Lake Tahoe Park Association
Annual Property Owners Meeting
July 3, 2010
Minutes
- Open Meeting – Milt Hyams
President Milt Hyams called the meeting to order at 11:08 AM at the Tahoe
Park Beach, 1700 Sequoia Ave., Tahoe City, CA.
Board Members present: Milt Hyams, Beverly Hemphill, Nancy Morse, Gregg
Gilbert, Bob Thomas, Pete Hutchings, and Margaret Pinter
Others Present: General Manager Jim Davisson and Beach Manager Ben Leech. 120
members signed in.
- Introduction of the Board of Directors – Milt Hyams
Milt introduced the Board members.
- Introduction of Staff: Milt Hyams/Jim Davisson/Ben Leech
Beach Manager, Ben Leech, introduced this year’s full and part-time beach
staff, who were received with a round of applause for their continued hard work.
Ben discussed the newly installed decomposed granite walkways which resemble
hard packed sand. Future plans are to incorporate this product into other paths
in the parkway. This hard packed surface will make it easier for wheel chairs
and coolers and other items with wheels.
Ben reported the new rules with respect to the pier. There will be no chairs
or coolers allowed and no diving off the pier. A member asked how they came to
the new rules for chairs and coolers because it seems like they take up less
space than those who lay out large towels. Milt responded that is has been a
problem in that people move their picnic areas out to the pier, which needs to
be an avenue for boats and swimmers, and to add furniture and coolers to the
deck is unfair to the other users. One member added that on June 26th, the pier
was full of towels and she could not walk past and fell down. Milt mentioned
that it was a management issue and he sympathized with her , saying that they
will keep a passage space in the middle of the pier.
- Introduction to Lake Tahoe Park Association – History and
What We Are- Milt Hyams
Milt presented this topic to the owners. All members have an undivided
interest in the beach property and it is administered by the Board. LTPA is not
a typical Homeowners Association as jurisdiction ends with this property. The
Board is here to protect the land for its members and to protect the members
from lawsuits. Milt discussed some of the rules for jumping off the pier and the
liabilities involved. Milt said that both he and Jim get e-mails from time to
time and wanted to clear up any confusion about the jurisdiction of the
Association. The legal responsibilities the Board must adhere to are established
in the bylaws. He invited those with questions to discuss them with him later.
- Summary of Park Maintenance, Improvements and Activities –
Jim Davisson/Beverly Hemphill
Jim further discussed the decomposed granite paths. The Tahoe Regional
Planning Agency (TRPA) told him that the Association had to install the granite
or the bathrooms could not be used. Crews finished the stairs to the north of
the pier yesterday and are hoping to install a railing as well.
Jim reported some dead and dying trees were removed, as approved by the
Forest Service. There could be some reforesting in areas. There is no existing
policy to replace taken trees, but the issue could be considered in the future.
Jim introduced Beverly Hemphill, who explained the new signage in the park
and use of the logo.
Jim reported the Park is installing four new BBQ’s with covers and bigger
cooking surfaces. New volleyball posts are being installed in compliance with
new State rules and insurance company requirements. All construction stops on
the 4th of July so that it does not get in the way of the holiday celebrations.
- Financial Report – Jim Davisson/Gregg Gilbert
Jim reported only 30 members out of 710 did not pay their assessment by the
deadline this year. He thanked everybody, as this was the best ratio he had ever
seen and told the group that they can now do the necessary planning for the
year.
Greg Gilbert commended the staff for their great work over the years. He gave
the members a brief rundown of his functions as Treasurer and informed the
members that the budget is developed to improve the park with the goal being to
minimize expenses. Greg reported the Association has enough money in the bank
currently and there is no need to increase assessments or levy a special
assessment.
There was a question regarding members who are delinquent in paying their
assessments and the process that follows. Greg responded that collection letters
are sent and the beach access key card is deactivated. Jim said there are
several properties that are about 14k in arrears. A second billing is sent in
May to those who have not paid, mentioning the late fee that will be applied
after June. Jim noted that most do pay and that efforts are made to work with
the delinquent members. Milt explained the power of the Board to levy
assessments for admission to the beach and the power to enforce it. He said past
assessments can ultimately be collected out of escrow as a lien is put on the
owner’s property.
- Membership Assessment for 2011
This item was discussed in item 6.
- Triangle Property Report – Milt Hyams /Pete Hutchins
Milt provided background on this issue noting the Association has been
engaged in cleanup for 25 years on the property, which had been a gas station.
Milt recognized Pete Hutchins who has been involved in the clean-up project
since day one. This project is the longest standing open cleanup in the state of
California. The water coming from the wells is now drinkable and although some
hydrocarbons are present, they are untraceable. Milt was happy to report to that
they have received closure on the matter. This brought a big round of applause.
