WPA MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
October 18, 2022
Call to Order –Gary Dreher
Attendance –Gary Dreher, Jonathan Rutstein, Stan Earnhart, Peggy Phillips, Joe Myers, Ken Gaspari, Bob Ramsey , Dave Decreny, Valerie Cooper
Absent– Quorum – Yes
Approval – Motion to approve September 20 Minutes made by Joe Myers. Motion seconded Stan Earnhart. After discussion, motion was made to amend minutes to add discussion to consult our attorney concerning the election for the resigned seat of Tom Cobb during the secretary’s report by Joe Myers. Motion seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. 5 approved, 4 opposed. Motion carried.
Resident Speaker– Gil Simmons speaks about the drainage issue on Possum Trot.
Officer Reports
Presidents Report –Gary Dreher reports, We were able to survive the recent hurricane Ian that devastated Florida with minimal serious damage to the HOA and our residents property. We contracted with Howards Quick Cut and live Oak to provide storm cleanup for our residents and our cleanup is complete. Gary makes a motion to approve $760 to complete paying for the storm cleanup. Seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. All in favor. Motion carried.
Vice Presidents Report – Jonathan Rutstein reports, We have three members going to leave this Board. Peggy will be sorely missed.
Secretary’s Report– Stan Earnhart reports, Thanks to the nomination committee for an informative meet the candidate night.
Stan thanks the election committee for putting the Annual meeting packets together. They were mailed October 17 and should be received this week. Peggy and Michelle had a difficult job of preparing labels for mailing. They constantly checked the county records for changes of ownership. We will also be checking the mail for any returns and will contact those members advising them of how to get their vote in on time. We would ask all members who are not going to attend the meeting or have any doubt about attending, to return their votes right away. This will help us ensure that a quorum is reached. Any votes received by mail later than November 9 are ineligible and will not be counted.
Stan makes a motion to add Marion Cuttino, Kathleen Hayes, Carol McRae, Linda Meltzer and Shirley Peterson to the election committee. Motion seconded by Jonathan Rutstein. All in favor. Motion carried.
The Annual Meeting will take place at 10am on Saturday, November 19 in Winyah Auditorium. The doors will open at 9am. As per Board Policy, anyone arriving later than 10:00 will not be allowed to attend.
The hospitality committee will have coffee, tea and individual wrapped snacks for attending members.
As Secretary, Stan is responsible for keeping the Manual up to date. The status of the ARC section III of the Manual remains the same as last month.
Treasurer’s Report– Peggy Phillips reports, As of September 30, 2022, our Operating Account with South State had a balance of $163,474.95. Our Debit Account with South Atlantic had a balance of $1,856.97 reflecting a debit of $92.38 for checks and the ARC Account with South Atlantic had a balance of $79,085.64.
The Reserve Account balances were: South Atlantic- $175,474.44 which reflected a check for $32,850 to Superior Blacktop and a check for $2,136.75 to Superior Blacktop for Roads. Edward Jones- $273,718.75: TD Bank- $223,833.12 and Anderson Brothers- $100,050 for a total in Reserves of $773,076.31.
Committee Reports
ARC– Ken Gaspari reports, We have had three new applications 2 for sheds and one for a roof, one for siding and one for a driveway. One of the sheds was sent back.
Bob Ramsey reports, We have closed out 10 projects this month with refunds to 2 new home builders and 8 minor change refunds.
We have 10 new home permit applications, all from Century. One of the 10 meets our heated square footage guideline and is ready for review once the fee is paid to start the review process. The other 9 Century applications are all too small to be compatible with ARC’s goals to maintain harmonious design with existing homes and protect the property values of nearby larger homes by requiring larger heated square footages.
Bob met with Century’s Eastern Region President and their Myrtle Beach General Manager on October 17 to discuss their options. They were very unhappy about our policy updates.
Our other large builders are adapting well to our new requirements and Century is considering their options.
Our new home permit applications have dropped off with the rise in interest rates. We are working on providing more follow up on existing permitted projects under construction and those awaiting final inspection.
Legal– Stan Earnhart reports, Last month we voted to foreclose the lien on a lot. After sending a receipt request letter explaining the Board’s decision. We have received a payment of approximately one third of the unpaid assessment, and a promise to make monthly payments until the balance is paid. We also received a copy of the SC grant that was awarded to repair the roof. Joe Crosby has recommended not going to court at this time, but pursue this solution as the best path forward for all concerned. Stan makes a motion to approve continuing this approach. Joe Myers seconds. Motion carried.
Finance– Peggy Phillips reports, This year’s annual meeting will be held November 19, 2022. Election packets have been mailed to all property owners; however, members in arrears in payment of their yearly assessment within ten days prior to the Annual Meeting are not in good standing and are not entitled to vote.
Communications/Website– Dave Decreny reports the directory on the website needs to be updated.
Condo Liaison– Dave Decreny reports, The condo’s made it through the storm. There was some roof leakage that is the condo regime’s responsibility. Two neighbors had water that came within four feet of their house.
Community Liaison– No report
Welcome Committee– No report
Drainage- Joe Myers reports, Drainage continues to assist ARC with lot review for drainage issues and recommending actions to be taken by the builders.
During this 2022 summer drainage was involved in site review for drainage issues for 24 lots. Ditches and or swales were determined based on flow volume to tall four sides of each lot. Silt fences were required where warranted to prevent runoff entering the Canals unfiltered. Driveway pipes were determined according to expected ditch of swale flow volume.
Wedgefield had some flooding during Hurricane Ian, but no water remained standing after 48 hours- The DHEC standard.
The ditch at the rear of three Possum Trot properties overflowed plus brought more water than the culvert under Wedgefield drive could handle. A full pipe of discolored storm water forcefully spewed into the canal for several hours and finally the intersection drained of its storm waters which had filled front yard ditches/swales on Possum Trot and about 25 feet of his own backyard. The storm came during the rising tide and full high tide to add to the overflow situation. The ditch does drain holes 15, 16, new 16, and half of the expanded driving range and part of Manor House parking. It does not drain any home sites.
Water Amenities– Joe Myers reports, They are proceeding with the Canal depth Maintenance Project working with selected/contracted Engineering from Earthworks. They have established a Lay a Way plan so any and all interested residents in Wedgefield can make payments toward the cost of dredging per se as they wish and are able. Only favorable comments have been received to date with several deposits made.
The South float at the Landing has been repaired with replacement decking as warranted and new benches. We thank Ken Gaspari and his crew for their time and expertise.
Roads– Gary Dreher reports, Coastal Asphalt has completed the resurfacing work on Francis Parker Rd. and except for the need to reinstall some of the speed bumps, Wedgefield roads work is completed for this year. We’d like to thank our residents for your patience while the work was being done.
Grounds– Gary Dreher reports, The grounds committee is progressing with the installation of the fountain in the Wraggs Ferry pond, that will help to reduce the algae issues along with improving the environment for fish and other wildlife. We project that it will be completed by the November meeting.
We’d also like to thank Howards Quick Cut and Live Oak Excavating for the excellent work they did on the storm cleanup.
Compliance– Stan Earnhart reports, included in legal.
Old Business- ARC Policy changes tabled until it has been redrafted. Discussion about upkeep of the fountains.
New Business– Stan Earnhart makes motion to move November 19, 2022 meeting to Winyah Auditorium for the Annual meeting. Motion seconded by Joe Myers. Motion carried.
Next Monthly Board Meeting– Annual Meeting November 19, 2022
Adjourn – Gary Dreher