June 2007 Board Meeting Minutes

Present: President Diane Lehder called the meeting to order and took roll call. Present were Vice President Art Morgenstern, Secretary Sandy Williams, Treasurer Ben Farabee, Board Members Laurie Burpee and Ron Ritchie. Also present was Barbara Winslow, TALK Editor, and Data Base Manager, Kathy Heikes.

Absent: Board Member Katie Kotz

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the May 2007 Board Meeting were approved with minor corrections.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Ben Farabee reported that as of June 6, 2006 we have $10,236.12 in our checking account and $75,944.63 in our savings account for a total of $86,180.75. We currently have accumulated $103,136.38 in our CD. Ben commented that KPOG has had a number of major expenses that we do not normally have. We had not paid Federal and State taxes because of credit from past legal fees. Ben has filed for an extension to be sure that the fees are accurate. It is estimated that we will pay $8,200 for Federal taxes and $2,700 for State taxes. We have paid $6,000 so far for the Directory. KPOG has also paid Oracle for data base maintenance.

The question had been raised as to whether KPOG is penalized by the accumulation of large amounts of cash. Lynn Woody of Dixon Hughes PLLC, who does our income tax filings, says that the accumulation of cash is not an issue. KPOG’s history is that we need to accumulate cash to take on issues. KPOG was not chartered as a non-profit for tax purposes. As to the question of whether we need to put a required audit in our by-laws, Lynn doesn’t think we need an audit and doesn’t think we should put it in our by-laws. She said that the major importance is that we have consistency in our accounting process. We have consistency as we use QuickBooks which we pass on to the next Treasurer. We will still have an internal audit at the end of this year as passed by the board at the May Board meeting.

Membership Report: As Katie Kotz was absent, data base manager Kathy Heikes reported that as of June 5th, we have 1,882 members. Katie Kotz is continuing to mail letters to those who have not joined, and we had five new members from her letters.

Directory: The Directory publication is moving along. We hope to get it back to the printer this week and hope it will be out by the end of July. Kathy Heikes suggested that we put a note in TALK asking members to be sure that we have their latest mailing address. If property owners leave for the summer, and KPOG puts in a change of address to the Post Office, TALK will go directly to their current address. Kathy will also do an e-mail from the data base to this effect. Kathy has also instructed our website manager Kelly Bragg to have all “change of information” inquiries to go to her.

OLD BUSINESS

Safety & Security: Vice President Art Morgenstern reported that in May the traffic counts increased 6.6% at the Main Gate, and 2.6% at the V Gate from the previous year.

Traffic Counts:

Change	2006:	2007:
Main Gate	180,640	192,489
V Gate	108,251	111,038

There was also an increase in EMS calls and animal incidents (alligator). There were also a number of bike accidents.

Resort: The PGA Senior Golf Tournament was great. TV coverage of Island was wonderful. There was also a boost of activity for Real Estate companies.

Freshfields: Diane has received an e-mail from Don McIver regarding the article in TALK on the $250,000 allocated to the amphitheatre in the 2007-2008 budget from ATAX funds. McIver is requesting that KPOG publish the South Carolina code which specifies legitimate expenditures for ATAX funds.

Planning commission: There was a public hearing on the changes to Article 12.This included issues to critical line setbacks and front and rear setback back lines which made lots unbuildable.

Johns Islands Roads: On Monday, June 4th, The Concerned Citizens of the Sea Islands sent a letter to all “Fix our Roads First” supporters updating the issue of Johns Island Roads. While they have still been unable to get Charleston County Council to address the issues directly, the Town Councils of Seabrook and Kiawah and KICA have sent letters supporting the issue to Charleston County Council. They are asking supporters to continue to telephone, e-mail and write to County Council members asking them to address the issues of improving Johns Island roads.

By-Laws: The revision of KPOG’S bylaws will be a summer project.

Insurance: Board Member Ron Ritchie reported on his investigation of KPOG’S insurance policies. We have been concerned about amount of money that we are paying for our policies. Ron reported that from his investigation, the company that we currently have is one of best, and is reliable etc. If we are unhappy with our agent, it was suggested that we may look for another agent. Laurie Burpee made the motion that we switch to C.T. Lowndes and agent Walter Cuthbert. This was seconded by Ben Farabee and unanimously approved. President Diane Lehder will make the necessary contacts.

Other: Secretary Sandy Williams made the request for Kiawah Island POPS, that POPS be able to use the KPOG data base to send out its annual brochure. Data Base manager Kathy Heikes, reminded the Board that last year the board had passed a new procedure for use of its data base. POPS needs to submit its request in writing to the KPOG Board along with a sample of what is to be sent out.

NEW BUSINESS

The summer meeting schedule is as follows: July, no formal meeting. Meetings will be held August 8th and September 12th. A phone link will be required for the August and September meetings. Secretary Sandy Williams will confirm the dates with the Sandcastle and arrange for a phone link.
President Diane Lehder asked the Board to authorize her talking to attorney Jay Bender or attorney Bill Harvey, with any questions she might have regarding the Freedom Of Information Act pending the outcome of the June 12th Town Council meeting. Vice President Art Morgenstern moved that pending the outcome of the June 12th Council Meeting, President Diane Lehder has the authorization to speak to an attorney for clarification of FOIA. The motion was seconded by Laurie Burpee and unanimously approved.
TALK editor Barbara Winslow reported that Post Services has refused Hope Services request to mail our foreign mail. We now have 3-4 issues of TALK that have not been mailed. It will now cost at least $4.60 to mail a single issue. The Board feels that we have an obligation to our foreign members to send them the back issues. By October we need to come up with a recommendation for a cost change for foreign members for next year. It was also suggested that we explore sending TALK to them by e-mail.

ADJOURNMENT

There were no member/guest comments.

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned to Executive Session at approximately 10:50 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandy Williams

Secretary

Kiawah Island Property Owners Group

June 6, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes

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