Write-in
votes were for Ken Macomber (11), G.H. Sublett (8) Morrie Lawler (5) and Herb
Ganske, Roberts Meyers, Jack Davis, Pat Kline, and Don Frank. Therefore, Gene Curry was re-elected to a three-year
term and new member Sam Samler for a three-year term. It was moved by Carol Hanley, second by Ken
Macomber, to transfer the ballots to the Board Secretary to be held for 30 (thirty)
days, and then destroyed. MOTION CARRIED.
Newly-elected
director Sam Samler was invited by President Curry to sit with the other directors.
Chair
Ken Macomber presented the 2006 report of the Architectural Committee. A total of 120 permits were issued as follows:
33 slabs, 16 sheds, 25 park models, 5 room additions, 29 awnings, 8 decks,
7 fences, and 38 others which included 2 free standing awnings, 6 screen rooms,
13 utility sheds, 1 stucco, 1 maintenance building, 6 lattice, 2 landscaping,
1 scalloped rocks, 3 chain drive guards, 1 privacy panel, and 1 paving block. As of January 31, 2007, this comes to a total of 242 park models,
28 permanent park trailers, fifth wheels and trailers for a total of 270 total
permanent units in the park. Members of
the ARC committee include: John "Mitch"
Gigoux, Marion Bowen, Michael Moore, Don Livingston, Lloyd Patterson, Alex Schaffner,
and Gene Wallace as Board Liaison. It was moved by Marcie Grimes, second by Avril
Cox, to accept the report. MOTION CARRIED.
The
2006 Annual Report of the Property Committee was given by its chair Morrie Lawler.
In January the Property Committee approved the shelving for the library. In February received and studied bids for a water machine, ranging
from $3800. to $6100. The Board decided
not to go forward with this because of lack of use. Dart games were added to the Activity Center.
A memorial bench from Lavelle Stewart's daughter was received and approved.
Pictures donated by Don Hansen were approved for the Conference Room.
Finance didn't approve our request for $150, but they never do anyway!
Poker tables were purchased for the Activity Center. We asked for Direct TV, which was approved
by the Property Committee, but denied by the Board. Money was approved for partititions in the movie area and that is
all finished and speakers are in. We would
like to replace the couches and chairs in that area, as they are hard to move.
We will look into that in the future. The quilters bought 4 tables and that was approved.
A mocha machine was donated by John Stonerock and G. H. Sublett.
It will be put in Jim's room temporarily.
A trailer was donated to the park (by Ray Patnaude). An air compressor was bought for the fire department
(in emergency), a lung pump, and a coffee maker. New guidelines for the Property Committee were
adopted. The park inventory was completed
in mid-January by Bob Meyers, Les Fredricksen, Charlie Pennington, Ken Willoughby
and numerous helpers and volunteers. The value of the inventory (excluding buildings) is $240,960.39. The following committee officers for 2007 were elected: Morrie Lawler, Chair, Robert Meyers, Vice Chair,
Charlie Pennington, Secretary. This report
will be posted in the Club House. Motion to approve by Ken Macomber, second by Ray Anderson. MOTION CARRIED.
Ray
Fassbender, Chair of the Safety Committee introduced its members for 2006-07:
Tom Barnhill, Joyce Bingenheimer, George Bush, Margaret Erickson, C.H.
Grubb, and Wayne Scramstad; Gene Wallace
served as Board liaison. He stated that
the committee wanted to reiterate two main safety points.
The first was to ask for members who note any unsafe conditions to report
them to the committee in writing, sign them and date, and include their lot number.
The committee will then be able to evaluate the condition and take appropriate
action. Second, congestion at the entrance to the park
has been a big issue when more than one vehicle at a time tries to enter the gate,
sometimes a second vehicle passing the first on the right. A recent incident involved two vehicles and
a pedestrian who was walking her pet and taking out garbage. A collision was narrowly avoided, but if the
rules are followed as posted, one at a time, risks will be reduced. It was moved by Don Angel, second by Mary Sorenson,
to accept the committee report, MOTION CARRIED.
2006
Finance Audit Review Team--the annual review of accounts for the year 2006 was
conducted by the committee consisting of: Roger
Mahoney, Mary Lawler, Vee Lambert and Pat Olsen. The review included reconciliation of operational
income and expenditures, money market, fund raisers, donations, activities and
bank accounts, and a review of accounting procedures for proper documentation
and entries. The review concluded that
it was in accord with generally accepted accounting practices.
However, they did forward to the Board some recommendations that they encourage
them to consider to make verification more complete.
Sandy Mueller asked the chair to outline the recommendations, and the chair
referred her to the Board for review of its report.
It was moved by Ken Macomber, second by Larry Cassity, to accept the report. MOTION CARRIED.
