Layne Varney
The summer break is over, and the board of directors meetings have resumed. Here are the notes from the September meetings.
The board’s business meeting was held on Sept. 23. Directors Nancy Eckstein, Linda DiPalma, Tammy Bachofner, Shirley Clark, Dan Buescher, and Gordon Lee were all present. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.
The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved as presented.
The committee liaison reports were presented:
The marketing committee is planning an orientation meeting in November for renters to help them feel welcome and learn more about SunBird’s amenities and activities.
The planning committee has been reviewing several projects to enhance the clubhouse that were proposed for consideration and approval.
1) Install a new countertop and cabinets in the hallway copy room for $1,200. The vote was 6-0 for approval.
2) Update the panels in the elevator cab for $935. The vote was 6-0 for approval.
3) Reupholster 22 bar stool seats and 150 chair backrest covers in the Horizon Room for $5,500. The vote was 6-0 for approval.
4) Update the glass pendant light covers to a clear color with LED light bulbs for $470. The vote was 6-0 for approval.
The finance committee requested bids for the 2019 financial audit and recommended approval of Butler and Hanson as the auditor. The committee also recommended we use the same audit firm for five years unless a concern arises to consider change. The vote was 5-1, and the auditor and time period was approved.
The architectural control committee reported that 112 noncompliance letters were mailed out during the month of August with the majority of them regarding weeds in yards.
The food and beverage committee reported the reward program for sales in the Horizon Room will be changing from the summer special to 5%. Many new ideas were discussed and several will be implemented this season, such as extended dinner hours. Tuesday dinner menu items also will be offered on Friday nights, along with the Fish Fry. New wine selections and other items will be offered on a trial basis.
The rules compliance committee is reviewing the Maricopa County restrictions concerning beverages within four feet of the swimming pool water’s edge as well as the swimming pool signage for compliance. After further study and investigation, a full report will be made at the next meeting.
After research and study, the architectural control committee recommended that outside storage containers only may be gray, brown, black, tan, or match the color of the exterior of the home. The vote was 5-1, and the recommendation was approved.
The 2020 second draft budget was presented to the board of directors, and the finance committee has reviewed the first draft and requested that some items needed updating. A second draft budget was created with these revisions. The largest area of increase is the mandatory Arizona Minimum Wage Law that requires the minimum wage be raised one dollar per hour beginning next year. SunBird has approximately 35 part-time employees who collectively work nearly 55,000 hours annually. Most are minimum wage or close to minimum wage employees who will be affected by this new law. Further study and discussion will continue regarding the proposed budget before final consideration and approval at the October business meeting.
Comment sheets were read to the membership.
Homeowner and directors comments were made.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
The next agenda planning meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m. in the ballroom, and a business meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 25, also at 10 a.m. in the ballroom. All are welcome to attend.