Minutes of the January 2, 2007 FHA Board Meeting

Board members present were Jim Bond, Gillian Cell, Mary Lou Einloth, Carol-Ann Greenslade, Walter Jernigan, Lowell Kennedy, and Leonard Kreisman.

Board members absent were James Ackerman and Bill Stempfle.

Residents in attendance were Lee Caldwell, Ruth Kreisman, Richard and Gayle Holt, Mary Leeseman, Evy Barrow, Nancy and Bill Kern, Gary Simpson, Joanne and Bob Flower, Barbara Harris, Barbara Thompson, Sharon Flicker, Marilyn Band, Carol Kurtz, Beverly Ann D’Aquanni, Debbie Granger, Jeanne and Armin Hagen, Bill Churchill, Bob Steen, Sue Ford, Carla Valetich, Hugh Knapp, John Custer and Michael Gapin.

The meeting was called to order by Vice President Gillian Cell at 7pm in the Gathering Place, Fearrington Village, Pittsboro, NC. The Vice President indicated that President Ackerman was in Mexico for a well deserved vacation. She also introduced Walter Jernigan and Leonard Kreisman as the two new Board members.

The minutes of the December meeting were approved on a motion by Jim Bond which was appropriately seconded. Approval was unanimous.

Treasurer’s Report

Mr. Jernigan presented three motions which the Board needed to approve since there was both a new Secretary and a new Treasurer.

The first motion involved signature authority for the Sun Trust Bank.

“It is hereby moved that the resolution contained in the Sun Trust Bank forms designating signature authority for our accounts and safe deposit box at that Institution be adopted in their entirety and without change and that the Secretary of FHA may certify and attest to these facts when and where necessary.” Moved by Walter Jernigan and seconded by Leonard Kreisman. The motion was approved unanimously.

The second resolution involved the FHA Vanguard accounts.

“It is hereby moved that the FHA Board confer authority to do all acts necessary to maintain the FHA Vanguard Federal Money Market Funds to the President, James A. Ackerman, the Vice President Gillian Cell and the Treasurer Walter H. Jernigan. It is hereby moved that the FHA Board confer authority to do all acts necessary to maintain the FHA Vanguard Federal Money Market Funds to the President, James A. Ackerman, the Vice President Gillian Cell and the Treasurer Walter H. Jernigan. This authority to manage the said Vanguard Funds shall include but is not limited to making deposits, withdrawals, signing checks and doing any and all acts necessary for the use of these accounts in the best interests of the FHA

Further, it is moved that the signature of any of the above officers will be sufficient on any transactions with said accounts up to the Board designated limit of $5,000 beyond which will require the signature of two of the three officers.”

It was moved by Walter Jernigan, seconded by Carol-Ann Greenslade and approved unanimously.

The third motion involved adopting the modified Provisional 2007 budget as the 2007 Operating budget.

“It is hereby moved that the attached budget based on an annual fee of $96 per lot and $72 per Galloway Ridge residence which was approved as the Provisional Budget for 2007 at the October 3, 2006 FHA Board Meeting be approved and ratified by this Board as the Operating Budget for the fiscal year 2007.” Moved by Walter Jernigan and seconded by Jim Bond. The motion was approved unanimously.

The Treasurer reported that the income for November was $3,761 primarily from user fees and dues. The expenses for the same period were $6,346 primarily for Grounds and the FHA office copier. The liquid assets total $219,760.78. The checking account has a balance of $18,549.39. Details for income, expenses and the liquid assets are included in material attached to the official copy of the December 2006 minutes.

The Treasurer also noted that FHA has begun the transition to the Management Company so that checks which have come in for dues will be turned over to them. They have opened an account at RBC to handle FHA affairs.

Beaver Pond Update

Carol-Ann Greenslade read a letter from Foster Lake and Pond Management which indicated that additional work on the dam and the spillway was needed to slow further damage to the pond and drain stream. The letter supported many of the points that had been made by Ms. Granger at the December meeting. Since Foster Lake was already on the scene the Board approved the expenditure of an additional $7,920 for the work detailed in the letter from Foster Lake. A copy of that letter will be placed in the files as well as the communication from Bob Flower to Walter Jernigan indicating how the additional costs will be paid.

