BOARD APPROVED AS CORRECTED FEBRUARY 15, 2010

TRAILER ESTATES PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

FEBRUARY 1, 2010

9:30 a.m.

SMALL HALL

1903 69TH AVENUE WEST

BRADENTON, FL  34207

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Martha Brauer at 9:30 a.m.

 

ROLL CALL:  All trustees present.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

January 13, 2010:  Margo made a motion to approve the minutes; Joe seconded.  With no corrections, the minutes were approved 9-0.

 

January 18, 2010:  Joe made a motion to approve the minutes; Ken seconded.  The following corrections must be made:  On page 3, where Joe gives a report, it should say “$458” instead of “458 people.”  On page 5, the minutes should indicate that Lonnie and Sandra Sue Stanley gave an additional $10,000 for 38 months at 5 percent.  With no further corrections, the minutes were approved 9-0.

 

January 25, 2010:  Pam made a motion to approve the minutes, Margo seconded.  On page 3, the minutes should read “PP7” instead of “PP47.”  With no further corrections, the minutes were approved 9-0.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

The balance in the checking account is $1,001.03.  The balance in the Money Market is $680,059.93.

 

Martha discussed legal expenses.  She contacted all the attorneys to determine if they would be willing to establish a payment plan with us.  Martha feels:  1)  We should pay Attorney Scott what we owe him from December.  2)  We should approve the installment payments agreed to by the attorneys for the month of January.  Martha noted that by September, we will have paid $426,580 in attorney fees. 

 

The Board then looked over the original budget/amended sheet.  Martha noted that a draft of the audit is in the office as a public record.

 

 

 

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS

 

Pam made a motion, seconded by Joe, to pay Attorney Scott $14,630 (which represents the $9,340 owed him in December as well as the $5,000 installment for January), $5,000 to Turffs, and $10,000 to Matthews for a total of $29,630.  Motion carried 9-0.

 

REPORTS OF TRUSTEES

 

Since Joe had to leave, he asked if he could give his report as follows:  Showtime is this Thursday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Large Hall.  He reported that the Bridge and Euchre card groups agreed, due to their smaller numbers, to move to the Small Hall, which makes the Large Hall available now for activities on Friday nights.  Super Bowl Party tickets are on sale at the office.  Seventeen have been sold so far.  If 30 tickets are not sold, the money for tickets already sold will be refunded.

 

SHADE MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Attorney Mark Barnebey requested a Shade Meeting for the purpose of discussing the pending case of Smith/Denson vs. Trailer Estates and four defendants—Janet Jones, Mary Lou McNulty, Joe Salerno, and John Vander Molen.  Martha read the list of those eligible to attend.  The Board meeting was recessed at 10:15 a.m. to allow for the Shade Meeting.

 

At 1 p.m., Martha announced that the attorney/client session was concluded and the public meeting reopened.

 

ROLL CALL:  Martha Brauer, Pam Cole, Harry Fitzpatrick, Fred Hoch, Ken Ilg, Jim McIlveen and Gail Opper were present.  Absent:  Margo Cushman and Joe Salerno.

 

REPORTS FROM TRUSTEES

 

Pam:  Discussed the loan repayment plan.  On April 15, 2011, we will have to pay $207,000 plus 6 percent interest.  We will have to assess additionally $187 to repay the loans and interest.  On April 15, 2012, we will owe $219,333 plus 6 percent interest and will have to assess an additional $182 to repay that.  On April 15, 2013, we will have to assess an additional $175 to repay the loan.  The Budget Committee meets tomorrow.  Pam noted that public comments would only be allowed the last 15 minutes of the meeting.  Because the public notice of the Budget Hearing did not appear in the newspaper today, there will be a public meeting with public comment on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m., but the budget will be delayed.  The vote will take place on March 1.

 

Jim:  There was a yard complaint on 1817 Iowa.  The owner took care of the complaint.

 

            Martha:  On 1803 Indiana, there is information that a dog and cat are there and someone comes once a day to feed them.  Could you knock on the door to see if the dog barks?

 

Gail:  Just a reminder that clubs have to turn in their list of officers.  She has been concerned about the bulletin boards on the post office wall.  She is working on that and will report back as soon as she has information.  Park residents have spoken to her about the possibility of a park bankruptcy.  Gail asked if it were possible that a meteorite could fall on Florida and send it into the ocean?  Yes, it is possible but highly unlikely.  It is the same for park bankruptcy, and she doesn’t want elderly residents to worry about that.  Bankruptcy requires two things:  1)  No money to pay bills and 2) no way to get any money.  That isn’t happening in TE.  We haven’t exhausted all our possibilities for obtaining money.

 

            Pam:  Reminded everyone that we must contact the Governor’s office before we declare bankruptcy.

 

            Martha:  Spoke with Burton Marshall who stated we need to call him before we contact the Governor’s office.  He will tell us who to contact there.  At this point, TE will end the year with a surplus of more than $100,000 on Oct. 1.

