Bruce Keyser, Jr. will rejoin the Seven Lakes Landowners Association [SLLA] Board of Directors, appointed in a quick up-and-down vote during the Wednesday, April 27 Open Meeting. Keyser will serve out the remaining year-long term of one of the two chairs left vacant when veteran Directors Melinda Scott and Chuck Mims resigned within days of the March annual election.
Following several contentious decisions in the waning days of the last Board term, voters made a strong statement in favor of a new direction by electing challengers Bob Darr, Bob Racine, Conrad Meyer, and Don Fentzlaff, while overlooking Keyser and fellow incumbent director, former SLLA President Randy Zielsdorf.
In the wake of the unanticipated loss of Scott and Mims, the just-seated majority of four, along with veteran Director Bud Shaver, were left shorthanded but determined to get down to business. Immediately following their first official Work Session earlier this month, they met in a Special Closed Meeting to discuss the vacancies.
According to Association By-Laws, the Board may appoint any member in good standing to fill a vacant Board seat, but should give first consideration to the Seven Lakes resident receiving the next largest number of votes in the previous election. That was Keyser, though the 101 votes he garnered was only one-quarter the number cast for the top vote-getter.
“We talked a great deal about the process of filling the vacancies," said SLLA President Darr, "including the possibility of taking it to the community for a special election -- but that would be a considerable amount of money.”
He said they agreed to approach Keyser and were pleased that he was willing to continue to serve.
On a motion called by Darr and seconded by Fentzlaff, Keyser was appointed by a unanimous vote of the Board.
The other vacant seat remains empty and the Board continues to actively seek interested candidates. In addition, the position of Vice President, which was held by Scott prior to her resignation, will remain vacant for the time being.
Speaking to The Times following the meeting, Darr said the Board had decided to postpone electing a new Vice President officer until at least one of the two vacancies had been filled.
2012 Budget approved
With the new fiscal year set to start only days away, on May 1, the Board unanimously approved the FY 2012 Budget, after making an adjustment to compensate for the Davenport Landscaping contract recently approved.
In January 2011, the previous SLLA Board had considered two proposed budgets: one that reflected an in-house maintenance department and one that did not. The two budgets were similar, with identical total revenue and total expenditures, but differed on several specific line items in terms of how resources were allocated. Following a tumultuous public comment period during that January meeting, when many spoke in opposition to the outsourcing contract, the Board postponed a decision on landscaping and instead preapproved the budget with the in-house maintenance department funding.
Later in February, the landscaping contract was approved; but the proposed budget for the coming year was not adjusted to reflect the change.
“Remember we were told the contract was cost neutral," explained Treasurer Conrad Meyer, "and that’s what these budgets show. The income on both sides is the same, the difference is under expenses, within several line items."
Specifically, the budget adjusted for the landscape contract ups the "grounds" expenditure line item and decreases the "salaries" line item.
On a motion by Meyer, the Board unanimously approved the FY 2012 Budget as recommended.
Meyer took the opportunity to thank George Temple and Ed Sanchez for their willingness to continue as members of the Finance Committee, to thank new member Jim Allen for stepping up to help, and in particular to thank former Treasurer Denny Galford for his assistance.
“He has sent me more files than you can imagine," Meyer said. "Without his help, my transition would have been much more difficult.”
Looking ahead, Meyer said he would be working with Community Manager Alina Cochran in the coming week to complete an inventory of capital assets.
Reserve Study -- Paving
With a staggering $4.3 million estimated price tag to repave the community’s aging roads, Director Bud Shaver recommended first hiring a road engineer to help the Board assess the Reserve Study recommendations and map out a plan to better determine actual costs.
“Many of our roads were put together over many years," Shaver said. "I’m just not comfortable with the substructure. We don’t know how far down we’ll have to go, and we’re not going to talk about just putting tar over the top. We need an engineer to tell us specifically what we need to do."
Both Darr and Meyer strongly supported his recommendation.
“Bud is right on the money,” said Darr. “No one on the Board knows enough about roads and substructures to get us in the business of spending millions of dollars without thoroughly understanding what is needed.”
