather and distribute committee minutes to the board.  He stated that there are 42 homes currently for sale in Emerald Lakes ranging from $165K (listed for 79 days) to $899K (listed for 96 days).  21 homes have come on line this month.

Bill Baehr stated that he is in his 6^th year living in Emerald Lakes.  He feels the bar and grill and events are great times to meet new friends.  He feels events are important to a HOA.

Chris Claude reminded the members of the following events

• Speakeasy – tonight
• Soda Shop and Car Hops – May 25^th
• Community Car Show – May 26^th
• Latin Night – June 29^th
• 60’s and 70’s Night – July 27^th
• Back to the 80s – in August
• Love the 90s – in September

Connie Simpson stated that a bocce ball court is being installed at the Lodge

Mike Camino reminded the membership about the beautiful weather and to slow down so as not to run over kids and dogs.  The bears are awake and trash should be locked up.  He also asked the membership to have their septic systems pumped and inspected.  Camino complimented the new menu at the Lodge and encouraged people to come out and sample it.  Finally he asked people to come to a full stop at stop signs and wait for 3 seconds before moving on.

                   Buz Whelan stated that he has produced 13 ticketed events at the Lodge.  Professional entertainers were brought in from comedians and singers to off-Broadway troupes.  The off-Broadway troupe is scheduled for another event on November 16^th of this year.  It will be a Christmas themed event. 

          Darryl Gamble stated that members not in good standing are encouraged to come in and get back on track.  Staff will help them work out a payment plan. 

          Nicole Clemens stated that the new system replacing Frontstep, called Enumerate is doing well.  Members are using the system and can make payments.  Automation payments are available to members who are taking advantage of quarterly payments.

Public Comments

          Dave Borsos stated that awhile ago he worked on the Rules and Regulations document to eliminate redundancies. 6 new resolutions were approved on the document.  Chair Debra Rowe stated that they were not new rules but updated of items already in place.

          Linda Shuey stated that if the board votes to change something they need to do a good job of correcting the current document.  She feels new rules are needed for the float; the emergency 911 signs needs to be explained and she wants to know the total cost of the boat rental program.  She also stated the obvious about running these programs through our insurance.

          Debra Rowe thanked Darryl Gamble for listening to the water aerobic folks taking advantage of the Sunday brunch for adding turkey bacon to the menu.

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.

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

          A motion was made by Mike Camino to adjourn.  It was seconded by Connie Simpson.  Meeting adjourned at 11:33 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.