(Approval Pending at 2/8/07 Meeting)

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

Directors present were Judy Carter, Jim Hicks, Steve Lee, Milton Pledger, Tom Polster, Elva Scholebo, Rex Stevens, Don Vogel, and Steve Webb.

MEMBER’S FORUM-
Ron Smith was on hand informing the Board that he thought the Association was spending some money in the wrong places.  He suggested that common dollars should not have been spent on items that benefit individuals-specifically the leaf vacuum and the branch chipper.  He thought that this type of item should be handled individually by the property owners.  He further suggested that the Association look into the cost of contracting out grass mowing and snow removal compared to the cost of equipment and personnel to do this.  He stated that our money should be spent on roads, lakes, and other infrastructure improvements and maintenance.  He thinks that disrepair in this area will have a negative impact on property values.

Jim Hicks asked Ron (as Town Council President) if there were any updates on a new Community Center.  He replied that the grant money was not quite what they had expected, so a scaled down edition of the initial version was being considered.  He noted that the fire department would probably move into the existing community center after modification and an addition.

Jeff Blackwell attended stating his concerns about litter in the Village.  He stated that the main square around the big lake is particularly bad.  He was of the opinion this could be hurting property values and was a deterrent to potential home buyers.  He suggested that people are careless, that items blow out of open bed pick up trucks, and that the Monday trash service is leaving items lying about.  He suggested a campaign to keep the Village clean which would include signs, a community awareness campaign etc.  Teresa Jester noted that it is not unusual for trash to blow away from construction sites.  Manager Kroeger was directed to make sure an article about trash was included in the next Newsletter.

Bill Andrews, an Association member in subdivision 1, was on hand to ask who wanted to solve the situation in subdivision 1.  He is concerned that the root of the concern is deeper than “$100.00 forever”.  He offered his assistance.

MINUTES- The minutes from the regular 12/14/06 meeting and the special meeting of 12/22/06 were reviewed.  It was noted that “low owners” should be “lot owners” on the special meeting.  Tom Polster asked when these minutes are posted.  He was advised that the minutes were published about a week after the meeting.  He suggested that it be noted on the minutes that they were not Board approved at the time of posting.  Jim Hicks moved to accept the minutes as amended.  The motion was seconded by Steve Webb and passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT- Steve Webb gave the report.  He noted that, at year’s end,  several income categories were above budget and that overall, our income was 3.5% over budget at $709,000.00.  He further noted that after cutting spending at year’s end, expenses were 98% of budget at $676,000.00.  He advised the Board, that although it appears that there is a budget surplus, we have actually dipped $10,500.00 into 2007 assessments.  The numbers are somewhat misleading as approximately $114,000.00 of 2006 money was spent late in 2005.  These expenditures were shown against the 2005 budget, while the income was shown in 2006.  We will need to spend judiciously in ’07 in order to make up the $10,500.00 mentioned above.

Manager Kroeger gave the delinquent report.  He noted that the general trend in delinquent dollars is a little less than a year ago at $64,000.00.  However, the number of delinquent properties is actually up from 141 in December ’05 to 144 in December ’06.  Of the 113 liens filed in May, 45 had been released.  He also reported that 94 delinquent accounts from 2006 were scheduled to go to the collection agency in the next week or so.
This is a much larger quantity than in recent years.  He was directed to write a letter to the delinquent accounts advising them they would be sent to the collection agency if the ’06 assessment was not paid in 30 days.  He was reminded to add on 8% interest and lien filing fees.

There being no further questions, Elva Scholebo moved to accept the Treasurer’s report as submitted.  Rex Stevens seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

On a request from Spencer County Bank, Steve Webb moved that the Board adopt a resolution authorizing Don Vogel as President, Jim Hicks as Vice President, Steve Webb as Treasurer, and Mark Kroeger as Manager/Secretary to sign checks on behalf of the Association.  Steve Lee seconded the motion which passed unanimously.  Manager Kroeger was to take the paperwork to the bank.

MANAGER’S REPORT- Manager Kroeger reported on the Town Council meeting of 1/10/07.  The meeting had been moved from the 8th
to the 10th.

• The Town attorney opened 9 bids for the new sewer project running from  Holiday World, Holiday Village, Nancy Hanks, and Yellig Park directly to the water plant.  The base bids ranged from 184K to 329K.  The council put the bids under advisement.

• Water project is a little behind due to weather and archaeological issues. Phase 1C is complete and phase 2 is upcoming.  The archaeological issue is not as big as initially thought.  Attorney Patmore is working on the easements.  A 70% plan should be available for Council review in February.  A meeting was held with the city of Dale who wants to get water.  It should work well and the engineers will be working with Dale on infrastructure.  Capitol Engineering is to write a letter of intent to REC to purchase power for the new plant.  The goal is to be prepared to meet the peak water demand in July of 2008.

• 2 New Home permits were issued.

• Town Marshall will be going to a 3-day training in Indianapolis.

• The Fire Department received a $9500.00 FEMA grant.

• The Christmas decorations will be removed.

• The water department repaired two water main breaks in the course of a week.  Each was isolated and repaired.  The bacteria counts after the repairs tested OK.

• Village Manager Kroeger and members of the Town Council will be working on the renewal of the contract for the storage area lease.