Currently, the Association has $385,000 held in reserves for road paving and state-mandated dam repairs. The options that should be discussed, Shaver said, include whether it is appropriate to borrow $3 million and have all twenty-seven miles of interior roads paved at once, or whether the work should be done incrementally, as the Reserve Study suggests. In addition, he said the final cost estimate should include two quotes: one for basic repaving and one for repaving to meet state standards.
Darr thanked Shaver for the significant commitment of time he has put into the project to reach this point and asked the community for patience and input in the near future.
“This has been an enormous amount of work," said Darr. "Hours and hours and hours spent -- and I give Bud all the credit in the world on this project. As we proceed down the road, we as a Board are going to have hours and hours and hours of discussion, but we are committed that you [residents] will know what this is all about. You will know the same things we know and the same things we’re wrestling with. This is an enormous project and it is very costly.”
Rather than moving forward in haste, Darr said, it is crucial to have a good understanding of what was required and to keep the community informed and involved.
“We’ve got to do this right,” agreed Shaver.
After going around the table, the Board unanimously agreed with his recommendation and tasked Cochran with securing consulting bids from several reputable road engineers.
Landscaping contract
Noting that he himself was critical of the outsourced landscaping contract, as were the other recently elected directors, Darr said each has carefully reviewed the contract and all agreed it is a three-year agreement that cannot be breached, unless Davenport Landscaping fails to meet objectives as required.
He also pointed out that the contractor is doing an exceptional job.
“I have not seen this place look better in my eight and a half years as a resident,” said Darr. “It looks better and I never doubted that it would [with the contract]. My concern from the git-go was money -- and we will be monitoring that closely.”
In particular, the Board will be carefully considering the additional costs not associated with the primary contract for seeding, planting, and other non-mowing tasks.
During public comment, Northsider Bob Cook expressed concern about extra cost for those items -- and that the initial contract signed was for a three-year term.
“This is strictly a mowing contract," Cook said. "Any landscaping is additional cost, and we’re seeing a lot of landscaping. It is good landscaping, but I want people to understand that it is additional cost."
He recommended that the Board, rather than Community Manager Alina Cochran, be responsible for approving expenditures above and beyond the contract.
Darr explained that the previous Board, not Cochran, was responsible for approving the contract and that the additional work at the entrance gates and elsewhere in the community were also approved by the previous Board. He also noted that, at this point, no additional invoices have been issued.
“We know we’re committed to a monthly fee," Darr explained, "but we have not received any bills for the other work they have done. I can guarantee that this fellow [motioning to Treasurer Meyer] will be very on top of those expenditures and any others from all over. He is really dedicated to finance -- as he should be: we have some major things we’re going to be getting into.”
Responding to a question from Northsider Andy Lowe about the policy that allows the Community Manager to approve contracts valued at less than $5,000; Darr said the Board has discussed drafting a new policy that would limit approval of any long-term contract to the Board, regardless of the fee amount.
Communication
Looking to improve communications with residents, the SLLA Board will hold a Town Hall-style meeting on Monday, June 20, at 7:00 pm.
Darr said the format will be simple, with a posted agenda and extended period for public comment and interaction with the Board.
“The purpose of the meeting is for input," he explained. "We want to respond to your concerns. Those items that come to us in the Town Hall will generate into discussion items for Board Work Sessions and Open Meetings. We feel there is a huge communication gap with the community. We want residents to come to the meeting and tell us what is going on: what are you happy with and what are you unhappy with.”
In a related communications topic, Southsider Ray Ulansey asked that some historical data that was once available on the SLLA website be restored. He also suggested that all other pertinent documentation -- minutes, studies, financial information -- should also be available online for member access.
Darr responded that an overhaul of the whole communication process for the Association was a project that former Director Scott was planning to undertake. Moving forward, Darr said, it is an issue the Board still intends to pursue.
Former Guard asks for support
A thirty-year resident of Seven Lakes North, Pearl Keene, addressed the Board over an incident involving her grandson, Steve McVey, who served the community for one and half years as a security guard before he was let go in October 2010.
