MINUTES

ANNUAL MEETING OF HOMEOWNERS

JANUARY 24, 2009

BETHANY BEACH TOWN HALL

 

    All current Board members were present:

    President Nancy Moley opened the meeting and commended the Board members for their service and thanked outgoing member Jim Forssythe. Vice President Joe Mutschler spoke about the need for homeowner volunteers, and any volunteer time, no matter how limited, is appreciated and works to reduce community operational costs.

    The president summarized projects completed in the last budget: tennis court resurface; new entrance lighting; start of Double Bridges project; pool house roof repair. She pointed out that the new budget will show renewal of the environmental (pond) contract at a lower cost in 2009, with landscaping costs stable and trash collection slighly higher. But she feels a $50 increase in annual assessments is necessary to keep the association financially strong.

    The 2009 budget was presented by the treasurer, Fran Lynch. She stated that the $50 increase was recommended by the Board, not as a way to fund any 2009 projects, but to guard against any impact from the larger economic situation.. She said that there are three homeowners now in arrears, one a bankruptcy, and she is concerned that this problem could spread. She is budgetting for the first time for bad debts from homeowners.

   There was an open discussion of the fence at Bethany Breeze, which is to be part of the 2009 budget. The Board has approved the installation of the fence but was willing to listen to homeowner displeasure with the idea. Several homeowers questioned whether the Board had received proper governmental/utility approval for the project. The Board agreed to look further into "right of way" authority and held a non-binding vote on the fence. The vote was 20 against , and 19 for the fence.

    The Vice President asked for any other nominations for the Board and as there were none, all three canidates were elected to the three vacant positions by acclamation. The new members will be Deb Bogossian, Nancy Moley and Crystal Lingenfelter.

    The ballots were counted for the purpose of approving the budget. The budget passed by a vote of 53 to 16.

 OLD BUSINESS: Committee Reports

ARCHITECTURE: A reminder to keep units in good maintenance and repair

DRAINAGE: Newport Village project to begin in spring. Also removal of wooden curbing in Half Moon Bay.

POOL: Pump room project to begin.

ROADS: Spring check will reveal whether work will be done this year on Anna Maria, East Hampton, Naples intersection and repair of speed bumps. Up to $40,000.

POOL WATCHER WATCHERS:There will be four coordinators this year. Pool watcher sign up day is May 16, 2009 at 1 PM. Pool watchers will be credited $20 toward 2010 assessment for each four hour shift. Up to 13 shifts.

NEW BUSINESS

     The vice president opened the discussion up to By Law Article V, Section 4 which states "No director shall receive compensation for any service he may render to the Association'. He felt this was unfair in not allowing directors to be compensated for pool watching or cleaning duties.

   He asked if the By Laws could be changed. They were read. Article XV, Section 1 states:  "These Bylaws may be amended, at a regular or special meeting of the members, by a  vote of the majority of a quorum of members present in person or by proxy".

   Article X, Section 4 states : a quorum .."the presence ...of..one tenth of the votes..".

   It was noted that a quorum is 20 members and 51 were in attendance. Therefore the meeting included a quorum.

  The vice-president moved that  Aricle V, Section 4 should be rewritten to add " as a member of the Board ".

  A discussion erupted in which some homeowners expressed displeasure with the By Law change not being on the agenda. However, the motion was passed  and the By Law was changed, by a majority voice vote.

  A group of homeowners will convene to discuss and review the By Laws and ascertain whether previous changes have been recorded.

  ALSO: Homeowner and real estate agent Janet Parham spoke about a new Delaware Law which will require a ReSale Certificate for any condo unit which is sold. As the HOA will need to provide some of the information for this form, it will charge a fee of $150 . It was suggested that any homeower putting a unit on the real esate market, contact the HOA early in the process to begin completing the form.

MEETING ADJOURNED.