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Summerplace Improvement Association, Inc. Annual Meeting
November 17, 2018
The annual meeting of the Summerplace Improvement Association, Inc. took place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 1820 E. Barefoot Place, the home of Frank and Annette Crowder.
Note: There were ongoing technical issues with the Summerplace website which prevented posting information on the website until these issues were corrected.
1. Call to Order: The 2018 annual meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m. by SIA Inc. President Walter Garrard who welcomed those SIA members present. New SIA members, Frank and Annette Crowder were recognized and thanked by those present for continuing the tradition of SIA annual meetings being held at 1820 E. Barefoot.
Walter noted new SIA members who purchased properties in SIA during 2018:
- Gimena Caminos – 1801 E. Barefoot Place
- Frank and Annette Crowder – 1820 E. Barefoot Place
- Amy Hanlon -1861 E. Barefoot Place
- George and Priscilla Hrabovsky – 1821 E. Shell Lane
- Mark and Judy Kosiba – 1990 W. Shell Lane
- Current SIA members Steve and Holly Melchiori moved to 1995 W. Barefoot Place
- Peter and Vicki Nily – 1970 W. Shell Lane
- Marjorie Seibold – 1862 E. Shell Lane
2. Calling of the Roll
Secretary Mary Beasman called the roll and announced a quorum to be present either in person or by proxy and certified all proxies for voting.
3. Proof of notice of meeting
Proof of Notice of the Meeting was presented to President Walter Garrard.
4. Report of Officers
SIA 2018 Financial Statements and 2019 Budget: Walter Garrard
Walter summarized the SIA financial statements distributed with the annual mailing and reviewed the updated income statement of expenses and income through October 31, 2018. He advised expenses were approximately $6,000 over budget due to unexpected beach access Improvements (See President’s report for details). These unanticipated expenditures were covered by the limited deferred fund set aside previously for unplanned expenses or emergency funding.
Discussion of 2019. Budget: Walter reviewed the 2019 budget noting the SIA roads are holding up well and should not require major maintenance in 2019, except for a scaping following the rainy season.
Additionally. Walter advised no legal fees were incurred pertaining to the current lawsuit as our SIA insurance covers these expenses. He noted there has not been an increase in the cost of our insurance.
2019 SIA Annual Dues: Walter advised SIA annual dues would remain $300 per SIA property for 2019 as there are no major expenditures planned for the upcoming year.
Approval of 2019 SIA Budget: Following the discussion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the 2019 budget.
Annual Dues Invoice: Walter reminded SIA members that an invoice for the 2019 annual dues was included in the 2018 Annual Mailing, Section II (Financial information). All dues are payable by January 1, 2019. Thank you to those who have already paid their 2019 annual dues.
5. President’s Report: Walter Garrard
Appreciation:
- Walter reported Craig Colligan decided to retire from the Board. Craig was acknowledged for his support and service on the Board during his term.
- Walter thanked Teri Colligan for volunteering to assist with minutes of SIA Board meeting and SIA mailings.
- Walter expressed appreciation to Phil and Carol Glade for their continued assistance with attendance and roll call at SIA annual meetings
- Additionally, Walter thanked former SIA resident Dave Courage for his assistance in arranging the SIA annual trimming and in contacting other SIA contractors as needed.
Legal Update: Walter advised the lawsuit filed against SIA and several SIA members by an SIA property owner remains ongoing. Additionally, our attorneys continue to remind us in the strongest terms against individual SIA members having contact with the plaintiff and to avoid conversations other than return of greeting, if necessary, with workers at the plaintiff’s residence. Our lawsuit could be seriously jeopardized by anyone from SIA not following this counsel.
Walter thanked all SIA members for their understanding and patience regarding this situation.
