May 9, 2002

The meeting, held in the 2^nd floor Board Room of the SunTrust Bank, was called to order by the Chairman, Dick Laughlin.  Absent were Board members Bob Andersen, Tom Toomey, and Libbie Bramson.

Approval of the minutes of April11 Board meeting was postponed because a copy had not been circulated to each member.

The Treasurer?s report was unavailable for the meeting.  Tom Toomey and the Chairman are following up on the Officers? Liability Policy.

Committee Reports

Year-Rounders

Barbara Martin has not been receiving e-mail but she will check with Hyde Park.  Barbara reported that thus far the reservations for the first party in May (Mash theme) have been disappointing.  The Board will promote attendance where possible.  The sponsorship of the outings has been slow because of the economy but efforts are being made to obtain sponsors (since the meeting the attendance has shown a marked increase).

Community Affairs

A discussion was had about the Community Affairs group.  Efforts will be made to see if Don Spanier is well enough to take over again.  The Board was of the opinion that it would be desirable to keep the group in existence since it allows running forums to discuss the happenings in the community.    

Beautification of US-41

Dick Laughlin reported for Bob Andersen.  DOT has approved the median landscaping for the second section and we are awaiting the submissions of bids by the County.  It is still anticipated that it will be completed by the end of the year.

Comment was made that the plants and trees appear not to be getting enough water in the first section.

Membership

Membership is approaching 3100 and new members appear to be coming in at a good clip.

Bicycles Policy

An extensive discussion of the bicycle problem was undertaken.  Jim Hobin reported on the situation concerning Lake Oakmont.  There has been a number of recent incidents and the offer by the Property Owners to mediate the situation to derive a consensus appears the best course.  The MSTBU has not responded to the offer.  The matter will also have to be cleared with the Foundation who has jurisdiction of the pathway.

Ted Raia outlined the article which will appear in the Post dealing with courtesy and use of bicycles.  Every effort will be made to complete the proposed bicycle policy for Pelican Bay so it can be in the next issue of the Post or the one after.  Comments received as a result of the Post article will then be supplied to both the MSTBU and the Foundation so a final policy can be established.

Oakmont Extension

Mike Coyne and Jim Hobin are working on the situation.  Jim is following up with Commissioner Carter.  Mike is obtaining a title search so it is known with precision who owns and who has easements on the property. Discussions are to be had with HMN since it owns the vacant lot to see if some plants can be installed.  Bill Walters at the Foundation is to be contacted to obtain the name of the contact at HMN.  Bill Walters has also been talking to the owners of the Financial Center to see if it will maintain its  portion of the road.  That is only part of the road.

The Board was extremely disappointed in the MSTBU for not taking over the landscaping so it could be maintained in the same fashion as the rest of Pelican Bay.  If the road were in the ownership of the County the taxpayers of Pelican Bay would be underwriting the expense of landscaping so who has specific ownership at the present time is immaterial.  There appears little doubt that ownership will eventually be given to the County.  The Board of MSTBU appeared willing to take on the responsibility but Jim Ward refused on the grounds that the property was not owned by the County.  The MSTBU Board does not take issue with Ward.  Since much of the areas landscaped are not owned by the County this excuse was considered an avoidance.  There may be some concern since the new light posts were not added to this section.

Security

Mike Coyne is investigating the various private security companies available.

Clam Bay/Mangrove/Cattails

Kay Potter reported that all of the experts gave their annual report and no conclusions have been reached as to the cause of the die off.  Kay reported that another section was now dying off.  She requested the assistance of the Board in pushing the installation of pipes under Vanderbilt Beach Road to allow drainage to the north into Vanderbilt Bay.  The cattails show no indication that they are dying off despite over $200,000 in expenses to date.

Kay is working on a proposed presentation to other groups involving the history of the Property Owners Association.

MSTBU

John Iaizzo,Jim Hobin, Ted Raia said that a meeting has been arranged with Jim Ward and his landscape designer for Friday, May 17 to discuss the proposed 1,000 feet test.

Foundation

Chuck Morris reported that the Foundation is planning on expanding Hammock Oak Center to about half again, add two tennis courts and expand the parking areas.  He reported that the Foundation is concerned about the lack of parking at the Commons during season.  He also stated that he is contentiously discussing with the Foundation committee the availability of space in the post for the Property Owners.

A sheet showing the proposed capital program of the Foundation and MSTBU was circulated.  Also circulated was a copy of a white paper prepared by Greta & Dick Laughlin relating to improving the restaurants and increasing profitability.  Comments were solicited.

It was reported that the MSTBU is going to do some sand dune nourishment which will add some sand to the beach.  Ted Raia reported his suggestion, which has been conveyed to the MSTBU, that the build-up of sand at the mouth of Clam Pass be periodically removed and added to the Pelican Bay beach.  It was reported that the Foundation was considering closing the restaurants during the summer to reduce cost.  Ted Raia stated, which was confirmed by the Board, that the payment of the annual dues is modest for the services obtained and the restaurants should be kept open during the summer since it effects property values and the welfare of the summer property owners.  If this possible closing is pursued by the Foundation the PBPOA will take steps to see that it does not happen.

A Board meeting will be called in June if a quorum is present.

The next official Board meeting is October 10, 2002.

Appreciation was expressed to the SunTrust for allowing the use of its Board Room for our meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Chuck Morris

Secretary