New pool policies
    Another proposed budget decision that has drawn plenty of interest is removing the diving board — and thus the requirement to employ lifeguards — from the SLWLA pool.
    “I have a problem with the elimination of the diving board. From personal observation in each visit, I saw the board was the most attractive feature,” Gerhard Hergenhahn said. “It took a lot of time to add the board to the plan – we fought to have it added and it cost more money but in a quality community we have to pay more.”
    Security Director John Hoffmann responded that the number one accident at public and private pools is diving injuries — both with or without a board.
    “There is no comparison. Head injuries are the number one hazard in a swimming pool. It’s more than just money: it [the proposed decision] is all about liability. If there are no lifeguards, you cannot have a diving board.”
    Westsider Pat Patulo asked if there had been any reported diving accidents in the three years since the pool opened: the answer was no. She then shared that in the nineteen years of owning a private pool in New Jersey, that she had never had an accident.
    However, it is the proposed budget cut that would completely eliminate lifeguards that prompted Patulo’s strongest criticism.
    “I don’t see how you can take away lifeguards with or without a diving board. I truly believe that lifeguards are not something that should be considered an expense,” she said.
    Hoffmann cited that that there are plenty of hotel pools operating safely in the United States without lifeguards.
    Director Mick Herdrich said that lifeguard salaries account for $15,000-$20,000 plus SLWLA pays approximately $10,000 more for liability.
    “If we have lifeguards, we have more liability than without them. And we only need one accident and the cost is prohibitive,” warned Herdrich.
    He also clarified that the new pool guest policy allows each homeowner to bring in four guests — friend or relative — and that the policy does not prohibit children under sixteen years of age unattended, as was previously reported in The Times. Herdrich said the proposed restriction states that children fourteen and over may visit unattended; however, the minimum age is sixteen years for unattended visitors who are supervising or babysitting other guests.
     Goodman said, personally, he was in favor of the diving board and lifeguards.
    “Our quality of life is gradually diminishing because of liability. If this comes up next year, I would still support the diving board and lifeguards. When we keep running away, we are diminishing our lives because of these measures and it is a shame.”
    
Holiday Decorating
    President Ron Shepard addressed a letter that was recently published in The Times criticizing the Board’s decision to eliminate volunteers for holiday decorating tasks in favor of hiring a professional contractor.
    “The simple answer is no. We are not eliminating volunteers . . . volunteers that have been decorating the community for Christmas have simply burned themselves out and would like a rest,” Shepard read from a prepared statement. “So a line item was suggested and created for decorating. Whether or not these funds are used will depend upon finding volunteers.”
    He concluded by inviting the letter writer to step forward, recruit fellow volunteers, and manage the SLWLA Christmas decorations for next year.
    Director Karen Milligan, who oversees Community Activities, said while her volunteer team spent many, many hours decorating Westside Park Community Center and other areas, that she considered decorations a facility-based function.
    “This is not an activity which my committee feels responsible for providing,” said Milligan. “Decorating should be done under CAS to coordinate and facilitate.”

Volunteer Coordinator
    Hoffmann said that the community was built on volunteerism but that he supported Milligan’s position — that is, that the community cannot go forward simply counting on leaders and volunteers to pop up at opportune times.
    “I don’t want to single out activities or recreation and I don’t want to have a line item for one volunteer activity and not others,” said Hoffman.
    He recommended that what the community needs is a Volunteer Coordinator who could oversee and detail volunteers to all the various opportunities, including boat patrol, beautification, holiday decorations, etc.
    “The coordinator would get the word out of needs and have volunteers in place in advance of that need,” explained Hoffmann.
    Milligan agreed: “We have all of these clubs and things going on. That is a real selling point for this community.”
    Resident’s Handbook
    Director Ed Tuton distributed copies of the newly updated resident’s handbook to the Board for review and comment and thanked Betsy Mikula and Mary Price for their hard work.
    Joan Frost said residents may bring in their old books for updating and that any extra copies may be returned to the office.
    In the future, the Board discussed their goal of distributing CD copies of the handbook to residents, rather than the current costlier option of hardcover binders.

Security
    Hoffmann reported he received estimates on the proposed anti-climb device that will be installed on the communications tower. He explained the device would have to be custom-made because of the triangular shape of the tower.
    In addition, he recommended approval of a contract with ESC Electrical for what he described as “a viable solution” to mitigate lightning strike damage to the back gate security system.
    He said the $4,500 cost to update the system was minor when compared to the approximately $20,000 in damage repairs the Association has incurred in the last two years.
    Hoffmann also said he is reviewing the policy of hiring off-duty Sheriff’s deputies to provide additional patrol time and said he was exploring ways to get more coverage at less cost.
    He reported the cameras at the back gate have questionable effectiveness, and that upgrading to a camera with license-recognition capability would be costly.
    Fencing is also costly, said Hoffmann, and he said that areas deemed the highest priority was between the Pinnacles and the business district.
    “We’re looking at value gained and the cost trade-off. In a tight budget, we may have to postpone,” cautioned Hoffmann.
    He reported Neighborhood Watch patrol hours were holding steady with twenty-four volunteers. He said he was working closely with neighborhood representatives to encourage neighbors to watch out for each other.

