THE
BLUE HER N
December 2023
Publication of the DeBordieu Colony Community Association “DCCA” www.debordieucolony.org
DCCA Board Passes Rental Policy
Your DCCA Board of Directors approved the Rental Policies, Procedures and Guidelines during its October meeting. It was carefully curated by members of the Legal & Regulatory and Long-Range Planning Committees over a two-year process, as well as the Short-Term Rental “STR” Task Force. The Rental Policies, Procedures and Guidelines apply to all rental properties in DeBordieu Colony - short or long-term - self-managed or managed by a rental management company. The purpose of this document is to gather all rental-related policies into a single, owner-friendly document. The objective in creating rental policies is to balance the economic needs of homeowners who offer their property for rent with a quality of life expected by homeowners who do not, while ensuring the behaviors of one group do not adversely impact the other. These policies are to help maintain the overall character and desirability of DeBordieu Colony for all who live, visit and vacation in the community. The policy is a win-win for residents and renters, alike. Finally, there are clear and concise expectations for all parties. Rental guests will be required to complete a brief summary of community rules and regulations before coming on property, and pay a nominal fee for vehicle access. The policy requires all homeowners who rent their property, self-managed or managed by a rental management company, to register the home with the DCCA. To assist with implementing the new policy and procedures, the Board approved a 3-yr. contract with SymLiv, a software provider that monitors rental vehicle traffic and helps educate all renters on DCCA Policy, Rules & Regulations. The software is easy to use and able to provide relevant information to homeowners, property managers and the DCCA. The DCCA is committed to ensuring the new policy is effectively communicated to all interested parties - homeowners, renters, and rental companies. Look for future updates as we get closer to implementation in the first quarter of 2024.
3rd Annual Turkey Trot and Dawg Jawg The third annual DeBordieu “Turkey Trot and Dawg Jawg” was a roaring success with great weather and an amazing turnout over 500 participants! Our overall winner was, once again, Camille Blackman, who smashed her own record with a 17:57 finish! This year we gave out custom medals to the fastest Female, Male, Child, Dog, Stroller, and Best Dressed. We want to thank all of our participants as we were able to raise just over $8,000 this year for the Employees’ Holiday Funds. We also want to thank the Midway Fire Dept., our DCCA Security Staff, Santa and Mrs. Claus, all of our volunteers, and Jack Irons, who kept the Gazebo rocking and rolling long after the race.
DCCA Board Approves 2024 Operating Budget The DCCA Board of Directors approved a $100 increase for the 2024 assessment making it $3,422. The increase results from numerous economic challenges in today’s environment, including inflation on goods and services (fuel, equipment, insurance) and a challenging labor market. Over the past few months, the staff and Finance Committee diligently worked on the 2024 budget. As everyone is aware there are numerous economic challenges in today’s environment and our community is subject to them. The yearend provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon some of the accomplishments for the past year, as well as plans for the future. Some of the highlights from 2023 include: 1. The DCCA implemented its own billing and accounting software as of March 1, 2023; 2. The DCCA Community Survey; 3. Road rejuvenation project; 4. Renovation of the lighting and plants at the front entrance. 5. Paving roads that were originally paved in late 1980’s.
COMMUNITY BOARD BRIEFS The following are highlights from the DCCA November 18, 2023 Board Meeting: •
•
REPORTED:
The Infrastructure Committee reviewed but declined to bring to the Board the request to add gravel to the Recycle Center. The decline was due to possible safety issues, and increased need for employee maintenance of the site.
APPROVED:
The proposed 2024 Operational Budget with annual assessment of $3,422. • 5-year Starwood Contract, with the first year being $387,096, and an annual increase of 1.5 %. • Increasing the annual contractor commercial fees to $150/vehicle, $500/fleet, $50/fleet vehicle add-on, and weekly contractor pass to $20/week. • Increasing Guest/Renter golf cart fees to $30/ week • Increase boat pass fees: $50/day, $100/3-day, and $200/week. Approved Board minutes are available online at www.debordieucolony.org.
DCCA Annual Assessment for 2024 is $3,422 and due by January 31, 2024
Helping Hands of Georgetown “Restock the Shelves” Food Drive January 5 – 11, 2024 Drop-off Location: DCCA Administration Office DeBordieu residents are very generous with their donations, especially around the holiday season. Local food pantries use those donations, especially during the holidays, to supply food to the needy. Unfortunately, the new year often brings a depleted pantry with little to offer those who experience food insecurity. The “Restock the Shelves” food drive is sponsored by the DCCA Community Affairs Committee. Non-perishable food dropped off at the Administration Office will be taken to Helping Hands and donated to families in need. All non-perishable food is appreciated, but a suggested list is provided below. The deadline to drop off donations to the DCCA Administration Office is January 11.
Non-Perishable Items Needed Rice, Dried Beans, Canned Meats, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Juices, Macaroni and Cheese, Canned Chef Boyardee Type Items, Canned Soup, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Grits, Oatmeal, Cereal, Boxed Potatoes, Canned Potatoes, Pasta Noodles, Spaghetti Sauce/Canned Tomatoes, Condiments/Sauces/ Dressings, Cake Mix/Frosting, Brownie/Cookie Mix
The DCCA Administration Office will be closed December 22, 25 and 26, 2023, and January 1, 2024 for the holidays.
