WPA MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
March 21, 2023
Call to Order –Jonathan Rutstein
Attendance – Jonathan Rutstein, Joe Myers, Bob Ramsey, Valerie Cooper, Stan Earnhart, Ken Gaspari, Meredith Marsh, Dave Decreny, Trina Davis
Absent– Quorum – Yes
Approval – Motion to approve February put on hold until April meeting.
Resident Speaker– Michael Downes spoke concerning the censoring of the Facebook page and wants to know why there has been no mention of the Easter Egg Hunt.
Officer Reports
Presidents Report –Jonathan Rutstein reports, In our executive session we resolved a possible lein. We are postponing the second reading of the ARC policy changes so the board will have more time to go over the policy. We reviewed our landscape bid and a complaint about automobiles on lawns. We also discussed a complaint from someone in the Arbors about not being part of the HOA. We have no jurisdiction in the Arbors.
Jonathan talks about an issue with our tax filing since we are now getting interest. Will we still be able to file an 1120 or will we have to file a 528.
We will be setting up a bid procurement subcommittee. There are things that need to be pulled out of the policy and things that need to go into policy.
Vice Presidents Report – No report
Secretary’s Report– Robert Ramsey reports, We will be calling a special board meeting for ARC to review the ARC policy on April 4th at 4:30.
Treasurer’s Report– Valerie Cooper reports, As of February 28, 2023 our account balances were as follows: Operating with South State had a balance of $276,685.07. Our debit account with South Atlantic had a balance of $1252.66 with three debits in February of $21.60 and $17.28 for keys and $10.30 to the register of deeds for a lien release. The ARC account with South Atlantic had a balance of $73,035.64 with one deposit of $1,000 and total refunds $4000.
The Reserve Account balances as of February 28, 2023 were: South Atlantic $146,696.48, Edward Jones $277,223.01, $50,000 CD with Liberty Bank, $50,000 CD with Wells Fargo, TD Bank $223,925.74 and Anderson Brothers Bank $50.
We have 85 assessments past due.
Committee Reports
ARC– Robert Ramsey reports, We have received one new home application and have one final inspection in process. We are returning prmit deposits to Century for expired permits.
Legal– Robert Ramsey reports, We have mailed a response to a resident with a concern to the electoral procedure that was used this past year. We have received 2 insurance proposals. We have concluded we do not have an obligation to keep up the roads in the Arbors. He also reminds the board all legal issues should come through the legal committee as our attorney charges $250 an hour.
Finance– Valerie Cooper reports, $100,000 was moved out of the Operating account and moved to the South Atlantic Money Market account per approval at February’s board meeting. This money was approved to create a Reserve account for the building maintenance, and $80,000 was moved to the Canals reserve account.
Three proposals were provided for a new 5-year reserve study. Reserve Professionals $4,000 (update reserve study with site visit, Reserve Advisors $5,450 (with a site visit), and Association Reserves $5,900 (with a site visit)
Valerie Cooper makes a motion to hire Reserve Professionals. Jonathan Rutstein seconds motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Communications/Website– Trina Davis reports, Please have reports for the Wragg in by Friday. Stan makes a motion to spend up to $2300 for expenses for our annual Easter Egg hunt. After speaking with SCDOT they say we have to sign up for quarterly cleanups of the road for 2 years to get supplies. After discussion. Planning for the annual yard sale for May 13th. We will need volunteers.
Condo Liaison– Dave Decreny reports, The condos have to pay the HOA fee along with monthly regime fees and already have a pool with very little use. He wants to know how it is going to be financed without charging $2000 to the people who live at the condos and have their own pool.
Community Liaison– Trina Davis reports, We have had the following closed communications: two requests for information handled by Michelle, complaint concerning marina cards not working handled by Joe, two issues for drainage handled by Joe, and tree removal needed handled by Ken. The following communications are still open, are campers legal by the covenants, two complaints for arc concerning homes under construction, a drainage complaint referred to Joe, and a question concerning trees planted by the golf course. Jonathan said they are going to survey the 14th hole and will move trees away from the fence line.
We also need a price for the marina for the insurance company to quote it. We have submitted to two agencies for errs and omissions and are awaiting quotes.
Welcome Committee-Meredith Marsh reports, 3 new residents have been welcomed, she has one to take and still hasn’t been able to reach 2.
Drainage- Joe Myers reports, Drainage has communicated with four owners who had drainage questions. We believe all four are aware of what actions they can take and informed them of DHEC guidelines. We joined ARC in the drainage aspects of 3 new homes. One will require adding a swale. The other two are within drainage guidelines.
Water Amenities– Joe Myers reports, We are making good progress on obtaining the Army Corp of Engineers permit to perform the needed and Board approved canal depth maintenance.
We have retained A& E firm Earthworks in order to have minimum 3 professional engineers interfacing with and providing any requested data, engineering analyses, engineering charts, ets. We will be dealing with 5 government agencies by mid 2024 or sooner.
We continue to communicate with those property owners directly sharing in the cost of Dredging itself. We are receiving positive feedback.
The landing has a bulkhead breech at the electrical station. We are obtaining cost figures at this time. Also, 5 sinkholes are developing along same bulkhead for which we must compile a proposal to repair.
We did fill in the eroding shoulder of the road at the right hand culvert with driveway rubble. The rubble was spread along the waterfront to slow down erosion.
Roads– Ken Gaspari reports, He has met with one contractor for bids to repair roads at the condos. Bid came in at $12,900. He is still waiting on two. Joe Myers makes a motion to approve up to $1500 to replace 11 signs, buy hardware and concrete. Motion seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. All in favor.
Motion carried. He will also be shooting the transit where Beverly dug a ditch and he has counted 42 puddles.
Grounds– Meredith Marsh reports, We received two bids for the maintenance contract. Howards Quick cut came in at $2582.74. Moore’s Property came in at $3000.00. Joe Myers makes a motion to retain Howards Quick Cut LLC for the next 2 years. Motion seconded by Robert Ramsey. All in favor. Motion carried.
Valerie Cooper makes a motion to approve up to $1500 for plants at the entrance. Motion seconded by Stan Earnhart. All in favor. Motion carried.
Compliance– Stan Earnhart reports, We had a complaint for a home on Wedgefield. We have met with them and hope this will resolve the issue. Our legal committee will be checking with our attorney for the legal meaning of trailers in our covenants and bylaws.
Community Development- Stan Earnhart reports, Our first meeting was held Thursday, March 9th. We gave a power point explaining the possibilities to create new amenities for Wedgefield. 75 residents attended. 61 signed up to serve on committees. 31 volunteers canvassed the neighborhood to survey the interest in new amenities.
15 members were selected to join the committee. We had 182 yes and 64 no’s. Additional results have been submitted following the meeting. Various projects were discussed. We will meet again on April 13. Valerie recommends having a special meeting to discuss making these things happen.
Old Business- 2nd reading on ARC policy change tabled. We are still waiting on a third quote concerning our insurance policy.
New Business– At the April meeting we will have a pre meeting to discuss 2-3 year plan for capital improvement and reserves
Next Monthly Board Meeting-April 18, 2023
Adjourn – Jonathan Rutstein