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BURNT STORE ISLES ASSOCIATION, INC.

Board of Directors Meeting

July 7, 2006

 

Officers Present

President -Frank "Chick" Petrosino

Vice President - Joe Sabatino

Treasurer - Tom Murphy
Secretary - Carolyn McDermott

Directors Present
Community Standards - Terry Miller
Membership - Bob Fitzsimmons
Neighborhood Security - Jim Townsend
Planning - John Gioia
Social - Claire Phelen

Directors Absent

Immediate Past President - Bill Hughes

Legal Liaison - Jeff Nilsson

Guests
Major Butch Arnel, PGPD
Peter "Mac" McDermott

The meeting was called to order by president Chick Petrosino at 8:40 a.m. The minutes of the June 2, 2006 meeting were approved as corrected and will be posted on the Association website. Appreciation was expressed to Mac McDermott for taking the board's group and individual photographs prior to the meeting.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
President - Mr. Petrosino's written report was received and filed. He discussed a meeting he and Mr. Sabatino had with PGPD Major Butch Arnel to determine if the police department would support having the Association act as the official representative for all vacant lot owners when reporting trespass violations. Major Arnel, albeit somewhat skeptical, volunteered to set up a meeting with the state attorney in residence at the Justice Center to further explore the proposal. Depending on the outcome of that meeting, a subsequent discussion with the city manager and city attorney would be needed to get agreement on implementation protocols. The individual trespass affidavit and agent authorization forms currently in use by the police department were circulated for review and appended to the secretary's copy of these minutes. Major Arnel then joined the board meeting in progress to explain the current process for prosecuting trespassers and to answer other questions from the board.

Among the questions addressed by Major Arnel were patrol schedules in PGI (Area 3) and BSI (Area 5); traffic on Tripoli; crime statistics for Sec. 15 (both commercial and residential); a mutual aid agreement with the County Sheriff; the city's annexation plan; the new VIP marine enforcement program; and "confirmation lights" at all city lighted intersections. This latter issue, which is intended to thwart red light runners, will be on the city council agenda July 12. Major Arnel agreed to provide the board with copies of the June '06 engineering study regarding traffic on Tripoli and mapping reports of monthly criminal activity, both residential and commercial. He will also get answers to Mr. Gioia's concern for the likely shutdown of the sidewalk on Monaco when construction begins on the Grand Villas and Mr. Sabatino's question on incremental costs and installation of new Neighborhood Watch signs. He further noted that if the January and June traffic studies are not optimal, the Association may request other, targeted studies as needed.

Major Arnel concluded his remarks by indicating that Chief Rinehart wants feedback on residents' perceptions of police response, presence and attention to problem areas. He also complimented the Association on its concept and implementation of the BSI neighborhood watch program (NWP). He provided his e-mail address for easy access and invited residents to visit the citizen survey on the department's website.

Vice President - Mr. Sabatino briefly revisited the trespassing issue and said that if the Association is not able to act as the official representative for the vacant lot owners, each owner will be notified of the proper procedures to have their properties legally posted and to designate on-site agents to act on their behalf. Mr. Sabatino is also proving information for the website which will direct residents to a state-endorsed source for information on obtaining homeowner's insurance. The source website address is www.fmap.org. Literature describes it as a free referral service matching property insurance needs with licensed Florida

BSIA Meeting Minutes
Page 2
July 7, 2006

agents. It is believed this extends to all property, including boats. As this dovetails nicely with the insurance program planned for the September 15 BSIA symposium, Mr. Semer will draft a publicity notice for e-mail distribution and web posting. Mr. Semer will also ask the guest speaker, Mr.Cirullo, for a synopsis of his presentation and request that it include the boat insurance crisis. Mr. Gioia spoke about another state program to help subsidize hurricane protection for homeowners. He will e-mail this information for inclusion on the web. It was Mr. Sabatino's perception that the e-mail communications program is going well, however, care must be taken that time-sensitive material is not delayed because key persons are away. Likewise, oversight of material remains critical and as original information is disseminated through other entities, they should be asked to acknowledge the Association as the source of the information. Mr. Sabatino offered the name of Joann Filkins for Mr. Murphy to contact about taking over management of the website. He also suggested that board members be mindful of the feedback from residents on the June 15 mailers about enforcing deed restrictions.

Treasurer - Mr. Murphy's written report was received and placed on file for future audit. He noted that care must be taken to stay within budget for the remainder of the fiscal year and due diligence given to projections for next year. Mr. Murphy was given authorization to place the information and forms relating to the deed enforcement mailers on the web, specifically posted to the Architectural Review and Community Standards pages. Mrs. Phelen was asked for a schedule of events for a future posting. Efforts are also underway to integrate other events of community-wide interest, such as those coming from the boat club and Twin Isles County Club. Dynamics on the website are crucial to its use. Everyone was asked to think of ways to make it informative and topical.

Community Standards Director - Mrs. Miller's written report was received and filed. Action was taken on change applications for 3621 Kassandra, 548 Port Bendres, 612 Majorca and 402 Madrid. It was determined that all external changes require a request. Other matters were reported on at 335 Segovia, 711 Monaco, 579 Macedonia, 3974 San Pietro, the vacant lot on St. Florent and the city mowing program. Unpainted plywood barriers were discussed at length and where applicable will be addressed by Mrs. Miller on a case by case basis.

