Board of Directors Meeting, May 17, 2006, Minutes

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
May 17, 2006

The Board of Directors Meeting of the Oaks North Marbella Homeowners Association was held on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at the Oaks North Community Center, pursuant to the notice thereof sent to all Board members. It was determined that a quorum was present and the meeting was called to order by the President, Karen Wiley at 10:02 a.m.
Directors present: Karen Wiley, Jim Coote, Marilyn Tipler, Jay Riesenberg, and Larry Allen (arrived late).
Also present: John Ellis, Connie Looney, Chon Campillo (US Lawns), and Wendy DeVuyst.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
A motion was duly made by Karen Wiley and seconded by Marilyn Tipler to approve the minutes of the previous Board meeting of 4/19/06 as written. Motion carried.

MEMBER PARTICIPATION
A. Connie Looney (18018 Calle Estepona) addressed the Board regarding problems in Marbella. She is most concerned over the entry wall and planter areas, and the fact that there are many CC&R violations in the community. She provided photos for the Board to review. She was advised that the Board is looking into the entry walls and working to improve the appearance of the entry planters. Possible violations of the CC&R’s must be made in writing on the complaint form at the Oaks North Community Center office. She asked about putting benches in the greenbelt. She was advised that there are liability and maintenance issues involved, as well as the cost. The Board had asked members in a previous newsletter if they wanted to contribute to placing benches in the greenbelt. No replies were received. Mrs. Looney also asked when the Eucalyptus trees would be trimmed. She was advised that we are getting bids to do a portion of the trees. We cannot afford to do all the trees at this time, but need to spread out the work over the next couple of years, with the arborist to decide which trees should be trimmed first. A reply letter will be sent to Mrs. Looney.
B. John Ellis (13314 Corte de Estepona) volunteered to serve on the Nominating Committee for the Board.
Discussion with Mr. Ellis over the Board’s concern that his personal computer blog contains the Marbella minutes, with all names and addresses included under Correspondence and Member Participation. The Board is concerned over privacy issues for the members. Mr. Ellis disagrees with the Board’s position and will continue to post the minutes on his blog in their entirety.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Maintenance … Karen Wiley

• Punch List – Ms. Wiley gave US Lawns a new punch list of some items that need to be addressed in the Common Areas. Some of the items from the last punch list have not yet been completed. Most of the new items deal with weeds, gophers and trimming grass along some walls.

• Plants for Citrus Grove – These were installed on 4/21 and look very nice.

• Reseeding Bare Areas in Greenbelt – Will need to fertilize the reseeded areas.

Oaks North Marbella HOA minutes
May 17, 2006
Page -2
Committee Reports (continued)
Discussion over problems with the irrigation system in some areas. US Lawns was asked to be sure to check all the irrigation monthly as mandated in their contract. It was noted that there is a leaking valve that needs to be replaced. The cost will be $175. The Board approved this work.

• It was noted that not all the cut grass is being removed by the mowers and there are some large clumps being left on the lawns.

• Plants at Entry – Verbena was added to the entry areas, but rabbits ate them almost immediately. We added Begonias on 5/5 for a cost of $120. Discussion on additional plants that might be added to improve the appearance of this area.

• Water Line Break on Via Nasca – A water problem was reported to US Lawns by a resident on 4/28/06. They came out and determined that the water break was on the City’s side of the meter and the City was contacted. The City eventually came out and shut off the water for several hours to make temporary repairs. The City ended up coming back out and replacing the meter as the tree roots had broken the elbow. Some of the landscaping in this area did turn brown while the water was off, but should come back. We will look at doing tree root surgery to eliminate some of these roots.

• Concrete Posts – Discussion on whether or not these replacement posts are necessary.

• Palm Tree Trimming Bids – Karen Wiley will get a bid from Davey Tree and Larry Allen will get a bid from Sutton Tree to trim the entry palms. Mr. Allen is also getting bids to trim a portion of the Eucalyptus trees.

• Status of Entry Lighting – Jim Coote reported that the new timer and box were installed, with the total coming in at $250 instead of $200. The Board approved the additional $50. We will now paint the new timer box.

The new type of light bulbs do not appear to be lasting as long as the old style, so we will go back to the old ones for future replacements.
There is one junction box that fell over due to a broken pipe. Larry Allen will check on this and make repairs.
B. Communications/Newsletter – The next newsletter will go out in July.
C. Long Range Planning Committee

• Revision of CC&R’s – We have the latest version from the attorney to review.

• Election Procedures – The Board mailed out to all the owners the proposed Election Procedures for discussion at this Board meeting. No input from any members was received. A motion was duly made by Karen Wiley and seconded by Jay Riesenberg to approve the Election Procedures as proposed, to become effective 7/1/06. Motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE
A. A letter dated 5/1/06 was received from Irv Sherman (18278 Aceituno) complaining about the appearance of the entryway plantings. A reply letter will be sent.
B. A letter dated 5/13/06 was received from Irene Noakes (18123 Calle Estepona) correcting the spelling of her name for the Marbella Directory.

FINANCIAL REPORT … Jay Riesenberg
A. Financial Statement - The Board reviewed and approved the financial report ending 4/30/06. We are under budget year-to-date by $9354. However, this will start to go down as the water bills increase over the hotter months.
Oaks North Marbella HOA minutes
May 17, 2006
Page -3
Committee Reports (continued)
B. Reserve Study – Mr. Riesenberg will begin work on the new Reserve Study to be completed and approved by the Board in August 2006.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Oaks North Community Center Architectural Review Committee (ONCC-ARC) – Larry Allen had no items to bring to the Board at this time.
B. Sealing Bids for Asphalt – Karen Wiley will get bids from Weir Brothers and Hogue Paving for the sealing of the asphalt in the greenbelt.

NEW BUSINESS
A. Painting of Wall at 12990 Cam. Ramillette – We received information from an owner that the side wall of this house was to have been painted several years ago as part of a settlement agreement. The owner of the home is now deceased and the home is for sale. This owner who complained will be asked to file a CC&R complaint form at the Oaks North Community Center office on this matter.
B. Bids to Power Wash Entry Walls – Larry Allen will get some bids for this work.
C. It was reported that a cherry bomb went off inside one of the mailboxes in Marbella, blowing up two mailboxes. This was reported to the Police as vandalism.

With no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 11:48 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Wendy DeVuyst,
Recording Secretary

NEXT BOARD MEETING: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.