Board Meeting – April 26, 2011

Country Walk Homeowners’ Association Meeting on April 26, 2011

President Mickey Lauria called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm in the Country Walk Clubhouse. Four Board members were present, namely Mickey Lauria, Murali Sitaraman, Nanda Srimani and Scott Templeton. Twenty seven other residents were in attendance.

A call for nominations for two open Board positions was made by President Mickey Lauria. Prior to the meeting two homeowners, Varun Grover and Susan Zhang had been nominated. President asked for additional nominees, none were mentioned. Ballots were collected and counted. With two positions and only two candidates, both nominees were unanimously approved.
The new board consists of: President Murali Sitaraman, Treasurer Scott Templeton, Nanda Srimani, Varun Grover and Susan Zhang. As per the subdivision bylaws, the current Board members will place elected residents in their positions at their next meeting.
Treasurer Scott Templeton reviewed 2010 Income and Expenses and presented 2011 annual budget explaining each line item. Scott also mentioned that Board started to build up a Capital Reserve fund equivalent to one year’s operating expenses as per board policy.
President Mickey Lauria reviewed the accomplishments over the past year. These include the following:
Establishment and growth of CW HOA reserve fund
·         Clubhouse air and furnace repaired
·         Renovations of the Clubhouse deck and windows and doors were completed.
·         Tennis Court maintenance was completed (resurfacing and new nets).
·         Nature trail drainage repaired.
·         Subdivision common ground mulching completed.
·         Playground mulch cleaned and redone (CW HOA received a refund on bad mulch)
·         Bridge over drainage ditch on Nature Trail completed.
·         Maintenance contract for nature trail developed and implemented
·         New (cheaper) URL for CW HOA website established https://clemsoncountrywalk.org/
·         Annual newsletter drafted and distributed
·         Signs for no bikes on trail acquired and will be posted
·         Posted meeting minutes and budget statements on the Country Walk web site.
·         The pool was successfully opened. This included a variety of efforts, including operation of the phone, fixing of the water fountain and gate locks and electrical problem, no diving tiles installed, and the initial setup.
·         The e-mail list that serves as communication between the Board and the residents of Country Walk functioned well and appears to be well received.
·         The movie night hosted by the Clemson University Police Department, with Master Patrol Officer Jimmy Maw and Reserve Officer Rocco Cioffoletti primarily responsible, was a success. The estimated attendance was between 60 and 80.
·         Walk to School was a success.
·         The pool was successfully closed on 9/20/10 after a summer of enjoyment. Thanks are due to Denise Burton and Steve Edwards for their efforts towards maintaining a safe and clean amenity.
·         Halloween was successfully celebrated.
·         A number of dead and/or diseased trees were removed from common areas.
President Mickey Lauria also thanked individuals who had contributed to the operation and maintenance of Country Walk subdivision.
·         The Board members. A lot of long meetings during the year. They have donated a lot of their time to take care of the neighborhood.
·         Committee Chairs make the subdivision function.
·         Steve Edwards, Pool Committee Chairman;
·         Cindy Osef, Clubhouse Chairman;
·         Tim Burg, Website guru;
·         Phil Schmidt, Architectural Control Committee Chairman
·         Mitchell Dobrenen, Grounds and Maintenance Chairman
·         Thank you to all the residents who are contributing to the day-to-day upkeep of the subdivision by picking up discarded trash, cleaning up after their animals, and preserving our walking trail by using it as the foot path for which it was intended.
The meeting was then turned over to the next president Murali Sitaraman.
President Murali Sitaraman presented a plaque to Mickey Lauria as a token of appreciation and thanked Mickey for serving on the board for 3 years and presiding the last two years, initiating several changes and keeping the residents informed on important issues.
Murali Sitaraman addressed the HOA and started discussions on on-going CW projects and future plans for the next year.