“I want to know why he was fired for doing his job,” Keene demanded. “We all know that charges have been levied against him, and he’s had no support from the Association. I want you to be aware that he needs support from all of you.”
McVey was present at the meeting and offered his own account of the events that led to his arrest. He asked the Board and community members to contact the Moore County District Attorney’s office on his behalf.
“I had an incident in October with a drunk driver. What you read in the paper was the police report . . . I feel an obligation to let you know what happened,” said McVey.
He explained that a call came in from a resident who was on the scene of an accident on Echo Dam. The resident had contacted EMS and police and also reported to McVey that the driver was drunk.
After arriving at the accident, McVey said he began writing down the license plate of the vehicle when the driver exited the car and was being surly. McVey said he asked the driver to return to his vehicle.
“I talked to security at the gate and told them to tell police to hurry. He had his fists balled up and was being very belligerent. I went back to my truck for a flashlight. I thought about handcuffs and was going to make a citizens arrest. My foremost thought was for the safety of this community,” said McVey.
When he returned from his truck, McVey noted the alleged victim was leaving the accident scene on foot. He said, mistakenly, he believed that leaving the scene was a felony; however, he now knows that such action is a misdemeanor.
“I followed him and asked him to return to his car," McVey said. "He took off his belt and started swinging it like nunchucks [a martial arts weapon]. The belt came within inches of my nose. I had five-cell Maglite [flashlight] and tried to hit his hand. I hit him on the head, and that was a total accident.”
The man fell to the ground and McVey, not realizing he was unconscious, handcuffed him. Realizing the man was injured, he checked his pulse and breathing. McVey said he was about to remove the handcuffs when EMS arrived. He said that later on, police explained to him that he was out of line handcuffing the suspect -- that such action was considered kidnapping.
To make a difficult evening even worse, McVey said he and his girlfriend were victims of an armed robbery only hours later. Disgusted with his experience with police departments as it related to these two separate incidents, McVey said he did not feel they were there to serve.
McVey was charged with assault with a deadly weapon causing a serious injury The charges related to the Seven Lakes incident are currently under court consideration and McVey asked for support from the community.
Northsider Helen Simpson expressed appreciation for McVey, noting that, following a medical emergency that she witnessed, he was the first responder on the scene.
“He arrived before the EMS squad, which I thought was quite wonderful,” she said.
Billing - Membership Cards & Stickers
New SLLA billing procedures apparently have many residents scratching their heads and wondering when they will receive new membership cards and stickers for the new fiscal year.
Community Manager Cochran explained that invoices for dues and mailbox fees have been issued. Those with outstanding balances from previous years will receive an additional statement for the back dues.
The membership registration form has been updated to reflect changes recommended by the Finance Committee. Cochran explained that the objective was to separate the vehicle registration process from the billing process. Because of a delay with printing, vehicle stickers and membership cards for the new fiscal year will be received in mid-June. All current membership cards and stickers will be accepted until June 30.
Guest cards are available for purchase by members in good standing and may also be purchased throughout the year. Standard fees continue, with a charge of $25 for four guest cards.
In addition, power boat stickers will also be available for pick up at the SLLA office in June; owners must provide a copy of boat liability insurance.
Information on installment payment plans is available online at the Talis-based SLLA website and details will also be printed in an upcoming issue of the Interlake -- or members may contact Cochran directly with questions or billing concerns.
One resident questioned the need on the registration form to provide the number of occupants of a household.
Seven Lakes EMS Chief Bob Haan responded that safety is a partial reason, as that information can help emergency services determine if everyone has been evacuated following a major incident such as fire or tornado.
Darr said it was a valid question, and noted that he would do more research to see why and how such information was used.
Architectural Review
A vote of acclamation filled the ranks of the Architectural Review Board [ARB] with a few returning members and a few new faces. Seated were JoAn Moses, Sally Kindsvatter, Edie Starkey, Dennis Mueller, and Mike Cumms.
Director Don Fentzlaff reported that projects approved this month include two new decks, a garage, a rebuilt bulkhead, a roof, a house painting project, and a dock.
In addition, Fentzlaff attended a meeting with Seven Lakes West Architectural Review representatives and Moore County Planning to discuss pool setbacks within the community.
