Steering minutes: 2006-09-17

Agenda:

- TS updates: entry sign, fence, shared snow removal, shared
garbage/recycling
- New TS business: electrical service to garages (related to workshop
construction), storage over TS garages
- Budget: Steering contingency, meeting mikes/CH Dining Room sound
system
- Committee go-around

Minutes:

* TS updates: entry sign, fence, shared snow removal, shared
garbage/recycling
Entry sign: We looked at Ted's latest design draft. Amy reports that
JD agrees that the sign could be lit, but says it wasn't in the
original plan. Maybe we could tap into the street light.
MONKEY: Amy will bug JD to keep things moving.

Fence: Nancy talked to the Grahams. Not bothered by headlights, but
they're leaning toward a fence. More bothered by our own parking lot
lights. Oppenheimers don't care. Katie and Willie have a number of
concerns: what happens when the rest of TS gets built? They're
concerned about noise, lights, pollution. What about tall grasses?
Concerned about snowplowing, erosion. Suggest gravel with tall grasses.
Lois Zimmerman says TS wants a fence and greenery. Chet Rolka will try
to come up with a design and check with JD. some discussion about what
would happen in the winter if there is a fence, and plowers push snow
into the fence.

Ted stops in to discuss leaking basement windows. Phoenix is not
responsive to our complaints. Ted
thinks it is not going to go anywhere in current channels (Kirk). Ted
asks
where to go now... lawyer? Rod suggests that we hire an expert to
tell us what it would cost to get it fixed once and for all. Ted
has documents from Mark Stranahan documenting his interpretation of
the problem. Solution may be to replace windows
but we're not sure it is what people want -- may interfere with deck
installation, landscaping. Get Phoenix to take care of it now and get
it over with? Phoenix believes that if we just keep the ground from
getting wet it will solve the problem. The ground touches the window
framing. Rod proposes
that we just pay for it as it might be cheaper than lawyer fees. Ted
suggests that we go around Kirk and work with someone else. Amy suggests
that we discover how much it would cost to replace before we
act. Ted suggests that it would be $1-2,000 per window (10 windows).
Amy wonders if it will be more expensive to repair later if more
damage from moisture is done to the structures. Discussion
about hiring someone to evaluate. Judith says she could call around to
get estimate.
NEXT STEP: Judith to call folks to get estimate on cost of repair.

As to electricity at garages: Ted believes that each community will be
metered and there will be no problem with usage fees.

Discussion of sign at entry. Should we have lighting? Who to go to for
estimate? Amy proposes that when Ted's drawings are finished, we will
move forward with this.

(exit Ted)

snow removal: 2 GO and 2 TS to meet next Saturday and start working on
proposal. Chet and GOers had discussion and Rod is confident that there
will be a solution with both communities using truck.

Garbage: Chet is calling the trash collection folks to find out what
kind of dumpster will fit in their enclosure. We are supposed to be
checking on increased fee of recycling pull off. Problem: access to TS
dumpster with shlepping cart too difficult. A ramp by the workshop
might be a solution. We will not go forward on
this until next year because want to finish workshop first and get the
township approval on it before we proceed. May go forward with
recycling first because it is not as problematic. Or, save it as a
carrot so they continue negotiating on the trash issue.

Storage over TS garages: JD, apparently said that TS could use the
space. Some GO garage owners have cut through to access this space,
and some TS members are concerned about security. Now it is up to the
TS garage
owners to build a barrier so that there is no access to it if owner is
worried about access. Should we send this to Buildings since people are
modifying structures they do not own. Tracy confirms that garages are
LCE's and can not be modified. Notice should go out so people know not
to make structural changes without approval from the community.
Notice from F&L: garages are LCEs: have to
have review of proposal to make structural changes before changes made.
Shelves in your own garage are OK.
MONKEY: Amy will talk to 3 hole makers/structural changers.
MONKEY: Tracy will draft notice and distribute after Amy talks.

Budget: Steering Contingency: Amy asks if it just sails through. Rod
suggests that it should be secured during budget process. Discussion of
use of money: removal of hot tub, sand box, sign creation.

Budget item #2: sound system purchase should go to what committee? CH?
Process (no budget)? Who should take it on? Suggestion that Lisa might
be good resource for information. Jim suggests that we need 3-4
channels for multiple mics. Make this compatible with stereo system?
Wiring in TV room could be extended? Could this be a Steering
contingency expense? Find out how much and decide if we want to put it
in steering contingency or have Process make a special budget request.

Committee Go Round:
Process: excited about training day, Nov. 11. Diana Kardia to
facilitate question of how we are all different and now it affects
community life. Lunch and childcare to be provided.
CH: Becky bought some guest room items and Amy and Malcolm donated
some. Now working on Media room. What to use to replace couch?
Discussed budget. Budget line overdrawn but another line has money in
it says Tracy. Trying to have concrete in entry painted/stained before
work day.
Meals: Gathering figures on expenses and income.
Grounds: working on work days plans. Planning on buying some new carts,
perhaps some smaller carts. Compost to be delivered to CH lawn next
week: aeration, fertilization, overseed, compost on top. Saturday at
10:00. Would like to get 6 people or so.
Building: fire suppression inspection will be Sept 28th. Also working
on bike shed doors, gutter survey, work day projects.

***Judith suggests that we create a GO foundation (non-profit) so
people could donate to it to get tax break and so community could
benefit by donations. Jim suggests that getting 501(c)(3) is way hard.
Amy suggests that we have AA Area Foundation manage it and will ask
if this is possible.

F&L: First meeting with Elph. Chocolate to be offered as bribe to get
people in. GCE/LCE changes discussed.
Membership: Childcare issue resolved: only first half of meeting, so
won't need more community members to do it who don't want to. Emily to
be paid this semester. Newsletter for prospective members soon to go
out with pictures of Butler unit. Working on budget stuff.
Work: preparing for community work days: Oct. 14th and 21st. Jim, Helen
and Amy have developed contacts with Grounds, Buildings and CH to
create list of projects. Hope to announce projects at Oct. 4th
community meeting.