“If it’s good for the community, why isn’t it good for the Board?” asked Director Dan Blue, presenting a request that the Architectural Review Committee [ARC] sign off on construction projects initiated by the Seven Lakes West Landowners Association [SLWLA], as well as those undertaken by landowners.
ARC members want to be included in the decision process -- or to at least have the opportunity to review -- Association projects like the landscaping around the lower Lakeway Mall pond and the reconfiguration of the front and back entrances.
“I think we should be involved in that," Blue told his fellow Directors during the Board's Tuesday, June 12 Work Session, "and would ask that at least those plans be shown to us.”
“The bottom line of the process is that the Board is ignoring the ARC as a resource,” said Blue. “That troubles me.”
“The Board is ignoring the ARC, which is supposedly a tool to the community. What is the Community’s feeling about ARC, if the Board has no respect for its own committee?”
Secretary Jane Sessler said Association projects are always brought before the Board, and, as the ARC Director, Blue represents that committee in the Board's deliberations.
“ARC’s voice has always been there,” said Sessler.
“If ARC has value to the community and to the Board,” said Blue, “Then we would certainly like to be appreciated by the leadership of the community.”
Lake and Dam Director Bruce Keyser suggested an ARC member be appointed to the various committees that handle such projects as a liaison.
However, Blue said this may pose two problems: one being time commitment, the second being a conflict of interest for the ARC member who is also serving on a planning committee.
Legal Director Jack Stevens suggested that members of other committees might make the same request.
“In some of these situations revealing that information and that process out of necessity has to be efficient,” said Stevens.
Stevens will take Blue's concern to the Legal Affairs Committee, and ARC will bring back to the Board more information regarding their request.
Unauthorized Tree Removal
In other ARC news, Blue expressed concern that a tree removal company entered the community and cut down four trees at Lot 3387, at the owner’s request but without authorization from ARC. Blue said he is investigating ways to prevent this from happening in the future.
There were two problems with the tree cutting, Blue explained. First, no application for the project had been filed with ARC. Second, the contractor handling the project was not properly signed into the community through security.
“We need to tighten this up and agree on some procedures that we can implement to control access to our common areas,” said Stevens.
“The roads are a common space, they are private property, and we have every right to enforce access to our common property,” said Stevens, “And unauthorized access, in my opinion, is trespassing.”
Blue said the current application process for projects in the community is being revamped to be more user friendly and streamlined.
“It’s a small effort to make the ARC more community service responsive,” said Blue, “That’s an ongoing working project.”
Blue also reported that he is working on a compliance issue with Lot 3115.
Safety and Security Report
In a seven-to-one vote, the Board turned down a proposal by Safety and Security Director Jim McCarthy to install two security cameras at Johnson Point at a cost of $4,300. Only McCarthy voted in favor of the motion.
McCarthy argued that vandalism and theft in the area means the security cameras are needed sooner rather than later. However, the Board wanted additional information, including where the cameras will be installed and the cost of a monthly service fee to operate them.
Lake and Dam Director Bruce Keyser said public comment in previous Board meetings has encouraged the Board to focus on the East Gate, rather than Johnson Point, at this time.
“We can’t keep putting this off,” said McCarthy who explained that a theft occurred at Johnson Point in the past week.
“We’re not,” replied Keyser. “But we need a better idea of our priorities.”
During member comments, retired Safety and Security Director John Hoffmann said, “It was my experience that you can’t have enough cameras. If you do have enough, it tends to not be affordable.”
Hoffmann said two cameras at Johnson Point is not enough, in his opinion.
“The cameras have some detouring value,” said Hoffmann, “but almost no value when it comes to proving and then getting a conviction and restitution to your owners.
Stevens recommended that McCarthy go back to the Security Committee, fine tune their request,and then re-present it to the Board.
In other Security news, McCarthy said roving security patrol will begin on June 15, covering Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and on other days at McCarthy’s discretion.
Lake and Dam Report
In a seven-to-one vote, with Director Rosemary Weber opposed, the Board approved the installation of an electronic gate at the boat storage area for a price not to exceed $7500. The gate will replace the current manual gate at the facility and comes with a one year warranty on labor and parts.
Keyser reported that the Lake and Dam Committee agreed to allow the Piranhas swim team from Seven Lakes Health & Fitness to use the swimming area at Johnson Point on the evenings of June 18 and June 20.
A comprehensive study of Lake Auman has been completed, Keyser said, and the results are posted on the community website for further review.
Paving on the remediation areas of the dam has been postponed due to weather.