Architectural Review
    Director Adam Wimberly reported that a request for documentation on manufactured homes policy was submitted. He said that language in the ARC restrictions clearly state such structures are not permitted, but he proposed that more specific language clarifying the ban should be drafted.
    He also reported that a request to install a dock on the pond near the Pinnacles was unanimously denied by ARC; however, an appeal by the homeowner was likely.
    In addition, Wimberly said the committee determined a study was needed regarding undeveloped lots used as septic fields — sometimes for multiple homes.
    “There are some interesting issues including over using the Association right-of-way,” he said. Wimberly, John Goodman, and Gerhard Hergenhahn agreed to pursue the matter further.
    Lake & Dam Committees
    Herdrich reported that he has not received final approval of the Lake Auman dam remediation from state engineers. He said engineer Dan Marks is pleased with conditions and will continue to monitor the dam and the piezometers for the next six months.
    He said he is also looking at a low cost - low tech solution at the boat ramp that would reduce or eliminate the six to eight inch drop that occurs when lake levels are low.

Infrastructure
    Five to six bidders responded to a request to remove trees from the back of the Lakeway Mall dam, John Goodman reporterd. He anticipated an award would be made by the end of the week.
    He also reported that storm drainage culvert pipes throughout the community running under the road — draining from high areas to low — have rusted through on the bottom.
    “Some corrosion is so severe that the [road] bedding is eroding away,” said Goodman.
    He recommended emergency replacement was needed at eleven locations identified along Longleaf Drive. The Board approved the motion and each of the eleven locations will be bid on an individual basis. The cost is expected to range from $5,000 to $15,000 for each location.
    Goodman said that, for this type of work, there is only contractor with the reputation and experience to do the job: Atkinson Construction. He recommended eliminating any engineering design work as unnecessary since the project is a replacement, and suggested digging out some of the road bed and base for repaving.
    “This work will last much longer than fifteen years with a better pipe than the current galvanized metal,” said Goodman.
    Shepard supported the project, “Infrastructure needs do not go away, they do not depend on the economy. When looking at reserves and how to spend money, this is one of the priorities.”
    Two new subcommittees on infrastructure are being formed and volunteers are needed for both.
    The Roads and Storm Drainage Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 27 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at WSPCC.
    A Landscaping Committee will meet on Monday, January 25 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at WSPCC.
    To volunteer, or if you have questions, contact Director Goodman at 400-5131.

Legal
    Director Silberhorn reported a contract had been forwarded to developer Ron Myers regarding back gate land acquisition. He recommended further discussion during Executive Session and placing the proposal on the agenda for the January 26 General Meeting.
    He also reported that he had researched whether the community’s legal documents prescribed a set ratio for the dues paid on developed, versus undeveloped, lots.
    “I’ve read all the covenants and like all urban legends, it comes from a bit of truth,” said Silberhorn.
    He said that Beacon Ridge covenants did include a ratio established mathematically.
    The dues levels laid out in the proposed 2010-2011 budget do not run afoul of that ratio,, Silberhorn said.”
    “We are not violating the spirit of the concept of the covenants,” he said, but he warned that a future Board of Directors may not want to go beyond the established percentage.
    “We should not increase the ratio willy nilly without further definition of developed versus undeveloped,” he said, alluding to a brief discussion of whether a septic lot could be defined as developed.

Other Business
    In other business on Tuesday, January 12, the SLWLA Board of Directors:
    Declined a request by the Moore County tax office to provide a list of SLWLA boat registrations. “It is not the SLWLA’s job to monitor that [information] for the county,” said Shepard.
    Approved revised language to clarify the approved new bar code policy. In simple terms, up to three bar code stickers will be issued to a property owner for a set fee, currently $20, and are vehicle specific and non-tranferable.
    Appointed Jim Johnson to serve on the Judicial Panel. He replaces the late Gus Danielson.
    Appointed Director Karen Milligan to chair the 2011 Nominating Committee.
    Heard from Frost that Wingfield Properties, owner of Beacon Ridge Country Club, is actively bringing its account up-to-date. Currently, they owe $11,000, which Frost anticipates will be paid within four months.
    Was introduced to Alecia Bryant, the new CAS administrative assistant. Frost reported that Katie Patnode has been assigned to a management position in another CAS community.