The annual meeting was called to order at 10:10 AM at Carlson’s Rustic Ridge in Friendship, WI. There were 44 persons present and we had a quorum.
Ruth Mendelson gave some opening remarks and welcomed all the new Homeowners who had purchased property in 2012. Judy Sachs read the Minutes from 2012. Burt Mendelson added that the budgets for 2012 were incomplete as all the items were not put in. Judy Hampson made a motion to accept the Minutes with the addition Burt added. It was seconded by Carl Jones. The Homeowners approved.
Valerie Exner, the Treasurer, passed out the cost overview of 2012 as well as the estimated budget for 2013. She talked about the Budget for 2012. She had started with $2,027.89 from 2011, and in 2012 she collected 1,650.00 in ads, as well as dues of $17,589.00 and liens collected of $3568.85. In 2013, she collected $4,986.40 as of this date for a total of $30,437.81. She still has another $8,551.31 to collect from 2012 and previous years of outstanding dues.
Terry Lipchow asked why the Board Members are paid so much. Ruth Mendelson explained that everyone gets
$100/month for their time and expenses which include gas, telephone, and their being on call all of the time to take care of lakefront needs. Carl Jones said the Board has done a great job.
Nicole asked where the $5/ person monies from the 4th of July picnic in the Budget reconciliation? Judy Hampson showed where it was in there.
Kelly Bain asked why can’t TJ Handyman and Castle Rock Lawn Care be consolidated. It was explained that Mark
Dobbert of Castle Rock Lawn Care just wanted to do the lawn care, and not want to do pick-up of debris and seaweed on the beach 3 mornings a week. TJ Handyman just does the morning beach clean-up three mornings a week which can be a full-time job as the lake deposits lots of wood, seaweed, fish and debris along the waterway.
There was a line item for ad expenses and Judy Hampson explained the cost of her driving to vendors to pick up checks as well as her calling on every advertiser.
Terry Lipchow offered to do the lawn care at Lakewood. Ruth explained it was not up to the homeowners to be working, but to come up and enjoy the lakefront. We have found the cost to Lakewood for homeowners to work for the association such as in lawn care position has not worked out in the past and the Board seeks out professionals with insurance to cover their needs if something adverse happens to them while on the job.
Alan Fields asked about our piers and if we owned them. We own 13 sections and do not need more as we cannot go
further into the lake because of the dramatic drop-off, and the piers cannot be attached to the lake ground that far out.
Judy Hampson made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report and Mike Carroll seconded the motion and it was accepted by all.
Jan Paulsrud asked what the $2,505.05 line item for Lakefront is in the projected budget. Judy Hampson explained they wanted to shore up and reinforce the fencing around the lakefront. We cannot replace it because DNR won’t let us. We can only fix it. They also want to add some red mulch and stone around the ramp to stop deterioration, and may get some shrubs. Barb Berkin asked if Norm Hampson is liable since he works around the lakefront doing repairs. Since he is one of the Trustees, he is part of the liability insurance policy which also covers the officers.
Nicole asked if Newsletters have to be mailed, or can they be e-mailed to save on postage. We cannot send ads through emails and have an obligation for the ads to be mailed for our vendors. Barb made a motion that we should consider sending the homeowners’ mailings via electronic emails. Kelly Bain seconded the motion. The majority of the homeowners voted for email newsletters for those who have computers.
Helen Mercades asked why there was no picnic for Labor Day last year. She did not hear about the cancellation until she came up. Ruth explained she called all the families that made reservations, and Helen might not have made any reservations. Kelly asked why homeowners should pay for the picnics. Maybe only the guests should pay.
Jim Walsh made a motion to accept the budget. Judy Hampson seconded the motion. It was accepted by the homeowners.
There is a line item for advertisement expenses which was the cost of gas for talking to merchants and picking up ad monies. Valerie had collected $10, 589 as of today. $2,027.89 will be put into a savings account for future and major projects.
Jan Paulsrud talked about charging for the Picnic, and it was part of the dues. Jim Walsh talked about projected costs vs. real costs coming up. We have a CD worth $5,000.00 and it was not listed on the budget. Valerie acknowledged that she had forgotten to add it to the list and will do so for the June Newsletter. Jane Young made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. It was seconded by Paul Paulsrud. All approved.
Ruth discussed that there were not many projects except for the 2 picnics. Last year Dave planted some annuals and perennials and they were taken out of the ground by some of our homeowners, and he lost not only the plants but much of the work he put into the project. This year, they will not plant any flowers. Last year some of the swings and slide had been replaced. The swing set has been updated. Much of our problems were from outsides and not our homeowners.
Ruth went on to new business. The picnic was revisited for a charge of $5.00 per person. Reservations and money had to be paid in advance by July 6th, as the picnic will be July 7th.
Maureen Cramer asked if the homeowners should have a voice in decisions that are not at the meeting. The homeowners at the meeting should not be making the decisions for all the community. Ruth states that the Proxy states that the President has the authority to vote for the homeowners if they don’t attend the meeting. Barb made a motion that member should have a voice in the decision-making. Kelly seconded the motion. In this discussion, Mike Fountain said that would be too cumbersome. Jim Walsh said it was too hard to get people to call. Jan Fountain said the venue needs to be updated so you can participate. Sandy Fornier asked about making decisions such as locking the gates. It was also brought up that all member decisions that are made by the Board should have mailings sent out by hard copy and emails. The motion was voted and there were 21 yes votes and 7 opposed. This motion was carried.
The Board needs some volunteers for the Annual Picnic. These volunteers need to make up small teams to help set up, serve food and run the games. We would need 5-10 people for various jobs and times. We discussed whether we should continue with the prizes and it’s too hard to get gifts from the vendors. Karen asked why we can’t pay for our reservations on the day of the picnic. Mike Carroll made a motion was made that there would be a $5.00 charge per person for the 4th of July and Labor Day. It was seconded by Carl Jones. The motion was carried.
Jim Walsh asked that the gates be open April 1st and closed November 1st• This year it was a late spring and the gates were not opened.
Maureen Cramer asked why the ATV’s can’t be parked in the parking lot. The ATV’s can be parked in the lot, but not at the lakefront.
Lori Main asked about the closed gate. Even though the gate is closed, you can walk around it, but cannot drive in. You can also ask a board member for a key when you come up. Mike Fountain made a motion that homeowners can borrow keys to open the gate during the winter months from a Board member. Michal Stady seconded the motion. It was passed by a majority.
The Proxy Vote for the 3rd position on the Board was being counted by Jerry and Jan Paulsrud. Barb Berkin is one of the members running, and the other is Valerie Exner is the second one running. When the votes were counted, Barb received 45 votes and Valerie received 48 votes. Val will be on the board for another 3 year term.
Judy Hampson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Jim Walsh. The meeting was adjourned by 12:10PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Sachs