Annual Meeting Minutes

Lake Interlochen HOA

Annual Meeting, January 10, 2011 at St. Stephen’s Methodist Church, 1800 West Randol Mill Road, Arlington, Texas

Dot Wightman handled arrangements with St. Stephen’s for the annual meeting venue. She and Alice Sobel provided refreshments for the pre-meeting social time.

Meeting called to order at 7 p.m.

Attending

Board members:

Ralph Sobel, Vernon Porter, Herb McCauley, Dot Wightman, Larry Glover, Roger Pendleton, Ken Seipel, Jason Losh.

Absent: Bryan Keathley and Everett Mullins.

40 persons in attendance, including a 12-year resident at his first HOA meeting, several newcomers and one couple in the process of buying an Interlochen home.

 Invited guests from the Arlington Police Department were Sgt. Vince Pewitt and Officer Kimberly Fretwell.  They offered crime-preventing advice, answered questions about Interlochen Christmas Lights traffic control and plans for Super Bowl activities, and promoted their website as a valuable tool for citizens.

Summary of Board Reports:

President Ralph Sobel explained a key goal is to increase communications within the Interlochen community, primarily via email.  He also reported on efforts to lower rates for electricity, how to handle dog barking noise complaints, and the status of natural gas drilling. Most of Interlochen is in Chesapeake’s Welch 1 unit, where drilling began in November 2010.  Informational mailings to residents are tentatively scheduled for March 2011.

He reported a reduction in liability insurance premium from $1,912 to $1,275.

President Sobel gave a comprehensive report on extensive efforts to improve the impound situation. Goal is to repair the pump and protect it from upstream sediments. Ability and desire to lower lake water level was discussed and debated. Five in attendance said they needed to make retaining wall repairs.

Roger Pendleton, editor of the Lake Interlochen website, promoted benefits of using www.lakeinterlochen.com for residents to stay involved and informed.

He also presented the annual lake maintenance report.

The weekly maintenance includes skimming the ends of each channel of trash and debris, and maintenance on the three fountains.  Major clean up from devastating autumn storms, where debris from people’s yards was hauled away, was an unexpected chore.

Trash collected from the canal ends included:

Styrofoam pieces, packing materials and cups; cans, plastic bottles, old balls, plastic bags, caps, fishing tackle and line, glass beer bottles, wine bottles, lumber – 2 x 4s and 2 x 6s, parts of docks, logs, railroad tie pieces.  Also dead snakes, ducks and birds. By far the biggest problem, the biggest cost, are grass clippings and yard debris that are blown into the water. Lake water is tested annually; 2010’s lab report was excellent, as was 2009’s.

Long-time residents say the waterways have never looked better. Most residents are keeping trees from over-hanging the canals, although there were a few situations that had to be addressed.

To minimize or prevent the spread of algae, the Board of Directors purchased 120 pounds of tilapia at $10 a pound and put these fish into the lake in May. 

 Ed Klobas was acknowledged and thanked for his suggestion to the board to introduce tilapia into Lake Interlochen.

 

Winners of the 2010 Christmas Lights Display Awards were announced:

Best Theme: Yolanda & Wayne Smith, 1404 Porto Bello, for their unique nativity scene with mechanical drummer and sheep.

Most Artistic (Lights): Dot & Tom Wightman, 1101 San Juan, for their white on white light scheme in front and back. 

Most Artistic (Design):  Melissa & Don North, 800 Loch Lomond, for their two stories of nutcrackers and garlands.

The Griswald Award:  Shirley & Bob Austin, 801 Loch Lomond, for their multi-colored train, helicopter, and carousel. 

Santa's Choice: Sue & Jim Rozell, 3116 Westwood, for their great cartoon cut outs.

People's Choice: Sandra Smith, 1106 Crowley, for her giant red fish on the roof.

Lifetime Achievement Award: to original Interlochen residents, winners of many awards in the past, Francis & Vernon Porter, who have lived at 1429 Porto Bello from the beginning of the residential development. At age 84, Vernon still puts up a dazzling display of lights.  The vintage Interlochen award sign in Porters’ yard was found and refurbished by Past President Larry Glover.

 

Ken Seipel reported on Architectural Control Committee actions; only minor issues. He also chronicled how new sign toppers came to be, from concept (Lynn Young donated graphic design) to manufacturing to installation. The city also installed newly-designed street signs and crime prevention signs.

Jason Losh detailed the 2010 Financials.

Nominations for board positions were opened.  A motion by Sandra Smith seconded by Michael Dunn was passed to elect by acclamation two new directors, Ken Conlon and Nancy Weaver, and three incumbent directors, Dot Wightman, Larry Glover and Roger Pendleton, for the 2011 Board.

Jason Losh and Everett Mullins are leaving the Board.

New board scheduled first meeting for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 25, 2011.

Meeting concluded at 8:40 p.m.