WPA MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
January 21, 2020
Call to Order – Bob McMahan
Attendance – Bob McMahan, Adam Anderson, Peggy Phillips, Larry McMillin, Tom Macedo, John Walton, Jonathan Rutstein
Absent– Butch Williams, Gary Dreher
Quorum – Yes
Approval – Motion to approve December 17, 2019 Minutes made by John Walton. Motion seconded by Adam Anderson. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Larry McMillin made a motion to approve Minutes for Closed Board Meeting on December 20th concerning a candidate for the open position on the Board. Motion seconded by John Walton, All in favor, Motion Carried.
Larry McMillin makes a motion to approve the Minutes from the December 20th Open Board Meeting concerning the repair of a bulkhead. Motion seconded by John Walton. All in favor, Motion Carried.
Larry McMillin makes a motion to approve the Minutes from January 2nd, 2020 closed Board Meeting. Motion seconded by John Walton. All in favor. Motion carried.
Officer Reports
Presidents Report – Robert McMahan reports, Just want to thank everyone for coming out tonight.
Vice Presidents Report – No Report
Secretary’s Report– No Report
Treasurer’s Report– Peggy Phillips reports, As of December 31, 2019, our Operating Account with South State has a balance of $104,588. Our Debit Account with South Atlantic had a balance of $1,666 and the ARC Escrow Account with South Atlantic had a balance of $8,550.
The Reserve Account balances were: South Atlantic, $219,647.80, Edward Jones, $369,349.04, and TD Bank, $58,226.95 for a total of $647,223.79.
On January 14, 2020, I met with Edward Jones and purchased $50,000 in CD’s per approval at the December Board Meeting. This reduced our South State Operating Account by this amount and it is not reflected in the balances shown on the Reserves Report. This would result in current total reserves of $697,223.79. We have collected 192 assessments. Per policy, these have been deposited in the South State Operating Account.
Committee Reports
ARC– Tom Macedo reports, We currently have 22 open ARC applications. Most recent a lot clearing preceding a home being built on Jericho Ct. has been approved. Tree removal has been approved on William Screven. Also, we have several projects under review that will result in homes being built.
I anticipate a very busy Spring and Summer if what I have seen in the past month is any indication.
Tom Macedo makes a motion to add Trina Wilson to the ARC committee. Motion seconded by John Walton. All in favor. Motion carried.
Legal- Adam Anderson reports, The Bylaw change has been recorded by the Board attorney. On January 2, 2020 we had a meeting to go over the policy manual with the two new Board members. We will be calling another meeting shortly to go over the policy manual with Jonathan Rutstein.
Finance– Peggy Phillips reports, Each Board Member has been given an updated Reserves Report as of December 31, 2019. As stated in the Treasurer’s Report, $50,000 has been moved to Reserves but is not reflected in the totals. Also, at the December, 2019, meeting, Live Oak Excavation was approved to make bulkhead repairs in the amount of $13,680. On January 10, 2020, a check in the amount of $5,000 was written as a deposit for this project and will be charged to the Canal Reserve.
In the near future, I will be requesting the Finance Committee meet to review the percentages allocated to each Reserve category for 2020. As the assessments continue to come in, we will periodically move portions from Operating to Reserves in order to maintain the FDIC Insurance requirement of not exceeding $250,000.
Communications– No Report
Community Liaison– Adam Anderson reports, We had the following letters this month.
- A question about the weeds in the pond, the fountain and spring planting at the These were answered by the grounds committee.
- A question about a possible variance on the height restriction of a new construction house on the canal. This was referred to the ARC committee chairman.
- A complaint about an overgrown lot on Ricefield’s. The owner of the lot in question was
- A letter stating opposition the idea of the WPA getting involved financially with the golf
Welcome Committee– Neena McMahan reads Welcome Committee report, The welcome was started in July 2018. In 2018 there was 15 welcomes. In 2019 there was 39 welcomes for a total of 54 welcomes. The welcome committee’s goal is to welcome new neighbors within 2 weeks of them moving in. Welcome bags will include information on neighborhood groups they can join, the times of the HOA meetings, Wedgefield Directory, information about the Marina, information on area shops, information on the Manor house, pool, and golf course, and a gift card to the Manor House.
