The Secret Woods August 15, 2005 Board Meeting was called to order by Board President Sallie Wnuk at 6:35 p.m. at the YMCA on Belfort Road. 

The following members attended: Bill Bortzfield, Valerie Redmond,  Wayne Williams, Linda Evans, Mary Loving and Sallie Wnuk. Residents Byron Delong, Bonnie Cowling, John Loving, Von Bailey and Nancy Whooten also attended. 

Sallie opened the meeting by asking Bill to read the July minutes. The minutes were approved as corrected.  

Sallie then called on Valerie for the treasurer's report. As of August 15, 2005 the neighborhood had a balance of $39,788.56. She reported there are still three lot owners  that are unpaid .  Bill, Sallie and Wayne are planning to personally visit the unpaid lot owners this Saturday.

Sallie then reported that she had Portofino Pools examine the pool lip.  Portofino's representative told her that at this point the pool  is beyond patching again, saying the pool needed more extensive repairs.

Portofino estimated the repairs would cost about $15,000.  Given the high cost of the estimate, the board decided against taking any immediate action.

Sallie said it took Portofino a day to call back and that sometimes it takes more than a week to get an estimate, adding she isn't happy with Portofino. Sallie is considering getting bids from other pool companies.

An electrician was called out to check on what was causing the lights at the pool to burn out.  A bad ballast was discovered.  The repair cost was $371. 

North Florida Irrigation repaired the lake fountain at the front of the neighborhood  for $1,327.

Attention then turned to proposed changes to the covenants and by-laws.

24 ballots have been returned so far.   The vote totals to date are as follows:

• Proposal to waive annual dues for board president, secretary and treasurer:  20 yes, 4 no.

• Proposal to increase the new homeowners initiation fee to $500: 21 yes, 3 no.

Mary reported that a homeowner that was in violation of the covenants has since complied by moving an arbor from the front yard to the back yard.

A pipe burst at the pool last Wednesday. Sallie had a plumber shut off it at the street. It was fixed Thursday.  The cost:  $230.50.  The burst pipe caused some erosion.  Valerie suggested having Richard's Lawn Service fill in the area eroded by the burst pipe.

Sallie suggested rather than have Richard's Lawn Service do the job we might want to incorporate the work into volunteer hours needed to help satisfy the requirements of a city grant the neighborhood has applied for. (see April minutes for grant details).

There's also a broken concrete stool at the pool. Mary said she would check into what the cost would be to replace it.

The board authorized Mary to spend up to $150 to replace the bench. 

Mary also noted the board has received a sunroom addition request from lot 122.  The request is currently being reviewed.  She also reported the lights at the neighborhood's back entrance have gone out again.  Sallie agreed to have her husband check into it.

The board also reviewed the names of people who have expressed interest in becoming block captains.  Bonnie agreed to follow up by telephone with each of them.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:26. The next meeting will be Sept. 12 at 6:30pm 

Submitted by Bill Bortzfield on Augst 20, 2005