He further reported that:

• Upon inspection, an approved yard barn had been built too close (but not over) a property line.  He stated that he had been involved in estimating the location of lot pins.  He further directed the Directors’ attention to a memo he had written recommending that a survey be required on virtually all building projects in order to make certain that property lines were not be encroached upon.  He did not expect the situation to go away.  The Board generally agreed that the member must assume the risk for knowing the location of his property.  Don Vogel suggested a letter be written and recorded that would appear on a title search stating that the yard barn is in violation.  At this time, the neighbor is not making a complaint.  Manager Kroeger reminded the Board that if he gives back a deposit on a project, that he is certifying compliance.  He was advised to make a disclaimer that the Association is not certifying the location of the structure as within guidelines.  Rex Stevens moved that a letter be written and recorded that the building is in violation.  Tom Polster seconded the motion which passed unanimously with the exception of an abstention by Elva Scholebo.
• He had reached a stalemate with a member who had requested that we look into some “erosion” near the end of a road culvert near his backyard.  The member had made the repair on his property but did not want to pay the $300.00 excavator’s bill.  The Association called in the excavator at the request of the member and because the problem was near the property line and was underground.  The ground had to be moved into to inspect the site.  After some discussion, Steve Lee moved to pay the excavator and move on.  Elva seconded the motion, which passed with Steve Webb, Tom Polster, and Rex Stevens voting “NO”.
• He also asked about a member whose car had been damaged by the back gate as the driver was trying to avoid a Christmas decoration which had blown into the rear entryway.  The Board stated that the driver was aware that the gate closes quickly, and that she had options other than driving through slowly.  Manager Kroeger was directed to write a letter denying the request.
• He reminded the affected Directors to sign the signature cards for Spencer County Bank.
• He noted that approximately 800 culverts had been inspected and that he and the maintenance department were currently setting priority repairs and deciding which repairs could be done in house.  Some 600 of the culverts are under driveways.  He advised the Board that they would be receiving thoughts from him on how to handle maintenance in these cases.
• He had received letters from the Indiana DNR stating that they had received our inspection reports and giving a sample timeline to make the requested repairs.  Another dam inspection is due in spring of ’08.

OLD BUSINESS
            Off Road Vehicles- The Town of Santa Claus ordinance for off road vehicles was discussed as it had been tabled from December.  The ordinance prohibits many wheeled conveyances on Town property but generally allows private property owners to decide what they will allow on their property.  Don Vogel suggested that we allow the ordinance to apply to the Village with the exception of golf carts being driven to and from the golf course by licensed drivers as long as they are CLV registered and have a slow moving vehicle sign on the back.  There was some discussion that involved legal and insurance responsibilities, a trial period, police officer discretion, kids on roller skates, and reckless use.

Jim Hicks made a motion to accept, on an 8 month trial basis the ordinance as written with the exception that we allow golf carts with CLV registration, a licensed driver, enroute to and from the golf course, used in a reasonable manner, and with a slow moving vehicle sign on the rear.  Elva Scholebo seconded the motion.  After further discussion as above, the motion was defeated with Hicks and Scholebo in favor, and 6 others opposed.

After some additional discussion, Tom Polster moved to accept the Town Ordinance with the exception of golf carts as in Jim Hicks’ motion, and to allow human powered wheeled conveyances, except in the event of reckless or irresponsible behavior.  Steve Lee seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Rules and Regulations
Survey/Lot Pins- This issue had been largely decided during the Manager’s Report.  The Board had determined that lot boundaries were the responsibility of the property owner, not the Association.  Jim Hicks was to send Manager Kroeger samples of the previously noted disclaimer for all paperwork.

Holly Park- The issue of rules at Holly Park had come up at the December ’06 meeting.  Manager Kroeger had drafted a set of proposed rules based upon our specific needs and from samples he had researched.  After review, Jim Hicks moved to accept the rules as submitted, after the correction of a typographical error.  The motion was approved unanimously after a second by Steve Webb.  Manager Kroeger was directed to have signs made and posted at various locations in the park.  (These rules are now posted on the CLV Website.)

Manager Kroeger noted that there was some wear on the basketball court that might be attributed to the skateboard use.  He remarked that the last repair to the court had been in 1997 and had cost around $7,000.00 for asphalt repair and the color coating.  He mentioned that a concrete slab in the 30’x40’ size range could be poured for around $3,000.00.  The Holly Park committee was to consider this.

Subdivision 1- President Vogel reported that he and Jim Hicks had had a meeting with two representatives from subdivision one looking for some common ground.  President Vogel noted that he had received a proposal that was little different from what we had previously seen.  Don and Jim will keep the Board advised as to future attempts at finding common ground.

NEW BUSINESS-
Festival of Lights- Manager Kroeger referred the Board to an opinion he had written and distributed seriously questioning the continuation of the Festival of Lights.  There was general discussion that participation and the quality of the participation was down and declining.  Also, we need to be aware that our decision can impact the entire town.  There was concern that the Festival as it currently is, is not presenting the Village in the best light.

After additional discussion, it was decided that Manager Kroeger should send out a general e-mail asking for ideas from the membership on the future of the Festival.  Comments would be reviewed at the February meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS-
Business Planning- We are looking to place a $20,000.00 CD as “Reserve for Replacement”.  This is a budgeted item for 2007.
Infrastructure- Some trees on common property along Lake Holly were cleared/thinned. A much cleaner looking shoreline has resulted.
Nominations- Rex Stevens presented a proposed questionnaire to be used when interviewing replacement directors.  Discussion on the proposal was tabled until the February meeting after review of the document.
Rules & Regulations- No report
Personnel- Manager Kroeger noted that the annual employee evaluations were to be completed by April 1.
By-Laws- No report.
Holly Park- The committee will look into the concrete slab and the new playground equipment that has been budgeted.

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 on a motion by Steve Lee.