Lake Linganore Association, Inc.

September 19, 2005

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. at the LLA Coldstream Drive office.

 

Board members present were: Jim Cates, Jay Decker, Jim DiMeglio, Alan Dinkelacker, Brandon Frazier, Lisa Rogers, Grant Sheehan.

 

Staff attending: GM Edwards, CRM Gurley, Security Services of America, Jessica Kline.

 

APPROVAL of August 15, 2005 BoD MINUTES

 The minutes of the August 15, 2005 regular board meeting were approved as written.

 

 DEVELOPER’S REPORT

 

Jim DiMeglio said that the groundbreaking for the Audubon North townhome section should begin soon. He noted that the “limits of disturbance” were staked.  He said that in Aspen the project was starting utilities in the next few weeks.  In Woodridge he reported that he had been working with the residents who are on the Tree Committee and that a plan was to soon be resubmitted to the board. In addition he said the residents committee working with him on the weir wall had recently completed a third design, one that included a stonewall, and that it was proceeding to a submission to the Department of Natural Resources. He also met with the Aspen Village Committee regarding Aspen IV and that they would soon be talking about Aspen III.  He said that once the outstanding issues on that project were settled with the committee that it would then be sent to the Frederick County Planning Commission.

 

Land Stewards partner John Clarke said that his company went before the county nine months ago with a school funding plan that included a proposed amendment to the county’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) and a proposal for $43 million in funding for schools.  He said that Land Stewards was sponsoring a special presentation of the plan on Tuesday, September 27, to get direct input from residents on the proposals.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Security— SSA introduced the “resident” officer for Eaglehead as Jessica Kline.  Her supervisor noted that she has been building a network with the children and neighbors in the villages and working with the sheriff’s office as much as possible.  He noted that security has received complaints about noise, juvenile parties and four-wheel vehicles and done a lot of work to deter vandalism. He also said that two officers are scheduled each day, with a section of time that overlaps the schedules. The officers have clocked a three to five minute response time to calls.  It was noted that the busiest time of the week for the officers is between 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. GM Edwards said that the office has received many positive comments about the work of SSA officers. Director Frazier said that the security report provided by SSA did not always show the resolution of the incidents and asked that it be included. Director Decker said that he wanted times of day included in the report.

 

Resident Meridee Kerrigan asked if people were permitted to swim at the dam.  GM Edwards said that although the barricades had been removed from the top of the dam, the sign regarding no swimming, diving or jumping from the dam remained, primarily because the underwater conditions at that area had changed dramatically as a result of the dam rehab project and that the trash rack that once was 18 feet below the surface of the water was now only approximately five feet below the surface.  Director Dinkelacker suggested that this area of the water be marked with a buoy.  Resident Cathie Reed suggested that a notice be put in LakeTalk about this matter. Director Frazier reminded the audience that the covenants stipulate that use of the community’s amenities are done at people’s “own risk.”

 

Environmental Control Committee— GM Edward reported that applications on small projects had slowed down but that the committee has been busy reviewing additions, docks and some pool applications.  He also noted that the compliance specialist had 55 cases during the past month, 26 of which had been resolved.  The GM said that everyone should be able to see a difference in the next six months in covenant violations being cleared up in the community.

 

Financial Committee— LLA treasurer Brandon Frazier said that finances were looking well, income was steady and that expenditures were running 15 percent under budget.  In addition legal expenses were under budget, as well as collections expenses.  He noted that reserve account items were on budget.  It was noted that operating cash was $877,000 and that the reserves balance was $815,000.  Director Frazier said that the FY’07 budget process was underway.  It was decided to keep the second board meeting in October to a short agenda so that an executive session could be held that night to work on the budget. 

 

Trailblazers Committee— the committee’s work party recently focused on Westwinds Trail 3 (map number).  Committee representatives said they were waiting for rip rap to be installed on a section of trail behind Coldstream near North Shore Drive in order to contain it.  The committee continues to work on the trail map.  It was suggested that the committee consider getting sponsors to pay for the cost of the map and to consider publishing it in the centerspread of LakeTalk.

 

Friends of the Lake Committee— it was reported that the committee was going to hold a native plant sale on Saturday, Sept. 24, to benefit its projects.  The carp relocation project has begun with some test runs on the methods and equipment.  Approximately 300 lbs of carp was removed from the lake recently.  It was noted that the LLA jon boat does not go in reverse.

