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LAKE MONTEZUMA PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
DATE OF MEETING 3-2-2009
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 5:05 pm
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharon Brooks, Janet Aniol, Steve Sprinz, Carole Penfield-Krowne, Karin Krippene, Maggie Holt and Chris Beisecker.
OTHER RESIDENTS PRESENT: 34
GUEST SPEAKER: Judge Duane Wyles presented a very informative talk on water issues facing the Verde Valley, including the SRP lawsuit which has been pending since 1974. In the late 60s, SRP and other large water users in the Valley wanted to make sure they had enough water. Legislation was passed that determination of water rights should be county by county. However, in the 1970s, Judge Goodfard consolidated all the cases in Maricopa County Superior Court. He appointed Judge Wyles to represent the "little guys" on a steering committee. Every water user was required to file a statement of claim. The Verde Valley Waters Users Association was formed to represent the joint interests of water users (including well owners) in this area.
Judge Wyles handed out a 9 page summary providing an overview of the adjudications in a Q and A format. He also explained the legal differences between surface water rights and ground water rights. SRP is claiming rights to all the water.
The outcome of the litigation is uncertain. He stressed the importance of being informed as there may come a time when SRP will come to each water user's property to make an initial determination of your usage and if SRP prevails in the adjudication, may be able to charge property owners for the water drawn from their own wells. His advice is to make sure you or the prior owner of your property filed the necessary claim form in the adjudication.
Membership in the Verde Valley Water Users, Inc. is $25.00 per year. They are taking the position that property owners bought land with an expectation that they could use the ground water through wells. Judge Wyles then answered many questions from the attendees.
I. MINUTES: The minutes from February 2, 2009 were read and approved..
II. FINANCIAL REPORT. Chris solicited bids for maintenance of Rollins Park. He received one from Joshua Tree. Sharon Brooks will try to negotiate a lesser price. Maggie reported that LMPOA has 216 current members, compared to 259 last year.
III. OLD BUSINESS. There will be a community clean-up on March 21st from 3-4. It is sponsored by BCRC and Yavapai County. At Beaver Creek Road and Burke Blvd. Volunteers are needed.
Also, from March 12-16, Kiwanis is sponsoring an electronic recycling event at the Rimrock Mercantile. Old electronics such as cameras, radios, computer components, etc. are to be collected.
Due to time constraints, the board deferred other Old Business items and Committee Reports to a special meeting to be held on March 16th at 5:00 p.m.
IV. NEW BUSINESS. Janet, Maggie and Karin as volunteers of the Beaver Creek Adult Center have prepared the grant application for $55,000.00 to the "Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Program." These funds are to purchase a lift-equipped maxivan to provide transport for elderly and persons with disabilities to surrounding towns for medical appointments, shopping, etc. Matching dollars of $6600.00 are required. BCCC has pledged 1600.00. After discussion, a motion was made to approve a pledge by LMPOA for $5000.00 (from the E. Lodge bequest) toward the match and to make best efforts to engage in fund raising activities to replenish the account. The vote was 6 in favor, 1 opposed, and 0 abstentions.
A second grant will be needed to cover operating costs such as gas and oil. Community members will need to volunteer to drive the van, and do not need CDLs..
V ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Carole Penfield-Krowne
Secretary
LAKE MONTEZUMA PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
ADJOUIRNED BOARD MEETING
DATE OF MEETING 3-16-2009 (as continuation of meeting on 3-2-09)
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 5:15 pm
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharon Brooks, Janet Aniol, Steve Sprinz, Carole Penfield-Krowne, Karin Krippene, and Chris Beisecker. Maggie Holt was excused due to prior commitments.
I. FINANCIAL REPORT/ PARK DEVELOPMENT.
Bids for maintenance of Rollins Park. Vista Lawn Care gave a bid and said that the sprinkler system needed repairs and the grass needed fertilizer. Sharon Brooks will try to negotiate a lesser price with Joshua Tree.
Format for financials. The Board had a brief discussion about Maggie's new financial forms and the computerized records that Chris provided to Maggie on a disc. The matter was postponed to the next meeting when Maggie is present.
III. OLD BUSINESS
· Report on Monthly expenses. Removed from agenda. Noted that APS bill does segregate park lights from street lights.
· Secondary Access. Moved under category of Transportation reports.
· Vision for LMPOA. To be reviewed at April meeting
· Grants/County involvement with Rollins Park. Chris provided a revised list of Rollins Park Expenses to be submitted to the County with request for assistance. Sharon to follow up.
· Stimulus Infrastructure Request List. Only 1 item in the entire unincorporated area got approved—improvement to Cornville road. All our requests for Beaver Creek were not included. This item to be removed from Old Business list.
· Work session at LMPOA storage unit. To be rescheduled in April.
IV. NEW BUSINESS.
New Transportation Issues. Janet presented a draft letter to Supervisor Davis for approval in which LMPOA requests that the County apply for a Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant to alleviate unsafe conditions on the Sycamore Bridge and Lake Montezuma Avenue. She also asked the Board for approval to spend the $12,000 funds we are holding from Red Rock Development as the 5.7% match required for a $200,000 grant for such County project. Janet has corresponded vi email with Jon Friedman, Manager of Red Rocks Development, who responded "We hereby approve and support your efforts in getting this grant. Please go ahead and use the funds we provided as you all best see fit." After discussion, a motion was made approving the draft letter to Chip Davis and approving use of the Red Rock funds as the match by LMPOA for the above described TE grant. The motion passed unanimously. Janet will send a formal letter of confirmation to Red Rocks on LMPOA letterhead.
Begin 2009 Budget process. Carole raised a concern that the annual membership dues do not cover our projected expenses. We do not have a membership chairperson and something needs to be done to increase our shrinking membership. Karin suggested LMPOA needs to spend some money to increase efforts to get property owners, especially those out of the area, to pay dues.
Janet said LMPOA has a lot of money in the bank and Chris agreed that as a non-profit, LMPOA should spend it all down. Concern was raised that more moneys should be directed at activities that aid the entire membership, not just the school. Some of the funds are "restricted" such as the Red Rocks Development fund and the funds already committed to the van grant match, the community assistance grant match. Janet plans to request another $500 for the after school activities and $300 for the BCAC. The swim bus has been funded elsewhere. No action was taken.
V. Committee Reports
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Transportation. Janet continues to suggest at transportation meetings that the County start acquiring land rights toward a secondary crossing. It is not in the 5 year plan, but we need to constantly remind the County so it won't be forgotten.
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Community Plan. Committee to have drafts by April.
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Planning and Zoning. Steve reported that the written report is on the website. Chris stated that he got a call from Bonnie Miller who wants a letter of approval from LMPOA for her zoning changes to permit expansion of her mini storage business. She first needs to submit an application to the County.
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Publicity. We got great publicity for our Community Dance workshop held on March 7th at the Baptist Church, including a video on verdenews.com. This was the "preparation" for the first LMPOA spring concert, which is to be held on March 29th at the BCAC and will consist of two dance demonstrations, hip-hop by local youth and English Country Dance by our very own "LMPOA Dancers". Posters are going up and the newspapers have been asked to publicize the event.
VI ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Carole Penfield-Krowne
Secretary | 