All that remains to be done is to pull out the wells, which will be done at the
end of summer. Milt would like to set up a study group to report back to the
Board on possible long and short term uses of the property and suggested that
anyone interested get together with co-chairs Nancy and Greg.
Milt reported that Caltrans has leased 780 square feet at the culvert as part
of a major drainage project at the basin. The lease for one month is $2,500.
- Swim Platform and Swimming Areas – Beverly Hemphill/Bob
Thomas
Milt said the policy of the Board is safety first, and with that, turned the
mic over to Bob Thomas to discuss what has been done to protect swimmers. Bob
explained that over the past few years with the increase in boat traffic, they
looked at how they could better integrate the swim area. The Board has expanded
the swim area at the south end of the beach. The Association does not have
lifeguards and only has staff that monitors the beach and the beach area.
Beverly hopes the members really enjoy the swim platform and said that the kids
have already been on it and are having a ball!
- General discussion – Milt Hyams
An owner said she finds crawdad fishing offensive and does not want kids
torturing them. She told the group that she had found several left in a cage to
die. This owner wants to encourage the kids to not torture the animals. Milt
noted that fishing is a legal activity and it is legal to catch crawdads. It is
not legal, however, to waste animal assets, nor is it okay to leave them in a
cage to die. It is not only offensive, it is illegal. Milt said he would make
the staff aware of the concern.
Owner Joan Bentley has seen a tremendous change in the park and beach and
says it is getting better. She approves of the list of rules for renters and
guests. Joan would like the beach managers to become acquainted with people
using the park and monitor people on the beach for violations of the rules. Ben
said he does walk the beach several times each day and will commit to more trips
down the beach.
Owner Brett Sacket discussed installing signage that states that you dive at
your own risk. He feels that those who want to dive and take the risk should be
able to. Milt was unsure if signage will protect the Association from liability.
He will consult the Association’s attorney.
A member stated her dislike for the new rule disallowing coolers and chairs
on the pier but still allows towels. She feels there is no space to walk down
the pier as there are towels blocking the way. She feels chairs and coolers take
up less space than towels and do not think it is fair. Milt went over the rules
for the Association stating that more often than not the problem comes from
renters. It is not possible to legislate different rules for different people.
Milt said the Board wants to live with the rule for this year. A suggestion was
made that an aisle be painted down the pier designating the towel area and the
passage area.
Owner Frank Billow spoke to the issue of pier diving and liability and gave
an example of how the law worked in Santa Cruz. Frank spoke of an incident in
which, although signs were posted, a youth dove off the Southern Pacific
trestles and was seriously injured. Southern Pacific was sued and lost even
though there were signs in place. Frank expressed his concern about the
Association having enough insurance to cover any accidents.
Several other members expressed their concern over the liability of pier
jumping. Some members didn’t feel the Board should be legislating behavior and
people should be allowed to jump at their own risk. Milt said that because the
lake is very low, diving will not be allowed. It is the function of the Board to
protect the assets of the Association and felt that until he spoke to the
attorneys, the rules must be honored. Several members spoke in favor of this
rule as it is unfortunately a litigious world. Another member wanted to know if
staff is able to remove people from the park for not obeying the diving rules.
Milt responded that it is the Boards’ obligation to protect the Association from
people who do not follow the rules. They will be asked to leave.
Barbara asked if the rules for reserving picnic tables could be clarified.
Ben responded that three tables are allowed per home owner and one per renter
with thirty days advance notice on which table and the time of day. Requests for
reservations can be made by telephone at 583-3820 or via e-mail to
beach@laketahoeparkassociation.com.
- Election of officers – Milt Hyams
Milt said that four positions are up for election, with both he and Margaret
running for re-election. Milt introduced the departing members, included Pete
Hutchins, the longest standing Board member in history. Milt thanked him for his
service. Pete received a warm round of applause. Beverly was also thanked for
her three terms on the Board and thanked by a round of applause. Milt and
Margaret are running for re-election.
Milt spoke regarding the duties of the Board and the importance of attending
the meetings and opened the floor for nominations. Those nominated were: Leigh
Ann Cullen, Michael Dilg, James Mauch, Doug Williams, Joe Curtis, Milt Hyams,
and Margaret Pinter. Each nominee spoke briefly about themselves and their
qualifications.
- Membership Picnic – Milt Hyams
Milt adjourned the meeting at 12:49 PM and the members enjoyed a wonderful
picnic while the votes were tallied and then posted. Those elected were:
Milt Hyams
Margaret Pinter
Doug Williams
Michael Dilg
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Nunes
Recording Secretary
THE PAPER TRAIL SECRETARIAL & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
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
| Beach & Manager's Telephone: (530) 583-3820 |
|
Fax: (530) 581-4275 |
URL: http://laketahoeparkassociation.com/mtgminutes070310.htm
Last modified:
07/19/10
