BOARD APPROVED AS CORRECTED MARCH 1, 2010
TRAILER ESTATES PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
LARGE HALL
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Martha Brauer at
Martha asked if the agenda could be amended. The Board agreed to do that. She suggested we postpone the Approval of Minutes until the March 1 meeting. The Board approved that. Gail stated that she will drop her two agenda items for this meeting and will bring them to the March 1 meeting. Pam asked if the budget discussion could be placed at the beginning of New Business so residents would have a greater opportunity to discuss it. Martha suggested we simply give the residents more opportunities for public comment throughout the meeting. That was agreed to.
ROLL CALL: Martha Brauer, Pam Cole, Margo Cushman, Fred
Hoch, Jim McIlveen, Gail Opper, Joe Salerno.
Absent: Harry Fitzpatrick and Ken
Ilg. Ken was briefly called away from
the meeting and was not present for Roll Call but returned to the meeting at
REPORT OF TREASURER
Pam discussed various options for flood insurance. At
Pam stated that we received a letter from Waste Management stating that they will maintain current fees and services at our present rate until the end of the contract.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Pam made a motion, seconded by Joe, to pay a Kirk Pinkerton bill dated Feb. 15 for $5,162.50 to be deducted from the $100,000 retainer leaving a balance of $54,699.74. This bill is not litigation related. Motion passed 7-0.
A motion was made by Pam and seconded by Margo to pay a $5,000 installment to Attorney Scott. Balance owed is $8,621. Motion carried 7-0.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS OF TRUSTEES
Martha: Attorneys spoke
with Hotels and Restaurants about the kitchen report. We will receive an answer in about two
weeks. According to our attorneys, we
are due $350 per month from Washco. Some
months we have not been paid; we are entitled to the money. The auditor’s report will be out soon and
will be discussed at a March meeting.
Martha will have a meeting of the Auditor Selection Committee at
Joe: The revenue from the Feb. 20 dance was $381. There has been a drop in overall dance attendance—more residents are attending but there are fewer guests. 50/50 paid out $84. Vegas Night is this Thursday, Feb. 25. Showtime is March 4. Special Olympics wants to use our Bocce courts three straight Saturday mornings and they have waivers for insurance. Six people would take part in a tournament if held at our park. The Wii Bowling League bowls on Thursdays. Joe wants to start a Wii Fitness Program. Let him know if you’re interested.
Gail: Only five clubs/organizations have not yet responded to her request for a list of officers. They are: Boaters and Toters, Grandparents Club, Kayak/Canoe Club, SAFE, and Shuffle Club. She asked that these clubs turn in their lists of officers or a paper stating they have no officers. Residents have spoken with Gail about the lack of privacy when rooms are reserved in our park for private parties. Gail asked that residents respect the privacy of these gatherings. Just a reminder: Gail is accepting requests for 2011. Get those in by April 1.
Margo: The Health Fair was very good. Next year’s has already been scheduled.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
ARC—Met Feb. 12. Fifteen permits were approved, one was denied and four are on hold.
Beautification—no meeting was held.
RESIDENTS COMMENTS
Toni Gaeta, 6618
Martha: Minutes of meetings cannot be changed.
OLD BUSINESS
Pam made a motion, seconded by Joe, to change #8 under normal expenses from office to administrative. Motion passed 7-0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Fees--Martha
brought forward the following costs and fees for revision consideration: application, registration, refundable key
deposit to renters, refundable key deposit to owners, parking permits, dances
for residents, dances for non-residents, paying instructors, class fees per
person, etc. A discussion of the
application fee resulted in the statement that this cannot be raised due to the
deed restrictions. The Board felt the
registration fee for a renter should be raised to $50 from its present
$25. Keys cost us $15 per key. Pam felt all keys—first, second, etc.—for
both owners and renters should be $75 per key.
Jim made a motion to raise the registration fee to $50 for renters. Before a second was made, Ken felt we should
get residents’ comments on this. Jim
withdrew his motion. This will be
discussed at the March 1 meeting. The
parking lot on the south side of
2. Loans from individuals--Martha stated that Paul Heisey had agreed to a promissory note of $25,000 for 38 months at 5 percent interest. That loan brings our total to $646,000. Martha noted that on a yearly basis, Trailer Estates is paying an average of 4.18 percent interest instead of the 7 percent we would have had to pay a bank.
Martha made a motion, seconded by Ken, to approve the promissory note for Paul Heisey at $25,000 for 38 months at 5 percent interest. Motion carried 7-0.
