The Secret Woods 2006 Annual Homeowner's Association Meeting was called to order by Board President Sallie Wnuk at 6:55 p.m.  on May 8, 2006  at the Southpoint Baptist Church.

The following board members attended: Bill Bortzfield, Wayne Williams, Pat Parrish, Mary Loving and Sallie Wnuk. 

Board President Sallie Wnuk opened the meeting by asking  Board Secretary Bill Bortzfield to read the 2005 annual meeting minutes. The minutes were approved as read. 

Sallie then called on Board Treasurer Pat Parrish for the treasurer's summary report.  Pat  reported the neighborhood had a balance of $28,268.98 as of April 28.

Sallie then updated homeowners on projects completed during the past year.  Topping the list was word that the $5,000 city grant the neighborhood applied for came through and was used to defray the cost of the new fence at the front of the neighborhood.  She thanked Bonnie Cowling and Mary Loving for all the work they put into securing the grant.

Sallie said the fence is almost complete and noted three of the brick columns that were leaning have been taken out. Wayne Williams and several others knocked down and hauled away the columns. Wayne said the bricks filled two small dumpsters. 

The other major project completed last year was installing a new fountain at the front of the neighborhood. The ponds are also being chemically treated again.

Sallie reported that Susie Cooney and Bonnie Cowling got the block captains program going again.  Debbie Williams has taken over as head of the block captains. 

Debbie said the block captains are busy planning neighborhood socials.  The  February chili cook-off  planned by the block captions was a big success.  They are currently gauging interest in having another social event in June.   Debbie also asked everyone to check the neighborhood directory to make sure its up to date.   She also noted a new block captain for lots 118 to 126 is needed.  Bill agreed to add the colored coded map with block captain names to the Secret Woods Web site. 

Sallie thanked everyone that has already paid their 2006 dues.   She then noted the initiation fee ballot failed last year.  Sallie pointed out that the overwhelming majority of homeowners voted in favor of the increase but the measure failed because not enough people returned their ballots (for more details see the December 2005 minutes). 

Turning to new business, Sallie asked whether the board should once again pursue a vote to increase the initiation fee for incoming homeowners. Joe Miller made a motion that the fee be raised to $1,000. Discussion followed. Then Joe withdrew the motion  and resubmitted it for  $800. The motion was seconded.

A show of hands indicated a large majority of those in attendance favored raising the initiation fee to $800.  The motion carried.  Joe distributed a ballot to those in attendance to sign and witness.

Sallie said  the vote should be conducted in a timely manner, suggesting a September 1 deadline. It was agreed that rather than mail out the ballots that the block captains will take the ballots door-to-door in an attempt to get a higher voter response. 

Sallie suggested landscaping around the new fence would be a good project for the new board to tackle.  She also reported the pool furniture is in the process of being replaced and noted that more extensive pool repairs will be needed after the pool season. The lip of the pool is starting to chip. 

Marianne Pophal suggested having a plumber come out to repair  the old  sprinkler systems at the neighborhood's two entrance islands. Sallie agreed to have the board look into it and see what it would cost to repair the sprinklers. Skip Cooney seconded the idea. Sallie also noted the plumber is coming out to look at the water fountain at the pool house. She’ll ask him to check the sprinklers at the same time. 

Resident Dale Ezlie said he witnessed a fight in the neighborhood and called police. He also said there have been lots of loud parties lately, urging everyone to be thoughtful of one another.

Dale also brought up that a lot of cars are being parked in neighborhood streets lately. Sallie said there was nothing the board could do because they are public streets. Dale pointed out that property values will slide if there are too many people parking in the streets. 

Susan Byrd gave everyone a friendly reminder to clean-up after their pets. 

Susie Cooney thanked the Yard of Month committee: Pam Fulton and Nancy Wooten. She also said the block captains would commit to handling the luminaries during the 2006 Christmas season if the board will vote/approve the luminaries budget in October. 
 
Bonnie Cowling said Jacksonville Fire and Rescue has free disaster training available in September and offered information to anyone interested in signing up for it.

Attention then turned to electing new board members.   Sallie and Bill's three year terms were up and another vacancy was created after former member Jim Thompson moved.

The following new board members were elected by the homeowners present at the meeting:  Dale Ezlie, Jackie Friedman and Katherine Frazier. 
 
Although Bill's term as Board Secretary was up, he agreed to continue in his role as the neighborhood's Webmaster.

Joe Miller noted he had seen some company trucks with signs parked in resident's driveways and reminded everyone that is forbidden by the neighborhood's covenants.

The new board held a brief meeting afterwards and decided it will elect its new officers at the June board meeting.

Sallie officially adjourned the annual meeting at 8:20pm.  Submitted by Bill Bill Bortzfield on May 13, 2006.