Revised 3/26/08

SALT POND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

MARCH 19, 2008

Attendees:

 

·        Board Members Present:  Dick Crawford, Katherine Coulson, Chuck Gularson, Michael Headman, Ronnie Malone, Gerry Buckley, & Bill Kester(by speaker phone)

·        Homeowners Present: Mary D. Valdes, Pat Hannigan, Pat Pastore,, Frank Capella, Al Stango, Bob Buckley, William D. Shephard, and Chuck Young

·        Golf Club Manager: Bruce DeForest

·        Legum & Norman:  Donna Hemphill

 

Acting President Dick Crawford called the meeting to order at 2:00PM and asked for a motion on the minutes from the February meeting.  Michael H. made the motion and Ronnie M. seconded.  All approved.

 

Dick then recognized several individuals for their outstanding work this past month.  Bruce DeForest and his staff were able to fix the spa for a savings of over $5,000; the Marketing Committee for their outstanding work with the brochure that Hugh O’Neill produced.  Ronnie M. recognized the other committee members: John Shaughnessy, chair, Laurie Sheldon, Bill Loschmann and Chuck Young; Chuck Gularson for painting the pro shop selecting the furnishings, and redoing the women’s bathroom.  Mark Hopkins spent much time in installing the new computer system in the pro shop and Wendy Parker for her efforts in keeping the books.

 

Dick C. asked if there were any concerns from the homeowners present.  There were none.

 

Golf Club Report:

·        Bruce DeForest, manager of the Salt Pond golf club, reported that they are working on several items that the Cabe Report recommended that they address in the maintenance facilities.  These are minor and will not be costly. He will be going to Charlotte, Va. to look at a new piece of equipment for the course.  He thinks, Lawnworks, the landscaping company is doing a good job.  They are cleaning out old mulch and simplifying some of the shrubs. He mentioned that he has met with a Landscape Architect who is recommending a different twist to the plantings that will be colorful and low maintenance.  The golf crew will manage these.  There was damage done to the 14 and 15th greens.  Someone drove a truck over the course and did damage.  However, Bruce feels that it will be repaired in time for the season.  Ronnie M. gave Bruce a paper on plants that are indigenous to the seashore and it was noted that there is a plant sale in the early spring of these plants at the James Farm.  The full staff for the course will begin work on March 31st.

 

Legum & Norman Report:

·        Donna H. reported that they are in the process of notifying, by phone, all homeowners whose homes are in need of power washing.  These calls will be followed by a letter.  Cable has been installed in both the pro shop and clubhouse.  Lawnworks is the new landscaping company replacing Blue Heron.  They have signed a contract for $36,681.05 which was the same price as Blue Heron.  Donna has contacted several companies concerning the cleaning of the pool furniture prior to the May opening.  The best offer she had was for $45.00 per hour.  It will take one person the better part of a day to do all the work.  There was much discussion as to the advisability of hiring someone or see if we could not get more homeowners to volunteer their time.  The final outcome was to let the Recreation Committee make that decision. The company that was providing the road signs has not followed through on their commitment and we have requested that our deposit money be returned.  Another company has been contracted to provide the signage and addition signs to be place on the street in front of the snack shop will also be ordered.

 

Marketing Report:

·        Ronnie M. shared an article from the New York Times concerning some golf clubs in the New York area which are in trouble because golf takes too much time.  She said that our slogan, “Play Without Devoting The Day,” is right on target. She requested money for a sign in the pool area advertising the snack bar with a menu. The cost of the sign is not to exceed $400.00 and the Board agreed.  She stated that they had a goal of May 10th to open the snack bar; but it was noted that we do not have the food license yet, there needs to be new equipment in the snack bar, and electrical work needs to be completed. The need to mark the street between the snack bar and the pool was discussed.  Donna H. will order new signs for the road and Bruce D. will mark the street.  The new rate cards for the golf course are at the printers and will be distributed to hotels, real estate offices, and the Chamber of Commerce.  On May 17th, with a rain date of the 18th, will be the grand opening of the golf course with a ribbon cutting at noon. There will be a shot gun start at 8:00AM and another at 1:00PM, with a maximum of 100 players in each shot gun start.  Refreshments will be served in the pro shop and local dignitaries will be invited.

