The November 2002 Meeting:
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FINANCE:
Bob Bowman stated that the Board intends to recommend to the membership two options at the next Annual General Meeting. For the past three years the Board has not raised dues and this has had serious implications. In the current economy the CPI (Consumer Price Index) is allowing us to only raise dues by $5.50 for 2003. If the board had gone with the approved CPI in past years, the 2002 budgeted dues could have been $406. This board is going to give the membership the option to vote on setting the dues at $400 for 2003. Otherwise there will be some very significant cuts - as Laura says Draconian. Jackie Granger read the necessary cuts: eliminate the Social budget, reduce committee expenditures by $109 from $200 to $91, eliminate the Board of Directors expense which supplies coffee and goodies at Board Meetings, eliminate the Donation to the Lummi Island Fire Department, eliminate the Contingency Fund which is a safeguard in case of unexpected budget overruns. See motions 2002/11/6 and 2002/11/7.
Financial Oversight Committee Report addressed by Scott Wills. Scott stated that there was no set guidelines for this committee. They looked at the data available, at Profit and Loss sheets and the check detail provided by Barbara Myers. Three of the committee members performed the analyses and provided the information to the board at a budget meeting in October. 
Chuck Ortego stated that he is part of this Financial Oversight Committee but was not consulted regarding the report. He has reviewed this report and notices that total expenses noted for 1996 were $160,000 and for last year were 146,000. Chuck believes that the organization is getting good value for money when it comes to employees. LISE employee wages cannot be compared to those people in Bellingham who are flipping burgers.
Ron Bain endorsed what Chuck had said. Ron showed the material that he received from Barbara Myers for last three months, she spends 10 hours per month getting this information together. Having looked at the material Ron does not see anything inappropriate being spent.
Victor Armfield stated that Barbara Myers sent three different sets that are not related and can’t be put together. The committee has not been communicated to as a group.
Bob Bowman stated that there is a split opinion on this matter. Laura Mork asked if we needed one report. Ricardo Camarillo stated that at that last meeting this committee stated that a meeting will be scheduled for the chance to meet together. Victor Armfield stated the committee will get together after the meeting and decide on a date for a meeting.

Bob Bowman stated that we need to go into closed session as it is 10:45 am and one Board Member has to leave the meeting at 11:30 am.
The Board reconvened at 11:08 a.m.
Bob Bowman stated that a committee will be formed of two board members, and two LISECC  members and himself to review the allegations put forward by Louise Weber and hopefully have a resolution at the meeting of December 8, 2002.

Jackie Granger distributed a report from Barbara Myers. Bob Bowman reviewed the items to be addressed today. Barbara Myers requested that a clear procedure for handling requests be prepared. Lucy Bain will address this item, and Lucy Bain and Barbara Myers will address item 2 (vacation and sick time accrual). Item 3 was addressed in the budget meeting and no action has been taken at this time (employee health insurance). Laura Mork stated item 4 is part of the lake management issue. No action is recommended on item 5 (telephone lines and internet connection). 
Jackie Granger stated that a request has been made regarding a member inspecting LISECC financial records. State laws allow LISECC to recover reasonable costs for this inspection yet there has never been a charge out amount set for the General Manager’s wage. Laura Mork stated that there are two issues at what point do we start charging and at what cost. Discussion followed. See motions 2002/11/9. and 2002/11/10. 

Jackie Granger submitted a written report as follows:

LIENS – Currently there are 18 active liens on 11 properties. No change. 
At  83 % of the year complete LISE has expended only 78% of the budget (with R&M reduced by $5,309.)

(2002/11/6) M. Laura Mork   2nd Ricardo Camarillo  “ present at the Annual General Meeting two budgets one budget would be within the authorized amount of a $5.50 dues increase, the other budget would be less than the allowed amount if prior boards had taken the allowed upon increase of $400.” Passed. 
(2002/11/7) M. Laura Mork   2nd Lucy Bain  “that the dues be increased to $377.50 for the year 2003.” Passed. 
(2002/11/8) M. Laura Mork   2nd Lucy Bain  “Donate $200 as traditionally done for the Fire Department Aid Vehicle for 2002.” Passed.
(2002/11/9) M. Laura Mork   2nd Ricardo Camarillo  “ the General Manager at their discretion when receiving requests for information which will take less than 30 minutes per month per voting member may do so without a labor charge.” Passed. 
(2002/11/10) M. Laura Mork   2nd Ricardo Camarillo  “ the hourly rate charged to members for time in excess of thirty per motion 2002/11/8 for the General Manager be set at $25.” Passed. 
 

Laura Mork left the meeting at 11:34. A quorum was still present.
 
ADMINISTRATION:
Lucy Bain stated that only two of the four members attended the last Bylaw Committee Meeting. Mike Wardell and Sandra Peterson were contacted but were not able to be communicated with. Lucy Bain introduced and thanked Neva Buechner along with Grace Briskey for continuing to serve on the committee. Lucy Bain distrubed the proposed bylaw changes prepared by the previous committee. At the December meeting further policy changes will be ready for presentation.

