Wedgefield Plantation Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2015 7:00 pm
Call to Order: Jacky Walton, President
Attendees: Bob Garrison, John Walton, Al DeMarchi & Janine Cline, Jacky Walton, Inge Ebert, Larry McMillin & Adam Anderson. Absent: Keith Johnson,
Quorum: Janine Cline stated yes there is.
Approval of Minutes: Al DeMarchi made a motion to approve minutes for May 2015, 2nd by Janine Cline. 8 ayes, motion passed.
President’s Report: Jacky reported that the executive board is preparing for the Annual Meeting which he stated will be held on November 21, 2015 at Georgetown Presbyterian Church. He also stated there will be 3 open seats available. He encouraged all open minded, forward thinking individuals, willing to work with fellow board members for the betterment of our community to apply.
The resume application may be downloaded from the WPA Website or picked up at our office. This application is the only format that is acceptable. If needed, you may enclose additional pages.
Please mail your application to the address below or drop at the office during regular hours.
WPA, Nomination Committee
Nancy Johnston, Chairperson
PO Box 1310
Georgetown, SC 29442
The last day for submission of nominees is August 17th, 2015.
The last day for Bylaw Submissions is August 3, 2015.
Vice President’s Report: Bob Garrison stated that GCW&SD is working on drainage issues. Bob requested residents to please be patient while this is being done. They will be digging throughout the plantation.
Secretary’s Report: No Report
Treasurer’s Report: Al reported that as of June 1, 2015 reserves are approximately $426 K. The major projects which will be funded out of reserves will be roads and drainage.
There are currently 18 properties on the delinquency list for prior year assessments. Of the 18 properties, 5 are in foreclosure, 3 are on payment plans, WPA has judgements on 2 properties, 1 property is bank owned (which we are pursuing) and the balance are being handled by the attorney.
There are approximately 34 properties which are delinquent on 2015 assessments. Liens will be filed by July 1, 2015 on these properties.
Committee Reports
ARC: Keith reported the following have been reviewed and approved:
- Lot 179- Ditch repair
- Lot 008- Small Tree Removal
- Lot 045- Small Tree Removal
- Lot 043- Small Tree Removal
- Lot 343- Driveway repaving
- Lot 165- Small Tree Removal
- Lot 064- Small Tree Removal
- Lot 318- Refundable Builder Deposit
- Lot 158- Refundable Builder Deposit
- Lot 088- Refundable Builder Deposit
Legal: Bob reported that 2 properties that the WPA foreclosed on were put up for sale on June 1, 2015. These have now become WPA properties as no one purchased them. Bob will be asking the Board for approval to market these properties for sale. Anyone interested in purchasing these properties please contact the office for more information.
At the May meeting, permission was granted by the board to explore two items with the board attorney. One of those had to do with our ability to place liens on monies owed to the WPA. The other item revolved around possibly finding a way to modify certain portions of the covenants, specifically the requirement of a 100% vote of all property owners to implement change. The attorney has advised that he believes this is indeed possible, but not necessarily quick or simple. To accomplish this, a declaratory judgment would have to be issued by a judge disallowing this requirement as being impossible to achieve and therefore unreasonable. Evidence must be provided to support the impracticality of this rule. He asked the board to approve the idea of placing a covenant change proposal to be placed on this year’s ballot. This proposal will outline the direction in which the change should occur, and help to create the evidence needed to support a declaratory judgment.
Bob reported that he believes virtually all property owners can agree on is that the covenants, or at least portions of them, are antiquated, were written for a different time and place and to some extent no longer serve us well as Wedgefield has evolved from being largely owned by a developer to a community now owned and managed by its residents. Finding a way to allow residents to reasonably dictate the rules under which they choose to operate is crucial to the continued development of Wedgefield. The first step in accomplishing this lies in eliminating the 100% requirement. The attorney advises that the cost involved in obtaining such relief would likely be in the neighborhood of $4000 overall. Assuming that the board will concur, placing a change proposal on the ballot will be a start to solving this long standing impediment to our progress as a viable and efficient organization.
Finance: Al stated that the financials have been handed out. Al then made a motion, 2nd by Janine Cline to move $30,000 from Operating to South Atlantic Reserve Account. With 8 ayes motion passed.
Communications: Janine reported that the Wragg is being put together and will be printed & mailed next week. She will be meeting with The Georgetown Times to resolve the quality of printing issue. She stated that the finished look is much darker than the image they receive.
Janine thanked Al for assisting her in renting the church hall for our Annual Meeting this year. It has been stated that only members can rent the hall.
Community Liaison: Adam reported that no correspondence has been received in May.
Welcome: Inge reported that the Welcome Committee has been very busy. We had a lot of new residents moving into Wedgefield.
Since last month, Vivian and I have welcomed:
- Holley Causey, a Georgetown Resident, who moved to 2102 Wedgefield Road.
- Connie Lawrimore, a Georgetown Resident, moved to 455 Wraggs Ferry Road with her family.
