WPA Monthly Board Meeting
June 21, 2016 7:00 pm
Call to Order: Jacky Walton, President
Attendees: Bob Garrison, Jacky Walton, Janine Cline, Larry McMillin, John Walton, Keith Johnson, Al DeMarchi and Adam Anderson. Absent Inge Ebert
Quorum: Secretary Janine Cline stated yes there is.
Approval of Minutes: Janine Cline made a motion to approve the minutes for May 2016,
2nd by Al DeMarchi, Passed with 8 ayes
President’s Report: Jacky Walton reported the executive board is now preparing for the Annual Meeting which will be held on November 19, 2016 at Georgetown Presbyterian Church. It is the right of any property owner in good standing with the WPA, to run for the Board of Directors.
There will be 3 open seats to be filled. We encourage all open minded, forward thinking individuals, willing to work with fellow members for the betterment of our community to apply.
The resume application may be downloaded from the WPA Website or picked up at our office. This application is the only format that is acceptable. If needed, you may enclose additional pages.
Please mail your application to the address below or drop at the office during regular hours.
WPA, Nomination Committee
Adam Anderson, Chairperson
PO Box 1310
Georgetown, SC 29442
- The last day for submission of nominees is August 17th, 2016
- The last day for Bylaw Submissions is August 3, 2016
Vice President’s Report: No report
Secretary’s Report: Janine Cline reported the telephone directory will be out by the first of July and the Wragg will be going out in July.
Treasurer’s Report: Al DeMarchi reported reserves currently are approximately $313K.
Delinquent accounts
Past due 8 $25,500
Current year 19 $10,640
Past due Golf 1 $464
Past due fine 1 $50
Committee Reports
ARC: Keith Johnson reported the following ARC applications and refund requests have been reviewed and approved:
Lot 341 – Exterior color change
Legal: No report
Finance: No Report
Communications: No report
Community Liaison: Adam Anderson: Correspondence received
- A letter about a street light out on Daniel Morrell. It has been reported multiple times.
- Poor lot condition on John Green.
- A resident with a bee hive requesting the HOA assist in removing it for them. They were told it is not an association problem.
- A street light on Robert Conway. It has been reported.
- A resident requesting a 25% reduction in HOA fees for all veterans. The member was told this is not practical and against the covenants.
- A resident complaint about a political sign in a member’s yard. A letter was sent to the member explaining the association rules on political signs.
Welcome Committee: No Report
Drainage: Al DeMarchi reported all major drainage projects have been completed along with the three sinkholes which occurred after the heavy rains. All projects came in under budget.
After the last sinkhole was repaired, the contractor notified WPA that the original galvanized steel pipes which are approximately 40+ years old are deteriorating and will need replacement over the next few years. The Reserve Account for drainage will not provide for this project. The overall scope of the project should be evaluated by an experienced contractor/engineer to determine the extent of the required repairs and the order in which they should be performed. Future assessments and their allocations to reserves will have to be reviewed.
Water Amenities: John Walton reported
Boat Landing – Winyah Towing will now be our towing company for the landing parking area. He will be patrolling on his own as well as being on call and will tow vehicles not displaying proper identification. New signs have been installed per legal requirements.
Residents must affix and display a valid Wedgefield resident sticker in the lower left corner of vehicle windshield and on boat trailer or be subject to being towed as per policy manual section IX, paragraph 2.02
Vandalism – In the past month we have experienced vandalism at the landing area. While on routine inspection, I discovered the shielding had been deliberately broken and the wires for the big light that illuminates the boat ramp area had been cut. Committee member Larry McMillin immediately acted to have this repaired.
Dredging – The committee has been looking into getting bids for dredging. We have 4-5 contractors interested in bidding. The contractors are all asking for a hydrographic survey before they will place bids. This is the only way to accurately know how much needs to be removed. We are in the process of acquiring estimates from engineering firms for the hydrographic surveys.
We intend to have a meeting of canal lot owners soon to explain what we are doing and what will be needed to make this happen. We will have more details next month.
