

Board Meeting - April 11, 2002
The Chairman, Dick Laughlin, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the conference
room of PBPOA. Present were: Kay Potter, Chuck Morris, Tom Toomey, Bob Andersen,
John Iaizzo, Barbara Martin, Ted Raia, and Mike Coyne. Absent were Libbie Bramson
who was taking her husband home from the hospital and Jim Hobin who was in
Massechutices on business.
1. Mr. Laughlin gave some opening remarks because of the expected time required for
the presentations:
-Attention should always be played to membership. It is important that the
Association speaks for the vast majority of the residents of Pelican Bay. One of the basic
problems is that each property owner cannot agree with everything, which is done.
Unfortunately, the one item, which a resident does not like, will overpower the many that
the resident does like. It is important that the Association make clear to its members that
we are bringing all of the facts to the members so he or she can make their own decision.
The Association is in a very unique position in that it does not have the confines of the
Foundation and MSTBU being concerned with day-to-day activities, but can look at the
long term matters which will effect the residents. A new letterform is being sent out for
the membership drive to see how it performs.
-Oakmont extension (The part of Oakmont Parkway which extends from Pelican
Bay Blvd. into the shopping center.) maintenance being worked out by Mike Coyne and
Jim Hobin. Since it is not County property, Jim Ward of the MSTBU has resisted
maintaining the road. We intend to work out the matter with the County and WCI so the
County will accept the road. If this occurs, the maintenance by the MSTBU will be
required. It is also the intention to talk to the owner of the vacant lot to see if the lot can
be cleaned up. It is not make an attractive picture for the start of Pelican Bay.
-Web site changed from pbpropertyowners.com to pbpropertyowners.org with
new features added. It is hoped that the membership will take advantage of the bulletin
board.
-Clam Bay experts reported they do not know what is causing the problem of the
dieing mangroves. It was suggested that the Association promote the installation of pipes
under Vanderbilt Beach Road to allow drainage of the mangrove area. This was
proposed by one of the experts as a possible solution. It was also one of the original
requirement of the EPA when Pelican Bay was in the planning stage but subsequently
dropped at the insistence of Westinghouse. Originally it was to be a culvert which was
expensive but only piping can be done at a much lower cost.
-Letter written to Edison College to support Computer Club and keep the
college's computers in Pelican Bay. The Foundation has informed the Computer Club
that it will have no room for its computer classes after the middle of October. This
Association offered to underwrite the expense of maving movable tables for the
computers. The Computer Club is making its own, independant proposals to the
Foundation.
-Foundation made a proposal to the MSTBU to widen the North beach by the
addition of sand but the MSTBU has taken no meaningful action. The Association
support this proposal. It is proposed that the Association take more active participation to
get the project moving. Measuments made by Bob Anderson show that the present width
is about its historical width and therefore any widening will be new beach. The
Foundation is also trying to develop plans where users of the beach can be dropped off at
various locations rather than at one spot as is presently done. South beach has been
renurished by storm and looks very good, being substantially wider than the original
beach. When Pelican Bay reaches buildout the beaches will be very crowded.
2. Year-Rounders
Barbara Martin reported that the first party would be on May 20, 2002 at the
Sandpiper sponsored by Key Bank. The charity that will benefit will be the
Neighborhood Health Clinic. The sponsor has picked Mash as the appropiate theme.
Sponsors for the other monthly affairs are very slow in responding because of the
economy. Any personal contact any of the Board members can make with sponsors
will be appreciated.
3. Treasurer's Report
Tom Toomey mentioned that the liability insurance policy for the directors is in
progress. The treasurer's reports for February and March are attached.
4. Presentations by Landscape Architects Re Concerns of Berm along US-41:
Noise, Security, Carbon Monoxide
John Iaizzo reported that a number of landscape architect companies have expressed
an interest in the Pelican Bay Berm Improvements contract. Preliminary proposals
were received from three companies, even though there was no guarantee that the
project will receive the necessary funding. Each firm was in attendance to explain
and define their proposal:
Stephen Trudnak, PA
Mr. Spencer of MSA Design, Inc.
Don Kuhn of Square's Landscaping/Nursery, Inc.
(1) Mr. Trudnak's proposal was high at $2.3 million estimate but it covered the
most additions including a rock wall to contain the berm which would be
rebuilt. He stated that the cost possibly could be reduced after a detailed
Berm analysis was conducted at a price of $12,000 with a turnaround time
frame of 6-8 weeks.
Mr. Spencer of MSA Design, Inc.
