February Board Meeting

MINUTES  Lake Interlochen HOA Board

February 13, 2012 @ Wightman residence

Attending: Ralph Sobel, Larry Glover, Vernon Porter, Dot Wightman, Brenda Cubbage, Ken Seipel, Roger Pendleton, Ken Conlon, Bryan Keathley, Nancy Weaver.

Meeting called to order by president Sobel at 7:00 p.m.

Minutes from last meeting, January 10, 2012, approved.

2012 Officers were elected:

President – Ralph Sobel

Vice President – Nancy Weaver

Secretary – Roger Pendleton

Treasurer – Larry Glover

Water Committee Chairman – Ken Seipel

Architectural Committee Chairman – Ken Conlon

Pendleton gave report on High Oak community park project. The city’s plan to develop a neighborhood park on the 12-acre High Oak site, Bowen Road at Wesley Drive, was given overwhelming approval by residents at a public hearing January 31.  As the design concepts for the park are being created, the immediate steps planned by Parks and Recreation Department include: removal of brush and debris, remove the chain link fence and install split rail fencing, and monthly mowing and maintenance.  Residents selected a walking trail and open space as preferred features. Other elements in the conceptual designs included playgrounds, small pavilions, exercise stations, and wildflower areas. A follow-up public meeting is being scheduled towards the end of March to discuss features in various design concepts.  

Updated covenants, approved unanimously by HOA members at the January 10 annual meeting, have been posted on the Lake Interlochen website. The covenants will be officially filed with Tarrant County by Director Cubbage.

The board discussed options for new neighborhood directory, including an electronic version instead of a printed booklet. More discussion planned for next board meeting. 

Included in Treasurer Glover’s report was decision to send email reminders to those few HOA members who have not paid their dues before sending second billing statement with a 10% penalty.

Seipel stated he will do an inspection of the canal system and report any problems; specifically trees overhanging waterways which need trimming. The board approved Seipel’s budget for algae control with tilapia and maintenance services.

Conlon confirmed his committee’s goal to enforce rules in updated HOA covenants. A homeowner whose boat is nearly submerged will be contacted.

Updating of the by-laws: Conlon will convert the PDF into a Word document and Weaver will coordinate revisions from board members.

Directors discussed the traffic problems and additional cost to the city caused by the Salvation Army’s solicitation and distribution of hot chocolate at Bowen and Westwood intersection during the Christmas Lights. Directors reiterated their unanimous disapproval of the Salvation Army’s intrusion and the police department’s decision.

Meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Secretary Pendleton, February 14, 2021.

HOA Annual Meeting

 MINUTES

Lake Interlochen HOA

Annual Meeting January 10, 2012

@ St. Stephen United Methodist Church

Directors attending: Ralph Sobel, Larry Glover, Vernon Porter, Dot Wightman,

Ken Seipel, Roger Pendleton, Bryan Keathley, Ken Conlon

Absent: Nancy Weaver

32 homes represented; 41 persons in attendance; no first timers.

Porto Bello resident Mike Saliba donated his equipment and expertise to set up and monitor the sound system. Wightman handled meeting arrangements and refreshments.

President Sobel called meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

First off, he congratulated Herb McCauley, who decided to retire from the board after many years of service.

Sobel summarized the board’s role as functioning in a seamless, integrated-with-residents manner, involving all members of the HOA. Three 2011 overall achievements:

1. Communication within Interlochen

2. Fiscal tightness of HOA funds

3. Involvement of residents

Pendleton, website editor, presented an analysis of website activity in 2011.

Visitors = 3, 896; about 83 % of these were new visitors

Monthly visits:

Dec = 2,704 -- 2,408 new, 89%, 296 returning

Nov =   277 – 226 new, 82%, 51 returning

Oct =      79 – 48 new, 61%, 31 returning

Sep =      67 – 40 new, 60%, 27 returning

Aug =     87 – 58 new, 67%, 29 returning

July =   140 – 87 new, 62%, 53 returning

June =  159 – 108 new, 68%, 51 returning

May =    56 – 46 new, 82%, 10 returning

Apr =     90 – 55 new, 61%, 35 returning

Mar =     85 – 57 new, 67%, 28 returning

Feb =     57 – 37 new, 65%, 20 returning

Jan =     95 – 64 new, 67%, 31 returning

Average time on site was 1:50; average pages per visit was 3.48;

47% were single-page visits.

