Meeting called to order at 5 p.m. by President John Ragosta

 

All board members were present

 

Secretary’s report: John Ragosta moved to accept minutes of past two meetings as corrected; Dave Anderson seconded, motion passed unanimously. (Corrected minutes posted on website.)

 

John Blackford resigned as secretary, effective immediately. John Ragosta moved to accept resignation; Dave Anderson seconded, motion passed unanimously.(Ragosta thanked Blackford for his service, asked Linda Anderson to take minutes for this meeting.)

 

John Ragosta moved to continue board officers’ allocation of duties and postpone selection of new officers until a sixth member is appointed; Dave Anderson seconded, motion passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Pat Moyer noted that 15 sets of lot owners’ annual dues remain unpaid. She is checking on extent of grace period and amount of late fees before liens are filed. John Ragosta moved to accept report; Dave Anderson seconded, motion passed unanimously. (Treasurer’s report to be posted)

 

Gate Repair Company: Proposal from Chuck Hardwick Fence Company discussed. Bid included requirement and cost for upgrading our gates to meet post-March 1, 2000 safety standards for pedestrians around residential gates (Underwriters Laboratories Standard 235). Dave Anderson moved to ask Nick Binder to obtain two more bids. Pat Moyer seconded, motion passed unanimously.

 

Neighborhood drainage system construction discussion: Invited guest John Nock represented Beachside Group condo developers charged with correcting drainage problems in Whispering Oaks.

 

Engineering plan for Phases 1 and 2, approved by St. Johns Water Management  District, includes creation of 5 ponds in greenways and requires substantial tree removal.

 

Walking tour took place Feb.24, conducted by WOHA board, which invited the developers, various governmental officials including city manager, city building inspector, city public works manager and representative of St. Johns Water Management DIstrict. Contractor Jim  Miller, hired by developers, also toured, as well as an engineer involved in the project.

 

Tour objective: Board seizes opportunity to urge modifications wherever alternative approaches can save trees at margins.

 

Director Nick Binder, civil engineer by profession, represented Whispering Oaks  in discussion of design, aided by former director Bill Griffith.

 

Project expected to start third week in March and be completed in 4-8 weeks.

 

Pond 2 was only pond that could not be mitigated, due to lack of space . Mitigation plans include digging some ponds deeper, installing pipe to outside sewer/pond. Developers will install sod or ground cover and WOHA will re-landscape appropriately after project completed.

 

Audience questions answered:

1. Ponds will seldom contain water, and then only for periods of hours.

 

2. Dry ponds will present no child safety hazard. 

 

3. Binder and  Griffith, who, as retired officer of major printing company, knows bidding and spec procedures, will mark trees to be saved, and will check on trees. Both will monitor work as it proceeds. 

 

4. All parties said they are favorably impressed with actions thus far of builder Miller.  Board cited close cooperation of city, district, developer and engineers in welcoming mitigation ideas.

 

John Ragosta moved to adjourn; Dave Anderson seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted, Linda Anderson