Chairman
Terry Kehler gave an update for the Park Party Committee, noting this is a major
fund raising event for our community. He
expressed appreciation to the Board for the opportunity to provide this report.
The growth of this annual event has supported the Park Improvement Fund
tremendously. He cited the excellent job done by Linda Willoughby
and last year's committee. Terry named the 14 chairs of the current committee of which he is
the head. They include: Catherine Eaton, Silent Auction; Kay and Sonny
Hankes, Garage Sale; Marilyn and Gary Fritch, Raffles; Lenore Couture, Bake Sale;
Gwen Skillings, Book Sale; Mary and Morrie Lawler, Donations and Prizes; Fred
McCrann, Games; Vera Glaze, Food; Mike Moore, Parking, Security and our Sheriff;
Ron Stockall, Golf Cart Races; and Ken Macomber, Set up and Take down.
This year events will occur over two days; a golf cart race and dance on
March 14th, with the regular events to be on March 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Generous donations have been received.
This is a fun project and a good way to meet other members. Additional volunteers are needed. Green sheets will be distributed every other
week along with the weekly schedule providing current information, and asking
for help where needed. Advance sales of
raffle tickets are off to a good start with packets selling 15 tickets for $10. The last day for this opportunity is February
20th, when four early bird prizes will be drawn. All tickets (sold or unsold) should be returned to Arlene Evert
in the Activity Office at the Clubhouse. Cash
awards of $500 and two for $250 are made possible by outstanding cash and product
donations by numerous businesses in the community. Special recognition goes to RV Traders for
a $500. sponsorship. Other large donors
include Norris RV, Thomas Home Furnishings, and Mike's Barber Shop. Golf related donations are expected from Mission
Royale, Robson Ranch and others. Numerous
restaurants have also provided donations. All except three of last week's Sunscape crafters
contributed items for sale. Terry requested
that members thank these sponsors and let them know we appreciate their support.
Drawings will be held every half hour,
with winning tickets returned for additional win opportunities.
A published list of donors will be available after the party and again
in the fall. It was moved by Don Angel, second by Ken Macomber,
to accept the report. MOTION CARRIED.
In
the absence of Bylaws Committee chair, Jean Aili, Board chair Gene Curry reported
that the committee has been meeting weekly to review and update the Bylaws, making
technical and formatting corrections and developing language changes in sections
submitted by park members. Sheets are
available in the Club House for the purpose of providing these recommendations
to the committee.
An
informal group of members headed by Jim Cleveland, the Best Practices Study group,
has been meeting. They include:
Morrie Lawler, Dianne Lovato, Larry Gingrich, Bob Meyers, Charlie Pennington,
Slim Steele, and Gary Nally. Their purpose
is to identify problem areas in our park that need to be improved. Then find out what other people did to solve and try to implement
it yourself. We went to Gene for an assignment--best
practices for improving the effectiveness of co-op park rules.
Went to 14 parks to find out how they handled problems.
Only one thought they had problems with enforcement of park rules. A summary report was given to the Board. Almost all parks have "grievance"
or "concerns from shareholders" committees to resolve problems even
before they went to a specific committee chair or the Board of Directors, thus
pulling the boards away from micro-managing.
One of the recommendations made was that such a committee be considered
for Sunscape. Gene said the Board had
discussed it and asked if I would facilitate the implementation of this committee.
We will continue to the next step which is to go back for more details
regarding how the committee operates, how often they meet, how disagreements are
handled, etc. so we can develop a process of our own.
Board and volunteer support was requested for these efforts.
I have selected April 15th as the time when we should be ready for implementation
of this. It's only a proposal at this
point and when we have defined this process, the Board could say they don't like
that at all and it could be the end of it! We would keep minutes and write a report periodically
and post it. It was moved by Don Angel,
second by Charlie Pennington, to accept the report. MOTION CARRIED.
OLD
BUSINESS
Director
Herb Ganske reported that the new maintenance building is complete. Electrical conduit will take four to six weeks
to energize. The inside has been fireproofed
from the ground up to 8 feet and protection board installed so you can't punch
into the insulation. He said the whole thing would not have been possible without
the wonderful and talented volunteers. As for the new Welcome Center, Herb will take
schematic drawings to Pinal County this week and have them tell us what size of
building we can put in there before we go to the architect to have it drawn up.
That's about it! Motion by Larry Cassity, second by Marcie Grimes,
to accept the report. MOTION CARRIED.
During
the summer a park committee was formed to work on our sewer problem and to explore
options. Paul Theobald introduced himself
as chair and provided information on his background and experience.
Members of the committee were introduced including the Angels, G.H.
Sublett, Dianne Lovato, Don Roberts, Mary Lawler, Dennis Couture, Marion Wallin,
Michael Moore, Mel Glaze, Mary Anne Brunner, Herb Ganske, Billy Hering, and Don
Hansen. He also thanked the Board for
always making time for discussion. Committee
members researched rates and determined that what we had been paying was nice,
but not realistic. We looked at all state
rates and in local communities to check their rates. Last Friday Paul met with the new owner, Mr.
