President Stan Eggink called the meeting to order at 10:02am. Present
were Directors Rick Harrell, Shaunna Shortes, Volney Dunavan and Warren
Cox as well as Brian and Cindy Curtis and four Cascadel property owners.
It was moved by Warren, seconded by Volney, and passed, that the agenda
be approved with the following additions under 6. Correspondence: (a)
Madera County Cell Tower and (b) Request for audit from the Fire Safe
Council
It was m/s/carried to approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting
of January 14, 2012.
4. Reports
a. President’s
Report: There are some financial items we need to look
at, mostly as a result of the weather pattern this year. At question
is the vegetation growth. If there is a long, hard summer, we need
to make sure weeds do not become a problem. We need to be looking for
dollars that might be needed for this in the future.
b. Treasurer’s
Report: Our budget is based on $3200 for mowing. If
more is needed because of a heavy weed growth, we will need to either
go into our reserves or increase our funding source. There was discussion
about a self-imposed increase as opposed to a County imposed increase.
Shaunna reported that the Profit and Loss Statement covers a two-year
period because our billings in June would be recorded in July, thereby
always making our financial statements look skewed. Statements will
be mailed before the July 1 start of fiscal year, but the payments
must be recorded in the new year. There will be two separate invoices
mailed in one envelope, one for Road Maintenance and one CWPOA Membership.
Membership fees have been reclassified on a cash not an accrual basis.
If the road fees are paid but not the POA fees, the POA fees can be
written off. POA fees can be added back in if they are paid at a future
date.
A draft of the proposed 2012 Board Calendar was reviewed. It was also
verified against our Bylaws. The calendar showing dates of billings,
mailings, membership fee due dates, nominations and voting dates will
be mailed with the billing.
5. Member Comments:
• A sympathy card on behalf of the Board was sent to the family of
Carmyn Scharffenberg.
• It was noted that the new North Fork Volunteer Fire Department station
will be breaking ground toward the end of this month, on the old mill
site just off Douglas Ranger Station Road. This is much closer to us
which is a good thing.
• It was mentioned that, as expected, we passed the Worker’s Comp audit.
• A resident said she had sent out information about the American Heart
Association and would appreciate our individual attention to that organization
and the good work it does.
6. Correspondence
a. Madera County
Cell Tower: Received information regarding a proposed
125’ tower to be located on the ridge on the Morgan property. This
is strictly a private, non-County generated project. We will not be
able to hear the generator. This could be a good thing from a safety
point of view. There is no guarantee that the tower will have carriers
other than Verizon.
b. Eastern Madera County Fire Safe Council Request for an Audit: The
Fire Safe Council is preparing for a routine federal audit and has
requested an audit of our joint projects.
7. Advisory Committee Reports
a. Fire Wise
• Brian Curtis appointed Brigade captain
• Brian conducted the February Fire Wise Committee meeting as Warren
was unable to attend.
• The third Saturday in May (5/19) is confirmed for the annual community
Fire Wise day with presentations. As always, there will be Neighborhood
Watch information and a BBQ.
• Carol Eggink will audit/inventory the fire cabinets when the time
comes to do so.
• Committee purchased and tested a portable pump with a 100ft range.
It worked well, although a 1-1/2” hose works better than a 1” hose.
The pump can be used to draft water from the pond or a seasonal creek;
it does not have to be used only with a hydrant.
• The portable pump will be kept in the fire box by Clubhouse; Stan
is picking up a gas can for it.
• In lieu of the March and April Fire Wise meetings, Fire Brigade members
will receive CPR and First Aid training from Mark Lodge. Members completing
the class will be certified.
b. Policies and Procedures
• A suggested Clubhouse rental agreement was presented, discussed and
tabled.
c. Common Area
• It was reported that Wayne Shortes is getting a map that the Committee
members can be working on for their recommendations.
d. Neighborhood
Watch – Nothing new to report.
8. Unfinished Business.
a. Current CWPOA Policies: Review and Vote
• There was lively discussion about the validity and effectiveness
of policies. Indeed, as they are created at the pleasure of the Board,
they are truthfully about as effective as a New Year’s Resolution.
• The Clubhouse policy and the parking policy are the only ones approved
by the County.
It was m/s/c that, with the exception of those policies approved by
the County, our policies be termed guidelines.
The Guideline Committee was asked to review our guidelines and recommend
which ones can be eliminated. Joanne Freemire asked to be included
in that review meeting, so as to explain the rationale behind some
of the guidelines.
b. Accounting
Program Progress: Ongoing item addressed in the Treasurer’s
report above.
c. Proposed
Cell Tower Response: The topic was addressed above.
d. Financial
Write-offs: Still being worked on.
e. Website Change:
• Carol reported on the website information requested and received
from Mark Stamas.
• Mark Stamas needs to be made aware of the Mark Lodge domain name.
• Carol was asked to put up the website; if a $100 fee is needed, Shauna
will donate it.
9. New Business
a. Bench Placements
• About 18 months ago we started looking at placing tables and benches
around the property. The benches, made by the Fire Wise Committee,
will stand 16” to 18” tall with top slabs created from our trees
in Cascadel and donated by Bob Buckles. The legs also were donated.
We just need to dig holes and stick them in the ground.
• A suggestion was made to countersink a rectangular business card
with directions to the next bench, information about a nearby duck
box, or even ‘in memory of’ on the top of each bench.
• It was suggested that one be at the south corner of the pond, another
by the waterfall by the bridge. A member requested to please keep the
benches away from the end of the pond as there is a habitat for animals
there.
b. CWPOA Purpose
• We again reviewed who we are and where we are going.
• According to our attorney, the only true business here is the water
company. Would we be better off merging with them?
• Newer residents think we should have CC&R’s: “What can we do
to protect our investment?”
• Unfortunately, CC&R’s are not retroactive; they are mandatory
for new owners but not for long timers.
• However, CC&R’s legally cover actions and have consequences if
actions are not followed.
• Zoning is about the only thing that has kept Cascadel safe from things
that might not benefit the entire community. Current zoning disallows
horses or other farm animals on subdivision lots.
• Even if CC&R’s were voted in, they would not cover the Outlots
and surrounding parcels.
• We need to agree on our purpose.
• We need to research merging with the water company. This can legally
be done as we would be merging two mutual benefit organizations. Something
like the Cascadel Woods Water and Road Company.
• We need to look at the pro’s and con’s of such an action, and also
consider the outlying parcels.
• Perhaps it is time for a mutual discussion with the Water Company.
Both the Water Company and the Road/Property Owners Association have
a fiduciary responsibility to the community members.
10. Action Items:
• Guideline Committee: List of guidelines that can be tossed
• Website: Carol
• Concerns about possible merger with Water Company: Cindy
• Update Board Calendar: Stan
• Benches: Fire Wise Committee will start with two.
11. Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned to go into closed session at 12:45pm. The meeting
reconvened at 12:50pm with no action. The meeting was adjourned at
12:52pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Volney Dunavan, Secretary