Lake Tahoe Park Association

Annual Property Owners Meeting, July 1, 2006

The meeting was held at the south end of the beach in order to dedicate the new playground equipment. The meeting was opened by President Bob Thomas, who introduced the Board of Directors: Pete Hutchins, Greg Gilbert, Milt Hyams, Nancy Morse, Beverly Hemphill, Margaret Pinter, and the General Manager, Richard Wilson.

Bob Thomas welcomed the membership and turned over the meeting to Richard Wilson to review the financial statements for the year of 2005. The financial statements are available for review on the Association Web site, www.laketahoeparkassociation.com each year and are mailed to members upon request. Wilson reviewed the statements and summarized his Management Commentary which is also posted on the Web site. The main points covered included an increase of $4,422.00 in buoy income, an increase in bookkeeping cost and a decrease in payroll due to a change in job responsibilities, reduction in buoy maintenance cost and a decrease in contract labor. The legal costs increased due to legal research done by Porter-Simon Law Offices and Placer Title Company concerning the legal status of the old gas station property. Utilities jumped up by $2,575.00 as a result of sewer fees for the new restrooms.

Bob Thomas then introduced Greg Gilbert, the Association Treasurer. Greg has the annual responsibility of announcing the annual assessment for the following year. He was pleased to inform the membership that the 2007 annual dues would remain the same, at the rate 1% of the assessed value of a parcel with a maximum limit of $225.00. Following this announcement he explained to the members that we were faced with a number of major maintenance expenses. Included in the list was the need for repairing or replacing our perimeter fence, replacing the decking on both piers and rebuilding at least five retaining walls. The Board and Management are in the process of obtaining estimates for these improvements. Based on the estimates, the Board of Directors will direct Management to mail out a Special, One-time Assessment for $150.00-$200.00. The Assessment will be in addition to the annual dues of $225.00.

Bob Thomas once again turned over the meeting to Richard Wilson who discussed the on-site operating policies with the membership. He pointed out that the operating policies are posted on our Association Website. He stressed that it is very important that boaters are on the constant alert for swimmers and that swimmers should stay in the designated swimming areas. Picnic tables are in high demand on holidays and weekends. In order to reserve a table for July 4th, members must call the beach telephone number no earlier than June 4. Reservations for July 4th cannot be made at the beach. If a table cannot be reserved, we always provide tables and chairs on a first-come, first-served basis for the 4th of July. For days other than July 4, individuals may make reservations for tables up to 30 days in advance at the beach or by calling the beach office. Access to the park requires a key and it is important that members bring their key with them. Please use the entry gate for access and the exit gate to leave. This year we have installed a number of small boat racks to keep canoes, kayaks and small boats off the beach and provide better organization of the area. The spaces will be assigned to small boat owners this year on a first-come first-served basis. Next year we will set up an application and deposit system, similar to our buoy system. Finally, as seen behind the Board members, was a new playground for our children. The members were reminded that the site is not supervised by the beach staff and parents are encouraged to be on site and monitor the activities of their children to ensure their safety.

Bob Thomas followed Rich’s summary with a formal presentation of our Court petition to define the Board of Director’s powers to administer the affairs of the old gas station property, now a vacant lot, located between Sequoia Ave. and Highway 89 at the south end of our beach. He explained to the membership that the Board has legal concerns about their power to use the site for any function other than recreational purposes, as stated in the original grant deed and a court judgment recorded in the early 1960’s. In order to administer the site and utilize it for its highest and best use, we are hoping to have the court system clarify the legal extent of the Board powers. A trustee in a normal situation would be able to administer the property, for the benefit of the membership.

Following Bob’s summary, discussion was opened to the membership. In general the comments centered on the future use of the property and how much input the general membership would have in the decision-making process. A number of members were concerned about the Board selling the property or using it for an unacceptable purpose. After a great deal of debate, a motion was made to direct the Board of Directors to refrain from selling the property or arranging for any use, until the next annual membership meeting, so that the attending members could express their opinions and provide direction for the Board to consider. The motion passed by a hand vote.

The meeting was opened again for General Discussion by the membership. The members did not have any additional questions or concerns.

Bob Thomas informed the members that the next item on the agenda was the election of the Directors. Three Directors, Pete Hutchins, Margaret Pinter, and Beverly Hemphill were up for re-election. Steve Cader received a nomination and a second from the floor. A written vote was taken and Hutchins, Pinter and Hemphill were elected for a new two-year term.

