COHA Minutes 7/11/09

1.Meeting - A meeting of Catalina Oaks Home Owners’ Association was held at the Rockridge Community Center. Dick Byran called it to order Saturday July 11, 2009 at 10:00 AM. The opening remarks included a reminder that this was to be a board meeting. The board would conduct its business first without input from the audience and then the meeting would be closed and the audience would be polled for comments. That was a challenge from my perspective but we endeavored to persevere. The next meeting of the board is scheduled for October 14, 2009 at 7:30 PM at Rockridge Center.

2. Minutes - The minutes from the April Meeting were read and a few hard copies were distributed. The minutes were approved as read. Meeting minutes for today’s meetings are included herein and will be posted on the blogspot.

3.Finances - Jean Kay provided a summary of the Catalina Oaks finances. Total assets as of July 1, 2009 are $101, 662.79 (CDs and checking account). Interest received from the CDs (1-1-09 thru 5-6-09) was $377.53. Both CDs mature in September 2009. All homeowners except one, which is the house in foreclosure, are current on the association fees. Thanks to everyone in the association from the board.

4. Grounds Maintenance- Our grounds maintenance needed improvement and a decision was made to look for another service. A few estimates were recently obtained for grounds maintenance based on a verbal description of the scope of work. Dick received 4 inputs and the monthly cost range was from $200 - $400. Two were verbal input and two were in writing.
One concern, which surfaced at the meeting, is that the new person/persons be licensed and insured. During the meeting the board agreed to give the task to John Smith, on a trial basis. Many residents presently use him and are very pleased with his work. Dick is coordinating this activity.
Some concern was expressed over what was to be done for the price quoted? A suggestion was made to put the statement of work in writing so we, homeowners and the contractor, are in concert with the fees charged for the task defined. A statement of work will be drafted so we all know what to expect for the fees charged. After it is reviewed and approved by the board we will submit said SOW for signature by the bidders.

5. Email Addresses – The board needs more email addresses of homeowners so we can get the word out as required. A comment from the floor noted that not everyone does computers and the board put things out by US mail, in the past. It was also noted that we are in rough times and that the board, to save on expenses, in that we are a small community, to NOT send information by mail.

6. Water runoff – Dick outlined a fix he incorporated so the ground cover in the landscaping area would not run off during heavy rains. It was suggested we do the same on both sides of the entrance. The board approved the recommendation. Dick will make the improvement.

7. Pruning shear - The board approved a request from Dick to pay for a pruning shear that he was accused of borrowing some time back, which turned up missing, while conducting a front wall chlorine party in 1995.

8. Trap - Numerous raccoons have been trapped and relocated. Dick has the trap if anyone has a need.

9. Meeting Requirements - It was decided that future meetings would be held in the evening at 7:30 on Wednesday at Rockridge, to allow for more participation by the homeowners. It was also suggested we have 2 meetings a year.
The By-Laws of Catalina Oaks Homeowners Association, Inc. read - " The rules of the association require 4 meetings a year. Article III Meeting of Members Section 1. Reads - the “Annual Meetings ’’ of the members will be held in January. Article VI Meeting of the Directors Section 1. Reads - “Regular Meetings” Regular meetings of the board of Directors shall be held in April, July and October.
A proposal to cut the meetings to twice a year is still open. The idea is to have one in January and the second in July. Special Meetings will be scheduled as required to cover issues that may need attention prior to the scheduled meetings.

10. Wall Paint - Some areas of the wall near the signs (Catalina Oaks) need touch up and Dick will do the deed. This is the result of numerous plant removals. Comments from the audience indicated that the new landscaping is a hit.

11. Water Drainage – Dick stated that a leak is in the cement wall that makes up the water drain at the southeast corner of the property where the swale ends. After some discussion the board left it up to Dick to evaluate it further and take action as required.

12. Board meeting was closed at 10:30. The floor was opened to discussion. The items that surfaced are noted below.

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Homeowner Comments & additional discussion

A. Updated Homeowners List – This data is available and Dick will be happy to send an email, with the current list attached. This list will be printed and distributed at the next meeting for those who attend.

B. Homeowner Yard Maintenance – It was noted during the meeting that two properties need attention to landscaping. A courtesy note from the board requesting the homeowners comply or we shall impose article 6.

