The meeting opened at 11:30 a.m. with the following board members present: Chris Townsend, Matt Holloran, Ron Sansone, Dale Farwig, Becky Harper, Pat Harting. And 48 lot owners.
President Chris Townsend called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. He expressed his thanks to his family for allowing him to serve. He said that when he was elected as president he saw that there were problems but thankfully now they are diminishing and the backwards ideologies of former residents are no longer keeping us stuck in the 1940s. He said that his only concern was for the future of the lake for his children and his fellow residents' children and their children. He said that it will be the responsibility of the new Board and the various committees to ensure that the wishes of the lake residents are carried out.
President Townsend thanked Matt Holloran and Pat Harting for their time in filling vacated positions on the board and he stated that their names were on the ballot and hoped that those present would vote for them. He said that there were other names on the ballot, Linda Fulford, Ken Marschuetz, Dale Farwig and Ray Lauer. It will also be possible for nominations from the floor. However, it is not possible to nominate yourself, you have to be nominated by another lot owner.
The minutes of the 2003 meeting were unavailable for approval.
Building: As the annual meeting was not the place to review a two-year-old application, there was nothing to report.
Maintenance: Matt Holloran reported on the accomplishments, inventory of the maintenance shed and all the lake-owned equipment. He invited anyone to go to the maintenance yard and review the equipment. Volunteers replaced the roof on the guard shack, the grass has been kept mowed and the community house has been maintained. He said that although it was impossible to mention every volunteer, he wanted everyone to appreciate the fact that things were getting done without having to beg and obviously without having to pay for them. He said that the land around the community house is being maintained, the ditches are being kept cleaned out and the equipment which is serviceable is being maintained and used.
Communications: Ron Sansone reported that combining of the two newsletters (LTPOA and LTIA) not only saved money but ensured that more people would get current information regarding the lake. He said that when he was appointed to the Board he had serious doubts about the financial welfare of the community and he was instrumental in forming the finance committee. He said there were numerous issues still needing to be addressed which were going to take the support of the lake but if the Board showed that it was serious then people would want things to happen.
Boat Patrol: Christ Townsend said that there was a sign up sheet for volunteers for the boat patrol. Roger Hovis had been instrumental in heading up the boat patrol. There has been numerous warnings given out already and some may require Board intervention.
Chris also said that there was a sign up sheet for the Sewer & Water Committee. He said that a committee was already in existence but it needed to be revitalized.
There was also a sign up sheet for a Restrictions Bylaws Committee. This committee will be formed because of the result of the survey at the special assessment election which stated that the number one concern was the enforcement of the rules and regulations.
Garden Club: Dixie Bryant said that she appreciated the fact that she was allowed to stand and address the meeting as it was not typical for a non-committee member to make a report. She stated that garden club was celebrating its first anniversary. Last year seven members met and formed the garden club. She said that they wanted to be able to get advice, share information, resources and also be of benefit to the community. She said that their main objective is to improve the quality and beauty of the lake. There are now 21 members all of whom have made a contribution. The garden club does not charge dues, they have fund raising activities such as selling Christmas cards, a plant and white elephant sale and decorative tiles made by garden club members. She said that this is one of the ways you could contribute to the club if you were unable to belong. She then said that they meet monthly at members' homes and tour the gardens. They have offered a class in tree restoration trimming and a field trip to the orchid show. They have also improved various areas around the lake, cleaned up around the sales office, and decorated it for Christmas. They have cleaned up around the pump house, revitalized the wildflower garden, planted bushes along the maintenance yard fence and cleaned up the flag pole, turnaround and entrance areas. She then said that their goals for their second year is to maintain what they have started and replace the sign at the base of the flagpole and repair or replace the bus shelter and hope that parents of the students will also participate in this endeavor. They are also intending to have a garden-of-the-month contest open to all lake residents. Dixie asked all garden club members who were present to stand. She said that most of them were also members of the volunteer corps, the finance committee, and the boat patrol. She said that if anyone wanted any information regarding the garden club they should see her after the meeting.
A letter from Marlene Whiteman addressed to the Board was read expressing her appreciation for the fact that the lake had been brought back together again. She said that it reminded her of how it had been when she first moved here. Those who were able volunteered to do everything. She concluded by saying that it was and still is the best place to put down deep roots.
Committee Reports:
Finance:Janet Hirsch reviewed the situation at the communications meeting on February 22. She said that the lake had borrowed $450,000 but had spent over $700,000. The financial reports were difficult to understand. She said the finance committee therefore had proposed :
1. Improve the financial reporting
2. A conservative spending program
3. Volunteer Corps
4. Accelerated pay back of the loan
5. Assessment increase.
She then reported that there is now a new accounting system which will begin in August which will produce standard financial reports, income statement and balance sheet. Janet then distributed handouts of the reports from the old and new systems. She said that annual spending had been reduced from $162,000 to an estimated $99,000. But, most importantly the loan principal had been reduced to $329,000. She said that the interest rate for the loan was still expected to be 5.1% with payments expected to begin in October for a 10-year term.
On February 22 there was a communications meeting and on April 17 a $1 increase was passed to pay down the loan. At that time the loan was at $445,000, it is now at $329,000. Janet said that regular assessments should bring in about $100,000 for lake operations and $50,000 for the repayment of the loan. The special temporary assessment for loan principal reduction will bring in $50,000 for a total revenue of about $200,000.