A volunteer lake security patrol has been reinstated, Keyser said, in cooperation with the Lake Auman Sports Club, and will work in conjunction with the Lake Security Officer.
Amenities Report
Amenities Director Rosemary Weber said the West Side Park Community Center’s [WSPCC] kitchen has been organized and inventoried. It has also been restocked with $500 worth of kitchen appliances and utensils.
The pool rules have been reviewed and are in place. More benches may need to be purchased to add or replace existing ones throughout the community, Weber said.
After much discussion, the Board agreed that, as long as an event is Board-sponsored, tables or chairs from the downstair areas of the WSPCC can be used. Use of these will not be extended to any clubs in the community. Secretary Sessler said some type of rule needs to be put into place regarding this and it should be handled by the CAS team.
Weber will be using tables from the WSPCC for the upcoming community picnic at Johnson Point on June 23 at 4:00 pm. Weber said tickets need to be picked up ahead of time at the office and will need to be presented at the picnic. The picnic will have a DJ, food, and games.
Events Report
Over forty people attended the Self Defense class held on Monday, June 11 Weber reported.
A Boat Safety Class will be conducted at the Community Center on Wednesday, June 27 at 6:30 pm, reviewing the rules and regulations governing boating in North Carolina.
July 4 festivities will begin with the Kid’s Parade at 10:00 am at the Community Center, followed by the boat parade at 1 pm at Pine Island. Fireworks will begin at dusk.
The Johnson Point Summer Concert Series continues on Friday, July 6 at 7:00 pm and will feature the Redline Band. The 50/50 raffle will benefit the Moore County Special Olympics.
The Durham Bulls game bus trip has been canceled due to lack of sign ups, Weber said.
On August 14, the Events Committee will host a hand gun safety class at no charge to the community. The class will be held at WSPCC beginning at 6:30 pm. Weber asked that participants sign up for the class either with the CAS office or by emailing her.
Infrastructure Report
Infrastructure Director Jim Pierman said vegetation has been planted at the lower Lakeway Mall pond dam with work on the backside of the dam expected to begin next week.
Other Infrastructure news reported by Pierman included:
• Work on a guardrail and walking path continues at the Lakeway Mall pond dam.
• Carriage Park Dam number four has been surveyed, and drilling is being done to investigate the condition of the overflow and spillway pipes.
• An investigation is underway of road deterioration caused by storm water drainage from Beacon Ridge Country Club.
• Moore County will be doing the repaving on Dennis Circle, Pierman said.
• Work on the maintenance building is complete; the next step is to put a lock on the gate.
• The Committee is investigating the cost of fire hydrant packages.
• The Board approved the appointment of Bruce Macdonald to the Infrastructure Committee.
Treasurer’s Report
Cash disbursements for last month were $82,500, reported Treasurer Don Freiert. Unusual expenses for the month included went to the lake study for $4,400, planting vegetation at the lower pond dam for $2,900, the storage building for $13,000, and the first installment of the firework displays for $5,800.
Freiert reported that $50,000 was placed into a new CD which matures in ten years. $250,000 in pre-paid dues was transferred into a Merrill Lynch money market fund. Another $95,000 was placed into a step-up CD.
Community Manager’s Report
Signs warning residents to "Beware of Snakes" signs have been posted near the dam at Johnson Point, reported Community Manager Jeanette Mendence. The signs have replaced the speed limit signs that were posted. The new yard waste sign with hours of operation has also been installed.
A fire marshall's inspection of the Community Center has been completed and fire extinguishers will also be inspected. A new filtration system has been installed at the pool that utilizes 1800 pounds of sand.
Due to reports of suspicious activity, the roving security patrol will be monitoring activity on the Lake Auman Dam, reported Mendence. Secretary Jane Sessler has also asked for security to monitor dog walkers in the community.
Other Business
Other business conducted during the SLWLA’s Tuesday meeting included:
• Director Stevens asked that residents be familiar with the new North Carolina law on forced annexation. “It gives the local folks the right to vote on this issue, so it is an important development,” said Stevens. Stevens said information regarding the new law will be posted on the community website.
• The Board approved Ed Cockman as a member of the Judicial Panel, as requested by Stevens.
• Sessler asked SLWLA Committees to increase the flow of information to her so that it can be posted on the website.
• Kathy Kirst said the Sailing Club is in its first week of sailing. She also asked that, if security cameras are going to be put at Johnson Point, then cameras should also be placed at the upper storage lot. “We need to consider all of the storage areas,” said Kirst, “if we are going to do it.”
• President Mick Herdrich was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
