Board of Governors Meeting
Draft Minutes
October 20, 2009
The Board of Governors met at Fairchild Gardens, Classroom “A”, on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Present were: President; Rene Guerra, 1st Vice President; Sissy Ruffe, 2nd Vice President; Jose Bared , Treasurer; Anthony Argiz, Secretary; Bill Box. Directors: Trish Bell, Daniel Canel and Bunny Bastian. Mrs. Irka Choate of 480 Arvida Parkway, Mr. Nicholas Kelly and Mrs. Barbara Kelly of 640 Arvida Parkway were in attendance.
Opening of Meeting and Introduction of Guest Speaker: Alberto Delgado, Public Works Director
LEUCADENDRA DRIVE / ARVIDA PARKWAY TRAFFIC CALMING CIRCLE
The President welcomed those present to the meeting. He introduced Mr. Alberto Delgado, Public Works Director to the meeting. He thanked Mr. Delgado for resurfacing the entire roads of Arvida Parkway and Arvida Drive instead of just a small portion of the 100 block of Arvida Parkway. He stated this was a vast improvement and the membership greatly appreciated it. He also stated that Leucadendra Drive and Casuarina Concourse will be resurfaced over the next two years as promised by Mr. Delgado. Mr. Guerra stated the Proposed Capital Improvement Project will not include the enhancement of the Traffic Calming Circle at this time do to safety reasons. The President asked Mr. Delgado to address the issue regarding the safety of the design of the Leucadendra Drive / Arvida Parkway Traffic Calming Circle. Mr. Delgado informed those present that each Traffic Calming Circle the City has installed required some type of adjustment. In the case of the Gables Estates Traffic Calming Circle his department is looking into using “splitters” islands to assure that cars use the proper use as the circle was intended. Mr. Delgado stated that vehicles must slow down to the 15 MPH speed limit as this is what the circle was design to do, slow down traffic. City will make adjustments to the circle and the final decision may be to remove the circle if that is what the Association requests. Mr. Delgado added that the circle can have up lights to help with better visibility at night.
Mrs. Kelly stated she was concern about the safety of the Traffic Calming Circle prior to its installation in 2006. She felt that there was a constant sense there would be a head on collision and now she feels the problem is basically worse than before the circle was installed. She had recommended that a medium be installed instead of the circle to force the proper turn onto Leucadendra Drive. Mrs. Kelly stressed that the circle has created a major intersection in front of her house and that her wall mirrors the design of the circle. If delineations are installed, they will block her driveway and she feels it is imperative that her family be informed each step of this process to protect their interest. Mrs. Ruffe stated the traffic calming circle has slowed down traffic going to the far end of Arvida Parkway. Lengthy discussion took place. Mr. Bared explained the circle is there now and the professionals from the City Public Works Department are looking into making this circle safe with other alternatives. He suggest the Board afford them this opportunity to fix the issues and wait for their solution. If a solution cannot be found, the Board can vote to have the circle removed. The Board was in agreement with this. Mr. Guerra stated his personal commitment to Mrs. Kelly was that she would be informed and a part of the process regarding decisions pertaining to the circle.
PROPOSED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT EXPENDITURE FOR PAVERS FOR CASUARINA CONCOURSE’S FIVE (5) TRAFFIC CALMING ISLANDS & TWO (2) ARVIDA PARKWAY AND ONE (1) LEUCADENDRA DRIVE BRIDGES AND CURBING AND GUTTERS FOR MUNICIPAL DOCK AREA.