SIA Beach Stairs: As reported in the 2018 annual mailing cover letter, Walter advised following an anonymous compliant, the Indian River County Building Division issued a Notice of Violation to SIA requiring permits, engineered plans and construction of the beach access stairs to meet updated Indian River County Code, or be demolished. The naming of a contractor and contact with the Building Division by that contractor was to take place within 30 days of the February 5, 2018 notice. Construction or demolition was to begin immediately after permit issuance. The notice was received by the Board February 26, 2018. An extension to March 18, 2018 was obtained. Our established stair contractor, Island Dock, responded at first, but then did not follow up in obtaining the necessary permits for this project. The Board found a suitable contractor (Thomas F. Accario Quality Home Repairs, LLC) experienced with Summerplace seawall stair permitting, engineering plans, production and installation experience. The work on all three stairs was completed within the Building Division timelines. Numerous SIA members have remarked on the quality of the work on the stairs, especially noting the addition of the required railings.
E. Barefoot Beach Access Privacy Fence: The Board approved installation of a shadow box fence along the East Barefoot Beach access on July 1, 2018 to provide privacy for the adjoining property. However, once the fence was installed, a discrepancy was reported in the surveys. To correct this, a portion of the privacy fence was adjusted. Following this, the privacy fence was inspected and approved by the county.
County Lawsuit: The County is bringing a lawsuit against the private beach area east of the Summerplace seawall. It is anticipated this lawsuit will be filed in early 2019. At that time, the County will once again be seeking support from SIA members regarding the customary usage of the beaches along the Summerplace seawall.
6. Committee Reports:
Architectural Review Committee: Walter reported for Committee Chair Van Garrious that the ARC approved construction and landscaping plans for the Lawn residence at 1971 W. Barefoot Place. This new home is on scheduled to be completed in the first part of 2019.
The ARC also approved the addition of a front deck at the Connelly property at 1900 W. Shell Lane.
7. Maintenance Committee: Walter reported the SIA annual trimming was completed last month, pending the area on the corner of E, Shell Lane where the trimming will be completed soon.
Michael Flax brought up the issue of public use and trash left under the E. Shell beach stairs, on the stairs themselves as well as on the benches. This has become a growing problem, especially during the summer months when area teens frequent Wabasso Beach and a small number use the E. Shell areas as if the stairs, benches, etc. were public use areas. It was suggested wooden slots be added under the stairs, a no trespassing sign be placed at the bottom of the stairs and the gate reinforced to deter trespassing. The Board will follow up on this issue.
Additionally, the E. Shell cul de sac was discussed including the growing problem of the railroad ties impinging on the ability of major trucks being able to drive around the cul de sac. There was also a question about the proposal sought from Busy Bee last spring to provide landscaping for the E. Shell cul de sac. It was noted that after review by the Board and further discussion with Busy Bee, several of the suggested plantings were either not salt or drought tolerant, or neither, making them impractical for the E. Shell cul de sac. Additionally, the long-held tradition of SIA residents being responsible for the cul de sac on their individual streets was discussed. This continues to be the norm with only the annual trimming being the responsibility of maintenance by the Board. It was decided the Board would take the East cul de sac issue under advisement.
Nominating Committee: Nominating Committee member LeeAnne Philips thanked the Committee for it work and the Board for its service.
Note: Nominating Chair John Lehnhardt had recused himself from the nominating committee when he became a candidate for the SIA Board.
7. Old Business
Several residents of E. Barefoot Place noted parking had become an issue with trucks and commercial vehicles blocking driveways, parking in the cul de sac. Board members reiterated E. Barefoot residents should call a Board member when this happens so the issues can be addressed with those blocking driveways and parking in the cul de sac.
8. New Business
Proposed Publix: Several SIA members expressed concern about the new Publix proposed for the area of Rt 510 along the north side of the road and adjacent to the Jungle Trail. A show of hands of members present indicated divided support for this plan. Those members who are opposed to this project will engage others in SIA and the surrounding communities who do not favor the construction of this Publix to make their view known to the Orchid Town Council.
Annual Meeting Refreshments: Walter thanked Patty Garrard for providing the refreshments at the meeting and Kathy Lehnhardt for her assistance with setup.
Ballot Count: A ballot count was conducted, and the following 2019 SIA Board Directors were elected:
Mary Beasman, Walter Garrard, Bart Heikes, John Lehnhardt and Steve Melichiori.
With no further new business, the meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beasman, Secretary