2021 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 20, 2021
AT 10 A.M.
Winyah Auditorium
Present: Bob McMahan, Stan Earnhart, Peggy Phillips, Tom Macedo, Bob Garrison, Jonathan Rutstein, Gary Dreher, Ken Gaspari
Absent – Adam Anderson
Secretary Stan Earnhart confirmed that a Quorum has been met,
There are 187 verified ballots without those received late, which Will not be counted.
Proof of Mailing – In the office
Motion to Proceed with the Election Process – made by Stan Earnhart Tom Macedo seconded; Motion carried
Secretary Stan Earnhart made a call for Nominations from the floor 3 times No nominations from the floor
Election Committee: Mary Sasso, Inspector, Neena McMahan, John Sasso, Inge Ebert, Pam Gross, Nancy Johnston, Carol McRae, Marion Cuttino, Kathleen Hayes, Karen Macedo, Dianne Macedo
Stan Earnhart made the Motion to Approve Mary Sasso as Inspector of Elections Seconded -Tom Macedo
Motion Passed Collection of ballots
Election committee retired to proceed with the count.
Bob Garrison reads the 2020 minutes. Mike Downes made motion to approve the 2020 minutes as written. Ed Wozniak seconded and motion passed.
Officer Reports
President – Bob McMahan reports, We have had more building than we have seen in many years. He thanks Adam Anderson and Bob Garrison for their knowledge. The new board will need volunteers and wishes them the best of luck.
Vice President – Bob McMahan read Adam Andersons report, It’s bittersweet wrapping up nearly 10 years on the board of directors. It has been a pleasure serving. He feels we, as a board, they accomplished a lot and turned things around from where they were after the controversies of the 2008 dredging that tore the community apart. We did major road repairs, paid off the dredging loan, came up with a fair and equitable way to dredge without any controversy, and many smaller projects like the sign at the gatehouse and the security camera systems. They have all worked well together for the betterment of Wedgefield. He plans to stay involved by being on a couple of committees, but feels 10 years is enough and it was time to step aside.
Secretary – Stan Earnhart reports, 489 packets were mailed. Thanks to Neena McMahan who counted and verified the number of envelopes. We have had 91 lot owner changes with 5 pending. Michelle worked efficiently updating the changes based on the County records. As a result, only one packet was returned. The election committee met on November 16th to open and accurately verify 208 Proxy/Absentee Ballots. Thank you to the members of the Election Committee: Mary Sasso, Inspector, Neena McMahan, Marion Cuttino, Inge Ebert, Pam Gross, Kathleen Hayes, Nancy Johnston, Dianne Macedo, Karen Macedo, Carol McRae, and John Sasso.
Treasurer – Peggy Phillips reports, The approved budget for 2022 was mailed with the annual meeting material’s packet and the assessment for next year will remain at $525. Invoices will be mailed the last week of December and assessments are due by February 1st. Any assessments not paid by the last day of February will be assessed a late charge of $20 per month beginning March 1st until the assessment and late charges are paid in full.
Each board member was given an opportunity to contribute in the preparation of the budget along with the finance committee which consisted of Michael Downs, Inge Ebert, Joe Myers, and Jacky Walton. We base anticipated revenue to be 100% collection of assessments. These assessments are used to pay the operating expenses of the Plantation. Our Operating Account with South State Bank had a balance of $133,965 as of October 31, 2021. Any monies not used for normal operations are placed in Reserve Accounts. Currently the Reserve Account balances are: Edward Jones: $272,833, South Atlantic: $157,877, and TD Bank $223,610 for a total reserve of $654,320.
We also have a debit card account with South Atlantic used for small purchases. It currently has a balance of $2,486. We also maintain an Escrow Account with South Atlantic for the refundable portion of ARC deposits. This account currently has $64,014.
All checks from any account require the signatures of two Executive Board Members.
Checks are prepared by our Office Clerk, Michelle Blythe and reviewed and balanced monthly by Kathy Browy, Bookkeeper. All date is forwarded to Mr. James Young, CPA who also reviews the data and prepares our monthly financial statements.
