administrator
08-07-2008, 11:17 AM
http://fluvannaonline.com/newsimages/fr.gifOther than the deer issue at the top of everyone’s agenda at the recent July 24 Board of Directors’ meeting, it appeared that Lake Monticello residents also were speaking out on financial matters, and the Board was listening.
Dues Comment
New Board President Leighton Cumming said that Directors, staff and some residents attended the Finance Committee meeting on July 15 and discussed possible actions to consider following the property owners’ vote against the dues increase proposal in June.
“We discussed why it failed and some reasons included a dislike for the combination of a proposed 2 percent annual allowable increase along with the $80 dues increase,” she said.
“Many residents noted that they would have voted for the $80 increase alone. Others wanted more specificity about how that increase would be used. Others wanted to know what we would have to do without if the dues increase were not passed,” explained Cumming.
“All of those reasons will be taken into consideration as we work through the fall on the 2009 budget and consider a new proposal for a dues increase. We will do our best to meet residents’ concerns and to provide avenues for discussion.”
Eagle’s Nest Has Deficit
In his report, Treasurer Scott Meiss reiterated that all the budgeted amenities but the golf course Eagle’s Nest snack bar were operating within their budget. The Eagle’s Nest is running more than an $18,000 deficit.
“It needs to be looked at. We as a Board need to address it,” he said.
Meiss added that the budget process was beginning and those who are interested are encouraged to come out and learn more about the current financial situation.
Line Flushing, Recycling
General Manager John Korhonen discussed the Aqua Virginia’s flushing the water lines to clear the system of sediment and debris and improving water quality. He added it has not been done for years and may take a couple of months to complete barring any delays from bad weather or water main breaks.
As for the recent recycling efforts, Korhonen said the Lake is recycling 17 percent, up 1 percent from last year. The goal is to recycle 25 percent, thereby reducing the landfill fees and saving the Lake money. He added there are brochures available on recycling for anyone wishing to learn more.
Still in the planning stages is the composting program. Once lake dredging begins, the spoils, made up of loose leaves and sediment, will be deposited behind Tufton Lake. Property owners can drop off leaves for composting. (There is nothing in the current budget for a leaf pick-up program.)
County Report
Supervisor Charles Allbaugh brought news from the county. He mentioned that Darren Coffey, formerly with Louisa County local government staff, has been hired as the new county planner.
Mr. Coffey has implemented some new procedures, and Allbaugh was confident and positive about the changes in the applications for developers and builders that he has implemented. For example, a pre-application process is required before a rezoning. After the application process, the applicant must meet with neighbors to iron out any issues that may arise. This will reduce disputes during Planning Commission meetings.
As for a possible property reassessment next year, the supervisors have agreed to put that on hold given the current housing market.
Value engineering was mentioned as a means to save money on the new high school project.
Allbaugh ended by stating Fluvanna County received an A-1 bond rating from Standard & Poor’s. This investment rating will reduce certain loan rates for the upcoming high school and proposed pipeline projects.
Member Comments
Sandwiched between the numerous deer comments (see sidebar), Al Pacinich asked the Board to appeal to the Lake’s supervisors Allbaugh and Gene Ott regarding the “intolerable odor” from the Aqua Virginia sewage plant located near the Rivanna River on Route 600 (South Boston Road).
Director Comments
Vice President Ed Seroskie thanked everyone for expressing their views and encouraged them to participate in meetings on the budget and reserves.
“This is a great opportunity to come see what is going on,” he said.
Director Mike Harrison, who admits he is not a golfer, went out to survey the golf course with fellow Director John Gott.
“The course is getting into really good shape,” he said. He added there are more programs being proposed, including youth and family and discussed other creative ways to use the golf course during off times, including concerts and picnics to get more people out and using the facility.
He also mentioned looking into “green vehicles,” those that are classified as low-speed vehicles that go 25 mph or less. He asked the Safety and Security Committee to define these electrical vehicles. Operators should have an agreement with the Association and be licensed.
Cumming commented on the community’s strategic goals.
“Directors and Planning Committee members are working on prioritizing objectives within the goals. For instance, the communications goal has six objectives consisting of 23 action steps. Prioritizing will result in one set of the priorities for the 23 action steps,” she said.
“The aim of the work at this point is to give input into the 2009 budget process and to identify those action steps which can go forward,” she added.
Other Board Actions
The Board:
•Denied 6-1 a request for a waiver of tenant fee, Harrison dissenting;
•Authorized the purchase of a police vehicle;
•Requested the Safety and Security Committee look into and define unlicensed electrical vehicles on LMOA roadways;
•Authorized general manager to execute signature cards for all bank and securities accounts;
•Read subjects of two first readings for proposed amendments to ECC Rules and Regulations re: vehicle and trailer parking and yard/garage sale signs;
•Appointed Bill Smith to the Finance Committee, Robert Vandeventer to Broadcast and Al Colville to Planning.
