The Budd Group, a Charlotte-based firm, was awarded the security contract for the Seven Lakes Landowners Association [SLLA], in a unanimous decision during the November 16 Board of Directors Open Meeting.
While the new contract will offer a reduced rate overall, SLLA President Bob Darr noted that cost was not the primary motivation for selecting Budd over SFI, the current vendor.
“We wanted to make sure we were getting the most bang for our buck," Darr said, "and whether we were getting the services we wanted. The Budd Group is a fairly local and a relatively small business. The feedback we received on them was excellent; and what they do, that I find appealing, is they are very locally-oriented. They look at each contract individually to zero in on and solve any problems.”
“Yes, there will be a reduction in costs," Darr concluded, "but I am also very hopeful that we will get much better security.”
Security Director Andy Lowe said he was particularly impressed by The Budd Group’s training programs, which will bring all security staff up to NC standards.
Recognizing that the final decision was made swiftly, SLLA Treasurer Conrad Meyer reported that six firms had submitted bids and, of those, current security contractor SFI and two others were invited to participate in a more-detailed interview process. He said the cost differences between the top three candidates had been insignificant, prompting the Board to consider other aspects of each contract.
“Price wasn’t the driving factor," Meyer said. "We looked at other intangible factors, such as their willingness to customize services to the Association.”
He noted that The Budd Group will be interviewing for positions and anticipated that community residents will see some new faces at the gatehouses, as well as a few familiar individuals.
“It’s not like all of our present force will lose their jobs, and we will have all new guards,” said Meyer.
In addition, he noted that the annual contract includes an initial thirty-day provisional period, which allows the option for either entity to back out.
Board candidates wanted
Three seats on the SLLA Board of Directors will be determined by the annual election in March, and progress has been slow in attracting candidates, reported Director Bob Racine.
“I would like to encourage anyone to consider running,” he said. “And talk to your neighbors and folks interested in this community.”
President Darr also encouraged candidates to step forward. While admitting that service on the Board is time-consuming and "a hell of a lot of work," Darr said it can also be, ultimately, a very gratifying experience.
One particular priority noted by Darr and Racine is attracting Southside residents as candidates, as the current Board of Directors is composed entirely of Northsiders.
The list of candidates will be presented to the Board at the December Open Meeting. Those interested in serving, interested in suggesting a possible nominee, or with questions about the process can contact Racine at 910-400-5116.
Midterm progress report
Offering a midterm report on a variety of issues, Darr said that, this year, the Board has been primarily focused on both community and architectural standards, reviewing and updating some rules and regulations, attending to lakes and dams issues (including pumps and drainage concerns), and improving the annual registration and dues process.
In addition, the Board oversees three ongoing contracts -- security, grounds and landscaping, and management -- as well as short term contracts for road and dam projects.
Darr said there are other focus areas that are under consideration or still in need of attention, including Association communications, lake water quality and testing, and updating the community disaster plan.
“I expect these issues will lead us to our next Town Hall meeting,” said Darr. “We will need to decide how to prioritize and will be developing committees to help us come up with ideas.”
Community events
A Christmas Mingle & Jingle party will be held Sunday, December 11, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, in the Seven Lakes North Clubhouse and Community Activity Center [CAC]. All residents are invited to attend, as this BYOB event has something for both the young and the not-so-young. Refreshments and hot hors d’oeuvres will be served. And Santa Claus, that jolly old elf himself, will make an appearance.
“This will be a party for all ages,” said Racine.
Community Manager Alina Cochran recognized the Recreation Committee for their efforts in hosting another very successful Halloween Party. Especially thanked were Director Racine, Laura Douglass, Barbara Keating, Kurt Kreuger, Sue Darr, Brenda Massimo, Joyce Keller, and Amanda Keller. The residents of Sandhills Memory Care, and their Recreation Director, Monica Keating, were thanked for making and donating "ghost lollipops" for the children. Seven Lakes EMS generously donated glo-sticks to keep trick-or-treaters safe on their travels.
Petty vandalism at parks
Disappointed and disgusted, Director Racine reported that juvenile vandalism in the community recreation areas continues to be a problem.
