(Approval Pending at the 8/12/2010 Meeting)

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by President Lee Powell.  He noted that a quorum was present and that the meeting was being recorded.

Directors present were Jason Alban, Amy Busler, Rob Collins, Lee Powell, Jodey Reisz, Greg Robinson, and Dave Walters.  Brad Phillips and Mike Robinson were absent.

MEMBERS FORUM
Shirley Blazey was present to ask about the policy of welcoming home military on the marquee, to ask about the repairs on Holly Dam, and to ask about the recent vandalism.

Angela Vanover stated her concern that the Village was selling lots on lease/purchase option for too low of a price.  She stated that this would devalue all the property in the Village.  She also thinks that more and more people will default on their assessments.

Lacy Payne was present to state her concerns about speeding in the Village.  She said aside from residents, she sees service people i.e. Vectren, Town of Santa Claus, etc vehicles speeding down her street.  She said she was going to attend the next Town Council meeting and invited concerned CLV members to join her.  She suggested that the speeding fine should be increased and that the Association put a stop sign at her corner.  She further suggested a weight room and swimming pool would be desirable at Holly Park

Carl Working was on hand to present his views on the state of CLV.  After a year of living here and 2 years of property ownership he has observed, experienced, or overheard the following from members and business persons alike:

• This is a growing and beautiful area worth investing in for retirement and raising a family.
• The Town of Santa Claus and Spencer County are both quaint and rural and an heir of a good mix where people and resources are placed in the middle of a one hour commute to major cities that can offer big city amenities.
• CLV has a great opportunity to “cash in” in on this great family environment that lacks big city decay and crime and he hopes the new Board would listen to his vision. 1) CLV lacks the backbone and leadership to move forward if it continues on the current path.  2) There is too much infighting and perception of “us vs. them” between the Town and the Village which makes for a lack of a healthy partnership. 3) The rules & regulations are so restrictive that the community/board are nearly helpless even if they want change, especially 3 years to get recommendations from a committee to a vote which has stagnated the Village. 4) The status quo seems to be the path when history tells us that any and all communities that survive and prosper must change with the times. 5) Compromise is nearly impossible if the leadership is left with few checks and balances.  More money is spent fighting lawsuits than could have been saved through arbitration. 6) Dictatorship-like leadership with near nepotimistic-like direction not only turns off community involvement but grows dissention.  (Even realtors have expressed this openly to potential clients for sales in CLV)
• Rates go up while benefits are less. (Again realtors advise against CLV vs. other Santa Claus real estate.)
• Perceived security is laughable at local gatherings and no-brainer recommendations to help cut costs wear and tear on roads and equipment are discerned away to the attic for cobwebs to embrace.
• Zero costs to CLV benefits that could make our Village more attractive and marketable go unheard by a Board with little sight and is hard of hearing.
• Petty rules and regs are unevenly enforced with political and “good ol’boy” attitudes while fees and important issues like theft and vandalism grow.
• CLV is more scared of hurting the feelings of the few who do not share the costs burden than growing the teeth needed for tough love. $100.00/letter for an attorney-shame on CLV)
• Embrace new ideas.  Even donate a portion of documented savings to a local charity as an incentive to cut costs and improve benefits, elevate market value and desirability for CLV ownership/membership.
• Penalize freeloading or at least make it harder for them to gain access and use common facilities like parks, lakes, roads, beaches, lighting, boating, fishing, maintenance.  Attach fines that can be legally placed on real estate and prevent rent money from going to owners of unpaid CLV fees.  Renting more than one house in CLV should be deemed a business and that is illegal in CLV.
• Eliminate petty old rules that stifle a desirable environment that should encourage lot usage and enjoyment.
• Remove any and all perceived conflict of interest from Board members whose main livelihood is generated by issues that directly affect the CLV interests of the many.
• ‘Tis sad when the Town of Santa Claus can rule and overrule CLV on important and property value issues (3 member quorum, 2 vote pass) while collecting city taxes that effect all equally.
• Too bad that a Board and its President cannot admit when it errors and try to correct the errors vs. hiding behind closed meetings and secrecy (open up all your books and all the meetings to the members before a lawsuit is slapped on CLV for violating the sunshine laws)
• Let’s get business persons, realtors, and the Town of Santa Claus into a true partnership that makes a win-win-win situation exist.
• Be open to outside ideas vs taking the attitude of status quo and blinded to change while saying he/she does not understand because they are new to the area.
• Encourage a new slate of committee members that can take a fresh look at our future along with the experience of the good past. (Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water)
• Treat all members alike and not pick & choose who needs review of projects and who does not need a threatening letter of fines when dirt drives erode and are against regs-archery targets are on lots but are ignored saying they are just decorations etc
• Detailed examples can be discussed but to make this a thriving and growing community we need to take a fresh look at how we run business in the Village so  property values increase or are at least maintained, fees paid, without fighting for them and give value for fees paid to increase a sense of desirable assets.
• The prime selling points of CLV are the lakes and special emphasis should be made to keep these three major assets maintained and viable for fishing, boating and swimming.
• Second is security and wear & tear ion the infrastructure such as roads dams and buildings.  Help make us more secure through technology that will pay for itself in a reasonable time and do not delay.
• You have a new Board and can choose to move forward or maintain the status quo.  If you choose the latter, I fear for CLV and it will deteriorate and die as a gated community and will become part of the Santa Claus main city with little or no say in the Village unique status.

