Newsletter
( Scanned version )
October 19, 2001
From the Board of Directors
In light of last months tragedy we extend
our deepest sympathy to all who lost loved ones, friends, and fellow Americans.
This underscores our need to pull together as a community to remain strong.
For over a year now we have refrained from
using this format to confront any rumors or dissention because this was
viewed as tasteless by us, and many of you. However on a need to
know basis here are some FACTS we want you to know for a surety.
The audit for FY 2000 draft has been completed.
(It can he viewed by anyone interested
at the rec office and Rimsco, Inc. office.)
Every thing is in order. Our business
practices are good, and we stand very well financially. There have
been accusations from a small group that our financials are a mess, we
are operating in the red, and we don't know where our money is at.
We as the Board are here to tell you all those accusations are false.
We are a strong community and intend to stay that way. We would like
to give a little history of what we have accomplished this year.
The walk paths which were in dire need of repair were completed.
We are looking into adding another section of walk path from Spencer’s
Landing to Spencer's Trace, so there would be no reason for our children
to cross over Argyle Forrest. This will also provide more connectivity
for the community. The playground equipment at the recreation center
has been power washed, and water sealed. This will also be done at
Sugar Tree and the Gazebo Park. We have considered the possibility
of adding new equipment to these area's. Your ideas of what improvement
to make would be greatly appreciated. This year we decided to put
the landscaping out for bid. We were paying in excess of $190,000.00
for landscaping and did not feel we were getting our money's worth for
various reasons. One major concern was the ground erosion through
out the entire property. The grass was being cut to short and to
often, never allowing it to reseed itself. We put together a comprehensive
scope of work which would allow us to rebuild the property and correct
the problems. We went through a sealed bid process and took the best
bid. The contractor at that time had a right of refusal. We
offered the contract to them. They agreed to the terms and signed
the contract. On the first of June the contractor nullified their
contract. It was then offered to the next contractor. We had
no intention of switching contractor's in the middle of the year.
We knew it would be difficult for anyone to assume the workload during
peak cutting time. The current contractor is working to our specifications.
The roadways have filled in nicely. We intend to attack the erosion
problems this fall. The tassels you see along the road ways are a
part of the reseeding process. We have had more rain this year then
in the past five put together. Please bear with us the current contractor
is a part of our community and is very conscious of our needs, and is working
towards improving our community.
The basketball court had a total makeover
this year. All the cracks were sealed and the court was painted with
the same material used on the tennis courts. The cool deck on the
pool was also resealed, new pool furniture purchased, and the old tables
and umbrellas are now in use in the rec park and pavilion area. The
maintenance man for the association was sent to pool maintenance and care
school at FCCJ. He is a State Certified Pool Technician. This
allowed us to terminate the pool maintenance contract for a savings, and
better performance to the community. The security company wanted
to raise the cost of their contract for additional service seasonally.
We, as your Board decided to make the positive changes of using employees
as pool monitors, and park monitors through the summer season. This
worked exceptionally well. We still use the security company at night
and weekends. We adopted job descriptions for your maintenance man
and secretary. All of these changes were savings to you. This
years budget is in the works and once again you will not see any increase
in your annual assessments. The Boardroom and office were painted
and remodeled to better handle traffic.
We have successfully fought off city council
on the issue of redistricting. Argyle will be a part of district
14 when the next elections come. This was a combined effort between
several communities in Argyle which pulled together for the cause.
Your president and Board members started the Argyle Area Community Council
composed of CLOA, Highland Lakes, Indian Trails, Sturbridge, East Argyle,
and others. Combined together to be a force large enough to fight
for our roads to be widened, and work out issues with the city like redistricting,
and Lindsay Terrace, and future issues with the city. We have obtained
through the city a 10 foot bike path from Old Middleburg Rd. to Blanding
Blvd. on the south side of Argyle Forrest along with a 5 foot wide sidewalk
on the north side of Argyle.
We have established a Code of Conduct for
residents who attend Board meetings. These will enable us to have
orderly effective meetings, and allow you an opportunity to address your
concerns to the board.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS A FORM
YOU MUST OBTAIN, FILL OUT, AND SUBMIT 48 HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING IF YOU
WISH TO SPEAK DURING RESIDENT FORUM TIME.
(YOU MAY OBTAIN THE FORM AT THE REC.
OFFICE)
We are currently working on a homeowners
Bill of Rights.
In our last few meeting changes have occurred
please note:
The on site employees are now employees
of the Management company as opposed to CLOA.
Also, the Board room has been set-up with
cameras and microphone to record the Board Meetings. This enables
your association to have immediate and accurate minutes and records.
Copies of tapes will be provided to any resident requesting one for the
cost of reproduction of the tape. This set-up will allow for us to
Web cast the meetings in the future if the community so desires.
Individual camera and taping will no longer be allowed in the Boardroom
itself, however you can connect to the feed in the pavillon if you desire
to tape the meetings yourself.
We realize this is a lengthy letter, and
some of you have heard some of these items already, however, we wanted
to recap hard an efficiently your volunteer board has been working for
you and your community.
Thank you for your positive consideration
of these FACTS,
Your Board of Directors |