Drainage-Tom Macedo reads Drainage report, The drainage project proposed for Governor Johnston rd. and Wedgefield rd. JC’s Landscaping has made a bid for $18,600 without sod, and $21,000 with sod. They would be able to start as early as February 3rd, 2020.
Water Amenities– John Walton’s reports, John Walton makes a motion to add Steve Vasey to the Water amenities committee. Motion seconded by Adam Anderson. All in favor. Motion Carried.
We had the lot surveyed again where we own part of the lot. We own 48 feet of bulkhead that needs to be repaired.
Condo Liaison– No Report
Roads– Adam Anderson reports, The large repair project is starting. Work began last week. Coastal Asphalt has assured us they will do everything to minimize inconvenience to residents. They will be closing lanes and routing traffic around the affected areas as needed. We ask that everyone be patient during the work.
Grounds-Larry McMillin reports, There is a tree growing out of a ditch at Ballard and Duck Pond rd., causing drainage problems. We have made arrangements with Live Oak Excavation for $499.99 and has been taken care of. A couple of cart crossings have been painted at know expense to the plantation. Ken Gaspari asked if the Board had an objection to painting the cart crossing and told him he could. I know he had done one. Larry said we are waiting on the price of 5 Cart crossing signs. There is a new stop sign on Capt. Anthony White and one sign waiting to be done at the condo area. Robert McMahan says he would like to see stop signs for the golf carts.
Larry makes a motion to approve up to $75 to pay for materials to paint the golf cart crossing. Jonathan Rutstein seconded the motion. All in favor motion carried.
There is an ongoing electrical problem at the entrance. We did some research and the problem went away. The problem has come back and it seems to be a breaker problem at the gatehouse. The fountain has quit again. The man didn’t charge us the first time for the repair on the fountain and said he would come back and get to it for us.
Next month at the February meeting it will be time to renew our contract with Howard’s Quick Cut, LLC.
Compliance– No Report
Website Committee-
Old Business-
2nd reading on removal of the second paragraph in Appendix III-5 of the Wedgefield Building Permit in the Policy Manual. This paragraph reads: This building permit is issued to you for the purpose of notification that your home has been approved by the Architectural Design Committee, and you are now permitted to seek the necessary Georgetown County Building Permits from the Georgetown County Building and Zoning office.
Tom Macedo makes a motion to approve this second reading. Motion 2nd by Adam Anderson. All in favor. Motion carried.
2nd Reading on addition of 4.02.01.01: “Towers, radio, television, and other telecommunications antennas shall be prohibited in the plantation, except that ham radio antennas may be permitted that as physically attached to the rear of the dwelling and do not exceed 25’ in height.”
Adam makes a motion to approve this second reading. Motion seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. All in favor. Motion carried.
New Business– A resident made a comment to Bob McMahan about several unregistered vehicles in the back of a property making the neighborhood look bad. Bob stated that the only thing in the Policy Manual is in covenant 7. Adam said that there is nothing we can do about this but that we would check with the county, but we would go ahead and send the resident a letter. Normally they will address the issue when it is brought to their attention.
Public Comments– Bob Garrison questions some comments made about the golf course.
Bob Garrison also makes a comment about putting a copy of the covenants and bylaws in the Welcome bags for new residents.
Mike Downs said in order for property to change hands someone has to sell the property. Bob Garrison asked how many new houses have been built in the community.
Larry asked how many people have looked at their property value to see how much it has changed. Adam commented that its only true value is as much as someone is willing to pay for it.
Connie Downs asked Larry if he could get someone to check on the light near her house.
Coker said that they built here for a sense of community and finds it offensive that we post Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Peggy Phillips let him know that some people took offense to Merry Christmas years ago and it was changed to Happy Holidays.
Marion Cuttino asked about a stop sign at the condo area being fixed since it is a bus stop and people come racing down there while the kids are waiting on the school bus. Larry McMillin let her know we would put an old sign up until the new sign came in.
Golf Course Update– Jonathan Rutstein informs the residents about purchasing shares for the Golf Course.
Next Monthly Board Meeting– February 18, 2020
Adjourn – Robert McMahan