By Janet Newman, RAI President
[email protected]
715-218-0412

Before I proceed with this first issue of "Board Notes," let me say a few words about Reefnotes. When I took over writing Reefnotes from Chuck Taylor, who had written them for 30+ years, I wanted them to be a way to connect us to one another. I had experienced for myself the many ways in which The Reef is a community of people who look out for one another, and I wanted to focus on the people who make up this special place. As Chuck said in his parting edition of Reefnotes, there is a rich history here and more history yet to be made. Each of is part of that "history in the making." I am reluctantly giving up writing Reefnotes now that I am serving as president of RAI. Instead, I will provide you with periodic updates about board activity. If someone would like to take over Reefnotes, please let me know. It is truly an enjoyable "assignment."

At the RAI stockholders’ annual meeting, both Jason May and outgoing president Frank Guzzardo recognized the value of the many volunteers who work to improve our community. In particular, Frank recognized the incredible level of commitment and plain hard work carried out by Don and Linda Midlikowski. They have trapped feral dogs, led the yard sale committee, raised money to support pickleball (even from people who aren’t Reef owners), re-painted the pickleball courts, organized a pickleball tournament, decorated the pavilion for the holidays, and revitalized the greenhouse. Don serves on the architectural committee as well as on the Friends of The Reef committee. Frank also recognized Jackie Conklin, who volunteers in the office and always provides special decorative flourishes throughout the community. Besides the Midlikowskis and Jackie, I want to recognize Dick Harris, who has for years cleaned the beach and straightened up the pool and pavilion area (when Jim Pisula was RAI President, he declared Dick a true friend of The Reef); new owners Penny and Dave Newkirk, who have been the Midlikowskis’ sidekicks in the greenhouse and yard sale projects; and Rick Peterson, who has served on the finance committee, on the nominating committee in section one, and on the architectural committee. He also consults with Jason regularly on various infrastructure matters. There are many others of you who have served on committees, on the board, or have extended a neighborly kindness in various forms. You are all contributing to a sense of community. Please continue to share your expertise and help through whatever avenue works best for you.

Finally, I want to express gratitude to Frank Guzzardo, who served as RAI President during the transition from our past general manager to Jason. There were several months when we were without a general manager, so Frank carried out that role and worked closely with a new field superintendent. When Jason came on board, Frank provided him with generous support. Frank has served on the board for four years and served as president for two -- while continuing to operate The Boardwalk Parlour and play bass in multiple bands. He is dedicated to this community, and we’re glad he’s one of our neighbors. We all owe him thanks for his hard work.

Town Hall Follow-Up
The board was pleased with the healthy turnout at the January 28 town hall meeting, but we recognize not everyone is available at 10:00 in the morning on a weekday. Next year we will schedule one at a time of day which should work for those who have regular daytime obligations. Town halls are intended to be listening sessions. The board does not attempt to use time in the town hall to respond to every issue which is raised. Some issues are specific to an individual or are simply requests for information, so those are addressed at the time or Jason provides the follow-up. What follows is a status report on how the board is addressing those concerns which have a broad impact and seem to recur from year to year. Major infrastructure matters, such as the RO plant and sewer/storm/water lines, have been previously addressed. Updates will continue.

Operation of the board
The by-laws for both sections call for a nominating committee comprised of non-director owners. The by-laws allow for a contested slate of nominees. The directors of both sections indicate that they are in favor of multiple candidates for each vacancy. Before potential board members can be identified, it is necessary to first find volunteers to serve on the nominating committee. Recruitment of nominating committee members is occurring right now. Nominations from the floor of the annual meeting are also allowed. That has been the case for section one, and the by-laws amendment to allow it in section four passed at this month’s annual meeting.

Beyond the nominating process, there has been concern expressed that the board is too large to be effective and that it meets too often, thus making it more difficult to find people willing to serve. The by-laws specify that the RAI board must be comprised of five owners from section one and five owners from section four. When committees function well, the size of the board is not a deterrent to making progress. The call recently went out to all owners to volunteer for committee involvement. At our board meeting last Thursday, we determined the composition of this year’s committees and included those who volunteered. The new committees are now on the website. The current board has been meeting monthly throughout the year but has this winter increased the frequency, as the need arises. We have been meeting on Thursday mornings, which works for the current board members. The time of meetings is established based on director availability.

The board meeting agendas are posted on the website. If there is an item about which an owner wants to provide input, the owner is free to discuss it with any board member and may request to be scheduled to discuss it with the entire board. We can accommodate meetings via zoom in the conference room.

Parking
A year ago, the long-range planning committee took up the question of creating a long-term/overflow parking lot. It was determined that we actually don’t have parking congestion in the off-season. Requiring people with more than one vehicle to park far from their unit seems unnecessary and undesirable. From time to time, the request has been made to create assigned parking. As with any potential source of conflict among neighbors in a condo community, it’s best if neighbors are courteous to one another and work out compromises.

Dogs
The Reef was a no pet community for many years. About four years ago, RAI rules were changed to allow two cats, with the caveat that they not be allowed to roam. We are still a no-dog community. We have always accommodated trained and certified Service Animals, but, as of a few years ago, we are now also legally required to allow properly documented Emotional Support Animals for our residents with disabilities. We enforce the requirements in place regarding documentation of the need for the animal, liability insurance, and animal health. We also have a process in place for lodging complaints about a nuisance animal or an owner who violates the various regulations. This process and penalties will be reviewed this year.

Renters
The board has heard your concerns about renters not following the rules, renters creating parking problems, and renters causing undue wear and tear. The subject of regulations related to rentals will be reviewed this year.

Solar
Introducing solar into our distribution system through solar panels on the roof of the pavilion is the highest priority item (in terms of timing) in the long-range plan. It would reduce our common electrical costs. The up-front cost is delaying implementation, even though the pay-back period is relatively short.

Improved internet
The board is soliciting and reviewing options for higher-speed, more reliable internet. The option presented to us regarding fiber would require that 90% of owners subscribe to the service. Once options are identified, the first step will be surveying all of you. If survey results are favorable, it will have to be determined how to fund up-front costs.

Amenities
It’s obvious that many improvements have been made in the last year to our golf and pickleball amenities, both in terms of the facilities themselves and the array of special events. The "gym" behind the golf office was created many years ago through a group of owners who secured donated equipment. While the long-range planning committee saw the desirability of creating a more attractive space, they did not place it in one of the high priority areas. Options continue to be explored.
Concern has been expressed about TLC. The current lease is up in October, which coincides with our fiscal year.

Atriums
Atriums emerged as a hot topic when the first atrium in section IV was enclosed just prior to the retirement of our last general manager. Last April, a moratorium was put on additional atrium enclosures, pending a study of the impact on infrastructure. The board received a recommendation from the architectural standards committee this summer and has received additional input twice in board meetings and twice in public meetings. Currently, the moratorium is in place and another meeting with the architectural standards committee has been scheduled.