Tensions ran high during the Seven Lakes West Landowners Association’s [SLWLA] Tuesday, January 22 work session, with the budget and spending controls at the center of the debate.
Events Director Rosemary Weber defended the Recreation budget, taking full responsibility for $1200 that was spent but not budgeted for the year.
“The Events Committee works extremely hard to provide the best events and activities for this community,” said Weber. “They should be commended for their efforts and not criticized by anyone.”
During the last SLWLA work session some Directors asked that the Events budget be cut or that spending controls be tightened.
President Mick Herdrich said that the Events Committee has made adjustments to the remainder of the year’s events to make up for the overage.
“Rosemary and her committee have done an excellent job over the last year,” said Herdrich. “The budget situation was unfortunate; but when they discovered that, they have also taken the measures to correct it for the rest of the year. So my compliments to the Committee and Rosemary.”
Weber said unforeseen costs associated with food, musicians, and replacing Christmas decorations contributed to the overage.
The Events Budget also bore the full cost of adding lighting to the walkway to Johnson Point, explained Weber.
Westsider Betty Milligan was not as understanding about the $3,000 cost of a Christmas party attended by 200 people.
“We were talking about needs and wants in the community,” said Milligan. “We are very concerned and very conservative about where the money goes and how it is spent.”
After a heated exchange ensued between Milligan and Weber, President Herdrich refused to hear any more comments on the matter.
The Events Committee has postponed planned events, including the American Band Stand Revival and a Social Mixer.
Vision Plan Reserves Questioned
Some of the more than forty people attending Tuesday’s meeting questioned an allocation of $20,000 reserve allocation in the 2013-2014 Budget for a “Vision Plan” study that would ultimately cost $40,000.
This past Summer, a request for such a plan by the Long Range PLanning Committee failed due to strong community opposition.
Westsider Bernadette York asked Treasurer Don Freiert if the $20,000 placed in reserve was allocated specifically for the study.
Herdrich replied that the money had been set aside in reserves so that it could possibly be allocated for the Vision Plan but not necessarily for that. The money could be used for roads or other needs as they arise in the future, he added.
If a future Board plans to use the money for a Vision Plan, Herdrich said, the community would have the opportunity to weigh in on that decision. The membership will have a chance to vote on the proposed 2013-2014 budget at this year’s annual meeting in March.
Board Candidates
Of three candidates running for election to the SLWLA Board, only two attended Tuesday night’s meeting to introduce themselves to the community.
“I was overwhelmed by what I saw,” said candidate Dale Erickson, describing the first time he saw Seven Lakes West. “I feel so fortunate to be here — to be a part of this community — and that’s why I have decided to run.”
Erikson said he would like to take over responsibility for finance from retiring Treasurer Don Freiert, noting that he is “very frugal by nature.”
“In this economy, we really have to watch our money and our expenditures,” Erickson said.
Candidate Chuck Watkins, who has lived in the community for two years, said he wants to make sure that Wedstside property values continue to grow.
He is also concerned about all the empty lots in the community — and how their eventual build-out will affect Seven Lakes West.
Candidate Bryan Benjamin was absent from Tuesday’s meeting due to work obligations. Secretary Jane Sessler read a biographical sketch about Benjamin in which he said he is interested in what the community has to offer as well as what the business district provides.
Mailhouse Update
Mailhouse Project Manager John Hoffmann reported that the construction of the new mailhouse is nearing completion. Community Manager Jeanette Mendence added that there is still a list of things that need to be done.
Hoffmann reminded the community that everyone will keep their same mailbox numbers. The new mailboxes will be eighty-five percent bigger.
“We’ve given you large boxes that are more convenient to get to,” said Hoffmann.
Updates on the mailhouse will be posted online and in the current mailhouse.
Lake Auman
The Lake Auman Sports Club has asked the SLWLA Board to contribute to the cost of stocking fish in Lake Auman. Currently, the Club has $3,000 to commit to the project.
However this year’s SLWLA’s budget does not have money set aside for stocking fish in the Lake.
“I didn’t see where we can come up with a $3,000 commitment,” said Lake and Dam Director Bruce Keyser. According to Keyser, next year’s budget has $5,000 set aside for stocking fish.
A study commissioned by the Lake and Dam Committee last year found that “feeder fish” are low in the Lake. It would take $11,000 over a three year period to get levels to where they should be, explained Keyser.
Keyser said the fish levels are not an emergency at this point; but, if nothing is done, it would delay improving the Lake.
“We just fall further and further behind in terms of the health of the lake as the fish go down the tubes,” said Director Ed Cockman.
Treasurer Freiert will look at the overall budget to see if the SLWLA can contribute to the restocking of fish this year.
Safety and Security
Speed bumps at the back gate are here to stay, said Director Ed Cockman.
“You don’t like them. I don’t like them,” said Cockman, “But they are necessary to the back gate.”
Cockman also said that the back gate was broken by a resident which was caught on camera. A resident wishing to hold the gate for a non-decaled vehicle bent and broke the back gate. This person will be charged for the price of replacing the gate said Cockman.
The Board approved a request by Cockman to add George Jenner and Dan Lambert to the Safety and Security Committee.
Other Business
Other business conducted during the Tuesday, January 22 meeting included:
• The Board approved a request by Cockman to hold the SLWLA’s monthly work sessions on the fourth Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 26.
• The Board appointed Walker Rodeniser and Welch LLP to conduct the financial audit for the community for the fiscal year ending on April 30, 2013.
• The Rules and Regulations book has been officially moved online said Sessler. Members can print their own copy from the community website or have a copy made at the CAS office.
• The Neighbor to Neighbor Committee will host a Newcomers Event on Sunday, February 10 said Sessler.
