After listening to feedback from the community and engaging in spirited debate, the Buoy and Boating Rules Revision Committee decided to withdraw its recommendation for rules changes that would have eliminated a transition zone between the No Wake Zone and the Ski Area, Director Adam Wimberly reported during the Tuesday, April 12, Seven Lakes West Landowners Association [SLWLA] Board Work Session.
A motion to discard the rules revisions already provisionally accepted by the previous Board was approved unanimously by the new slate of Directors, meeting in their first formal Work Session since the March Annual Meeting elections.
At this point only the buoys will be repositioned on the Lake; and, as they have done in the past, the Lake and Dam Committee will continue to be responsible for moving the buoys as they see fit. President Mick Herdrich said those in the community who came to the Board in a “professional manner” were very effective in pleading their case.
Speaking during the member comment period Jim Ballew said “a big problem of people complaining or misunderstanding” the proposed Lake Auman rules changes was because they didn’t have access to accurate information. Secretary Jane Sessler assured Ballew that the information had been readily available for months.
This year, like last year, when Westside residents pick up their boat tickets, they will have to read and sign off on the Lake Auman rules and regulations.
Key elements of the rules for this year — approved by a nine to three vote of the Buoy Committee — are:
• Repositioning the ski area buoys as proposed.
• Reaffirming the novice ski starting area from the island.
• Retaining the old rule that boats can go up to 25 mph in any direction within the zone between the ski area (as revised) and 150 feet from shore. The No Appreciable Wake Zone, with a maximum speed of 5 mph, remains as it has been between shore and 150 feet off shore, and behind the island and Johnson Point.
• The proposed transitional speed area between Johnson Point and the ski area is no longer part of the proposal, since it will continue to be a 25 mph zone.
• The no wake buoys guarding Johnson Point will be moved to 150 yards from the docks.
• The two no wake buoys guarding “Callis Cove” and “Vanore Cove” will be removed to make the 25 mph max zone more uniform around the lake.
Lake Auman will be patrolled
Wimberly told The Times that Lake Auman will be patrolled this summer on weekends and major holidays.
A warning will be issued to first time violators, after which tickets will be issued: $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense, and $100 for the third offense. After one warning and three tickets offenders will be sent to the Judicial Panel.
A patrol guard will be taking a picture of the boat’s registration number; tickets will be mailed to the homeowner.
Beefing Up Communications
Secretary Jane Sessler told the Board she wants to “beef up” the community website to keep homeowners better informed. One option she is considering to get information out to the community is through weekly emails sent to those registered on the website.
Sessler said she wants to get people involved through a “push” rather than “pull” method. Community Manager Joan Frost said sending out emails to the community can really help out in case of an emergency.
Director John Hoffman expressed concern that individuals may not want to receive emails from the community, and asked Sessler to consider an option to opt out of receiving the emails.
The Board gave Sessler unanimous approval to send out emails to those signed up on the website and “see what happens.” Frost emphasized that email addresses given to the association will not be given out in weekly emails.
Sessler said she hopes to better educate members about the use of the website through “mini-seminars.” Director Jim Ferguson said he has received a lot of comments from the community about the difficulty to navigate the website — something that Sessler said she will address during the seminars. Dates for the website seminars are pending.
No Free Barcodes
New Safety and Security Director Jim McCarthy’s motion to give one free vehicle barcode per household was opposed eight to one by the Board during Tuesday’s Work Session.
Community Manager Joan Frost said it would be “impossible” to keep track of who had received a free barcode and who hadn’t. McCarthy said the $20 in revenue from each barcode that the association receives would be a “minimal” cost to the treasury. However, Treasurer Don Freiert disagreed, saying the budget is a “zero sum game” — if you take something out of it, you have to find a way to put it back in by either cutting costs or increasing dues.
Frost said she receives at least 200 requests each year for new barcodes, which generates about $4,000 for the Association.
Former Safety and Security Director Hoffmann said, given the likely need to replace security infrastructure sometime in the new future, it doesn’t make sense to take money out of the treasury.
Infrastructure Director John Goodman echoed this, saying, public relations wise or administratively, it would make “no sense” to give out free vehicle barcodes.