Loch Lomond resident Everett Mullens was acknowledged for his contribution of website hosting services.

Secretary Pendleton also offered a quick-look review of 2011 meetings minutes.

HOA Board of Directors held 10 meetings, eight regular board meetings plus the special assessment meeting and the annual meeting.  Two 3-hour meetings, five two-hour meetings and one meeting was an hour and a half.  Meetings were held at board members’ residences and offices.

Treasurer Glover gave his financial report, including a 2012 budget.

As of December 31, 2011:

Current & Fixed Assets and Liabilities & Equity are $82,643.

Sobel announced that only one out of 140 HOA members was delinquent in dues.

Glover acknowledged Ellis Roofing’s generous assistance with one delinquent case.

San Juan Court resident Michael Dunn asked if there was a specific goal for the contingency fund.  Sobel said board’s goal is $100,000.

Glover was credited with cost-saving actions on bill paying procedures.

Pendleton reviewed the specific updates proposed for covenants:

The numeration of Sections in the Covenants was corrected, there never was a Section A.

¶ 8, page 2: deleted as it is extraneous, dealing with lots available on the Lake.

Section A: Membership & Voting Rights

Any reference to there being 2 classes of members in the association or Class B members, are obsolete, therefore deleted to clean up the document.

Section B: Maintenance Assessments

¶ 1 Removed reference to the Developer

¶ 2a. Added Rush Creek in the final sentence.

¶ 2b. Deleted obsolete reference to Class B members completing the lake system.

Section C: Usage

¶13: Re. trash, residues and garbage, removed the word “covered” containers.

Sentence #3: Added “no grass clipping/yard waste”…may be thrown or dumped  “in the lake or storm drains or”…

¶14: extraneous, therefore deleted.

Section D: Architectural standards.

¶6:  remove reference to wood shingles being the standard, yet replacement roofs of a different type than presently on the house will require approval of the Architectural Control Committee.

¶7: Re fence between front & rear walls, remove “shall” and replace with “may” be constructed of masonry, hedge or solid wood.

¶10: add RV’s to the restricted list.

¶11: remove carport reference.

Section E: Architectural Control

¶1: remove the $45,000 appraised home value.

¶3: remove the named committee members and designate 3 members of the Board of Directors decided upon at the first Board meeting following the Annual Homeowner meeting.

Query from Westwood resident John Curry about language in covenants regarding vote requirements sparked discussion.  Motion by San Paulo resident Brenda Cubbage, seconded by Curry, to approve covenants update with the following change in wording:

“…shall have the assent of at least two-thirds of the votes of the membership of the Association present at a meeting duly called for that purpose, voting in person or by proxy.” 

The Update to Covenants passed unanimously.

Director Nancy Weaver, who was visiting in Korea with new-born grandchild (husband David proudly announced it was their eighth grandchild) was praised for her work on the covenants modernization project.

Director Conlon gave a report on his Architectural Committee activities during 2011.

Other than a few easily resolved situations, there were no controversial issues. He concluded that most of the situations were simply a case of homeowners unaware of covenant restrictions. He encouraged residents to contact any member of the board regarding suspected Architectural Control violations and the committee would look into the situation, contacting the resident on behalf of the HOA if required.

Director Seipel, chairman of the Lake Maintenance Committee, gave an overview of the year’s activities:

The annual tilapia launch again proved to be quite successful at keeping the waterways free of algae and unwanted vegetation. The 120 pounds of hungry vegetarian fish were put into the lake near Dot and Tom Wightman’s residence on the South Channel and spread throughout the waterways from late spring to early autumn. As the water temperature gradually dropped toward 50 degrees the tilapia slowly began dying and became sumptuous forage for the bass.

Water testing – results from May and August testing continued to be good.

Canal cleaning – the ends of both the North Channel (Porto Bello @ Westwood) and the West Channel (Montreau @ Findlay) underwent major and successful cleanup jobs. And Seipel said channel end cleanouts are on-going tasks included in priority maintenance scheduling and budgeting.

