KINGS CONTRIVANCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010
Approved______
The regular board meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Barb Seely. Board members Brian Dunn, Sara Dillier, Fred Niziol, Marguerite Walsh, Council Representative Shari Zaret, Village Manager Anne Brinker, Covenant Advisor Stephanie Moore and Operations Coordinator Jill Bartos were present. Senator James Robey and Maryland State Delegates Shane Pendergrass, Frank Turner and Guy Guzzone also attended.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES
The agenda was approved removing Nena Goozner from the agenda. The revised minutes of the May 5, 2010 board meeting were approved unanimously.
RESIDENT SPEAK OUT
There were no residents present for resident speak out.
ARCHITECTURAL ISSUE
7936 Red Jacket Way – After discussion about the inoperable vehicle stored in the driveway, Fred made a motion, seconded by Marguerite, to send a 15-day violation notice to the owner. Sara and Brian abstained. Since debris remains on the front porch, after several extensions have been given, Marguerite made a motion, seconded by Fred, to flag the lot file, deny access to CA facilities and send the case to CA for legal action. Sara and Brian abstained.
Board members decided that it is time to review the KC guidelines as well as look into increasing the types of exterior alteration applications which can be reviewed by the speedy process. Board members will review the guidelines online and discuss them at a board meeting in July.
DISCUSSION OF AUDIT FEES FOR FY13
Anne reported that the audit company wants to increase audit fees by $2,000 during the second cycle of village association audits. The majority of the village associations are requesting reimbursement from the contingency fund to cover this increase for the next three year audit cycle (file copy attached). Board members did not feel that the audit fee increase is reasonable and advised Anne to have CA’s attorney review the contract to see if the audit company has the right to increase fees during the contracted period. The board was not in favor of discussing requesting money from the contingency fund to cover the fee increase.
DISTRICT 13 ELECTED OFFICIALS
Delegate Guzzone spoke about the capital budget and stated that it is critical to be aware that even though there is a structural deficit, the budget is balanced every year and Maryland has had decades of good financial management. While pension commitments to current employees will be honored, the challenge is finding reasonable solutions regarding pensions for new hires. Senator Robey stated there is a $15 billion liability for healthcare that is unfunded.
Delegate Turner serves on the Revenue Committee and the Financial Resource Subcommittee. He reported on ways of increasing revenue, such as awarding gambling rights at Ocean Dunes and other state-owned resorts. Speaking about healthcare, Delegate Pendergrass said that Maryland is the only state which has created a vehicle to accept federal funding to insure high risk residents. She is vice chair of the Health Insurance Subcommittee. Senator Robey spoke about the importance of funding police and education. The governor has cut $5 billion from state spending by not filling 500 positions. Shari thanked the delegates for their efforts in obtaining $250K for Symphony Woods Park.
BOARD MEMBER SPEAK OUT
· Fred received an email from a resident requesting board support for the installation of a mail chute on the Murray Hill mailbox. The post office denied the resident’s request due to insufficient mail volume at the location. No motion was made.
· Marguerite said she is glad Shari will be attending the State Highway Administration meeting on June 2 where residents will voice their concerns to the state about the widening of Rt. 29. Shari said she will report back to the board about the results of this meeting.
· Shari reported that she gathered information at the Solar & Wind Expo about local solar panel companies, wind turbines and electric cars. She sees many possible uses for this technology.
Marguerite asked if anyone had handouts or a report on the Building a Better Columbia summit. Anne has requested copies of the power point presentation and will provide them to the board. Board members discussed the BBC which focused on population needs in the future. Shari said the External Relations Committee met with the police to discuss safety measures such as lighting, bike patrols and educating children about gangs.
COUNCIL REP’S REPORT
Shari submitted a written report (file copy attached) on the May 19 CA Board meeting. Officers were elected and committee assignments were made for the upcoming year. Shari reported that she met with Dan D’Amore, CA Open Space, at resident Lynn Juliano’s home to view the area where the pilot 4 poster deer system may be placed near White Spring Way. There are concerns about accessibility for maintenance, since there is no pathway nearby, and the need for state certification to handle the pesticide.
CHAIR’S REPORT
Barb had nothing to report.
MANAGER’S REPORT
Anne reported:
· Three new facility assistants have been hired.
· The Church of New Nations is leaving at the end of May and Anne is working with another church that may lease the space.
· FY11 Board Goals will be approved at the next board meeting.
· We received an online suggestion from an upset resident in Dickinson who listed several complaints. Unfortunately we could not respond since it was sent anonymously and many of the concerns were Howard County issues. Stevi will address some of the issues in the next issue of the Crown Prints.
· The Orthodox Church of St. Matthews is asking that we advertise our association in the program for their multicultural festival in October. The price of the $75 includes advertising as well as thank you announcements each day of the festival. After discussion, Fred made a motion, seconded by Marguerite, to purchase a $75 ad. The motion passed unanimously.
· Anne showed the board the one-page advertisement which the Baltimore Sun placed in the Columbia Flier recently to compensate for not distributing the Crown Prints throughout the village.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Bartos
Operations Coordinator