Annual Meeting – 05/28/16

Posted on: May 30, 2016

NORTH SHORES ANNUAL MEETING

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Call to Order and Quorum

The Annual Meeting of North Shores Homeowners Association was called to order by President Bruce Wilson at 10:10 a.m.

President Wilson thanked those in attendance for taking an interest in their community and welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He introduced Board members Debbie Director, Paul Salditt, Helen Hoart, and Mary Haverback and thanked them for their efforts and hard work over the past year.

It was established that a quorum was present for the meeting (74 represented in person and 56 represented by proxy), allowing for business of the community to be conducted at the meeting.

Minutes

Draft minutes of the May 23, 2015 homeowners meeting were made available on the community’s website and mailed to all homeowners in April as part of the Annual Report Package.  The floor was opened for comments on the minutes.  A motion was made and seconded to accept the Minutes as submitted.  The motion to accept the minutes was passed unanimously.

President’s Report

President Wilson informed the homeowners about several items of neighborhood business affecting the community.

  • North Shores Office Manager Dion Johnson resigned earlier this year after many years of service.  Dion will be missed by many for his helpfulness and engaging manner with community members. President Wilson introduced Linda Travers as the new office manager.  Linda worked previously for the Rehoboth Art League and was applauded for her efforts to learn our office operations quickly.
  • President Wilson reported that developments regarding the spread of the Zika virus were being monitored carefully.  North Shores will be working with DNREC and monitoring the EPA for updates on the latest recommendations.  North Shores precautionary measures include weekly community spraying for mosquitos as well as the use of mosquito larvacide pellets in standing water.  Homeowners were advised to address areas of standing water such as downspouts and gutters.  Private mosquito spraying for individual homeowners is also available and reported effective. Homeowners were asked to notify the office about standing water concerns.
  • Drainage improvements that are currently being undertaken have been delayed.  Seventeen days of rain have slowed the community’s drainage contractor, Harry Caswell, Inc., from completing certain portions of the Phase 1 (north end) project.  President Wilson reported that the lack of elevation, with only 4 inches to work with some areas, have complicated the project.  Sediment build up in the outfall areas, primarily the “mosquito ditches” in Cape Henlopen State Park, slow the drainage process.  Many of these areas are tidal, which can also slow drainage from North Shores. Tidal valves are scheduled to be installed in September to alleviate backflow from high tides. Drainage work on a few properties will continue into June with the remaining work to be completed after the summer.
  • DNREC and the Army Corps. of Engineers have established a firebreak line along the property line between the State Park and North Shores in the area along Farview Road.  North Shores will continue to request that the firebreak be cleared and the outfall areas in the park be dredged as part of the project.
  • President Wilson further explained the need to repave the roads and the importance of improving the drainage community wide in anticipation of that need.  The capital asset survey, completed in 2014, recommended improving drainage in areas where water infiltration was causing sub-grade failure of the pavement before road re-paving . The south side of the community is more affected by this than the north side, with the cycle of freezing and thawing as a contributing factor.  A homeowner questioned the established elevations determined by the contractor and requested an engineering consultation.  In response, President Wilson reported that a contractor with expertise on elevations will be continuing the work.
  • Growth in the community over that past several years has created the need for more beach equipment and homeowner requests for upgrades to the playground.  The Board is beginning its early stages of considering planned improvements, likely including a larger beach equipment/operations and maintenance building and the possible relocation of either the playground or the building to the area adjacent to the pool parking lot.  While no plans have yet been developed, President Wilson plans to seek input from the community at large, as well as the South and West Villas, for the development of the site plan.
  • One homeowner has requested the installation of a speed bump on S. Rodney Street. Officials from the City of Rehoboth and the fire department have repeated their request that if North Shores feels it necessary to adopt additional traffic calming measures along that road, that the community consider alternatives to installing a speed bump at that location.  President of the Villas South on a potential plan to redesign parking and establish a crosswalk that should discourage speeding on Rodney Road.
  • Replacement of the fence surrounding the tennis courts has been delayed by the weather, but is still planned for this year or early next spring.
  • The Rehoboth Beach Outfall Project is underway and will lead to higher sewer rates for North Shores residents.   New sewer rates will be considerably higher per gallon and based on water consumption; President Wilson advised homeowners to be conscientious about their water usage and to check for leaks, based on water usage provided by the City of Rehoboth.   While the City has not yet set the new rates, information associated with the outfall project suggest that rate increases may exceed four times their current level when the project is completed.

Beach Report

President Wilson reported that there was significant damage to the beach and dune from Winter Storm Jonas.  Secretary Debbie Director and Property Manager Steve Houston met several times with DNREC officials to gain approval under our scraping permit to restore the dune and beach. The financial benefit of the scraping permit allowed North Shores to reduce the original estimate of $400,000.00 to $125,000.00 for the restoration.  President Wilson thanked Debbie for all of her efforts and saving the community a significant expense for beach repairs.  DNREC and consultants that advised on the project are optimistic that over the summer the North Shores beach will continue to grow and recover from the storm damage. Rehoboth Beach is currently planning a beach replenishment project in the fall that should also help to rebuild the beach.

Sand fence replacement is almost complete and should be finished in a few weeks.  The installation has offset openings to minimize property and storm damage as recommended by DNREC.  President Wilson advised homeowners that are concerned about the location of the entrance to contact the office so the opening can be adjusted.

Secretary Director reported new regulations impacting construction and homes near the beach will likely be finalized this summer.