Porto Bello residents, Kim & Dan Clement and Janine & John Geisel, were given appreciation for their efforts on the North Channel cleanout.

Seipel reminded homeowners about the importance of keeping trees overhanging the waterways trimmed, saying a good guideline to follow is 8 to 10 feet above the water surface.

Glover reported on the inlet pond situation, explaining that the task of cleaning out the concrete silo and examining the condition of the pump was rained out.

Vice President Keathey announced Interlochen Christmas Lights award winners:

Barbara & Keith Reed, 1101 Crowley; Ginger & David Duperre, 1122 Crowley;

Judy & Jim Vernor, 1200 Crowley; Val & Ron Renfro, 1023 Loch Lomond; Jorge Varela & Kristin Drauschke, 1417 Porto Bello; Verina & Bill Farris, 1118 Crowley;

Nichelle & Kirk Wiggins, 1419 Porto Bello; Patricia & Joseph Lukaska, 704 Loch Lomond.

Director Porter reported on status of gas drilling. Two of the four wells planned have been drilled, only one on-line so far.

Jim Haskell asked if there was any plan to lower the water level in the canals.

No, was the reply from Sobel.

All four directors up for re-election (Keathley, Porter, Seipel, and Sobel) were voted another two-year term. Brenda Cubbage was elected to fill the vacancy on the board.

She and another long-time resident, Debbie Simek, were nominated.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.  Submitted by Secretary Roger Pendleton January 11, 2012

 

PHOTO BELOW: From left, Trey Yelverton, John Curry, Ken Conlon, Ralph Sobel, Stuart Young

PHOTO BELOW: From left, Bill & Linda Huddleston and Michael & Linda Dunn

 

PHOTO BELOW: From left, Tom Wightman, Roger Pendleton, Ken Seipel.  (Micki Hartin works while men pose.)

PHOTO BELOW: Rose Marie Seipel, Micki Hartin, Linda Zimmer

2011 Christmas Lights Winners

 Winners of the 2011 Interlochen Christmas Lights Awards reacted with happiness and pride. Everyone is so delighted just to be a small part of a wonderful event that every year brings so much happiness to thousands of children of all ages.

The judges agreed that every year there are at least 25 homes that could have won an award. Some homes like 3201 San Paolo, 702 Loch Lomond and 1423 Porto Bello are so photogenic that they could easily win every year, but residents understand that the judges are trying to encourage as much participation as possible.

2011 winners are:

Santa Award.  Keith & Barbara Reed. 1101 Crowley. We heard a rumor that this is the last year that "Qatmandu" will let "Mudcatman" get up on the roof. Their salute to Texas is always great.

Most Artistic.  David & Ginger Duperre. 1122 Crowley. Their "Blitzen's Bar" may just be the single best new piece we saw and it's set in a tropical Christmas paradise.

Best Theme.  Jim & Judy Vernor. 1200 Crowley. These crazy folks do more at Halloween than many people do at Christmas. Where do they store those 1001 Dalmatians?

Griswald Award.  Ron & Val Renfro. 1023 Loch Lomond. Chevy Chase would be proud of their fantastic new icicle lights and all their other bling.

Santa's Choice.  Jorge Varela & Kristin Drauschke. 1417 Porto Bello. A train? A plane? An iceberg? A snow-making machine? Seriously? These guys are so nuts they make the rest of us look sane!      

Crowley Road collectively did an amazing job.

Last year for the first time we established a new award, voted on by all the neighbors from among three nominees at the President's Open House. The winner this year is: 

People's Choice.  Bill & Verina Farris. 1118 Crowley. The best "Merry Christmas" sign in the neighborhood. Their home looks like it came right out of the Swiss Alps.  

This year, long time resident and Past President Vernon Porter donated two additional signs to use for special awards. The winners are: 

Best Theme II.  Kirk & Nichelle Wiggins. 1419 Porto Bello. We wanted to recognize at least one spiritual display and this one has light, color and beautiful music, too.

Most Artistic II.  Joseph & Patricia Lukaska. 704 Loch Lomond. We wanted to recognize the best newcomer and these guys have done an incredible job after moving in only 30 days ago.