The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by President Don Vogel.  He noted that a quorum was present and that the meeting was being taped.

Directors present were Gene Allen, Jim Davidson, Jim Hicks, Steve Lee, Jeff Stillman, Gene Sams, Angela Vanover, and Don Vogel.  Rex Stevens was absent.

OWNER’S FORUM-President Vogel noted that the Santa Claus coffee mugs in front of each Director were a Christmas gift from Shirley Blazey.  The Board thanked Shirley for the mugs.

Brian Blankenship presented his version of an ongoing dispute with the Board of Directors over the drainage system on two empty lots that he owns.  Mr. Blankenship alleged our road culvert was illegal and that the Association did not have the proper permits for it to be there.  He also expressed aggravation from a restraining order Manager Kroeger had filed against him.  Mr. Blankenship stated unless the Association bought these lots from him he would be contemplating filing law suits against the Association.  At the conclusion of his three minute allotted presentation, the Board asked a few questions which he answered.  At this point Mr. Blankenship refused to yield the floor back to the Board of Directors.  After a tense exchange Mr. Blankenship left the meeting.  The directors agreed the purchasing of the lots under these circumstances was not a good idea.

Bill Cherolis was present on behalf of the Optimist Club’s Avenue of Flags program.  He asked the Board for assistance in promoting the program.  He noted that 265 flags had been placed in front of Village homes in 2007, with a 2008 goal of 350.  He had four suggestions on how the Association could assist.  After a few questions, President Vogel suggested that we discuss the issue in the “New Business” portion of the meeting.

MINUTES- After review, Jeff Stillman moved to approve the December ’07 minutes as submitted.  Gene Allen seconded the motion which passed with 6 yes votes and an abstention by Steve Lee.

TREASURER’S REPORT- Treasurer Jim Davidson advised the Board that the year end report showed a $30,000.00 deficit in the budget.   This was because we had moved $40,000.00 from the building escrow account to pay for some of our road paving.  This money was not income from ’07, which unbalances the statement.  He further stated that after adjusting the $40,000.00 and then subtracting the $4700.00 set aside for the Holly Park walking path that we were about some $5,000.00 to the good for ’07 and well poised for ’08.  A CD that had matured had been moved to Springs Valley Bank and Trust.  Manager Kroeger was directed to have a footnote added to the budget report for future reference.

Manager Kroeger noted that no changes had taken place in the delinquent report.  He said that he had a collections list to submit later in the meeting.

After questions, the financial report was approved unanimously on a motion by Jeff Stillman and a second by Gene Sams.

MANAGER’S REPORT- Manager Kroeger noted:

• The Town Council meeting was not until January 14th, so there was no Town report.
• The Santa Claus police had written two traffic tickets in the Village in December (21 in November).  They had investigated 3 domestic disturbances, one of which was in the Village.  There had been 4 medical emergencies, one of which was in the Village.  3 of 13 arrests made were in the Village. (a traffic ticket is considered an arrest).  Of the 3 Village arrests, 2 were traffic tickets and one was driving on a suspended license.
• A Neighborhood Watch meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2008, 6:00 PM at the Rec Center.  He noted that there had been another round of thefts from vehicles in the Village and that it was very important the residents lock their doors and keep an eye open. 
• A sewer repair on Blitzen Lane was in the works by the Town.  He had some concern about how the trench was to be backfilled.  The Town was looking into the possibility of slip lining the leaking pipe rather than digging an open trench.
• The maintenance department was accepting Christmas trees until January 13th. 

      Then the trees would be mulched.

• The recent road paving had improved 1.75 miles of Village road at the cost of $173,000.00 ($99,000.00/mile).

OLD BUSINESS-
County Lots- President Vogel had sent an e-mail to the directors with ideas about the Association buying lots from Spencer County at Commissioner’s sale.  The main points
of the memo were:

• The Village would be the purchaser of last resort at a Commissioner’s sale to be held as soon as reasonably possible.  CLV would assist in promoting the sale to other purchasers.
• CLV would bid $1.00 for lots that were not purchased by other bidders.
• CLV would request that the lots be reassessed by the county for tax purposes.
• Saleable lots would be sold with lucrative commissions available to the real estate companies.
• Some lots may be considered un-buildable at this time in this market.

Jim Davidson made a motion to move forward with the proposal by appointing a committee to approach the commissioners with the plan as a proposal to put the lots on commissioner’s sale.  Jim Hicks seconded the motion.

There was discussion about this issue regarding “getting into the real estate business”, concern about maintenance and liability issues, and how the lots are to be promoted.
After this discussion the motion was passed with yes votes from all but Steve Lee who voted against the proposal.

The second part of the proposal was for the Association to consider taking back lots.  The main points were:

• Develop a plan, with restrictions, to take back lots
• There are some reasons to consider taking back the lots
• A questionnaire would be devised
• Returned lots would need to be free of tax liabilities with a clear title
• Some of the lots that have been offered to us appear to be very salable.
• A committee would make a subjective evaluation of each lot offered and then make a recommendation to the Board.

After mostly negative discussion, the idea died for lack of support.