- Sue McLaughlin, from Florence, SC moved to 2111 Wedgefield Road.
- Jean and Darryl Merchant, from Newport News, Virginia moved to 490 Wraggs Ferry Road.
- Jacky and David Proctor, from Lowell, Maine moved to 60 Wraggs Ferry Road.
- Dane and Candy Sorensen, originally from Minnesota and lately from Wedgefield Village Road, moved to 114 John Green Lane
I have sent welcoming cards to the following new Residents and am waiting to hear from them to set up an appointment to meet with them in person:
- George Chiha, 109 Daniel Morrall
- Ashley Plexico and Howard Arden, 147 Gov. Johnston Road
- Robert Steingress. 79 Wedgefield Village Road #20
- Deborah and John Walsh, 409 Wraggs Ferry Road
- Jean and Dale Hayman will call us when they are ready to meet with us.
I understand that we have new Renters in Condos #33 and 34 and as soon as I have their information, they will be contacted.
Drainage: Al reported three contractors have been contacted regarding the drainage projects identified at the April meeting. Bids are expected by the end of June. One project has been removed from the proposed list at the owner’s request.
The Wedgefield pond project has encountered a delay in completion due to problems with golf course irrigation and hydraulic lines which the golf course is repairing. Waterbridge will complete the project as soon as weather permits.
Water Amenities: John Walton reported that the docks have been cleaned and resealed by Ronnie Campbell. John stated that his committee cleaned up the area and everything looks great.
Roads: Adam reported that the bids are in for the next phase of the road repairs. Adam stated that he would like to open these bids and have to board go over them and meet at a later date to discuss. The bids were opened and read:
- Coastal Asphalt- $288,366.49
- CR Jackson, Inc.- $401,191.95
- D&L Sitework- $341,613.50
Copies were made and handed out to all board members.
Condo Liaison: The Board of Wedgefield Village Association has resolved the Parking Lot situation in Regime III with Georgetown Water & Sewer and as soon as Adam has his bids for paving on the Plantation, we will get with him on this project.
Once we know the outcome for the compost site on Gov. Johnston, we are ready to issue the 50% Village Association participation.
We are working on our next year’s fiscal budget, which will start on August 1st, 2015.
Grounds: Larry reported pine straw that was approved last month for the circle has been completed. Cost of the pine straw was $197.42.
The pond has received a new treatment that is non-toxic and short lived. It starves the weeds of oxygen and have no lasting effects. This treatment should last for 90 days. The cost was $179.95 for 4 gallons.
The irrigation system is finally working well. One of the new heads was stolen and it has since been replaced.
Larry reported that a tree has fallen on a vacant lot at Capt. Anthony White Lane, he has contacted the owner and hope for a resolution soon.
Larry met with Tom Kennedy concerning the compost site. There was a modification on the size of the site. Larry is waiting to hear back on this issue.
Compliance: Bob stated that his compliance will fall under old business.
Old Business:
Al made a motion was made and 2nd by Janine Cline to approve up to $800 for 2 speed bumps and notification signs for the entrance to slow speeders down. Motion failed with 4 ayes and 4 nays.
2nd reading- Policy Manual- Section II- A motion was made by Bob Garrison to accept all changes that were proposed and attached in last month’s meeting. Bob listed all proposed changes by Section. 2nd by Al DeMarchi.
Discussion proceeded with several board members concerns on Section 6.01 & 11.01.03. Jacky Walton concerns were that 2 board members should be notified of expenditures. Inge Ebert concerns were that the amounts for Section 6.01 are too high and should be reduced. Bob explained that contractors will not come in for such a low amount. Al suggested re-wording 6.01 that another board member approves along with the Treasurer. Bob doesn’t object to the change but suggests a form be made up that requires another signature from a board member. It was also suggested that if the Treasurer is out of town can another executive member confirm the funds are available. Bob stated that some of these expenditures can be planned ahead of time. John Walton suggested that Water Amenities be included in 6.01. Bob stated that yes, he should be included and that it was an oversight. Larry McMillin took offensive at not being able for his committee to freely spend his budget. He stated that this is too complicated to chase after board members to get reimbursed. Jacky stated that the 2 signature policy is good business practice.
Section 5.01.01, 5.01.03, 6.02, 7.01, 7.02, 11.01, 11.01.01, 11.02, 11.02.01, 11.03, 11.03.01, 11.04, 11.04.01, 11.04.02, 11.04.03 passed with 8 ayes.
Section II; Appendix II-I: #9 & Office Building Rental Application 3 Bullet points removed, motion passed with 8 ayes.
Sections 6.01 & 11.01.03 will be tabled until next month’s meeting for further editing.
New Business:
A motion was made by Al DeMarchi, 2nd by Bob Garrison to spend no more than $200 to apply liens to 2015 delinquent accounts. Motion passed with 8 ayes.
Notification of the next Monthly Meeting- July 21, 2015
Resident Comments:
None
Adjourn: Meeting adjourned by Jacky Walton.
Janine Cline- Secretary