Thank you.

Tyler Smith suggested that the Board consider replacing the high dive with some other swim apparatus i.e. rope swing or slide.  Manager Kroeger was to check with the insurance company and report back to the board.

Justin Dauby was concerned about the vandalism, loud music, high vehicle speeds, and parking lot damage at the Rec Center.  Although he did not have the answer he remains concerned and would like for the Board to pursue this issue.  Some ideas to help with this situation were discussed.  This subject is to be rescheduled for the August meeting.

Jim Treat agreed with Shirley about returning veterans.  He also recommended that we ask the person who is visiting someone in CLV to call the member for admittance rather than the guard making the call and holding up traffic.  Manager Kroeger noted that this was being done in some instances.

Glen Peters was present to discuss recent Board action in rescinding a decision to challenge the Town’s access to utility rights-of- ways on the Village perimeter. This challenge was predicated by a proposed building project by Paul Gogel.  He noted the Manager Kroeger and President Stillman had said just prior to the vote that our attorney had spoken with Jasper attorney Bradley who had agreed with Attorney Shaneyfelt’s assessment of the legal situation there.  Peters said that Shaneyfelt had lied about this conversation and that we need to continue to oppose the Town. He passed out a letter from attorney Bradley.  Peters further opined that the Association is not being well represented by Mr. Shaneyfelt.  He also suggested that a change be made to the By-Laws that preventing a Board Member from sitting on any paid Town of Santa Claus committees or Council.

Scot Elliott was present to state his ongoing concerns about fishing platform approval and placement on property adjacent his.  Manager Kroeger was to look into the issue further.

Ron Smith, Town Council President advised the gathering that he had been notified of the speeding problem.  He reminded all that he thought this a great community and that not everything was negative.  There are problems that need to be addressed.  He thinks we should not publish the delinquent list as it is detrimental to the Town.  A “member’s only” page on the website was suggested.  The Town has placed a Kasper exit road in its budget for 2011.

Dennis Drake showed a newspaper article regarding the Gogel proposal and asked that the Board continue to contest the Town in this matter.  He also passed out some information on Neighborhood Watch and a section of the Indiana Code pertaining to vandalism.

Presidential Vote- President Powell stated that he would prefer to vote only in certain instances rather than on every issue.  Jason Alban made a motion that President Powell only vote to make a tie, break a tie, or on paper ballot.  Dave Walters seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Minutes- After review, Rob Collins moved to accept the May 2010 minutes as submitted.  The motion passed unanimously after a second by Dave Walters.

Treasurer’s Report- Treasurer Jason Alban reported that there had been little change since the last meeting.  Total income is $733,465.00.  Past due maintenance fees are at $22,000.00, well above what we anticipated.  More than 1/3 of our budgeted expenses have been spent- $279,000.00.  He noted that we had re-titled some of our money market and reserve accounts for clarification.

Manager Kroeger gave the delinquent report noting that the delinquent amount had actually increased by a few hundred dollars because the unpaid balances on the two pay program became delinquent an the 1st of July.  Approximately half of the 125 members who opted for the two pay plan made the second installment on time.

He further noted that:

• 68 of 364 delinquent lots (19%) have residences on them. (18% in June)
• Approximately $118,000 of the $286,260.00 is for 2010.  ($124,000.00 in April)
• Approximately 132 lots have opted for the two pay plan.  Only 66 (50%) paid the 2nd installment on time.
• This added 66 lots and nearly $15k to the delinquent amount.
• 19 of the 66 (29%) delinquent two pay plans lots have homes on them.