Membership Director - Mr. Fitzsimmons reported the current membership at 563. He has received favorable comments on the e-mail communications program.

Neighborhood Security Director - Mr. Townsend's written report was received and filed. He indicated there were 24 NWP patrols last month and close cooperation with the police department on specific areas of concern. Three new volunteers were recruited for the south side schedule. Safety advisories are being disseminated via e-mail to residents as needed. Mr. Townsend's overseas assignment, as reported in the minutes of the last meeting, has been delayed and his departure no longer imminent. In the interim, Mr. Townsend suggested that consideration be given to proactively marketing BSIA and finding ways to enhance community involvement and support. He feels this will not only help him find a replacement but also assist with filling future board vacancies as they occur. For the immediate future, Mr. Semer will provide back up to Mr. Townsend as needed. They will meet to review tasks.

Planning Director - Mr. Gioia's written report was received and filed. He also discussed the merits of an incentive membership drive which would provide the remainder of 2006 and all of 2007 at the regular yearly rate of $30 plus the $10 one-time application fee. Board members will meet at 10 o'clock on Saturday, July 15, at John Gioia's home to flesh out this proposal, craft the mail marketing piece and prepare the appropriate mailing list. Mr. Gioia further suggested that consideration be given to NWP patrols on Tuesday and Friday evenings, after dinner, to maximize resident visibility/interaction as this is the time residents are usually putting out their garbage for next day collection. Mrs. McDermott suggested that the NWP deserves public recognition for its conception and implementation. Several ideas were expressed as to the most effective way to proceed. Mr. Petrosino will discuss with Major Arnel.

BSIA Meting Minutes
Page 3
July 7, 2006

Social Director - Mrs. Phelen will provide the schedule of events to Mr. Murphy for web posting. She also recommends that the e-mail message announcing the September 15 symposium include the fact that coffee and dessert will be served. Mrs. Phelen, with assistance from Brenda Townsend and Anita Sabatino, will facilitate a roundtable discussion of ways to reinvigorate the BSI Newcomers Welcome Committee and make recommendations to the board.

Community Development Director - Mr. Semer noted that mulch is eroding from the entryways due to the heavy rains. The board will pursue stone replacement material and discuss a quid pro quo arrangement with Butwell Stone & Soil. Mr. Sabatino asked Mr. Semer to provide a list of vacant lots on the city's mowing program so by virtue of elimination we can identify the lots not on the program and in need of monitoring for possible violation.

REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES - Mr. Petrosino indicated that the items under the Architectural Review Committee were discussed earlier in the agenda. There will, however, continue to be a dedicated spot on all future agendas for handling property change requests. There is little to report on LDRs and this item will return to the agenda only as needed in the future. Open House signage and Sunday patrols will continue to be closely monitored for the good of the community. Board members will be assigned a rotating schedule and if there are no signs at the Monaco and Madrid entrances the patrol can be cancelled. Mr. Petrosino acknowledged the effectiveness of the e-mail communications program and expects his personal messages to increase as time goes by. The community volunteer program has been underwhelming to date. Another solicitation effort will be made at the September symposium.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS - Mr. Sabatino will e-mail board members a draft protocol for handling complaints. Upon agreement, a procedure will be developed and added to the Policy Manual. An announcement will be developed for e-mail and web posting that invites residents to participate in the process for selecting 2007 BSIA leaders either by volunteering to serve on the Nominating Committee or submitting nominations for consideration. A chair of the Nominating Committee will be selected by the president with approval of the board. Members should bring their short list of nominees to the July 8 meeting.

NEW BUSINESS - The For Sale sign on the van parked in the driveway at 531 Madrid is in violation of our deed restrictions and will be noticed. Those responsible for landscape conditions at 570 Madrid will also be noticed. An orange, commercial-type van has been seen parking overnight at one of the Tripoli-facing Mondovi Court villas. As no lettering appears on the van, it is likely the personal vehicle of a resident. Reaction to the June 30 mailers on deed restriction enforcement has been met with both positive and negative response. The issue of external change requests has generated the most buzz. How the board goes about enforcement is crucial to successful implementation. Communicating actions through the web, newsletter and appropriate e-mails will help to facilitate understanding and acceptance. Mr. Sabatino reiterated his earlier caution to be ever mindful of the feedback and act with sensitivity and consistency. Gordon Bauer has invited Mr. Petrosino to participate in a meeting at his home next week to discuss a grass roots approach to economic development and improvement of Punta Gorda. Mr. Petrosino will report the outcome of this meeting to the board at its August meeting. Mr. Murphy announced his absence from the community for the August 7 radio test. He expects to return in time for the September 11 test. Mrs. Phelen volunteered to cover in his absence.

The meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 12:15 p.m. The next meeting will be on Friday, August 4, 2006 at 8:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn J. McDermott, Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Burnt Store Isles Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 510956
Punta Gorda, FL  33951-0956
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