LAKEWOOD
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
MINUTES FOR Saturday, May 14, 2022
The Lakewood Board of Directors meeting was called to order by President Amy Volkmann at 10:05 am
- Roll Call:
Board Members Present
Amy Volkmann – President
Steve Hensen – Vice President
Stephanie Anderson – Treasurer
Ginny Palumbo – Secretary
Nancy Kubina – Director
Scott Geiger – Director
Carin Tio – Director
- Budget
- New Dues for 2023 will be $72.60. This equates to an additional $2,700 total.
To be transparent we have moved the lawn care and lakefront under one category now - Question brought up – (no owner name or lot number was given) what is the gate fund for?
Amy Volkmann explained the gate fund is for maintenance of the gate. For example the chain, the yolk, that needed to be repaired. The $30.00 for additional keys are put in the gate fund for these repairs. - Eric Koppa Lot #251 asked about the lawn and beach care. Amy Volkmann explained we have had one bid to mow the lawn in the amount of $14,000. This bid was not accepted. Between Amy Volkmann and Scott Geiger they have contacted 10-14 contractors to bid, and now will bid. Eric Koppa asked if Northern Bay was contacted as they handled lawn maintenance in the past. Amy Volkmann said yes, and they are not interested either.
- Jim Walsh #533 asked from the board meeting minutes from October 25, 2021, there was a discussion about the DNR and boat ramp dredging. Is this necessary? Does anyone use the boat launch? Is it worth dredging and is there a cap to be spent? He tried to use it and was unable to, so sold his boat. Amy Volkmann explained that the DNR Permit took 2 months to verify and 5 months to get the permit. Permit states we can dredge up to 2500 cubic yards yearly if needed. Another homeowner, who did not identify himself, said there is a benefit to dredging. He has just purchased his property.
- Janice Fountain lot #11 suggested the dredging of the boat launch should be a fixed item in the budget.
- Amy Volkmann explained the dues were increased by 10% to a total of $72.60 per lot this year. The board can increase dues up to 10% each year. This equates to $2,700 total increase.
Amy Volkmann asked for a motion to approve the budget. Jim Walsh. Lot #33 made a motion to approve and was seconded by Jesse James Lot #4. Ayes have it. No nayes. Budget approved. - Shout out to Stephanie Anderson for collecting the liens on the several properties. As of today we only have 3 outstanding liens.
- Communications
- New sand beach was layed. It equated to 54 cubic yards of new sand and was brought in by 3 large dump trucks.
- Repair of retaining wall –
Amy Volkmann received two informal quotes – they were from $18,000-$20,000 to dig out the backside and put in new tiles. Last time we had the repair done, the contractor packed in the sand. This worked for awhile, but has now eroded again. Janie Fountain #11 asked who did it last time. The board does not have that information. - Legal Memorandum regarding rental issues. Stephanie Anderson created a monkey survey and the results were 50/50 on allowing short term rentals. Amy Volkmann stated the former board restricted short term rentals and created a rule, which is rule #6 not allowing short term rentals. This has become an issue within our neighborhood. There is loud music playing at all hours of the night, and kids racing around on the ATV’s. The association needs to look at changing the covenants to be clear to not allow short term rentals. The only option we have is to call the sheriff for the noise and the high speeds. By calling this will create a record on this property address. Tony Marino Lot 307 asked if there was a noise ordinance . Yes, there is a noise ordinance that says no loud noises after 11:00 pm. Nancy Kubina brought up the fact that Adams County is requiring a tourist license for homeowners that want to rent. If not filed with Adams County they will receive a fine. Janice Fountain #11 stated the person from the DNR during a meeting said Lakewood is a tinderbox. This is a concern with renters having fires in the fire pits on the property. Rob Mason Lot 81. Are the rules on the website? Rule #6 How did that rule come about? Can the rules be made by the board? Amy Volkmann stated we are trying to enforce property rights versus rules. The board has been diligent in sending letters to owners that are renting out their properties. Eric Koppa #251 said previous boards have allowed twelve month rentals in the past. There have been no short term rentals allowed. The board can fine and enforce these rules. The rules have been in place and a precedent has been there. The by laws state very clearly that this is a single family residential community and not to be used for commercial business. Short term rentals are a commercial business. Need to restrict rentals as previous boards have in the past. He wants transparency on when letters are sent and who they are sent to. Amy Volkmann told Eric Koppa as a board we are documenting and sending letters. Eric Koppa wants the board to be held accountable and rule #6 is enforceable and if the board lets it go then it is no longer enforceable. Eric Koppa wants to see what addresses letters are being sent to.John Stormoen Lot #83 has noticed some homeowners are giving their gate keys to friends that live in the area. How do we stop this? Diane Knippen #128 has received solicitation from Vasca and other companies to rent out their property. Amy Volkmann stated Ginny Palumbo has reached out to Vasca several times and asked that these letters not be sent to the homeowners. Vasca has ignored our requests.
