FAIRLINGTON ARBOR COUNCIL OF CO-OWNERS
ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING
FAIRLINGTON COMMUNITY CENTER
7:30 PM
SEPTEMBER 26, 2007
MINUTES OF BUDGET MEETING
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Marilyn Beck, Susan Goldstein, Terry Ruth,
Robert Ingulli, James Moser
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
None.
MANAGEMENT PRESENT: Steve Kirkpatrick, Facilities Manager
Mike
Maloney, CFM Manager
The President began the meeting at 7:31 pm.
More than the required quorum of homeowners was represented
to conduct the meeting
(42.5%). However, due to a mix-up, those who voted on-site
filled out proxies in
lieu of ballots.
Roll call was waived.
Proof of Notice of Meeting was waived.
Reading of Minutes of Annual Election Meeting of April 25,
2007, was postponed until the next Annual Election Meeting to be held in April
2008.
Reports of
Officers
Susan Goldstein, VP
Community Affairs: Big thank yous go to the Pool Committee, chaired by
Karen Keyes, for all their hard work this year planning the family pizza
nights, wine & cheese parties, and the annual beginning of summer and end
of summer pool parties! Thanks also to Frank Bingman who donated a stately
fountain and made wonderful grounds improvement with the elephant grass planted
on the opposing side of the pool and other garden plots near by. We also did a
lot of power-washing, painting, replacing old wood, and replacement of old pool
furniture and umbrellas. We’re looking forward to another successful season in
2008.
Terry Ruth, VP
Buildings: B-Unit building renovations (painting, carpeting) was
successfully completed earlier this year. B-Unit mailbox replacement scheduled
for 2008. Lights in courts and interiors of B-Units are being replaced with
compact fluorescents with an anticipated savings of $5,000 in electricity
costs.
James Moser, VP Grounds:
Lots of work completed this summer, including spring tree pruning, diseased
tree removal, trash can replacement, and sidewalk patches, and the sewer lining
project continues for our terra cotta sewers. Rehabilitation projects continue
on the corridor between 36th Street and King, signage replacement,
continuation of pool rehab (complete furniture replacement, address mechanical
and inspection issues and plumbing and pool house).
Robert Ingulli,
Treasurer: Many thanks to the Arbor residents who served on the Finance
Committee for the FY08 planning: Cindy Atwood, Bill Jenkins, Denise Lindgren,
Tom McQuillan! And thanks to residents who do call and e-mail with their input
throughout the year. Big projects for this coming year include replacement of
fences for entire community; B-Unit building mailbox replacement; sewer lining;
court signage; rehab of 36th St. S. corridor.
Presentation of 2008
Annual Budget for Approval
Treasurer opened floor for questions.
Request for reserve schedule to be handed out with budget to
know what was spent this year, even though not yet audited. Also, would have
liked the previous years for a trend line. Response: Point taken and will be
remembered for next time. For record: FY05: $1.16 million; FY06: $999,112;
FY07: $807,412 (projected). 2 roofs replaced in FY06, 1 in FY07; also had FY07
expenditures from the B-Unit renovation ($14,000), and the ongoing sewer lining
project.
Concern expressed regarding water bill spending being over
historical trends.
Why is the proposed interest income lower? Because reserve
amount is lower. Note: Arbor has obligation to maintain reserves at 25% of
income from condo fees. Discussion: One remarked that the purpose of the
reserves is not a bank/not an insurance policy, but rather as reserves with money
to pay for needed work for an aging community, e.g. sewer lining, roofs,
fences, water bills, B Unit renovations, etc.
Concern expressed to spend more for trees and landscaping.
What’s the future of the big trees currently 70+ years old? Arbor has a $17,000
landscaping budget to address issues like doing a deep root feeding for the big
willow oak by the tennis courts to preserve its lifespan. In October, two
arborists will be coming through the neighborhood to assess the state of the trees
in the Arbor.
Concern about roof replacement schedule. Currently have 7
remaining 50-year roofs due for replacement, based on their mean-life
expectancy. Note: We are monitoring roofs regularly and will be consulting an
external expert for inspection. We have replaced more of the Arbor's 50-year
roofs than other neighboring Fairlington communities; we’ve been on an
aggressive roof-replacement trend the last several years.
Suggestion to have a community survey so residents may weigh
in on what they believe is most important of all the pressing projects in the
Arbor. Would be nice to have more memos like the Water Memo that accompanied
budget packet, explaining the issue in detail.
Question about costs of phone bills, especially at the pool.
Facilities Manager (effective October 1, 2007) is looking into a way to
minimize pool phone bills during off-season. Also looking into cost analysis
for the manager’s cell phone and the after-hours line.
Question about Arbor’s web address: www.fairlington.org/arborindex.htm.
Reminders that when fences are replaced care should be taken
with utility and cable lines, as well as nearby trees.
President motioned to
approve budget. Motion seconded and approved. The budget was passed.
New Business
None.
Old Business
None.
Adjournment
The President motioned to adjourn the meeting. Motion
seconded and approved at 8:35 pm.