Theresa Lucas, a representative of Alabama Utilities Service (AUS) introduced herself to the board and property owners in attendance at the December board meeting. The group has acquired a permit to build a sewerage treatment plant at the north end of County Road 91. One of the principals, Lucas said the new plant would have a treatment capacity of one million gallons per day in a state-of-the-art facility. She said Baldwin County Sewer Service (BCSS) that now serves Spanish Cove has a 250,000 gallons per day license.
AUS is looking at the feasibility to bring lines to Spanish Cove. It is seven miles from the proposed plant to the area and would have a high cost, but Lucas said once the cost was established, they could hold the rate for a number of years. She said the goal of the new facility is to eliminate pollution of waterways.
Chris Matthews is the General Manager of AUS and has many years experience in wastewater treatment, Lucas said.
The plan could only succeed if enough property owners would agree to connect to the new lines. She said this plan would not eliminate the current plant operated by BCSS.
AUS operates seven facilities in the state including three in St. Clair County, two for the Department of Corrections and two in Jefferson County. A future meeting for property owners will be held to ask questions. Meanwhile, property owners may contact Lucas at tlucas@lucaseng.com.
New Budget
Good news was delivered as Director Junkins reported the proposed budget offers no increase in assessments for Fiscal Year 2010-2011. If approved, the assessments will remain at $52 per month. He told board members a change was made to a cost-based budget to allow them to see what specific items cost, such as the clubhouses, maintenance and the pool. The board will discuss the budget at the January meeting and a special Budget Hearing will be scheduled after that.
LH Contiguous Lot Proposal
A proposal to increase the size of dwellings on contiguous lots in Land Harbor was passed unanimously and will be sent to the Nominations and Elections Committee to include the ballot in the Annual Meeting voting in March.
If approved by at least 20% of property owners, the amendment to the Covenants would allow dwellings up to 1,250 square feet on contiguous lots, not including porches, decks, patios, carports and garages. The main dwelling footprint must fall across at least one lot line separating the contiguous lots.
In addition, sufficient parking space must be reserved to park all planned vehicles including RVs, boats with trailers and utility trailers in compliance with POASC parking restrictions.
This amendment will further define rules for conventional (site-built) and modular homes in Land Harbor. The new language defines “livable area”. The proposal offers modestly increased dwelling size for property owners that may be considering placing a dwelling on contiguous lots, said Rules Committee Chairman Dick Junkins. “Livable area” is defined as a heated and cooled area exclusive of porches, decks, patios, carports and garages.
Pro-Active Neighborhood Watch Proposed
Security Supervisor Ron Hafer reported a new pro-active Neighborhood Watch is being proposed. He said volunteers would be staged at various points in the Cove during the night. They would volunteer for short or long shifts between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Property owners will be asked to volunteer their driveways for the volunteers to park so they may observe nighttime activity on the streets. He and the Operations Manager are investigating the purchase of night-vision motion-sensor cameras for use in the project.
He suggest that property owners call Riviera Utilities to have a street light installed at their property for safety. Cost is $20 for installation and $4.60 per month for power cost. He said in some areas neighbors are splitting the cost for the security lighting.
New Furniture
Board members approved a total of more than $11,000 for pool and RV clubhouse furniture. The pool furniture will cost $5,904.36 including shipping and tax. The purchase includes seven lounges and tables and 28 chairs. They will be purchased from Suncoast Outdoor Furniture. All tables and chairs will be replaced. The lounges will replace some that are not in good condition. Umbrellas are not included, as the current ones in use can be used.
The RV Clubhouse will get 14 chairs with arms and 14 without, four 42-inch diameter tables with laminated tops and a bulletin board from Alfax Wholesale Furniture. In addition, an end table, lamp and two high-backed side chairs will also be purchased locally. The total for the RV Clubhouse furnishings is $5,224.65.
Treasurer Resigns
Director Ben Bonnet resigned as Treasurer, but will stay on the board in another capacity until the end of his term in 2012. Director Dick Junkins as Assistant Treasurer will take over the Treasurer’s duties until the end of the fiscal year on March 31, 2010.
Vice Chairman Sue Huff who chaired the meeting due to the absence of the chairman, read a letter from Spanish Cove Attorney Daniel H. Craven. The letter says that he has advised the board not to discuss details regarding actions by former employees. He said, “The board and the Association take the position that no wrongdoing has occurred and that it will not be pursuing these matters further.”
He said the board’s cooperation with the Concerned Property Owners Committee (CPOC) by making its books and records available is consistent with its “open book” policy.
