By Kathy Leslie-Whelan

The meeting was called to order at 9:37 AM. All board members were present.  General Manager Darryl Gamble and Assistant General Manager Nicole Clemens were also present.  After the Pledge of Allegiance, Chris Claude, President, called for a motion to approve September’s board meeting minutes.  A motion was made by Bob Leon and seconded by Connie Simpson.  It passed unanimously. 

Claude started his President’s message, stating that there is a winter coat drive that started on October 1^st and will run through November 15^th.  Please bring your gently used coats for children and adults to the Lodge, Compactor or the Administration building.  Claude further said that road marking is currently being completed.  Some corners where there are stop signs will be marked with “STOP” and in some areas the speed limit is being posted.  Heating systems should be tested, tires should be checked and an emergency kit should be in your vehicles.  In addition, once salt is being spread you want to protect your pet’s paws.  

Claude turned the floor over to the Treasurer, Michael Camino for his report.  Camino stated that his numbers are from September 1^st to September 30th.   He is also rounding the numbers.  Under income our due’s income is $20K; dues late fees $3K; Dues interest fee $3K.  All dues total $60K for the month.  Year to Date (YTD) dues and fees total $865K while $868K is budgeted.  Please note that not all items for the totals listed in his report are identified.  Public Safety $200K; Rental Revenue $34K; Code Enforcement revenue $3K; Community Center totals are $20K; Income totals are $122K for the month: $1.6M YTD: $1.6 M budgeted.  There is a positive variance of $56K.  On the expense side Administrative payroll $22K; $6K; Public Safety payroll $19K, $101K YTD;  $72K budgeted.  Total Expenses $263K; Bar Inventory $5K; Grill inventory $3K; Cash Assets $590K; Reserve Fund $730K; Investment Account $129K. Claude accepted a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report from Connie Simpson.  It was seconded by Bob Leon.  The report was approved with one vote by Maria Tirado-Quinones opposed to accepting the report.  The Treasurer’s report for August was not approved at the last meeting so Claude accepted a motion to approve that report. A motion was made by Connie Simpson and seconded by Bob Leon.  It passed by a vote of 4 to 2.  Bill Baehr and Maria Tirado-Quinones had dissenting votes.

Under Old Business

• The amenities and equipment are being prepared for winter.  Supplies are being procured.  Branches are being trimmed.
• The Lodge siding is completed.  It will be painted in the spring.  
• Pot holes and drainages issues are still being worked on.  Lines are still being painted.  
• No major repairs are needed on the dams.  
• We had an excellent audit this year from our independent auditor.
• Work on the Clover Bridge project is on track.  
• A meeting will be set up with PNC to discuss our investment account and what options are available to us.  Our comptroller Tom Mugan will have additional access to our account; however, he will have no access to money.
• Three generators are being researched.  The Lodge will have a generator to keep the freezers and refrigeration running, the heat operational and the pool dehumidification operational.  In addition, a generator to keep the Administration building and the compactor opened is being researched. The project is estimated at $60K.  
• Next year’s budget will have additional line items added to better define how money is spent.
• A play set for Main beach was identified for $20K; however, it does not include installation.  The installation will cost another $20K.  
• A list of judgments for delinquent accounts is being developed.  The write-off accounts are being updated and are under legal counsel review.  We have over $5M in uncollectable debt.  We cannot collect since the statute of limitations has expired so these accounts will be written off. Currently, there are too many charges on penalties for delinquent accounts.  There are late fees, attorney fees and the late dues.  The goal is to negotiate with the delinquent owners. 
• Mike Camino mentioned that the $30K discussed at the board workshop was not found money but money that was collected for prior year’s dues.  
• Darryl Gamble is working on an overlay that identifies properties owned by Emerald Lakes.  It will identify green properties, dam properties etc.
• Gamble stated that we are financially fit, and that we have never been in better shape.  

Under New Business:

• Walk in Wednesday/Zoom meeting to be held on Thursdays, will start on November 13^th. Claude wants to open up the lines of communication for members who are working.  The meeting will be held once a month.
• Compactor hours will have expanded one night a week starting Thursday, November 7^th.  For the first two weeks the hours will be 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.  Starting November 21^st the hours will be 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
• Age rule adjustment resolution # 10192024-01 was read to the room.  As per our legal counsel the requirement of “anyone under age 16 years old must be accompanied by an 18 year old or older” is being changed to “anyone under age 10 years old must be accompanied by a an individual of 15 years old or older” to use the Community Center, lakes and pools.  A motion was made by Mike Camino to approve the resolution.  It was seconded by Maria Tirado-Quinones.  It passed unanimously. 

Committee Reports

Hilary Decker, chairperson of Rules and Regulations (R&R) stated that the committee is looking at a tiered approach for “Unsightly Property”.  “Nuisance Property” is identified as a property used as a dumping ground for rotting garbage or broken down or deteriorating equipment. That will be added along with fine recommendations. The committee will be looking at the permit fee schedule.  In addition, they questioned if an area was set aside for leaves and twigs to be disposed of, or if we could do a controlled burn. Gamble stated that we have no area to dump the debris and a controlled burn cannot be done.  Right now he is shopping around for a commercial wood chipper.  

