We'll begin at the very beginning, with the open board meeting on February 12, the monthly board meeting on February 18, and end with what anyone can observe, out their window and down their road.
The Wedgefield Examiner has listened to the tape of the February 12 meeting and attended the February 18 meeting. An overview of what occurred will be provided. In both cases, you should listen to the tapes of the meetings, for your own verification. The overview is provided to the best of my ability. COMMENTS ARE IN RED.
THE FEB. 12 MEETING:
President Walton had called the meeting with proper notification to the board to discuss the issues regarding our then Attorney of Record, Moody. We reported on that portion of the meeting in a previous article. The ice storm had occurred during the day of the 12th. He announced that he was amending the agenda to include discussion of the storm and possible clean up.
They discussed the large amount of debris and questioned whether Great Lawns could handle it. McMillin mentioned their equipment, contract stipulation, felt it might take them more time, etc.
At one point he offered to try and call them during the meeting.
Garrison, Legal Chair, states that there are a number of considerations. Does the storm qualify under the governing documents? While it is a named storm, it is a storm named by the Weather Channel. He goes on to say that there's always a problem with people taking advantage of the clean up, begging the question as to where the board's responsibility ends? Additionally, getting the word out regarding clean up has always been a problem, resulting in complaints.
We need to put the article on pause for a minute. Garrison, as Legal Chair, has laid all the right cards on the table. He has provided proper guidance from a legal leadership stand point for the board to make their decision.
The discussion then goes in several directions. How would they begin to clear if they decide to move forward. Private lots come into the picture. Residents would be expected to bring their debris to the road side. DeMarchi asks whether they really want to start sending bills to private lot owners?
McBride reminds them that as long as property owners brought their debris to the side of the road, they were removed. He says there is a history of clean up after major storms. Garrison agrees but goes on to say people have always taken advantage.
They move to discussion that Great Lawns should be first considered, unless the board determines they are unable. Should they bid it? Should there be more than one pick up? What would be a reasonable figure to allocate? They discuss the land fill fees the vendor will incur for disposal of debris.
In the end a motion is made to allocate up to $8,000 for clean up and passes. DeMarchi mentions a contractor, S & W (unsure of initials). End of meeting.
THE FEB. 18 MEETING
The Grounds' Report includes the information about the clean up. The contractor is SW, and has been busy on a lot clearing for a new home. It is stated that there is a promise of much more work done on clean up in the next three days. The contractor is not using the Georgetown land fill, but the one in Conway, and in some cases is taking the debris to his own site. Someone on the board asks what is slowing them down? DeMarchi announces the clean up starts in the Enclave (Where he lives.) and that they are staging from that area. Both McMillin and McBride mentioned that they have tried to call, or visit the staging site. McMillin says he called them at 10:00AM and they weren't even on site yet. McBride says he visited the site at 2:00PM and no one was there. McMillin mentions something about residents putting non storm debris limbs, etc. out by the road for the clean up. He says something about not having a problem with it.
COMMENTS
First, the board should be complimented for moving quickly. Second, named storm, or not, this storm impacted the entire association and our ability to travel safely on our roads. They did the right thing when they determined we needed clean up. Our Legal Chair advised the board appropriately, and discussion brought the board to the correct decision. They announced clean up on the website and at the front gate.
It is often on the finer points of administration where this board falls down. No one reported as to the reason Great Lawns isn't the contractor. No one reported on how they determined who the contractor would be. Was there a bid process? The board appeared to make excuses, as to why the contractor hadn't started quickly. In a decision process, it would seem that previous commitments should have ruled this vendor out. These items could have been covered in the report on the 18th. While we aren't going to spend a lot of time on the history of our Treasurer & Compliance Chair coming first,(Remember, most of us were required to pay for our own drainage.) once again, he has an excuse as to why his area is first, and why we are contracting with a firm that he mentioned on the 12th.
Once again, the deviants are served. Those individuals who decide to take advantage of the situation, prune their yards of non storm debris and include it at our general expense, and some on the board state they don't care. Do a drive through Wedgefield and look at the debris. Yes, it is still there on the main avenues of travel for all residents, entering or leaving Wedgefield. During your drive by you might notice that one of the board members could easily look like they are numbered with the deviants. If you are going to provide extended service for those who you know you are going to allow to just take it, you should announce it ,and publish it so that everyone can take advantage. You would be violating the governing documents, but that doesn't appear to be a problem. Sometimes it is tough to be a board member and follow through consistently, legally, and fairly, but that is a prime responsibility of holding a board seat.
The board receives and A for start up and a D for information, contracting and implementation.
