WPA MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
December 21, 2021
Call to Order –Gary Dreher
Attendance – Gary Dreher, Jonathan Rutstein, Bob Ramsey, Peggy Phillips, Joe Meyers, Tom Cobb, Ken Gaspari
Absent– Stan Earnhart, David DeCreny
Quorum – Yes
Approval – Motion to approve October 19, 2021 minutes put on hold until correction is made. Gary Dreher reads 2021 reorganization minutes. No motion made to approve minutes.
Gary Dreher reads 2021 interview minutes for board replacement. Motion made to approve these minutes made by Joe Meyers. Motion seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. All in favor. Motion carried.
Officer Reports
Presidents Report – Gary Dreher reports, Thanks to all for retiring board members and thanks to all new Board member, Bob Ramsey, Tom Cobb, David DeCreny, and Joe Meyers. The Board is composed of volunteers. They put in a lot of effort and time trying to take care of the community. We are in need of volunteers for the committees. If you are interested in becoming a member of a committee, please contact the office. David DeCreny will try to update the website. We have been using the Wedgefield Community Support group to help get things out quickly. If we can get resident emails, we may be able to do a mass email mailing to get information out to the community quicker.
Vice Presidents Report – No report
Secretary’s Report– Gary Dreher read Stan Earnhart’s report: The annual meeting was successful and today we can welcome our new board members. Thanks again to the election committee and the efficient work they provided to the Association. Thanks to the refreshment committee for the warm hospitality. Thanks also to the WPA members that attended the meeting and the interest shown by all who were there. Please share with me any thoughts regarding the venue that we should take into consideration for next year. He already knows about running out of coffee.
Traditionally at the December meeting, we give our secretary a Christmas gift. On behalf of the entire Association, Michelle deserves a heartfelt thank you for a job well done!
Gary Dreher makes a motion to approve a $200 bonus for Michelle. Motion seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. All in favor. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report– Peggy Phillips reports, As of November 30, 2021, our Operating Account with South State had a balance of $127,566.86. Our Debit Account with South Atlantic had a balance of $2,486.34. The ARC Escrow Account with South Atlantic had a balance of $70,764.34.
Each Board member has been given an Updated Reserves Report. The Reserve Account balances were: South Atlantic- $157,891.76, Edward Jones- $272,835.79, TD Bank- $223,646.77 for a total in Reserves of $654,374.32.
Assessments for 2022 will remain at $525 and Invoices will be mailed at the end of December. The assessments are due by February 1st.
Peggy was asked what type of corporation we are listed as: Wedgefield Plantation Association was first incorporated on May 19, 1970, in the State of South Carolina, as an “eleemosynary corporation”. At that time, of incorporation of the Wedgefield Plantation Association, the stated purpose was, “…to further social activities of the property owners of the Wedgefield Plantation area in Georgetown, South Carolina.”
At the annual meeting, September 26, 1998, the membership voted to amend the “Purpose Clause” of our articles of incorporation to read:
“The purpose of the Corporation is to preserve and maintain the natural beauty of the Wedgefield Plantation subdivision, to enforce the covenants conditions, and restrictions of the Wedgefield Plantation subdivision, and any and all other purposes permissible under the laws of the State of South Carolina.”
The Secretary of State of South Carolina subsequently approved this change.
We file an 1120 US Corporate Tax Return that is prepared by the CPA, James Young.
Committee Reports
ARC– Ken Gaspari reports, We have had three homes recently built and moved into. We have three main builders here who know the rules and regulations. One is on John Green and two are on Francis Parker. One is 1501 square footage; one is 1940 and the other is 1920 sf. We also have three homes in the process of being built. We need to get a letter out to them to let them know we will not continue to accept anymore of the smaller 1500 heated square feet homes and would like 1800 heated square feet and different materials. Gary would like to have the legal, arc and compliance committee to look into this.
Legal– Gary reads Stan Earnhart’s report, Stan is happy to report that the quitclaim issue with a resident from 2014, has been resolved. Joe Crosby, our attorney, found the claim was recorded but the paperwork was missing from our files.
Gary makes a motion for Stan to approve the following residents as members of the Legal Committee for 2022: John Sasso, Bob McMahan, John Rutstein, Peggy Phillips, and Gary Dreher. Motion seconded by Joe Meyers. All in favor. Motion carried.
Finance– Peggy Phillips reports, Peggy makes a motion to approve the following to the Finance Committee for 2022: Michael Downes, Inge Ebert, Bob Garrison, Jackie Walton, and Bob McMahan. In addition, she would like to include the following Board Members to this committee: Gary Dreher, Stan Earnhart, and Jonathan Rutstein. Motion seconded by Gary Dreher. All in favor. Motion carried.
It is important that all Board Members and Finance Committee Members keep in mind Article V Section 4 of our Bylaws that was amended by the membership at the 2019 Annual Meeting to read:
The funds derived from assessments shall be used for the payment of common area maintenance expenses of the subdivision and for any other purpose necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Board of Directors for the general benefit of the subdivision, provided such payments are for properly approved goods and/or services. Provided, however, no assessment funds shall be used for the original construction of subdivision streets, roads, water system, sewer system and canals.