Holiday World Fence- Manager Kroeger advised the Board that the questioned area of platted Village ground north of the county road had been surveyed.  The survey showed that this piece of ground was in fact a small section of land that had been withheld by Koch Development in the 1976 deed.  The surveyor had included a drawing which was available for Board review.

Lifeguard/Beach Survey- Manager Kroeger reviewed the results of the survey.  100 Association members had been randomly contacted by phone and 25 people responded to the on line survey.  The results showed:

• 49% of those who answered the question went to the beach regularly
• 83% of those that answered the question find the beach a nice place to go
• The bulk of the respondents go to the beach less than 10 times yearly, but some go more than 30 times.
• A wide age group goes to the beach, but most are under 12 years of age.
• 53% of those that responded think that lifeguards at the beach are a “must”
• 68% of those that responded to the question think that lifeguards on weekends only are acceptable.

There were other comments in the survey regarding likes/dislikes about the beach and ideas for improvement.

Gene Allen moved to abolish the lifeguard program and install signs stating such as recommended by our insurance company.  Jeff Stillman seconded the motion.

Steve Lee questioned why we were ignoring the survey.  There was lengthy discussion about taking away services, members not following the rules at the beach,
the quality of the lifeguards, and the percentage of the budget that lifeguards represent.

The motion died on a 4-4 vote with President Vogel casting the tying “no” vote.  Those voting for the motion were Gene Allen, Jim Davidson, Gene Sams, and Jeff Stillman.  President Vogel reminded that Board that it had been approved at the July meeting that the President of the Board voted only to make a tie, break a tie, or on a written ballot.

This is to become an action item at the February meeting if not at a special meeting held prior to the regular meeting.  Manager Kroeger was to make arrangements for rules signs to be made for display at the beach regardless of the outcome of the vote.  He was also to start the hiring process.

NEW BUSINESS
Avenue of Flags-The Board reviewed the Optimists’ request point by point.  The first item was a request for a full page application in the March and June Newsletters.  The Optimists would pay additional costs for the extra page.  This was approved.

The second point asked for sign variance allowing the Optimists to post a sign promoting the Avenue of Flags from May 17 through July 7th.  Jeff Stillman moved not to allow the sign variance. Gene Sams seconded the motion.  The motion failed with “yes” votes from Jim Davidson, Gene Sams, and Jeff Stillman.

Jim Hicks made a motion to allow the Optimists to put up the promotional sign from the week prior to Memorial Day, to one week after Memorial Day in 2008.  Gene Allen seconded the motion. After further discussion the motion passed past on yes votes from Gene Allen, Jim Hicks, Steve Lee, and Angela Vanover.

Sending an e-mail to members via the CLV e-mail list was not approved.

Sending a mailing list to the Optimists was likewise not approved.  However, Manager Kroeger noted that at one time, lists had been given to members upon written request with the reason for the request included.

2007 Collection List- At the Board’s request from the December meeting, Manager Kroeger presented a list of 113 accounts in the amount of nearly $38,000.00 that he intended to send to the collection agency.  These were all for ’07 assessments.  Approximately half of these delinquencies had also been delinquent in 2006.

He also noted 5 large accounts that he suggested be sent to Attorney Shaneyfelt for collection as these all included varying legal aspects such as bankruptcy, tax sales, and other legal issues.  He was advised to go ahead and send the 113 accounts to the collection agency and check with the collection agency and Attorney Shaneyfelt regarding the large accounts and report back at the February meeting.

Winter Weight Limits-Jim Davidson voiced his continuing concern for the condition of our roads. He recommended that we consider reducing the weight limits during the spring months when the ground was soft.  He noted that this is not unusual for this area and many of our roads do not have a good base.  He suggested that we pursue information from the county engineer.  He further suggested that we might need to contact an engineering firm to drill core samples and give us specifics. 

Steve Lee suggested a call to J.H. Rudolph might be helpful as well.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Business Planning- Jim Davidson stated that he had been pondering ways to reduce expenses.  Even to the point of considering the idea of removing the gate officer from approximately 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM.  He thought we should get a car count that shows the volume of cars throughout the day and consider a program that would address visitors and residents during these hours.
Infrastructure- None
Nominations- In chair Rex Stevens’ absence, President Vogel read that the annual meeting will be held on Sunday, June 8th, at 1:00 PM.  Members in good standing can volunteer or be nominated to run up to 50 days prior to the meeting (April 19).  There are 5 additional days that members in good standing can sign as long as they present 15 signatures of other members in good standing, not including spouses (April 24).  No nominations will be accepted beginning April 25th.  Manager Kroeger was directed to post the upcoming nominations on the website on February 1st and in the March newsletter.
Rules & Regulations- None
Personnel- Chair Jeff Stillman indicated that the committee would be involved with lifeguards if lifeguards are approved for ’08.
By-Laws- None
Parks & Recreation- The “merry-go-round” is scheduled to be installed soon.
Covenants & Restrictions- Chair Angela Vanover noted that a meeting of the committee was scheduled for 1/28/08, 6:00 PM at the Rec Center.  The committee would be reviewing sections 4-9.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:30 on a motion by Steve Lee and a second by Gene Allen.