            ACTIONS PENDING

• The judge at Spencer County continued our case until September 16th.  Defendant “no shows” will have a bench warrant prepared for their arrest. 
• Hearings in Perry, Dubois, and Vanderburgh counties are scheduled.
• All outstanding 2010 delinquent accounts are scheduled to go to the attorney for collection in the very near future

There being no further questions, Amy Busler moved to accept the Financial Report.  Greg Robinson seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Manager’s Report- Manager Kroeger reported that:

• The fiber Optic cable has been installed in the Village.  The cable still needs to be activated in virtually all areas.  The clean up crew has left.  We are receiving very few calls.  IF there are any clean up issues, please contact PSC directly @ 357-2123.
• The 2010 goose round netted and transferred 32 geese.  None were killed or injured in the process.  The number of birds has been decreasing for the last 4 years.
• We have had quite a bit of vandalism already this summer.  We have caught a few of the culprits but not all.  Besides vandalism there has been theft from yards and boats.  The Santa Claus PD has 3 officers at the moment and these 6 eyes cannot watch the entire Village every minute.  If you see an act of vandalism or theft, call 9-1-1 immediately.  They will dispatch the closest law enforcement officer.  DO NOT call the gatehouse-it is wasting time.  Kroeger further suggested that he would investigate state curfew laws and that the board may need to consider specific hours that the beach is open.

OLD BUSINESS
Committee Appointments- Committee Appointments were made.  Many of the chairs stayed with the Committees including Jim Davidson as chair of the Infrastructure Committee even though he was no longer on the Board.  Jeff Stillman joined Business Planning, Infrastructure, and Personnel.  New Administrative Assistant Kelly Greulich was placed on the Nominating Committee.  Fred Kanzler also joined Business planning. 
Dave Walters joined Personnel.  Kelly Greulich, Lacy Payne and Mark Smith joined Parks & Rec.  Greg Robinson joined Infrastructure.  The general advisory committee was set as well.

President Powell said the Board will vote on the proposed Covenants & Restrictions this year.

Court Resurfacing Update-Manager Kroeger reported that the tennis and basketball court resurfacing was due to be completed about July 16th as long as the weather held.  The courts should be ready for use on the 17th

Wildflowers-A wildflower test patch had been planted to with the idea that we could cut back on some mowing.  The Board sees the wildflower test patch as less than decorative and not conducive to the Village and will not be moving forward with additional wildflower locations.

Proximity Entrance/Surveillance- Manager Kroeger reported that he had called 2-3 fence companies in the last couple of weeks.  Only one had returned his call and they were expecting to get together after the 4th of July.  He had not heard back to date.  He stated some exasperation with this situation saying that he was about ready to recommend that we go with the company that has been pursuing our business.  He said that he thought the proximity card program would need attention from the finance, infrastructure, and rules & regs committees to get off the ground.  He was to set up meetings with these committees.  He also gave a list of proposed rules for the program to Greg Robinson as chair of rules & regs.  This item will be on the August agenda.

NEW BUSINESS
Director Attendance-President Powell passed out a list of the directors, their terms, and a chart of their attendance at Board.  He noted that by vote of a previous Board, directors were not allowed to miss more than 4 regularly scheduled meetings per year.  Manager Kroeger would handle the absent report.

Proxy Votes- In another piece of housekeeping for a new Board, Manager Kroeger noted that past Boards had, at times, allowed written proxy votes from one Director to another in a time of absence.  After some discussion, Jason Alban moved to accept written proxy votes.  Amy Busler seconded the motion.  Jason Alban, Amy Busler, Rob Collins, Jodey Reisz, Greg Robinson voted in favor of the motion.  Dave Walters voted no.

Interest on Delinquent Accounts- Manager Kroeger noted that the Board must determine annually the amount of interest to be charged against delinquent accounts.  He noted that 8% is statutory.  Jason Alban’s motion to approve 8% annual interest on delinquent accounts was seconded by Greg Robinson and unanimously passed.

Ballot Counting Procedure- In Mike Robinson’s absence, the counting procedure discussion was tabled until the August meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Business Planning- Jason Alban reported that the committee would be starting on the 2011 budget soon.  Further, the survey of the Hanning property that the Association intends to purchase will be made any day.  The Hanning attorney is aware of the survey.

Infrastructure- Manager Kroeger noted that the committee was working on road repairs, Holly Dam maintenance, drainage issues, and tennis/basketball courts.

Rules & Regulations- Nothing new

Personnel- Nothing new

By-Laws- Nothing new

Parks & Recreation- President Powell is looking forward to working with the new folks on the committee.

Covenants & Restrictions- Angela Vanover noted that she would be happy to answer any questions from the Board on how the committee arrived at the proposed new Covenants and Restrictions that had been assembled.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 on a motion by Amy Busler and a second by Jodey Reisz.