JUNO ISLES CIVIC ASSOCIATION

March 5, 2007

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

 

The regular monthly meeting of the Juno Isles Civic Association Board of Directors was held on Monday, March 5, 2007, at Holy Spirit Church on Ellison Wilson Road. 

 

v     Roll Call and Call to Order:

Jim Jackson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.  The following board members were present: 

 

Douglas Acker

Present

 

Blas Contreras

Present

 

Shelley Green

Present

 

Kathy Greene

Present

 

Wayne Hatten

Present

 

Jim Jackson

Present

 

Dave Mastran

Present

 

Bernard Slean

 

Unexcused

Frank Slevinski

Present

 

Idella Vinho

Present

 

Dinah Washam

Present

 

Tom Wajdowicz

Present

 

 

Note: The minutes refer to Board Members by their first name as listed above.

 

 

v     Agenda Review:   Jim Jackson

 

The standard agenda will be followed.

 

 

v     Old Business

 

  • Jim said that Seacoast will be the provider for water, and The Loxahatchee Environmental Control District (ENCON) will be the provider for a waste water system for The Estates of Juno Beach. ENCON will now be running the sewer system for The Estates of Juno Beach north of Juno Isles. There will be no lines running through Juno Isles. Jim believes that the system will still be a pressurized system; it is the system preferred by ENCON. A gravity flow system is still a possibility through Juno Isles if and when Juno Isles decides to install a sewer system. Frank asked Dinah if it was possible to get an estimate of the monthly cost of an ENCON sewer system. Jim said an estimate from ENCON could be acquired.

 

  • Kathy asked if any Board members had heard from the residents on Crafton regarding The Estates of Juno Beach project. As a resident on Crafton, Doug said the only concern was the amount of time it may take to clear the land and put the fence up. His neighbors seem to be okay with the wall behind their homes. Jim said that while they are under construction, there will be a 6-foot screening around the property. The County requires that the north wall be constructed first. There will also be future discussions of an option for Juno Isles homeowners to join a new Florida Power and Light electrical line, eliminating the existing overhead line.

 

  • Ecclestone offers Juno Isles homeowners two choices with regard to the wall between The Estates of Juno Beach and Juno Isles:
         1)  Homeowners may connect their fence to The Estates’ wall and maintain the south
              side of the wall.
         2)  Homeowners may choose not to connect to The Estates’ wall, and it will be The
              Estates’ responsibility to maintain the wall.
    Jim will check with Ecclestone about details before Kathy does a mailing to Crafton residents advising them of their choices.

 

  • Jim introduced Ellen Stropp. She said that she was present only to listen and would not comment or answer questions. Jim sent a letter to Mrs. Stropp stating that there were two separate issues: the existing fence and the submission to the Architectural Committee for a new fence. Kathy said the Stropps need to submit plans for a new fence. Jim said that the Board decided at the last meeting that they should be treated as two separate issues, and the Board is awaiting a response from the Stropps regarding both the existing fence and the new fence. Idella asked if there was a time frame on the matter. Jim said, ‘not immediately.’ Kathy suggested that the Board should get in touch with the Association attorney, Scott Gherman, and find out if there was a time frame, and what action the Board should take.

 

  • Jim spoke with Chris Cox. She said that Florida, Power and Light has been surveying in the Juno Isles community, but would not officially set the stakes where the street lights are going to be, that it is the Association’s responsibility to work with the county to have that done. Jim said he has been in touch with Palm Beach County Commissioner Marcus’s office, requesting that they set the stakes for the lighting and extend their agreement with Juno Isles past March 31st. Jim also inquired if Workman’s Compensation Insurance is required not only during the installation, but also during the ongoing maintenance of the lighting and front island improvements. He has not yet received a reply. Shelley asked why Commissioner Marcus doesn’t just put in the 10 lights since it is a county road. Kathy said Commissioner Marcus says the County will only illuminate roads that are four lanes. Jim said that each Commissioner is granted money for improvements within their district, and that money usually goes to local governments. However, Commissioner Marcus provided funds for Juno Isles lighting and front island improvements with that money. The Association is waiting for an invoice from Florida, Power and Light indicating what the costs will be. The Association must pay that invoice before Florida, Power and Light will proceed. There are complications with putting four lights on each post around the bridges. They can provide 10 lights, as well as one cobra on the bridge on Ellison Wilson.

