WLHA Annual Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2008

The WLHA Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the Eastside Enhancement Center.

Jimmie Davis, President of WLHA, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Opening Remarks and Introductions – Jimmie Davis

            Introduction of the current board members as follows:

            Jimmie Davis, President
            John Bogue, Vice President
            Wayne McKitrick, Treasurer
            Debbie Clayton, Secretary
            Bryan Cobb, Developer Liaison

Neighborhood Watch Program – Becky Prince

Introduction of Sergeant Darryl Hayes, Neighborhood Watch Director, for Dinwiddie County Sheriff’s Office.

Sergeant Hayes applauded our Neighborhood Watch Program in Waterford Landing.  He stated we have an outstanding program in our community.  He would like to use our program as a model for other neighborhood watch programs in the county.   He stated our program is one of the most active in the county.   Sergeant Hayes said the Sheriff’s Office is planning to have neighborhood watch coordinator meetings in the county once a month and he will be in contact with our coordinator.

Sergeant Hayes stressed the importance of citizen input to continue the outstanding program we have in our neighborhood.  If we need more patrols in the area, they are willing to step up the patrols.  The Sheriff’s Office is here to support our program and they are willing to participate in any way we need them.

Sergeant Hayes also spoke of the importance of calling to report any suspicious vehicles or persons in our neighborhood.  He stressed the importance of not trying to stop any suspicious vehicles.  Call and report suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.  We have three cars in our sector at all times.  The response time should be no more than ten minutes. 

The non-emergency number for the Sheriff’s Office is 469-3755.  This number will also be posted on our website for Waterford Landing.  Sergeant Hayes direct number is 469-4550 if we need to get in touch with him the regarding neighborhood watch program.

Kevin Massengill, County Administrator, also lives in Waterford Landing, stressed the importance of getting to know your neighbors.  This is a critical part of any neighborhood watch program. 

It was noted Sergeant Hayes has been invited to our annual neighborhood watch picnic on Sunday, June 1, 2008.  We can bring any new concerns regarding the program and discuss with him at the picnic.

Becky Prince stated all four of the magnetic vehicle patrol signs are missing.  If anyone has them, or any of them, please return to her house.  We are planning to order more signs, but these would also be helpful if they were returned.  Wayne McKitrick is also going to get a flashing light for the patrol vehicle.

We need more families to participate in the program.  As of right now, we need eight families to participate.  A team consists of one captain and three families per month.  The responsibility is seven days per year to patrol for neighborhood watch.  The areas patrolled are Oxford Drive, Oxford Lane, and all of Waterford Landing.  If you would like the neighborhood watch to check on your home while you are on vacation, just let the coordinator know in advance.  Vacation patrol is available as requested. 

Financial Report – Wayne McKitrick 

Wayne distributed the WLHA 2007 Financial Statement for review.  He explained the taxes the association was obligated to pay for previous years.  There was a misunderstanding regarding whether the WLHA was required to file a tax return.  Wayne took care of all the associated paperwork with the IRS and it has been settled. 

He noted some of the cash was moved into Certificates of Deposit for additional revenue.  The CD’s are fourteen day renewable in the event we need to use any of the money for the neighborhood.  We will be responsible for any taxes on any earned interest, but Wayne is certain that amount would be minimal. 

Wayne also briefed the group on the internet access issue in our neighborhood.  Verizon Wireless card seems to be the most viable option for our neighborhood.  All the towers in the surrounding area have been updated which allows for better internet access.  Verizon Wireless allows up to 5 GB per month standard.

There were some questions regarding disbursements from the association account.  It was suggested we create a distribution form for reimbursement when receipts are submitted by an individual. 

 WLHA Website – Tom Murray

Tom Murray presented the WLHA website information to the group.  He reviewed the Google group information and the chat room.  Tom stated the importance of having all the correct e-mail addresses for the homeowners.

Tom demonstrated how to join the Google group.  Each homeowner must create an account to join in the discussion.  You must send a request to be invited by a Board member to join the Google group.

Tom talked about the area on the website for placing ads.  We can use this area for posting business ads for any business owners in our neighborhood.  It was noted we have several folks in our neighborhood who own and operate their own businesses.  This would be a great place to advertise to your neighbors.  Community items could also be advertised on this page.

