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Saturday, February 23, 2008
Summary of Actions Saturday, February 23, 2008 6 Funding of Capital Improvement Plan The Board of Directors of Directors of The Sea Ranch Water Company authorized the CEO to initiate the process for obtaining private funding of the Water Companys Capital Improvement Plan by conducting research on possible options and reporting the results to the Board. FEBRUARY 23 BOARD MEETING SUMMARY February 23 Association Board Meeting Summary New Business Treasurer Marti Campbell presented and the Board of Directors adopted three Resolutions (Numbers 290, 291, and 292) concerned with budgeting and financial planning. In the first of these Resolutions, the Board approved a revision of the Associations reserve study for replacement of capital assets owned in common and adopted a plan for funding the eventual replacement of all assets. The results of the reserve study are documented in the 2008 revision of The Sea Ranch Association 30-year plan. The estimated life cycles and costs of replacing the assets have been updated, and five years have been added at the end of the previous plan, which encompassed only 25 years. The funding scenario, which targets an ending balance of 100% of an average years expenditures in the Property and Equipment Replacement Fund results in an assessment of $8.00 per month in 2008-2009, $9.00 per month in 2009-2010, and $11.00 per month in 2010-2011. In the second of these Resolutions, the Board applied a projected 2007-2008 surplus of member-derived income over expenses ($291,944) to 2008-2009 Operating Fund income. This has the effect of reducing the 2008-2009 assessment by $10.60 per month. The Board then adopted the Associations 2008-2009 budget, and estimated budgets for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, by approving Resolution Number 292. The assessment for 2008-2009 will be $180 per month. Discounts in the assessment for prepayment and use of electronic funds transfer were set at $20 for the year and 50 cents per month, respectively. Before the budget was adopted, thirteen Members discussed their views on the proposed budget. In its next action, the Board approved a proposal from The Sea Ranch Utilities Committee to establish a Subcommittee to improve telecommunication services at The Sea Ranch. The first phase of this effort will be an assessment of high speed Internet access services at The Sea Ranch. The second phase will seek development of a community vision and consensus on the type and need for improved telecommunication services. Utilities Committee members Frank Field and Scott Nevin are the initial members of the Subcommittee which will be expanded as necessary. The Board then adopted substitute Resolution Number 293 (Alternative Energy Sources for The Sea Ranch) presented by Board Member Jim Jordan. Board Liaison to the Utilities Committee, Derek Bray, had recommended changes in the original Resolution which narrow the focus of the proposed Task Force to solar energy sources. The Resolution authorizes the Community Manager to establish a small Alternative Energy Task Force to examine ways in which large scale solar energy sources, such as solar-electric farms, might be implemented at The Sea Ranch. The Task Force, which will be formed and begin work in June 2008, is authorized to examine the entire range of questions, including technical, legal, siting, and financial ones, needed to establish the feasibility of a project. The Task Force will operate under the Community Manager who is directed to bring recommendations to the Board based on the Task Forces findings. This Board action was initiated by a Member who has proposed promising business plans for shared facilities located on Association-controlled land. The Board went on to accept recommendations from the Board Subcommittee on Local Agency Formation to pursue further investigation of the formation of a Special District with governmental powers for sewer and septic services, fresh water services and perhaps fire services. In doing so, the Board authorized the Community Manager to seek legislation that would permit a Sea Ranch District to have an electorate which includes resident registered voters and non-resident property owners. The Boards action follows two previous Board workshops where the issues were presented by the Board Subcommittee, reviewed by the Board, and discussed with the membership. The Boards final action in the Associations meeting was to authorize the Community Manager to engage a consultant to develop the information required to protect Association members interests in respect of the findings of County Service Area #40s review of fire protection services in the unincorporated portions of the County. February 23 Board Meeting of The Sea Ranch Water Company The Board of The Sea Ranch Water Company noted that in the absence of fully identified strong protections of Association members interests if a local public agency were to assume control over the water system, the Water Company should now begin what is likely to be a multi-year California Public Utilities Commission approval process. In this connection, the Board authorized the Chief Executive Officer to initiate the process for obtaining private funding of the Water Companys Capital Improvement Plan by conducting research on possible options and reporting the results to the Board. John Fox Community Manager
