President's
Report I would like to begin by briefly talking about the study sessions and the Board meetings. The Study sessions have evolved since 2004. Since becoming president, I have presented the board members at each study session with topics and issues that have arisen between study session meetings. For those who attend the study sessions, you know these meeting often last two hours. Usually there are 19 or 20 topics on the list. Some of these topics are merely points of interest to keep the board members current and then there are topics for which bids were sought and obtained. For the topics for which bids were obtained, the board discusses each bid and compares them and the makes this topic and agenda item. Agenda items thus stem from the work study sessions. The board does not vote on topics at a study session. As you all know, residents have been asked to vote on adding a new amenity called pickle ball. The results of the voting will be announced at a special meeting October 30 at 4 pm. Residents who elect not to vote by mail can vote in person October 30 between 1 and 3 pm in the YC. In response to the resident who reported in the Peoria Independent that I was in error when I said we had not had a new amenity in many years, new exercise equipment does not equate to a new amenity. VLPOA has had exercise equipment for years and some was old so it was replaced. The Board is waiting for a cost from our current painter to paint the flagpole, light poles and other lighting units around the Rec Ctr area. In a review of a spread sheet I keep on repairs etc since 2002, I found that the Craft Building ceramic area has been painted in 2003. There had been a request to paint the inside of the ceramic area. Since painting was done a few years ago, this request was denied. In the capacity as acting manager, one of the new state laws that was recently passed is in relation to complaints from residents about a myriad of problems such as barking dogs, yards in need of maintenance, parked cars on granite, etc. Any letter sent to a homeowner about a violation or concern from another resident must now included the date the complaint was made and the name of the person who made the complaint. I received an email addressed to me as Board President from Allan Nash who was, I believe, speaking for the Concerned Citizens group. He stated that they had sufficient documentation to ask the Board to void the recall last year and was expecting my response in 7 days. As reported at the coffee forum on October 14, the process was done legally and the Board can not void it. Our attorney concurs. The office staff has explored many avenues to determine a way to get VL’s newsletter to every home. In-house printing takes time and money. Barb reported that the post office charges $250 per zip code to do bulk mailing. VL has two zip codes so mailing was ruled out. For the November newspaper, volunteers will try tossing a newsletter on everyone’s driveway. For those who have block watch captains, these volunteers have graciously delivered the newsletter to those on their streets. This type of activity is not expected of Block Watch volunteers nor others who have handed you a newsletter, so thank them. For those who live alone, you are being asked to consider a lock box for outside your front door. You would put a duplicate house key in this box and then give the fire department the code to get into the box if you called 911 and then was unable to open the door. Barb will have more on this in the next newsletter. The rowing machine has been removed from the exercise room because it was no longer in working order. The Board has decided not to replace it at this time. Our list of standing committees has been revised to be in sync with our Bylaws which state that committees are to keep minutes of meetings. We now have four standing committees: Architectural, Lakes; Landscaping and Maintenance. All others who were called standing committees are now listed as Service Groups. Verizon has another step to complete with the City of Peoria before they can break ground. Because all the buildings where Verizon will build will be painted Swiss Coffee, I emailed Gordon R from Verizon with the paint color change from Navajo White. There are two positions on the Board for the election in 2007. The election process has already begun. Candidates are being asked to submit a 150 word document for the next newsletter along with their resumes to Pat Bracken or Rose Ann Fiebig. Three dates have been established in January for “meet the candidates night”. Residents need to seriously look at who is running for the Board. These are some of the things that residents might ask each candidate: Tell us about the CC&Rs and Bylaws and how you think these should be used by the Board; How many work study sessions and Board meetings have you attended and your view on the process used for these meetings; What is your view on why the activities currently offered are as so poorly attended; what would you do to increase participation What is your understanding of the monthly financial statements; What is your experience in running a business and in what capacity. There are many more things that could be asked, so put on your thinking caps and write down your thoughts so you have your questions when you come to one of the candidate nights. This ends my report Lois Owen |