Janice Nutter, member of the ARB, suggested having a list of committees posted on the website.  We could list the chairman of each committee for any people who are interested in participating in a committee.   It was brought to the attention of the group that phone numbers for the neighborhood watch members are listed on the website.

Architectural Review Board – Bo Clayton/Janice Nutter

Bo Clayton reviewed the responsibilities of the ARB.  All new/additional construction activity is required to be approved by the ARB.  If anyone has any doubts about their construction, please call one of the ARB Members to verify the plans have been approved.

Janice Nutter stated she would be resigning from the ARB.  Stanley Parham was appointed to replace her on the ARB.

Old Business – Jimmie Davis

Speeding in the neighborhood continues to be a problem.  We can have the Sheriff’s Office send a patrol car to our area to enforce the speed limit in the neighborhood.  It was noted for neighbors to take down the license plate number of any vehicles they see which are speeding.  We can address this issue further with the Sheriff’s Office if this continues to be a problem.

ATV’s on Waterford Terrace is a problem.  The banks of the ditches are being destroyed by the ATV riding in that area.  If anyone sees ATV activity in the neighborhood, they need to report it to the neighborhood watch coordinator. 

There has been some target shooting activity off of Waterford Terrace.  No shooting is allowed in that area.  If this activity continues, it should also be reported to the neighborhood watch coordinator.

New Business – Jimmie Davis

Completed Projects

Lights are in and operating at the marina area.  Erosion around the light poles continues to be a problem due to water washing the area.  Our landscape contractor is supposed to address this issue.

Equipment for a playground area at the marina has been researched.  The insurance liability for playground equipment needs to be further researched to determine if this is a feasible project.

Reworking the landscaping at the front entrance to Waterford was discussed.  We received bids on the reworking and this issue is still active.  The Board will go forward with moving the existing sign to the marina area.  New signage will be placed on the stone entrance walls. 

Late payment of annual dues was discussed.  How does the Board want to handle this issue?  The floor was open to suggestions from the association members.  Wayne has pursued collecting any past dues and has been very successful in obtaining the majority of delinquent annual dues.

A motion was made and seconded to raise the annual dues by the ten percent allowed in the covenants.

How to handle the annual meeting next year was discussed.  Where would we like to have the meeting?  It was noted the County would co-sponsor our meeting by 50% if we have a county official attend and participate in the annual meeting.  The Virginia Baptist Home was suggested for next year.  We will look in to this for our meeting next year.  We can continue this discussion on the webpage.

Open Floor Topics

Donald Haraway was approached by a resident from Oxford Lane regarding an issue of feeding waterfowl on the lake.  Donald is our Board of Supervisors representative.  The resident has issue with the feeding of geese, specifically.  Donald posed the question to the association for a motion to either take this to the Board of Supervisors or deny the resident’s request.  A motion was made to deny the request.  It was seconded and approved.

Janice Nutter discussed an issue regarding a survey between her property and the common area.  The survey was done a few years ago and she had not been reimbursed for the cost of the survey.  After some discussion, Janice withdrew her request for reimbursement for the survey.

Election of New Officers

A request was made for individuals to volunteer to serve on the Board of Directors.  Colleen Brooks and Ron Simmons volunteered to join the Board.  They will attend the next Board meeting in May. 

Guest Speaker – Topic County Assessments

Mr. Harold Wingate, President of Wingate & Associates, Ltd., T/A Wingate Appraisal Service, was the guest speaker.  His company is working with the county on the reassessment process. Also present at the meeting was Lori Stevens, Commissioner of the Revenue.

Mr. Wingate explained the reassessment process and how they determine the figures.  He stated the sales assessment ratio for 2006 and 2007 in our locality will be used to determine the property value for reassessment purposes.  He said the lake is a unique area. There were only five sales in 2006 and five sales in 2007 and one in 2008.  Even though the volume of sales has dropped, the ratio is lower compared to the sales.  There is still some increase in the value of the property.

The reassessment is based on the average market in a given area.  It is specific to our locality.  They zero in on sales in the community.

Mr. Wingate predicted our tax increase will be more than the previous increase four years ago which was 17%.  If anyone has further questions regarding the process, they may call 469-4500, ext. 121.

Everyone was encouraged to verify their property information.  This can be done by going to the website www.dinwiddie.va.us to view the property card information.

The meeting was adjourned.