Secret Woods Home Association Annual Meeting April 26, 1999

The following homeowners were present:

6,9,10,13,15,16,21,24,26,28,33,36,42,46,47,53,56,57,59,62,64,65,69,73,75, 87,88,94,96,101,107,114,115,116,120,126 Total: 36

The following homeowners were present by Proxy:

1,4,14,20,22,27,29,30,34,37,38,60,61,66,67,72,76,80,89,90,91,99,118,124 Total: 24

The following Board members were present: Joe Miller, Sallie Wnuk, Bill Champion, Ed Brown, Nancy Wooten, Paula Zyung and Horst Pophal.

After a quorum was established (60 homeowners represented / 42 required) the meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m..

Joe Miller opened the meeting with a prayer.

Joe stated that as is customary at the annual meeting, all members should stand and introduce themselves. Members stood and stated how long they had been living in Secret Woods and mentioned other family members living at home.

Marianne Pophal announced that she had been the neighborhood historian for the last 15 years. Her photo album was available for inspection at the rear table.

Joe asked for a show of hands of how many neighbors had lived in Secret Woods 10-15 years, 5 to 10 years and 0-5 years respectively.

Joe introduced the Board members.

Joe Miller introduced Valerie Vance, representing Schwan’s foods. Valerie explained that Schwan’s is not just an ice cream company but has many food products. Her husband delivers these products directly to neighbors’ doors. She handed out bags with a catalog and free coupons that could be used to order products.

Joe Miller thanked Valerie Vance for her presentation and thanked her husband John for providing the food for the evening. Joe asked Bonnie Miller to pass around a signup sheet for John to visit neighbors wanting to sample the fine food.

Joe Miller introduced Mark Wnuk as the finance chairperson and suggested that Mark receive a round of applause.

Mark Wnuk presented the annual financial report. He stated that the expenses had grown by very few dollars but that was due to added lighting at the mailbox area. Harold Humpries asked why there was a $1000 deduction in dues. Mark explained that he wanted to be able to explain why more money than the $250 x 126 homes had been received. Harold Humpries (lot # 87) then asked why the initiation fees were so low. He thought more homes had been sold and this would mean increased initiation fees. Joe Miller stated that this is one area that needs improvement. He suggested that in the next year the Board appoint one person to be responsible for collection of these funds. Byron Delong (lot #98) asked if the figures for individual items were close to the previous year. Mark Wnuk said that they were very close. Walter Babcock asked if the fountain had increased the electrical bill. Mark said maybe by $20 to $30 dollars per month. After a motion by Larry McDonald and a second by Horst Pophal the financial report was accepted as read.

Joe Miller explained why the annual meeting had been moved. The Board of Directors wanted the fiscal year to agree with the Board members terms. This way they have an entire year of dues to spend. When the term ran from January to December it was possible for the previous Board to spend all of the incoming Board’s budget.

The 1997-1998 Board of Directors decided that the majority of dues collected each year should be used to complete one or two major projects that could be enjoyed by all for many years to come. In addition, these projects should not require a great deal of maintenance. The total of dues collected each year is approximately $31,500. Expense for the Association averages about $11,500 leaving $20,000 for these projects as long as major repairs are not needed on any existing common area. The large project completed in 1997-1998 Association year was the installation of the pond fountain in the front retention pond. The projects completed during the 1998-1999 Association year were the pool cool decking and the aluminum pool fence. The pool decking is rated for a minimum of 15 years of wear. The fence, unless vandalism occurs, should last 20 to 30 years.

Harold Humphries requested that before moving on to new business that the minutes for 1997-1998 year be read. Sallie Wnuk read the minutes. After no discussion, the minutes were accepted as read. Motion by Horst Pophal and seconded by Ed Brown.

Before moving on to new business Joe stated that for the new residents he wanted to explain the bills that were being issued in the next few days. Three statements are on the invoice specifically for those homeowners that do not pay their bill on time. They include: A late fee of $50 will be charged for any bill not paid by the due date. Interest will be charged on the unpaid balance after the due date. According to the neighborhood covenants, the Board may place a lien on any home that has a balance due 30 days after the due date. Sally Wnuk stressed that these statements had to be added to ensure everyone pays their dues though 98 percent of the neighbors always pay on time.

