The Official Website of Blairstone Forest located in Tallahassee, Florida.
6:00 P.M. Call to Order
Present:
· Board Members: Llona Geiger, Mike McCrea, Tracie Priest
· Other Officers: Margaret Stephens, Secretary; Ben Clark, Treasurer (absent)
· Attorney: Patrick Frank
· Association Members: George Ohlin, Tom Baird, Lynda Davis, Bill Walter, John McEachern, Gary Smith, Sandi Smith, Dawn Aguero, Mary Brand, Sue Dinges, Mario Lopez, Mary Marotta, Maritza Mattos, Frank Roycraft, Fred Willes, Karen Willes, Ansel Bibel, Gaylen Phillips, Karin Brewster
The January 23 Minutes were approved via e-mail on January 29.
January 2020 Election: It took a long time to count the ballots during the annual meeting. As everyone was leaving, TPAM pointed out an unusual number of ballots that were discarded. Ray Holloway (of TPAM) thought the election was problematic in that the ratio of 20% bad ballots to 80% good ballots was a high ratio. Some ballots were copied and given to people that were not entitled to vote. The next day TPAM met with our attorney. They decided to send a letter to Tracie Priest, newly elected Board member, outlining 3 options moving forward.
Bring election results to an arbitrator (expensive)
Redo election
Tracie could resign and remaining board members appoint the 3rd director
TPAM set up a meeting to afford Tracie the opportunity to examine the ballots. This meeting occurred at our attorney’s office attended by Ray Holloway (TPAM Regional Director), Patrick Frank (BFCA attorney), Llona Geiger (President), Tracie and Tracie’s guest, Fred Willes. The discarded ballots were presented with sticky notes indicating the flaws. Tracie did win the verified votes, so our attorney suggested the decision going forward be presented to the Board. Llona announced that this will be resolved today, at this meeting. She opened the floor for input.
Gary Smith pointed out that TPAM did not manage the election very well. There were no instructions and no separate envelope for the ballot. Also, there was nothing on the individual ballot to match identification with the association member.
Bill Walter thought that the election was a fraud and should be re-done.
Mario Lopez stated that Tracie was elected, good ballots were counted, and she won.
Fred Willes agreed that 78 good ballots were counted twice, and Tracie won.
Llona motioned to seat Tracie Priest as the new board member
Mike McCrea seconded, and vote was unanimous. Tracie Priest is officially elected to the Board.
John McEachern commented that the post-election controversy was legally not necessary. He said this is not the first time we have some irregularities with the Board, the management company and finances. He stated we have serious problems with the management of our homeowner’s association.
Ben submitted the Accounts Receivable Report to the Board. This report includes a list of delinquent dues. When pending dues reach $1000, a lien is placed on the property. Interest on delinquent dues is now 18%. TPAM handles the dues collection.
There is a house at the end of Silverwood with over $9,000 in past dues pending sale. The Board will receive those dues as part of the sale.
Because of a delay in the pond path/walkway project it appears that we have not spent a good deal of money in 2019. This will be spent in 2020.
Tracie Priest asked how much the little bridge costs. Llona doesn’t know yet. She added that the board decided to replace the entire bridge verses piece meal. In the long run it was the most cost effective. Mike McCrea added the full estimate cost was 7 to 8,000$. They had to special order the spans (boards that go all the way across the water).
Llona nominated Mike McCrea for president. Mike seconded and Mike was elected president unanimously.
Mike said he was glad the controversial election is over. He shared that it was important for the Board and all parties to certify the election. The whole board was united. We need to better our neighborhood and get rid of issues.
Mike nominated Llona as Vice President. Llona seconded and she was elected Vice President unanimously. Llona promised to help Mike (who works full time) but will also be getting back to her volunteer work with dogs
Mike motioned to re-elect Ben Clark as treasurer, Tracie seconded, and vote was unanimous.
Mike motioned to re-elect Margaret Stephens as secretary, Llona seconded, and vote was unanimous.
Mike opened the floor for comments from association members.
Frank Roycraft brought up the lighting issue previously discussed at the annual meeting. As a recap, the corner of Brookside and Silverwood was reported as being very dark and not safe. Frank contacted the City of Tallahassee (who manages our lights). The city contact is willing to work with us and mentioned that as our lights go out, they will be replaced with LED lights. She (the city contact) looked at the intersection online and pointed out a possibility of a new light. She added that several lights are blocked with vegetation. Frank will give her contact information to the Board and said she is very willing to work with us.
John McEachern suggested the board create a committee to revamp the covenants as they are the original canned covenants that developers used back in the day. Mary Marotta said this was done 4 years ago. It is a completed, huge project lasting 2 years. Jane McElroy has all the information and still lives in the neighborhood.
Karen Brewster wanted to thank Llona and the Board. Karen thinks they have done a great job and our neighborhood looks much improved thanks to the Board’s efforts.
Sue Dinges thanked everyone, especially the new people, for coming to the meeting. She added it really helps to get to know what is going on in the neighborhood by attending the meetings.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:54 pm.