02/14/2007

OPA holds firm on $150 assessment increase
By Bob Lassahn

The Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Board of Directors held a special meeting in the board room of the Administration Building on February 12. The early morning meeting was scheduled at the behest of Director Tom Sandusky to take a look at budget issues.

The meeting was sparsely attended and during public comments only three OPA members spoke to the issues at hand. There were questions regarding the proposed $150 increase in the annual assessment and whether it should be spread out over several years, along with a concern over the proposed 20 percent increase in annual slip fees at the OPA marinas.

Five of the seven directors were present in the board room, while both Glenn Duffy and Heather Cook attended via a telephone conference hookup. Board Vice President Dan Stachurski presided over the 8 a.m. meeting that lasted about two hours. Mr. Stachurski commented that what he originally perceived as a work session regarding drainage issues on the golf course had in fact become something more, with five prospective motions from directors on the agenda.

Golf Course Superintendent Harlyn Goldman began the meeting with a computer generated presentation summarizing drainage issues on the golf course. He noted that at least 1,397 member properties are impacted by golf course drainage issues and reviewed how the nature of the area surrounding the course has changed since its original construction.

At the heart of the discussion is an eight year, $2.4 million project to improve golf course drainage. Mr. Goldman pointed out that the improved drainage of the course will not only help in improving course conditions, but also will alleviate flooding of some adjacent properties that receive significant runoff from the golf course. The plan provides for phases that will ensure continued use of the course with only minor disruption to normal play. A "19th hole" is planned to provide a full 18 hole course when any regular hole is unavailable.

Following Mr. Goldman's presentation Director Sandusky advised the board that his concerns regarding the drainage project and the financial implications had been sufficiently addressed. He then withdrew his motion to delay the start of the project until next year by removing $189,800 from the 2007-2008 budget and a motion to reduce the proposed $150 assessment increase to $127, reflecting the elimination of these funds.

A third motion from Mr. Sandusky to reduce the 20 percent increase in slip fees at OPA marinas to 10 percent was introduced and received opposition from Director Bill Zawacki, who noted that the $18,000 in lost income would have to be made up somewhere. Mr. Zawacki also pointed out that the new rates were for 12 months instead of six, with the winter rates being eliminated, effectively resulting in a savings for someone who might opt to use the facility year round.

After some discussion and a statement from General Manager Tom Olson that the $18,000 would likely be made up via a smaller contribution to reserves, Director Heather Cook introduced an amendment to reinstate the winter rate, thus making the lower 10 percent rate for six months only. When the question was called the reduction passed by a 4-2-1 vote with Directors Zawacki and Ray Unger opposed, while Director Stachurski abstained.

Director Cook set forth a motion to allocate funds in the 2007-2008 budget to implement a stormwater maintenance plan for road side ditches throughout Ocean Pines. Her motion also called for a detailed plan to establish a timeline and provide continuing maintenance.

Mr. Olson provided input that about $18,000 for materials and an estimated $100,000 in manpower are already included in the budget for these purposes. He also noted that a survey of the ditches is underway, but the conduct of the survey, through the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment, is limited to times when the leaves are not on the trees. Mr. Stachurski also interjected that since Mr. Olson was not employed by OPA when the initiative was originally handed down by the board he should be given some time to research exactly what the original charge had been.

When the question was called it failed by a 6-1 margin with only Ms. Cook voting in favor. She was also denied an opportunity to introduce an additional motion not included on the agenda in regard to the drainage initiative until a future meeting.

A final motion from Ms. Cook to retain the proposed $150 assessment increase for 2007-2008 regardless of any budget adjustments was received favorably. When the question was called it passed unanimously.

During the meeting the general manager also presented information to the board regarding alternatives for members in paying assessments in light of the financial impact of the increase. Mr. Olson summarized that two alternatives including "credits to receivables," or simply paying the assessment amount installments prior to the May 1 due date and payment by credit card (both Master Card and Visa are now accepted) require no action by the board. A third option of advance billing causing  assessment notices to be mailed in an earlier time frame (possibly by March 1 this year) in lieu of the late March time frame normal to the course of business will require the board to pass the budget and set the assessment amount.

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