Bath and Tennis

Maureen Brown, Bath and Tennis Manager, thanked everyone for their beach equipment orders this year and reminded everyone that the pool passes were ready to be picked up at the pool.  She encouraged homeowners to use the website for beach equipment set up and scheduled for a two week period.  Umbrellas that have not been used for three days in a row will be removed from set up for non-use.  Umbrellas will be set up using the zig zag pattern again this year, and personal umbrellas should be set up in those areas or behind the established set up line.  Water aerobics will be offered again this year on Saturday morning for $5/per class. Adult lap swim will be available every day from 9-10 a.m.   Pool hours are from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.  This year there will be no charge for the use of the tennis courts, but sign up is still required.  The beach is guarded every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dogs are permitted on the beach after 6 p.m.  Children using kayaks and paddle boards should wear a life vest and be accompanied by an adult.  Maureen reported that she is exploring the possibility of swimming lessons but has not been able to find a certified instructor. A homeowner asked about badging the beach.  President Wilson indicated that it would not be necessary yet.  Maureen indicated that Beach Supervisor Rich Lantz will be monitoring the beach again this year.

President Wilson congratulated Maureen for 25 years of service North Shores and presented her with flowers.

Treasurers Report

Treasurer Helen Hoart thanked former treasurer Donnee Ramelli and bookkeeper Phyllis Donovan for their historical knowledge of North Shores and assisting her in her first year as treasurer.  The 2016 budget is in place with the annual assessment at the same level as 2015.  There was a special assessment this year for the beach and dune restoration that is not included in the maintenance as part of the annual budget.  There were some variances in salaries from the 2015 budget due to a longer beach season and some unexpected pool repairs. Long term capital planning will focus on road repaving and drainage.

Security Report

Security Supervisor Lee Stuart reported that there were several new members of the security force.  His presentation included a poster with pictures of the new team and encouraged residents to know them by name.  Lee reported that the winter was quiet with no reported crimes, but some tree damage from the storms.  Lee reminded homeowners to keep their dogs on a lease and inside, rather than on the porch when away from the house to prevent nuisance barking.  President Wilson reported that dogs were reported wandering the neighborhood and Security had been instructed to call Animal Control.

Architectural Review

Paul Salditt, Head of Architectural Review, thanked homeowners for their cooperation with the review process and the covenants that have been established.  Paul stated that as more original homes require renovation, additions, or are rebuilt, the North Shore Covenants require a 15 foot side yard setback, rather than the 10 feet specified by the county. Tall homes are more intrusive and height is not considered in the more liberal setbacks required by Sussex County. A homeowner questioned the new construction requirements. Paul stated that larger houses generate more runoff and it must be managed through a drainage plan and not directed at neighbors.  Regrading is allowed to encourage drainage, but elevation changes require an application and review by the Board.

Election of Officers

The next order of business was the election of officers.  President Wilson thanked Mary Haverback for her thoughtful service on the Board and her after completing two terms.  He added that Mary always made the Board reevaluate their conclusions in a thoughtful manner.  Candidates for election this year were Paul Salditt, currently serving as ARC Head, agreeing to serve another term. Louisa Hollman, was nominated to serve the position created by Mary Haverback.  The motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved for the election of the candidates.

New Business

A request was made by a Villas West homeowner for input on the Boards plan to relocate the existing playground and storage shed.  President Wilson indicated that the Board will solicit comments and feedback from residents before moving forward.

Villa West President, Mark Rohde, reminded homeowners that the North Shores dumpster, behind the Villas, was not for resident use.  He noted that construction debris and abandoned items were being left outside the dumpster and were unsightly.  President Wilson agreed and reminded everyone that the dumpster was for North Shores use only and the association does not pay for private trash pickup.  President Wilson reminded homeowners that the dumpster remains locked for this reason.

A homeowner commented about the size of the restored dune, stating that the width of the beach had been negatively impacted by the restoration. He also asserted his belief that that the dune did not benefit the whole community and only the ocean front homeowners.  President Wilson stated that the North Shores Board and DNREC did not agree with his conclusion.  Citing the history of beach intrusion and dune overwash in earlier storms, President Wilson responded that the Board believes that dunes protect the entire neighborhood from sand intrusion and water damage, specifically the infrastructure for drainage, roads and the marina.  Ocean over-wash and storm damage lead to more frequent insurance claims, more frequent dredging and drainage system repair, and associated repair costs in the form of dues and assessments.  The Board also believes that a more frequent history of dune overwash would lead to diminished property values for the community as a whole.  President Wilson concluded by observing that the Board takes input from DNREC and from the Board’s own third party beach consultants in making decisions about dune and beach management.

A few homeowners also requested that the Board consider limiting or banning smoking on the beach.  President Wilson stated that the Board would take their requests under advisement, seek community input on the subject and consider restrictions. He reminded homeowners that management of beach rules is a matter for the board, and he indicated that a homeowner vote would not be taken on the measure, absent a formal amendment to the community’s covenants.   However, on a straw poll of interest in the Board’s adoption of such a rule, there was strong community support voiced at the meeting.

Relocation of the personal umbrella area closer to the crossovers was requested by another homeowner, to make carrying beach equipment more convenient.  President Wilson indicated that the lifeguards needed to be nearby to monitor the safety of the area.  The homeowner suggested moving the stands closer to the crossovers. The President agreed to look into that possibility.

There being no further questions, President Wilson thanked everyone for their thoughts and opinions.

President Wilson asked everyone to take a moment and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day and give thanks to those that sacrificed for us.  He specifically wanted to remember Special Warfare Operator 1st Class, Charles H. Keating IV, killed on May 3, 2016 in Iraq aiding American soldiers under attack by the Islamic State group.

The Meeting was adjourned at 11:35.

Respectfully submitted

 

Deborah M. Director

Secretary

NSBG, Inc.