ARTICLE SIX - EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE BY ASSOCIATION

Section 1. EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE BY ASSOCIATION: In addition to maintenance of the Common Area, the Association shall have the right to provide exterior maintenance upon any Lot, or any improvements thereon subject, however, to the following provisions. Prior to performing any maintenance on an improved Lot, or any improvement thereon, the ARB shall determine that said Lot is in need of repair or maintenance and is distracting from the overall appearance of the P.R.D. Prior to commencement of any maintenance work on a Lot, the Association must furnish thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Owner at the last address listed in the Association's record for said Owner, notifying the Owner that unless certain specified repairs or maintenance are made, within thirty (30) days thereafter, the Association shall make said necessary repairs and charge same to the Owner. Upon the failure of the Owner to act within said period of time, the Association shall have the right to enter in or upon any such Lot or to hire a contractor or contractors to do so to make such necessary repairs or maintenance as is so specified in the above written notice. In this connection, the Association shall have the right to repair, replace, and care for roofs, gutters, downspouts, exterior building surfaces, trees, shrubs, grass, walks, fences and other exterior improvements.

Section 2. ASSESSMENT OF COSTS: The costs of such exterior maintenance shall be assessed against the Lot upon which such maintenance is done and shall be a lien upon such Lot and the obligation of the Owner and shall be due, payable and collected in all respects as referred to in Article Four hereof.

C. More plants – A request was made to add some more colorful plants to the area at the corner where no plants exist, in the half moon area under the Catalina Oaks sign. Suggestions were to add more Blue Flambegos or Miniature Izara. Bob will handle this action.

D. A Flower Bed Border – A wood border will be added to the east area corner at the entrance to prevent the bark from floating away during heavy rains. Dick will handle this action.

E. Offensive Activity – A letter was received by the board relative to Section 7 of the Amended and restated declaration of covenants and restrictions for Catalina Oaks, P.R.D. on page 8.

Section 7. OFFENSIVE ACTIVITY: No noxious or offensive activity shall be
permitted on the Properties nor shall anything be done thereon tending to cause
embarrassment, discomfort, annoyance or nuisance to the P.R.D. There shall be no plants or animals, or device or thing of any sort whose normal activities or existence is in any way noxious, dangerous, unsightly, unpleasant or of a nature as may diminish or destroy the enjoyment of other property in the P.R.D. by the Owners thereof.

A suggestion was also made to have the board pay the expense of a survey and then send the bill to the homeowner causing the grief.
The board will contact our attorney to request a letter be addressed to cease and desist and get a legal opinion on a further coarse of action.
John/Bob and Dick will handle this action.

F. Cracking Sidewalks - The sidewalk along the wall in various places is cracking. Who is responsible for the repairs? Pat E. will contact the city to see who has the responsibility and who will make repairs and when?

G. Homeowner Request – A registered letter has been received by the board, which outlines issues from a homeowner who has been a resident for 10 years. On numerous occasions sleep has been disturbed and her peace compromised. She outlined several situations at the meeting that hint of fowl play to her auto light sensors, which she had installed at great expense. Also damage to her fence, which is primarily a decorative fence, rocks being thrown at her windows and banging on her homes outer walls, during the early hours prior to sunlight.
There was much discussion with NO real solution to this complicated issue. Continued calls to 911 are in order upon any occasion or suspicion of unwelcome visitors. Bob will contact a few of the local private security firms to get some ideas on costs to have a patrol park and observe for a few weeks. An after thought is that security cameras may be in order to get it on film. Rent a big guard dog for a month and keep him in the back yard. See if there is any action. Any homeowners who have some ideas please let us know. How about a Neighbourhood Watch Program.

H. Jungle Club – Some of the residents have experienced some new sounds at various times of the day, which seem to be most noticeable in the early morning. The Jungle Club has taken out a lot of trees and vegetation on the property past the tennis courts all the way back to Indian River Blvd. The set up a BOOT CAMP outdoors, so to speak. This includes a trail, jungle gym bars, balance beams, a small hill to climb and all that. On occasion they add a Drill Instructor or 2 who shot out orders to the group to encourage them thru the pain and agony of the course, in an attempt to stay healthy.


Meeting adjourned at 11:00

Submitted: R.G. Scully
Catalina Oaks Homeowners
Board of Directors Secretary