McCarthy looks at traffic issues
Director McCarthy’s recommendation that a four-way stop sign system be installed at the intersection of Longleaf and and Lakeway was tabled by the Board until further information is presented. He called the need for a four way stop a “safety net” for those coming and going out of the community.
Community Manager Frost will check for any applicable County regulations. Hoffmann asked for public hearings on the matter saying maybe it is time to, “tackle this bear” and get it out to the community.
Speed bumps have been a perennial hot button issue in the community. McCarthy said they can slow down traffic, but pose a safety hazard to those on motorcycles.
McCarthy said he planned to further investigate the possibility of an Association patrol that could hand out speeding tickets, an option that has been explored in the past. He was assured by Hoffman that there is money in the budget to fund such patrols.
Other issues presented by McCarthy at the Tuesday, April 12 meeting included:
• Security Guards in the community will be given reflective vests when working outside.
• Frost will work with an electrical contractor to get more lighting for the flag and each side of the road at the front gate house.
• McCarthy will form an investigative committee to check the feasibility of placing a second back gate at Bainbridge or Finch Gate Drive.
Community Manager’s Report
Community Manager Joan Frost reported $24,000 in delinquent accounts as of March 31, of which $13,000 are long term delinquents on which liens have been filed. According to Frost there has been a continuation of foreclosures in the community which would cause some of these outstanding dues to be written off as uncollectable.
Dues coupon booklets have been ordered for the annual dues mailing Frost reported. Payments for the new year come due on May 1; however, late fees will not be charged until June 11. Annual usage charges for mail boxes, boats and storage areas will be sent out in a separate mailing to residents.
Community Swimming Pool
The Board voted unanimously to move forward with $4,000 in necessary improvements to the community pool to meet state standards, unless an appeal to suspend new North Carolina regulations for swimming pools is passed by Friday, April 15. Frost reported that sources with Moore County have suggested that the appeal may not pass until next year, which would leave the pool closed for the season — something the Board does not want to see happen.
Passes for the community pool will be laminated this year to better protect them from damage. A photo system for the passes proved to be too expensive this year and will be looked at again for the 2012-2013 budget.
Community Center & WSP
Frost reported that the Community Center will be power washed the week of April 25 by Hussey’s Home Improvements for $2,300. Once this is complete, it will be determined if any painting needs to be done to the building. Currently, there is money built into the budget for touch up paint to be administered, if necessary.
A new security system has been installed at the Community Center center by ESC, the same company that monitors the security gates, Frost reported. Entrance codes are being issued to Board members, CAS office staff, and maintenance. The upstairs portion of the building, the Great Room and kitchen, will be closed with security on at all times, unless notification is given for the room to be used. The building will continue to be opened by Mike Ellison and Jon Bolles for weekend events.
Repairs currently underway in the community include:
• The entrance sign to the Pinnacle is being sanded and painted.
• Repairs have been completed on boat slips torn off the main dock. Other dock and bulkhead repairs are being scheduled, with a new material being used, for safety reasons, for the top of existing bulk heads.
SLWLA Events
Events Director Jim Ferguson announced that tickets are still available for the Wine, Cheese and Chocolates event to be held at the WSPCC on Friday, April 15 at 7 pm. Wine is being presented by the Sandhills Winery, cheeses by Goldie’s Gourmet and chocolates by Seven Lakes West resident, Carole Huettig.
The Annnual Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Sunday, April 17 at 1:00 pm at the Community Center upper parking lot.
The Johnson Point Concert Summer Event will begin in May and run through September, with concerts held the first Friday of every month starting at 7:00 pm.
Other Business
In other business during the Tuesday, April 12 SLWLA Work Session:
• Charlie Flinchum told the Board during member comment that the community needs to put more emphasis on welcoming new homeowners into the community. “This is a family community here,” said Flinchum.”I will volunteer my time,” to enhance family relationships in the community.
• Infrastructure Director John Goodman reported that the five culvert repairs are finished. Next on the agenda are “major” road repairs at the two pond dams south of the entrance on the right hand side of the road.
• ARC Director John Hoffman reported thirty new projects other than new construction going on in the area. These projects include “anything visual in yards,” which need to be approved and signed off by any ARC member.
