Wednesday, March 21, 2007

I.        Call to Order:

Jim Rosinke called the meeting to order at approximately 7:04 PM. 

 

A Quorum was verified.  There were 25 members present and 24 represented by proxy.

 

II.     Introduction of Officers:

Mr. Rosinked introduced the officers to the homeowners and described their duties on the Board.

 

III.    Approval of 2005 Annual Minutes:

The minutes of the 2005 Annual Meeting were reviewed.  A motion was made to approve the minutes as presented.  The motion was seconded and it passed unanimously.

 

IV.     Director’s Reports:

A.  Request for Volunteers – Lesley Lee gave a brief description of the various committees and asked for volunteers for all committees. She mentioned that volunteers were also needed for the Easter Egg Hunt, or it would not be able to take place this year.  She mentioned that the each committee has funds allocated to them for usage throughout the year.

 

B.  Treasurer’s Report – David Oswald gave a presentation of the financial report.The balance sheet and income statement were reviewed discussed, as well as the expenses and reserves.  A motion was made to approve the financials, as presented.  The motion was seconded and it passed unanimously.

 

C.  General Comments – This was tabled until the speaker, Mr. Doug Frazier with the City of League City Economic Development spoke. 

 

D.    MUD #13 – Mr. Chuck DiFalco, Vice President of Galveston County MUD #13, gave a brief discussion on the MUD #13 area.  It is all of Brittany Bay, down to Calder, and Section 1 of Brittany Lakes, which is just to the large lake.  He mentioned that Brittany Lakes was almost built out.  The MUD rate is gradually dropping each year.  The MUD #13 is very conservative in the budget and estimates.  He mentioned that the YMCA would start construction in 2007.  The YMCA will bring no tax money the MUD, but will be a great amenity to the area.  Mr. DeFalco gave a brief summary of how the MUD works.  The MUD was set up originally for underground water and sewer utilities for outside of the City.  Developer puts in underground utilities, including a lift station, ditches, etc.  The MUD sells bonds to developers to reduce the price of home and homeowner pays the MUD.  It is a developer incentive.   The MUD reimburses the developer for utility costs and the City gets for free.  He stated that the scheduled pay off for the MUD assessment is 2017. 

 

E.  Standing Committee Reports:

1.  Architectural Control: Hearl Mead gave a brief description of the Architectural Control Committee’s responsibilities.  It mentioned that they meet once a month and review improvement applications based on the Deed Restrictions.  He asked that he owners give as much detail as possible when submitting, along with color samples.

2.  Crimewatch: Lesley Lee mentioned that they are in need of volunteers.  She stated that this committee heads up National Night Out and a budget is available, but in need of volunteers, since the chairperson had moved from our area.

3.  Landscape: Lesley Lee stated that the committee is looking into  plans for the year.  She mentioned that the Board was looking onto the possibility of replacing the dead oleanders along Brittany Bay Blvd.  This will need some investigating on if the City plans to cover ditch to install turning lane, as then it would become money not well spent.

4.  Newsletter: Lesley Lee apologized that the newsletter was not done as often the past year.  She also mentioned that the website is being handled by Frontier Solutions.  She would like to have monthly updates on website and set up as an automatic distribution.  The address is www.BrittanyBay.org.  She mentioned that we can add the reserve study, minutes, newsletters, and association documents.  She also mentioned that we will be looking into having the newsletters done on-line to help keep costs and time down.  She welcomed suggestions to include on the site.

 

F.  Recreation: Jim Rosinke mentioned that the committee is involved with the pool and playground.  He mentioned that costs have been maintained and that we were looking into replacing some pool furniture, paint and a new roof on the pool building.  He mentioned the graffiti on the playground and options into keeping kids from vandalizing the playground.  He stated that the police have been called on many occasions and have increased patrol of the playground area.  He asked the owners for guidance to keep vandalism down and volunteers to help with the committee.

 

G.  Welcome:  Lesley Lee stated that the committee was making welcome baskets for new residents and delivering them to the home.  She also stated that this committee had lost it’s chairperson and was in need of volunteers to continue making and delivering the baskets.