ARC Committee – Tom Macedo reports, ARC has had an unprecedented housing boom. We have been very busy with new homes being built. If you are planning on doing any outside projects, please contact Michelle in the office to see if an application and deposit is required.
Legal – Bob Garrison reports, The lawsuit that was pending was dismissed without prejudice. We have corresponded throughout the year with the attorney with numerous questions that came up. We have released some liens on properties that whose assessments were brought up to date.
Finance – Peggy Phillips reports, The Board and Finance Committee moved the following funds from Operating to Reserves in 2021 as follows: January $50,000, February $75,000, June $90,000 for a total of $215,000. At present, the Reserve Categories are at the following percentages: Roads 67%, Drainage 10%, Marina 5%, Emergency 3%, Canal 15%, and Landscape 0%. The amounts spent from Reserves in 2021 were: Drainage $27,194, Marina $287, and Emergency (card reader) $1426 for a total of $28,907. The balances in each category are Roads $414,745, Drainage $35,465, Marina $30,950, Emergency $96,484, Canal $61,450, and Landscape $15,226 for a total of $654,320.
Communications – Dave Decreny reports, Jean, Neena and Carol are working on the directory. The Spectrum contract has been returned to legal for many questions to be answered. Jean is trying to get email addresses of all residents.
Welcome Committee – Many welcome packages have been given out this year.
Drainage – Stan Earnhart reports, The drainage committee completed numerous projects throughout the year. A record of these projects is in the WPA office.
Water Amenities – Ken Gaspari reports, We have installed a new door and had Strand Security put cameras out in the Spring. Santee installed new lights. We have installed a new card reader at the entrance Ken and his wife replaced boards with new decking on the North dock.
Roads – Gary Dreher reports, Thanks the community for their help in putting in speed bumps. The roads committee will be reviewing requests for more as they come in.
Condo Liaison – Dave Decreny reports, as signage issue and road repair have been referred to the appropriate board members.
Grounds – Gary Dreher reports, Howards Quick cut has completed site work at the spoil site. We are going to change to perennial plants and will be taking bids to have them planted in 2022. We have had no extensive cleanups this year.
Compliance – Bob Garrison reports, compliance advices having meetings with the new board members to get acquainted with duties on the board. Compliance has reviewed several policy changes and written numerous of replies to residents’ letters.
Website– Dave Decreny reports, We should do a policy change to put The Wragg on the website.
Old Business – None
Bob Buice- Asks why we cannot give money to the tennis courts. Jonathan Rutstein tells him we do not own the tennis courts and the LLC is looking into a resolution. John Waties and Francis Parker shrubs are blocking view around the curb. Gary Dreher says to let the office know in writing and the board will address this.
Mike Macedo- Asks how much is recommended to be in reserve. Bob Garrison told him that this is decided in the reserve study. We have felt the percentages were about right, that they could change with the next reserve study.
Al DeMarchi- Questions an expenditure of $10,600 to fix a drain on private property. Bob Garrison said this arose from when a contractor put the pipe diagonally across a property line. The lot went into receivership and was vacant numerous years and when the bank foreclosed on this lot the new owner moved the pipe and did it wrong, which caused drainage backup.
Effectively it was our pipe on his property.
Asks when is the cul-de-sac on Francis Parker going to re-asphalted. Bob McMahan states this would be a waste of money now. We should wait until the building has slowed down.
He would also like the board to slow contractors down and put gravel down. Bob McMahan state he would investigate having gravel put down.
Bob McMahan announces we will be doing lights and luminaries on November 28.
New Business:
Meeting was adjourned until the voting results.
Election Results
Tom Cobb, 162 votes
David Decreny, 172 votes
Michael Downs, 125 votes
Joe Myers, 160 votes
Write ins W. Peacock 1, J Hayman 1, D Altman 1, B Garrison 3
Motion Made to return future meetings to WPA Office. Stan Earnhart made the motion, Bob Garrison seconded it, and motion passed
Next Board Meeting at December 21st, 2021.