ANNUAL MEETING
APPLE CREEK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
AUGUST 16, 2012
Call to Order
A quorum was established; present were 29 homeowners and a
total of 91 proxies. President Jan
Woodlief called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm. Tony Connicelli was then voted on to chair
the meeting.
The minutes from last year’s meeting were read. Jeanne
Holbrook contested several issues:
1 1) In
the Treasurer’s report, she wanted to add in the $4499 surplus amount listed on
a Dec. 2010 document.
2 2) She
wanted clarification that the issue of any board ‘adoption’ of BST versus
paving was or was not voted on and adopted; it was not officially adopted as
board policy.
3 3) Under
the heading at the top of page 2 of the 2010 annual meeting (“…and additional
information from the Board”): Under ‘new business’, she wanted the following
items to be moved to “Addendum” status:
a) “At
our annual meeting (2010) the question was raised regarding rules which
regulate the width of roads when new houses are built. Bill Cannon, ACAHA attorney, addressed the question
by using the word ‘reasonable’ as the best criteria. This includes road expense, amount of travel
on the road, as well as the slope of the mountain. Bill pointed out in most subdivisions, roads
tend to get narrower toward the top.”
b) “At
the annual meeting (2010) the statement was made that Staymon Road had been
paved. The truth is, one curve was
paved, in order to protect the road and ensure its safety and passage. It was also stated our President (John
Stoeckel) had violated the ‘right of way’ by building a stairway on his
property. The distance between the
stairway and the road has been measured and there is no infringement of the
‘right of way’. (The ‘right of way’ is measured 15 feet from the middle of the
road. There are obvious infractions to
the 15 foot rule throughout the neighborhood.)
c) The
Board would ask membership to inquire to the Board in writing, via the
President, on any and all concerns. Each
question will be given a response after Board consideration. Most Board members are ‘working stiffs’ and
the above procedure allows business to be conducted in a timely manner.
Committee Reports
Treasurer’s Report was
presented by Sharon Gallimore. As of
August 15 the account balance was $10, 390.28.
The 2012 budget was presented on a screen, as was an itemized
expenditure sheet. Petty Cash fund had a
balance of $78.51 collected through past years’ beautification projects. Bob Child thanked Judy and Irene for their
pro bono assistance in keeping our entrance area in beautiful shape.
Jeanne Holbrook raised the question whether or not the
surplus balance was subtracted or added to assessment fees. Tony Connicelli then added on budgets and
future assessments. Doyle Love clarified
the balance was carried over correctly and fairly. Jeanne Holbrook then disputed ‘assessments’
and changed notation in budget sheets between Dec. 1 2010 and Jan. 25,
2011. She said the $37,800 budget number
should be reduced by the surplus balances.
Myriad verbal exchanges between present homeowners ensued on this and
associated topics. Jeanne Holbrook told
the board to seriously consider not putting a lien on delinquent payers.
Treasurer’s report was eventually moved and seconded for
acceptance.
President’s Report was
presented by Jan Woodlief, interim president starting in late January
2011. She noted the thankless nature of
being on Apple Creek’s Board, due to dissension among homeowners. The
overwhelming portion of dues goes to paving, and more discussion ensued over
the two paving companies that have done work over the years in ACA, the pros
and cons of each, etc. She explained why
she went for the higher estimate on the paving at the top of the mountain as
that company was going to do more (literal) groundwork to ensure a longer
lasting surface.
She then suggested that the Board be limited to 5 members,
which was moved on and accepted.
Information was shared about the gate at the top of the
mountain, subsequently removed, and the road bed just past the gate
purposefully torn up by Jack (and Betty) Fisher (of Eagle Ridge), cutting off
access to an Apple Creek lot.
Discussion arose about the definition of road
‘maintenance’; a motion was made and
voted on that salting and plowing are considered part of road maintenance in
Apple Creek. 23 of 28 voted in favor of
that designation (one ACA homeowner had to leave early). There was further discussion on right of way
issues as well as tree removal issues.
Jeanne Holbrook wanted a ‘record of statement’ stating the $1500 tree
removal (at the ‘mirror’ curve) was wrong, bad judgment and should not have
occurred. Tony Connicelli once again
said the past is past, and that we needed to move forward.
Norman Jacobs brought back up the topic of surplus balances
needing to be refunded to homeowners.
Ensuing discussion about the budget, assessments, and handling of
data/projections took place…as well as other items that got off topic.
President’s Report was eventually moved, seconded, and
approved.
Nominations/Elections
The board presented a list of five names from the Nominating
Committee. Four nominations for the
Board were made from the floor: Jeanne
Holbrook, Keith Patton, Norman Jacobs, and David Rich. Jeanne corrected the Nominating Committee
that they can nominate only three people.
Linda Hughes and Lorrain Connard were taken off the list (which included
Frank Moskos, Jan Woodlief, and Terry Rose), and were then nominated back on
the candidate list. Members then voted
for 5 people.
Irene, Annie, and Owen counted the ballots separately and
then compared to ensure accuracy. The 5
Board members elected were Lorrain Connard (76 votes), Frank Moskos (72 votes),
Jan Woodlief (62 votes), Terry Rose (60 votes), Linda Hughes (57 votes). Other voting results: Keith Patton (42
votes), Jeanne Holbrook (39 votes), Norman Jacobs (35 votes), David Rich (35
votes).
Unfinished
Business
Tony Connicelli asked those
present which dues scenario did they want to vote on, $200/$250/$300. Jeanne Holbrook motioned that no vote be
taken, and it was seconded. The vote was
dropped – by laws state that the Board must develop fees. Another motion was made to direct the Board
to consider looking at a 5 or 7 or ? year plan, but that, too, was
dropped. Yet more discussion took place
on changing the by laws to establish communication routes/procedures to hear
concerns and grievances, but that was voted down.
The meeting was adjourned at
9:45pm.
Bob Child, interim Secretary
