Homeowners Association of La Casa, Inc.
Town Hall Meeting
March 30, 2015
Randy Ballard, President of the HOA, welcomed 280 residents to the Town Hall meeting in the Rec Hall. He led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and announced the emergency exits. Gail Fryer, Secretary, explained the guidelines for the meeting: Each of the five topics would be presented in 3-5 minutes, then any resident would have an opportunity to respond, also using 3 minutes, and after the five topics had been addressed, the meeting could move on to discussions of the 40 acres and other topics.
Tennis and Pickle Ball courts
- Bert Bicknell described the four options available and the one that would be most feasible. He showed the preferred plan on the overhead projector and discussed the reasons for its selection. Bids will be requested on building another tennis court at the Rec Hall and repurposing Court #4 at the front office area into 3 pickle ball courts. Bids should also include net posts, nets and repainting and not exceed $55,000.
- Greg Kopp supported the building of the courts and announced that there are currently 50 members in the pickle ball club. This was in response to Mike Skelly’s inquiry regarding the number of people playing pickle ball.
- John Koerber asked if parking and flood plain issues had been addressed (yes).
- Walter Giardetti and Gerald Derr spoke in opposition to the plan citing several safety issues beautification issues for the board to consider. Derr asked why there was no longer a Beautification Committee.
Artisans’ Relocation
- Jan Danner explained how the laundry facility at the Club House would be remodeled to give more space to the Artisans Group. There should be a formal plan by the middle of April with bids not to exceed $15,000 to $20,000. The remodeling would be completed during the summer. The money is already in the Capital Acquisition fund. There were no questions from the audience.
Emergency Preparedness
- Bucky Rogers presented plans for emergencies as developed by other parks in the area as well as from an HOA national organization. Protecting our most important asset, our residents, is paramount. If La Casa was divided into zones training would be needed as well as overall coordination of the many zones. Lazy River has the best plan in the area.
- Comments from the audience:
- Paul Reed stated that Sarasota County has all the forms on line for disaster preparedness
- Ray Roy asked about upcoming hurricane season & preparedness of La Casa
- Mary Borst explained how La Casa provides evacuation planning and services through Sarasota County
Landscaping
- Carol Curley explained how the landscaping plan had gone out for bid. She asked Randy Browning to address the types of flowers, bushes, etc. planned for the front of the park.
- Randy Browning (Park Manager) described the plan developed by Design Roots. The company was to consider drought tolerance, maintenance, plant diseases, and color. He showed the design on the overhead projector with annual plants in front of each sign with boulders, rip rap, crushed rock, recycled crushed concrete. Also there are areas where the wall shows through. This work will enhance the front of the park. We need a master plan that includes landscaping and beautification. The Rec Hall is also in need of plants.
- Carol mentioned that there is now a line item for beautification each year and every effort will be made to keep it that way.
- Resident comments:
- Someone asked about the death & removal of the palms near the front entrance. They will be replaced with Royal Palms.
- Bill Curley asked if there could be a Beautification Committee to plan and maintain the park.
- When will it get started? Mid May
- Steve Jankowski asked when Sanchez area could be beautified. Response: Need to plan for lakes with irrigation (Cinto); other lakes have none and it costs money
- Jack Pasquale stated that the Finance Committee was looking at a master landscaping plan for planting, irrigation, maintenance, etc.
- Vern Fryer asked if reflectors could be continued beyond the front office to the stop sign.
Kitchen Renovation
- Everett Medling and Mary Amos used a Power Point presentation to show the current kitchen and the proposed kitchen renovations. Thirty-five user groups had input into what the new kitchen should be and the committee took all suggestions while considering space, durability and maintenance. The island was reconfigured and all areas were described. Bids will be opened by April 15, with work to take place during the summer, with the goal of Grand Opening by September 1. Memorial Day will be last day the kitchen will be used; following that all equipment will be moved out and stored and locked up behind a barricade.
- Resident comments:
- Tim Davis praised the work of the committee and the plan they developed
- Leona Farris how much this work would cost. There is $72,500 in Reserve Fund for this project
- Arlene Koerber asked about garbage disposing
- Cheryl Crawford asked if the tables would need to be removed. No, just tables reconfigured.
- Louise Lakatos asked if carpeting would be in front of serving area. No, another surface.
Discussion Items
- Forty Acres: Randy Ballard explained that no decisions have been made about how to use the 40 acres. With the boom in residents all the amenities are stretched to the limit. We are out of room. We are doing an environmental study this week. He related how La Casa had grown…more tennis courts, more club houses, an activity center, more equipment in exercise room, everyone outgrowing their space. The Futures Committee met about a year ago and the list of wants continues to grow. We could look at a solar field or leave it as it is (applause) or sell it (no). The board will continue to keep you informed of everything we are doing and plan another Town Hall meeting in November.
- Resident comments:
- Priscilla Swing asked about tennis expansion and commented about drains in the street being so low. (Randy Browning commented that drains are designed that way to help water flow.)
- Gerald Derr added that the tennis courts at the Rec Hall were not being used that much. Why spend money on more?
- Joe Holovachuck suggested building amenities on the 40 acres. Perhaps a bigger hall with a stage and improved sound system would be good.
- Tom Quink suggested laying out what you want on the 40 acres and the county will tell you what’s feasible. Save money by not using private engineers. Green Space is needed too. Please explore the land thoroughly; there could be dangerous chemicals on the 40 acres.
- Gary Peterson suggested calling in the experts (professional developer) and to explore financing and options.
- Doris Marlin thanked the residents for attending, for their input and for their courteousness and to thank the board for such a positive meeting.
- Paul Reed asked about re-dredging our lakes.
Gail Fryer, Secretary