The next and final activity at the meeting and the reason for relocating the meeting site was to dedicate the newly constructed playground equipment and the installation of a plaque on site in remembrance of Cameron Wolfe.

A commemorative speech was made by Richard Wilson as follows:

Commemorative

We have the pleasure of dedicating this wonderful playground facility, made possible by a large contribution from the Wolfe family, in remembrance of Cameron Wolfe, who was inspired to protect our park for past, present and future children of the membership.

On November 29, 1913, William J. G. Lambert received a Grant Deed from the Tahoe Park Land and Water Company to hold the park property in trust for recreational purposes for property owners who owned property in one square mile, known as Section 13, Township 15N, Range 16E of the MDB & M, now also known as Tahoe Park, Talmont and Tahoe Woods Subdivisions.

In 1950 Cameron Wolfe started visiting Tahoe Park. He came to Tahoe every year thereafter until the year 2002, when he passed away. He built his home in 1958 and it is still owned and used by his wife, Jean and his two sons, Cameron and Bruce.

Cameron became highly involved in the Association activities in the late 50’s. He recognized the need to maintain and control the Trust property when Placer County attempted to condemn the property and set it aside for public use. The park needed protection against this action and had to have financial support from the membership to ensure its preservation.

To achieve the legal protection and financial needs of the Association, Cameron initiated a court action and filed it in the Superior Court of Placer County. An insert from the court document reads as follows:

“That at the time of the creation of the trust, the trust property was located in an area that was relatively primitive, with no permanent residents and very few summer visitors: that roads were very primitive and access to the area was most difficult: that boats on the lake were few: that very few people used the lake: that today the conditions have changed considerably: roads are good and access is easy: that the boats have increased tremendously and that the use of the lake has increased to include not only simple boating and fishing, but fast motor boating, water skiing, swimming and that by reason of said changes in conditions, it is necessary to provide specific authority for the carrying out of the intent of the trustor to preserve the property for recreation purposes for the benefit of the beneficiaries.” (December 27, 1963)

Cameron obtained a judgment on behalf of the Association on the 27th day of December 1962. The judgment gave the following powers to the Board of Directors of the Association:

The Trust property was to be held by the Trustees for recreational purposes for the benefit of the beneficiaries (members).

The Trust was vested with specific authority and power to:

To employ such personnel to maintain the property.
To fence the area.
To issue cards or other methods to identify members.
To pay property taxes and other levies.
To levy and collect annual dues.
To deny the use of the property to a member who does not pay his share.
To file lawsuits.

Cameron, in all his wisdom, gave the Association these powers, which have allowed present and past Board of Directors and many Presidents to create and support the quality of the park that we all love and enjoy today.

Cameron Wolfe was very active in the Association from 1950 through 1977. During this time, he was on the Board of Directors and served as President for many years. From 1977 to 2002 he was always available to the Boards and to me as a consultant and historian.

He left us with a strong legal and financial foundation to administer the Trust. It is quite fitting for his family and the Board of Directors to provide this beautiful playground facility and a plaque in his memory on the site that he preserved close to the lake that he loved so much.

Upon completing his commemorative, Richard Wilson welcomed the Wolfe family to the meeting and turned over the floor to Bruce Wolfe, Cameron’s son. Bruce thanked the Board and Membership for their remembrance of his father and expressed his family's appreciation of the event today. Bob Thomas thanked Bruce and his family for Cameron’s service to the Association and their contribution to the installation of the new playground equipment. Mrs. Wolfe and her son unveiled the plaque, numerous children tried out the new playground equipment, cake was served and the meeting was adjourned. Hot dogs, soda, and beer were served to the Membership at the normal location next to the community barbecue.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard J. Wilson, Secretary

Contact Lake Tahoe Park Association

Physical Address
Tahoe Park Beach, Pier & Common Areas
1700 Sequoia Avenue, Tahoe City, California, 96145 (map)

E-mail: Management - Jim Davisson
E-mail: Association Accounts & Administration
E-mail: Tahoe Park Beach, Pier & Common Areas

Association Mailing Address
P.O. Box 5771, Tahoe City, California, 96145

E-mail: The Board

URL: http://www.laketahoeparkassociation.com/mtgminutes070106.htm
Last modified: 01/09/08

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