The President explained the Beautification Committee’s recommendation to pave with Chicago Cement Brick Pavers the five traffic calming islands on Casuarina Concourse, the two bridges on Arvida Parkway, the first bridge on Leucadendra Drive; and the municipal dock area with curbing and gutters only. Mr. Delgado showed those present a couple of samples of the design layout of the brick pavers which could be used. Mr. Delgado recommended using the bands around the pavers and with a pattern to control movement of the pavers and minimize maintenance costs. Mrs. Bastian objected to the idea of the pavers and she felt the membership should vote on this issue and raised the concern of the bumpiness of the road. Mr. Kelly stated his concern was the cost of the pavers as well as the noise factor and felt neighbors should have the right to vote on this matter. Mr. Box stated the membership voted the Board in place and he feels issues should not go to the membership, but the Board must make these decisions. Mr. Delgado stated the cement Chicago brick paver is a very thick paver which is packed down and serves as a noise deterrent. This would not be the same cobblestone type brick as used at our entrances as this brick is a very flat brick and has not created a noise issue elsewhere. Mr. Guerra stated the Board has historically felt the reserve fund should have $500,000. and in the recent past the Club had between $350,000. To $450,000. in the reserve fund. The Board has taken measures like increasing the application fee to $60,000. and reducing spending whenever possible and as a result the Club now has $850,000. Two hundred fifty thousand has been place in IBF and Community Bank in one year CDs. Mr. Guerra proposed returning $100,000. in total to the current membership in “Good Standing” as part of the Boards fiscal responsibility. The President stated this would allow up to $350,000. for Capital Improvements which would increase the value of the properties in Gables Estates. Mr. Bared stated Mrs. Ruffe, as Chair of the Beautification Committee, has done a wonderful job enhancing the aesthetics our community. Mr. Bared said he feels under her charge our area will continue to be greatly improved. Mr. Kelly questions the cost of the proposed Capital Improvement . Mr. Guerra stated the cost would be $200,000. Mr. Bared moved to approve the Beautification Committee’s request for $200,000. to pave with Chicago Cement Brick Pavers the five traffic calming islands on Casuarina Concourse, the two bridges on Arvida Parkway, the first bridge on Leucadendra Drive; and the municipal dock area with curbing and gutters only. Mr. Canel second the motion and all were in favor.
PROPOSED BUDGET
The Treasurer, Mr. Argiz, reviewed the proposed budget with the Board, see attached. Discussion took place. Mrs. Bell moved to approve the proposed budget with attachments to present to the membership at the Annual Meeting, October 29,2009Mr. Box second the motion and all were in favor. Mr. Bared moved that all Club funds must be Federal Insured and no account shall exceed $250,000. The Administrator informed the Board the Mr. Guerra would be meeting with a representative to go over the CDARS program with a built in Ladder to address the Club’s financial needs this coming week. She explained that Mr. Guerra would come back to the Board for a final vote. All were in agreement.
CODE AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
The President stated he felt Mrs. Ruffe as Chair of the Beautification Committee should oversee the Code and Compliance Committee. All were in agreement.
CHILDREN’S PARK
The President asked for instructions from the Board whether or not to pursue a Children’s Park to be located within Gables Estates Club. The President explained this would be a City Park with no parking allowed and the City would assume all liabilities and upkeep. The Club could go into a matching funds venture with the City. Mrs. Bastian suggested surveying the immediate neighbors as a first step to see if they were in favor of this approach or not. All were in agreement.
APPOINT SECURITY CHAIR
The President stated the Mrs. Miranda has agreed to continue to serve on the Board however time did not permit her to continue to serve as Chair of the Security Committee and therefore she handed in her resignation. The President wished to appoint Mr. Canel as Chair of the Security Committee and Mr. Bared so moved and Mr. Argiz second the motion and all were in favor.
CHANGE LANDSCAPE PROVIDERS
The Chair of Beautification recommended accepting the bid from Golden Sun Tree Farms for $72,999. per year starting on November 1st, 2009. Mr. Argiz so moved and Mrs. Bell second the motion. All were in favor.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
The Board was reminded to attend the Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 29th at 7:30 p.m. @ Fairchild Gardens, “Ballroom” and the invited guest speaker was Mayor Donald Slesnick. Mrs. Kelly suggested a flyer should go out to the membership advising that the Mayor would be the guest speaker. All were in agreement.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Bared discussed the lack of proper markers on the waterway entrance into Gables Estates. Captain Urra explained the Pat Burns from the City had replaced one marker and was still working on the others as they had to be ordered and should be installed within the next month.
ADJOURNMENT
As no other business came before the Board, Mr. Box moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Bared second the motion and all were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m
