(This is a roundup of projects and issues discussed at the Sun City board of directors regular meeting of September 23 and the committee of the whole meeting of October 7. This is not an exhaustive report on all details of each topic. It is intended to provide residents with a summary snapshot of significant matters.)
On September 23, the board voted to elevate the status of the Elections Committee from a subcommittee to advisory level, similar to the finance and facility and other advisory committees that assist the board with research and discussion in support of decision-making. Board member Dennis O’Leary recommended the action, saying the committee should administer the board election process annually “from a to z.”
The seven-member, ad-hoc committee, evaluating the recent out-sourcing of accounting functions to First Service Residential (FSR), Sun City’s management company, is expected to make its initial report by December 31, according to Bill Bendick, board treasurer and a member of the committee. The committee is focusing on two questions – is the out-sourcing achieving the estimated $120,000 in annual cost savings, and which works better – out-sourcing finances or handling them in-house? Discussion of the out-sourcing situation occupied a significant chunk of a seven and a half hour committee of the whole board meeting on October 7. There was discussion of the possibility of a meeting soon of the board with management-level personnel from FSR.
The board conducted a workshop review of the proposed 2016 budget on October 7. The board projected no expense increases in 2016, and projected five fewer staff members on January 1, 2016 compared to January 1, 2015. Bob Wainscott, finance advisory committee chairman, said the budget may reflect a 30% increase in healthcare insurance costs. This generated discussion about the possibility of seeking bids from alternate health insurance sources. The 2016 budget will be formally approved at the final board meeting in December.
A request from Centegra Healthcare to place a sign outside the exterior door directly across from the Wellness Center at Prairie Lodge was rejected by board members. There was discussion of the possibility of placing new way-finding signs at various locations inside and outside the lodge.
Board member Dennis O’Leary expressed the need for more local staff talent in the maintenance, engineering, and replacement areas.
“We need more staff dollars in the budget,” he said, “to deal with expanding needs in maintenance and replacement of equipment and resources.”
No action was taken on this.
There also was extensive discussion of the need for a new policy on the role of advisory committees, particularly those dealing with finance and facilities. No decisions have been made on this topic.
In the area of maintenance, projects to improve water drainage and stability of the Wildflower Lake parking lot next to the comfort station, and the waterfall and pond feature at Route 47 and Sun City Boulevard, were moved forward. The board also voted to replace four rooftop HVAC units at Prairie Lodge at a cost of about $59,300. This work is scheduled to finish this fall. There was discussion about the possibility of engaging the services of an engineering consultant to evaluate the condition and replacement needs of mechanical equipment and related items in the lodges and on outdoor recreational areas. No action was taken on this.
The board acknowledged that interior temperatures in activity rooms at Prairie Lodge sometimes become uncomfortable. Directors said they are working on a long-term solution to the situation.
Complaints of uneven and unstable rocks along the shorelines of Wildflower Lake came from residents and members of the Angler’s Club. Reports of recent falls by children and adults have been received. There is agreement that the rocks successfully protect the shorelines from water erosion, but they are also causing a safety problem.
The board also approved spending $54,100 this year to remove 56 diseased ash trees and plant 29 replacement trees. This is part of an ongoing staff effort to phase out the planting of ash trees because of Emerald Ash Borer damage and replacing them with different kinds of trees.