 

 

v     New Business

 

Kathy mentioned that there is a bill, HB1373, in the House of Representatives where homeowner associations will be put under enforcement control by the State Department of Business and Regulations, the same as condo associations. The bill states, ‘A contract or written agreement may not be allowed to maintain property that is not owned by and deeded to the Association.’ In other words, the Association could not have a contract to maintain the front island and the street lighting because the Association does not own it. Another part of the proposed bill is that each Board member would be up for election each year. In addition, Board members would have to attend training.

 

 

v     Secretary’s Report:  Jim Jackson

 

Jim said the Board should get a notice to residents within 48 hours for the budget and assessment approval meeting on March 21st. Wayne suggested that the budget and assessment approval meeting be postponed since Bernard, the Treasurer, was not here and the Board did not have the revised budget before them tonight. The Board discussed that the draft budget should be sent to each Board member via email, each Board member would then review the proposed budget, bring any changes to the April 2nd Board meeting, and approve the budget and adopt the assessment at the April 2nd Board meeting. Homeowners will receive a notice 14 days before the April 2nd Board meeting. The Board did not anticipate raising the assessment, based on the expenses they have seen so far. The Board agreed that the expenses have been discussed, and they will not be going over that again. After Board discussion, it was decided that any increase in budgeted expenses would be covered by surplus funds rather than by increasing assessments.

 

 

v     Treasurer’s Report:  no report

 

 

v     Committee Reports

 

Architectural Committee – Shelley Green

 

A variance request for 1820 Crafton Road was submitted by Blas. About ten days ago, Jim and Blas compiled a package for the seven surrounding neighbors and the Board. The other Board members questioned why the package included a paragraph regarding a free-standing gazebo since the variance request was for an attached porch. Blas said he had visited each of the seven neighbors, showed them the plans, and explained the variance request for an attached gazebo/patio. He acquired six neighbors’ signature of approval. Kathy questioned why the dimensions of the attached structure go beyond the setback requirements. She added that unless it is detached, the gazebo rules do not apply. Jim read aloud Covenants Paragraph 5, Sub-paragraph 9, in its entirety. He then questioned, “What are the unique physical conditions causing hardship?” Blas responded that the east side of the lot is not a perfect rectangle, so he had to bring the structure to the west side. Kathy and Wayne asked why Blas didn’t make the room smaller. Then a variance would not be necessary. Blas said it was the maximum way to use the space. Wayne said that a future homeowner may decide to enclose the area since it is attached. Jim asked if Blas was adding footers. Blas said he was not. Jim said the new attachment could not be enclosed without footers. Kathy said that if the structure was a detached gazebo, then a variance would not be necessary. She added that if the structure was attached, then it did not meet the setback requirements. Dave asked if a licensed survey was included in the variance application. Jim said that it was included in the package submitted to the surrounding homeowners and to the Board. Shelley asked Frank his opinion about the structure since he is a neighbor. Frank said the plan made sense, and he was fine with it. Wayne asked why Blas couldn’t make the attached structure five feet shorter, within the setback requirements. Frank said that it would not look good. Blas said the project had been postponed for five months. He was trying to go about it the right way, requested a variance, talked with the neighbors, and now it was time for the Board to do their part. Blas said he was trying to maximize his back yard because of the irregularity of the lot. Frank made a motion to approve the variance. Idella seconded the motion. Frank, Idella, Jim, Doug, Blas, Frank, and Tom were in favor. Wayne, Shelley, Dave and Kathy opposed. The variance request passed.

 

Plans were approved for a detached garage, pool fence and driveway at 2116 Ardley Road.