“The swings are dangling and broken because their chains are whipped over the tops at the park,” he said. “Our beautiful slides, that we paid a lot of money for, have a swastika sticker and graffiti on them. And there is mud thrown all over the shelter at the Big J playground.”
“I don’t know why we should spend one dime over the activities of a few!" Racine said "This takes money away from the things we seriously need. What we don’t need is vandalism!”
Racine said he hopes that, with new security in place, the problems will be reduced and, once that happens, he would like to expand the recreation program.
“I come every day and see kids playing in our park and having a ball," Racine said. "I hate to see this jeopardized by the actions of a few."
Finance
Dixon Hughes is still in the process of completing the annual audit, and no target completion date has been announced, reported Treasurer Meyer.
“It continues to be very frustrating, and this is holding up other activities normally performed by the Finance Committee,” he said.
Also incomplete at this juncture is a planned improvement of the financial statement formatting.
“This has yet to be accomplished," Meyer said, "but not due to lack of effort. Some issues have popped up with the database,” he explained, noting that a meeting has been scheduled to resolve the concerns.
Also progressing is a volunteer-led initiative to improve the annual dues billing process for both residents and staff. Meyer reported that the committee meets every other week and that information is currently being loaded into the main database.
One major project that has reached completion was an improved lot audit.
“This was a lot of work, but a worthwhile exercise,” Meyer said, recommending that a new audit should be completed every three to four years “to make sure the information in our database matches what is going on out in the community.”
During the auditing process, Meyer discovered that the maps in use by the community were not accurate. New maps of streets and lots, downloaded from the Moore County GIS system, are available for review at the office and on the Association website.
Meyer reminded his fellow Board members that they should submit, in January, any proposed capital expense items for the new fiscal year.
Reporting on the current budget, Community Manager Alina Cochran said year-to-date figures are very close to budget. She noted that there is a large positive variance under salaries, and a corresponding negative variance under group insurance, which will be adjusted in the coming month.
“Other than that, we are looking good so far,” said Cochran.
Lakes & Dams
Reporting for Director Don Fentzlaff, who was not in attendance, Darr said the Lakes & Dams Committee had recently welcomed three new members -- he added that additional help is needed.
“Ideally, we would like to have one volunteer to champion each lake," Darr said, "and our preference would be for that volunteer to be a lakefront resident of that lake."
Thanking the members of the Lakes & Dams Committee, Darr said they have done a lot of good work and, in his opinion, had saved the Association a great deal of money through careful oversight and volunteer maintenance.
Director Shaver expressed concern over silt build-up that is occurring in some coves and recommended that a long range plan should be considered.
Road repaving project
Engineering firm S&ME is currently conducting a thorough analysis of road conditions and recommending repaving options, a process which should be completed in approximately sixty days, Shaver reported.
Southsider Tom Zaleski recommended developing a standard policy in the future to ensure that utility companies and other businesses would adequately and appropriately patch or resurface any disturbed road areas.
“Our policy now says they have to fix the road," Zaleski said, "but, the problem is, previous management didn’t always make sure that occurred.”
He recommended that any notice of work, except for emergencies, should be pre-approved by the SLLA office.
Director Shaver said he agreed there should be a set standard follow up after any work that disturbs the road.
Security
“The cameras are working at the [yard] Debris Site, and I think they are having a positive effect,” reported Director Andy Lowe.
Additional cameras may soon be installed near the pool and gazebo areas at Northside Park, he added.
Turning attention to the ongoing project of clearing out decaying boats and trailers from the storage yard, Lowe said registered letters have been sent to three boat owners, and he is working with the Department of Motor Vehicles to resolve paperwork on an abandoned trailer.
Other Business
Director Bruce Keyser, Jr. was unable to attend the meeting. In other business on Wednesday, November 16:
• Director Bud Shaver applauded his fellow Board members and cautioned that, without solid leadership stepping up to serve in the future, the overall quality of the community would diminish. “This is my fourth year on the Board and never have I worked with a Board that has worked as hard individually as this one,” Shaver said.
• Director Racine reported that the Community Standards Committee is completing an audit of all cases reviewed this year. He thanked the members and said he especially appreciated several new volunteers who recently signed on.
• The Board learned that the Architectural Review Board denied two applications for lack of materials and incomplete drawings. The applications will be resubmitted at a later date.
