BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, HeatherRidge Umbrella Association (HUA), January 23, 2007

These minutes have not yet been approved by the HUA Board.  Any corrections, additions, or deletions  will be made at the next regular HUA Board meeting prior to official approval.

NOVEMBER 28, 2006 MINUTES:  Paul Kelly made a motion to approve the November 28, 2006 minutes, seconded by Sam Dent; 6 aye, 1 abstention (Patrick Perry was not at the meeting), motion carried.

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS:  Patrick Perry stated that he appreciated the HUA Board and employees for the continuity of business while he was in a leave status, particularly Carol Marker as Acting President.  He appreciated the expressions of condolence upon the death of his wife Dilora.   Patrick noted that we are in the process of filling the Social Director position, Bob Marcus will present three resumes to the HUA Board for consideration within the near future.

TREASURER’S REMARKS:  Patrick Perry presented the Treasurer’s Report in the absence of Owen Hill.  Each of the HUA Departments came in under budget at the end of the year through careful planning, resourcefulness, and conscientious use of available resources by the employees and good oversight by management by the HUA Board.  Carol Marker made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Jack Nowry.  At vote, all aye, motion carried.

COMMUNITY MANAGER’S REPORT:  A Community Manager’s report was submitted in writing and was available to the audience.  Bob Marcus clarified the tax consequences of year-end balances in the different financial funds and Carol Marker noted that all HUA Departments begin a New Year with a zero-balance budget.  Bob recapped the major issues from his report.  It was noted that an inventory of landscape timbers for replacement or removal is in progress.  We expect to have the recreation center proximity card reader system and cards in place by the time the pools open in late May.  He thanked all volunteers, HUA Board and staff members for their participation in the social events that have been held at the CRF Clubhouse the past two months.  Sam Dent made a motion to accept the Community Manager’s Report, seconded by Elroy Wilke.  At vote, all aye, motion carried.  See the entire Management Report following these minutes in the HeatherRidge Happenings.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Architecture and Maintenance Committee.   No report.

Finance Committee:  Carol Marker chaired the Finance Committee meeting on January 16, 2007.  Meeting minutes were available to the Board and the audience.  Jack Nowry made a motion to approve the Finance Committee Report, seconded by Sam Dent.  At vote, all aye, motion carried.

Golf and Tennis Committee:  Elroy Wilke noted that the new contract forms and the tennis pass system (similar to the golf pass system) have been prepared for tennis leagues and tennis players.  (Information will be published in the March and April HeatherRidge Happenings.)  He noted some of the financial information, and the poor weather throughout 2006 impacted the number of golf rounds and revenues.  Golf Visions is asking to purchase a new mower and tractor in 2007, as noted in their approved budget and the Golf Committee recommends approval.  These items will be presented in New Business.  Jack Nowry made a motion to approve the Golf Committee Report, seconded by Sam Dent.  At vote, all aye, motion carried.

Landscape Committee:  A Landscape Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, 2 pm at the HUA office.  Carol asked that the Landscape Policy (November 2007) be printed in the HeatherRidge Happenings as spring approaches.

Ponds Committee:   No report.

Recreational Activities Committee (RAC):  Sam Dent recapped the holiday events that have been held at the CRF Clubhouse and thanked the many volunteers who made the parties possible.  Our Community Manager and the bartenders we use will all be trained and certified for the Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training (BASSET) program within the next few months.  Bob Marcus has checked with the Village of Gurnee to make sure the program we use is accredited by the Village.  The Social Director we hire will already have, or take the training as will any other bartenders we hire.  Sam noted that many residents have asked for a SuperBowl party (February 4, 2007) and he has arranged for a 60” screen TV and a bartender.  Flyers were available for the audience and all were asked to pass them out in their neighborhoods as there is little time to advertise.  The Mardi Gras dinner and entertainment will be held Friday, February 16, 2007 and the St. Patrick’s Day dinner and music will be held Friday, March 16, 2007.  More information will be published in the HeatherRidge Happenings.  There was no formal report or motion required.

Security Committee:  No report.

Tax, Legislation, Law, Contracts, Insurance and Special Issues (TLLCISI):  The TLLCISI Committee met on January 4, 2007.  An Oath of Office has been revised and distributed.  President Perry noted that he had reservations about the Oath of Office.  The HUA Board members are asked to review it and submit any comments to the committee.  The health insurance for HUA employees has been reviewed and the TLLCISI Committee recommends changing to the AETNA Insurance program as soon as practical (we are currently on a month-to-month basis with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois).  Premiums are approximately 22% less than the current Blue Cross/Blue Shield program and they have the PPO plan that offers savings for employees.  There was discussion of deductibles, program options, and coverages.  Paul Kelly made a motion to switch to the AETNA insurance plan as soon as possible, seconded by Gordon Lind.  At vote, all aye, motion carried.  Carol Marker made a motion to accept the TLLCISI Report, seconded by Jack Nowry.  At vote, all aye, motion carried.