VILLAGE COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Aspen- chairperson Kathy Brown said that the village had responded with comments on the Aspen III plan (attached to minutes). She also noted that the sign at Accipiter had been knocked over and needed to be removed.

 

Aspen North— Director Sheehan, a lot owner in Aspen North, reported that the Aspen North Community Development Authority (CDA) Committee had received its two-thirds vote approval to proceed with requesting a CDA for the village.  He said that committee chairperson MJ Minton had done a great job on conducting the petition process.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Ladoga Lane Three-Way Stop Update— GM Edwards said that the three-way stop did not work out as well as hoped with the residents.  He said residents didn’t like it and brought up some good questions during their input to the 30-day review period.  The GM said it was decided to move the stop signs to each end of Ladoga Lane at the intersections with Coolfont Crossing and Coldstream Drive.

 

Covenant Change Vote Procedure— because of confusion that seemed to be reflected in questions raised by residents on the proposed covenant changes, it was decided to table the matter at this time and to have a sample at the next board meeting of a separate page to be included in the mailing of the voting documents that explained some of those questions.

 

Vehicle Permit Study— Director Sheehan said that the LLA employed SSA to run a check on 35 license plates that were registered as members in Eaglehead and it was discovered that only two of them actually were registered with an Eaglehead address. Director Sheehan said the problem of vehicles being registered as “members” was worse than originally imagined.  He said that these members needed to be notified that they have provided false information and that the permits of those vehicles falsely registered would be revoked.  These members would have a right to appeal this decision.  Director Decker asked what was to happen next spring when the vehicle registration process begins again.  Director Sheehan said it was best to take the matter one step at a time. He said that residents needed to be given a chance to respond and that those who did not respond would be dealt with as determined.  He suggested that the residents found in violation in the sample test be sent a letter asking that the permits be returned within a specified time frame or that the member show a valid registration with an Eaglehead address for the vehicle in question, or the LLA would take further action. He suggested that no details be outlined at this time and that a schedule of consequences be determined by staff.  He said the LLA should proceed carefully on the matter and carefully consider what it should protect in this issue. He also noted that 6,100 vehicle permits were requested during the past membership renewal process.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Indian Cave Committee Update  Kristen Watkins said that the turn out for the meeting with the residents was small but that the committee reviewed all of the information from the earlier meeting with Land Stewards.  She said the committee received lots of feedback from residents.  The committee was to soon meet with Land Stewards representatives to walk the lots in the proposed Indian Cave development project. Director Frazier asked if he could have a copy of the draft map of the project.  Director DiMeglio said that he would get one for each board member and put it in the office mailboxes.  Kristen said the goal was to set another meeting with Land Stewards in October.

 

MATTERS FOR BOARD INFORMATION

 

∙ Notice re: County Meeting on Boyer’s Mill Road Project— the county was to have a public meeting with Eaglehead residents on the project on Sept. 22 at Deer Crossing Elementary.

 

∙ Land Stewards sent notice that it was making a presentation on school capacity and an amendment to the county’s APFO on Sept. 27.

 

∙ The county is to have a meeting on Oct. 4 at Winchester Hall on the matter of including a special exception to state law to allow golf carts on roads in Eaglehead.

 

RESIDENT FORUM

 

∙ Resident Meridee Kerrigan complained about construction at the end of the road on which she lives.  She said that the road had been damaged and that the sidewall of the storm drain was collapsing.  She said that both Ilex Court and Picea Court were rough coat surfaces asked the board to fix the roads and the storm drain. GM Edwards said that previous repairs had not worked and that staff was looking for an alternative. GM is to do a cost estimate.

 

∙ Resident Margo Balazik of Aspen discussed problems with a builder working on a new home next to her that she said has negatively impacted her.  She showed the board photos of some of the problems, which included lack of silt fencing and construction vehicles parking on her property.  Director Rogers asked GM Edwards what the ECC administrator had done to date regarding addressing the problems.  GM Edwards explained and noted that the builder was one of the best in the community in responding to complaints.  Director Frazier directed staff to get a numbered listing of her problems with the photos so that staff can determine who is responsible.  Aspen Village Committee chairperson Kathy Brown told the board that the problem was not just that of Ms. Balazik but the LLA because all of the rubble created by the building would be washed down to LLA common property.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Director Rogers made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Director Frazier seconded the motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.