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Bob Darr resigns, withdraws
Written by Laura Douglass, Times Reporter   
Thursday, 04 February 2010

    Neither rain, nor hail, nor sleet, nor snow prevented Talis Management Group, the Raleigh-based firm selected to operate and manage the Seven Lakes Landowners Association [SLLA], from commencing work on schedule. Hitting the ground running, new Community Manager Alina Cochran and Talis President Vince Matal met with the SLLA Board of Directors and staff during the final weeks of January to begin transition activities.
Image    Cochran and Matal also attended the Open Meeting on Wednesday, January 27 – an unusually brisk and routine affair with little discussion and few reports, save the surprising but no fanfare announcement that Bob Darr, the SLLA Maintenance Supervisor and a candidate for the Board, had resigned his position and withdrawn his name, respectively. This was actually the second time in as many months that Darr’s resignation was announced. Originally hired as a six-month contract employee, Darr’s employment had been twice extended this year.
    Despite Darr’s withdrawal, the slate of candidates will include six members running for the three open seats with the late inclusion of petition candidate and incumbent, Bud Shaver. Following a significant improvement to his health, Shaver announced last month his intention to run for a second term.
    As unanimously approved on Wednesday, January 27, the candidates for the 2010-2011 Board of Directors are Shaver, Charlie Hannel, Chuck Mims, Bob Racine, Melinda Scott, and Don Truesdell. The Board also approved the members of the Election Committee; serving this year are Dennis Roberts, Wayne Burris, Ione Katz, and Al Anderson. Longtime committee member Ray Pardue has offered to advise as needed.

 

   
Rescheduled Work Session
    President Randy Zielsdorf recommended that the February work session be postponed until Monday, February 15.
    “The Bylaws say we must schedule the work session ten days before the meeting. We’re going to have to break that Bylaw — it’ll be nine days. The problem is if we stick with February 8, Alina [Cochran] will only have been in place for a week,” said Zielsdorf.
    After brief discussion, the Board unanimously approved the schedule change.
    
Curbing Project
    The curbing project at the main parking lot in Seven Lakes North is nearly complete; however, Director Sally Kindsvatter raised concerns about the original bid specifications and whether clean-up work was included.
    Treasurer Denny Galford said that specifications were included in the contract and that the three bids received were for different solutions to the problem.
    “We had three bids with alternative ways to approach curbing. The Board voted for the middle of the road bid,” said Galford.
    Shaver recommended that final payment to the contractor should be withheld until the Board is satisfied with their work; however, Debbie Caulk responded that clean-up — that is, the backfilling work — was not included in the contract.
    Director Bruce Keyser, Jr. reminded the Board that once new pavement is laid, the parking lot level will rise approximately two inches and offset the higher curb.
    
Maintenance
    Rain and cold weather has delayed the road crack sealing project, reported Shaver. In addition, the heavy rains have caused some drainage problems — particularly along the ditches at Seven Lakes Drive. These conditions were reported to the NC Department of Transportation.
    Shaver reported the Streets and Grounds budget, through December 2009, at 89 percent, and 114 percent for Clubhouse and Grounds – combining to come in at 99.1 percent of the budgeted amount.
    “What does that mean to live here?” Shaver asked. “Our maintenance costs 73 cents a day. I think we’ve accomplished a lot that should have been done years earlier.”
    
Finance
    Galford reported the Finance Committee had reviewed all reports, bank statements and reconciliations, and that a transition inventory would be conducted on January 28 with the assistance of Dalton Fulcher, the former community manager.
    He reported no problems with revenue collections and said  the Association attorney had notified delinquent accounts and filed liens where appropriate. Galford said actual expenses were over the budgeted figure because there was an extra payroll period that had not been included in projections.
    Galford also reported the recreation budget was running high due to preapproved vacation pay owed to Chad Beane, the former Assistant Community Manager, and a new horse and a number of saddles that were purchased.
    “It was just the timing of the situation. The stables have not exceeded their allowance for the year,” said Galford.
    
Security
    Director Gary Caulk distributed a standard weekly security report to illustrate the types of calls and services Roving Patrol routinely provides. He reported that there has been an uptick in vandalism recently.
    “If you see anything going on or suspicious, call security. If you see someone breaking the law, call 911,” advised Caulk.
    
Other Business
    In other business on Wednesday, January 27, the SLLA Board:
    •    Thanked Alina Cochran, Debbie Caulk, Brenda Massimo, and Alice McPhetters for the smooth operation of the SLLA office during the January transition period.
    •    Thanked member Andy Lowe for his assistance in working with the PA system at the North Clubhouse.
    •    Heard from Director Sally Kindsvatter that ARB approved a roof and a sunroom addition. Regular meetings of the ARB are held the first and third Thursday of the month.
    •    Heard from Director Kent Droppers that the Community Standards Committee meets the first Friday of the month. New members are welcome, for more information call the SLLA office.
   
 
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