Gem Lakes Recreation Association Board of Directors

July 9, 2005 Meeting Minutes

The Gem Lakes Recreation Association Board of Directors met on the morning of Saturday, July 9, 8:10 a.m. at the Pavilion.

Present:

Buddy Brinkley, Gary Bunker, John Kilgo, Gary Marozas, Dennis Saylor, Ed Seufert, and Johnny Spears.

Minutes:

The minutes from the May board meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report:

Ed Seufert presented the monthly financial statement. In June, there was income of $15,492 vs. $12,128 of expenditures. It was commented that the “kinder, gentler” back dues notices were effective. Major expenditures in July included $3,549 for security services (half a year) and $2,935 for liability insurance (also a periodic expense).

Seufert and Dennis Saylor met with our bookkeeper, Evelyn Miano, to discuss her job tasks. It was noted that she is very effective in many of her duties, including extensive record keeping, and that she quit billing the GLRA for certain expenses after her salary was increased in 2003. Seufert discussed plans to get her set up with Quick Books. Buddy Brinkley reminded the board that they must still obtain competitive quotes for the work scope per the commitment made at the GLRA Annual Meeting in April.

Seufert discussed his plans to switch our accounts to Regions Bank, as there will be no transaction fees associated with an account set up there. Checks, however, will still need to be bought.

Manager’s Report:

Johnny Spears reported that the swimming lake is currently closed due to a high count as determined by Microbac. Additional testing is underway and hopefully it will be reopened early next week. If the counts continue to rise, the board discussed bringing in DHEC to help determine the source of the problem. On the positive side, attendance at the lake is estimated to be up this year at approximately 50 residents and guests per day. Instructions have been issued to the lifeguards to be more diligent about recording the names of those using the lake. The swimming lessons have also gone well so far this summer, with a second class for beginners underway.

Vandalism continues to be a problem, with locks broken around the tennis courts and feces smeared on the doorknobs of the rest rooms. Security has been notified about these incidents.

The board authorized Johnny Spears to spend up to $1,000 with Bentley’s Plumbing and Electrical to repair the water pump and to obtain a quote for lights (preferably motion sensitive) above the rest room doors. In addition, $400 was authorized to repair the electrical box, but there was a further stipulation that at least two quotes must be received if the estimate is above $300.

Updates and Status Reports:

Memorial Day Picnic –Brinkley suggested that more ribs would be needed next year, but that additional tweaking should be avoided. It was also suggested that the wine supply be cut back and better control be exercised over who consumes the beer. Sign-in issues were noted, including preventing non-residents, outside of those who are guests of residents, from attending. (One suggestion was to send each non-resident a dues invoice.) There were many favorable comments regarding the inflatable water slide. The board will also add patriotic music at next year’s picnic.

Pond Management – John Kilgo reported that the dumping of fertilizer in the lower pond hasn’t yet had an effect, primarily because of the recent heavy rains that have driven most of the fertilizer downstream. On the other hand, there has been no increase in the weeds. Kilgo suggested that the installation of a plate on the drain could help solve this problem. The contamination in the swimming lake was also discussed again, and Spears noted that the sewer company was working on Lakeside last week. Saylor discussed the possibility that the water main rupture on Savannah may have played a role. If the high counts continue, the board will turn to DHEC for assistance.

Other Old Business:

Seufert passed out forms for the officers to sign removing them from the Liberty Mutual workman’s compensation insurance. No progress was reported in contacting our insurance agent regarding GLRA-owned boats on the swimming lake. Calls have been made, but none returned.

New Business:

1. The date for the Oktoberfest was set on October 22, with a fallback date of October 29. Seufert will check with the band for their availability on those dates. The fall cleanup date was tentatively set for October 15, which is between the end of the season on October 1 and the Oktoberfest.

2. The board decided to set up a “links” page on the GLRA website to promote businesses owned by Gem Lakes residents.

3. The board voted $60 to Gary Marozas for website related expenses.

4. A fall was reported on the steps leading from Springwood to the swimming lake dam. Spears has had the steps raked and sweeped. The board decided to inspect the steps after the meeting.

5. Kilgo discussed the importance of leaving some of the dead trees in the woods alone because of their importance as a wildlife habitat.

6. The board requested that Marozas add the current closure of the swimming lake to the website.

7. The board discussed making July 4^th an additional GLRA sponsored function. Liability issues associated with fireworks were brought up. It was decided that such an addition event would have to be approved at next April’s annual meeting.

Next Meeting:

The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 13, 8 a.m. at the Pavilion.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.

Note: After the meeting the board members inspected the steps leading from Springwood to the swimming lake dam. No decisions were made at this time regarding repairs or replacements.