Playground Update

Two new toddler swings have been purchased at Lowe’s and Bob Flower helped install them. It was also noted that the picnic benches were in very bad condition. And Carol-Ann priced three benches for a cost of $310.64 and $59 for delivery. Carol-Ann indicated that Robert Flynn will remove the old benches, and that the new ones will be environmentally safe. It was also suggested that a bench with a back be considered and Carol-Ann agreed to explore that possibility. Upon a motion by Carol-Ann duly seconded the Board approved the expenditure for the benches and their delivery. Carole-Ann also raised questions about the safety of the area around the swing set since there appear to be holes and she indicated that she is exploring the possibility of a sand bed around the swing set and covering that with shredded rubber mulch. When she has additional information she will get back to the Board with it.

Carla Valetich thanked the Board for the playground improvements and asked about the possibility of a sign indicating a children’s play area. Carol-Ann indicated that signage always posses a problem with DOT but she is exploring the possibility of some small signs like the one indicating the location of the tennis courts. Gillian also remarked about the changing demography, with younger people, with children, moving in and the Board is becoming more sensitive to the needs of that population. Another resident commented about how much better the pond area looks already. Debbie Granger raised an issue about the removal of the grate and another resident commented that in talking with the workmen in the area he learned that a better grate was to be installed.

Search for FHA Office Administrator

Gillian indicated that the search has been completed and that Gary Simpson has already started to work. He will be in the office each day for a total of 20 hours a week. In addition, he will be asked, as part of the 20 hour commitment, to attend the Board’s work sessions and regular public meetings.

Newcomer’s Fair

Mary Lou indicated that the fair would be held on February 8th, from 7-8:30PM.

Some 50 letters have gone out to organizations and 18 responses have already been received. There are some 99 new residents as well as residents at Galloway Ridge. Letters will be going out to those individuals this weekend. Besides the local clubs and organizations Habitat for Humanity and OLLI, (formerly DILR) and the Friday Center. Refreshments will be served at the Fair.

Mary Lou will schedule a meeting with Block and Area Captains so that a plan for notifying them of new residents can be developed.

Newsletter Policy

Gillian indicated that the Board had approved a policy which indicates that no special attachments will be permitted to the Newsletter except Board attachments. The reason for this is that club and organizational attachments create a significant problem for those assembling the Newsletter. Gillian also indicated that a resident had indicated that sometimes the information provided in the Newsletter was incomplete. As an illustration the question of how or where to pay annual dues especially for new residents. Additional care will be taken to make sure than complete information is made available.

GP Kitchen Storeroom Project

Lowell Kennedy indicated that plans ands specifications should be available by the end of this week and then the project will be sent out for bids. Until the addition is completed any renovations to the kitchen are on hold.

Online Survey Committee Report

The Board felt that this was a way of getting some information on how the community felt about issues. The reaction to the pilot survey was favorable. However, the Board recognizes that not everyone has a computer and the surveys are seen as only one of the ways of gathering information about the community’s views on issues. It is expected that such surveys will be used sparingly. One of the residents, Bob Steen indicated that the Committee was dropping the label on-line and was now being referred to as the Survey Committee.

Gillian Cell reminded the audience that the Board had decided to have public meetings every other month and that the next meeting was scheduled for March 6, 2007.

Residents Input

Bob Steen indicated that the DOT has apparently agreed that the speed signs could be installed and they will need to inspect the potential sites for such installation.

Ruth Kreisman noted that the Road Safety Committee had no representation from some of the younger families and hoped that such a representative could be added to the committee.

John Custer indicated that Camden Park was exploring alternatives to the current arrangement for recycling. When additional information is available it will be shared with the Board. Previous mention has already been made about the resident request for a bench with a back in the playground picnic area.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Leonard T. Kreisman, Secretary