The Secret Woods April 12, 2004 board meeting was called to order by Board President Sallie Wnuk at 6:37 pm in the conference room of the YMCA on Belfort Road. 

The following board members attended: Bill Bortzfield, Tom Bozak, Carol Bozak, Byron DeLong, and Sallie Wnuk. Residents Dan and Laurie Flynn, Kristin Bassett, Jim Thompson, Debra Wheeler and her daughter also attended. 

Sallie opened the meeting by asking Bill to read the minutes from the March 8 board meeting. The minutes were approved as read.

Sallie then asked Tom for the treasurer's report. As of April 12, 2004 the neighborhood had a balance of $27,784.04. The treasurer's report was accepted as delivered. 

Tom reported that 25 homeowners have already paid their 2004 dues. The annual dues notice went out last month. Tom also reported that Portofino Pools has announced a $10 a month increase effective April 1.

Turning to old business, Sallie reported that the tennis court renovation has been completed. The final cost was $75 over the original bid. 

Attention then turned to upgrades for the pool decking. Sallie reported she had received two bids for new decking. One was for cool decking, which is the current material used for the pool. That bid ran $3,700 from Sun Surfaces of Jacksonville. The other bid was for a new material known as Texture-Krete, which is an acrylic deck system. Texture-Krete would be more than double the cost at a bid of $11,965 from Innovate Concrete Technology.

Texture-Krete is reportedly easier to clean and more durable. The board decided more research was needed. Sallie agreed to pursue more information.

Carol reported she contacted our neighborhood’s insurance representative in an effort to secure a lower rate. But after some research it was decided that raising the deductible to $5,000 probably wouldn’t be worth it.

Mrs. Wheeler complemented the board on how they have been handling the neighborhood’s affairs.

Jim Thompson volunteered to fill the board’s vacancy. The board accepted Jim’s offer. He was appointed by Sallie to fill the remainder of Harold Humphries’ term. Harold recently moved. 

Jim then suggested a bigger no fishing sign be placed at the Secret Woods Drive pond. He said he has repeatedly observed people from outside the neighborhood fishing there. Bill pointed out that a no fishing sign already existed and that the board had earlier agreed it was sufficient. Bill said he was opposed to putting a bigger sign in the pond.

However Jim pointed out that the current sign has been ineffective at deterring people from outside of the neighborhood from fishing in the pond.

The board voted 4-to-1 in favor of installing a new no fishing sign. 

The board also agreed that since a return trip was going to be needed to Buchanan Signs, that secretwoods.com lettering would be added to the two new neighborhood entrance signs that currently say "This neighborhood is governed by convanents and restrictions." The Web site lettering was agreed to when the original signs were ordered, but due to an oversight it was not included when the signs were delivered.

Sallie then recognized Dan and Laurie Flynn. They presented the board with a plan to improve drainage on their property by installing a French drain that would run under the Bortzfield’s adjoining property and flow underground into the Secret Woods drive pond. The Bortzfield’s have already consented to allowing the drain to run through their property.  The board approved the drainage plan.

Jim then remarked that he thought it the number of vehicles being parked on neighborhood streets was becoming a problem and asked if something could be done. Sallie said that while the board and neighbors could encourage people to park in their garages there is nothing in the covenants to prevent it. Bill read Article VI, Use Restrictions, Sections 8 of the covenants to show there is nothing  that forbids cars from being parked in the street. However, the covenants do clearly state that boats, trailers and motor homes may not be parked in a driveway or street.

Mrs. Wheeler then asked if any improvements were planned for the neighborhood mailbox. None were planned but Carol said she would check with the Postal Service to see if new boxes could be requested.

A resident’s request to build a new shadow box fence was approved.

Board member Horst Pophal, who was unable to attend the meeting relayed to Sallie that the lights are out at the front entrance. He says the problem is electrical as opposed to bulbs just being burned out.

Carol suggested getting a quote from an electrician. Sallie agreed to call and get a quote. Bill suggested replacing the plastic glass lenses on the pool house lights while an electrician was repairing the front entrance lights. The board agreed.

Sallie suggested a work day at the pool to get it ready ready for the summer season. May 15 from 9 a.m. to noon was picked. Bill agreed to put a notice at the mailbox and on the Web site. Pizza and sodas will be served.

Mr. Thompson asked that a reminder be posted for folks not to put their clippings and garbage out in advance. He also reminded the board that trash and clippings should only be set on the curb and not placed in the street. 

The next meeting was scheduled for Monday, May 10, 2004. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Submitted by board member Bill Bortzfield on 4/17/04.