As always, Grounds Chair, McMillin has a lengthy report. McMillin, begins with complementing his volunteer group with the fine job that they have done in the spring flower planting. He goes on to say that he feels that Wedgefield looks better, and more professional, than any place in the area (???????).
Next, he reports that there are problems with the irrigation system. It can be repaired for $260.00 + tax. A motion is made, and passed to approve up to $280.00. Additionally, he reports that he would like to purchase a control panel. There is a $1,000.00 in the budget for irrigation. Southern Lawns diagnosed the problem, and can install it. He says they are certified, and not just guessing, which may have been the case in the past. Since I attend most meetings, and heard him brag about the former crews' abilities, it could appear that when he is done with you, he'll work to destroy your reputation publicly. During the March meeting, when a board member presented a problem, he suggested that the board do to that vendor, what he did to Great Lawns, and someone on the board told him not to talk about it. Why, did his actions lack integrity?
He then moves on to discuss the storage area for mulch, soil, etc. During the March meeting he reported that he had been in conversation with Georgetown Water and Sewer, to use the area at the end of Governor Johnston road, for storage of bulk purchases of these items, which he says will save money in supplies. At that time, he said that it would only cost the association $l.00 a year, and that the utility company's attorneys would put together a contract. Now, he says that the company wants the WPA to pay the legal fees, associated with the contract development. I couldn't determine whether the utility had added a requirement for a gate, or not, but he says that he has checked with East Coast Fencing, and they have quoted him $300 for a gate, at the entrance of the area. He went to Tractor Supply, and for $150.00 and a couple of poles, the gate could be put in with volunteer labor. He also mentioned that a survey of the area had been requested. Next, he says since the condo administration group - the WVA, has the same grounds group, that they will benefit from this site for storage, and he feels they should pay half of all the start up costs. President Walton, said that the WVA is meeting on May 2nd, and he will bring it up. There is no motion made on this item at this time. This portion of McMillin's report begs for a few questions. First, in almost every new and great idea, he claims that we will be saving money, if only we do what he suggests. In many cases, as his plan develops we are informed that it will cost more, "but boy, it will be worth it." As in this case, we now have legal fees, gates, and maybe a survey expense, and now, he'll drag another group, the WVA into shared expense, if he can. Can't the grounds vendor buy in bulk? I forget myself, McMillin and his volunteers will do much of this work. How free is all this volunteer labor????? We'll see more expense later, as we move into the next section of his report. The other important question is, what is he doing to possible candidates for board? A boards key function is to govern, provide administrative oversight, - not do manual labor. Many on this board have taken this volunteer - we do it all, to half baked projects, poorly implemented projects, that cost us more, and violate common sense, fail to secure and maintain our concrete assets adequately, and ignore our governing documents. Will future candidates for the board be made to feel that they have to dig ditches, pound nails, etc., in order to serve?
McMillin states that THERE IS NO UPDATE ON THE GATEHOUSE. Surprise, surprise, it has only been two years in process, with violations to conflict of interest, health and safety, and the board members involved keep moving onto their next newest and greatest, without finishing what they started. How is all that volunteer construction working for all of us, on a major feature of entrance to our association? A few flowers don't hide the deterioration of this asset. Our president, Jacky Walton, is responsible for this mess. He failed to serve in his administrative role, when he violated the conflict of interest document HE SIGNED, and bid on the gate house fix, and everyone of the board who voted to award him the contract, violated their duties, and brought this much delayed project, to the mess it is.
His next topic, speed bumps, adds considerable length to his report. He says that he has researched the cost of adding speed bumps coming in, and going out of the front gate. He suggests 4 speed bumps at a cost of $305.00 each, for a total of $1,220.00. He says that it is dangerous for him, his volunteers, and the grounds vendor crew, to work in that area - something has to be done. There have been many complaints about the speeding in that area. He makes a motion to approve 4 speed bumps, for a total of $1220.00. THERE IS A LONG SILENCE. HIS FACE TURNS RED. HE LOOKS DOWN. Finally, Johnson seconds the motion. Garrison asks where the numerous complaints are, because they haven't come into the office. He says that if the only people complaining are landscape people working around there, that it is not legitimate. McMillin, says that he'll get the complaints. He says that he has almost been harmed working out by the gate house. That a silver car, leaving the stop sign area on the circle GOT TO 60-70 MILES PER HOUR, by the time they reached the gate house area. Garrison tells him that he can't track that speed. It could appear that McMillin turns to fabrication of fact, when he wants, what he wants. I wish, IF THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY that his statement is true, that he would have named the make and model of that silver car. I'd like to buy a car that can get from almost zero, to 60-70 miles per hour in that short distance, in that area! I'd love a car with that kind of performance! The discussion goes on about his plan. Garrison questions why we would inconvenience the majority, for a minority. Speculation then begins, as to what per cent of the population are violating - speeding. Someone says they think 30%, another thinks 60%. Another suggests that someone stand out there and count the offending cars. Someone suggests that cones be put out when volunteers, or the landscape vendor is working in the area. Someone else jokingly suggests filling the cones with cement. McMillin, waves his hand in the air, and withdraws the motion until next month.
At the end of the meeting, during resident comments, a resident asks if they had considered wearing fluorescent vests, like road crews do? It appeared to be shoved aside by McMillin, and there was more ridiculous discussion from the board table.
You have to attend the meetings regularly to get the real flavor of how each of these board members react to discussion. For instance, if you had been at this board meeting, you would have admired Garrison's bringing the discussion back to reality. He questions the facts of McMillin's statements of numerous complaints. Great, if you recall, in the last year, or so, DeMarchi wanted speed bumps, with claims of numerous complaints, yet on examination of the correspondence file, like this time, there were none. I respect what Garrison says in the moment of controversy, but having followed him overtime, he doesn't vote the way that he speaks in those moments. What do I mean? Remember the Water Amenities fiasco? Garrison said that he did not want the old dock to end up in our back yard - the canals. The committee pulled it into the canals and left it there for months. Each month, when the Water Amenities report was given, Chair, John Walton failed to report on that aspect. When J. Walton was asked from the board table, by the ONLY board member who would dare to question at the time, Garrison would jump in again with what he wouldn't have, etc. In the end the whole event was a miscarriage of any kind of sound governance, and Chair Walton, and his crew did what they wanted. Garrison did the same thing with changes to the burning policy THAT YES AGAIN, McMillin, proposed months ago. Garrison told me himself, that it would not be approved, at second reading. Like the dock, he initially said the right thing, let it SIT for months, and came back and offered pretty much the same thing, through his select committee (surprise, surprise -NOT), and it passed!
We have to consider putting speed bumps in for volunteers now? Wait, McMillin did mention the safety of the grounds vendor. Why don't they do what the previous grounds vendor did for years? They came with their own signs, posted outside and inside the gate, and didn't seek an academy award for their drama!
NEXT: THE COMPLIANCE REPORT
