2019OctoberMinutes

BFCA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

6:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Jack McLean Community Center Meeting Room

Call to Order: 6 p.m.

Attendance:

Board Members: Llona Geiger, President; Virginia Sasser, Vice-President; Mike McCrea

Officers: Margaret Stephens, Secretary

Members: Fred Willes, Karen Willes, Sheila Smith, Marilyn Mitchell, Bill Walter, Sue Dinges,

Maritza Mattos, Frank Roycraft, Dawn Aguero

Introductions:

The members introduced themselves around the room.

Old Business:

The minutes of the August 13, 2019, meeting was unanimously approved via email on August 21, 2019.

New Business:

President’s Report – Llona Geiger

Repairs: Fence repairs are mostly done. The light at Brookside entrance sign is still flashing. Maintenance has been called again to fix.

Grounds maintenance: Some homeowners are concerned about the grounds crew cutting into their properties and damaging their yard. Tom Rowand, TPAM manager, has met with Capital City Lawn Care to ensure their crew is following directives for trimming and mowing the edges of the road. If attractive landscaping within 2 feet of the road, the lawn care will not touch. If weeds or rough, the lawn care will trim.

Pond Path Improvement: Llona walked the pond path with Tracie and Sylvia. Will proceed with pond path improvement after hurricane season is over. Llona met with Tom Rowand, TPAM manager, and received one estimate that was over the top so will be getting another estimate. There are a couple of low spots – one is near Charlotte Hicks’ property. The boardwalk needs to be in these low (less than 30 inches) spots. Dupont makes a grid that will help. Vegetation will be planted in some spots to prevent runoff. The planting should be done after the pond path is laid down.

Tree Reviews: We have been using arborist Sam Hand. The program has moved from UF to FAMU and Sam is no longer signing forms but instead sending FAMU-originated emails. This will serve as a “recommendation” for tree removals rather than a signature of approval.

Trespassers: To report trespassers, note the number at the bottom of the “no trespassing” signs, if the signs are nearby. Report this number to the police and they can look it up. Three TPAM signs are up and located appropriately. TPAM can also get us some “no pooping” signs.

Speeding: One speeder was reported to police department. Llona asked if speeding was any better, but no response. Sylvia may put some more signs out, if necessary.

Legal: Fines were sent to attorney for collection. Six people were fined regarding garbage enclosures. The Board sought a legal opinion on covenant enforcement regarding a healthy tree cut down due to a cracked driveway. Letters are going out to unkempt properties. One neighbor cleaned up. There is a dead car next to Wintermute house. This house is rented so the owner is responsible. Warnings are going out.

More houses have been sold in the neighborhood, which is a good sign. ACC reports more requests for improvements than usual which is a very good sign

The next annual meeting will be at Hilaman (not Myers Park).

Elections: Mary Marrota has been asked to chair the nominations.

Fred wanted to revisit tree removal/Sam Hand. Fred explained that Sam won’t sign because there was an incident where Llona asked him not to sign a tree removal form. Sam will still come out to inspect, however, and an email will be sent from FAMU on whether the tree removal is recommended. Llona admits that discussing this with Sam was a procedural mistake and the Board, as a group, needs to approve each tree removal. However, her intentions were to uphold the covenants and she had sought advice from our attorney and got his agreement.

Mike expressed concern that it’s not always clear with the Board votes. The arborist makes recommendations then the Board decides. Mike approved the request, but the other two Board members did not. Llona said they were at an impasse.

ACC Report – Fern Senra via E-mail

August/September 2019 ACC Requests and Committee Decisions:

1675 Silverwood Drive: Request to build a 6 ft privacy fence along the back yard perimeter in addition to a wooden walkway and deck in the back yard; wooden walkway and deck were approved and a request to instead make the fence a 5 ft height was agreed upon by the homeowner.
1734 Brookside Blvd: Request to paint exterior of home, add decorative shutters to windows, and re-install front porch stairs in place of the current ramp; requests were approved.
1667 Silverwood: Request to paint exterior of home; request was approved.
1741 Nestlewood Lane: Request to paint front door and stain existing wooden walkway; request was approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Virginia Sasser for Ben Clark

Click here for the treasurer’s report.

Click here for the 2020 Budget report.

The property management company changed in September and now using “Roger” instead of QuickBooks.

There is $46,000 available in checking.

Fred has issues with money not being spent. When proposing next year’s budget, dues should be adjusted.

Llona explained that many charges come toward the end of the year. Our lawyer does not charge us until December. Tree removal around the pond is controversial. Other costs include the pond path Phase I and II. Phase II involves planting and erosion protection.

There is $25,000 in roads/emergency fund. Fred thinks that is too much. Others disagreed. Mike said we need an end point to the emergency fund. Sue reminded the board to adjust assessments, as needed.

Llona called for adoption of the 2020 budget. Virginia and Llona approved. Mike disapproved.

Llona proposed, with Ben Clark’s recommendation, that the dues assessment for 2020 remain the same $500. The Board unanimously approved.

Discussion of Issues by Board and Association Members

Marilyn Mitchell came to the meeting to apologize for weed-whacking common property in the cul de sac at the end of Silverwood. She won’t touch it again and would appreciate another chance. Bill Walter objected by stating that her latest misdeed was only one of many. Llona stated that since this issue is in the hands of our attorney, there should be no further discussion in this forum.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

The next scheduled Board of Director’s meeting will be the ANNUAL MEETING on Thursday, January 23, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., at the Hilaman Golf Course Restaurant (meeting room).