MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2017 WPA BOARD MEETING
Call to Order: Jacky Walton – 7 pm
Present: Jacky Walton, Bob Garrison, Adam Anderson, Janine Cline, Peggy Phillips, Keith Johnson, John Walton, Larry McMillin and Inge Ebert
Quorum: Secretary – yes
Approve: Inge Ebert made a Motion to approve Minutes of March 21, 2017 meeting, Bob Garrison seconded and motion carried.
Officer Reports
President: No report – welcomed everyone
Vice President: The Wragg spells out the current situation with golf course pretty accurately. The County is evaluating the purchase. They are trying to figure out any additional tax. They would be the ones collecting the taxes and there are a whole lot of questions tied to that. Mr. Tucker said they recognize a referendum would be needed. There are many property owners who do not live in Georgetown County, so they would not be voting. He doesn’t have enough new information to share. Great to see new people at the meeting.
Secretary: The Yard Sale is May 6th and we will be handing out maps. We will begin the process of publishing a new phone directory this week.
Treasurer: Our CPA has not completed our financials due to tax season. At present the Reserve Accounts are: South Atlantic $214,440.25, Edward Jones $58,354.31 and TD Bank
$186,555.60. Interest earned for March 31 totals $79.76
Committee Reports
ARC: Keith stated that we had permits issued to re-roof Lot 163, Tree removal lot #356 and #153; Handicap ramp lot #123 and refund to lot #326.
Legal: We are going to actively pursue from the 81 delinquents as aggressively as we can, there are 14 past due from previous years. A couple of those are foreclosures and bankruptcies and we will not get paid for those.
Finance: Peggy Phillips stated $9,500 was transferred from Landscape to Emergency Reserves;
$30,000 from Operating to Reserves reflected in each account based on approved percentages. The total amount of Reserves is $459,350.16.
Communications: Easter Egg Hunt was well attended, this year we had more small children take part. Thanks to the Grounds Committee for their help.
Community Liaison: Two letters were received, regarding dead carp in the pond on Wraggs Ferry and another regarding a fence and as to whether it is in compliance. I sent a return letter regarding the carp and that the fence is in compliance.
Welcome Committee: No report.
Drainage: There are three (3) drainage issues we are working on and we are looking for quotes. We will keep you updated on our progress.
Water Amenities:
- The Boat Landing, with the help of the Grounds crew, is in real nice
- JC’s Landscaping is currently finishing a large job in the Prince George community and will move their equipment to Wedgefield to start our project of canal tree removal and landing road repair.
- The Canal Dredging Project: The Spoil Basin has been Many thanks to Jamie Cristello and Steve Vasey for their help and hard work to complete that job. We are waiting for Earthworks to start with the Topographic Survey.
- John is interested in purchasing some new Marina gate key
Jacky Walton asked if people are not in good standing, they can still use that marina card? Yes, but we have the ability to stop them from doing so. Discussion followed about the cost and the number of new cards to buy.
Condo Liaison: We are in the midst of addressing tree trimming around the condos.
Roads: We sent out bid packets to 5 sign companies and received one bid for replacing all of the signs throughout the Plantation – only one bid was received. Adam opened the bid and it was for approximately $11,000. He is going to rethink this project.
Grounds: Last week the entire irrigation system was tested and repaired. Blake Wilson of Blackwater Sitescapes, LLC., was hired and his crew worked for three days to resolve the issues. The system is now working better than ever. The cost of these services was $987.50. Although only $600 was approved at last months’ meeting, I would like to make a Motion to approve the additional funds of $387.50 for irrigation repair. Motion seconded by Inge and Motion carried.
An amount of $1,600 was approved at last month’s meeting to pay for plants and materials. Even though the cost of potted plants had increased, only $1,102.94 has been spent to date. The only additional expense for this project will be compost and pine straw.
On Monday, April 17th, a group of volunteers and Grounds Committee members assembled. They worked diligently to prepare the beds and all flowers were planted in short order. Many thanks to Jean Hulse-Hayman, Jackie Proctor, Susan Tomlin and committee members, Bob and Neena McMahan and Peggy Phillips for all their efforts.
I have been receiving complaints about the vegetation in the pond on Wraggs Ferry. This heavy algae growth has led to a second fish kill and is very unsightly. We do not have the responsibility to care for this pond, it is on the Golf Course land.
Compliance. No Report.
Old Business: No Old Business
New Business: Bob Garrison stated that if the County did decide to purchase the golf course, it could take at least four (4) months to accomplish that and in the meantime, the grass is growing like crazy. Bob presented a potential Petition to see if the residents are interested in the County owning the golf course. Bob suggested that we get this out street by street. Would the Board agree to circulating this to get an estimate of everyone who is in agreement? Jacky Walton mentioned that we could appoint Roger Armistead as an Ad Hoc Committee to accomplish this task. Bob asked the residents who were present at the meeting for comments.
Resident Comments:
Butch Williams stated the petition needs to state that not just opening the golf course, but the value of your homes could be impacted.
Jacky Walton said he fails to see loss of value yet.
Connie Downs asked if Bob had consulted a lawyer and who has had the discussions with the County? Bob answered, no he hasn’t. Couldn’t a County course cause a decline in values? That is an unknown
Vicky Baird said that perhaps we should have local realtors discuss the values and what could happen.
Nancy Johnson stated that the golf course has never been a money maker.
Madeleine Claveloux wanted to know who was invited to the meeting at the County. She said the meeting with the County was highly suspicious.
James Adams stated that he is a golfer and if the County does take it over and the money isn’t there, what would they do?
Wendell Peacock said he worked for the original developer and he is a broker. He thinks we should talk to appraiser, not real estate agents. He was invited by Blane Tucker to a meeting and asked for representation from the WPA. The County has the equipment, manpower and the advantage of not having to make a profit. He stated that the community needs to come together – there are 140 people interested in golf course membership. If there is not enough interest, the County won’t do it.
Bob stated that the County takes great care of all of their properties in every community.
Bob McMahan asked if tennis, swimming and manor house are included. Is it a package deal?
A resident is concerned that if the mowing is not kept up, it could create a pest control issue. Tom Aceto asked if nothing happens, are we still going to take care of course?
Butch Williams answered the above question by stating that he has a quote of $35 an hour to bush hog and mow with a 7 foot mower at approximately $3,500 month. That would be an increase in assessment of $60 – $70 a year.
Stan Earnhardt suggested we start a Golf and Amenities Committee.
Anne Hearthneck asked why can’t we have a blog where residents can contribute to the communication. Communication is lacking. It was suggested if you want to comment, you could email the office
Jean Hulse-Hayman said she likes how friendly it is here and is hopeful we can work together.
Meeting Adjourned 8:25 p.m.
Next Meeting is May 16th