- Secretary Report
- We have reached quorum. 70.5%
- 19 homes sold last year.
- Letters are sent to homeowners that are renting. All emails are from the main Lakewood email and not sent by individual board members personal emails.
- 2022 Election Results:
- Amy Volkmann – President 3 year terms 2025
- Gretchen Peterson – Vice President 3 year term 2025
- Nancy Kubina – Treasure 3 year term 2025
- Ginny Palumbo – Secretary – term ends 2023
- Carin Tio – Director term ends 2024
- Scott Geiger – Director term ends 2024
- Jesse James Director – term ends 2025
- Amy Volkmann explained the new ballots will have the names, terms and the office that person will hold.
- Approval of May 1, 2021 Annual Meeting Minutes
- Jesse James Lot 4 made a motion to approve the May 1, 2021 Annual Meeting Minutes and was seconded by Betty Anderson Lot 71
- Old Business None
- New Business
- Jim Walsh Lot #33 wanted to discuss the allegations made about board members on the Facebook page. Amy Volkmann stated that the Facebook page these allegations were made is a facebook page made by two homeowners and is not the association Facebook page. The association’s Facebook Page is Lakewood Property Owners Association. It was a neighborhood dispute between two homeowners and Amy Volkmann should not have been brought into it, as she is not the lot line police. Scott Geiger was also brought into it as he was asked to do some stump grinding on the property. He did not go on the neighbors property to complete the stump grinding. Scott Geiger and Amy Volkmann have nothing to do with this. Havey brought up the fact that the building going on down the street Amy Volkmann did go there and ask what the plans were. She was told they were building a garage. She asked if they had a permit and was told no permit was received. Amy Volkmann contacted Strongs Prairie to let them know a permit was not issued.
- Georjean Klein #195 asked how to get to the Lakewood website, as she is always getting Wyoming. Amy Volkmann said she would give her the address.
- Mike Fountain #11 said it’s hard to tell where the lot line is. How do you determine it? Amy Volkmann said you can go to Adams Count and see the map with your lot.
- Eric Koppa #251 wanted to know where the minutes from January 2022 are. Eric Koppa #251 made a motion to put board minutes up quarterly so homeowners know what is being done. These should either be put on the website or mailed out. Tony Marino #307 second the motion. Ginny Palumbo told him they have not been approved and will not be listed until approved. Past boards may have put minutes up before approval. That is not the correct way to handle minutes. Minutes are posted after approval. Eric Koppa #251 asked what point is the onus on the board if the minutes are not posted in a timely fashion.
- Loran Gartzke #233 asked when the new playground equipment will be set up that was vandalized. Amy Volkmann stated when the crate was delivered it came in a huge box with a 78 page manual. No directions on how to lay it out.Havey looked at the directions, Bob Palumbo looked at the directions and they were unclear on how to lay out the base. There was no diagram or dimensions given. Amy Volkmann couldn’t ask volunteers to help with such unclear directions. A contract has been hired to install.
- Havey has fixed part of the fencing. A 50 foot piece of fence was purchased for $260.00 and installed.
- Rob Mason #81 would like to see a directory of all the homeowners in Lakewood. Would also like to see a directory of contractors in the area instead of asking on Facebook. Amy Volkmann explained in the past website space was sold to businesses. This is no longer the case.
- A homeowner who did not state name or lot number asked about the 2022 October minutes on the website. Is there a difference? Amy Volkmann said they are the same. Also talked about road repairs and how we can get the roads fixed. They have written letters and nothing has come of it. Scott Geiger goes to the meetings regularly and has brought up the roads in our neighborhood. There is only one employee and one part time employee. They have a list of the roads that have major concerns.
- Tony Barnette #152 asked about the hours of Strongs Prairie township. They are only open until 1 pm and no phones have voicemail.
- Nancy Kubina said if we wanted we could put the directory of homeowners on the website and send out a letter if homeowners would want to be a part of it. There was discussion that this would have to be password protected.
- Eric Koppa #251 wanted to know if the board members still have to sign the board standards. Amy Volkmann assured the board standards are still signed by the board.
- Another homeowner who did not state their name or lot number wanted to know if we were volunteers. Amy Volkmann said we do get a small stipend to be on the board. THe president receives $1,000, Secretary and Treasurer each receive $1,500 and the directors receive $400.
Rob Mason made a motion to adjourn at 11:19 am and was second by another homeowner that did not state their name or lot number.
Respectively submitted by Ginny Palumbo, Secretary Lakewood POA