Community Center Committee

Minutes of meeting, Sept. 21, 2007

Members present:  Bob Gilbert, Kurt Schaffert, Bill Smith, George Malhiot, Mary Owens, Barbara Adam

     new members:  Joachim Schmidt, Tom Bruns

      also present:    Art Gabler (Board of Directors)

In opening remarks, Chairman Bob Gilbert announced that Barbara Adam is resigning from the Committee.

Bob Gilbert is stepping down as chairman and Joachim Schmidt will assume that position. 

Comments from the Board of Directors: 

 1.  Art stated that an agreement with East Coast Fire Prevention has been signed, to correct and repair deficiencies in the Center fire protection system.  Work will begin Oct. 1, will cost around $5,000 to complete Phase 1 and comply with the fire code.  Pulte will assume responsibility.  Phase 2 work will be determined as needed. 

2. A committee from the Board will begin revising job descriptions and reviewing the salaries of Ann Jones, Lin Bailey and the Concierges. 

3. The Center now has a license to serve beer and wine.  The Concierges will act as "ABC managers" and need to be briefed on this responsibility.  Taking this into account, the Community Center rules and regulations will need to be revised.  Ann will work with the Board on this.

New Projects:

 1. Television sets in the fitness center.    Joachim reported on ideas and quotes to replace the TVs along the far wall with three larger flat screen units.  The cost would run from $6100-6300.  Details such as getting quality headphones and closed caption need to be further researched. 

2.  Acoustical folding walls.  Tom presented a proposal from Barrenger Co. for $750 to do preventative maintenance on the folding walls in the multi-purpose room.  He will contact Sylva to set this in motion.

Bill suggested having money from the Center maintenance budget set aside, should the wall eventually need to be replaced. 

3. Portable stage.  Mary will look into the cost and feasibility of renting a portable stage for Center entertainment functions. 

4. Copy machine.  Kurt will look into a lease/purchase arrangement for an office copy machine. 

 Our present copier is now being rented on a monthly basis.

5. Phone system.  Mary will contact Cox Communications to evaluate and improve our Center phone system.

6. Coat closet.  Tom will look into having a coat rack installed along one wall of the billiard room. 

Table discussion followed a recommendation from Dan Owens that an energy conservation plan for the Center be studied.  What does it cost to run the Center on an average day?  How many residents use it at different times of the day? To make the operation more cost efficient, the Center hours could then be adjusted accordingly.   Bill will research this.  He also suggested obtaining a breakdown of our monthly dues of $137.  How much money goes toward Center expenses (gates, landscaping, etc. )

It was mentioned that a few residents feel the need for an indoor pool lifeguard.  Does low pool usage (outdoor as well as indoor) justify the added expenses?  This led to discussion on the feasibility

of an in-house security camera system to make the Center more secure and insure the safety of our residents.  Lin Bailey, our custodian, has experience as a facilities manager and can help the C.C. committee with suggestions.

The Board is aware of the ongoing problem of water leaking into the parking lot near the tennis courts. They will investigate further to determine the exact origin of the leak. One resident was slightly injured when he slipped on the slimy surface.

The next Center Committee meeting will be on Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. 

 Note:  Please send any additions or corrections to Mary Owens.    Thank you.