Minutes Index

Whispering Oaks Homeowners’ Association

Minutes From Interim Board Meeting

February 13, 2005

Minutes of the Whispering Oaks Homeowners Association Interim Board

February 13, 2005

The Interim Board of WOHA met at St. Augustine Beach City Hall at 7pm on February 13, 2005, to prepare for the transition meeting on March 12, 2005, when a new board of the Whispering Oaks Homeowners' Association will be elected.

Board members present were Bill Griffiths, officer; Pat Moyer, treasurer; John Ragosta, president; Bill MacDowell, officer; Dave Anderson, vice president; and John Blackford, secretary. Also present were Joe Price, chairman of the Covenants Review Committee; Marty Zydell, of the Architectural Review Committee; and Marlene Griffiths, of the Landscaping Committee.

The meeting was called to order at 7pm.

The January 23, 2005, minutes were distributed. John Ragosta made a motion to read and accept them by the end of the meeting due to time constraints, Bill MacDowell seconded, all favored, and none opposed.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Pat Moyer stated that fourteen homeowners have paid their assessments at $480 and the balance was $11,926.56. At that point John Ragosta submitted two more checks which had been forwarded to him. Treasurer Moyer also indicated $6,721 of expenditures to date. President Ragosta made a motion to accept Treasurer’s Report. Bill MacDowell seconded, all favored, and none opposed.

The Architectural Review Committee Report: Chairman Marty Zydell reported on two meetings. The first took place January 22, when they approved Treasurer Pat Moyer’s fence and the Doucette plans. The second was on February 12, when they approved President John Ragosta’s screened-in back porch. Committee members present at both meetings were Chairman Zydell, Bobby Crum, and J.B. Zydell mentioned the rule on boats, and President Ragosta mentioned he thought the boat in question did not exceed the 48-hour limit. However, he suggested that if someone did overstay that limit, someone should mention it to said boat owner. Zydell then asked about the basketball hoop question as it pertained to the covenants, stating that he is in favor of them (if they’re portable) in that they provide a positive outlet for kids(within reasonable hours). Covenants Review Committee Chairman Joe Price said his group had not gotten into that part yet. President Ragosta said that brings up the question of whether or not we’re a kid-friendly neighborhood. Officer Bill Griffiths stated that we’re a family-oriented group and we need to keep people happy. President Ragosta stated we can’t assume people will abuse such things. Zydell then brought up the issue of construction debris across from the MacDowells. Ragosta then indicated he had word a dumpster was coming for code compliance. Zydell then indicated there was no word on a landscape plan from the Doucettes. Ragosta made a motion to accept the Architectural Review Committee Report, Bill Griffiths seconded, all favored, and none opposed.

Landscaping Committee Report: Officer Bill MacDowell indicated the state of limbo as a result of the sign. At that point Officer Griffiths reported on a conversation with Heather, representing the Jacksonville Beach sign company. She failed to appear in person for a scheduled meeting, but spoke to WOHA representatives via speakerphone. In that conversation, she indicated WOHA incurred $2,500 in "consultation fees" in 2004. As a result, and despite questions about WOHA's obligations under the agreement, consensus was that WOHA should make the best of the existing contract. Therefore Heather has been asked to reduce the total cost from $14,250 to around $9,000, the original estimate. Vice President Dave Anderson indicated three written bids should always precede expenditures over $500. President Ragosta made a motion to accept the Landscaping Committee Report. Dave Anderson seconded, all favored, and none opposed.

Operations Committee Report: Officer Bill Griffiths reported progress on bulletin boards (the southerly one has been erected on Madrid Street, the other awaits installation). A site for the northern one was considered, and it was suggested near either the Kenyons' or Dettras' lots would work. Secretary John Blackford asked about auxiliary gate openings, to which President Ragosta indicated he is taking responsibility for the back gate and Bob Parker is in charge of the front. He also indicated he was going to talk to Jason about resetting, etc. procedures for the gates. Vice President Dave Anderson made a motion to accept the Operations Committee report, Bill MacDowell seconded, all favored, and none opposed.

Communications Committee Report: Chairman John Blackford reported that an accurate directory of physical and e-mail addresses should be forwarded to freska@aug.com, as well as contributions to the quarterly newsletter content. Marlene Griffiths indicated the need for it to include items such as lot sales, beach access news, committee information, and letters to the editor. According to Secretary John Blackford, President Ragosta has posted meeting minutes on-line as quickly as he received them. Bill MacDowell made a motion to close, Dave Anderson seconded, all favored, and none opposed.

Covenants Review Committee Report: Chairman Joe Price stated they had conducted two meetings, both for three hours, and that they are 50% through. The first was to line through no-longer-germane verbiage, and the second was to address those covenants which define the Board’s authority on spending. Another meeting will be necessary to deal with those that concern "basketball hoop-type" issues. He felt that three or four meetings should cover the review. His intention is to turn a version of the covenants over to the board with strike-throughs on items to be removed, and bold-face type for new language. As mentioned in seemingly every meeting, it takes a 50% vote of WOHA members to change any covenants. President John Ragosta made a motion to accept. Officer Bill Griffiths seconded, all favored, and none opposed.

Election Committee Report: President John Ragosta indicated the procedure for the March 12, 2005, meeting, which will be to meet, vote, and conduct the first meeting of the new Board. He asked for input on the mailout. After suggestions by Marlene Griffiths, Vice President Dave Anderson moved to edit the draft of the mailout to include an absentee ballot and a self-addressed, stamped envelope, President Ragosta made a motion to accept. Bill MacDowell seconded, all favored, and none opposed.

New Business: Vice President Dave Anderson had received information indicating that Bender and Nock are disinclined to recommence their A1A Beach Boulevard condominium project until further notice. The bottom line, according to Anderson, is that the drainage problem in the front area will probably not be corrected this year. He moved to form a Drainage Committee, Ragosta moved to accept. Bill MacDowell seconded, all favored, and none opposed.

Bill MacDowell moved to adjourn. John Ragosta seconded, all favored, and none opposed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15. Next meeting March 12, 2005, 7pm, at the same location.