Director Huff said although Alabama is an “at will” state and no reason is required in terminating an employee, once you begin saying why a person was fired, you make yourself and the association vulnerable to lawsuits. By following the attorney’s advice, the board keeps itself safe from litigation.
Kudos for CPOC
Director Pinkerton in a statement said CPOC “provided a great service for the Property Owners of Spanish Cove.” He said they worked as a team gathering important information, compiling it and spending their own money to distribute it to residents. He asked the members of the committee who were present to stand and the audience showed appreciation by their applause.
Manager Report
Operations Manager Butch Price said bids were opened for the items listed previously. The winning bids on the iPhones were $110 and $75 and the refrigerator went for $26.51. No bids were received on Lot 636, the truck or the microwave. The board and the manager will decided on how to proceed with these items.
The Manager apologized for disseminating misinformation, using the term Forensic Accountant instead of Certified Public Accountant.
Nine letters were sent to property owners to clean up their property or bring them into compliance of setbacks. Twelve permits were issued and 30 maintenance work orders were completed.
Committee Reports
Activities Committee:
· “Un-decorating”-Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 6 and 7. Volunteers needed.
· Cabaret Night-6:30 p.m., includes a performance of show tunes, popular music and oldies by Fred Land. Cost $6 per person. BYOB. Finger food provided by the committee. Sign up at Activities Office by Jan. 25.
· Chili Cook-Off and Bonfire-Feb. 20
· Craft Show-March 20
· Showcase of Talent, 2 p.m. March 7. Not a talent show, just a showcase. Register at the Activities Office.
· Cove-wide Yard Sale-April 10. $5 fee, some spaces available in the Cove Clubhouse parking lot.
· The Activities Committee checking account will be transferred from United Bank to BB&T due to a charge assessed at United Bank.
Administrative Committee
The Committee is working on Operating Procedures Section 7.3 Hiring an Operations Manager and will begin work on an application that will be given to the final candidates to submit.
Communications Committee
Director Sharon Bemis said the committee is working on procedures and a purchase order draft. She said she feels it is imperative to come up with something in light of what has happened. Operations Manager Price said the office is already using purchase orders and would provide her with a copy.
PDM Committee
Director Jimmy Young said repairs are being done with no outside contractors. Exit lights at the Cove Clubhouse have been repaired, the steps at the office are being fitted with slip-resistant strips and the fire hydrants have been painted. He said the committee voted to do away with contractor fees that are being charged that are unnecessary.
Roads and Drainage
Director Tom Pinkerton said a drainage ditch on Pine Ridge Drive needs some work because it is diverting water to the adjoining property instead of going into the creek. The maintenance crew can remove some blockage. The Operations Manager will solicit bids from contractors to finish the job.
Rules Committee
Director Dick Junkins said the proposal to change the rules regarding use of the clubhouses has gone back to the drawing board, due to responses from property owners and reconsideration by some committee members.
The motion last month was that “POASC discontinue all rentals of the Cove Clubhouses, not to include reservations made for Cove-sponsored activities. A list of Cove-sponsored activities will be maintained by the Activities Coordinator as approved by the Operations Manager. This change to be effective January 1, 2010”.
The committee unanimously agreed that rentals by non-property owners should be prohibited. The Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Bylaws concur.
“Clubhouses may be used only by Spanish Cove Members in good standing. A schedule of user fees and deposits to provide for clean-up costs and/or cover inordinate wear will be posted and a contract shall be filled out prior to use. This may be accomplished at the activities office at the Cove Club. Use of either Clubhouse shall be restricted to activities sponsored and attended by the Association Member seeking its use.”
However the current Operating Procedures allow rentals to outside organizations under the “Special Use” provisions.
“Special Use is defined by party or parties, private clubs or organizations not necessarily directly and principally related or associated with Spanish Cove or POASC.”
The committee also agreed that the Activities Committee should have priority in reserving the clubhouses for Cove-wide events.
“Activities may be scheduled by the activities Committee at any time; property owners may schedule activities within a five month window.”
The Activities Committee Chairman and Activities Coordinator have been invited to the next meeting of the Rules committee at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13. Discussion will continue on the subject.
Safety Committee
Director De Dickey postponed discussion on the committee’s proposal to spend more than $900 on “No Outlet” signs and posts for the 17 cul de sacs in the Cove. She reported that Jimmy Young would replace Dick Junkins as Vice Chairman of the committee.
The night security crew has submitted an extensive report on dark areas where streetlights would be beneficial. The remaining 13 lights that were approved previously will be installed.
