Trustee Meeting June 2011

Dougherty Lake Subdivision Board of Trustees
June 14, 2011

The Trustee meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Jim Gruenewald’s.  All trustees were present.

Lake Report – Jim Gruenewald
Jim reported that repairs will continue on the cul-de-sac lighting however vacation timing with the homeowners is slowing it down.  The next algae problem in the lake will have to be addressed with chemicals.

President’s Report – Jim Harris
Jim asked if the landscape company could bid on lowering the entrance plantings and dressing up the area in a more creative way. Roger will get a bid and we will search for an independent to bid on it also.

Treasurer’s Report – Chuck Toedtman
Chuck T. reported that the bid for new signs at the lake and playground came in at $4400 so he will investigate other options. The upgrade to the irrigation system at the park was $1100. We still have 3 leans outstanding for this year with one homeowner having 2 leans.

Landscape report – Roger Feltz
Roger repaired the playground fence, put the canopy up on the playground set, got the irrigation timing set correct, and plans to repair the loose boards on the Des Peres fence. Our landscape company planted the flowers at the entrance and trimmed the bushes in the cul-de-sac’s. New playground mulch will be delivered soon.

Communication Report – Carel Reynolds
A motion was passed to support the 4th of July parade with $100. Carel was asked to produce a newsletter with input from the other trustees.

Our next meeting was set for August 23, 7:15 pm at Carel’s home.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Annual Meeting Minutes 2010

Jim Harris called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m November 11, 2010, introducing the trustees. Jim Harris, Jim Gruenewald, Roger Feltz and Carel Reynolds were present, Chuck Toedtman was absent.

Lake Report – Jim Gruenewald
Jim reported that we have had numerous problems with the large aerator and that we needed to find a reputable company to help service, remove, store and/or replace them. He noted that we decided to hire The Pump Shop after much investigation. We will also investigate a new company to fix the lights in the cul-de-sacs, which run under the street.

  • Homeowner comment: The north monument light is out.
    Jim reported that recent work on the garden beds caused the outage but that he would get it repaired.
  • Homeowner comment: How are the aerators working now?
    Jim stated that they have a limited life span and that the Otterbine system ended up being a poor design as they are hard to repair. When replacement is needed, we will look into another manufacturer.
  • Homeowner comment: Can we fix the look of the fountain?
    That is very expensive. We have looked into adjusting it the best we can. The algae is controlled more with the aerator and chemicals.

Landscape report – Roger Feltz
Roger reported that Symmetry handles our landscaping and that the hot summer was tough on the begonias. We are also on the 3rd account manager at Symmetry which does not make it easy. We will cut back on the amount of mulch that is added. The entrance gets watered daily and the playground was 3 days a week. Because of the heat, we switched that to every day in July which caused a tree to die from too much water. We will investigate upgrades to the sprinkler system in the park. Cedar Treatment repaired the Des Peres Road fence and Roger cleaned up the underbrush. We also asked Symmetry to keep the mulch away from the fence. We planted a new maple tree in the playground. K&G Landscaping is trimming trees, and needs to address those along Des Peres Road. The black fence around the dam has also been repaired.

  • Homeowner comment: It appears the landscape weed-whackers damaged the fence and suggested we plant lower plants so as to not block the sign.

President’s Report – Jim Harris
Jim reported that our budget is on track but we need to plan ahead for projects this year. Lake and landscape projects are on hold for now. The run off from Four Winds Farm is a real problem but we can not do anything about it.

  • Homeowner comment: The cedar fence by the lake on the east side needs to be addressed.
    • Benches in the park were just power washed. Symmatry suggested removing the natural grasses or moving elsewhere and plant grass instead.
  • Homeowner comment: The playground equipment looks great and stressed it is important to keep it repaired and remove the cover in the winter.
  • Homeowner comment: Can you explain the rip-wrap along the Beaver Dam side of the lake?
    The Corp. of Engineers recommended adding the rip-wrap when the lake was put in. Now they say we should replace it so we are thinking we would include it in the next lake dredge project.
  • Homeowner comment: Are we responsible if the wall fails?
    • Yes, and the homes below the dam would be devastated. Insurance would be very expensive so we must stay on top of it.
  • Homeowner comment: What about connecting Dougherty Lake to Bittersweet Woods at the park?
    • The conservation department offered to widen and improve the trail if we would allow them to connect to us, but we need to get a better understanding of what they propose. Once received, we would present it to the entire subdivision for approval.

Communication Report – Carel Reynolds
Thank you to all who served on committees for the Fall Party and Holiday Decorations. We are truly grateful to the residents to step forward and organize activities. Please make sure you let Carel know if your information in the directory changes so we can keep you informed.

Election of Trustees
Terms have ended for Jim Harris, president and Carel Reynolds, communications. No nominations were made so Jim Gruenewald motioned that we retain Jim and Carel. Motion to retain passed unanimously. It was suggested we try to mentor homeowners through committees to replace trustees in the future.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Annual Meeting Minutes 2009

NOVEMBER 12, 2009 – 7:00 PM
DES PERES CITY HALL COMMUNITY ROOM

ATTENDEES Trustee Members: Jim Harris, President; Carel Reynolds, Communications; Nancy Shaffstall, Landscape; Jim Gruenewald, Lake/Maintenance; Chuck Toedtman, Treasurer

7:00 P.M. WELCOME, OPENING REMARKS
Jim Harris welcomed everyone, explained the agenda for the meeting and asked trustees to introduce themselves and share their responsibilities

LANDSCAPING REPORT NANCY SHAFFSTALL
Nancy Shaffstall explained the PowerPoint presentation attached. No discussion followed.

