2011 Annual Meeting

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="04b785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Twin Lakes Home Association</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Twin Lakes Home Association"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="archived_newsletters.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Archived Newsletters">Archived Newsletters</A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar of Events">Calendar of Events</A>   |   <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Work Wanted">Work Wanted</A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors">Board of Directors</A>   |   <B>2011 Annual Meeting</B>   |   <A HREF="id146.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Budget">Budget</A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Letter to New Residents">Letter to New Residents</A>   |   <A HREF="id147.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Donation form">Donation form</A>   |   <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Architectural Control Form">Architectural Control Form</A>   |   <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Covenants">Covenants</A>   |   <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="By Laws">By Laws</A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Important Numbers">Important Numbers</A>   |   <A HREF="shelter_reservations.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shelter Reservations">Shelter Reservations</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>2011 Annual Meeting</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> TO:          TLHA Members</div> <bR> <div> FROM:    Sue Law, Secretary/Treasurer</div> <bR> <div> DATE:        June 9, 2011</div> <bR> <div> RE:        Minutes of Annual Meeting held June 8</div> <bR> <div> The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.</div> <bR> <div> Vice-President Shane Overby welcomed members present and introduced those Board Members present:  Brian Rhodes, Sue Law, Cathy Ricca, Kim Overby, and Tom Dacar.</div> <bR> <div> Vice-President Overby welcomed guests in attendance and introduced State Representative Raymond Poe.  Representative Poe said that it has been a pleasure serving us, but after 18 years, he has been redistricted out of this area.  In the future we will be represented by Representative Rich Brauer and Senator Bill Brady.</div> <bR> <div> Representative Poe went on to talk about work on Dirksen Parkway from North Grand to Clearlake scheduled to begin this summer.  Those plans are still in the budget, but the house could possibly delay that work due to budget restraints.  Representative Poe said that changes to State health care plan have resulted in the most calls and petitions ever seen by his office.  He doesn’t think money will be saved by changing plans.  The Governor says about $100 million will be saved, but that is out of anticipated growth.  The big discussion going on right now is pension restructure.  Representative Poe does not think this should be done on the back of State employees currently retired, who based their retirement plans on current structure. In response to question from Member Jim Percy, Representative Poe said that he thinks the odds of changing the redistricting are slim.</div> <bR> <div> Vice-President Shane Overby introduced Alderman Frank Lesko, who thanked us for reelection.  Alderman Lesko introduced Police Chief Robert Williams, Fire Chief Ken Fustin and Public Works Director Mark Mahoney, thanking them for accompanying him to answer our questions.  Alderman Lesko stated that they’re still dealing with some issues at Menards and that they are cooperating with them somewhat.  Public Works Director Mark Mahoney is now investigating some legal issues with Menards that may result in more City involvement.</div> <bR> <div> In response to Member Jim Lenhart’s complaint about Menards employees loud music, Police Chief Robert Williams talked about the Neighborhood Police Officer program.  Mr. Lenhart was directed to call our NPO Bob Oglesby.  Chief Williams introduced Officer Oglesby, who provided his telephone number 741-0979.  He was accompanied by partner, Officer Ryan Irwin, telephone number 741-0981.  Officer Oglesby stated that he had received no calls from Twin Lakes residents regarding Menards.</div> <bR> <div> Member Dave Cawley stepped up to say that he feels Menards have been good neighbors.  </div> <bR> <div> Alderman Frank Lesko stated that we are fortunate to have two fire stations that he fought to keep open.  Alderman Lesko introduced new Fire Chief Ken Fustin.  Fire Chief Fustin has requested a needs analysis to make certain they’re best serving Springfield.  He talked about some financial difficulty keeping open the fire station at the Fairgrounds.  There have been preliminary studies indicating the need for a fire station near “Information Corner” at Dirksen Parkway & Peoria Rd.  Chief Fustin requested we call his office at 788-8467 if service is not what we expect.  He also provided his cell number 303-9538.</div> <bR> <div> Member Evelyn White mentioned that she took her grandchildren to the fire station and was impressed with the reception and response from firemen on duty.</div> <bR> <div> Alderman Frank Lesko talked about branch pickup and snow removal, then introduced new Public Works Director Mark Mahoney.  Director Mahoney stated that we are very fortunate to have Alderman Lesko, that he fights very hard for services in our area.  </div> <bR> <div> Director Mahoney stated that manpower is down but they’re looking at quality and efficiency to provide the best possible service with resources available.  With regard to snow removal, they are looking at changing some routes to save fuel costs and time.  Director Mahoney requested we call his office at 789-2255 for service from Public Works.  In response to question from Secretary/Treasurer Sue Law, Director Mahoney admitted that his office is also responsible for tall grass.  Secretary/Treasurer Sue Law inquired about recurring potholes where Twin Lakes Dr. exits onto Mayden.  She says that when repaired it is very temporary and asked if something could be done to make repairs more permanent.  Director Mahoney and Alderman Lesko are currently attempting to address that problem.</div> <bR> <div> Member Louise Stuenkel inquired if something could be done about parking on both sides of Lakeshire adjacent to playground, as it keeps snow plows from getting through.  Board Member Kim Overby stated that when she was NPO, she tried to get it a no parking area as it’s a safety issue for children at playground, but was told that traffic studies didn’t support that.  </div> <bR> <div> Member April Poole stated that she’s having trouble with people driving across her yard.  She asked if there is a setback requirement for large landscape boulder.  None present were aware of any such requirement.</div> <bR> <div> Secretary/Treasurer Sue Law thanked Director Mahoney for making concrete available for us to use as rip rap on our shorelines.  It has been of tremendous help in reducing erosion.</div> <bR> <div> In response to question/complaint from Member Karen Gontarek, Alderman Lesko talked about big problem of bank foreclosures and admission of ownership.  They have trouble getting banks and former owners to care for vacated properties.</div> <bR> <div> Alderman Lesko said that he works very hard every day to keep City services going.  He believes they must make the best of available budget just like each household.  He requested that if you need him to call 691-6337 or email to frank.lesko@gmail.com. </div> <bR> <div> Vice-President Shane Overby reviewed the Treasurer’s Report for the previous fiscal year, which had been distributed to those present.  He stated that the current checking account balance is $33,449.70, and of that $5,170.31 constitutes the Fireworks Fund.  He stated that the exceptionally high recreation expense this year was for break-up and placement of concrete for rip rap and dredging of silt pond at south end of south lake.  He also reviewed the proposed budget for 2011-2012.</div> <bR> <div> Vice-President Overby talked about the need to renew waste hauling contract, and asked those present if they would like recycling included in our waste hauling contract.  An overwhelming majority of those present would like recycling included.  He also stated that if you wish to recycle, sorting of recyclable materials is no longer needed.  In response to question from Member Karen Gontarek, Secretary/Treasurer Sue Law stated that anyone currently paying for individual recycling would no longer be billed, but would be included in current dues amount.  Vice-President Overby advised those present that there would be an opportunity to provide feedback regarding recycling in the next newsletter.  In response to question from Member Bill Vesely, Secretary/Treasurer Sue Law stated that there are not enough members present to constitute a quorum and take a vote to include recycling.  Once all members have an opportunity to indicate a choice, the Board will be able to make a decision.</div> <bR> <div> In response to question from Member Angela Keller, Secretary/Treasurer Sue Law stated that Office Expense includes postage, paper, envelopes, statements, computer, printer, ink and copier lease.  Angela asked about electronic newsletter delivery.  Sue Law stated that past feedback has indicated a desire for printed newsletter, but that anyone who did not wish a newsletter should contact her to be removed from the mailing list.  Tom Dacar noted that a stipend is also provided to the Secretary/Treasurer for her home expenses and time, much less than minimum wage.  Tom stated that if no one is willing to continue these tasks when Sue leaves, we may have to pay much more to hire it done.  Sue stated that she uses her personal computer and several costly software programs for newsletter preparation and web site maintenance that do not belong to Twin Lakes, noting that they may need to be purchased when she exits the office as planned in 2012.</div> <bR> <div> Member Bill Vesely inquired about a ceiling for the south shelter to reduce bird problem, similar to that in the east shelter.  Vice-President Shane Overby stated that the Board has been working on that problem, currently planning to install bird spikes to reduce the problem.  Sue Law stated that the south shelter is constructed differently, and that wiring & lighting is in the rafters, requiring additional work if a ceiling is to be placed there.  The Board is currently attempting to address that problem.</div> <bR> <div> Member Bill Vesely also asked about weeds at south playground.  Tom Dacar stated that he will spray it again, noting that additional gravel is still needed for this playground.  Vice-President Shane Overby noted that we have requested Roy King to complete playground work to reduce weed problem.</div> <bR> <div> In response to Member question, Secretary/Treasurer Sue Law stated that Professional Expense consists of Accountant and Attorney expenses.  She also noted that our By-Laws require regular professional accounting.</div> <div> Member Angela Keller inquired about the tennis courts and the small footbridge nearby that is missing steps.  Vice-President Shane Overby stated that estimates to repair tennis courts start at $40,000, well beyond our means.  A lengthy discussion ensued, including different options such as a basketball court or a playground.  Vice-President Overby pointed out that it would be difficult to maintain because it’s not easily visible or accessible.  There will be significant expense involved in just removing the fence and existing surface.  One Member asked if fundraisers could be held to raise money specifically for that purpose, similar to our Fireworks Fund.  Vice-President Shane Overby said that he would be happy if someone would like to take that on, or even volunteer to get involved.  He stated that the Board has been attempting to address this problem for several years.</div> <bR> <div> Member Karen Gontarek inquired about length of time one could have a pool without fencing.  Vice-President Overby noted that those are City zoning requirements, and he suggested she call the City to inquire.</div> <bR> <div> Vice-President Shane Overby opened the floor to nominations for five seats on the Board of Directors, which includes the 3 terms expiring this year, one 1-year term to fill position vacated by Joe Burgess and one 2-year term to fill position vacated by Dino Carlino.  Nominated were Shane Overby, Kim Overby, Tom Dacar, Bill Vesely, Nila Riggs and April Poole.  The nominations were closed.</div> <bR> <div> Vice-President Shane Overby thanked Members for attending and requested that each Member remember to vote before leaving.</div> <bR> <div> The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.</div> <bR> <div> Following the meeting, ballots were counted.  Shane Overby, Kim Overby and Tom Dacar were reelected, terms expiring in 2014, April Poole was elected to the term expiring in 2013 and Nila Riggs was elected to the term expiring in 2012.  </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>