Community input has been mixed on a Long Range Planning proposal to hire an outside consulting firm to manage a Vision and Master Planning Process, Director Don Freiert reported during the Tuesday, July 10 Seven Lakes West Landowners Association work session.
The cost of hiring Clarion Associates to lead the community through a planning process is estimated to be $40,000.
Of the seventeen responses received through email or on the website, Freiert said, eight were in favor of the project, while six were opposed, and three took no position.
Those in favor of the Vision Plan say it is needed to move the community forward, but are concerned about obtaining sufficient participation from Association members to effectively pull off such a project.
During Tuesday's meeting, Dale Erikson said he is in full support of hiring an outside firm to create a Vision Plan for the community but is “uncomfortable” with the price.
“There is not a company today, there is not a community today that is successful, that does not have a vision,” explained Erikson.
Others who supported the project argues that it should be handled internally to save the community some of the estimated $40,000 cost of using an outside firm.
Westsider Jim Krisner agreed with the need for the Vision and Master Plan, but said the Board should explore having the work done internally rather than contracting with a consultant.
“Let me make my predictions on what will happen,” said Krisner. “They [Clarion Associates] will come up with some very lofty goals that you will never be able to achieve, because you simply don’t have the budget to do it.”
Legal Director Jack Stevens said doing the work internally is not the best solution.
“This community has had decades of self medication, and now it’s time to ask the doctor what drugs we should use,” said Stevens. “To look at a budget in the future of $7 million and spend $40,000 -- about one percent of the budget -- in my personal opinion . . . I think it’s a good deal.”
Those opposed to the Vision and Master Plan have largely expressed a concern that the money could better be spent on road maintenance or other needs in the community.
Others have suggested that the plan may never be used -- and suggested that Summer is not the time to ask for community feedback, given that many residents travel in the Summer.
“Hopefully, we will get further input and guidance from those attending the upcoming town hall meetings,” said Freiert.
The Board has scheduled two Town Hall meetings on the proposed Vision and Master Planning Process: one on Wednesday, July 11 and one on Thursday, July 19, both at 7:00 pm in the West Side Park Community Center. A first Board vote on the matter is expected at the Tuesday, July 24 work session, with a final vote scheduled for Tuesday, August 14.
Security Cameras at the Gates
Also during Tuesday's Work Session, the SLWLA Board approved a request by Safety and Security Director Jim McCarthy to replace the exit portion of the east gate and install two security cameras at a cost of $2,800.
Due to the constant failure of the back gate mechanisms, McCarthy said, it makes more sense to replace the gate than repair it.
“We are getting down to the wire, where this is the last time we can do anything or fix anything on it,” explained McCarthy.
Community Manager Jeanette Mendence said, in her six weeks working in the community, the gate has had to be repaired every week.
Repairs to the entrance side of the back gate will be factored into next year’s budget, MaCarthy said.
The Board also approved the installation of two cameras at the exit side of the front gate at a cost of $1200. Two weeks ago a vehicle crashed into the gate, doing $25 in damage. McCarthy said the cameras will pay for themselves, since the footage would be able to identify the license plate of a vehicle damaging the gate.
The footage may also help address the repeated tailgating that is taking place at the front gate.
McCarthy said he is starting to utilize the “E-Blasts” to inform the community of ongoing security issues.
“To give the community some sense that we are not living in a perfect world in here,” said McCarthy, “We do have things that go on, and we need to stop it before it gets worse.”
Despite the Board's approval of four new security cameras, Westsider Erikson said, “I am not a believer in cameras . . . I have yet to hear any incident where we have used the cameras to actually do something with the data.”
McCarthy withdrew a motion to install a thirty-five foot pole along with four security cameras at Johnson Point. The cost of the project would be as much as $5,600. McCarthy said he would like to explore the possibility of using the existing radio tower for the cameras, before moving forward.
Treasurer’s Report
Cash disbursements for the month of June were $419,000, including at transfer of $250,000 from checking to a money market account, reported Treasurer Don Freiert.
Normal operating expenses for the month totaled $169,900. Non-recurring expenses included: $15,000 to Kanoy Architecture for the mailhouse project, $17,800 to Marks Enterprises for work at the pond dams on Longleaf, $10,000 to Cagle Landscaping for work on the storage building, $6,600 to Quality Fence for the storage yard gate, and $25,600 for the CAS management fee.
Another CD will be called on July 27 from BNC National Bank for $100,000, reported Freiert, who has authorized Merrill Lynch to reinvest the funds into another CD.
Community Manager’s Report
Due to wear and tear, ten street signs have been painted and will be reinstalled, reported Community Manager Mendence. CAS will continue checking to see if other signs need repairs.
The gazebo at Johnson Point has been sprayed for spiders and a felled tree has been cut and removed from Callis Circle.
New shelves have been installed in the Community Center library, and the new gate at the boat storage area is working out really well, said Mendence. The area around the radio tower is currently being cleaned up.
Other Business
Other business conducted during the Board’s Tuesday, July 10 meeting included:
• The Board is working on a process that will allow the community bulletin board at the front entrance to be updated during the weekend. This past weekend, no notice of Westsider Emmeline Madeline Body's memorial service could be posted on the sign, because no one had access to the letters for the bulletin board. Although two SLWLA Board members, Secretary Jane Sessler and President Mick Herdrich, tried to post the information, they were unsuccessful. Body’s daughter Madeline Robles addressed the Board during Tuesday’s meeting, asking that they take action so that it would never happen to another family in the future. Former Safety and Security Director John Hoffmann said CAS needs to have someone available 24/7 to deal with such issues as these. “Until that happens . . . this will continue to occur,” he said.
• Directors approved the second reading of changes to the ARC standard on antennas and satellite dishes, as requested by ARC Director Dan Blue. The third and final reading will take place at the Board’s Tuesday, July 24 meeting.
• The Amenities Committee is in the process of gathering estimates for the painting of the library and downstairs meeting room of the Community Center. The committee is also exploring purchasing a refrigerator for the down stairs meeting room. The elimination of the charge for nanny passes at the pool has been met with positive response said Mendence.
• Jim Pierman and Rosemary Weber were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