·         Berkeley Drive landscaping: Board consulted a Landscape Architect Karl Muzii who designed a thorough plan for landscaping CW entrance area, along Berkeley Drive as well as the middle section near the Gazebo and the two structures on each side. The Architect gave us two separate designs: one for south-side of the entrance and one for the North-side so that it can be incrementally implemented in phases over next couple of years as the budget allows. The architect marked the trees that can be saved and suggested trees and plants, type of grass, etc and explained the need for major clean-up, leveling where needed, sprinklers to keep the new plants, trees and grass healthy, etc..
·         Tennis Courts: Board got the courts repaired and resurfaced last year, but to keep it in perfect condition we need to spend 40-50 K. Residents who were present at the annual meeting were asked if they think board should consider doing it now and there was no support for now.
·         Clubhouse main floor: needs to be redone, board is looking at options.
·         Swimming pool will reopen on May 15. The baby pool drain is being fixed, restart the land phone in May. Denise Burton indicated willingness to take care of the pool area again this summer. Rocco Cioffoletti volunteered to serve as pool committee chair this year; board and other residents really appreciate it.
Mickey Lauria reported on the status of planned construction of Pedestrian Bridge over 123:
·         City of Clemson held few public meetings regarding the proposed multi-use path and pedestrian bridge over Highway 123, about 8 feet wide and 40 feet away from the current road/bridge. The path and bridge are going to require temporary slope permission, drainage outfall permission, and a temporary construction easement and perhaps more from Country Walk. Proposed construction will require tree removal and the relocation of part of our nature trail along Berkeley Drive. While all indications are that this project would be good for Country Walk, we will need to be vigilant and try to minimize the negative aspects
Questions and Concerns were expressed throughout the meeting, including the following. Board has already been acting on some of the issues and will carefully consider other items.
·         Grounds keeping: Several residents expressed concerns and the need to improve; departing neighbor Grounds committee chair Mitchell Dobrenen developed a comprehensive checklist for landscaping issues. The new board is scheduled to meet with our landscaper at the first meeting. The landscaper will be asked to fill in the inspection/checklist at the end of each quarter.
·         Mitch will be moving out of this area in the summer, so we need volunteers to serve on the committee.
·         Plans for Frontage landscaping already started and presented at the meeting.
·         The Gazebo and the two structures at the entrance were repaired about 3 years ago, but already are in poor condition – board looking at different options of either fixing or taking them out and include the area in new front landscaping project.
·         The CW neighborhood directory is being updated. Janet Klodowski and Marie Carter have kindly agreed to do it again and sent out forms to residents for update information.
·         Reserve officer Rocco Cioffoletti informed the residents the parking rules on the street. Cars should be parked on driveway or in parking lots, shouldn’t be parked overnight on the street. First offence will get a warning, 2nd time will be $10 fine.
·         4-way stop signs at Country Walk lane and Red Maple Way intersection – Rocco
·         Use of solar panels, size of the signs that can be posted in the neighborhood, bike rules – Rules and Regulation committee
·         complaints about non-residents’ use of swimming pool not accompanied by a homeowner
·         Clubhouse use policy – some residents expressed that the clubhouse should be left unlocked so that residents can walk in and use the clubhouse any time. There were other homeowners present at the meeting who opposed the idea. Board will look at the pros and cons in terms flexibility as well as cost, time and liability factors. The clubhouse committee chair already spends considerable amount of time after the rentals currently.
·         The issue of bikes on nature trail was heatedly debated. Current policy on trail is “Other than baby strollers and wheelchairs, and consistent with Schedule A, Article 8.2, of the subdivision covenants, no wheeled vehicles are permitted”. Some residents would like to see it changed and plenty of others don’t and cited incidents of near crashes with riders, teen-agers and liability issues. The above regulation is in CW by-law and needs two-thirds of the residents vote to change. Some homeowners expressed they might pursue it.
·         CW entrance lights
With no further items of businesses slated for discussion, President Murali Sitaraman adjourned the meeting at 9:30 PM.

