Commentary By Irwin Starr, Landings Eagle Publisher/Editor, Retired I attended one of the recent monthly editorial meetings of The Landings Eagle, the first since retiring as publisher/editor of the Eagle. I went to comment I had not seen publication of the proposed forthcoming calendar year budget since the paper changed hands. Everyone at the table agreed it was a valuable asset for members of the community interested in more detailed information on LMA expenditures. For the public to have an opportunity to react to proposed expenditures, a proposed budget should appear in the October issue of the paper. I’ve since learned it will not be available in the issue you are now reading. That is regrettable. Individual property owners in The Landings cannot, unfortunately, vote directly on the acceptance or rejection of the budget or any portion thereof. The original covenants and revised covenants state only presidents of associations can. That restriction increases the importance of the budget being available in ample time for individual citizens to express their views either to the presidents who will vote or at an October or November board meeting prior to the December vote on the budget. As editor of the Eagle I worked closely with the then treasurer of the LMA, Dick Bayles, to make certain the budget was available for October publication. It was a mutual goal. There is really, only one acceptable format for the presentation. It includes 1)
current year expenditures to date, 2) estimation of expenditures for the remainder of the year, 3) estimated total expenditures for current year, 4) proposed expenditures for the following year and 5) most important variations, in budget terms called “variances,” between the two annual budgets on a line-by-line basis. A major variance in any category should be explained in the presentation. Many Landins come from management backgrounds and are well acquainted with budgets. While year-to-year variances may not interest everyone, they should be available for perusal by interested property owners. I urge the LMA to work on procedures and timetables to permit such publication in the future. One of the most valuable services The Landings Eagle can provide is to detail pending actions of the various boards far enough in advance to permit citizen participation, questions or actual presence at specific board meetings. The LMA, LHA and LRC being the most critical boards, as they affect the largest number of property owners. All of these manners contribute to the “transparency” each Landings’ board should seek. IPS
Publisher’s Note: At the August 12, Editorial meeting, it was agreed that the Proposed Budget would be supplied for the October Landings Eagle with all the highlights of major variances. Unfortunately, I was informed at the September 9 meeting that the proposed budget would not be ready in time for the October issue. It is expected to be available for the November issue.
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LMA Meeting Notes LMA President, Henry Rhodes opened this month’s meeting by announcing Lou Furlong’s resignation from the Security and Safety Committee effective October 1st. The board is considering several residents and would welcome suggestions and any volunteers. The traffic congestion issue at Kestral Parkway and US 41 is moving along, however, slowly. Attorneys are reviewing permits, reports from traffic engineers and correspondence and will make recommendations soon. Rhodes stated, “This has been very frustrating and time consuming and we need to determine what our options are.” Several complaints have been registered regarding work authorized on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Some residents are concerned the privilege is being abused. Rules and Regulations outlined in the Green Book clearly states when deliveries may be made and how exceptions can be authorized. Rhodes reported forming an ad hoc committee, chaired by VP Don McMurray, who will make a full review of the book to make certain it reflects current regulations including the Disaster Plan, several Policy Statements and changes information committee chairs may want to be included to enhance communication with our residents. He went on to thank Dick Bayles for the years of work dedicated to the Green Book. FINANCE REPORT Finance Committee chair, Don McMurray was pleased to announce through the first seven months of the fiscal year, the board has underspent by $50,810.
He went on to praise committee chairs for managing their budgets well. McMurray did state that a few residents remain delinquent in assessments and fees totaling just over $8,000. According to policy, these accounts have been turned over to an attorney for processing and debt collection. The FY 2015 budget preparation process has begun and all committee chairs have submitted anticipated expenses for next year. The hope is to have the FY15 draft budget submitted to the board members by October 24th, for discussion and to approve a final budget at the November 6th board meeting. Two issues of concern remain. Costs associated with restoration of the lake banks due to lake erosion and expenses associated with the proposed lane change project at the north entrance.
By Trebor Britt
activities which are prohibited. • Consolidate messages so that only one sign is required at each entrance. George Neil, John Carson and Truman Menefee are working on the final design, order and placement. DRAINAGE Committee chair, Jack Jost reported Overholt Landscaping has cleaned out Pintail Way Creek and reworked the lower 30’ of the swale feeding into Pintail Way Creek from Kestral Park Place. Additionally, Overholt also reopened about 200’ of the swale running along the south side of Landings Blvd just east of Landings Terrace.
GAZEBO Rudy Blohm is now managing the Gazebo replacement project. Please note that the Nature Trail AESTHETICS is now closed to all Landings Aesthetics Committee chair, resident traffic from the bridge to Truman Menefee reported the Roberts Bay. Construction of they were asked to review a the new Gazebo is well underway. request to place “No Soliciting – No Trespassing” signs at the EAGLE EDITORIAL gates. The Committee and COMMITTEE staff consultant, Lenora Jost C o m m i t t e e c h a i r , L a r r y reviewed the request and made L a w r e n c e r e p o r t e d t h e i r the following recommendations: c o m m i t t e e i s c o n s i d e r i n g • T h e e n t r a n c e s r e m a i n publishing the names of those uncluttered. adjudicated for violating • A sign be placed at North and The Landings speed limits. Additionally, the committee is South entrances. • The signs will adhere to also still searching for a Landings The Landings design and font resident to serve as the local standard. editor. Look for details of the • Signs be placed a sufficient position in future Landings Eagle distance from the gate to allow editions. an individual sufficient space to Regarding future projects, turn around prior to getting too Irwin Starr is preparing a series of close to the gate. articles on The Landings history. • The signs would be generic Continued on page 27 in nature and not list specific
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