Joe stated that the following projects were under consideration for 1999-2000 Home Association Year:

Artesian well and pump for irrigation Pool cabana Landscaping for the pool and front Tiger hole Road area Lake fountain for the retention pond on Secret Woods Drive Lighting for the front and side entrances Security cameras for the pool area Repair of the lake bulkhead around the tennis court

Joe asked for additional suggestions. Larry McDonald (lot #126) asked whether lighting on the tennis court was possible. Joe said that when the electrical was completed for the sign lighting or cabana the circuits would be installed. He added that monies will not be available in the next year for that project but possibly discount lighting could be found. A final request for additional project suggestions was made. No discussion was made concerning the proposed projects and no other projects were suggested.

Byron Delong (lot # 98) stated that lighting in Secret Woods is very dim. He added that this had been a neighborhood concern for some time. Joe said that this would be a project for the JEA. After additional discussion Joe stated that the new Board should look into this project.

Chris Milon (lot #13) stated that people driving rapidly through the neighborhood specifically her street was very alarming. She asked if signs could be installed. Joe said signs had previously been installed and that they were stolen within weeks of installation. He added that this had been a problem for some time and that notification letters are usually mailed. He requested that she send a letter to the Board informing them of the person or the license number of the offender. Joe also stated that the 1999-2000 Board should take this very seriously since there has been a marked increase in speeders in the neighborhood. Driving 15 miles per hour beginning at the front entrance you would reach the last home in the neighborhood within 1 ½ minutes. To improve on this time by speeding appears ridiculous.

Joe announced that over the past two years the Board had taken a serious stand against neighbor infractions against the covenants and bylaws. Each monthly meeting the Board reviews infractions and after a short vote Bonnie Miller is requested to create the infraction letters. Approximately four letters are mailed each month. Joe thanked Bonnie for this effort. These letters have resulted in positive action 100% of the time that has avoided expensive legal fees. He finished by reminding everyone that one reason they had moved into Secret Woods was for the Covenants and Restrictions. These restrictions typically keep up resale value. Because of this fact, the Board of Directors should keep enforcing these covenants with such vigor. Joe reminded neighbors not to attempt to climb the pool fence. A neighbor was hurt recently attempting to climb over it.

Joe requested a round of applause for the current Board members. He said that Sally Wnuk and Joe Miller have completed their terms of office. The past two years, while he has been President, the Board has met every month. Meetings last approximately two hours, and the Board members have been on time and maintained 90% attendance. Please be sure to thank Board members for their service. They are each donating 50 or more hours every year.

The floor was open for nominations for Board members. Flo Clark nominated Joe Miller and Sally Wnuk. Sally regretfully declined the nomination. Marianne Pophal took a moment to thank Joe and Sally for their service and suggested that Joe be re-elected. Joe Miller nominated Bob Sams ( lot # 116). Bob accepted the nomination. Flo Clark requested that the nominations for Board members be closed. Horst Pophal seconded this motion. A vote was taken and Joe and Bob were elected. The Board then requested that Joe Miller continue as President. He gratefully accepted.

The final order of business was to thank those responsible for a great night. Bonnie Miller was thanked for registration help. Nancy Wooten and Susie Cooney were thanked for setup and Marianne Wilson was thanked for food preparation, setup and decorations.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Motion by Bill Champion, seconded by Sallie Wnuk.

Joe suggested that all members stay and enjoy the fine foods provided by Schwan’s.

1999-2000 Secret Woods Home Association Board Mission Statement (Rough Draft)

To enforce the Covenants and Restrictions and ByLaws in a reasonable nature ensuring that the neighborhood property value and quality of life does not diminish. To collect the annual dues and spend these collected dues wisely on necessary common grounds requirements and major improvement projects.

Sorry…Failed to mention: Thanks to Jack and Lela Floyd for putting up the Christmas decorations. Thanks to Ron and Chris Rice for handing out the luminaries.