The Landings Management Association, Inc.
Chairman
Bob Capo called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the Landings Racquet Club,
5350 Landings Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida.
Present were Bob Capo, John
Newcomer, Jerry McFadden, Ray Rakoff, Dee Ricapito, Don Smally, Fred Stanyer,
and Cliff Truitt, constituting a Quorum.
Also present were, Irwin Starr of the Landings Eagle, Mike Getz of Strategic Building / Concepts & Consulting, Walter Hammerling of Argus Property Management, Inc., and a sizable audience.
The
notice was posted in accordance with the Bylaws of the Association and
requirements of Florida Statutes.
North
Gatehouse Project
At this time Mr. Capo introduced
Fritz Drybrough. Mr. Drybrough reported that plans for the renovation of the
north gatehouse have been revised since the last meeting. The garage door on
the east side has been reconfigured to a double swing door on the west side.
Also, the addition of pouring a solid concrete floor throughout, rather than leaving
the existing paver bricks in place, would raise the cost by more than $2,000.
After making inquiry of county building officials, Mike Getz, the contractor,
said there would be no need to bring the existing building up to current codes,
as it is considered to be an unoccupied structure. The only requirement to meet
current code is to the proposed additions.
There was then much lively
discussion with members of the audience, many of whom expressed their concerns
with the cost, the necessity of additional storage space, and the aesthetic
quality of the project. Mr. Capo advised the audience the proposal was still
under study, that there are many options yet to consider, and that no decision
would be made before the next meeting.
It was agreed by the Board that a
rendering of the project would be developed in order to facilitate a better
understanding of the visual concepts. It was also decided that Mrs. Ricapito
would meet with Mr. Drybrough and Mr. Getz to discuss all the aesthetic options
available.
Presidents
Report (Bob Capo)
· Preserve Area:
We requested a correction to the County’s Notice of Violation regarding
unauthorized work done in the preserve area. The original notice stated that a
violation occurred on “your property, or property on which your company has
performed work.” The LMA does not own property in the preserve area. The
violation actually occurred on property belonging to Landings South VII, behind
building 1780. The County representative, Todd Hershfeld, agreed to re-issue
the notice, and because it is a new notice the deadline changes to April 9th,
rather than March 22nd, as was stated in the original.
· Phillipi Landings: We contacted Robert Morris the developer of Phillipi Landings
regarding some work he had done along the back wall of the Landings along Phillipi
Shores Drive. We told him we were never informed of the work, and would
appreciate prior notice in the future. He apologized and agreed to notify us
before any more work occurred. During the conversation he asked about the
possibility of using our irrigation supply to install a low-volume watering
system for the plantings in that area, and would the Board give its permission
to do so?
After some discussion, the consensus of
the Board was that there needed to be further investigation of the ramifications
of this use of the irrigation system before consenting.
· Nature Trail:
We received an estimate to fix a perpetually muddy section of the nature trail
behind the Cloisters which runs low along the mangroves. The work would entail
the installation 40 cubic yards of shell. The cost of the work will be $1,350.
With the Board’s permission we will proceed.
After some discussion, it was agreed to proceed with
the repair.
· Golf Carts:
A question from one of the associations was asked in regards to allowing golf
carts on the property. There is currently no rule prohibiting their use. Mr.
Capo asked if the Board wanted to consider the question at this time.
After some discussion, with the consensus
leaning toward prohibiting them, the Board decided to contact the attorney
regarding the legal ramifications of either prohibiting or allowing golf carts
in the community.
· Racquet Club Requests: We received a request from the Racquet Club to use
lake water for irrigation because their well water is becoming saline and
beginning to cause problems for them. This would require careful study before
any consideration would be given.
A tractor, which was originally purchased
by LMA, is being stored in back of the Racquet Club, and they requested that it
be removed. After discussion regarding its current condition and usefulness,
and various options, a motion was made by Mr. Smally, and seconded by
Mr. Stanyer to donate it to a worthy cause. The motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s
Report (Ted Humphrey)
In
Mr. Humphrey’s absence, Chairman Capo remarked that we are currently running a
surplus of about $10,000, but that it is still early in the year, with several
projects yet to complete. It was noted by Mr. Rakoff that an additional $8,000
never made it into the 2005 budget to cover the expense of necessary
refurbishment of the gates.
Safety
and Security (John Newcomer)
Mr. Rakoff and I met with Richard
Mayo, head of Landings Security, and representatives of the Homeowners
Association, who had expressed concern over unauthorized people gaining access
through the gates. Mr. Mayo explained that there had been a high rate of
turnover in security personnel provided by the contractor recently, and there
were training issues to deal with. Mr. Mayo assured us that he is training new
personnel as quickly as possible, but in the process some mistakes would be
made. There has also been some breakdown in communication from residents, such
as proper notification of access authorization, and rescinding that
authorization. We believe that the situation will improve as new people gain
experience.
Landscape
(Fred Stanyer)
Mr. Stanyer requested permission
from the Board to proceed with the repair to the preserve area, pending
approval from Mr. Hershfeld of the County. A motion was made by Mr.
Smally and seconded by Mr. Stanyer to approve the expense of $2,030 and to
proceed with the repair. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Stanyer informed the Board of
the committee’s intention to buy and install three Areca Palms at $385 each
along the wall at the south gate, in order to help alleviate the view into the
marina from the affected residents in that area.
Roads
and Drainage (Don Smally)
Mr. Smally reported that the paving
and drainage project was delayed due to problems with both the engineer and the
contractor. The project will begin next week (the week of April 11th).
Lakes
(Jerry McFadden)
Mr. McFadden reported that all the
lakes were inspected, and treated for algae. If there is any concern for
lingering algae, people need to give the chemicals time to work. Also, light
bulbs and nozzles in all the fountains were replaced as needed.
Social
Committee (Dee Ricapito)
Mrs. Ricapito announced a
Brainstorming Session to be held on April 18th at 2:30PM at the Lakeside patio.
The event is intended to explore and exchange a variety of ideas for “making
the Landings a more friendly and sociable community.” All residents are invited
to participate and share their views. (See attachment.)
New
Business
Mr. Rakoff reported receiving a
request from the homeowner at 1699 Landings Lane to replace the wooden posts
and rope fencing adjacent to his property. Manager Ditch was instructed to
facilitate the replacement.
Mr. Rakoff further reported that on the east side of
Landings Boulevard between Heron Way and Kestral Park South there are continual
ruts from trucks and other vehicles running off the road at that point. After
some discussion, it was decided to install posts and rope fencing to discourage
further damage.
Adjournment
A motion
was made by Mr. Smally and seconded by Mr. Rakoff to adjourn the meeting. The
motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Ron
Ditch, Recording Secretary