WPA MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
April 20, 2021
Call to Order – Robert McMahan
Attendance – Robert McMahan, Adam Anderson, Stan Earnhart, Peggy Phillips, Tom Macedo, Bob Garrison, Jonathan Rutstein, Ken Gaspari, Gary Dreher
Absent– Quorum – Yes
Approval – Motion to approve March 16, 2021 Minutes made by Stan Earnhart. Motion seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Officer Reports
Presidents Report – Robert McMahan reports, A lot of people are at this meeting who aren’t normally here. He reminds them that public comments will be at the end of meeting. Turns meeting over to Bob Garrison.
Bob Garrison reports that John Walton served on the Board from 2013-2020. He filled a vacant spot on the Board for seven years. He had overseen the canal work for seven years, up until the last canal project. John died on April 1st after resigning due to his health. Bob Garrison asks for a moment of silence in remembrance of John Walton.
Vice Presidents Report – No Report
Secretary’s Report-Stan Earnhart reports, The WPA has been processing a large number of property sales and building applications. We received 9 requests for pending sales on Friday. We have had 25 closing since January 1st and 16 sales are currently in progress. Michelle often finds more title changes when reviewing the county records. We have purchased new recorders that we are using tonight.
Treasurer’s Report– Peggy Phillips reports, As of March 31, 2021, our Operating Account with South State had a balance of $238,602.88. The Debit Card Account with South Atlantic had a balance of $2,494.51 and the ARC Refundable Deposit Account with South Atlantic had a balance of $26,264.34. The Reserve Account balances were: South Atlantic $175,569.77, Edward Jones $272,818.23, and TD Bank $133,387.90 for a total in Reserves of $581,775.90. Payments from the Drainage Reserve were: $400 to Live Oak for repair on Daniel Morrall and $10,650 to Live Oak for pipe relocation on Joanna Gillard.
Committee Reports
ARC– Tom Macedo reports, We continue to be very busy. We have a lot of new homes being put up and fences being put up. Whenever you are doing a project outside, please contact Michelle at the office to see if you need a permit. We are all volunteers here. If you are planning on doing something please give us a little advanced warning so we will have time to get to it.
Legal-
Finance– Peggy Phillips reports, Annual assessments are due and payable to the association by all members. All lots, whether improved or unimproved, and all condominium apartments shall be subject to the same annual assessment. We have 576 properties in Wedgefield. Per Georgetown County records: 130 are vacant, 171 are owned by non-residents, and 23 who live in Wedgefield are multi-lot owners.
We continue to collect the assessments for 2021. A number of lots that have not paid are in the process of being sold and we should receive the assessment at settlement. Since January, we have had 25 properties close and another 16 are in process.
Delinquency statements are mailed monthly and a letter explaining our policy was sent to all unpaid accounts in March. A demand letter will be sent in May. If the assessments are not paid by June 30, 2021, a lien will be placed on the property.
This month, we collected three accounts that were past due for previous years and our liens have been released.
Communications– Jonathan Rutstein reports, we have printed 400 Wragg newsletters. There was a format error that has been corrected. They have now been mailed out.
Community Liaison– Adam Anderson reports, we have received over 30 letters this month: 1. A letter stating the website was not up to date. Michelle said it was and replied to the resident.
- A letter to the compliance committee from a committee member that no longer wishes to pursue a project. 3. 3 separate complaints about the turning around of trucks and trailers at the end of Francis Parker. All of the construction in that area is causing a few problems. The roads and ARC committees are looking for a solution. 4. 2 requests for the board to consider the Spectrum package for the HOA. 5.A question from a potential home buyer asking if we have specific rules about pets. I replied only that the covenants forbid noxious or disturbing activity and that the sheriff has jurisdiction in Wedgefield over animal control. 6.A question from a resident wanting to replace some trim on his home. Tom handled this.7. A letter and photos of damage done to resident on Francis Parker’s yard from a contractor. Tom handled this. 8. A complaint from a resident on Governor Boone about flooding from a ditch cleanout that is directing water towards her home. Stan is looking into this. 9. A question about placing a dumpster in a yard on Jericho for a renovation. Michelle handled this. 10. A complaint about a commercial sign placed in a yard on Wragg’s Ferry. The resident was sent a letter reminding them of the covenants prohibiting a sign. 11. A question about constructing a boat lift from a potential home buyer. Tom handled this. 12. A question about the status of the common area on Pine Grove that the WPA would like to deed to the adjacent lot owners. The legal committee is working on this. 13. A series of letters and emails about loud music coming from a home on Wragg’s Ferry. The resident was advised to call the police and Adam also wrote a letter to the ending resident reminding them of the covenants. It seemed to work.14. A homeowner on John Waties asked about the ditch cleaning project and to please be aware of their invisible dog fence. Stan took care of this. 15. A complaint about the condition of a home on Swamp Fox. The home has overgrown landscaping and the house is in disrepair. Adam got the compliance committee involved and Bob wrote a letter to the homeowner. 16. 2 separate complaints that the sign at the entrance is unreadable. 17. Complaint about a homeowner burning yard debris at a home on Wragg’s Ferry. This is the second time this has come up, as Adam wrote and spoke with the resident in January, he assured Adam he would stop. 18. A complaint about the condition at a condo. The resident was directed to contact the person over their regime and Michelle forwarded the complaint to the condo board. 19. 7 letters about the proposed housing apartment project. Most were asking for information, which we did not have at that time.