 

V.                V.     Election of Director’s:

 

A.     Nominations:  Louie West mentioned that he was interested in serving on the board for another term.  A motion was made to open the nominations from the floor.  Motion carries.  There were no nominations made from the floor, therefore, a motion was made to close the nominations from the floor.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

B.     Introduction of Candidates:  Louie West gave a brief bio of herself. 

 

C.     Election:  Since there were no other nominations made form the floor Louie West was appointed by acclamation. 

 

VI.     Speaker – Doug Frazior, City of League City Economic Development Coordinator

Mr. Frazior was available to speak about business development and street expansions coming to the area.  He mentioned that League City is a “bedroom city”.  Owners go to work, and come home to sleep.  He stated that the City still had available land for sale and that they were trying to encourage more retail to come into the area.  Currently, only 17% of tax base in commercial.  He stated that there were three hot retail locations.  I45 and 96, once complete, I45 and FM 518.  He mentioned that Riverbend on Clear Creek was looking into a river-market project there. Also, FM 270 and FM 518 is a good retail location.  He mentioned some of the residential projects coming to the City.  He also mentioned that they were trying to get South Shore Harbour to be a center for employment with 150 jobs at two locations.  He also stated that the City is trying to keep people from leaving the City for employment.  He went on to mention road projects.  He stated that TXDOT takes care of repairs to FM 518 and I45.  He mentioned that we were loosing Academy on FM 518.  They had outgrown that location and were going to be building one in Texas City and Webster and did not want a League City location to compete with these.  He mentioned that they were wanting Riverbend to do more retail and looking into traffic configuration.  He stated that nothing can be done at the old HEB on FM 518, because HEB still has a lease and will not let other grocery stores come in there.  He mentioned hat FM 518 will be widening from FM 270 to 146 and that Walker Street is to be complete through Centerpoint and Victory Lakes by Fall of 2006.  He mentioned that I45 and 96 were to be revised in January 2007 where 96 will go under I45 like at FM 518.  This will be an 18 month project.  He stated that the Calder inter-change is to be removed and all traffic will go down FM 518 or FM 646 to go to 96.  Still in need of bond money for this project.  The FM 646 interchange is temporary and will have an overpass bridge there.  He mentioned that they City was trying to get traffic off FM 518 to Kemah and encouraging 96.  He mentioned that Walmart and other retail will be coming to FM 646 and that most of this area was sold to NewQuest, the same owner as HEB at the corner.  He mentioned that UTMB was looking at 100,000 square feet specialty care center and rest home as well.  There would be a Petco, 24 hour Fitness and restaurants near FM 518 and I45.  He stated that Lowes had gotten the go ahead to do advanced engineering at FM 646 and I45.  A homeowner asked if Calder could be paved to FM 517 before doing the 96 and I45 project.  Mr. Frazior stated that this would be a City project and would need to go before City Council to be budgeted, in order for the project to take place.  The homeowners asked about landscape for the commercial properties and if the electric lines could be buried.  Mr. Frazior said these would need to go before Council.

         

VII.   Election Results:

It was stated that Louie West was re-elected to the board.

 

VIII.  Open Forum:

Open forum is strictly for the Brittany Bay homeowners to discuss their opinions and concerns for the community.

 

Cathy Forsythe and Lisa McCarra agreed to co-chair the Crime Watch Committee.

 

An owner asked if more speed limit signs could be placed in the neighborhood, along with speed bumps on Aberdeen.  It was mentioned that this would have to be an issue to take up with the City Traffic Dept. but that Cities were doing away with the speed bumps due to the damage they cause to emergency vehicles.

 

It was mentioned that the new high school would be going in behind Creekside Intermediate and was planned to open in 2007.  The road for the school had been put off due to Corp. of Engineers issue with the creek, but that Palamino will be five lanes.

 

It was mentioned the more often the police are called to an area, the more they come out.  So if you see something that does not seem right, call the police to look into it.

 

A new owner introduced himself, as he had just bought a home on Castle and was moving here from Houston.  He was welcomed to the neighborhood.

 

Ralph Steiner thanked the Board of Directors for all their hard work.

 

 

VIII.  Adjourn:

A motion was made to Adjourn the meeting at 8:38 PM.  Motion passed unanimously.