Highlights of the monthly POA Board Meeting
Saturday’s monthly meeting of the POA Board was well attended. As a matter of fact, at one point, Mayor Collier addressed the group and said that he is actually there in his capacity an employee of the Property Owners’ Association… and while he will answer questions germane to a particular topic because he did not want to give the impression that he was avoiding answering anyone, he encouraged people to attend the Town Council meetings (first and third Tuesdays of each month) and ask these questions in that milieu. He felt that it was not right to take time away from what should be POA topics.
The budget/finances of the Association is slowly turning around. This has been attributed to a reduction in staff and an increase in royalties over the past few years.
The swimming pool is operational, however, the personnel needed to keep it so will be relocating and the Association is seeking someone who is a trained lifeguard/pool operator to run it. If you know of anyone who wishes to be considered for the position, please tell him or her to contact the office at 861-2433.
Architectural Committee reports that island construction appears to be slowing down, averaging only one new construction or significant addition per week.
A committee was formed to look into developing the potential of our recreational facilities, naming Deborah Colburn as chair.
The Volunteer Committee has been working diligently to make so many of the areas around the Isle Dauphine really something special. Wherever you look, flowers are blooming, new boardwalks have sprung to life, and walls have been painted. To this end, the Board voted to give the committee $250 a month to help out with expenses. A great big thank you to the Ken and Baiba Guess, Kathy and Jack Howard for their commitment in leading this operation!
Joyce Allen, Town Building Inspector, made a presentation re: the steps in attaining the berm. She explained that many groups were involved at the state and federal level in attaining the goal and that oftentimes; the Town was at the mercy of the bureaucracy of various departments.
President John Reed reported that on July 11, a Fairness Hearing would be held in Mobile to determine if the agreed-upon settlement with the Corps of Engineers Lawsuit would move forward. He encouraged as many people as possible to attend. Island Watch will put out more info regarding carpools and downtown parking, etc. as the date draws near. John feels that the judge, etc. needs to see that people care.
Someone from the audience asked John Reed for the next steps after the Hearing and encouraged John to make these steps known through communications. John reiterated the steps (the study, the recommendations after the study, the remediation project, etc.) as he does patiently every time he is asked this question. He also referred people to the POA website where the whole process in spelled out in both a lengthy communication and a summary at the beginning. Island Watch will put out a brief explanation and chronology in another communication.
There was a lengthy and very emotional discussion concerning the transfer of the 3 miles of beach (West Surf Beach) to the Town. The discussion was triggered by a proposal to engage an attorney to research some legal questions surrounding the issue. For example, how will the fact that the Town has ownership affect the Corps lawsuit?
The proposal triggered emotional responses from the audience concerning the fact that the Board seemed to be moving too quickly in one direction, not considering possible alternatives. When President Reed indicated that he felt that the large percentage of people voting in favor of this move gave him the encouragement to go in this direction, others in the audience indicated that they felt the communication explaining the proposal did not present a clear picture of the situation and made it appear as though no alternatives were available.
After much outpouring from property owners in the audience, it was determined that a committee be formed to a) explore genuine possibilities and b) present these in a clear fashion documented with facts. The Board will then entertain these possibilities.
The next meeting will be held on July 8 at 10:00 am at the Isle Dauphine.