 

            Pam:  We will have to watch our spending as we get close to Oct. 1.

 

            Martha:  There are some cost-cutting measures we could implement such as not matching employee contributions to simple plan.  By eliminating this, we could save $4,000.

 

            Pam:  Maintenance has done a good job keeping costs down.

 

            Gail:  Reminded the residents again not to worry about bankruptcy.

 

            Martha:  I am not worried about bankruptcy at all.

 

Fred:  We will not trim palm trees this year and we will not spray for grubs.  We will need about $20,000 for the spa.  Fred asked, “Can I appoint a committee?” 

 

            Martha:  “Yes, you can.”

           

            Fred:  “Can Jim bring forward ideas about security particularly where the laundromat is concerned?”

 

            Martha:  Any trustee can bring forward information about areas of other trustees.  The Baptist Church will lock and unlock their gate because residents are bringing pets on the church’s property.  In regards to the gate at the end of Pennsylvania, Fred Davis who owns the shopping plaza is in charge of whether or not we can go through the gate.  We had another break-in at the laundromat; money was stolen.

 

Ken:  Coffee Break is Feb. 20 and there will be an auction there.

 

Harry:  No comments on his duties.  He wants the residents to know that assessments will be less than they would have been due to residents providing loans to the park.

 

Martha:  1.  Several clubs are getting together to purchase an additional refrigerator for the park.  Cook’s Night Out will pay for the electrical line if one is necessary.  2)  Women from the Florida Hotel and Restaurant area came to the park from Tallahassee due to a complaint filed against our kitchen.  There is a question regarding whether we need a license or not.  We are still gathering information.  The problem is our documents do not say we are a mobile home park.  3)  An e-mail came from the sheriff’s office to Senator Bennett’s office stating we are a golf cart community and we do not need a license to drive a golf cart on Trailer Estates property.

 

STANDING COMMITTEES

 

ARC:  Met on January 22.  Ten permits were approved; one was denied; three require follow-ups.  Last year ARC reviewed 140 permits.  Their next meeting is Feb. 12.

 

RESIDENTS COMMENTS

 

Harry Splett, 2104 Ohio—He congratulated Martha on getting the attorneys to agree to an installment plan and to Pam for her work on the budget.  He feels we should cover the path on the east side of the beach with peat stone and get rid of more trees in the canal at the beach.  He will assist in doing this.

 

Peg Durham, 6908 Tarpon Lane—We have people trying to stop Cook’s Night Out and Bingo Kitchen.  She wants people to know this is due to pettiness.

 

Barb Durrin, 6517 WA—She is not sure about the golf cart rules.  She understands that she can’t drive the golf cart across Bay Drive to see the sunset at the beach.  We need to find out the facts about this before we turn people in.

 

            Jim:  As long as there is no sidewalk, no crossing marks are needed.  Bay Drive is designated by the county as a crossing street.

 

            Martha:  You can’t drive a golf cart on a sidewalk so you can’t drive across the bridge to the shopping center.

 

Lenora Neal, 6619 CA—The reason we are a special district is because the government wanted us to govern ourselves.  People need to quit nit picking the Board for every little thing.  Keep doing the good job you are doing.

 

Jean Kotter, 2207 IL—Cook’s Night Out and Bingo Kitchen people are devoted to the park.  Others should try to raise the money we have raised for the park and then buy new things.

Flo Mallory, 6619 W. Bayou—She didn’t see PP58 today under Old Business.  She is very concerned about this.  What is the purpose of the Auditor Selection Committee?  We had a committee last year so why would we need one this year? 

 

            Martha—By law, we have to meet as a committee and choose an auditor.  PP53 explains this.

 

Flo is concerned that things are done as cost cutting for the year to lessen the burden on the residents.  She feels the Board should write these down for the Budget Committee.

 

Lonny Stanley, 6620 New Jersey—Bankruptcy scares the elderly.  Consider developing a group to help raise money if that becomes a problem.

 

Bill Secraw, 1803 New York—Two words cause problems:  Intimidation and humiliation.

 

Carol Tuttle, 6503 MA—The kitchen problem is caused by someone who buys Carol’s pumpkin bread all the time.  Carol has heard she has to make things for the bazaar only in the kitchen.

 

            Martha—If we get a license, we have to cook/bake only in the kitchen.  If we have to get a license, we can get an annual temporary permit.

 

            Gail—I buy your pumpkin bread all the time, and I am not the complainer.

 

Mary Hollett, 2004 FL—I feel bad for the people in the park.  They don’t know about all the people who have donated so much.  $27,000 has been donated to the park through Cook’s Night Out.

 

Joe Langton, 2107 OH—He has invested in the park.  More people want to save this park than cut it down.  Can we extend this loan beyond Feb. 15?  We would get more people to loan us money if we did.

 

            Harry—We are getting more positive comments at the microphone, which is a good thing.

 

            Jim—You can come up to the microphone and do good or you can commit suicide with it.