Residents are asked to call Security if vendors are seen blocking streets without the use of cones.
The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 14 in Working Session. The next Regular Session of the board will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21.
Tags: Board, Budget, Committees
I remember being surprised to learn that BCSS not only treats local sewage at their SC plant but also waste from outlying BC areas. Perhaps the proposed AUS facility will do the same. Will their planned discharge point be (somewhere) on Perdido Bay…as it is with BCSS?
Jim, Is that Northern or Southern Brit?
Here’s something for those planning on traveling to Pensacola to do some post Christmas shopping without their hometown water bottle…they don’t recommend it @ http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/home (scroll down for results)
Dave-Learning “Bloody” and “Bugger-off” will enhance your image.
Hey Dave, since you were exported from New York to Alabama, I think that maybe you should be required to speak Southern. I have no problem understanding the English of the ‘Brits’.
The activities at BCSS have always sort of interested me since they’re typically at 3+ times their authorized capacity of 250,000 gallons (a day) in a residential area (Spanish Cove), but when it’s said, “AUS is looking at the feasibility to bring lines to Spanish Cove,” would it be more accurate to say they’re looking to bring lines through Spanish Cove as a potential discharge point?
Sometimes I feel like it Ben but watch what you say since maybe you’ll be first in and first out?
PS) My Sanderling included a trailer….with wheels.
Good point about sailboats Ben. If you pick the right one, they surely can appreciate. I purchased an old ‘87 Marshall Sanderling (www.marshallcat.com) back in ’04 for $5000, spent a few years repairing it and ended up selling in ’07 to Henry Barnet over in Emmanuel Heights for $13,500. I guess I probably spent about $3,000 on the project. As far Spanish Cove goes, any appreciation/depreciation in Land Harbor probably involves another dimension if you consider its relation to other sections (i.e., Bayside, Perdido Pines etc…).
Darn folks…..I would appreciate your depreciating in American. We should require all the bloomin Brits learn to speak real American, like that spoken in NYC before they are exported here. Oh yes, and them from “The French Colonies” and other near-by locals must learn real American too.
Sandra says:
December 30, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Do residents appreciate, depreciate?
Some say the older you get the more you appreciate life?
True for me but, since I’m ageing [British way of spelling aging] I’m nearing the end of my useful life
Reminds me of a Birthday Card my 14 year old gave me last year. He wrote…..Happy 50th Birthday Dad, you only have 50 more years to go.
Had to look it up! Here’s the whole thing – and a few more. Thanks, Sandra
Lang may yer lum reek! (Long may your chimney smoke!)
Wi’ ither folks coal! (With other people’s coal!)
(The second line is said to have originated in Edinburgh!)
May we be happy – and our enemies know it!
A guid New Year and mony may ye see.
May ye ne’er want a frien’ or a dram to gie him.
When we’re gaun up the hill of fortune, may we ne’er meet a frien’ comin’ doun!
LOL, may your chimney smoke with other people’s coal or, as they say in Scotland, “Lang May Yir Lum Reek”
You must be using the “double declining balance ” method?
Do residents appreciate, depreciate?
Some say the older you get the more you appreciate life?
True for me but, since I’m ageing [British way of spelling aging] I’m nearing the end of my useful life
And, boats with motors, sometimes a sailboat MAY appreciate depending upon the materials its made of?
Well, Jim, it depreciates just like a car depreciates (or a Park Model or any Manufactured Home that used to have wheels). Have wheels…will depreciate!
Dick, I don’t see how an RV can depreciate simply by being parked on a lot in Land Harbor. There vertually no connection between lot an structure. Have wheels…will travel.
Mellie, can you please explain how the ambiance of living in a RV park will be ruined by allowing a 250 sq ft larger home than is currently permitted. What is your perceived difference between a conventionally built. or modular home, than park models and double wides. There is nothing in the to be voted on amendment other than allowing an addition 250 square feet of living space where there are two contiguous and the property line is crossed.
I find it neither imprudent nor sad, and I fail to see how placing a well-constructed, mortgageable, insurable and potentially appreciable home in Land Harbor can negatively affect the value of homes and properties that are continually depreciating, difficult to insure and hard to find mortgages for.
I’m wondering whether you realize that site-built homes are ALREADY authorized for Land Harbor. That change was spproved by a very large majority of property owners who approved the change in September oif this year. All this latest proposed change does is allow those who wish to use two or more lots to place a slightly larger home on those lots. I doubt that dues will be affected, as those who currently own adjacent lots are probably paying only one assessment now anyway.