LAKE/MAINTENANCE REPORT JIM GRUENEWALD
Jim Gruenewald explained his portion of the PowerPoint presentation attached.
Question: Why does MSD not bear the cost of maintaining the lake?
Response: We tried but to no avail. The subdivision owns the lake and sewers.
Question: Could we implement a power plant of sorts?
Response: Not enough water
Question: What do we plan to do about the geese?
Response: With only 7 full time residents, we do not see it as a problem. There is not much we can do about the visiting geese except don’t feed them.

FINANCIAL REPORT CHUCK TOEDTMAN
Chuck Toedtman explained his portion of the PowerPoint presentation attached.
Question: Would we consider raising the lake reserve?
Response: Yes, we need to but did not think the homeowners could bear the cost. We need more money but are not sure how to get there. Our feeling is that is should be raised to at least $20,000. We will work on a plan to get there over the next year.
Question: What about using solar lights to save on the lighting budget?
Response: There are too many trees in Dougherty Lake Subdivision.
Question: Why not allow the residents handle the landscaping tasks instead of contracting with a company.
Response: There are not enough people to help. It is difficult to get trustees already.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT JIM HARRIS
Jim Harris explained his portion of the PowerPoint presentation attached. Jim explained in detail the problems we are having with our aging subdivision and the need for more funds to work with. A proposal has been presented in advance to the homeowners asking for an increase in the annual assessment. Jim asked if the homeowners present would allow a show of hands for the vote to increase the assessment. Several wanted a secret ballot so ballot’s were handed out and a vote was tabulated. Results from the vote were 26 votes for and 2 votes against. Jim announced to the homeowners that the assessment increase was passed.
VOTE FOR NEW TRUSTEES JIM HARRIS AND

NANCY SHAFFSTALL
Jim announced that Jim Gruenewald had agreed to serve another term as Lake and Maintenance Trustee and asked for approval from the homeowners and all approved.

Nancy introduced Roger Feltz who has offered to run for Landscape Trustee, replacing Nancy Shaffstall. Jim asked for approval from the homeowners and all approved.
8:30 P.M. ADJOURNMENT Having no other business, Jim Harris adjourned the meeting.

MINUTES TAKEN BY Carel Reynolds, Communications Trustee.

Annual Meeting Minutes 2008

November 13, 2008

Jim Harris, President, called the annual meeting of the residents of Dougherty Lake Subdivision to order with all trustees in attendance.

Carel Reynolds, Communications Trustee reported on the newsletters and other methods of communications. Comments from the floor were that the email communications were not a problem and should be continued.

Nancy Shaffstall reported on the Landscaping, summarizing contracts recently renewed with Symmetry and Irrigations Services, with a 3% increase for the new contract with Symmetry. We continue to replace dead trees with new ones, including 150 seedlings recently planted by the garden club. The Missouri Department of Conservation has committed to continue to clear the common area behind our playground and Ameren continues their work repairing where they worked in 2008. The entrance and the property along Des Peres Rd. in front of our fence speak well of our neighborhood. It is well maintained, attractive, and lets people know that we invest in Dougherty Lake and that it is a nice place to live.

Jim Harris commented that he continues to struggle with homeowners keeping the Des Peres Road fence clear of debris.

Jim Gruenewald reported that it was a relatively expensive year for the lake with more expected next year. The continuous running of our aerators and treating the lake with chemicals has kept silting at a minimum. The small aerator failed this year requiring over $2000 in repairs. We will investigate ways to slow down the flow from Four Winds Farm and will report back.

We consulted Rietz & Jens, the engineering firm used to inspect the dam in the past. The report came back that three trees and a large root ball need to be removed near the dam. In addition drainpipes will need to be installed. Three bids have been solicited. It is believed that we will need to drop the lake 3’ for three reasons: to minimize damage during the work on the dam; to look at the concrete rip-rap along Beaver Dam to see if it is safe; and to repair walls around the lake. Communication will be sent to all lake homeowners regarding timing of the project. If need be, we will again use Chuck Toedtman’s back yard to gain entrance to the lake area.

Tim Fletcher reported on our finances, which is right on plan with the budget. We estimated that the electricity and lake expenses would be higher and allowed for it.

Betty Struckhoff asked if we would consider connecting our park to Bittersweet Woods and Phantom Forest. Nancy Shaffstall reported that in 1997, Doug Harms approached the subdivision at the annual meeting asking residents about this connection to Bittersweet Woods. The residents discussed and voted to deny permission for access. In 2008 Nancy shared with Susan Trautman that the trustees had discussed and agreed to continue the policy of not allowing an official trail from our playground into Bittersweet Woods. Motion was made from the floor that the trustees not make a unilateral decision without informing the subdivision and the motion carried.

The Treasurer position was expiring and Chuck Toedtman offered to take the position. Motion was made and carried with all present.

With no further questions from the floor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.