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. (Note: it was discovered at the close of the meeting that there had been a tape malfunction and that the meeting was NOT on tape.)

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

There were 3 Association Members in attendance.

MEMBER’S FORUM- Russ Winkler was on hand to discuss the golf course irrigation situation.  He reminded the Board that the golf course has water rights to Christmas Lake for irrigation purposes.  During the excessive rains in March, the electrical equipment that drives the pumps to move water up to the golf course reservoirs was heavily damaged.  There may also be damage to the pumps, but there is no electricity to test the pumps.

Russ passed out drawings and photos and explained a plan he had in mind that would bypass the current pump house and the daily use of the inlet structure (tower) in the big lake.  He proposed to install a floating, submersible pump in the area of the tower.  A fence would be atop the float to keep people off.  A six inch hose would run from the pump through one of the “windows” in the tower, through the existing 36” drain line that goes under/through the dam and then connect with the golf course’s system at that point.  The float would be visible, but none of the piping would be.  There would not be any digging into the dam with this system.  This idea would also correct the problem of water that bypasses the pump house and drains down through the golf course.

There was some discussion about the condition of the tower and who “owned” the tower.  Russ stated that he would be willing to participate in tower repairs.

A date was to be set up for interested Directors to meet with Russ to view the area.

Chad Bailey was present to discuss the drainage issue that had been a concern at his house for a number of years.  He had photos of flood events and proposal for a dry well “fix”.  He stated that too much water comes down the hill during heavy rain events.  The Association owns a couple of lots upstream that could be made into a dry dam, but some other excavation would need to take place there.  Also, some work at the corner of Madonna and Tinsel would be required.  The Board took the issue under advisement.

Jim Hicks, as an Association Member, rather than a Director, advised that Board that less than an hour before the meeting, he had run his back gate card through the reader enroute home, only to find it covered with spit.  This was not the first time this had happened.  He was concerned and angered that people could do something like this.  He presented photos that he had taken and sample of the spit in a plastic bag.  Manager Kroeger was directed to review the video of the back gate and to recover the computer print out.  Efforts will be made to catch this person.

MINUTES- After review, Gene Sams moved to accept the minutes from the March regular meeting as well as the 3/27/08 special meeting.  Both sets of minutes were unanimously approved after a second by Jeff Stillman.

TREASURER’S REPORT- Treasurer Jim Davidson passed out a report that showed assessment income as a percent of budget over the last three years.  In 2006 and 2007, assessment was approximately 92% of budget at the end of March.  In 2008, we are only at 77% of budget.  He is suggesting a possible shortfall of nearly $56,000.00.   He noted that expenditures seem to be on track.  He posed the question to the Board of how could our monies on hand be “up” when receipts are down.

Manager Kroeger highlighted the delinquent report.

• Nearly $123,000.00 in amounts under $600.00 is delinquent.
• 98 of the 418 (23%) delinquent lots have residences on them.  He noted that this is about 8 points higher than has been typical.
• That nearly $26,000.00 in assessment revenue has been received to date in April.
• We received a check in excess of $2000.00 from the collection agency.
• About 300 2nd delinquent notices had been sent recently (compared to 700 first delinquent notices.)
• Liens would be filed in mid May.

Jim Davidson suggested that we do NOT send improved lots to the collection agency.  Manager Kroeger was directed to check with Attorney Shaneyfelt regarding the “shelf life” of our liens and to research how many of the 98 residences that were delinquent were comprised of multiple lots.

There being no further questions or comments, the financial report was unanimously approved on a motion by Jeff Stillman and a second by Jim Hicks.

MANAGER’S REPORT- Manager Kroeger noted that the Town Council meeting was not scheduled until 4/14/08, so that report would be at the May meeting.

The police report showed that the Santa Claus PD had:

• Written two traffic citations in the Village
• Investigated 15 Disturbances in the Town
• Participated in two emergency medical responses in the Village
• Investigated a domestic dispute (Village)
• Responded to two theft calls (Village)
• Investigated a wreckless driver  (Village)
• Dispatched and turned over a possibly rabid skunk to authorities for tests (Village)

Manager Kroeger further reported:

• That he had been approached by a member asking about using the Rec Center on a complimentary basis (as available) for a “Euchre Night”.  After some discussion, Manager Kroeger was directed to pursue the possibility of the Association planning and sponsoring Euchre or other game events at the Rec Center.
• That he had spoken to the Town Attorney who advised him that it was not likely that the Town could waive vacant sewer fees for lots that the Association may acquire at a commissioners’ sale.
• Had not received any response from the Town regarding the Association request to review the continued problems with the South Melchior Drive roadbed that may be a result of past sewer work.
• That he was awaiting information from a road boring company regarding inquiries into the cost of several bores to our roads to help determine weight limits.  It was also noted the he and Jim Davidson had had an informative meeting with Ken Mulzer Jr. regarding load weight dispersion on trucks and Indiana load limits.
• That back gate cards that had not been renewed for 2008 were being removed from the system and would not operate until renewed.
• The spring chipping program was to be finished up the week of April 14th.  All items for chipping were to be at the road’s edge by April 13th.  The chipper will make one last pass down each street.
• That the new procedure for assessment billing had worked out very well except in a very few instances.  He had recently met with the office staff to discuss how to make the program better.  He noted that our data base would continue to get “tighter” each year.

Gene Allen asked if coffee could be provided at the Board Meetings.

OLD BUSINESS
RENTER’S RULES- Committee chair Jim Hicks passed out the latest version of the proposed renter’s rules.  He explained the latest updates.

Angela Vanover voiced her concern that we check with a HUD attorney to make sure we are on solid ground with these rules prior to a vote.

Manager Kroeger was directed to send a letter and the proposed rules to all of the Village landlords.  He was further to set up and announce two informational meetings inviting the landlords to attend.

TRUCK SCALES- Manager Kroeger reported that he had had trouble finding a place that would rent truck axle scales.  He noted that he had spoken to a scales supplier in Evansville who had provided a figure of around $10,000.00 for the purchase of a four pad axle scale system.  Jim Davidson noted that he had found a drive up scale that might work better at a lower price.  Manager Kroeger was directed to look into the program further and report back at the May meeting.  This project is being reviewed as a way to help monitor truck weights in the Village thereby protecting the life of our roads.

REC CENTER UPDATE- Manager Kroeger reported that he had seen additional cracks in the lower level of the Rec Center.  These cracks have appeared since the lower level was painted about two years ago.  He had a call into Midwestern Engineers to review the building and to outline our options.  He expected to have this information at the May meeting.

NEW BUSINESS
ASSESSMENT PAYMENT PLAN- Manager Kroeger passed out a draft of a payment plan that might be offered to Association Members in the future.  The plan allowed for 3 payment options (single payment, quarterly payments, or monthly payments.)  There would be handling fees for the additional checks based on the plan chosen.  He had spoken to Attorney Shaneyfelt and a local insurance broker about this item.

After some discussion Kroeger was advised that the handling fee might be too low and reassess that.  The twelve payment plan was not popular and plans for quarterly and/or semi annual payments were to be considered. 

Voting at the annual meeting, boat/vehicle stickers, and back gate passes were items to be considered in the plan as most of these programs require a member to be current on assessments.

Manager Kroeger was asked to make the adjustments and bring the document back to the May meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Business Planning- No further
Infrastructure Committee- Rex Stevens noted that he had reviewed some Village streets for ’08 repairs and had taken some photos.  He mentioned specifically areas of Kasper and South Melchior Drive.  Manager Kroeger passed out Village maps for each of the Directors to mark the needed work in their designated areas. He asked that they be returned by the next meeting.
Nominations- Chair Rex Stevens noted that we should have at least one more nominee to run for the Village Board.  Open nominations would close on April 19th although interested parties could still run with signatures if turned if by the 24th.  He asked the directors to look into possible candidates.
Rules & Regulations- Nothing further
Personnel- Chair Jeff Stillman reported that the employee evaluations had been completed, and that 4 lifeguards had been hired for the ’08 beach season.  He noted that the cost of lifeguard certification to the lifeguards was increasing and that we may need to look into ways of deferring this cost.
By-Laws- Nothing
Parks & Recreation-The Merry Go Round will be installed as soon as the ground permits.  A survey of the park to assist with the installation of the walking path has been completed.  The rest rooms are to be opened for the season the week of the 14th.  The new soccer goals will be placed very soon.
Covenants & Restrictions- Chair Angela Vanover reported that the meetings have been going well with discussion and progress.  It is a slow process as was anticipated.  The next meeting is scheduled for April 28th at 6:00 PM.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM on a motion by Gene Allen and a second by Jeff Stillman.