 

Chuck G. added that, to date, we have 15 family members and 12 single members who have signed up for the golf club; five are new members. This income totals $30, 270. There was a goal set for January and February to generate $2,800.00 in golf club income.  Due in part to the warm weather, this number almost doubled to $5,400.  Chuck also commented on the number of donations from homeowners of items that are being used to enhance the pro shop.

 

Ponds and Wetlands:

·        The markers for the environmentally protected area still have not been installed.  This is the responsibility of the developer; apparently the markers are ready, they just have not been installed.  Until the markers are in the ground, the homeowners who boarder on the ponds do not have a clear understanding when/where they are in violation of the environmental covenants.  Bill K. stated that at the next Board meeting we will address this issue. The lawyers have also been notified that the markers have not been installed.

 

Community Center & Communications:

·        Michael H. reported that Mary Davis and he have formed a committee to do long range planning for the community center. They will meet in April.  Michael also reported that to date we have 435 e-mail addresses, 28 confirmed homeowners do not have a computer, and  75 people we still do not have e-mail addresses.  The deadline for the newsletter has been extended until March 26th.  The goal is to eventually e-mail the SPHA quarterly newsletter to everyone with a email address and to send a hard copy to those who request/require one.  Email the newsletter will provide a substantial cost savings.

 

Dick. C. mentioned that the Presidents of the Village Associations will be invited to a Board meeting to discuss common concerns.

 

Katherine C. asked whether or not it was advisable for the SPHA to belong to the Community Association Institute..  It was decided that rather than pay the dues, Donna H., who is a member, will notify us of any workshops that we could attend.

 

Recreation:

·        The Recreation Committee will discuss the advisability of dropping the age of 18 to 16 to use the exercise room.  Since we are a private association, we do not need to comply with Delaware law.

 

Legal:

·        Chuck G. stated that initially the Board was given some incorrect advice when we purchased the golf club.  At first, the club was to be a subsidiary of the SPHA.  However, since the golf club is for profit, this would jeopardize the non-profit status of the SPHA.  Chuck moved that we form a separate corporation for the golf course and Dick C. seconded.  All BOD approved.  This information will be shared at the annual meeting.  All settlement issues have not been resolved.  We owe the developer for utilities, but he owes us for the gift certificates issued prior to settlement.  The lawyers have been notified.

 

Old Business:

·        The annual meeting will be held at the Northside Recreation Center in Ocean City on June 7, 2008 at 2:00pm.  The complete agenda will be discussed at the April meeting

·        Michael H. shared with the Board the recommendations that Paul Zarycki is proposing regarding parking on rental property.  Michael asked that the Board review these suggestions and get back to him with recommendations ASAP.

·        Gerry B. will meet with the Bethany Beach Postmaster regarding the mailboxes.

·        Chuck G. suggested prepaying part of the note that we owe to the developer.  There are several CD’s coming due and the interest rate is below the interest we are paying on the golf course.  It is to our advantage to prepay part of the note since there are no penalties involved.  All approved.

·        Michel H. read a proposal from a tennis pro who is interested in starting a tennis clinic/camp here in the summer.  This possibility had been discussed at the January meeting, but members of the Recreation Committee were never informed.  Bill K. will contact Bill Loschmann, chairperson, and ask that he contact committee members so that a determination can be made in the near future.

·        Chuck G. recommended that the Board adopt “Investment Guidelines.”  He will give us all a copy of the ones that The Kentlands HOA in Maryland are using as a guideline.  We will discuss this at the next meeting.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 4:55PM

 

 

Gerry Buckley, Secretary

March 22, 2008