Cota, who indicated he will run the plant well, but not out of his pocket, and
has no interest at this time of raising present rates. The previous owner locked in a contract which
only allowed for a cost-of-living increase and he had to handle the extras on
his own. Cota calculated his rate based
on an average of local cities (Eloy, Arizona City, Coolidge, et al).
Theobald said he felt it was a positive gesture that we are being charged
$25 per lot rather than the $30 per unit being charged our neighbors.
Theobald also met with the Corporate Commission Utility Division in Phoenix
who has ruled that every lot has to pay the same, whether occupied one month,
12 months, or whatever; whether with one person, two people, six people, etc.
-- occupancy and time used is not an issue. The
sewer plant needs to know what its income will be so it knows what it has available
to it in a given year. We should watch
Mr. Cota to make sure our money is going to treat our waste
and not great expansion and other things.
We have the means to do this as his books are public record, still being
a not-for-profit organization. Because it is a private sewer, he will not
give us a contract. If it were a public
sewer, we would also not have a contract as it would be under the utility division
of the State and they would be the ones setting the rate. Ken Macomber asked if
Sunscape's 135 lots which are on septic tanks are included so we can get away
from dry wells? Have not addressed this
as yet. Would have to get this approved
by Mr. Cota. Also must do a cost analysis
and examine options. We can get more information
regarding the cost effectiveness of installing macerators.
Theobald will follow up. Bill Gernon
asked if Mr. Cota would be responsible if it has to be pumped out, or would we
be charged like we were charged last year? Theobald
will pursue it with Mr. Cota. Sunscape
Waste Water is listed as the current owner in the courthouse.
Mary Lawler said the property shows a sale but does not list the new owner
yet. Anyone can check the Pinal County Records and
put in Sunscape Waste Water and you can see the updates. It was asked if the lots on the dry systems
are being charged the $25. Gene Curry
said yes as dry wells often need pumping and actually cost a little bit more than
the $25. It was asked if Mr. Cota could
still stay a non-profit organization with this increase? Theobald said he must stay that way as he has
watch dogs on him. It was stated that
the northeast corner of the park is not getting the odors that they got last year,
and that the sewer is being run better than before. Mike Joynt asked if Mr. Cota is getting $25
for each and every lot and the answer was only those connected, Club House, and
Activities Center. Mr. Cota offered to
sell the sewer for $500,000., but we would have to expand it to include his 600
houses, assume land acquisitions, and incur all the related expenses. After checking out all the options, it is Theobald's
opinion the best solution for the park is Mr. Cota. Don Angel asked if whether when the houses
are built and added on if Mr. Cota would have to turn public? Theobald was thanked for all his work. Gene Curry said that Theobald and his committee
had worked very hard and expressed the Board's appreciation also.
In
response to a
question by Don Roberts as to what the Board is going to do about the sewer, President
Curry advised that we will pay what we owe in the amount of $25 per lot, we will
not involve an attorney, but any viable options will be considered.
In response to another question, Curry advised that the Sunscape dues and
assessments for 2008 will include the appropriate amount to pay the sewer, as
long as there are no increases in sewer costs.
Club
House bathroom remodeling: Gene Curry
thanked Larry Eginoire for heading up the remodel, and on behalf of the Board
of Directors and park members, special recognition was given to all who assisted
with the work that was done. Individually
personalized "Builder Bob" statues were presented to:
Herb Ganske, Larry Eginoire, Jim Grimes, Cliff Grife, Larry Gingrich, Gene
Nieuwenhuis, Bob Marsh, Ken Macomber, Jerry Higgerson, Dan Booker, Roland Rouleau,
Ray Higgerson, Nels Pierson, Marcie Grimes, Janelle Eginoire, Don Hansen, Bill
Steffan and Tom Hudson. Appreciation was extended to Stan Kline who
created the statues.
NEW
BUSINESS
President's
Report: President Curry gave a status
report on recruitment for a new manager. Interviews
which have been conducted so far have not been fruitful. Many cited insufficient salary. Additional interviews are scheduled for February
14th and 18th. In response to an inquiry,
he noted that the park does require employee contracts. However, the most recent manager had refused
to sign. Board members do not require
a contract but are governed by the Rules and Regulations and the Bylaws.
The
Welcome Center experienced an electrical problem which resulted in fire damage.
As a result, surge protectors were burnt out as well as the circuit board
for the electric gate. The loss has been reported to the insurance
company and the claim is being reviewed for processing. We have had a gate company come out and look
at the gate. Will wait for the insurance
company's estimate. The center is currently
closed and services have been set up in the Club House where they will remain
until the new Welcome Center is built. It seems silly to keep moving things back and
forth, so let's get 'er built! That's
my opinion right now.