Welcome Committee– Robert McMahan reports, The welcome committee has welcomed 14 new neighbors. Two new welcomes have gone out and 3 are ready to go out.
Drainage- Stan Earnhart reports, The drainage committee has been busy this past month.
The four drainage projects are now complete. The Possum Trot ditch casted a new light on an old problem. The freshly refurbished ditch worked perfectly and the Simmons yard did not flood during the major rain we had a few weeks ago. However, the rain washing over the freshly dug ditch carried muddy water and debris into the canal. The property owners on the canal were upset and took action to protect the money they and the WPA had spent dredging the canal.
The drainage committee decided to look at every ditch and drainage pipe that empties into the canals before deciding on a plan to reduce this long-standing complaint. Stan shares the study: Starting at Gov. Johnston and Wedgefield road. The new catch basins installed last year is actually one of three catch basing that feed into the canal. There are three pipes feeding into the three catch basins. None have grates to stop large debris from entering the canal. We have reached out to the Water Amenities Committee to see if these can be installed in house. There is a pipe that runs under Wedgefield Rd to the canal. Ken Gaspari and our neighbors used sandbags to create a protective pool. Live Oak Excavators installed a grate on the right and also dug out a replacement pool. The drainage committee is exploring what size and type of catch basin can be installed in place of the drain pipe here. The Ricefield Catch Basin was installed to help remove the standing water following a Moon High Tide. On William Screven the catch basins handle most of the water from this street. Both basins are full of debris and need to be cleaned. The basin on the canal side has extensive erosion and Steve Vasey’s yard has a sink hole that is probably related to the erosion around the catch basin. We need to address this repair. Moving along Gov. Johnston has a pipe running from Hole 15 to Gov. Boone.
We have received the following complaints concerning drainage issues this month. A sink hole at Robert Conway and Wraggs Ferry. A clogged ditch behind 144 John Waties that will be discussed at a later date. Flooding and debris in the ditch behind 492 Francis Parker. Missing ditch/flooding into 106 Gov. Boone from lot 118. Lot 118 was cleared and raised in 2004/2005. When they raised the lot, the ditch between the properties was covered over. Water has flooded into the den. WPA has no records of the clearing or raising of the lot. There were 3 owners during that time. The first written complaint about the flooding was made in 2005. After discussion it was decided a letter will be sent to the owner of lot 118.
Walter Shockley would like a written description of the repair we made to the sink hole on his property on 72 Daniel Morall. He sees additional depressions in his yard and is very concerned.
The drainage committee is currently making new drainage maps. We are looking to find all catch basins and how many need to be cleaned.
Water Amenities– Ken Gaspari reports, Cameras have been installed at the gate house. A new door was installed along with new outlets. Ken plans to paint the door and facia. He also plans to repair and replace lights at the landing.
Condo Liaison– Jonathan Rutstein reports, There was a lively discussion at the last condo meeting. Jacky Walton is going to contact someone concerning drainage.
Roads– Gary Dreher reports, The roads committee is continuing to monitor roads and fill potholes and make repairs as needed. If you find or see an issue, please let the office know so it can be repaired.
It seems the speed bumps have helped to slow down the traffic some. We are seeing if more are needed and where they would need to be. If you feel more speed humps are needed please submit your thoughts to the office.
Grounds– Gary Dreher reports, The Wedgefield road cleanup was held this month. Thank you to the volunteers who came out. The grounds contractor has been clearing overgrowth along some of the empty lots that had been growing out to make visibility better at the corners. The flowers for the triangle area and entryway have been purchased. They will be planted this weekend on April 24th. The grounds committee has been working on an improved landscape design that uses perennial plants that do not need to be purchased and replanted each year. Gary Dreher makes a motion to approve up to $5,000 for the replanting and upgrade of the entryway planting areas. Motion seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. All in favor. Motion carried.
Compliance– Bob Garrison reports, Compliance sent a letter to a resident to deal with some issues at his lot. He came and paid his assessment and said he has someone to come out to take care of the lot.
All complaints and concerns need to be in writing and come through the office. Do not call members at home. It has to be in writing so a record can be made.
Website Committee- No Report
Old Business- Spectrum Update: Jonathan Rutstein reports, after discussion it was decided to form a committee to further investigate this and see if we can get a better deal from HTC.
New Business-
Public Comments– Mike Downs says Spectrum should not go with our assessments. Hagley does it for $600 a year. Mike also asks about putting an automatic gate at the entrance.
Jill Huggins wants to know when a new directory will be going out and would like emails to be put in the directories. Bob Garrison lets her know that most people in the past did not want their emails published. She says we need better communication.
Marion Cuttino asks who is going door to door to put all this information out. Mikki Nadeu asked why it was not put on the board at the gate.
Trina Wilson let Jill know that she helped deliver directories. Anyone here can volunteer to help do ads and get information.
Nancy Johnston says she is very distressed over the proposed housing project. She was told someone would be speaking tonight on the next step against this. Gary Dreher suggested forming a committee to fight this.
Maureen Vasey was told everyone needs to call and email the county council. There is another meeting on the last Tuesday of the month. She was told we need to speak to Lois Morant. The first reading is not it. They have to do stormwater and traffic study. If they do not like it, they will vote no.
Bob McMahan says we need to do a petition and Bonnie Myers will help head this up.
Golf Course Update-
Next Monthly Board Meeting– May 18, 2021
Adjourn – Robert McMahan