The resident at 1744 Ardley rebuilt a fence within the guidelines of the Covenants, but did not submit plans to the Architectural Committee before building. The resident at 2118 Ardley also installed a fence in compliance with the Covenants, but did not submit plans to the Architectural Committee before building. Shelley will notify the two homeowners that review and approval by the Architectural Committee is required before installing a fence. Jim suggested a letter that can be used repeatedly would be helpful, as well as a reminder in the newsletter that the requirements stated in the Covenants have not changed.

 

Community Improvements – Jim Jackson

 

Chris Cox reported to Jim that she has been in touch with Asplundh and Florida, Power and Light, and that they plan to complete the Juno Isles street lighting project by the end of March.

 

Covenants Committee – Frank Slevinski

 

A letter was received from Robert Kirkman, 1963 Crafton Road, regarding visible boat storage at 12868, 12927 and 12922 Ellison Wilson Road. Frank is addressing them.

 

It was reported that home schooling is being conducted at 1803 Juno Isles Blvd, but none of the children are the residents’. Frank will investigate.

 

The following boat/vehicle storage code violations were submitted to Palm Beach County:

      Address               County Case Number

2054 Ardley Road                        0703050021

1849 Ardley Road                        0703050022

1861 Juno Isles Blvd        0703050024

1831 Ardley Road                        0703050025

1592 Bowood Road         0703050027

12864 Barrow Road         0703050028

12899 Barrow Road         0703050030

2051 Ascott Circle            0703050031

1921 Ascott Road             0703050032

1748 Ascott Road             0703050033

1855 Crafton Road           0703050035

1919 Crafton Road           0703050036

 

Blas questioned the vending machine in front of the garage at 1981 Ascott. Frank will check into it.

 

Crime Watch – Tom Wajdowicz

 

The Sheriff’s report for the month of February has not yet been received.

 

A postcard was sent to Juno Isles residents to make them aware of recent burglaries.

 

Tom has received 500-600 SPAM email through the Juno Isles website, directed to Juno Isles Crime Watch, during the last couple of days. Pete is tracking Juno Isles Crime Watch email to find out where the SPAM email is coming from.

 

Landscape Committee – Douglas Acker


Tom said the new lights are not yet in the front island.

 

Social Committee – Shelley Green and Dinah Washam


The annual picnic will be on April 21st. Frank asked what the rate of attendance was for recent picnics. Shelley said about 30%. Frank suggested the Board could improve communications to the residents by having each committee setup a table at the picnic. Several Board members agreed that was a good idea. Jim suggested that one booth, manned in rotation by committee members, would be sufficient.

 

Shelley suggested the formation of a Welcome Wagon to offer new homeowners a welcome letter, a copy of the Covenants, copies of recent newsletters, and a cookie/fruit plate. Kathy asked how Shelley would know when there was a new resident. Shelley replied that she could be made aware of new residents when Bernard generates the estoppel letter to new residents. Shelley said she and Dinah would create a letter for new homeowners and submit it to the Board for review at the next Board meeting. She requested the Board to let her know of any further suggestions for the Welcome Wagon.

 

Dave put an ad in The Jupiter Courier, The Palm Beach Post, The Hometown News and The Penney Saver for the Juno Isles annual garage sale to be held on March 17th. Wayne asked if a post card also needed to be sent in addition to the recent newsletter ad and website ad. Shelley offered to send a post card to residents, letting them know in which newspapers ads had been placed for the annual garage sale. Dave will put signs out a week before the event. Wayne made a motion to spend up to $220 to purchase reusable signs. Blas seconded the motion.  All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Since a post card is going to the residents announcing the budget and assessment meeting, Jim will add a reminder about the upcoming annual garage sale and picnic.

 

Web Site – Jim Jackson

 

Pete will determine the version of Dreamweaver needed to maintain the website and reply to Jim. Pete is apprehensive about two people working on the website. A protocol needs to be setup, so that website administrators don’t overwrite each other’s work. Jim requested the Board send photos and updated bios to Shelley.

 

Wayne said he is still getting Treasurer email, and forwards it to Bernard.

 

 

v     Adjournment

 

Wayne made a motion to adjourn. Dinah seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the

motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Rhonda Thomas