Call to Order Was by President Hal Baar

Call to Order was by President Hal Baar

Directors present were: M. Bauer, D. Cleary, R. Dunay, J. Freischlag, J. Gillespie, S. Schaupp

PRESIDENT’S REPORT by Hal Baar:

A big Thank You to those who “volunteered” their time to respond to The Inlets Survey. There was a response rate of over 50 %, which many professional surveyors would love to achieve. The community clearly supports our management by volunteers as opposed to retaining a property manager, considers our clubhouse to be adequate, and considers investing in the maintenance of our infrastructure to be important.

Of special note, 88 % of the respondents appreciate the significant effort and progress that has been made to convert our landscaping to lower maintenance, Florida friendly plants and trees, and 72 % express they have or will follow similar goals for their own yard. Many visitors express compliments regarding the appearance of our community.

Our very active Communications Committee is working on some exciting proposals to enhance communications between our various volunteer committees and all Inlets residents. Stay tuned for coming information on file sharing using Dropbox software, and an active Inlets Website.

Friday, March 7 is the annual Volunteers Appreciation BYOB. Come and HUG a volunteer!

APPROVED MOTIONS:

 To accept the insurance deductibles for 2014.

 To reappoint the Fining Committee consisting of Jim Miller, Grace Riley and Janice Iversen.

 To purchase .5 load (50 cubic yard) at a cost not to exceed $1250.00 to complete mulching of common areas.

 To purchase an Intel NUC computer to replace the Dell Computer in the office at a cost not to exceed $1250.

 To upgrade the website bought by R. Diekroger at a cost not to exceed @270 for three years.

 To have the checks signed by one of five Board members (D. Cleary, S. Schaupp, H. Baar, M. Bauer, and B. Dunay) plus M. Henry.

 To add July 4th to the POW Flag schedule.

NEXT MEETING:

The next Inlets Board Meeting will be on March 20th at 9:00 am.

IRRIGATION by Jim Donahoe:

The irrigation technician has been systematically checking the irrigation zones around the Inlets. He adjusts the coverage on the unit property and replaces defective sprinkler heads as required. In certain areas he has turned off the sprinklers due to excessive water retention which drowns the grass roots and/or makes for a shallow root system

FINANCES by Maggie Bauer:

As of the end of January, the Operating Expenses for Common Facilities are $6,275 over budget for the month.

The total cash in Common Facilities Operating Account is $67, 616.

The total cash in the Reserve account is $386, 157 of which $200,174 is in CD’s.

RETENTION POND by David Cleary:

A meeting was held on the main problem concerning the erosion around the perimeter of the pond.

In my opening statement I informed those attending that this was an informal informational meeting to discuss the many problems facing us concerning the said pond.

I also stated we intend to pursue the best interests of the community to carry out the project of replenishing of the shore line over a period of time based on the funds available, and what company we use to handle the project. We now hope to gather input from the community etc, and hopefully help us to move on with this project.

I introduced Walter Brown and his credentials who will be (and-is) the chairman of this committee, along with his wife, Maggie, who is also well versed for this project.

Walter then explained his views on the project and some long-termed plans and possible “Solutions”. This would be based on engineering studies, aesthetics, concerns for wild life, and maintenance and sustainability of erosion control, with cost effectiveness as we have knowledge to know.

Many areas were brought forth by the attendees. A list will be provided to anyone wishing to see it. The health of the Eco-System is very important, and the number one Priority.

RECREATION by Jerry Freischlag:

The multiple problems in these common facilities previously brought to the Board’s attention do not need elaboration. They should be remediated in three ways.

1. Bring landscape up to community standards
2. Residents who constructed bocce, horseshoe and golf putting venues should maintain them.
3. Courts and canopies should be replaced per competitively-bid contracts.

LANDSCAPE by Bob Dunay:

The Clubhouse Office door has holders in different colors to make requests easier to put any request into the chosen folder. It is now easier to find the right folder and the right paper work. Forms need to be submitted for tree and bush replacement so that the Landscape Committee can assist in the selection of low maintenance Florida Friendly plants. Fruit trees are not recommended. However, many residents have lemon trees, banana plants, papaya trees, avocado trees, etc. Fruit tree forms are in the folder at the Clubhouse door. The forms need to be submitted to the Landscape committee and placed in the box at the office. Residents are responsible for the care of their fruit trees.

Residents wanting to remove tree(s) from their yard need to fill out the form HO11 form (Landscape change request) and have someone from the landscaping committee who can provide information. Tree stumps have caused problems occasionally. Stumps have to be ground down below the grass level or pulled out if possible. Lawn mowers and workers with machinery are at risk when working around tree stumps.

Some residents have found that their bushes and small trees have black, sooty residue on the leaves. This can be removed by using a sprayer and a solution of Dawn dish detergent and water. Do not use dishwasher soap. The landscaping committee at the Inlets is available to do yard visits upon request and assist with problems or provide information as needed.

