Pondapple Maintenance Association
Unofficial Monthly Board Meeting Notes
February 8, 2005

• Darlene Cook is our new representative from Benchmark Property Management.
• Skip McKowen, from Greenway Landscaping was introduced and there was a discussion of his company's work so far, as generally good, but with room for improvement on some details. It was decided that grass should be cut with a blade height of 3.5" to avoid scalping where land is uneven. Skip agreed to look at the front entrance landscaping and give us some suggestions now that ficus trees at entrance have been trimmed and the area gets more light. Darlene offered to make suggestions on landscaping the playground area.
• After discussion of various drain problems, all members are to take note after the next heavy rain and report problem areas to the board. The storm drains themselves may need work to get them flowing smoothly again.
• Second $200 special assessment payment to be announced at annual meeting March 31. Since no funds have been received from FEMA, we will need the second part of the special assessment. Once that money has been received, and after residents owing back fees have paid, our treasury should be recovered from hurricane expenses and healthy once again. Residents who are behind in payments will be getting letters notifying them: if there is no payment within 2 weeks, they will receive notice from our lawyers, with accompanying legal fees due.
• Candidates are needed to run for Board. Applications must be received by Benchmark no later than March 1, 2005. David's & Duke's one-year terms of office are expiring, so there are two vacancies. David said he plans to run again.
• Hurricane Damage reimbursement: Some homeowners who had trees damaged by the hurricane and had them removed at their own expense have applied for reimbursement from the board. Duke moved and David seconded the motion to reimburse 50% of the expense of the tree removal fee, up to the amount of $400 per household. Motion passed unanimously. This is in light of the fact that the HOA will not have the expense of having that tree trimmed this year and for some time. Homeowners are expected to replace the trees that were removed unless they get permission from the board not to do so.
• JKA Sprinkler service: The new sprinkler service gave a status report on our system stating that a large number of sprinkler heads and other hardware needed replacing. Previous sprinkler company had recently charged us to replace a large amount of hardware as well. Board directed Darlene to let JKA know that we need documentation on hardware being replaced.
• J & J lawsuit: John's lawyer is disputing the amount owed to J & J at the end of his service to us. We will take no action at this time.
• House paint colors: Darlene has been working with Sherwin-Williams and has drawn up a palate of suggested colors. This was given to Beautification Committee member Martine Silver. Some present thought the colors were too dark. More colors may be added to the palate. Darlene said that Sherwin-Williams agreed to give all Pondapple residents a 25% discount on paint purchases. Residents please remember to get board approval before painting, to avoid being required to repaint.
• City of Boca Raton Code Enforcement: City code enforcement inspectors will be coming around. We are now subject to city rules and regulations. Please see www.bocaonline.com for further information. One notable requirement is that fences around pools must have self-closing gates, and that permits are required for work involving electricians and for work over $1000 in cost.
• Home Maintenance Inspections: Darlene announced that Benchmark will now do monthly inspections of the neighborhood and send letters to residents regarding property maintenance needed, such as fence replacement or roof cleaning, etc. She stated that homeowners are required to replace deteriorating fences which developer had placed behind or around their yards. This is not an association responsibility.
• Payment Coupons: David said that the new budget is being prepared. Once that is done a decision will be made as to the monthly fee amount and then coupons for the next year's payments will be prepared.
• Signs: Still waiting on the posts to install signs.