The Secret Woods July 12, 2004 board meeting was called to order by Board President Sallie Wnuk at 6:30 p.m . in the conference room of the YMCA on Belfort Road .

The following board members attended: Bill Bortzfield, Tom Bozak, Wayne Williams,  Horst Pophal and Sallie Wnuk.

Sallie opened the meeting by asking Bill to read the minutes from the May 10 board meeting. The minutes were approved as corrected.  The May minutes incorrectly stated a Secret Woods resident wanted to start a petition drive.  The minutes should have said an area resident wanted to start a petition drive.

Sallie then asked Tom for the treasurer's report. As of July 12, 2004 the neighborhood had a balance of $29,106.59.

Tom reported one homeowner's annual dues check did not clear.   That homeowner has been contacted.  There are still three homeowners that have not paid their dues.    Letters have been sent out to the tardy homeowners. The treasurer's report was accepted as delivered.

If the homeowners do not respond to the current letters the Board agreed to send out registered letters letting the unpaid residents know that liens against their properties and attorney's fees could be used if necessary to collect the dues.  The registered letters would give the homeowners 15 days to respond.  The board is hopeful that  will not be necessary.

Attention then turned to other business.  Tom reported a resident noted the "deplorable" condition of a resident's door and asked if anything could be done.   The board agreed to send a letter to the homeowner requesting the door be repaired or replaced.

Resident Renee Bentley's request to replace her existing shed was approved by the board with the understanding it could not be taller than the current property fence or be seen from the street.

The board also discussed a proposed amendment to the covenants that would allow formally sheds with board approval.    A majority of residents voted at the annual meeting requesting that such an amendment be drafted.   The wording of the proposed amendment was refined and will be sent to all Secret Woods property owners for a vote. 

The board also agreed to donate $200 to Southpoint Baptist Church for hosting the 2004 annual homeowners meeting.  Bill will draft the thank you letter.

Bill also agreed to check the current electrical outlets at neighborhood's front entrance  to see if a  light can easily be added to display the  flag at night.  If not, the board authorized Sallie to contact an electrician to ad the lighting.   Sallie will also call Bug Out to have them check on Bill Champion's report of carpenter ants at the pool.

New board member Wayne Williams pointed out that the city sometimes gives grants of up to $5,000 for neighborhood improvements.  Wayne said he would be willing to go through the workshop to try to obtain a grant to fix the brick posts and perhaps replace the fencing surrounding the front pond.

Sallie said she would call the city to enquire about more neighborhood lighting at a resident's request.

The next meeting, was scheduled for August 9, June 14, 2004 . The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Submitted by board member Bill Bortzfield on 7/16/04 .