3. Signs--Fred made a motion, seconded by Joe, to permit the Woodshop to place a canvas sign on the side of their building advertising the spaghetti luncheon. With no discussion, the motion passed 7-0.
4. Budget
a. Amended budget—It was suggested that the litigation costs be changed from $445,000 to $475,000 and that we change the income/loan from $400,000 to $646,000.
Residents comments:
Gloria Marshall, 6522 WA—Asked several questions about the lawsuit costs including how much the attorneys charge and whether there has been any negotiation to lower fees over $300,000.
Martha—The attorneys charge $175 for regular legal business and $225 an hour for litigation. Those costs are considerably less than their normal fees of $300-$350 per hour so we have not negotiated. The paralegal gets $125.
Harry Splett, 2104, OH—When will you vote on the amended budget?
Pam—Will save the amended budget and vote on it March 1.
b. Draft budget—Assessments will increase from $915 to $1,200. The total borrowed including interest is $726,990.
Martha—The auditor suggests we accrue the loans and interest by dividing the total borrowed by three so we set can aside equal amounts every year rather than having a large amount due in three years when the majority of the loans are to be repaid.
Pam—We made no changes in wages and benefits but reminded the trustees that salaries must be voted on before everyone leaves for the summer.
Joe—Waste Pro might give us a reduction in trash pickup versus Waste Management. He has reduced Showtime costs by 53 percent by sticking with local talent. In regards to the marina, ads will run for three more weeks. He feels we should get out of the laundry contract and check our options. Florida Power and Light came and will do an audit for us. Fred will put up “Turn Off Lights” signs. Joe feels we should look at solar options. He has a volunteer who will t rim trees for us if we get equipment for him.
Fred—Have activities only on certain days of the week. Someone should make a contact about the water machine since we have gotten no money.
RESIDENTS COMMENTS
Toni Gaeta,
Bev Lew, 2008 IL—Our employees are overpaid. We have too many employees. It costs too much to setup Bingo on Sunday night. That could be saved. Discussed legal expenses.
Lonny Stanley, 6620 NJ—We will get through this. Two people and a lawyer put us here. We are operating pretty thinly here; this park operates very lean.
Flo Mallory, 6919 West Bayou—She thanked Pam and the Budget Committee for all the work they have done and for tonight’s presentation.
Sal
Bill Secraw, 1803 NY—Feels we should have our rates on an Excel spreadsheet.
Joe: We (the Board) are at a disadvantage because we cannot talk about the lawsuit, the shade meetings or mediation. You (residents) really don’t know what is happening on the inside. You don’t know the allegations against me or the other Board members. If you get frivolous allegations, you have to defend yourself. You (residents) don’t know the whole story.
Martha: Errors and Omissions insurance is for liability related to monetary claims. It doesn’t cover this kind of lawsuit. Our new coverage is for non-monetary claims. TJ’s salary plus benefits is not $67,000. It is $42,003 plus $15,000 in benefits for a total of $57,003 not $67,000. TJ is in her 18th year with the district. Mark is in his 26th year with the district and earns $43,804; the rest of our employees earn $34,000 or less.
Gail: Discussed Sunday versus Monday bingo, as she knows the history. Her Aunt Helen Cross started Sunday bingo because Sunday is the loneliest day of the week for widows. Those who are complaining about it are married and may not understand Sunday’s loneliness. Aunt Helen felt that the costs associated with a Sunday bingo are not as important as the joy it brings to widows who are lonely, which is what TE has been about for more than 50 years.
Martha to Pam: What does the simple plan give us if we drop it? What does the dropping of the family plan do for us? Can you look at that?
Pam: We have our last budget meeting tomorrow. We will do that. I have been told for three years, “Do not touch the employees.”
Joe: I have read all the minutes of the Budget Committee. Residents who attend those meetings are not a good sampling of the park. I can read those minutes and know who is saying what is being said. We are not paying our employees too much. $24,000 a year is considered poverty, isn’t it?
Ken: I’m glad so many people came tonight but I wish there were more.
Jim: The county cut back on payroll. Now the work being done on
CLUBS AND
ORGANIZATIONS
There will be a Canada/America Bocce Tournament this Friday
at
Jim announced that Coffee Break raised $2,000 toward another dog. They want to raise another $500 and hope to have a dinner. They have gotten ten dogs so far. Lots of good people do lots of good things.
Martha announced that there will be two court hearings this
week. One will be Wednesday at
A motion was made by Pam and seconded by Jim to adjourn the
meeting. The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Opper, Secretary