2024JanuaryMinutes
BFCA Annual Meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Tracie Priest, President; Betsy Voorhies, Vice President, Frank Roycraft, Director.
Margaret Stephens, Secretary/Treasurer. Guest – Courtney Schoen (City of Tallahassee TAPP Program). TPAM Representatives – Mary Jackson, Cindy Hoogerhyde; Association Members – Karen Willes, Fred Willes, Mario Lopez, Mike McCrea, Adam Gillespie, Vicki Tauxe, Tracie Priest, Bryan Goff, Tim Bottcher, Leona “Onnie” Tucker, Nancy Wood, Virginia Sasser, Ranelle Christle, Margaret McMahon, Mary Brand, Giedre Mazelyte, Sue Dinges, Lynda Davis, Liz Conn, John Fleck, Deborah Taggart, Maria Harageones, Llona Geiger.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm.
Tracie introduced the Board Directors and a guest speaker, Courtney Schoen
Guest Speaker – (Courtney Schoen – City of Tallahassee TAPP Program)
Courtney thanked us for asking her to speak. She explained that TAPP stands for “think about personal pollution”. TAPP was started 20 years ago, funded by the State of FL DEP. It’s purpose is to educate on non-source pollution, not a single source but all of us. Courtney noted one source was dog poop and research has shown that after signs in the parks and encouragement TAPP has seen 30% positive results. TAPP works with the city to educate neighbors on over-use of fertilizers. Courtney is doing another presentation later at Native Nurseries on rain gardens – February 24 at 10:00 a.m. There are $175 grants available for planting a rain garden per house. It does not cover labor. This program is 15 years old and over 200 rain gardens have been installed, capturing runoff with native plants. See http://www.tappwater.org for applications. There’s also a way to report violations like dumping oil and dumping fertilizer within 6 feet of the water. TAPP gets calls from Killearn about this. TAPP talks to the schools to provide education.
Board Nominations - (Mary Jackson (TPAM), Tracie Priest)
Mary announced we do have quorum with 47 (attendees and proxies)! Tracie asked for nominations from the floor. Sue Dinges nominated Tracie for the 2-year position (Tracie’s). Frank Roycraft read from Florida Statutes 720 (insert link) which includes “the association is not required to allow nominations at the meeting.” Fred Willes inserted that you “may” nominate from the floor. Vicki Tauxe asked if we are nominating 3 board members. Mary explained that we have two positions open, two nominations and are asking if there are more nominations from the floor. Fred Willes nominated himself for the 3-year position.
Mary (TPAM) passed out envelopes with 2 lines for votes and explained that it’s Frank or Fred for the 3-year position and Adam Gillespie or Tracie for the 2-year position. Those attendees who were also proxies received as many ballots as they had votes for. Each nominee gave a very brief introduction and what they can provide for the neighborhood. The secret ballots were collected by TPAM. TPAM asked for two volunteers to help count to make sure everything is fair.
President’s Report (Tracie Priest)
Tracie reported that it’s been quiet – the grounds and leaf blowing is going ok. The pond looks good. Tracie was hoping the attorney was going to be there because we do have some business to discuss involving trees unlawfully cut and pond path improvement. Espositos quoted $24,000 to complete the pond path but the project is stuck. The board has not approved the money and the homeowner will need to get gutters for this to proceed. Onnie Tucker asked if she could go ahead and clean up the vines etc. at the entrance. Tracie said it was ok as long as Onnie is safe. Virginia Sasser added that it’s a liability and ridiculous that homeowners should have to do this. That is what our dues are for. Onnie reiterated that the entrance is embarrassing. She appreciates efforts from the board, but it’s been two years and wants something done.
Election (Mary Jackson)
Mary (TPAM) announced that the results are in. By majority vote, Fred Willes won the 3-year term and Tracie Priest won the 2-year term. TPAM will keep the ballots and are available for inspection.
Treasurer Report (Margaret Stephens)
Margaret reported 2023 yearend balances as:
- Checking: $24,663
- Road Savings: $45,604
- Emergency Fund: $30,099
For the checking account balance, $11,292 is deposited dues for 2024 which leaves $13,369. At least $5,000 of December payments were not cleared until January so bottom line $8,000 rollover from last year in the checking account. Margaret admitted in the past she includes rollover in the budget and Mike McCrea suggested keeping the budget absolute, with income projected from dues assessments. This would have been $52,400 for dues of $400 each. Margaret agreed. Reported Income for 2023 was $55,617. This includes collected late fees and $1,400 from imposed fines for violations. 7 homeowners did not pay 2023 dues. Our total (cleared) expenditures for 2023 was $56,208. This includes the $6,500 we transfer to road savings every year. Margaret brought up Ben Clark’s suggestion at the December meeting to have the roads assessed because this might not be enough $. There is a hole on Silverwood and erosion.
Unexpected expenditures are primarily the pond pump repair at $6,375. Our original (old) pond pump broke and so did the pipe that goes to the street.
Top 5 Expenses for 2023:
- 1.Tree Removal $9,575
- 2.Utilities $6,913
- 3.TPAM $6,727
- 4.Pond Pump Repair $6,375
- 5.Gazebo Roof $6,200
Over budget items include:
- 1.TOPS (TPAM’s software)
- 2.Pond Water Quality Management
- 3.Tree Removal
Architectural Control Committee (ACC) Report (Llona Geiger)
Llona shared that the ACC has 6 members. We have problems and solutions. There is a lot of turnover and renters. The solution is to be proactive and find out when someone is new. We need a functioning welcome committee – someone to visit with a handout to new neighbors – like the new neighbor who has boarded up a wall to block drainage. Llona has asked for a warning letter from TPAM, but timing is the issue. ACC is also responsible for the common areas and has been hearing complaints about that. The board must be willing to enforce the covenants. One example is the dead car on Brookside Blvd. Fines are enforced after 2 warnings. The enforcement needs to be consistent and without favoritism. Our home is our biggest investment – we are a jewel and need to preserve that. Llona mentioned that we need to review our covenants and need a committee from the board. Debi asked if TPAM can assist. Llona mentioned that a former neighbor, Jane McElroy worked on this for at least a year but could not get quorum. Parking on the street was brought up by Debi and Betsy asked about an old truck. Llona said she usually takes a photo and shares it with TPAM.
Pond Report (Deborah Taggart for Midori Okasako)
Debi reported that Midori and Mark are working hard on the pond. She sees them skimming algae almost daily. Debi says the pond has never looked as good and she has been here 21 years.
Grounds Report (Kiki Litchford)
Kiki reported that this volunteer committee provides reports and organizes workdays. We have planted trees and shrubs in the last few years. The next workday is coming up February 17th. If the weather is bad, we will send an email. There are several invasive plants we are continuing to work on like Air Potato and Coral Ardesia. We hope to see you on the workday. Click here for the flyer.
Meeting adjourned at 9:12 pm (ran out of room rental time)