Pondapple Maintenance Association
Unofficial Monthly Board Meeting Notes
November 4, 2004

• VJ had a discussion with the president of the Hackberry Association, during which they agreed to remove "the BIG stump" at the entrance corner. He also asked about why Pondapple were paying for landscaping on "Tract K", which is owned by the Hackberry Association, and was told Hackberry thought they were paying! J&J Landscaping has been charging both homeowners' associations. John of J&J attended the meeting, and said that Pondapple pays for work on the north side, and Hackberry for work on the south side. (Also, Hackberry owns half of the lake, but has no houses backing up to the lake. Yet Pondapple has paid for maintenance around the lake. On the other hand, Hackberry maintains landscaping outside the wall; Pondapple maintains the front entrance.)
• John requested $5,500 to cover extra work in cleaning up after the hurricanes. He has already begun cleaning out flowerbeds of leaves blown in and picking up branches and taking down hanging branches broken in the storms. He proposes to cut tree stumps level to the ground, remove yard trash in common areas, clean up the park, & supply & lay up to 2 pallets of sod to patch up the empty places. Annoyance was expressed about the poor raking & condition of the grass & beds, even before the hurricane, and of John's habit of blowing leaves into flowerbeds, plus the fact that J & J skipped a cutting (worth $2,000) after the hurricane. John agreed to a price of $4,500 for the work, to be paid only after Board Members inspect the neighborhood to be sure we are satisfied with the work. After John left, some questioned having J & J do the cleanup. Resident Donna Mulgrew offered the free services of Florida Coast Services, Inc., to clean up dead and hanging branches, if Pondapple would consider giving them a 3-year contract for landscaping. Bill Spilman mentioned Miller Bros. Landscaping, which does Pradera, as a possible alternative choice. It was decided to give J & J a chance to do a good job on this cleanup, and then decide if we are satisfied enough to continue with his company.
• There was discussion of whether Superior Sprinkler, which charges us $800 a month plus supplies (which have amounted to $500-$600 a month additional expenses), is a good deal, either. We will seek bids from other companies for sprinkler system maintenance. There was a suggestion that irrigation, pest control, and fertilizer application be handled by the same company, since they are interconnected.
• A quote was received for cleaning up the low-hanging branches and volunteer trees along Powerline Road, in preparation for replacing the fence. The bid was $1985, to clean "365 feet north of Sweet Maple". Also, a bid of $95 per section of fence, replacing the existing deteriorating fence sections with identical board-on-board fence, posts, & concrete, to be paid by abutting homeowners. No action was taken on this quote.
• Barbara P. and Martine S. have volunteered and been assigned to the Beautification Committee. Bill Spilman will now forward architectural requests to Barbara. Norton Klotz has the "virtually guaranteed to be approved" paint colors at his house, for homeowners who want to consult them before choosing colors. It was emphasized that newsletter should continue to remind homeowners they must get approval for colors before painting. Preferred method is to paint a section of the house with the chosen color so committee members can see it on the house.
• Barbara is working on the community directory. She still needs about 20 phone numbers before completing it.
• A resident's dolphin fountain was broken by tree cutters hired by Pondapple HOA. The $435 needed to repair the fountain was approved unanimously.
• VJ announced that Pondapple will be taken into the City of Boca on Dec. 31, 2004, as a result of the recent election.
• A resident requested approval for white Rolladen shutters to be installed, asking that approval be expedited. Barbara and Martine, as Beautification committee members, viewed the brochure and gave their approval.
• Signs saying "No unlicensed motorized vehicles, mopeds, gopeds, etc" and "Please leash and curb your dog. It's the law. Clean up after your pet" have been received and will soon be installed around the neighborhood. Until Dec. 31 we are still to call the sheriff with complaints of hazardous unlicensed motorized vehicles in the neighborhood. After that, we will call Boca Police. Martine expressed concern over where the signs would be placed.
• There was discussion of the legal action in progress against a resident for painting her house an unapproved color. She has now repainted the house, in yet another unapproved color. Mr. Spilman pointed out that the law has changed, and that now we are required to go to mandatory arbitration on such matters. So we shall: our attorney is directed to proceed with enforcement regarding the paint color, and the continuing problem of the RV in the driveway.
• Turquoise house with torn awning: committee will check to see if repairs have been made as requested.
• Letters will go out to residents reminding them that trucks must be parked inside garages, not left in driveways.
• Some homeowners have not cleaned up their part of the properties. Duke indicated these people will receive letters asking them to clean up and bag their leaves and put them out for County collection.
• Holiday Decorations: $1200 was approved for lights at entrance.
• Suggestion was made to have the annual neighborhood party in March, before the seasonal residents leave town.