(2) Mr.Spencer's proposal did not include a cost estimate nor the cost for a
Detailed visual walk-through of the area but his presentation did identify what
he could produce as a result of a visual walk-through. From digital photos of
the existent Berm, he could then super-impose various vegetation and plants
for a conceptual view before the actual design is in place. A good idea but
time is of the essence.
Don Kuhn of Square's Landscaping/Nursery, Inc.
(3) Mr. Kuhn's proposal was straightforward and directly to the point. He
identified his cost, his landscape plan and exactly what it would produce, the
number of meetings he would conduct to firm up the landscaping plan and the
hourly cost should we exceed the three meetings.
He also supported the Board view of a test by partial berm development of a
thousand feet in lieu of a full development of approximately 10,000 feet. This
could add more time to the project but it would provide important feedback as
to the remaining cost, time and expected results dealing with noise
attenuation, air pollution and security, which is paramount to the PB
Community.
-Bob Andersen to investigate the use of noise messaging boxes as was utilized some
years ago at the Naples Airport to see if the use of such boxes could be fruitful for
determining the level of noise along US-41.
-Barbara Martin reported that her condo association at Hyde Park had installed ficus
to block the noise from Gulf Park and after a few years of growth it had been
successful.
-Kay Potter pointed out that for any test it would take several years for sufficient
growth of the plantings to occur so that a conclusion could be reached.
It was the Board's consensus that a proposal should be received for a test of about
1000 ft. to determine the best course. John Iaizzo to obtain such a proposal and
present it to the Board for approval by e-mail.
5. Meeting with Bill Schmigle
It was decided that lucheon meetings would be held with each of the Foundation Board
members if possible, so that our Board becomes more familiar with the operations.
The first such luncheon was held with Bill Schmigle. WCI had agreed to relinguish its
place as Declarant under the Charter but at the last minute withdrew its offer after
considerable expense in legal fees by the Foundation. Ways are being investigated to
make the Fundation the Declarant on the Charter. In furtherance of this object a lucheon
meeting was held with Bill Schmigle to hear first hand about the problem and the reasons
for WCI changing its mind.. The meeting was attended by the Chairman, Ted Raia and
Jim Hobin. Mr. Schmigle heads up the legal committee of the Foundation and was very
impressive with his knowledge of the Foundations operations. Bill Schmigle has
directed his attention to trying to make each of the pelican Bay groups more cost
conscience with the purpose of getting control of the budget and expenses. Ted Raia
reported on this meeting with covered some other areas. (See attached report.)
6. Security
Mike Coyne commented that he and Ted Raia would explore
the cost factor of private security force for Pelican Bay. The Board gave its general
approval of this project.
6. Mangrove Action Committee
Because of the length of the meeting Kay Potter referred the Board to her article
in the Post to bring everyone up to date.
7. Beautification of Route 41
Bob Anderson reported that the MSTBU was proceeding with the beautification
of the north median section and it was out for DOT approval. The MSTBU expects to
have the project finished this year.
Discussion followed on various issues: relations with other groups in Pelican Bay, should
Board members go to association meetings to explain the function and background of
PBPOA, the participation of the PBPOA in various activities and the MSTBU limiting
the walkway around Lake Oakmont to exclude bicycles and skaers.
8. The President attends various regional property owners associations and reported
separately to the Board members by e-mail. The use of e-mail will be stressed to keep
every board member uptodate as possible on all activities.
9 New Projects
(a.) Dick Laughlin pointed out that under the terms of the repealed ordinance
negotiations were to be had with the County concerning turning over agreed upon real
property to the board established in the ordinance. It was recommended that the
Association should discuss continuing such negotiations so the property could be turned
over to the Foundation. With the Foundation controlling the property there is less
likelihood that it would be developed to the detriment of Pelican Bay. Jim Ward, in
discussions with the County pursuant to the repealed ordinance, before it was repealed,
had developed a listing of such property.
(b.) Construction of an innocuous, park appearing, one tier parking garage at the
Commons to allivate the parking problem was discussed by Ted Raia. Some publicity in
the Post will be obtained to soliciting comments by Pelican Bay residents. Chuck Morris
mentioned that the farest North tram station also has parking problems which should be
considered.
(c.) Ted Raia and John Iaizzo are drafting a bike policy for Pelican Bay to be
presented to the residence for comments.
The meeting concluded at 6:00 p.m. The Chairman reminded the Board that the next
meeting will be on May 9, 2002, 3:00 p.m. in the second floor in the Board Room of the
SunTrust Bank.
Respectfully submitted,
Chuck Morris, Secretary
|