We have received our Audit for 2021 from our CPA, Mr. James Young. Mr. Young states “In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the assets, liabilities, and fund balances – modified cash basis of Wedgefield Plantation Association as of December 31, 2020, and the revenue, expenses and changes in fund balances – modified cash basis for the year then ended in conformity with the modified cash basis of accounting”
Mr. Young has agreed to be our CPA for 2022. His charges for this service will be $160 per month to review accounting data and prepare monthly financial reports, $225 to prepare Income Taxes, and $1,950 to do the Audit. All charges are the same as 2021. Peggy makes a motion to approve Mr. Young as our CPA for 2022. Motion seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. All in favor.
Motion carried.
Communications-
Community Liaison– Jonathan Rutstein reports, We had the following correspondence this month, November 22nd, email concerning ac and trash enclosures and no drainage on a new home built. November 23rd, email stating HTC cables had been cut by a contractor with a suggestion to stop all contractors. November 29th, email recommending a stop sign at retreat lane. December 1st A complaint about trash. Was turned over to compliance and taken care of. December 2nd email concerning policy manual number 5 concerning business vehicles.
December 9th email asking for minutes to be posted shortly after meeting. Lawyer says not to post until they are approved. December 3rd, Beverly Homes sent an email in regards to purchasing some lots at the old 16th hole. This was referred to legal but we believe it sits in the power of the golf course. December 13th, email concerning construction on Francis Parker. A letter is being sent out. December 11th, A letter signed by residents interested in a speed bump on their street. December 11th
Welcome Committee– No report.
Drainage- Joe Myers reports, We have no complaints at this time. He would like to be more involved in ARC.
Water Amenities– Joe Meyers reports, We have two big projects coming up this year. The landing road needs repair. Ken was waiting on bids for recoating or eliminating millings and paving the road. We are getting bids for what it would take to get a road all the way to the landing. We will also see what we can do with the parking lot.
We will need to have a survey of the spoil site to see what work needs to be done. The survey will have to be completed within the year. SCDNR, Fema, and Earthworks try to keep track of what we do with the river. We can’t let the spoils go into the river. Gary lets him know that work was just completed by our landscaper at the spoil site.
Condo Liaison– No Report.
Roads– Tom Cobb reports, He is going to follow up on two requests for do not enter sign on the triangle. He is checking on a stop sign for the intersection of Retreat/Wedgefield Rd. He is also looking for volunteers to join the roads committee.
Grounds– Gary Dreher reports, We are looking at retaining Howard’s Quick Cut for our yearly maintenance contract when it comes due for renewal. He has responded to any request we have. We have talked to him about cleaning the pond. He is going to give us an estimate and clean it sometime in January.
Compliance– Gary Dreher reads Stan Earnhart’s report, We have already received several complaints from residents since the annual meeting. We will address them as soon as we have a committee in place and agree on a course of action.
Gary makes a motion for Stan to approve the following residents as members of the compliance committee, Jim Hughes, Margaret Miller, and Peggy Phillips. Motion seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. All in favor. Motion carried.
Website Committee- No report
Old Business- None
New Business– Jonathan Rutstein reports, He believes we should speak to our attorney and start negotiations with Spectrum again to try and get Spectrum started in the community.
Public Comments– Mike Downes said we should set up a committee just for Spectrum so we don’t overload the secretary.
Bob McMahan says with the Board met with our attorney Joe Crosby he said to walk away from it.
Jacky Walton said the reason the landing road was not paved is because it sinks every year and the millings were what was recommended. Joe Myers says we can get experts to come in and give us ideas. Jacky says he believes Larry had Southern asphalt come in and that was there recommendation.
William Gray says he is getting surrounded by 1500sf homes. Beverly is buying everything. If the Board drags their feet, they are going to build everything like that. He is not crazy about all the slabs houses and would like the Board to have something done. Tom asks if we could put a hold until we have a legal meeting.
Bonnie Myers is concerned about the builders here. Nothing done in normal subdivisions is done here. She will help and join committees. She said you don’t put a small ranch beside a $700,000 home. She doesn’t think that knowledge is here. She just got an email from Beverly homes building $500,000 homes elsewhere. Wedgefield homes are undervalued. We are here to protect our homes.
Jacky Walton said when we do the letter to put it on top of the applications for new homes. Make sure the new and old builders get this.
Jonathan Rutstein makes a motion, pursuant to enforcement of the “Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions Applicable to Single Family Lots (notes 1 & 2)” from the Wedgefield Bylaws and Covenants ant to Section III:4.02.21 or the ARC Policy Manual, that the ARC will require a minimum square footage of 1875 (sq.ft.) for all new construction, and the ARC will subsequently evaluate and consider conditions such as lot size, location, setbacks, etc. that might impact the feasibility of said square footage requirement. That may impact the feasibility of said square footage. This motion would take effect on January 1st, 2022. Motion seconded by Joe Myers. All in favor. Motion carried.
Legal will prepare a letter to all the contractors building in Wedgefield to make them aware of this change and speak to our attorney.
Karl Ghettman thanks to everyone serving on the Board for all your time and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Golf Course Update-
Next Monthly Board Meeting– January 18th, 2022
Adjourn – Gary Dreher