She then thanked Charlene Sansone for the amount of time she had spent on transferring data to the new accounting system. Janet then reminded everyone on the three most important items from the opinion poll which are now the priorities of the board:
1. Diligently enforce the rules and regulations on the books
2. Replace the worst part of the entrance road
3. Establish a program to test the quality of the lake water
Boat Patrol: Roger Hovis sent a report on the activities of the boat patrol. He said that it appeared to be going well but they had several violations but most individuals were very polite. He said that the pontoon which last year had a 50 hp motor was back on the lake but now the decals have been removed. He thanked all those who had donated gas for the patrol boat. and those who had volunteered their time to run the boat. More volunteers would be appreciated and if you could help his number is 636-274-7019.
Chris Townsend then stated that the lake restrictions state that after three violations individuals have to appear before the board and at the present time there are three individuals who have two violations, I10, N47 and C12.
Fishing Committee: Nobody from the fishing committee was present. Dale Farwig reported that he had recently recycled a load of aluminum cans but people were throwing trash in with the cans and if this continued he no longer would do this, so please keep the trash out of the aluminum cans. Matt Holloran also requested that the cans be placed over the fence.
Volunteer Corps: Lou Harting who heads up the volunteer corps thanked all those had donated their time and said that to date over 1,000 hours had been donated. He said that many volunteers did not wish to be recognized so that the hours are very likely understated. He then stated the numerous ways in which the volunteers had assisted the lake. He said that the volunteers meet on the third Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. and extended an invitation to everyone to join them.
Website: Janet Hirsch said that the web site was initially created because of the amount of time it took for the LTPOA board to get the minutes out. She said that she was very happy to report that the website was now up and running and there is an average of 50 unique visitors per month. The most popular web page the unofficial report of the LTPOA meetings however with the new secretary producing the minutes to me within 5 days. I hope that now the most popular site will be the minutes of the LTPOA.
Questions from the floor:
Mr. Daurnheim said that this was the only meeting when anyone could get up and say what was really on their mind and he would like to see the candidates that were running to state their qualifications etc.
Kathy Hopfer presented a bill for propane from R.M. Oil and President Townsend said that the new board would take this into consideration.
President Townsend called for a special meeting of the Board of Directors to be held next Tuesday [June 22, 2004] at 7:30 pm.
Barb Rohm There is a big problem with dogs roaming around the lake. She said that she was also concerned that she never sees the security gate down at the entrance. President Townsend reported that at the last regular meeting a "lockbox" was discussed so that the gate could be left down at all times.
Hilda Schryver reported that a culvert pipe had been broken by a recent delivery of Keystone blocks. She wanted to know if anything could be done to make the lot owner pay for the repair. Matt said that he looked at it and stated that this repair was very likely in the region of $500 to be repaired. Matt then talked about the various road repairs that need to be addressed and said that none of these were going to be cheap. He invited anyone to drive around the lake and view the white marked repairs that needed to be done. He also stated that he was constantly being asked about the dredge. He said that another election was needed to decide the fate of the dredge and whether to repair the road but he said that a lot of issues would be presented that need consideration.
Ron Sansone said that the company delivering the brick was responsible for the damage and certainly the property owner knew who this was. Matt pointed out that if they declined responsibility we still had to handle the repairs. Bev Jost asked if the property owner was responsible in a case like this. Matt replied that the owner should be approached and see if anything is done. However in the meantime a temporary repair could be done and billed to him.
Barb McGlynn asked if anything could be done with the gravel that runs down from gravel driveways when it rains. Matt Holloran said that it was an issue but unfortunately, a lot of people were grandfathered in so they do not have to pave but that rock is ruining our road. He said that it was the responsibility of the lot owner to clean up the gravel but unfortunately people do not always do it.
Rich Hannick said that the Brad Lewis home was in violation because of the rock and this was not grandfathered in and also the ditch by Becky Harper's house had gravel put in it and this was now causing a problem.
Another resident said that he thought we were wasting our money on the roads because we did not have a base to support for the blacktop. He said that any money spent on the roads would be wasted unless a base was provided for the road itself. Matt Holloran replied that this was 100% correct due mainly to the fact that things had not been taken care of in the past and the road contractors were not properly watched.
There being no further questions from the board President Townsend stated that Matt Holloran, who had stood in for Ed Mitchell and Pat Harting who stood for Carol Kline were running for the board. Both Matt Holloran and Pat Harting A28 introduced themselves to those present and stated their reasons and qualifications for requesting election to the board. Linda Fulford L14 said that she had lived at the lake for 13 years and stated her qualifications for being elected. Ray Lauer C21 stated that he had served on the board from 1993 to 1997 and now that he was retired from the St. Louis Police Department he had the time to devote to the lake. Dale Farwig said that he had been the Treasurer for the last two years and would like the opportunity to run again in any capacity. Ken Marschuetz was unable to attend the meeting and his wife Jackie stood up and presented his position for being nominated to the board. No floor nominations were presented.
In his closing remarks, President Townsend reminded everyone to be safe during the 4th July celebrations. The boating rules will be in the patrol boat. The Quick Shop was collecting monies for the boat patrol, contact Matt Holloran if you can help. Kathy Hopfer requested that the boat patrol lead the boat parade on the 4th and the parade would start at 3 p.m. She also requested that during the fireworks display boats are kept at a safe distance from the fireworks and people do not swim at this time. It is very dark and people are not easily seen.
There being no further questions for the board, President Townsend made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Matt Holloran.