WALNUT GROVE LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEETING
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Introduction: Mr. Victor Charles, President of WGLHA called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm thanking all in attendance for being at our Annual Meeting. He expressed his appreciation for all with their patience as he has been learning on the job in his role as President over the past year. Mr. Charles then introduced the current board members in attendance: Jim Walsmith, Clif Cunningham | Treasurer, Dave Fearn | 2nd Vice President, Romy Schaaf | Secretary and Margie McMillan | Alternate.
He then introduced guests at the meeting: Ms. Joyce Spiecha and Libby Fowler with Keith Collins Management team and Mr. Juan Settles and Russell Barber with Elite One Protection who will be introduced in depth later at the meeting as WGLHA new Courtesy Patrol team.
Mr. Charles then asked if we had a quorum of homeowners present or by proxy. Ms. Spiecha said that we did not have a quorum present to allow for the election of Board members. At this time we could adjourn the meeting and election or we could proceed with the meeting as informational in nature without election. By motion and consensus, the meeting continued as informational only.
President’s Presentation: Mr. Charles announced that we have forty-nine (49) new neighbors over the past year. Of those forty-eight (48) are actual residents and not property management companies.
Neighborhood events held during 2019 consisted of the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. During this event, the children were divided into age groups for the hunt. There was a picnic for the attendees and boat rides were offered as well. We have volunteers already working on the 2020 upcoming event and 1200 new eggs.
Our Annual 4th of July activities happened over the weekend of June 29th. The fishing rodeo had 30 participants. Mr. Armando Velarde won the attendance grand prize with over $200 of fishing equipment. Ron Wong chaired this event as in year’s past and it was very successful and fun for all in attendance.
Mailbox Decorating was successful and Mr. Charles indicated there were several participants. It was noted by resident Suzanne Gehringer, that in the past the HOA would put flyers on everyone’s mailbox in advance of the events letting the homeowners know what day judging and events would take place. Since we didn’t have this done in 2019, perhaps we would have had more people participate. She is willing to distribute the flyers in 2020 if the HOA is willing to provide.
The Boat Parade was another successful and fun event. The grand champion winners were Pat & Cris Hardaway. Several other category prizes were awarded and several honorable mentions.
Holiday Lights Contest is another wonderful tradition at Walnut Grove Lakes. With categories in both lake side judging and street side judging, many of our neighbors participated to light up the neighborhood. Ms. Suzy Ward chaired this event for our community. Grand Prize winners were Patricia Lampkins and Bonnie Lloyd.
Yard of the Month & Lawn of the Month is another way our neighbors take pride and show off their gardening and landscaping skills. This will be a continued tradition in 2020 with Ms. Brenda Corrigan leading the search for the best in the neighborhood.
A first ever Informational Meeting was held July as a way to address issues concerning the assessment and the dredge of the lake. Additionally it gave homeowners the opportunity to fill out question cards that could be answered by the association’s attorney and/or board. Over 50 people were in attendance and it was a productive and informative meeting. The board would be will consider conducting another informational meeting in 2020 if the homeowners would like to have this type of forum again.
Courtesy Patrol will now be managed by Elite One Protection. Mr. Charles introduced Mr. Juan Settles who explained what their team will be doing to keep our neighborhood as safe as possible. Mr. Settles explained that his team has conducted a threat assessment for vulnerability areas in our neighborhood. They checked entry points and access areas on and off the lake. He reported their findings to the Board and made recommendations for patrolling and keeping our streets and lake are safe.
Contruction Approvals are still required for updating and changes to homes, fences and seawalls. Please be sure to access the rules on the association website.
Maintenance & Upgrades to the neighborhood have been ongoing. The dock repairs have been done. The geese round-up was late last year so we are starting earlier. The solar light on the dock has been replaced and an additional light has been added. Signs will be being replaced soon and lake signs that will provide information about events or conditions of the lake will be going up soon. The upkeep of the entrance signs garden and plantings will be continued to make our entrances look their best.
Mr. Charles then turned the meeting over to Mr. Dave Fearn who heads up the Lake & Dredge committee. Mr. Fearn discussed that there is a regular maintenance schedule now in place. This will include keeping the dock and playground equipment pressure washed. It will also include painting of the playground equipment and updating the ground material. He also requested that if homeowners see something that needs attention, please let him or Keith Collins Mgmt team know and they will address it.
Mr. Fearn reported that the Dredge committee held a meeting in February. Ms. Adrienne Roth will be scheduling and working on obtaining permits. Information will be sent out to all homeowners as needs to be communicated. A new lake study will be conducted and will include lake topography. In all likelihood, the dredge will be a mechanical dredge and the topography will be needed to know the access points. Temporary storage of the dredge material will be identified once we have the permits. The topography and storm water survey that will be conducted will be communicated to the homeowners. The goal is to have permits in January 2021 possibly sooner, if required. Currently the committee has identified 10 contractors who can perform mechanical dredging. They will request of minimum of 6 bids for the project. It is anticipated that the dredge will cost $400,000 and we will need an additional $100,000 in contingency for unanticipated expenses. The dredge will be done during the summer months of 2021. It should take approximately 3 months to complete. The lake will be drained down during this time and this will be a good time for lake lot owners to perform maintenance work on seawalls and docks.
Homeowners should expect to receive a survey in the next 30 – 45 days. This will give the homeowners the chance to voice opinions and provide suggestions on how to enhance everyone’s lake experience. Such as the possible addition of boat slips for homeowners who don’t live on the lake. Providing a filtration for storm water runoff or street sweeping on a consistent basis during the fall months as the leaves are coming down.
Mr. Clif Cunningham then presented our financials. He let us know that the HOA money is safe. It is not in stock market or bonds. It is in CD’s with a consistent rate of return. We have adequate funding for our needs. Keith Collins Mgmt team help with our accounting needs. We have 464 properties. There is still about $25,000 in uncollected fees and dues. They are mitigating this with our attorney to collect.
Lake Report was reported by Mr. Charles as Cecil was not in attendance. There is a great deal of debris in the lake due to all the recent rain. It is imperative that each homeowner does their job of keeping the curb in front of their lot clean. Fishing has been spotty but there are reports of crappie and bass being caught. We have 3 otters in the lake that will need to be removed. We have removed 4 beaver. The lake water is currently in good shape with no algae and is clear.
Mr. Charles then turned the meeting to New Business. He is calling on all in attendance and all homeowners to step up and volunteer for the neighborhood events. Mr. Tony Barden has stepped up to form a parks committee. Alecia Monet has agreed to chair the fall Dam Party. We are in need of people to coordinate and work with our new Courtesy Patrol company. If members would like to donate candy for the Easter Egg Hunt (2020), please contact Mr. Charles.
Keith Collins will be ramping up their compliance visits. They currently come out a minimum of once a month. Now that spring is arriving they will be conducting more thorough inspections. They sent out over 400 notices about compliance in the past year. If you see something that needs to be addressed, please contact them directly. Renters have the same responsibility to be compliant to the covenants as the homeowners.
Syd McMillan suggested a committee that he would be willing to chair to help out neighbors who need property work done that are unable to do it themselves. Kim suggested and would be willing to chair a neighborhood clean up day.
With no other new business or questions, Mr. Charles again thanked all for coming and the meeting was adjourned at 7:41pm.