Meeting Minutes – May 4, 2009 

      Villages at Tower Oaks Board of Directors Meeting 

The meeting was called to order by the President at 7:00 pm. 

Members present: Jim Benson, Stephen Maroon, Milton Weinstein, Nancy Hart, Ruthie Kramer, Robin Baum-Rosten, Allen Woodside 

Others:  Mike LaPrade (Property Manager, CMI), Greg Lewandowski (Brickman representative working with Landscaping Committee Chair Lisa Deline Shih (LDS not available on 5/4/09).  

Motion by Jim Benson for approval of April 21, 2009, Annual meeting minutes – Approved 

Motions/Elections of Officers: 

President:      Jim Benson

Vice President:   Steve Maroon

Secretary:      Robin Baum Rosten

Treasurer:     Allen Woodside 

Committee Assignments: 

 Finance:            Allen Woodside

 Social:               Ruthie Kramer

 Safety:               Nancy Hart

 Architectural

Control (ACC):  Steve Maroon

 Landscaping:   Jim / Steve to verify if Lisa Deline Shih is continuing as Chair

 Communications:  Robin Baum Rosten 
 

Committee Reports/Discussions    

A.   LANDSCAPING: Brickman Landscaping Proposals – Greg Lewandowski   

     1.   Large Scale Erosion Proposal:   $ 14, 966.00   Barren areas behind 1047 Grand Oak Way: Soil eroding into storm drain; cannot get grass to grow due to shade, deer consumption and water erosion.  Brickman proposes either perennial ground cover (2500 Spicata Liriope –

1 plant per square foot) or stone, or combination of both for erosion/swale control.           

Board Discussion:  Board Members in agreement that $ 14,966.00 is expensive and requested Brickman to look at gravel and rock solution.       

Action Item:   Greg Lewandowski - Cost analysis of stone vs plants for large scale erosion behind 1047 Grand Oak Way.  Board Members – View the site.     

     2.    Declining Tree/Shrub Removal at Gazebo Park Proposal:    $ 1,277.00   Potential for rodents to nest underneath the Gazebo; recommends removal of the 3 Leland Cypress damaged by deer, eliminate bed and remove Juniper – will make the area more inviting. 

Board Discussion:  Board approved unanimously.

    3.     Riverjack Stone Swale Installation Proposal: $ 1,350.00   Installation behind 1140 Regal Oak; create tapered swale using 4 tons of Riverjack stone 

Board Discussion:  Board approved unanimously.

   4.     Trash Cleanup Proposal:   Approved by The Board prior to meeting  

    5.     Transplanting of Large Shrubs from Visitors Parking Island near Wild Oak:   $ 1,182.00 

Board:   Approved unanimously

    6.    Milton Weinstein inquired if Brickman guarantees their 2009, 2010-11 and 2012-2013 pricing noted in the proposals – Greg Lewandowski stated: “yes.”     

    7.    Jim Benson requested that Brickman develop some pricing alternatives using perennials (in lieu of annuals) which are not subject to deer destruction.       

B.    MAILBOX Subcommittee – Ruthie Kramer / Mike La Prade 

Three vendor proposals – all 3 are willing to sand/paint one set of mailboxes  

Marco Guzman:  longest warranty: 2 years – unknown years of experience

CM+ :                   1 year warranty – in business 20 years

Stalles Construction:  1 year warranty – in business 10 years

Mike La Prade has contacted US Post Office to ascertain what their responsibility is and if USPO replaces, repairs – what is the schedule. 

Action Items:

1.   Mike - Conclude dialogue w/ USPO: mailbox replacement by USPO [or not]

2.   Procedures for Board initiation of mailbox replacement/repair if USPO schedule is   

      not timely

      (i)  USPO schedule    (ii)  if Board schedule untimely, Board will initiate sand/prime/paint by Guzman  (requesting 3 coats of paint).  

C:   ACC Committee

     1. Garage Doors:   Steve Maroon raised issue of garage door replacement – must all garage doors be replaced exactly – Craftmark homes with garage door windows, Michael Harris – garage doors without windows. 

Board Discussion/Vote:   4 votes for homeowner replacement of garage doors of choice (nonstandard), 3 votes for requirement of identical replacement of garage doors.

Result:  Homeowners may replace garage doors (color coordinated as original door) with, or without garage door windows. 

  2.   Cameron Manesh Property: Lien placed on home as part of land records.  Garnishment of rent on hold pending short sale results. 

 3.  Attractive Nuisance: All Board Members in attendance signed and approved the “Attractive Nuisance Policy.”       

 4.  ACC Direction:  Jim Benson requested Board to (per Bylaw requirements) develop list of ACC rules to accompany existing ACC applications, to include the Resolution for Attractive Nuisances, ACC inspections, issuance of letters to residents as needed. 

5.  Follow up with Brian Bichy and ensure issuance of Dr. Kopelove trampoline letter. 

6.  Steve Maroon – Contact Peter Iype to invite participation in ACC    

D:    Communications - Robin Baum-Rosten  

       Villages at Tower Oaks 2007 Directories should be again, updated. Letter for community issuance will be drafted for Board approval.

 E.   Social Committee: Ruthie Kramer 

        Upcoming Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream social on Friday June 12, 2009.  

Other Matters:   Jim Benson requested that the Board be more efficient in its communications, by taking care of matters without unnecessary duplicative e-mails.  

Approval of Board Members’ recommendations to meet more often than quarterly.