And finally, I haven’t “decided” that people in Land Harbor shouldn’t care about the value of their home and lot. In fact, those who do care may well opt for a site-built or modular home, with a view toward the future. At least they’ll have the opportunity to decide for themselves!
I find it imprudent that as an appointed member of the Board, you have aligned yourself with retirees and have decided that the residents living in Land Harbor shouldn’t care about the value of their home and lot. By making the decision of having stick built houses allowed in Land
Harbor, the marketability and value of all lots will be negatively impacted. By combining 2 lots into one, HOA dues received from Land Harbor will also be lost and the ambience of residing in a RV Park will be destroyed. That’s very sad.
More will be posted here, in the Update and maybe at the Spanish Cove website about the upcoming vote regarding the newest changes to the Covenants for site-built homes. I also expect that a Town Hall meeting will be scheduled some time in February to answer any remaining questions or concerns.
Two things were brought up at the Board meeting reported here that I think deserve a response. Those subjects will be addressed in other forums as well:
1. Some appear to believe that allowing dwellings other than RVs in Land Harbor will eventually result in pushing RVs out entirely. If that ever does happen, it will be because of the choices made by property owners regarding the use of their lots; not by any action taken by POASC. Land Harbor is zoned for RVs. That zoning also allows other types of structures. Non-RV dwellings have been allowed in Land Harbor for many years, and I’m pleased to say that many RVs are still there! And more are welcome! As I’ve written in the past, the eclectic mix of RVs, Park Models with and without extensions, Manufactured Homes and now Site Built or Modular Homes is attractive and contributes to the “vacation” atmosphere of Land Harbor
2. A comment was made that putting a site-built home in Land Harbor is a bad decision because the appraisal value would not equal the cost of the dwelling. While that may be true initially, since appraisals are based on “comparable” sales in the same area, over time those values will improve. Furthermore, everything currently placed in Land Harbor depreciates – and pretty significantly – from RVs to Park Models to Manufactured Homes. Site-Built and Modular Homes at least have the ability to appreciate in value. Also, some of us – retirees mostly – don’t care all that much about or home’s value after we’re gone. We didn’t necessarily buy or build with investment in mind, so the appraisal issue is less important for some of us (I include myself in that group). I might not advise a young family to look at Land Harbor as a place to buy or build with the idea of selling in a few years anyway. The other sections of the Cove might be better suited to that.
More to come. Watch the Update and this site for additional info
ooops…construction density.
Is it to early to urge everyone to make sure they vote either by proxy or by attending the annual meeting? The Rules committee spent many long meetings reviewing this matter and the related one which recently passed. This amendment does two things. It defines what is livable area as heated and cooled area bringing the Land Harbor definition in line with the rest of The Cove. The 2nd thing it does is permit construction of homes (Mobile Homes, Modular Homes, and Convention Construction Homes) of up to 1250 square feet on two connecting lots with the proviso that the footprint of the building (Living Area) crosses at least 1 property line. This restriction will eliminate the possiblity of future sale of the 2nd lot. Overall the larger size building makes conventional mortgage financing more available. (For some reason it is difficult if not impossible to get a conventional mortgage on any mobile home of 1000 square feet, or less) and will decrease
Sally, is that 2009 or 2010, or…… oh never mind. But I do suggest we find a way to use the rubber end of pencils on here. I could sure use that help.
Never mind, Dave. I misread Section 10.03 B. Hey, it’s my first mistake this year!
The Covenants read…….Section 13.02 Resolution An amendment may be proposed by either a two-thirds (2/3) vote of
the Board of Directors or by eligible Members holding twenty percent (20%) of the total votes
entitled to be cast by Members of POASC. A resolution certifying the adoption of a proposed
amendment by an affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by eligible
Members of POASC must be passed by the Board of Directors.
In 2001-2002, 2 amendments were passed concerning permitting only new units in Land Harbor and the Pines. The requirements were 20% of the members voting (for a quorum) and a positive vote by 2/3 of those voting. I remember this all to well as these changes were my suggestions and the vote was very very close. I think that you are thinking of the requirement to get something on the ballot.
Dave, I think if you’ll recheck, the voting on an amendment requires a vote of 2/3 of the board and an affirmative vote of at least 20% of the votes entitled to be cast.
My apologies to Jimmy Young. I forgot to mention that two lights on poles are being installed at the POASC office.
Sally, just a minor correction to your report on the Land Harbor Contiguous Lot Vote. It has to pass by a 2/3 majority with a minimum of 20% of the membership voting.