2007-2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUMMARY OF ACTIONS BOARD MEETING SATURDAY, February 23, 2008 Dear Members of The Sea Ranch Association, The Board made a number of important decisions at its meeting on Saturday February 23, 2008. In order to explain the decisions more fully than is possible in the customary Board Action Summary, I have appended my Board meeting summary prepared for the Bulletin. I hope you will find that the additional information is helpful. John Fox Community Manager THE SEA RANCH ASSOCIATION 2007-2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUMMARY OF ACTIONS BOARD MEETING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2008 10 NEW BUSINESS: 10a) Adoption of the 30-Year Plan 2008 Revision and Funding Plan: The Board of Directors unanimously approved the attached Resolution 290. 10b) Carrying Forward Excess Member Income from Fiscal Year 2007-08 as a Reduction of Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Operating Assessments: The Board of Directors unanimously approved the attached Resolution 291. 10c) Adopting Budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Monthly Assessments: The Board of Directors approved the attached Resolution 292. 10d) Utilities Committees Proposal to Establish a Utilities Subcommittee to Improve Telecommunication Services: The Board of Directors unanimously approved a proposal from The Sea Ranch Utilities Committee to establish a Subcommittee to improve telecommunication services at The Sea Ranch. The memorandum of request dated January 31, 2008, was approved by the Board of Directors and is attached. 10e) Proposal to Form a Task Force on Alternative Energy Sources for The Sea Ranch: The Board of Directors unanimously approved the attached Resolution 293. 10f) Proposed Local Agency Action Plan: The Board of Directors accepted recommendations from the Board Subcommittee on Local Agency Formation to pursue further investigation of the formation of a Special District with governmental powers for sewer and septic services, fresh water services and perhaps fire services. The Board authorized the Community Manager to seek legislation that would permit a Sea Ranch District to have an electorate which includes resident registered voters and non-resident property owners. The Board of Directors authorized the Community Manager to engage a consultant to develop the information required to protect Association Members interests relative to the findings of CSA #40s review of fire protection services in the unincorporated portions of the County. 11 Design Committee Decision Appeal Spalding Tree Proposals 182 and 183: Tree Proposal 182: The Board of Directors remanded tree proposal 182 back to the Design Committee. Tree Proposal 183: The Board of Directors affirmed the denial of this application by the Design Committee. 12 Design Committee Decision Appeal Unit 30a Neighborhood Tree Proposal: The Board of Directors affirmed the denial of this application by the Design Committee. THE SEA RANCH ASSOCIATION 2007-08 BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOLUTION NO. 290 ADOPTION OF 30-YEAR PLAN 2008 REVISION Adopted on February 23, 2008 WHEREAS, according to Section 1365 of the California Civil Code, all common interest developments must maintain a reserve study for the replacement of capital assets owned in common and must adopt a plan for funding the eventual replacement of all assets; and WHEREAS, at its joint budget workshop with the Finance Committee on January 12, 2008 The Sea Ranch Association Board of Directors received the draft 30-Year Plan, 2008 revision from staff with all estimated life cycles and costs updated in accordance with the revision requirements; and WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Directors have examined the Plan documents and have found the recommended funding scenario to be adequate to meet the needs of the Plan, as follows: Fund Balances for the Property & Equipment Replacement Fund will target 100% of one average years expenditures as an ending balance (or 3% of the total estimated expenditures). This target shall be maintained whenever possible while smoothing the assessment as much as possible. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the 2008 Revision of The Sea Ranch Associations 30-Year Plan is adopted as submitted by staff with an assessment of $8.00 per month for fiscal year 2008-09, $9.00 per month for fiscal year 2009-10, and $11.00 per month for fiscal year 2010-11 in conjunction with adoption of the fiscal 2008-09 budget and the estimated budgets for 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Motion by: Director Campbell Vote: Aye: 7 Second by: Director Mueller Nay: 0 Excused: 0 Abstention: 0 Action taken: Adopted
THE SEA RANCH ASSOCIATION 2007-08 BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOLUTION NO. 291 CARRYING FORWARD EXCESS MEMBER INCOME FROM FISCAL YEAR 2007-08 AS A REDUCTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2008-09 OPERATING ASSESSMENTS Adopted on February 23, 2008
WHEREAS, a surplus of member income over expenses in the amount of $291,944 is anticipated for fiscal year 2007-08; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the excess member income over expenses for fiscal year 2007-08 be applied to the fiscal year 2008-09 assessment as a reduction of that assessment, resulting in a reduction of the fiscal year 2008-09 Operating Fund assessment of $10.60.
Motion by: Director Campbell Vote: Aye: 7 Second by: Director Mueller Nay: 0 Excused: 0 Abstention: 0 Action taken: Adopted THE SEA RANCH ASSOCIATION 2007-08 BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOLUTION NO. 292 ADOPTING BUDGET FOR FISCAL 2008-09 SETTING THE MONTHLY ASSESSMENT Adopted on February 23, 2008 WHEREAS, the Board of Directors held three budget workshops with the Finance Committee on November 17, 2007, January 12, 2008 and February 9, 2008; and WHEREAS, the Board of Directors diligently reviewed the proposed expenditures for the next three fiscal years; and WHEREAS, the Board of Directors finds that the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2008-09 adequately addresses the needs of the members of The Sea Ranch Association. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the 2008-09 budget be adopted and that the total monthly assessment of $180.00 is approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, those members prepaying the annual assessment by May 31, 2008 will be entitled to a one-time discount of $20.00; and those members paying the annual assessment via monthly installment through voluntary Electronic Funds Transfer will be entitled to a discount of $.50 per month.