From the Fluvanna Review
Dues Comment
New Board President Leighton Cumming said that Directors, staff and some residents attended the Finance Committee meeting on July 15 and discussed possible actions to consider following the property owners’ vote against the dues increase proposal in June.
“We discussed why it failed and some reasons included a dislike for the combination of a proposed 2 percent annual allowable increase along with the $80 dues increase,” she said.
“Many residents noted that they would have voted for the $80 increase alone. Others wanted more specificity about how that increase would be used. Others wanted to know what we would have to do without if the dues increase were not passed,” explained Cumming.
“All of those reasons will be taken into consideration as we work through the fall on the 2009 budget and consider a new proposal for a dues increase. We will do our best to meet residents’ concerns and to provide avenues for discussion.”
Eagle’s Nest Has Deficit
In his report, Treasurer Scott Meiss reiterated that all the budgeted amenities but the golf course Eagle’s Nest snack bar were operating within their budget. The Eagle’s Nest is running more than an $18,000 deficit.
“It needs to be looked at. We as a Board need to address it,” he said.
Meiss added that the budget process was beginning and those who are interested are encouraged to come out and learn more about the current financial situation.
Line Flushing, Recycling
General Manager John Korhonen discussed the Aqua Virginia’s flushing the water lines to clear the system of sediment and debris and improving water quality. He added it has not been done for years and may take a couple of months to complete barring any delays from bad weather or water main breaks.
As for the recent recycling efforts, Korhonen said the Lake is recycling 17 percent, up 1 percent from last year. The goal is to recycle 25 percent, thereby reducing the landfill fees and saving the Lake money. He added there are brochures available on recycling for anyone wishing to learn more.
Still in the planning stages is the composting program. Once lake dredging begins, the spoils, made up of loose leaves and sediment, will be deposited behind Tufton Lake. Property owners can drop off leaves for composting. (There is nothing in the current budget for a leaf pick-up program.)
County Report
Supervisor Charles Allbaugh brought news from the county. He mentioned that Darren Coffey, formerly with Louisa County local government staff, has been hired as the new county planner.
Mr. Coffey has implemented some new procedures, and Allbaugh was confident and positive about the changes in the applications for developers and builders that he has implemented. For example, a pre-application process is required before a rezoning. After the application process, the applicant must meet with neighbors to iron out any issues that may arise. This will reduce disputes during Planning Commission meetings.
As for a possible property reassessment next year, the supervisors have agreed to put that on hold given the current housing market.
Value engineering was mentioned as a means to save money on the new high school project.
Allbaugh ended by stating Fluvanna County received an A-1 bond rating from Standard & Poor’s. This investment rating will reduce certain loan rates for the upcoming high school and proposed pipeline projects.
Member Comments
Sandwiched between the numerous deer comments (see sidebar), Al Pacinich asked the Board to appeal to the Lake’s supervisors Allbaugh and Gene Ott regarding the “intolerable odor” from the Aqua Virginia sewage plant located near the Rivanna River on Route 600 (South Boston Road).
Director Comments
Vice President Ed Seroskie thanked everyone for expressing their views and encouraged them to participate in meetings on the budget and reserves.
“This is a great opportunity to come see what is going on,” he said.
Director Mike Harrison, who admits he is not a golfer, went out to survey the golf course with fellow Director John Gott.
“The course is getting into really good shape,” he said. He added there are more programs being proposed, including youth and family and discussed other creative ways to use the golf course during off times, including concerts and picnics to get more people out and using the facility.
He also mentioned looking into “green vehicles,” those that are classified as low-speed vehicles that go 25 mph or less. He asked the Safety and Security Committee to define these electrical vehicles. Operators should have an agreement with the Association and be licensed.
Cumming commented on the community’s strategic goals.
“Directors and Planning Committee members are working on prioritizing objectives within the goals. For instance, the communications goal has six objectives consisting of 23 action steps. Prioritizing will result in one set of the priorities for the 23 action steps,” she said.
“The aim of the work at this point is to give input into the 2009 budget process and to identify those action steps which can go forward,” she added.
Other Board Actions
The Board:
•Denied 6-1 a request for a waiver of tenant fee, Harrison dissenting;
•Authorized the purchase of a police vehicle;
•Requested the Safety and Security Committee look into and define unlicensed electrical vehicles on LMOA roadways;
•Authorized general manager to execute signature cards for all bank and securities accounts;
•Read subjects of two first readings for proposed amendments to ECC Rules and Regulations re: vehicle and trailer parking and yard/garage sale signs;
•Appointed Bill Smith to the Finance Committee, Robert Vandeventer to Broadcast and Al Colville to Planning.
From the Fluvanna Review