Welcoming Committee:  The Welcoming Committee met on January 16, 2007.  The next regular meeting will be on February 20, 2007 at 7 pm at the CRF.  Jim and Lynn Cimfel have resigned as Chairpersons of the Committee.  Linda Kirby and Pat Leese of our Cambridge neighborhood have graciously accepted the responsibilities and roles as Chairpersons of this very important function.  President Perry will formally appoint the ladies.

OLD BUSINESS: 

Golf Maintenance Shed Fencing.   The fencing around the golf maintenance shed needs repair or replacement.  Dirk Skelley has noted the areas that need to be replaced and has offered to do the work for $3,200 ($1,750 for materials (Menards) and balance for in-house labor).  The Community manager has two quotes from fencing vendors, a third is expected this week.  It was noted that the building is also in need of a face-lift and the compound is unsightly from Leonard Drive.  Elroy Wilke made a motion to table the discussion until the February 27, 2007 HUA Board meeting, seconded by Jack Nowry.  At vote, 6 aye, 1 nay, motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:  

Recognition and Certificate of Appreciation for Jim and Lynn Cimfel, HUA Welcoming Committee, retiring after six years of support.  Jim Campbell read and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Cimfels.  This volunteer support is critical to welcoming new residents and giving them an introduction into living in a community with both an Umbrella Association and a residential neighborhood association.

HeatherRidge Happenings Classified Ad Request.  The HUA office staff has been approached by a realtor requesting to run a “$5 classified ad” for the sale of a home in HeatherRidge.  The original intention of a classified ad was for a HeatherRidge resident to be able to sell a household or personal item.  The realtor would be allowed to take out a business ad as a realtor.  Carol Marker moved that we restrict the classified ads to residents for either household or personal items, and that this request for sale of a property be denied.  Seconded by Jack Nowry, all aye, motion carried.

Purchase of Landscape Department Dump Truck, CD4500, to include trade-in, $38,303 from Pedersen GMC.  The dump truck has been budgeted for and is in the Six-Year Plan, already approved by the HUA Board.  Carol made a motion to accept the Pedersen GMC bid, not to exceed $38,303.97 for the dump truck, to include the trade-in.  Seconded by Jack Nowry, all aye, motion carried.

Purchase of Lawn Mowing Equipment by Golf Visions (Elroy Wilke).  Golf is requesting a Triplex Greens Mower and a Pull Tractor, both approved in 2007 Budget.   Elroy described the options and bids that came in, details had been distributed to the HUA Board.  The bids stand until the end of January 2007, and the tractor will be financed for 36 months at 0% interest.  Jack Nowry made a motion to purchase the Demo 2006 Jake Greensking IV gas Triplex Greens Mower for $16,828 plus tax with a two-year warranty, Paul Kelly seconded.  At vote, all aye, motion carried.  A Purchase Order will be issued.  Jack Nowry made a motion for lease-to-purchase the Kubota 4330 (43HP) Tractor at $19,697.44 (includes tax) with the 36-month, 0% financing, seconded by Gordon Lind.  At vote, all aye, motion carried.  This Kubota tractor is a lease-to-purchase transaction, no purchase order is required.

Central Recreation Facility Clubhouse Bar Prices (Carol Marker).  Finance Committee looked at current prices, and they have stayed the same for several years.  Electrical rates and liquor delivery prices have continued to go up.  Carol Marker made a motion to raise the drink (both TGIF and event price schedules) prices $.25, seconded by Elroy Wilke.  At vote, all aye, motion carried.

OPEN DISCUSSION FOR HOMEOWNERS:

Jayne Jones of the Hidden Hills townhome neighborhood asked the progress we have had in filling the Social Director position.  Bob Marcus is reviewing the resumes that we have received and will present the top candidates to the HUA Board for consideration, interviews have not been done yet.  It will be considered a part-time position with 30-35 hours per week.  Residents or interested clients can continue to call the HUA Office for information in the interim, a schedule and calendar is being maintained.  The Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day parties and other regular events continue to be held.

Phil Wilson of the Covered Bridge Condos is concerned about the snow-plowing process and thought that there was damage done from the plowing.  A copy of the snow-plan (as published in the December HeatherRidge Happenings) was handed out.  Paul Kelly thinks that the plan needs to be reviewed in detail to improve services and Patrick Perry asked that the TLLCISI Committee do that review and report back at the March 27, 2007 HUA Board meeting.  Bob Marcus also noted that we had many compliments on the plowing, salting, and shoveling that was done throughout the entire weekend after the record snowfall.  Joan Karkow asked that residents have consideration and understanding for the workers who must travel to the job and also have rest, meals, and sleep.

Elaine Stein of the Covered Bridge Condos asked about insurance coverage, prices, and terms of the insurance coverage of employees.  She also would like to have the CRF Clubhouse be entirely smoke-free.  She was asked to contact RAC Chairman Sam Dent for the date of the next RAC meeting so she could be present.

Kay Maier of the Covered Bridge Condos inquired on how the handicapped parking spaces in parking lots or near buildings are allocated.  It is a combination of State regulation, parking space configuration and space available, and local requirement.  All handicapped spaces are “open” to authorized cars, but none are reserved.

Jack Nowry made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Sam Dent.  All aye, motion carried.

Adjournment at 8:00 pm.                                                                        Next Meeting – Tuesday, January 23, 2007