OTHER
COMMENTS
Nancy
Fassbender updated information on the park outing to Organ Stop Pizza scheduled
for February 16th. Currently 330 have
purchased tickets.
Charlie
Fender requested that members be sure to provide him with updated e-mail addresses
before departing for the season. This
will allow communication to be forwarded regarding park business.
Unfortunately, this cannot be done via pocket mail.
Gene
Curry had two paving companies come to the park last week and asked them for an
estimate as to what needs to be done and what it would cost. Have not heard back from them yet.
A
Planning Committee has been formed to follow up on prior year efforts by Ray Anderson
and his committee for development of a long range strategic plan. Although that report was completed and provided
to the Board of Directors, no follow-up action has been taken. President Curry called for volunteers for a
Planning Committee to take the next steps in developing a master plan. This committee will be chaired by Norm Voelpel,
and other members include: Keith Cornish,
Billie Hering, Shirley Angel, Ron Anderson, Avril Cox, Don Frank, Joyce Bingenheimer
and Dorothy Schultz. Associate members are Terry Kehler and Linda Willoughby. We have had three meetings. Discussions to date have settled on a first
action to share the updated Strategic Plan draft results that had wide membership
participation two years ago. To do this,
two meetings have been scheduled: February 20 at 6:30 p.m. and February 22 at 3 p.m. Each session is scheduled for approximately
two hours and will be the opportunity for all to get the feedback from Ron Anderson
who consolidated member input. A third
meeting for member input of Ideas to Start Implementation of Plan Strategies is
scheduled for March 1 at 1 p.m. Participation by all members of the Board of Directors is strongly
encouraged. It was moved by Dennis Harvey,
second, Don Angel, to accept the report. MOTION CARRIED.
Mary
Ann Fender reported on behalf of the Medical Committee. She said 5 calls were made to 611 with no
lot number. This was when the weather
was cold and they had to go up and down the street! The benefit of having a defibrillator as part
of our Emergency Response Team equipment was noted. It has been used three times in the past year.
An extensive amount of expensive equipment is available to be checked out,
including wheel chairs, walkers, crutches, etc.
The team holds monthly meetings and members carry pagers at all times. She asked that members recognize the team's dedication. Team members
are as follows: Ron Anderson,
Bud
Bingenheimer, Joyce Bingenheimer, Don Bohman, George Bush, Howard Caires, Mary
Ann Fender, Duane Fisher, Ron Francis, Bruce Garman, Bill Gernon, Bob Gordon,
Isobel Gordon, C.H. Grubb, Don Hansen, Dennis Harvey, Damon Hillery, Betty Livingston,
Ron Stockall, Gene Wallace. Upcoming sponsored
events include blood pressure testing, a Health Fair, and a CPR/First Aid re-certification
class. Motion by Art Aerne, second by
Mary Lawler, to accept the report. MOTION CARRIED.
Director
Gene Wallace expressed appreciation of the Board and the membership to Herb Ganske
for his years of service.
Newly-elected
director Robert "Sam" Samler was invited to make comments. He expressed appreciation for the support and
confidence placed in him and pledged to work with members in the current months.
He encouraged all members to attend and participate in the strategy planning
process.
Regarding
the two existing vacancies on the Board of Directors, President Curry stated that
any interested individuals should submit their application and resume to the office
by Friday, February 16th. Next week ballots
will be prepared for mailing for a special election.
Stan
Kline commended Arlene (and Mike) Evert for outstanding performance and enthusiasm
in planning activities for the park. He asked the Board to oversee
that they can get enough time off so they are not burned out. Many people would like to see them return next
year. Gene Curry said they set their own
schedule but said it would be good if volunteers would step up and sit in for
them when able.
Morrie
Lawler asked if the Board had received information which he had provided to former
director, Don Hansen, related to bid by reserve corporation on inspecting the
buildings, the roads, and everything in the common areas of the park.
At that time the bid was $3500. They
tell when things would have to be replaced, roads, roofs, etc.
President Curry indicated the request had been received and the Board is
working in that direction.
Jan
Tucker inquired about the status of the lawsuit related to Lot 144. President Curry indicated that as of the prior
day, our attorney indicated they are working on an out-of-court settlement.
Told him that I would be gone for a week so get it done now if you want
something done. He said he would work on it.
Don
Angel, a member of the Bylaws Committee, reiterated prior requests from the committee
to the Board for attendance by Board liaison to attend its meetings.
President Curry advised he had not been notified of the meetings or their
schedule, but a liaison will be designated and will attend.
It
was moved by Ken Macomber, second by Shirley Angel, that the meeting be adjourned.
MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted by Pat Kline and Catherine Eaton
