By Bob Lassahn

By Ocean Pines Association (OPA) standards the October 18 meeting of the Board of Directors was both abbreviated (about three hours) and remained relatively devoid of overt hostility from public speakers or between board members.

Director Dan Stachurski provided an update on the new community center which included computer generated renderings of the building, giving some insight of the final appearance. The picture provided confirmation that the majority of the exterior will be finished in brick to match the nearby library building, with both white and gray metal on some of the surfaces. Samples of the materials were provided for the board's review. Mr. Stachurski was able to obtain board approval of the submitted materials and colors by a 6-1 margin with Director Janet Kelley voting against the motion.

Mr. Stachurski also clarified that the size of the building will be 28,983 square feet (outside wall measurement) and that some miscommunication existed with regard to recent county criticisms of the community center project. He assured the board many of the issues have been discussed with the county and he is certain that revised information submitted on behalf of OPA will be met in a more positive manner. A county hearing on the project is anticipated on November 8.

During the computer assisted presentation Mr. Stachurski provided a schedule including a start of site preparation anticipated at the end of November and permits in hand by about the beginning of January 2007. With a 365 day period for completion in the contract the center could potentially be ready by January 2008.

In his review of financial matters Mr. Stachurski posted a construction cost of $3,912,500 with a bottom line figure of $5,372,794, a total he states is viewed by the construction management company SPN, Inc. as a good number.

In his review of asset sales anticipated to finance the project Mr. Stachurski is confident the commercial parcel along Route 589 should be set for auction in about three weeks and sold by the end of 2006. He commented there is a very interested purchaser but offered no further clarification. He also says the 19 interior lots may be sold individually rather than at auction and the matter is being referred to the newly hired general manager for his review and recommendations. If determined to sell them at auction it will likely occur in the spring of 2007. Mr. Stachurski remains confident the funds generated by the sales will be sufficient to finance the new community center.

Under new business a total of 11 motions were set forth by board members. Some were relatively routine business and some of a more controversial nature.

On a motion by Board President Glenn Duffy the new general manager was unanimously approved as OPA's assistant treasurer. Also approved unanimously was a motion from Director Heather Cook to establish three dates for OPA town meetings. The dates and topics selected are: November 4, 2006 with the topic set as the community center; January 20, 2007 dedicated to the budget; and April 14, 2007 with the topic to be announced.

Director Cook's motion to develop a public relations campaign to foster community spirit and involvement in completion of the new community center passed on a 6-0 margin with Director Kelley abstaining.

Director Reid Sterrett brought forth a motion to rescind his previous notion of September 21 to investigate canoe/kayak launch sites in Ocean Pines. The motion passed unanimously.

Director Ray Unger introduced a motion to change the method of financing the enclosure of the Sports Core pool. Instead of financing 100 percent of the enclosure cost from reserves, one half of the amount would be borrowed in a commercial loan. After an amendment from Director Stachurski that the terms and length of the loan will be determined by OPA staff the measure passed unanimously.

Director Unger's motion to have the general manager review the OPA employee retirement plan and provide recommendations passed unanimously, but his final motion to establish a procedure regarding submission and follow up on written requests from residents failed by a 4-3 margin (Kelley, Zawacki and Unger voting in the minority).

Director Kelley's motion to prevent exclusion of directors from meetings with auctioneers and notification of future meetings regarding the sale of OPA property failed for lack of a second. Her motion to re-examine construction costs on the new community center and to publicize discrepancies received a second from Director Unger, but failed to carry on a 4-3 vote (Kelley, Unger and Zawacki voting in the minority).

Director Kelley's motion to ensure financing of the new community center, requiring that it must be demonstrated that the total cost of the project will be covered by the sale of properties specified failed for lack of a second. Her final motion of the day to replace Director Satchurski as point man/project manager on the community center with the new general manager also failed by a 6-1 margin.

Of the 12 motions introduced a total of seven passed. Motions that failed include one from Director Unger of the three he introduced. Director Kelley failed on all four of her motions, two of them for lack of a second.