Minutes of the Board of Director’s Meeting
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, Ted
Humphrey, Jerry McFadden, Ray Rakoff, Don Smally, Fred Stanyer, and Cliff
Truitt, constituting a Quorum.
Also present were, Irwin Starr of the Landings Eagle, 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
Improvement Project
Chairman Capo recognized Gordon Garrett from the
audience. Mr. Garrett presented a signed petition representing 284 Landings’
unit owners who are opposed to expanding the north gatehouse for storage. Mr.
Capo then recognized Stan Williams, President of the Landings Homeowners
Association. Speaking for their Board of Directors, Mr. Williams said that LHA
is opposed to the project. He went on to say that there must be more options
and requested the Board to reconsider. There ensued much discussion with the
audience, ranging from demolishing the structure, to possibly manning the gate
once again.
Chairman Capo then asked for discussion from the LMA
Board. Mr. Smally felt that the project was reasonable, that it would have
succeeded to solve both the storage problem and the aesthetic problem. However,
in light of the opposition expressed, he would not be in favor of proceeding
with it. Mr. Humphrey said the project should be predicated on three criteria:
need, looks, and cost. Based on the renderings presented, aesthetics would not
be a problem. He said he was not yet convinced of the need of the project. The
cost, which appears to be approaching twenty thousand dollars, would present a
problem with the current budget. While he had not reached any conclusions up to
this point, at this time he was inclined to turn the project down. Mr. McFadden
stated that anything which might divide the community should be avoided. Mr.
Truitt pointed out that the process had begun on a simple motion to “investigate
the feasibility” of the project, and nothing more. He suggested that if the
Board “investigates the feasibility” of manning the north gatehouse,
that there would likely be another contingent of homeowners at a future
meeting, just as vehemently opposed to doing that. Mr. Stanyer stated regret
that the project got off to a false start, because he felt the project was well
conceived, and it was not given a fair hearing. He agreed that the project
should be abandoned, only because of the potential divisiveness which has
developed.
There being no further discussion,
Chairman Capo asked that a motion be presented for a vote. Mr. Humphrey made a motion
to abandon the idea of expanding the north gatehouse for more storage, and not
to expand its current use. Mr. McFadden seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.
Treasurer’s
Report (Ted Humphrey)
For the month of April we ran a
$3,000 surplus compared to budget, and are nearly $15,000 surplus compared to
budget year-to-date.
President’s
Report (Bob Capo)
Golf Carts:
I have contacted our attorney to discuss the issue of golf cart use on the
property. He confirmed our ability to pass rules regulating golf cart use by
residents, or even banning them altogether, with the exception of maintenance
personnel. The only reservation he expressed was that we would have trouble
denying a request based on the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
At this time Mr. Capo recognized Truman Menefee,
President of the Villas at Eagles Point Condominium Mr. Menefee had made
inquiry for a new owner moving into the Landings who wanted to use a golf cart
on the property. Mr. Menefee noted the wide variety of users currently on
Landings roads: pedestrians who walk, jog and walk dogs; pedestrians on canes
and walkers; wheel chairs, both manual and motorized; baby strollers; bicycles
and (adult) tricycles; skate boards and scooters, including motorized scooters;
and one resident reportedly already has a golf cart. This does not include the
motorized carts used by maintenance personnel around the property. He concluded
by saying it seems that to now ban golf carts for residents only would be unfair
discrimination.
There followed a wide-ranging and lengthy discussion.
No action was taken.
Tree Removal Request: A request was received to remove a pine tree from the
Eagle Preserve area. The homeowner feels that the tree is close enough to his
home that it could represent a danger in the event of a hurricane. Chairman
Capo opened the floor for discussion. It was determined that the tree in
question is alive and healthy. It was noted that there are hundreds of trees on
the property close to buildings, and that it is not desirable to remove them.
It was also noted that there is no responsibility to remove every conceivable
threat due to “Acts of God.” The Board’s standing policy has been that live
trees are not to be destroyed. It was the consensus of the board to deny the
request.
At
this time there ensued a lengthy discussion regarding the “Eagle Preserve”
area. There were questions of legalities, restrictions, authority and control.
Mr. Capo summarized that the Eagle Preserve was originally planned to be
developed with the rest of the property, but there was an active eagle’s nest
which prevented development. The nest was subsequently abandoned, and in 1988
the developer deeded the property over to the Association. The intent of the
developer was to preserve the property in a pristine manner, and that no
activity should occur within its boundaries. However, the deed contains no
restrictions on potential uses of this area. The Association Documents do
appear to stipulate certain restrictions. There are identified wetlands
involved that would fall under State jurisdiction and restrictions. There
appears to be a conflict in the language between the deed and the documents.
There are two general opinions within the community: either that the property
shouldn’t be touched in any way, or that it should be used as a park recreation
area. The discussion concluded with Mr. Capo stating that there is no intention
of doing anything with the property, and no further action would be taken.
Safety
and Security (John Newcomer)
Mr. Capo reported for Mr. Newcomer
that an incident of a car damaging the south gate revealed that the cameras
don’t have the capability of picking up enough detail to record a license
plate. This is a weakness that needs to be looked at. Also, security personnel
need to tighten up on procedures of screening and admittance to the property.
It should be noted that many of the guards are new, and in the process of being
trained.
Landscape
(Fred Stanyer)
Mr. Stanyer reported that the broken
solenoid (valve operator) that caused the impatiens in the main entrance to die
was fixed, and that additional micro-irrigation tubing was installed to make
sure that enough water is delivered to those planting beds.
Mr. Stanyer presented a copy of a letter from Todd
Hershfeld of Sarasota County Environmental Services, which has been sent to
Landings South VII detailing what may and may not be done in the preserve areas
behind those units. Also, Mr. Stanyer presented photographs of the newly
completed restoration work in that same area, and that stated that a bill would
be sent to South VII for the work.
One homeowner complimented Mr.
Stanyer on the beauty of the flowers at the main entrance. Another homeowner
thanked Mr. Stanyer for the three Areca Palms planted at the south gate, to
screen the view from the boatyard.
Roads
and Drainage (Don Smally)
Mr. Smally reported that the paving
of Landings Boulevard (and Pine Harrier Circle) has been completed, with the
exception of the striping to be done in thirty days. In spite of lane closures
and heavy traffic, things went very smoothly thanks to the work of the
contractor and our security people. There were only two drivers who failed to
comply with directions, but no harm was done. The drainage work on Landings
Lane is complete, and the paving will be finished within the next couple of
days.
Lakes
(Jerry McFadden)
Mr. McFadden stated that all is well
with our lakes and fountains and had no report to submit.
Adjournment
A motion
was made by Mr. Humphrey and seconded by Mr. McFadden to adjourn the meeting. The
motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Ron
Ditch, Recording Secretary