 

Public comment is closed.  Martha asks Pam if she is coming to the Board on Feb. 8 with a prepared budget or ideas.  Pam said she is bringing a budget for everyone to look at.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

1.  Normal Expenses Revision—Withdrawn by Martha Brauer.

 

 

2.  Auditor Selection Committee—A motion was made by Martha and seconded by Jim to appoint the following individuals to the Auditor Selection Committee:  Joe Trinkl, Emma Tuttle, Carol Tuttle.  Each nominee was voted on individually by the Board and each received a 7-0 vote.  Martha then stated that one more person is needed on the committee and she will work on that.  The committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays.

 

3.  A motion was made by Martha and seconded by Pam to approve PP7 as revised.  The revision removed the liaison’s voting status as a member of the committee.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

4.  Dockmaster Duties—Ken requested this be tabled.  He would like to meet with Maintenance as he felt there should be changes on PP21.  Martha said that the auditor said neither the office manager nor the dockmaster should check the marina.  Pam said it only takes her about 15 minutes to do it and it should be done on a monthly basis.  Martha feels Pam has enough to do and should not be adding this to her work.  She feels Mark should check the marina; a volunteer should not do this.  Martha feels we should revise PP21 now and still work on it later.

 

A motion was made by Martha and seconded by Ken to approve revised PP21.  The revisions are “prior to or on Feb. 15” and remove #’s 3 and 4 from the bottom.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

5.  Martha made a motion, seconded by Pam, to approve revised PP57.  It will now read “or on Feb. 15”.   Motion passed 7-0.

 

Ken Ilg was excused from the meeting at 2:35 p.m.

 

6.  Martha made a motion, seconded by Harry, to approve the promissory notes as follows:

 

Dominick and Constance Zack $20,000           5 percent          38 months

Marguerite R. Soucy and

            Martha J. Soucy                       $10,000           3 percent          14 months

Ferne Root                                           $10,000           3 percent          14 months

Walter and/or Joan Dietz                      $10,000           3 percent          14 months

William and Gloria Francus                  $100,000          5 percent          38 months

William and Donna James                     $10,000           3 percent          14 months   Trust

Virginia Sue Rieckhoff              $10,000           5 percent          38 months

Joseph and Betty Trinkl                        $10,000           5 percent          38 months

Leo and Jane Latulipe                           $10,000           5 percent          38 months

Joseph E. Farrell                                   $10,000           5 percent          38 months

Ray and Shirley Klotz                           $10,000           3 percent          14 months

Allyn and Lorraine Healey                     $10,000           3 percent          14 months

 

Motion passed 6-0.

 

James and Marjorie Pugh would like to loan us money but can’t do so until April.  A discussion followed by the Board in regards to this situation.  It was determined that we will accept loans beyond Feb. 15, but Pam wants people to let her know by Feb. 12 when they can actually loan us the money.

 

7.  A motion was made by Martha and seconded by Jim to approve the following Administrative Volunteers:  Lonny Stanley as Webmaster and Shirley Klotz, Web Administrator.  The motion passed 6-0.

 

It was noted that we will vote on Dockmaster/Assistants and Kitchen Managers at a later date.

 

8.  A motion was made by Martha (in Margo’s absence) and seconded by Pam to approve Sandy Stevens for membership on the Beautification Committee.  The motion was approved 6-0.

 

9.  A motion was made by Pam to approve normal expenses.  Pam then withdrew this motion and changed #10 to $15,000 instead of $10,000.  She reintroduced her amended motion, which was seconded by Jim.  The motion:  To approve normal expenses as follows to be paid throughout the year January 1st to December 31st, 2010.

 

            1.  All insurance payments.

            2.  Normal payroll expenses including net pay, social security, federal tax                                        deductions, retirements and other employee benefits.

            3.  Trash removal.

            4.  Utility bills, water, telephone, natural and propane gas, and cable T.V.

            5.  State and sales tax.

            6.  Maintenance materials or equipment up to $2,500.

            7.  Tree trimming.

            8.  Office expense to $1,000.

            9.  All election expense.

          10.  Accounting and legal expenses up to $2,500 unless a quorum cannot be                        reached for a vote.  The expense limit would then be raised to $15,000.

          11.  Recreation expenses up to $1,500.

          12.  Refund on keys, boat slips and R.V. spaces.

 

Motion passed 6-0.

 

NEW BUSINESS—None

 

REPORTS FROM CLUBS

 

Peg Durham, 6908 Tarpon Lane—There was incorrect information in the Tribune.  There is a meeting at 10 a.m. Feb. 8 in the Heron Room to plan for the Indiana dinner, which will be held in March.

Carol Tuttle, 6503 MA—Hobby Club is sponsoring the 85+ party.  The invitations have been sent.  Call Carol if you are a TE resident who is 85 or older and have not yet received an invitation.

 

Pam made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by Fred.  The meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Gail Opper