Roads – No Report
Condo Liaison – No Report
Grounds: Larry McMillin reported the vegetation in the pond we use for irrigation had once again begun spreading. A purchase of 50 pounds of chemicals was approved, and a treatment was applied. In just a few days the condition of the water was much improved. This cost, $105.65, should be taken from account #74230.
This past week, the grounds maintenance crew got busy cleaning up the cul-de-sacs and spreading pine straw throughout the plantation. The board had approved up to $1,200, for the pine straw, but only $866.77 was spent on 180 bales to date. It is estimated we need 25 more to finish. This expense should be drawn from account #74120
Larry stated he was appalled at something that happened recently here in Wedgefield. The grounds committee had put up a banner honoring our veterans, and place flags though out the entrance to celebrate Memorial Day. On Sunday afternoon, the day before, someone pulled up to the entrance in broad daylight and stole 16 of the flags in front of the gatehouse. They later came back the same afternoon and stole 10 more. What can you say about someone who would steal American flags placed to honor our fallen veterans? Disgusting, despicable, or other worse adjectives? More flags were ordered to replace the ones we lost.
Larry made a motion to add Bob & Nina McMahan to the Grounds Committee. Bob Garrison 2nd, Passed by 8 ayes. Larry stated they have been gracious enough to help in the past and offered to continue doing so.
Compliance: No Report
Old Business – None
New Business – Gatehouse Maintenance – Al DeMarchi made a motion to approve the purchase of 11/2 gallons of polymer coating to apply to the exterior of the gatehouse. The total price with shipping is $149.99.
Larry McMillin asked if the work would be contracted out. Al replied the work could be contracted out or someone could volunteer.
Larry asked if the coating would cover top to bottom. Al replied it will be enough to cover the entire exterior of the gatehouse.
2nd by Janine Cline, Passed with 8 ayes
Bob Garrison reported that the WPA will not be leasing or purchasing the pool from the golf course. It’s not in the best interest of the associate as to liability reasons.
Jacky Walton read
“Due to personal commitments and extensive travel plans for 2016, I will be resigning from the Wedgefield Plantation Association Board of Directors effective August 1, 2016. Until such time, I would like to continue as Treasurer and Finance Committee chair to assist the office staff with the accounting functions. I will be unable to attend the July and August meetings, but will provide reports to the best of my ability.
This will provide sufficient time to interview and appoint a new board member as my replacement. If asked, I will serve on committees.
It has been a great pleasure working with such a fine Board of Directors and serving this community.”
Al DeMarchi
Resident Comments:
Vickie Beard has concerns why the board isn’t doing anything about the golf course. Has the board considered purchasing the golf course with raising assessments?
Bob Garrison replied there isn’t much WPA can do. We are not sure what the owner of the golf course is going to do at this time. WPA has been through this before. The board was approached about 5 years ago to purchase the golf course. It wasn’t approved due to the owner saying he never made money off the golf course.
Al DeMarchi replied if WPA purchased the golf course, all 170 acres, the assessment for all residents would be raised to $1250 just for maintenance.
Mady Cavanaugh asked for contact information for the golf course. The board stated the owner is Ray Watt. She also asked that a letter be sent to the owner to see what his intentions are for the golf course.
Nina McMahan asked what will happen to the entrance to Wedgefield. The entrance is an eye soar.
Bob Garrison stated a letter could be sent but WPA has no legal position to sue for not maintaining the golf course.
Al DeMarchi stated he had a meeting with the Manager of the golf course. They said they would maintain the golf course but didn’t say to what degree.
Carolyn McBride asked which board members were up for reelection and about the lots WPA were awarded.
Bob Garrison replied that Jacky Walton, Bob Garrison, and Keith Johnson will be up for reelection. Our attorney is in the process of trying to get the properties released from a mortgage that they are attached to.
Bob McMahan asked what is wrong with the pool.
Al DeMarchi stated all the equipment has been removed.
Next monthly meeting will be on July 19, 2016.
Adjourn – Jacky Walton