Hi Folks,

The Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting yesterday.  If you wish to see a rebroadcast, tune in Channel 50 at 2:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2 or the same times on Wednesday, February 3.

1. The Consent Agenda of the board meeting deals with formal action taken by the board between meetings.  These items require the unanimous written consent of the board.  The consent agenda this time included the following items:
   1. Appointment of a Nominating Committee to nominate candidates for election to the Board of Directors this spring.  Al Reuben was appointed chairman and the committee consists of Stretch Breth, Ella Davis, Holly Field, Richard Palmer, Joel Spiegel and Jo Stephy.
   2. Appointment of a Fitness Advisory to advise the board on policies and procedures for the operation of our fitness facilities and the facilities administered by the Fitness Center.  There are seven members-at-large as well as representatives of clubs who use facilities administered by the Fitness Center.  Al Reuben and I attended the organizational meeting of this committee yesterday to give them direction regarding the intentions of the board in forming the committee.  Once they have elected their officers, we will inform the community of the membership of this group.
   3. Establishment of guidelines for residents wishing to appeal a decision of the Covenants Committee.  Any resident is entitled to a review of their appeal but are not guaranteed of a physical hearing with the board.  The board will only convene to hear the appeal if new information ,which was not presented to the Covenants Committee, is presented for the board's consideration.
   4. Establishment of guidelines that set out the details by which Members may obtain access to Assocation Records, Reports and Official Documents. 
   5. Establishment of a golf fee policy allowing "package" holders to charge guest play, at the prevailing guest rate, against their package account balance.
   6. Amendment of By-Laws to allow Neighborhood elections to be conducted via mail-in-ballots and to have them take place concurrently with the Board of Directors Election each spring.  The Election Committee annually appointed by the board will conduct both the board and neighborhood elections.
2. Two items were presented under Old Business:
   1. The board appointed a "Business and Government Affairs Committee", formalizing an action taken when this was recommended in the final report of the Master Planning Committee when its report was approved following the annual meeting.  Phyllis Giglinto and Joe Fragale will lead this important committee which will help represent out interests outside the gates of the community.
   2. The board presented its results agains the 2003 Goals and Objectives.  This was an important event.  Two years ago, when the board met in its January meeting, it had no goals and objectives.  I made this an issue in the 2002 campaign, we now have them and this was the first time they were ever reviewed with the community.  The complete text of results is available in the Wall Street Room.  From my perspective only, the following highlights are offered: (1)  2003 was the first year that the board received goals and objectives from CAM, (2)  We set up a Buainess and Technology Committee to begin the upgrate of our computer and software systems, (3)  We established a plan to achieve self-sufficiency in golf operations, (4)  We took a comprehensive look at meeting space management with the help of the Space Task Force of the Interclub Council. (5)  We resolved the long-standing problems associated with the food and beverage operation in the Okatie Creek clubhouse.  There were many other accomplishments and I encourage you to read the full report.
3.  Three items were considered under New Business:
   1. Clarification of Community Rules to state that operators of golf carts are required to have a drivers license and proof of insurance and that the SCHH Security Officers will ask to see it if the cart is stopped for a traffic violation.  Drivers can avoid a citation fine for not having the documents with them if they produce them at the CAM offices within five days.  One resident spoke in favor of this proposal citing the need to assure safety on our streets which are shared by such a great variety of vehicles as well as walkers and joggers.  Two residents spoke against it citing the need for residents who either never had a drivers license or who can no longer qualify for one to get around the community in a golf cart.  The board is sympathetic to this argument but feels that it cannot guarantee the safety of all of the residents if it allows individuals who, for whatever physical reasons, cannot qualify for a drivers license, to operate a motorized vehicle on our streets.  This proposal was passed unanimously.
   2. Requirement for registration of golf carts with the Community Association including presentation of proof of insurance and display of a registration decal.  One resident spoke in support of this proposal and there was no opposition.  The board voted unanimously to approve this proposal and the registration process will start in the spring.
   3. The board presented a very brief overview of the its 2004 Goals and Objectives.  I won't summarize these since they will be presented in the March issue of Sunsations in articles by the three resident board members and one by Fred Fochtman, President of the Board.

Following adjournment, the board took questions and comments from the floor.  Some highlights are:

• The need for rules for use of the new nature trail including a requirement for no smoking since this trail is in a woods area.
• The need for more regular maintenance around lagoon areas where neither the common area maintenance personnel nor the Estate Management personnel seem to be picking up trash.
• A suggestion that we should not allow the Beaufort Couty Sheriff to patrol our streets and, instead, have our own traffic rules.
• The need for bus service so that residents who cannot drive can get out to shop and go to the doctor, etc.  There is a "Meals and Wheels" organization in Sun City which can help with this problem.
• The need for more opportunities for residents to give input in the amenity planning process.

That's it, sorry for the length but it was a busy meeting.

Jerry