WPA MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
September 19, 2023
Call to Order –Jonathan Rutstein
Attendance – Jonathan Rutstein, Joe Myers, Valerie Cooper, Stan Earnhart, Meredith Marsh, Dave Decreny, Trina Davis, Bob Ramsey
Absent-
Resident speaker-Amanda Depew asked the following questions concerned the proposed amenity center. How much is the project going to cost? How is it going to financed? If the financing involves diverting funds from the Reserve Accounts, won’t that put the community at risk. How will this impact our current yearly Assessment fees?
She also says, refurbishing the existing tennis courts, as was mentioned at the last board meeting makes good sense and hopes the board will pursue that option. She comments about lot 5a not being the only possible location and worries about the cost of the pool.
Quorum– yes
Approve-August 15, 2023 Minutes approved.
Officer Reports
Presidents Report –Jonathan Rutstein reports, The person who filed the lawsuit against the plantation has filed an appeal. Ken Gaspari has resigned and has moved. The date for the annual packets to go out is October 25. If you have anything to go into the packets get it to us soon. We can no longer hold benefits on country club property without carrying a liability policy. WE cannot allow alcohol at our events. We will have to post no drinking signs so we can not be held liable if anything happens.
The Dumont property that is for sale is zoned recreational. Nothing can be done outside of it being golf or agricultural. We will have to look what can be done there. It is to much to try to change zoning.
Vice Presidents Report –No report
Secretary’s Report– No report
Treasurer’s Report– Valerie Cooper reports, As of August 30, 2023, our account balances were as follows: Operating Account with South State had a balance of $293,869.49, Debit Account with South Atlantic had a balance of $2,045.16, and the ARC account with South Atlantic had a balance of $7,033.58.
The Reserve Account balances as of 8/30/2023 were, South Atlantic Money Market Account $7,014.75, Edward Jones Money Market Account $234,814.5, Citizen Bank CD $50,000, Wells Fargo CD $50,000, Bank of America CD $50,000, TD Bank $4,015.41, TD Bank CD $220,964.38.
Bank of America CD is set aside for operating funds per the August Board meeting and will be funded out of the South State balance of $293,869.49.
Committee Reports
ARC– Jonathan Rutstein reports, He has asked Bob McMahan to vice chair the committee until we are able to get a new board member. Bob McMahan reports that we have approved two refunds for a tree and a shed, approved one house and a design change on a house. He also looked at another refund request but the project was not completed yet.
Legal– Bob Ramsey reports, The financial resolution referendum to be voted on at the annual meeting has been drafted and reviewed by the President, the legal committee and the attorney and approved to go in the annual packet.
Finance-Valerie Cooper reports, The Finance committee met August 25th with members of the Capital Improvement committee to review several options prepared by Jonathan and Valerie for financing the proposed amenities.
The CI committee agreed they would seek other options from banks that would just include the pool with necessary fence, pump house and chemical building and bathrooms to be located on lot 5A.
The finance committee agreed to reconvene on September 15 to review the new options. Proposals were not complete by this date.The finance committee unanimously agreed the the amenities project needed further due diligence in terms of potential locations as well as financing.
The Finance committee did meet on the 15th to review the draft Reserve Study line by line. They recommended several changes. These will be written out and sent to the Reserve study company along with the updated road condition survey.
In looking at the Reserve study, it was agreed that it is likely that the association dues will need to be raised in 2025.
Communications/Website- Trina Davis reports, Trina makes a motion to approve up to $1000 for a fall festival. 2nd by Stan. Motion carried. We replaced all the lights in the parking lot, the two lights at the guardhouse and revamped the office in a months times.
Community Liaison-Trina Davis reports, There has been a complaint about a driveway and the sign.
Welcome Committee– No Report,
Drainage- Joe Myers reports,There are no known major drainage problems known in the community.
The Eagle Corp golf course has several clogged under road front golf path pipes causing flooding in adjoining residential drainage systems. We have referred this item to the Golf Liaison Committee.
We are working with Beverly Homes to eliminate the standing water on the road in front of 3 of their homes. The swales disappeared when sod put down plus the roads are angled downhill to the lot fronts.
Thursday, Beverly Homes will run a ditch-witch from 604 Francis Parker thru 568 and etc to the ditch that carries the water toward the golf course. The ditch had lost the downhill drop necessary to prevent pooling. Ditch realigned straighter. No charge to the HOA.
We continue with Beverly Homes, to seek a solution to 650 Francis Parker and 2551 Wedgefield road pooling. Also erosion at Capt Anthony new house under construction.
Water Amenities– Joe Myers reports, A?E firm Earthwork’s PE’s continue to interface with USACOE and DHEC on obtaining the necessary government permits to dredge our canals to the necessary water depths for neighborhood and golf course drainage and for safe boating.
We are just ending the required 30 day period of public publication of our intentions. Any interested party can request a hearing to gather information and to challenge our dredging. We should be receiving a government notice if such a hearing is to be scheduled.
We would like to remind the Board that the land at the corner of Governor Johnson and Wedgefield can be developed for: 1) community usage especially if waterfront walkway is installed. Or 2) Sale for the construction of a waterfront home designed for this lot. Gain an assessment and hopefully financial assistance with future dredging.
Joe makes a motion to approve $3800 to have the best bidding firm, Greewave Construction repair the bulkhead post at the landing seawall. This will include the placement of filter fabric and fill dirt in the 5 sinkholes along this seawall. Motion seconded by Valerie Cooper. Motion carried.
We are postponing the replacement of the damaged flotation on the North Dock until we can decide if an extensive overhaul is warranted. The South Dock is also under evaluation for an overhaul. Both are over 10 years old with many band aids. The Reserve Study highlighted the need for future funds for the two docks and the landing parking lot.
Roads– Dave Decreny will be the new roads chair with Dean Floyd as Vice Chairman.
Grounds– No report.
Compliance-Stan Earnhart reports, The complaint regarding the truck at the end of Governor Johnston has been resolved. The complaint regarding Lot 31: Jonathan met with the owner and agreed to outline the violations and establish a timetable for correction.
Capital Improvement- Stan Earnhart reports, The Capital Improvement Committee proposes to build the Amenity Center in three phases; Phase ! will be the pool, Phase 2 the Playground and the Tennis/Pickle Ball courts, Phase 3 the Pool House/Community Center and Wellness path.
The committee received loan information from three local banks, Interest charges are extremely volatile at this time. It is probable that when we complete the referendum, bidding, and related processes, that these numbers may not be valid.
The plan, is to borrow $472,000.00 from South Atlantic with $120,000 down for ten years. 14 years ago, WPA successfully used a similar plan to pay a loan off early. Using operational reserve funds for the down payment and loan charges, the Board can maintain the current assessment for 2024. For future budgets a special assessment annual fee of $133.00 or $11.09 a month may be needed.
Golf Course Liaison– No report.
Old Business- A date will be scheduled open to the public to speak about special assessments for capital improvements.
New Business-
Next Monthly Board Meeting– October 17, 2023
Adjourn – Jonathan Rutstein