The big pile of mulch is now spread out. We will be ordering a half load to finish the areas by the back road and back exit area. A motion will be made to order the required mulch. Look around at all the roadways and green areas that contribute to the beauty of our islands, homes and resident buildings: clubhouse, swimming pool area, tennis courts, etc.

Thanks to the Greenes who have donated a Fan Palm Tree.

Continuing the project along the back wall of removing woody hedges and finishing planting plants that are tolerant to heat and to cold.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES by Shirley Dodson:

Football fans enjoyed food and drink as they watched the Super Bowl in the clubhouse hosted by Joe and Janice Duseau. The tennis groups hosted a BYOB on February 14th. Patty Meaney hosted an afternoon Tea on February 21st with music provided by Jim Bodle on the keyboard. Gail Olson and Judy Donahoe will host a Craft Workshop on February 27th.

The Board of Directors will host a BYOB on March 7th. Faith and Begorra ‘tis time for wearing the green; the Meaneys will host a St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 15th. Join in at the clubhouse parking lot fire pit for an evening with Frank Sinatra BYOB hosted by the Pezzutos, Gillespies and Donahoes.

Please check the mail house for more information and sign-up sheets for activities.

COMMUNICATION by Daniel Gaudry:

At its last meeting the Board decided to recognize the Communication Committee as a standing committee reporting to President Hal Baar. Since, the committee, which met three times, decided to limit its 2014 priority action plan to the following:

1. To use e-mailing instead of regular mailing when possible:

In January, 202 Newsletters were sent by e-mail and 48 by regular mail (some units receive 2 Newsletters by e-mail).The Inlets survey and its results were sent in using the same process.

1. To develop a new website for The Inlets:

In two weeks, Lynne Fales and at a later stage, Pat Meaney made amazing progress following an opportunity taken by Rob Diekroger who bought a website program for about $20 a year. The Inlets residents may look at the website still in progress at The committee recommends the Board to approve an upgrade in order to include a page “Members only”, which will include information not accessible to the public. In that case the website would cost $7.50 per month for a three-year contract to be paid in advance ($270).

1. To have Dropbox used by the Office managers, the Board & Committee members:

This program will simplify the exchanges and the accuracy of data dealing with The Inlets management.

1. To create a Flyer which will summarize the information passed to Newcomers in The Inlets:

This document will come as a complement to the information provided now by Jeanne Ballock & Judy Donahoe to the Newcomers.

At the Board meeting, Lynne Fales presented The Inlets website and explained the interest in using Dropbox and other electronic tools for the benefit of the Inlets. Note that the content of the website is not yet finalized.

Clubhouse by Bob Walter:

The Clubhouse Roof Project is awaiting completion by Olsen before final payment is made.

The Clubhouse long-term vision survey has been completed and the final result are being prepared for distribution to residents.

The committee continues to work towards a manageable way to provide for the yearly clubhouse cleaning. A signup sheet was included with the last newsletter, resulting in little response.

Superior Rapid Response has been selected to clean all the carpeted floors, tile floors, and shower walls in the Clubhouse. The committee will work with Superior and the social calendar to minimize any disruption of Clubhouse use while this work is done.

The following projects have been completed:

1. The coffee cart has been refurbished.
2. The table storage cart has been upgraded.
3. Ladies shower room light is fixed.
4. New trash containers are in place.
5. A new vacuum cleaner has been purchased.
6. A new first aid kit has been purchased.

ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE by Jim Donahoe:

A dock request made in January is on hold for redesign and permitting.

The Architectural/Color Committee received 8 requests in February. 2 were placed on hold by the unit owner.

The following requests approved in February are: 1 roof replacement, 1 driveway paver installation, 1 lanai change, 1 garage color change.

The following requests are being acted upon: wood deck color change, Lanai extension

Architectural, Paint & Roof changes to your unit must be submitted to the committee using the forms available in the office. Work is not to start before these requests are approved by the Committee.

Vendors for pressure washing of the perimeter walls bids are being collected. The wall was last pressure washed in 2009. Depending upon the results of the pressure washing painting of the wall may be required. Roof Cleaning and Trim painting is scheduled for 2015 for all Sections.

POOL by J. Gillespie:

The recent repairs to the pool include a new timer, jets maintenance and the maintenance required by the County.

The spa was closed one day to replace a part required to dispense chemicals into the water. The numbers were not correct, but have since been rebalanced.

FITNESS CENTER ALERT by Jerry Freischlag:

This area of the Clubhouse benefits residents who exercise for health maintenance and those who have

special needs associated with illness and injuries. Help make this a safe experience by getting out a word

of caution to friends or neighbors who exercise in the Fitness Center.

 Obtain Medical Clearance: Your doctor will prescribe an exercise regimen specific to your health needs.

 Work Out With a Partner or When Others Are Present: Accidents and health episodes happen unexpectedly. You must have another's help when they do.

 Obtain Instruction: The correct use of the different pieces of equipment ensures safe exercise and optimal fitness.

J. Freischlag and A. Bell will conduct two hands-on orientation sessions; look for their announcement.

Note that the use of the equipment to play exercise tapes has occasionally been left on. Please re-set after use so others might use the TV to accompany their workouts.

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