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

Nine Association members were in attendance.

MEMBER’S FORUM
Ron Smith was present to discuss a drainage problem at his residence that he states is largely due to the paving of Balthazar Drive approximately 4 years ago.  He said that the paving changed the direction of the water and filled a 1.5” driveway ridge that now allows water to run down his driveway. He noted that all of his downspouts had been inspected and that his front porch has sunk 3 inches.  He reported that several Association Directors had reviewed the site over a period of time and that some attempts to correct the situation had been made by the Association, but the problem remains.  The Board was to take this under advisement.

Don Russell was present to show plans and request a variance for a new deck he had in mind.  Manager Kroeger had advised Russell that his current plan encroached upon the 50’ lake side setback.  The Board suggested that Mr. Russell work with Manager Kroeger on a new plan.

Mike Koch expressed his concern over a continuing water issue with a neighbor.  This being that the neighbor’s driveway is gravel and that this gravel continually ends up in his yard.  This water and gravel also crosses the road to Don Russell’s home.  He passed out some photos to show the situation.

Chad Bailey also asked about where the Association was in making drainage improvements in his area.  He suggested we use 2 Association owned lots to create a dry dam to slow the water.

MINUTES
After review, Jim Davidson moved to accept the minutes of the April meeting as submitted.  This was seconded by Gene Sams and approved unanimously with the exception of an abstention by Steve Lee.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Jim Davidson noted that 2008 assessment income remained below normal.  He passed out a comparison chart showing that to-date assessment in ’06 and ’07 were approximately 98% of budget, while ’08 stands at 90% of budget.  This is a difference of  approximately $50,000.00.  We are also below overall budgeted income at this time with a projected shortfall of $57,000.00 when compared to 2006.

He further noted that although monies on hand are down a little, that some minor expenses are pushing their budget, and that a coding mistake needed correction, expenditures are basically OK.

Manager Kroeger followed with the delinquent report.  He noted that even though in excess of $35,000.00 of ’08 assessment had been received since the April meeting, $87,000.00 in the “under $600.00” category was still outstanding.  Most of this is ’08 assessment.  Overall there is $135,000.00 in delinquent amounts from 310 lots.  67 of the 310 (22%) are residences.  This percentage of delinquent residences typically runs in the 14% range.  He further noted that no liens had been filed due to a new law that took effect in July of ’07 that caused our liens to automatically expire one year after filing.  The liens could not be re-filed or added to a new lien.  He suggested a meeting with the business planning committee to review this issue and our existing collection procedure to look into how we could best handle this.  The meeting was to be set up by the committee.
Kroeger further noted that the collection agency had collected around $5,000.00 in overdue accounts in April.

There being no further questions, Jim Hicks moved to accept the financial report as submitted.  The motion was unanimously passed after a second by Gene Allen.

MANAGER’S REPORT
Manager Kroeger updated the Board on the Town Council meeting of 4/14/08.  The Council:

• Approved 3 sets of minutes
• Discussed a parking restriction issue with the owners of the duplexes behind the lodge.  The owners were to report back to the Council with possible solutions.
• Approved the second reading of the “Disposal of Trash and Garbage” ordinance.  (Manager Kroeger was instructed to place the ordinance on the CLV website.)
• Heard that the fire department had applied for FEMA grants for a new fire truck and new turn out gear.
• Approved 2 new hires for the water department.
• Gave the utilities superintendent permission to hire a new lift station attendant within the budget.
• Heard that the waste water plant processed 45.3 million gallons of water in the last month.
• Were advised that an infiltration problem with the Town’s sewer system still exists.
• Heard that the plans for the water project are before the EPA.  Bids could be out in May.

Manager Kroeger also updated the Board on the Santa Claus Police Activity.  In the Village:

• 7 traffic citations were written
• An arrest was made
• An investigation was conducted
• 4 VIN checks made
• Placed the speed sign
• A parking issue addressed
• 2 animal complaints addressed

Manager Kroeger pointed out that 26 gun permits had been issued in April.

Other items included:

• Lake weed growth has been sparse to date and the maintenance crew is monitoring this closely.
• The number of geese this spring compared to last spring is dramatically less.  We intend to relocate geese again this summer.
• Jim Davidson explained that boring and coring on Village roads in order to determine weight limits was scheduled to start on Monday, May 12, weather permitting.
• A newsletter will be published on June 1st.
• The first entertainment program of the ’08 season will be on June 26th at 6:30 PM.  Magician Bob Ahlemeier will amaze us all.  Also on this evening we will present information on the neighborhood watch program. 
• 2 lifeguards for the ’08 season had opted out of the program.  There were other applicants available but it was not clear if there would be another training class available to train the lifeguards.  Manager Kroeger was trying to work this out with the YMCA.  He suggested that if another class did NOT become available, that we should go with the two lifeguards and a back-up that we have, and open the beach Thursday through Sunday, and holidays only.  The board supported this plan.
• The County was wondering where we stand on buying county lots at commissioner’s sale.  The Town of Santa Claus had advised us that we could not receive relief on the vacant lot sewer fee.  This cost is included in the ’08 budget.  Manager Kroeger was instructed to advise the county that we would continue with the program as had been presented.
• The Christmas Lake Village annual meeting is to be held Sunday June 8th, 1:00 PM (CDT) at the Rec Center.

ACTION ITEMS
None

OLD BUSINESS

1. Assessment Payment Plan- After review of the updated proposal and some discussion, Gene Sams suggested that we simply leave the program as it currently stands.  There was general agreement with this suggestion.  The proposal died for lack of support.

2. Truck Scales- Jim Davidson reported that we had received information and pricing on a different type of truck scale.  Further discussion of this issue would wait until the results of the boring/coring were available.

3. Rec Center Update- Manager Kroeger reported that he had hired Midwestern Engineers to design a “fix” for the problem.  He noted that Midwestern was aware that there was concern on our part and that he would present their findings as soon as they were completed.

NEW BUSINESS
None

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Business Planning- Nothing further
Infrastructure- Suggested road repair maps were turned in for review by the committee.  Recommendations will be made soon.
Nominations- The ballots for the ’08 Board election have been sent out.
Rules & Regulations- Jim Hicks reported that two meetings had been held with the landlords regarding the proposed renter’s rules.  He said that the committee would be meeting soon.
Personnel- Nothing further
By Laws- None
Holly Park- The merry-go-round and the soccer goals had been placed in the park.  Installation of the walking path would begin in the next couple of weeks.
Covenants & Restrictions- Manager Kroeger reported that the committee was pressing forward, line by line, through the document.  The next meeting was moved up a week to May 19th in order to accommodate the Memorial Day holiday.

Association Member Charity Mitchell asked what, if anything, could be done about the long grass at the home beside hers.  She was advised that the property was in litigation at this time and that we would have to check with legal counsel before mowing.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.