AROUND THE COLONY S.C.U.T.E.
Mark & Buffie DuPuis The 2023 DeBordieu SCUTE turtle season came to a close on a warm sunny October 30th afternoon when the last nest was inventoried and 31 live hatchlings were successfully released to the ocean. South Carolina saw an above average number of sea turtle nests this summer with 6,628 nests while DeBordieu SCUTE’s nest count was lower than average with a total of 50 nests. For the second year in a row, DeBordieu SCUTE won the Pride of the Fleet (Best in Show) at the annual Georgetown Wooden Boat Show Cardboard Regatta. And this year, our boat, “The Betsy” (named in honor of Betsy Brabson) was the fastest cardboard boat on the Sampit River thanks to Jim Heath’s catamaran design and the masterful navigation by Kathryn and AC George.
Board Increases Commercial and Rental Golf Cart/Boat Pass Fee
For the first time in over a decade, the DCCA Board approved an increase in Commercial Pass and Guest/ Renter Fees. The increase is estimated to generate an estimated $95,000 in commercial fees and $116,000 in fees paid by guests/renters annually. This increase will also bring DeBordieu Colony commercial pass fees more in line with similar communities.
Commercial Pass Fee *Commercial fees have not increased since 2012
TYPE
PREVIOUS FEE: 2024 FEE INCREASE
Annual Contractor fees:
$75/vehicle
$150/vehicle
Annual Fleet Contractor fees: (min. 4 to 10 company titled vehicles)
Initial $250
Initial $500
Annual Fleet Add-On fees: (over 10 vehicle limit)
$25/vehicle
$50/vehicle
Weekly Contractor Pass fees:
$10/vehicle
$20/vehicle
Guest/Renter Fees On October 7, Betsy Brabson, our DeBordieu SCUTE Project Leader, lost her 5-year battle with ovarian cancer. Our sea turtle family said our final goodbyes to Betsy on the evening of October 29th when many of the DeBordieu SCUTE volunteers gathered on the beach before sunset and raised glasses of champagne to toast her life, her accomplishments, her love and friendship and, of course, her amazing resilience in the face of adversity.
1. New Rental Golf Cart pass: ➢ $30 per cart 2. New Boat Pass Fees: ➢ $50, 1-day ➢ $100, 3-days ➢ $200, 1-week
Compassionate Friends Luminaries is set for December 10 For those who have lost children, grandchildren or young siblings, the holidays are always tinged with grief. DeBordieu will once again participate in The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting on December 10 at 7 PM. Candles will be lighted to honor the memories of all who left too soon. If you would like to participate, place votive candles in white lunch bags filled with sand along the perimeter of your driveway. Candles are lit at 7 PM and extinguished one hour later. Luminaire packages can be purchased for $10 each. Packages include sand, 10 candles and 10 paper bags. Contact Donna Smith, debordieuluminaries@gmail.com or call 843.485.4160 for more information. Packages will be available for pick-up on Friday, Dec. 8 or Saturday, Dec. 9, at 310 Calais Ave.
Prsrt Std US Postage
DEBORDIEU COLONY 181 Luvan Boulevard Georgetown, SC 29440 www.debordieucolony.org
PAID
Permit 16 Shallotte, NC 28459
DCCA ADMINISTRATION DIRECTORY
2023-2024 DEBORDIEU COLONY
Blanche Brown.....................bbrown@debordieucolony.org LSM, PCAM General Manager Kelly Floyd...........................kfloyd@debordieucolony.org Executive Administrator Sue Asbaty........................dcaadmin@debordieucolony.org Member & Commercial Services Architectural Review Board..........................843.527.5033 Meg Wilcox........................ mwilcox@debordieucolony.org ARB Administrator Grounds Maintenance..........843.436.0066 Hans Sapochak..............HSapochak@debordieucolony.org Grounds Maintenance Manager Community Safety “Safety & Security”.........843.527.4931 Mike Grabarz....................mgrabarz@debordieucolony.org Directory of Community Safety Amanda Edwards..............aedwards@debordieucolony.org Administrative Assistant
Karen Licciardello..................karendebordieu@gmail.com President Wilson Lowery....................... woodfather354@gmail.com Vice President Dan Roach..............................dan.m.roach@outlook.com Treasurer Jane Cooper.......................................coojane@gmail.com Secretary Ken Davis.................................... 1.ken.davis@gmail.com Ad Hoc Executive Committee Dan Ellzey........................................danellzey@gmail.com Director Geoff Groat................................. geoff.groat@peacsir.com Director Wayne Hinman...............................hinmanvt@gmail.com Director Jay Nexsen...................................... jnexsen54@gmail.com Director Hank Strickland................................... hhs4447@aol.com Director Sassy Tugwell.............................. sassy.tugwell@gmail.com Director
Phone: 843.527.4436 Fax: 843.546.8704 dcaadmin@debordieucolony.org
GATEHOUSE Phone: 843-546-8520 Fax: 843-546-8532
BOARD OF DIRECTORS