12/22/2006

OPA sets new benchmark for brevity
By Bob Lassahn

The Ocean Pines Association (OPA) regular monthly meeting of the board of directors took place in the evening of December 15 and brought six of the seven sitting directors to the table. Director Reid Sterrett sent along his regrets, citing family matters as the reason for his absence from the lightly attended meeting.

One item of interest to many residents was quickly dropped from the agenda. A report on golf operations from General Manager Tom Olson, based upon recommendations from a consultant that could potentially help reverse the fortunes of the operation from a negative cash flow to at least a break even situation, was put off until a special meeting of the board. The meeting was scheduled for Monday, December 18 at 8 a.m. to consider Mr. Olson's summary.

Newly appointed director Tom Sandusky, appointed by the board to replace board member Janet Kelley who resigned in November, was administered the oath of office by OPA attorney Joe Moore. Mr. Sandusky was selected from a field of several former directors to serve until the next scheduled election in August 2007, when he will be eligible to seek another term.

A report suggesting a site for a proposed skateboard park was received from Barb Kissel, chair of an ad hoc committee charged with the task. The proposal for an Ocean Pines skateboard facility has been under consideration for about one year and is looked upon favorably by a number of directors. The issue of providing a safe location for the activity, popular with the younger set, is a driving force.

Ms. Kissel's report suggested a location in Manklin Meadows, near the new Community Gardens as a potential site. A criterion including high visibility, limited disturbance to residents and a limited number of trees to shed leaves, a potential hazard to the activity, focused attention to the area selected by the committee. She also offered assurance that concern regarding liability for any injuries suffered by users was manageable.

Director Dan Stachurski questioned if White Horse Park might present a better alternative, citing the presence of the Police Department. He pointed out the agency is manned on a 24 hour basis and could serve to monitor the use of the skateboard facility.

Following a discussion, at least in part concerning lingering issues with liability, Mr. Stachurski introduced a motion for staff to investigate site suitability (of both suggested areas), costs, legal implications and potential disruption to nearby residents. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sandusky and passed unanimously.

The report from County Commissioner Judy Boggs included one item that has received considerable attention in recent weeks. The issue of a sidewalk on Manklin Creek Road and a crosswalk to Pennington Commons is considered essential by some residents and at least one board member. A turnover of Manklin Creek Road from the county to OPA is an underlying factor in the question.

Ms. Boggs stated emphatically that the county would not construct a walkway along Manklin Creek Road, a prerequisite for the State Highway Administration to install crosswalks at the intersection. A sidewalk is already under construction on the Pennington Commons property. She suggested that OPA consider negotiations with the property owner and construction of the walkway using pass through funds from the county for roadway maintenance.

Public comments produced only three speakers. Resident Kevin Colgan of Juneway Lane addressed the board with regard to a drainage problem on his property he has been seeking to resolve for more than a year. Mr. Colgan cited numerous occasions where someone from OPA has promised to "get back to him" and subsequently failed to follow through. His plea to the board was simply to "tell me what you are doing."

Joe Reynolds cautioned the board to proceed cautiously on the issue of taking Manklin Creek Road into its roads inventory. He commented that he sees the safety concerns now being used for leverage as a "crutch" and questioned whether any benefit would come to OPA as a result, noting that assessments on the commercial properties could be a long shot at best.

Roelof "Dutch" Oostveen, somewhat infamous for his tirades toward the board, took the podium to chastise several board members regarding comments about him that appeared in local papers. His comments were pointed, but compared to some previous appearances, were kept somewhat in check.

A report on the new community center from Mr. Stachurski provided an update on progress, noting that the county has approved the site plans and the submission for a building permit should be ready by the end of the week. He commented that construction equipment should be appearing on the site before the end of December.

Anticipating a six to eight week process for approval of the building permit, construction of the structure could commence by early February. Mr. Stachurski noted that the contract with Blades calls for completion 365 days after OPA gives the approval to begin. This could put the project on track for completion by February 2008.

Following a brief "State of the Pines" report from Mr. Olson a motion from Director Bill Zawacki to retain interest earned within each reserve account was taken up. Introduced at the November meeting the item was sent back for input from the Budget and Finance Committee (BFC) and the comptroller.

With a favorable recommendation from both BFC and the comptroller, and assurances that the motion would not inherently result in the need to increase assessments the board approved his motion unanimously.

The meeting set a new benchmark for the current board, lasting only one hour and 15 minutes.