Feb. 15, 2020
I think the association has done a good job in this Board Meeting Summary.
I have published it here as taken from the Weekender, so that members can have the opportunity to make comments about it. I hope that some day the association will provide that service. I can then, no longer have to do it.
The selection of Ms. DeLeest as Election Committee Chair, indicates she will not be a Board candidate, as that would be a conflict of interest. Joni Brockman is a resident at 341st and I Street.
The funds being spent on the re-design of the RV Storage area, is a complete waste of member money. The County has clearly stated that there can be no modifications to the RV storage lot as it is in a wet lands. A waste of member funds. Thank you Mr. Clancy.
The 3% credit card charge is reasonable. Most banks charge 11/2 % to 3% for card transactions. This cost is passed on to the members who pay by credit card.
SURFSIDE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
REGULAR BOARD MEETING SUMMARY
February 15, 2020
President Scott Winegar called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. Trustees present were Treasurer. Rudd Turner, and Secretary Kurt Olds, Annette deLeest, Mark Scott, James Clancy, and Ric Minich; Vice-President Gary Williams was absent.
Guest Sheriff Robin Souvenir came to discuss the vacant deputy position. He is waiting for a call from the (CJTC) Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, to let him know if a deputy working full time can still be a reserve for the Sheriff’s Department. He also would like to see Surfside interview potential candidates for the deputy position. Sheriff Souvenir said he would be in contact with General Manager Tom Reber as soon as he talks with CJTC.
Guest Mike Challis from Mike’s Computer Repair came to discuss email security for the Trus-tees. There has been a lot of “spoofing” emails being sent to the trustees. Spoofers or spammers are using the trustees name and email as a cover for spam. Mike discussed the different options for security. This item was tabled for further research and discussion.
The trustees reviewed bids to replace the old compactor and approved the purchase of a new compactor at a cost not to exceed $40,000.00.
The board will also be replacing the magnetic flow meter for the water department at a cost not exceeding $10,000.00
The board appointed Joni Brockman as the Chair of the Nominating Committee and Annette deLeest as the Election Committee Chair.
In a discussion of the 3% service charge for credit card users, the board decided to continue to charge the 3% fee and add this policy to the Operations manual.
The Multi-Dwelling fee was also discussed. It is believed that the policy came from members who owned multiple residences and acting like a business by renting the homes out. Rudd Turner and Tom Reber will collect more information and present it at the March regular board meeting.
The 2020 draft Reserve Study was reviewed; no motions were made.
The board moved to have SHOA request qualifications for the engineering design and planning consultant that will be re-designing the RV Storage & Compactor area.
The Board went into closed session to discuss legal and personnel issues. No motions were made after the closed session.
Meeting adjourned at 1:59
10 comments:
Thank you George. Why is there a nominating chair and an elections chair ? The deputy thing seems a bit screwy, but we can watch for more developments. I favor a situation similar to the one we have had. It's expensive, but we are better served by someone who has the full range of experience and training as a deputy, even if we have to share the officer's duties at times. Nearby neighborhoods potentially impact crime in our community.
Maybe look for someone who can buy his own boots. Just kidding. WE have to look at our options and go from there.
Having some experience as the Election Committee Chair (ECC), I can answer your question without going into to much detail. It is outlined in the Operations Manual.
In many of the past years, it was difficult to get members to "run" for the Board. A Nomination Committee was formed to try and find members who would step up and volunteer to seek election to the Board. While policy calls for a nominating chair, most years, we have not had one. It was hard to even get a chair for that committee.
It is important that, that person, be fair minded and seek equal representation from all of Surfside. If that person is not fair, there is the opportunity for abuse, such as the example we saw last year, where a coalition of J Placers succeeded in stacking the Board. This was done without a Nominating Chair.
In my opinion, I would like to see a Board that was required to have Board members from different areas of Surfside. Examples would be..one from each area of...J Place, compactor area, Skating Lake area, South end between I and G, and same on the North end, etc.. If those areas were not filled, the position would remain vacant. We are only required to have at least three Board members total.
As for the deputy, my opinion is that the cost does not justify a part time position. There are a lot of pro and cons for the position. I respect those who do not agree with me. It might be that we just need a better plan. I think your right in that "We have to look at our options".
When I started in Surfside. the justification for its existence centered around 3 things: water, security, and garbage.
Now we have no dedicated security, our water is suspect, as we have no professional overseeing operations, and we are forced to use the compactor, as the Association will not allow garbage service. What are we really paying for?
I don't know where you got the idea that garbage service is not allowed. It is. In fact several in my neighborhood have it. Pick up day is Thursday. Peninsula Sanitation provides the service. Of course there is a charge, the same as for all on the peninsula.
Thank you for that information, George. I was informed several years ago that it wasn't an option. At the SHOA office.
The compactor largely benefits part timers as they would probably not be around on the scheduled day for Peninsula Sanitation. Without it they would be forced to pay the exorbitant fees at Jack's or carry smelly garbage home. As a former full timer I would have welcomed street service with the lower dues that would have come with it.
Garbage and Water are far more expensive in the average residential community. Garbage is a minimum of $30 / month, water anywhere from $100 to more than $200/month with full-time usage. So water and compactor service in Surfside costs less than $600 annually, while most communities with city water and weekly garbage pick-up pay a minimum of about $1600 to $2000 annually.
Perhaps that is what we should do to solve the compactor issue.
Steve, I understand the math.
The water service supplied me with water that was discolored and tasted bad. I put close to $1k making sure my water source was safe.
Now we have no additional security, as the Sheriff is doing his due diligence.
Has anyone on the Board considered retaining private security? I had a stranger wandering down my road last night.
Your investment in filtration is a good investment considering the number of waterline breaks and the overall poor quality of well water on the peninsula. But many parts of the country have water problems of one kind or another, and well water has always been variable across the country in terms of taste and clarity.
The advantage of having a trained deputy is that the person has been vetted by their process, and their experience has likely given them some solid judgement in difficult circumstances. I think we can expect we'll set-up something with the County again. That would be my preference.
A new compactor is being purchased, and the folks that run the site do a good job, and are personable.
For my money, I'd rather see the Tree Policy ended, or a height of 24 ft. adhered to throughout the community. As their enforcement has become more obsessive and aggressive, a lot of money is wasted on legal assistance in administrating the enforcement, sending letters and levying fines. The policy is used as a weapon against the members who pay for all administrative expenses.
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