MARINE:
Bob Bowman stated that Marge Warner is not in attendance to speak about the marina and the boating season has been completed.

NATURAL DISASTER:
Bob Bowman read a written report submitted by Frankie Small.

This past month DNR (Department of Natural Resources) has had a crew or two working in Scenic Estates “Firewising” 7 lots to use as examples. These lots show that a property does not have to be clear cut to be safe. DNR crews cleared debris from these lots and took it up to the Cabana. This week they had a chipper up at the Cabana at their cost, to chip all of the debris that members had also taken up to the parking lot for disposal. John and Kevin will be using these wood chips on walkways and trails around the Cabana I believe. Mark Titus (of DNR) has informed me that he hopes to again provide this service in March (?) and to also assist some members who are unable to work on their lots. This I believe needs a little more enthusiasm from the membership, with more participation, so that we can truly feel that our properties could be saved in the event of a “Wild Fire”. If anybody has any ideas that they feel would be of help in this respect please call me.
Thanks to John Weber for volunteering to use histruck to help 2 members get their debris up to the parking lot, also Jack Small for his help in doing this also.
Bob Bowman stated there was an awful lot of debris up at the cabana. Ricardo Camarillo thanked John Weber for picking up debris in the middle of the night.
 

SOCIAL:
Darlene Stoffer read a written report submitted by Leslie Quento as follows:

Once again the goblins were out trick or treating. Unfortunately this has been our worst year ever! We only had 27 kids show up for candy. So due to declining numbers, the Estates will no longer be adding our name to the list of Halloween Houses. We had so much candy left over so what I did was donate it all to the Sean Humphrey House in Bellingham on behalf of the LISECC. They were so happy to have the donation!
A quick note: I’d like to remind everyone once again, there is only one week left to get your children’s names and ages in to me. After November 23rd it will be too late. So please don’t let your children or grandchildren show up without getting a gift from Santa. I still need someone to volunteer to cook 2 hams for the dinner. Remember to bring a side dish or dessert and your own drinks. The club does not provide beverages except coffee or tea. Email Leslie at lesonlummi@msn.com or call her at (360) 758-7011.
See you on December 7th at the Christmas Party!
QUARRY:
Ricardo Camarillo stated a meeting was held with the operator of the quarry concerning noise issues. The curvature of the mountain is such that the noise factor will be reduced within the next couple of years because of the quarry moving the site of quarrying. The barge was raised and in dry dock but is not likely to be salvageable. Due to their leasing a barge the number of trips are reduced by half. A blast will occur on November 22 at approximately 9:30 am. Please get permission from the quarry owners if you wish to witness the blast.
 

OLD BUSINESS: 
Bob Bowman stated a proposal and bid was received from Peter Willing and has been recommended by Laura Mork to accept this proposal and proceed with the initial steps. This consultant is amenable to billing in stages and will proceed as LISECC desires. Discussion followed. 

(2002/11/11) M. Lucy Bain   2nd Ricardo Camarillo  “ that we authorize Laura Mork and the Scenic Estates to proceed with the first stages of the plan presented by Dr. Peter Willing.” Passed. 
NEW BUSINESS:
Bob Bowman stated that the Lummi Island postal workers have requested changes in the height and types of mailboxes used. Additionally there are a large number of unused and abandoned mailboxes. The postal service has requested that LISECC remove them. Bob Bowman stated we could have our operations staff perform this service and hold on to the mailboxes for re-use or sale. There is also a problem with the mailboxes being too small and the postal workers having to transport packages not able to fit in boxes back to the post office. Discussion followed.  See motion 2002/11/12.
Bob Bowman stated that LISECC owns six lots of three parcels and there will be a major push to sell these parcels in the new year, the price will have to be reduced to sell.
Jackie Granger stated a request has been made by a member to use the Clubhouse for a belated Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday December 1. The Clubhouse is “officially” closed for member’s use as of December 1. Discussion followed.  See motion 2002/11/13.
Jackie Granger stated as mentioned in Finance a member has requested to review LISECC financial documents. The attorney has been contacted to clarify LISECC responsibility. The legal opinion has not been received at this point therefore the meeting was postponed and will be rescheduled once the opinion has been received.
(2002/11/12) M. Lucy Bain   2nd  Darlene Stoffer  “authorize operations staff to remove the unused mailboxes and to store for future use.” Passed. 
(2002/11/13) M.  Darlene Stoffer  2nd Lucy Bain “Allow member to book the clubhouse for December 1.” Passed. 
There being no further business the Board meeting was adjourned at 12:30 pm. 
 
 




Next meeting will be December 8, 2002 at 9:30 a.m.

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Lummi Island Scenic Estates • 1211 Island Dr. • Lummi Island, WA 98262
                                          Phone/Fax: (360) 758-2699 • e-mail: help@lisecc.com