Buz Whelan, chairperson, spoke on behalf of Finance and Planning (F&P).   The committee met on October 18^th to go over the financials.  He stated that he did not want to repeat what the Treasurer reported on so he reported on the following items for the month of September: Dues income was $664K YTD, prior years dues income was $133K YTD, Dues interest was $45K YTD, dues late fees was $22K, Collection fees was $2K YTD bringing our total to $865K YTD.  The current dues collection rate is 74.67%.  On the delinquent collection report, Sunrise collections were $44K YTD, in-house collections were $639K YTD, $118K YTD for members on a special payment plan and $5K for Haros collections.   YTD the total collection by Nicole Clemens was $758,829.04.  Her collections represent 99% of collections.  Bar and grill income was $12K for the month, $2K for access cards attributed to the bar and grill and $8K for inventory which totals $22K for the month of September.  Bar and Grill cost of operation for the month was $17K.  

Whelan handed the floor over to Kathy Leslie-Whelan who stated that the events at the Lodge did well.  The “I Love the 90’s Party” made $1,720 while Karaoke brought in $850. Events are doing well and bring members into the Lodge.  Currently we have 311 short term rentals (STR) and 102 long term rentals (LTR). STR’s are up by 2. Finally $550 was donated to the American Cancer Society.

Real Estate committee will meet on November 16th

Maria Tirado-Quinones stated the Appeals Committee met on September 28^th.  Four appeals were scheduled, however, only two showed up.  One appeal was upheld while one was reduced.  

Director’s Comments

Bill Baehr stated that he has been living here for 6 years and he sees many positive changes.  He stated that Darryl Gamble and Nicole Clemens are doing a great job.  In addition, Public Safety and the staff at the Lodge are also doing a great job.

Dave Borsos stated that he has seen improvement in the environment.  People are doing their job and doing it well.

Maria Tirado-Quinones encouraged people to come out for the 50^th Anniversary brunch that will be held on November 2^nd at the Lodge.  Come on down to get a copy of the new brochure.

Mike Camino stated that we live in a beautiful community and would like to see a natural approach on how to fix properties.  He would like to see more sustainable growth.  He feels that there should be a relaxed rule on grass height.  Maybe go up to 12 inches for grass. The additional grass would allow wildlife to thrive.  We should lower the fines or raise the limits for a mountainous environment. Camino loves the events at the Lodge and complimented Shay on karaoke.  He also reminded the membership to remove their boats from the racks and to stop at the Stop signs.  Someone could get killed.

Connie Simpson announced that if anyone wanted to advertise in the Emerald News, it is only $5.00 per issue.  She also encouraged the members to come to the Lodge and use the game room.  The room is opened when the pool is opened.

Bob Leon said that since we have proxy voting, we should allow the members to vote by computer.

Chris Claude reminded the members of the following events;

• Upcoming Events:
  • October 26^th Halloween Parade organized by Jason Bradley.  Starts at Administration building at noon and continues to the Lodge for Trunk or Treat.  There will be a Halloween Party in the evening.
  • November 2^nd – 50^th Anniversary Brunch where the anniversary brochure will be available for the first time.
  • November 2^nd Wine Glass Paint and Sip
  • November 9^th – Veteran’s Day Brunch
  • November 16^th – Down Home Christmas Event – Off Broadway troupe- Ticketed Event
  • December 15^th – Breakfast with Santa
  • Standing events are trivia, craft circle, karaoke and bingo

Claude also gave a shout out to Brian Goff in Public Safety for stopping parents from whipping out of the lots at the school bus stops.  

Public Comments

Adrienne Carver complimented Maria Tirado-Quinones on the Emerald Lakes Newsletter and stated that the school buses have cameras.

Vickie Mebus said that a good explanation on the write offs was given.  She asked if we were still paving and was disappointed when she found out we were finished for the year.  Minsi Trail and Iroquois Road need to be paved.  She asked how many properties are owned by Emerald Lakes and was told the Administration area and the Community Center area.  She also requested that we supply STR owners with information on not feeding animals.  It could kill them.  Bill Baehr, liaison to the Real Estate committee will speak to them about this issue.

Louise Leon stated that this meeting was positive and informative.  She thanked the board profusely.

Linda Shuey is pleased that the board is taking CAI courses.  She suggested that Darryl Gamble research grants to see if we are eligible for them.  She was told that that was already done.  Private communities are usually not eligible for these grants, since tax money is being used.  

Diane Shedlock stated that she volunteered for a committee but is in a holding pattern.  She wants to know how long it takes to be notified.  She was closed out of Rules and Regulations due to the number of members and is on a waiting list.  She is looking to join the Appeals Committee and was told the next meeting will be on November 23^rd. She was also concerned about the discussion of letting grass grow to 12 inches. She stated that landscapers will not be able to see what is under tall grass and may damage their equipment.  She also asked about the November 2^nd brunch for the 50^th Anniversary and was told that it will be a free event.

Buz Whelan thanked Bill Baehr for trivia night.  It was a great time.  He also reminded folks to get their tickets for a “Down Home Country Christmas” scheduled for November 16th.  Tickets sell out for this troupe.   This is an Off Broadway show so come on out.  Since Whelan didn’t use up his allotted 2 minutes he yielded his time to Linda Shuey who was not allowed to finish her comments.  Whelan was told that he couldn’t do that.  I believe it was meant to be humorous.

Seven (7) new members were welcomed to the Community.

A motion was made by Bill Baehr to adjourn.  It was seconded by Connie Simpson.  Meeting adjourned at 11:26 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.