Working at half-strength and just barely meeting the required quorum of four members, the Seven Lakes Landowners Association [SLLA] Board of Directors conducted a brief Work Session on Monday, September 10.
Treasurer Conrad Meyer presided over the meeting, sitting in for absent President Bob Darr and Vice President Chuck Leach. Meyer announced the resignation of Director Dave Buckingham, who was also not in attendance.
Buckingham was elected in March 2012 and has overseen communications efforts, most notably a new, more user-friendly online presence for the SLLA.
“Last week, we received notice of his resignation, which is effective immediately,” Meyer said. “We appreciate the work he has done and for being the driving force behind the new website.”
Following the meeting, The Times had the opportunity to speak with Buckingham regarding his decision.
He explained that he began his term with good intentions and high hopes, but has been disappointed with the overall lack of support for his efforts — from management and the community.
Despite repeated requests for volunteers to join a Communications Committee, Buckingham said, no one stepped forward. And with both he and his wife dealing with ongoing medical issues, he made the difficult decision to resign.
“I could not do it all myself, especially after the personal issues that took place over the past few months,” he explained.
Buckingham expressed regret over the outcome and said that he would gladly assist a new Director with the transition process for communications.
During the Work Session, Director Bob Racine — who chaired the Nominating Committee — said he was actively seeking interesting candidates.
Prancing Horse contract signed
An agreement with Prancing Horse Center was ratified during a Special Director Open Business Meeting called Friday, September 7, for the express purpose of taking action on the contract, which had been tabled during the August 29 Open Meeting, primarily over questions raised about liability insurance.
Prancing Horse is a well-established "hippo-therapy" program for disabled children and adults in Moore County. Using satellite sites — such as the Seven Lakes Stables — volunteers conduct one-to-two-hour weekly therapeutic riding sessions.
Treasurer Meyer said a quorum of the Board was present at the meeting and that the insurance policy was reviewed and discussed. In addition, he said President Bob Darr had spoken to the Association’s insurance agent and underwriter.
“The question was, ‘Do we have proper coverage?’ And the answer is, 'Yes.' They felt we were appropriately covered,” said Meyer. “The other question was, ‘Will there be any additional premium required for the program?’ And the answer was 'No.' We have coverage in place and having Prancing Horse here will not cost us any more from a liability standpoint.”
Proposed capital project contracts
Nearly $26,000 in proposed capital projects, already vetted and approved by the Finance Committee and ARB [Architectural Review Board], will be voted on during the upcoming Open Meeting later this month.
Presented by Meyer, on behalf of Director Chuck Leach, a proposed $19,100 contract with Elite Roofing includes a traditional shingle reroofing of the North Clubhouse building, and metal roofing at the Sequoia Point pavilion and the pool pump house.
In addition, a proposed $6,875 contract with Cheek Brothers was also discussed. Work includes the installation of vinyl wrap siding on trim areas of the North Clubhouse, as well as new gutters and downspouts.
Director Steve Ritter questioned how the projects fit in with the budget.
Meyer reported that both contracts represented the lowest bids received and that funding would come from the unrestricted reserves account.
“Do we have the money? Yes. But is it the highest priority? That is determined by the Long Range Planning [LRP] Committee,” he said.
However, Director Racine disagreed.
“This is a lot of stuff at one time, and a lot of money, but the final decision rests with the Board, not the LRP,” he said. “No other committee is elected — they are appointed. For these two items [proposed contracts] I agree; but, in the future, we’ll have to make some tough decisions with money.”
Speaking from the floor, Northsider Chuck Stephenson said the existing roof shingles are of low quality and the roofs are rotted and leaking. He also reported that vandalism from younger residents had caused damage to the pump house and pavilion shingles and gutters at the North Clubhouse.
15-minute mailhouse parking
A few students are habitually using parking spaces at the North Mailhouse building — which is located near a regular school bus stop.
“Cars parked all day at the mailhouse create a problem," Director Racine said, "especially for people making wide sweeping turns into the lot. And we have many elderly residents. The spaces closest to the building need to be available for short term parking.”
He explained that the problem was first identified last year, and the families have been asked to park in another section of the main lot, but the issue has not been resolved.
“We shouldn’t even have to ask them," Racine said. "It is common courtesy, but we have asked and they have not complied.”
“It is the same two or three cars all the time. We have talked to the parents and they are doing nothing about it,” he said.
Racine recommended a new fifteen-minute parking area should be established and posted, with fines issued through a standard Judicial Committee process to violators.
Treasurer Meyer and others questioned how this zone would be policed.
Racine said that vehicles suspected of long-term parking violations could be reported by any resident and suggested a letter of notification from the office should be the first step towards corrective action.
Rule revision recommended
In another discussion related to Judicial Committee, Director Racine said a recent hearing involving animals hit a snag because the referenced rule was out of date.
As written, Rule 5.2.10 is insufficient because it refers to animal transportation by Association employees — an activity that is no longer typical or expected. Racine recommended that the statement be removed.
Proposed committee appointments
Committee appointments anticipated for approval at the September 26 Open Meeting include:
Judicial Committee - Loren Swearingen.
Architectural Review - Jane Leach and Brett Siebenhar.
