BOARD APPROVED DECEMBER 7, 2009

TE PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEE WORKSHOP

NOVEMBER 23, 2009

9:30 a.m.

SMALL HALL

1903 69^TH AVENUE WEST

BRADENTON, FL 34207

The meeting was called to order by Gail Opper, 2^nd Vice Chair, at 9:30 a.m.

Gail opened the meeting reminding the residents that this is the first Workshop using the new rules of PP 2, which gives residents a chance to respond after each item on the agenda while still adhering to the three-minute rule.

Gail asked if the trustees had anything they’d like to add to the agenda. No one had anything to add so Gail asked the Board to allow her to add something; they agreed.

1. Gail discussed the secretarial duties as listed on PP 40. She stated that elections are soon and there could be a new secretary. She wanted the Board and residents to know that in her duties as secretary, she has never handled correspondence for the district nor has she done anything regarding keeping the chairman and the committee chairmen informed, despite the fact that these are listed as duties of the secretary on the By-Laws and on the PP 40. Gail stated that Martha voluntarily took these duties over in January, and Gail feels that is as it should be since Martha’s job involves “overseeing the day-to-day operations of the District.” Gail also wondered if residents might question the secretary discussing District business with the chairman—listed on the By-Laws--as that might constitute a violation of the Sunshine Law. Gail stated that the Sunshine Law is not violated when administrative business is conducted. Gail also stated that she has not done the final item on PP 40’s secretarial duties in regards to placing District business in local newspapers. She was about to do that when she noticed that it had been done. It was not important, she felt, who did it as long as it was done.

2. Gail wondered if someone could help her understand/define “guest” as it applies to TE. Gail personally feels that anyone who comes to our park and is welcomed in is a “guest.” Nan Bradshaw (1611 Wisconsin) stated that the word “guest” as someone visiting residents. Carol Tuttle (6503 Massachusetts) felt it was unfair to ask the Hobby Club, who is one week away from their bazaar, to not serve lunch to people coming to the bazaar from outside the park. Joe Langton (2107 Ohio) stated that during shuffle tournaments, people outside the park are invited to our lunches and sign a waiver that they will not sue our park. Jean Kotter (2207 Illinois) said she called the Health Department. They said we can serve meals but we can’t bring food from home into the kitchen, though we can bring food in from a restaurant. (Jane, our secretary, handed Gail a note stating the word “lunch” had to be removed from a sign placed outside). Still confused, Gail asked Mary Lou McNulty (1806 Ohio) to explain further. Mary Lou said the gentleman who came from Tallahassee to evaluate our kitchen said it should be resident serving resident, and we shouldn’t advertise on our exterior signs that lunch is being served. Signs will be put up, however, for residents and guests. Mary Lou said she went to Kay Killian and asked her to take the word “lunch” off all signs, and Terry Neally went to other parks and blacked out the word “lunch” on all of our fliers.

3. Gail shared some information about residents’ incidents that occurred in the winter and summer of 2009. Gail stated that during the winter, three residents went around the TE office taking pictures of individual trustee’s desks and surrounding areas. Gail personally felt that was wrong but was new at her job and didn’t know if such actions violated the law. When Gail returned for the winter, our secretary Jane told her that two residents had slipped by her while she was busy at the counter and had gone into the office Gail shares with Pam. One sat in Gail’s chair to copy information onto the back of a Tribune while the other dictated what was on the activities chart on Gail’s wall. Gail stated that a trustee’s desk area is not public information; and though the wall chart is public information, that has to be requested and paid for. Jane chastised the residents for walking by her into the trustees’ office, but they stayed until the job they wanted to do was done. (Fred Hoch stated that he was in the office when this happened, and it happened exactly the way I had described it.) Gail spoke with Mr. Barnebey about this on Friday, Nov. 20. He was very upset about the fact that this incident occurred and reiterated that the desks of trustees are not public but private. He then called TJ and Jane into the public records area and spoke to them and Gail about the situation. He said he would never do what was done and there was nowhere that this would be allowed. He suggested that the two pocket doors in the office be closed at all times, as well as the swinging door. The tiled area in the office is where the public must stay. He also suggested that we build a wall between the public records area and the trustees’ desks at the back of the office. If a resident does not listen when told they cannot go beyond the tiled area, TJ and Jane should, without hesitation, call the police.

Gail asked the trustees and residents if they wanted to say anything about this. Janet was concerned about the copy machine. She felt it should be placed in the tiled area. Mr. Barnebey didn’t feel there was a problem with anything in the public records area—including the copy machine—as long as a wall was built between that area and the trustees’ desks. Fred was concerned about the fact that the ARC Committee has a desk in the trustee area and a mailbox in the public records area. Jim McIlveen (1708 New York) stated that we have to put a sign on each door that says “Authorized Personnel Only” and tell a resident just once that they may not go in. If they go beyond the door, it is trespassing. Mary Lou McNulty (1806 Ohio) stated people can’t go into offices anywhere else. She suggested folding doors should be placed between the public records area and trustees’ desks. Harry said, “This doesn’t affect the majority of the people in the park.” He went on to say that the TE FL blog had information about him that wasn’t correct and suggested people should ask questions before they simply assume. Fred said he heard that when TJ goes on vacation, Jane is to lock the office door if she has to use the restroom and wondered if that is true. Gail stated that that is what Mr. Barnebey said.

When asked, the trustees present agreed that signs should be put on all the office doors and the pocket doors should be closed until further decisions can be made.

Other Items

Harry wondered if we could somehow use the cards we’re given every year to get into the pool and, thus, prevent outsiders from doing so. Janet replied that the trustees had thought about that two years ago because Tri-Par has this system, but it is loads of money to do it.

Fred suggested that Maintenance should work on the Christmas decorations. He said that if you want something done, ask a Canadian.

Connie Zack (6819 Massachusetts)—Share-A-Craft has decorated the hall for many, many, many years. The people in the group felt it was someone else’s turn, but no one stepped forward to do it. So, Share-A-Craft will do the decorating again this year, but they need younger people to help. They need people to get up on ladders, etc. They will provide donuts and coffee for all workers. Decorating will be done this coming Saturday at 8 a.m. in the Large Hall. No matter who decorates in the years to come, Share-A-Craft will continue to pay for all the decorations. Decorations will be taken down at 8 a.m. on Saturday after New Years. Fred suggested Connie call Diane McLean. Share-A-Craft was thanked for its many years of service to TE.

Fred said a resident complained to him about the invocation that was given at the Nov. 16 Board meeting. Janet said that complaint wasn’t valid and she will continue to use that prayer for the few remaining meetings where she’ll be a Board member.

Mary Holland (2004 Florida)—She asked, “What do the young people in the park want?”

Virgil Reinig (2113 Minnesota)—As a member of the Fire Department, he reminded residents not to park on both sides of the street because EMS cannot get through. He stated that one day the ambulance rider might be one of us. He stated residents should park with good judgment.

Fred asked about rules regarding golf carts. Margo stated she will try again to get someone to speak to us about rules regarding golf carts. Margo stated that this is a lifestyle for us. Older residents can be independent because they can take their golf carts to the shopping center to get a hair cut, buy groceries, etc.

Margo moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gail Opper, Secretary