Community Standards
Noting that former Director Kent Droppers had done an excellent job of setting up a system to track Community Standards violations, Director Bob Racine explained that it was quickly falling apart because there was an enormous workload and, at this point, only one committee member.
“I need help. We need help!” said Racine.
Any interested in serving on the Community Standards Committee are encouraged to contact Racine or the SLLA office. The next committee meeting will be held Tuesday, May 3 at 8:30 am in the conference room.
Recreation
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt was a success, Racine announced.
He reported that Horse Camp will be held this Summer, new sand has been laid at the beaches, and the pool is being cleaned and will open for business Memorial Day weekend, beginning Friday, May 27.
A bulletin of Summer activities and upcoming events will be distributed soon, and information will also be sent by Interlake and email. Anticipated activities include indoor aerobics, water aerobics, Seven Lakes Stingrays Swim Team, and more.
More members are also needed on the Recreation Committee. Anyone interested is encouraged to drop by the next committee meeting on Wednesday, May 4 at 9:30 am in the conference room. Volunteers willing to assist a few hours at various special events are also needed.
In other recreation discussion, the Board approved a $13,768 two-year contract for fireworks that will maintain the same display as last year at the same cost [set at $6,884 per year].
Lakes & Dams
By unanimous vote, the Board approved amending Rule 8.4.4.5 to correspond to new state laws which require all power boat operators under the age of twenty-six years to successfully complete an approved boating safety education course.
Earlier in April, officers with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission conducted a class in Seven Lakes and another course will be offered in the near future, reported Fentzlaff.
He said that Boat Patrol would be patrolling Lake Sequoia beginning May 1.
Alluding to the incident involving Security Guard McVey, a resident questioned whether the Association was prepared to back-up the patrol officer.
Fentzlaff and Darr both indicated that the Judicial Committee is the Association's only option for sanctioning violators.
“We are not a registered law enforcement agency,' Darr said. "What you’re asking us to do we cannot do; we are not allowed. If you have a violation on the lake, and security stops them, and the guy decides 'Heck with you,' the only thing we can do is have the incident reported and called before Judicial. We cannot handcuff anyone and we can’t arrest them."
Cochran agreed and said the Boat Patrol, like Roving Patrol, is in place to observe and report, not to become confrontational. In addition, she said off-duty deputies from the Moore County Sheriff’s Office will be hired to provide extra patrols.
Fentzlaff noted that NC Wildlife can also be invited in to patrol the lakes and have full legal authority as enforcement officers.
“They would be happy to come in to ensure that laws are being obeyed," he explained. "They did it on the West Side, and you had a lot of unhappy boaters. I don’t think it would be different here, but if that is what has to happen [to ensure compliance], then that is what will happen.”
Other Business
In other business during the Wednesday, April 27 Open Meeting, the SLLA Board of Directors:
• Recognized Andy Lowe for his assistance with the North Clubhouse public address system. Using borrowed speakers and his extensive knowledge of electronics, Lowe was able to remarkably improve the clarity of the amplified Board discussion.
• By a vote of acclamation, appointed Ed Chapman, Ken Keating, Dean Charles, Carolyn Follansbee, and Frank Krohn to serve on the Judicial Committee. Director Racine resigned his position as an alternate member, and the committee will present a recommended replacement to the Board for consideration.
• Heard from Shaver that he tasked Cochran with compiling a reference book that outlines responsibilities and various regulations regarding legally-permissible board activities. He recommended that each director take time to review the manual.
• Heard from Darr that a work order is in progress to install short posts and steel cables along Firetree Lane at Sequoia Point that will eliminate the illegal parking area. “This is an extremely dangerous place for kids," Darr said. "We really have a problem and we need to make this secure and safe for everybody.”
• Heard from Cochran that a paving contractor has crack-filled and sealed the Northside Park basketball courts. “This is one of our most used amenities,” noted Cochran. The courts were repainted with playing stripes; however, she also reported the overhead light covers were vandalized and broken. “There is a cost," she noted. "Every time vandalism happens, there is a cost to the Association.”
