March 12, 2011 General Membership Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: President Chapman called the meeting to order
at 10:00 a.m. and introduced the Board:
Vice-President, Rick Lingle, Second Vice-President, Laura Mosely
(absent), Treasurer, D. Starr, Secretary, Carol Opalinski, and 2 alternates,
Sheri Simpson and Miriam Goad. Tom Mose
was also introduced as the presenter of the 2011 Budget.
Approval of Minutes of October, 2010:
Secretary Opalinski read the Minutes from the October, 2010 General
Membership Meeting. Vice-President
Lingle motioned to accept the Minutes and Doug Wright seconded the motion.
The October 2010 General Membership Meeting Minutes were approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer
Starr handed out her recent report and explained the actual amounts that had
been spent. We are spending more on
postage and office supplies, as we do not receive donations any longer. There was an amount paid for security, which
is the last payment due. We still have
to pay for treating and stocking the lake.
All monthly bills (2 employees, electricity, insurance) are paid and up
to date. The report also reflected the
balance in our savings and CD’s. There
are 2 checks that were sent out that are still outstanding. Mr. Donn asked for
details of those 2 checks. They are: $606.97 to Rich Goad (grounds maintenance)
and $161.50 to Kim Hunsaker (bookkeeper.)
Doug Wright asked why we needed so much money in the checking
account. This is because we still need
to pay for the lake treatment and stocking; for our insurance; and any
unexpected projects. Mr. Donn stated
that there is a surplus of approximately $26,000. President Chapman stated that this is correct
if we were able to collect all the dues, but there is also approximately
$24,000 outstanding in membership dues.
Dues Update/Collections:
There are currently 16 liens in place against properties because of
unpaid membership dues. Discussion was
made to be more aggressive in collecting dues.
Liens cost $185.00 to be filed and we do not see any money until the
property sells. It is too expensive to
hire a lawyer to try to foreclose on properties. It was suggested that we bill quarterly,
instead of monthly, to cut down on our costs and that in the 3rd
quarter, there will be a notice, stating that if this bill remains unpaid, then
a fine will be assessed and it will be sent to collections. It was agreed that collection agencies will
take half of what they collect, but that would be better than nothing.
Darlene Zuerlein motioned to accept the new procedure of quarterly statements
instead of monthly statements. Treasurer
Starr seconded the motion and the motion was passed.
Betty Corey motioned to allow us to use collection agencies. Treasurer
Starr seconded and the motion was passed.
Budget Committee: Tom Mose,
Treasurer Starr and Secretary Opalinski were on the Budget Committee. Tom Mose presented the 2011 Budget. He explained each entry, line-by-line,
comparing 2010 figures with the actual amount spent and the 2011 figures. Mr. Donn brought a point of order up in that
WA State Statutes read that you must give a draft of the budget to all members,
2 weeks prior to the meeting. President
Chapman disagreed and read RCW 64.38.025, which states that this would only be
true, if the membership did not have its own by-laws, which we do. Tom Mose continued with his budget
analysis. It was agreed that Category
610(office) and 611 (supplies) will be combined, as they are the same.
After Tom’s presentation, Mr. Donn
questioned why there was no amount in #910 for Federal Income Tax. This is because our bookkeeper is contracted
and the maintenance man does not qualify for federal income tax.
Linda Niles thought that the budgeted
amount should be much less, since we do not spend it all. President Chapman explained that it is
standard practice to use the amount we bill as the amount to be budgeted.
A “Good Neighbor” category was
suggested, to pay for our summer picnic and any community festivities that
someone may want to put on.
Steve Chapman motioned to move $1500 from the Project category, into the new
Good Neighbor category. Secretary
Opalinski seconded the motion and it was passed.
Mr. Donn motioned to change the
Projects category from $11,000 to $8,000.
The motion was seconded, but it did not pass.
Mr. Donn inquired about our
attorney’s hourly rate. It is $176.25
per hour.
Mr. Donn motioned to accept the 2011 Budget. Steve Chapman seconded the motion and it was
passed.
Audit Committee:
Linda Niles presented for the Audit Committee and stated that the
Committee met and reviewed the books and that they are in good order.
Nominating Committee:
Secretary Opalinski presented for the Nominating Committee. President
Chapman has agreed to run again, as well as Treasurer D Starr. Denise Mose has agreed to run as a 3
rd
alternate. Mr. Donn nominated himself
from the floor. Darlene Zuerlein motioned to close the nominations and they were so closed. The
approved election will be for the following candidates: Donna
Chapman, D Starr, and Michael Donn.
Miriam Goad, Sheri Simpson, and
Denise Mose will be our new alternates.
Betty Corey, Ted Lilleblade, Doug Wright,Tom Mose and Steve Chapman
agreed to be the Election Committee and be responsible for mailings and
counting.
Old Business: Thanks went out to
Rich Goad, Rick Lingle and Robert Lewis for working so hard on the docks. Rich described his maintenance on the
dock. The work is complete and because
we worked on this without hiring an outside contractor, we saved ourselves
thousands of dollars.
New Business: Mr. Donn said that
since October of 2009 we have not had a great financial report, showing all
assets and liabilities. A true financial
statement should be prepared. President
Chapman disagreed and stated that our Budget for 2010 and 2011 is a true financial
statement and was accepted by the membership.
Report on Vote for Certified Audit:
Secretary Opalinski presented the tally on the vote to hire a person to
conduct a certified audit of the Palmer Lake Beach Club records.
There were 6 votes in favor and 55 rejecting this audit. President
Chapman stated that therefore, there will not be a certified audit.
The
meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Minutes Prepared
by: Board Secretary, Carol L. Opalinski