These meeting minutes were compiled by Nanda Srimani, Secretary, CW HOA Board

Board Meeting – April 5, 2011

Country Walk Homeowners’ Association Meeting on April 5, 2011
President Mickey Lauria called the meeting to order at 7:45 pm in the Country Walk Clubhouse.  Four Board members were present, namely Mickey Lauria, Murali Sitaraman, Nanda Srimani and Scott Templeton.
·         Treasurer Scott Templeton presented the 2011 Account Balances and Year-to-Date Income and Expenditures as of April 5. He will make copies of 2011 budget and 2010 budget and expenditures for HOA meeting.
Scott also reported that 150 of the 158 homeowners have paid their annual dues so far. 5 were late and will be asked to pay the late fees. Mickey will send reminders to the other 8 households who are yet to pay their dues.
·         Swimming pool will reopen on May 15. The baby pool drain will be fixed. Scott will restart the land phone in May. Denise Burton indicated willingness to take care of the pool area again this summer. Denise will get a key for McCalls to access the area for necessary pruning/trimming/blowing etc.
·         Board is seeking nomination for two positions for the next term starting in May. Ballots were distributed. Mickey prepared agenda for the annual HOA meeting, set for April 26.
·         Grounds committee chair Dobrenen is working on getting bids for 2011-12. Mitch will be moving out of this area in the summer, so we will need a new chair. It was decided that one of the board members will chair the Grounds committee, so that there is a direct communication between board, landscaper and the committee.
·         McCalls will be asked to come to one board meeting, so we can go over all the landscaping items with him and convey the concerns and complaints board have received from several homeowners.
·         Murali will talk to McCalls regarding weeds on trail and also in the green areas where pre-emergent and weed & feed need to be used to maintain healthy lawn.
·         Mickey/Scott will fix the drainage problem in the middle section along Country walk lane.
·         The Clubhouse upper level floor is in poor condition – CH committee chair Cindy Osef got some estimates and samples of vinyl and wood flooring from Lowes and will get some more prices and samples. Mickey will talk to Scott Vick and get his opinion.
·          Mickey will ask Cindy to get the Clubhouse floor which is full of black marks, cleaned and waxed.
·         Cindy also looked at window film for the south facing windows in CH upper floor. She will get samples of different shades. She is also working on the CH emergency backup light.
 Nanda will coordinate with Cindy on the window film.
·         Nanda arranged for the CH downstairs AC/Heating unit tune-up/maintenance. The upstairs unit will be repaired soon when the required parts arrive.
New Business:
·         Board is consulting Landscape Architect, Karl Muzii to have a plan for landscaping CW entrance area, along Berkeley Drive as well as the middle section near the Gazebo and the two structures on each side. All 3 structures are in dire need for repair. The space where old CW office building used to be will also be included in the plan. The Architect will give us a section-wise plan, so it can be incrementally implemented over next couple of years.
·         City of Clemson will be holding a public meeting at Clemson Elementary School on Monday April 25th at 5:30 concerning its proposed multi-use path and pedestrian bridge over Highway 123. It is very important that as many CW residents attend this public hearing as possible.  The path and bridge are going to require temporary slope permission, drainage outfall permission, and a temporary construction easement and perhaps more from Country Walk.  Proposed construction will require tree removal and the relocation of part of our nature trail along Berkeley Drive.  While all indications are that this project would be good for Country Walk, we will need to be vigilant to ensure that we can minimize the negative aspects.
·         Simmons Tree Service was removing some dead trees between CW and Downs, damaged the Trail with their heavy truck. They will come back to remove remaining parts of trees cut taken, resurface the trail – smooth out the ruts and compact it with a roller –  and smooth out areas where logs were dragged, etc.
·         Some homeowners suggested forming a Neighborhood Watch Committee – Mickey will ask Beth Poole to organize it.
·         The CW neighborhood directory will be updated in May 2011. Janet Klodowski and Marie Carter have kindly agreed to do it again. Murali will give Janet the information about pool/trail/dog rules, how to request Duke Power when street lights are out, etc to be included in new directory.
·         Registered letter of lawsuit papers from a past CW homeowner Gerald Davis was delivered to HOA – Mickey will get an attorney look at it.
The date for the CW HOA meeting is Tuesday, April 26 at 7:30 PM.
With no further items of businesses slated for discussion, President Mickey Lauria adjourned the meeting at 9:15 PM.
These meeting minutes were compiled by Nanda Srimani, Secretary, Country Walk Board.