GPHA Board members Bryan Cole, Mark Mitchell & Flo Staggs, along with 10 other neighbors plus two children, two babies & one dog met at the Picnic/Dairy Barn area for the Association’s Annual Picnic/Meeting.  The gathering of neighbors for the picnic started approximately at 11:30 A.M. followed by the Annual Meeting which was called to order at 12:35.

Old Business:

The Annual Meeting Minutes of 13 October 2012 were reviewed & approved.

New Business:

1.      Bryan Cole gave the President’s Report noting the following:

·         Criminal incidences have subsided since early 2013; Stephanie Click noted that Haynes Avenue had also had break ins during that timeframe

·         Association won the Huntsville Beautification Award for the fourth year in a row

·         Dues were maintained at $200 per year for the seventh year in a row

·         Carol Broussard was presented a $35 Publix gift card for her work auditing the GPHA financial books last year

2.     Mark Mitchell gave the Treasurer’s Report noting the following:

·         All dues were collected for the year except from one owner who pays quarterly – still owes $50 for the last quarter of 2013 & one owner who still owes $200 

·         Projects (sign, railing) budgeted for this year were not done – one contractor determined rail was not feasible due to the steep grade of the slope; Mark Mitchell to look at the signs to see if he could paint one or/both of the signs for a nominal fee – colors to be changed to the original brown & gold

·         Stayed pretty close to the approved budget for the year – one month to go in fiscal year (November 2012 through Oct 2013).  In an effort to save the Aristocrat Pears (before determination was made that they had Fire Blight, a leaf disease), the water bill was getting close to exceeding budget; water has since been turned off

·         Association Balances as of 4 October 2013 were presented 

3.    Bryan Cole, for Rob Archer, gave the Landscaping Report noting the following:

·         Leaks in the sprinkler system were repaired along Alm Drive this year

·         Discussed the “dying” Aristocrat Pears on Alm Drive

o   No one wants to take down the trees until needed

o   Get several bids if trees are to be taken down

o   Several homeowners seemed to be in favor of raising dues ($25 to $40) to cover expenses of tree replacement as well as other expenses; if raising dues is to be considered, this would be voted on by the community

·         Rob is looking to get bids for new landscaping services - several homeowners commented on the height of the grass this spring – recommended that the landscaping company note in their invoice the days when they performed their services, which is currently not being done

4.    Inge Mitchell, Secretary, asked that those homeowners that were present at the picnic/meeting to review/update the Gladstone Place Homeowner’s List.  Also, she introduced the new GPHA Website which brought up much discussion about what we should post publicly & what should be password restricted.  Inge noted that at the next Board meeting, this topic will be discussed & hopefully finalized.

5.    Flo Staggs, Greeter/Event Coordinator, has not been able to deliver the purchased gift card to Victoria Acuff, 1706 Alm Drive.  Also, Flo purchased an Earth Fare gift card for Jente & Meghan Liemburg, 1731 Alm Drive.  She discussed ideas about generating ways to create community involvement

6.    Stephanie Click had several comments at the picnic:

a.    She offered to audit the financial books, if needed

b.    In order to generate additional money, coupon books could be sold

c.    In order to familiarize ourselves with the various homeowners, pictures could be taken of families in front of their house

d.    Suggested a Halloween walk with dogs in costume

7.    Jim Hayes would be a good source of information regarding how the sprinkler system is laid out for when the Aristocrat Pears are taken down & replacement trees planted

8.    At the close of the meeting, everyone participated in a drawing for the five picnic centerpieces.  Winners were the McDaniel’s/Click’s/Mitchell’s /Hayes’/Stagg families.

9.    Rob Archer has volunteered to run again for the Board but no other new volunteers or nominations (two positions available), although Brian Click did express great interest in the Landscaping position but did not commit 

The Annual Meeting adjourned at approximately 1:45 P.M.

Inge Mitchell

Secretary

Bryan Cole

President

21.08 | 19:14

Hello neighbor (s):
I’m writing to put in a request to add in our community bulletin the onset of army worms discovered in my yard. I encourage folks to check their yards and treat ASAP, if needed.