Motion by: Director Campbell Vote: Aye: 6 Second by: Director Bush Nay: 1 (Director Bray) Excused: 0 Abstention: 0 Action taken: Adopted
Date: January 31, 2008 Subject: Proposed Utilities Committee Project: Assessment of High Speed Internet Access Services at The Sea Ranch From: Utilities Committee, TSRA To: Board of Directors, TSRA Over the past three years, various options for obtaining high speed access to the Internet have begun to appear at The Sea Ranch. These include two-way wireless services from Esplanade and CVC and two-way satellite services (HughesNet and Wild Blue). Others, such as Black Mountain Communications, have made public statements about their desires to offer service on the coast. While these have been welcomed additions they are not available to all lots owing to terrain and vegetation (hedgerow and redwoods) obstructions. Further, because of signal and technology limitations and other factors, service levels remain a fraction of what is routinely available in suburban areas while pricing of the services on the coast is substantially higher than in suburban areas. Finally, the once envisioned upgrade to the CVC system, which promised two-way high speed access, has failed to appear. With access to information, services and commerce over the internet of significant and growing importance to all members and with the clear evolution to higher speeds to support more content-rich internet sites and applications, we believe it is important for the Board, through the Utilities Committee, to undertake the following project. Project Title: Assessment of High Speed Internet Access Services at TSR Project Objectives: 1) Survey high speed internet access services available to members homes on TSR. Describe service levels and limitations (performance, availability to some or all lots, etc.). Describe typical pricing. We exclude from consideration dial access services or services that rely on dial access for one-way communication. 2) Through a sampled survey of TSRA members who subscribe to the various services, estimate members satisfaction with current services. 3) Through communication and discussion with current and prospective competent service providers, understand the suppliers vision of and plans for improvements to service availability and service levels. 4) Through discussion with current and prospective competent service providers, understand the suppliers views of steps the Association might take at no or low cost to the Association to encourage wider availability of services and/or improved service levels. In the case of wireless service providers, this might, for instance, include providing a second or third antenna site (beyond the site on Moonraker). At this time, we believe the list of current and prospective service providers includes the following: CVC, Esplande, HughesNet (or value added reseller providing installation and service at TSR), Wild Blue (or VAR of Wild Blue), Verizon, Verizon Wireless, Black Mountain Communications, Mendocino Community Network (MCN). Project Deliverables: Document the findings related to objectives in a report for the Board of Directors of TSRA. Project Methodology: Survey of available public information from each service provider and discussions with service providers as necessary to verify accuracy of information collected and understanding of the providers views of the future and potential needs from the Association. Conduct a sampled survey of TSRA members who subscribe to the various services to estimate the satisfaction of members. Project Limitations: The project is limited to information that is currently public or which the providers are willing to make public. Project participants are NOT authorized to sign non-disclosure agreements on behalf of TSRA. This is an information gathering project and while it may lead to recommendations for future courses of action, this project will not bind the Association or its members in any way. Project Participants: Project to be conducted by a sub-committee of the Utilities Committee. Initial subcommittee members are: Frank Field and Scott Nevin. Project Timeline: Project should be completed within six months of Board approval of the project description. THE SEA RANCH ASSOCIATION 2007-2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOLUTION NO. 293 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES FOR THE SEA RANCH Adopted on February 23, 2008 WHEREAS, solar energy sources offer potential financial advantages for Association members; and WHEREAS, there may be potential financial benefits from economies of scale in building facilities that could serve the needs of many users; and WHEREAS, some members believe that solar energy sources mounted on individual structures or properties can negatively affect Sea Ranch aesthetics; and WHEREAS, some members have found that mounting solar energy sources on existing structures can require costly retrofitting; and WHEREAS, conceptual business models incorporating investments by Association members may be shown to be practical; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT: The Sea Ranch Association Board of Directors authorizes the Community Manager to establish a small Alternative Energy Task Force to examine ways in which large scale solar energy sources, such as solar-electric farms, might be implemented at The Sea Ranch; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT: The Community Manager shall report the results of the Task Forces examination and recommendations to the Board. Motion by: Director Jordan Vote: Aye: 7 Second by: Director Bray Nay: 0 Excused: 0 Abstention: 0 Action taken: Adopted
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 Last Updated: 02/29/08 |
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