Contents
1. LiveWell Proposal
2. Finances – Additional Note
3. Entrance Sign – Additional Note
4. Road Improvements
5. Long Range Plan – Capital Expenditures
6. Community Appearance Committee – Possible Projects
Here is a link to the current Board meeting summary: May Splinters
Similar to previous months, the comments below are in addition to that summary.
The meeting lasted slightly under two and a half hours, and an hour and fifteen minutes of that time was spent in Executive Session with the POA attorney attending by phone.
1. LiveWell Proposal
This item was not discussed in the open meeting, but it may have been discussed in the Executive Session.
However, in reviewing the minutes of the April meeting, I noticed a related item that was not discussed at that time. Those minutes noted a resolution that was passed by email sometime after the March meeting and prior to the April meeting. This resolution authorized an expenditure “not to exceed $5,000 to monitor the application and licensing process for LiveWell, LLC as it pertains to providing independent living support services in cottages at Governors Club”.
Since this resolution was not discussed at the April meeting, it only became known outside the Board when the April meeting minutes were posted to the web site on May 21st. And, since this was not mentioned in the May meeting, there is no information available as to whether this money has been spent or what information has been learned.
2. Finances – Additional Note
The directors discussed circumstances in which committee expenditures should be brought to the attention of the Board. The focus seemed to be on whether or not the expenditure was included in the budget; the idea being that, if it was included, there was no need for the Board to formally review and approve the item. Several directors felt that the policies and procedures in this regard should be reviewed, and this appears to now be on the agenda.
In general, budgeted expenditures include specific, planned items proposed by the committees. However, it was noted that one exception is the Community Appearance Committee; which has $30,000 in a category for unplanned expenditures; so that it can address unexpected items as they arise during the year. And it can also be used for discretionary enhancement projects. For example, funds to be spent on the Morehead berm and new entrance sign (both noted in the Splinters summaries) will come out of that amount this year; the former being an unexpected item and the latter being a discretionary enhancement item. And, as noted in last month’s summary, some of the funds in this account were used to partially pay for re-doing the Mt. Carmel gate landscaping.
3. Entrance Sign – Additional Note
Last month, the Board approved the expenditure of $3,000 for a new sign at the Mt. Carmel gate. It will say “Governors Club” and will replace the current logo sign. The new sign has no logo. At this meeting, the Board discussed the idea of adding logos to each side of the new sign; so that the logo would be present at the entrance in some form or fashion. That idea is currently under consideration. (Note: The Lystra Gate has a sign that says “Governors Club”; and that sign has no logo. But there are logos prominently displayed on each of the stone columns to the side.)
4. Road Improvements
Because the Directors appear up to speed on the status of this project, it has not been discussed in detail at recent meetings. It appears the project will encompass Governors Drive from Manly either to Country Club Drive or some point short of that entrance. It will also include the bottom portion of Manly; either to Broughton or to Eastchurch.
At this meeting, it was noted that they are about a month behind on timing; with the result that they expect to get construction bids in July. In previous meetings, it has been mentioned that financing quotes were being obtained.
5. Long Range Plan – Capital Expenditures
As noted in earlier summaries, the Long Range Plan (approved in early 2014) has been under review since last fall by a new committee. At this meeting, Bill Colton, who chairs that committee, updated the Board. He sees three major areas being examined and updated; future road improvements, new sidewalks and community amenities. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Long Range Plan Committee will present recommendations in these three areas to the Board for its consideration.
Several comments were made indicating that community input would be sought on these proposed projects. It appears to me that some directors feel more strongly than others that community input is essential before making any decisions. That said, there has been no firm decision to seek that input and no discussion on how to seek that input. Therefore, the idea of community input is on the table for the Board to deal with once the recommendations are received.
6. Community Appearance Committee – Possible Projects
Last month, I mentioned that the Community Appearance Committee was discussing enhancement projects as outlined in its meeting minutes for March and April. In particular, I noted two larger projects; a playground and a nature park. That information can be found in item # 7 here: 4/21/15 Meeting Summary
Just as a follow-up, I wanted to note that the May meeting minutes for the Community Appearance Committee made no mention of these possible projects. Rather, its discussion of enhancement projects was focused on upgrading existing landscaping works.