Lake Forest Community Association Semi-annual Meeting Minutes
at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church
June 14, 2001
Meeting came to order 7:34 PM
Agenda
Jim Dillard
Jim Dillard gave an update on the 2001 legislative session that just ended the first of June. He expressed his frustration in how many votes went.
Highlights include:
Car tax update, budget shortfalls may make it difficult to follow through, especially if schools begin to take a down turn. Schools come first before tax cuts.
Vote on 1% increase in sales tax in NVA, 1/2 cent to go for roads and 1/2 cent for school construction. Voted down because it is perceived that NVA already gets a huge share as the money is spent where it is earned, this bill will be revived next year.
Property tax increase funds will go to capital funding for schools, libraries, welfare, police, mental health care, and community services.
The issue of how to change the definition of commercial vehicles to keep trucks from parking in our communities is being debated and Rep Dillard explained that since it is a state wide bill, the rural communities would never go for it so would probably be voted down.
The lawsuit to ban the out of state garbage trucks using our landfills was lost so as a state we are powerless to stop and inspect these trucks or keep them from paying to use local landfills.
Deregulated electricity bill was passed and more issues and details will be forthcoming as the state attempts to avoid the problems other states such as CA have had since deregulation.
The minutes from the prior meeting were approved with one name change Jim Quigley is actually Jim Evans.
Election of new officers
3 open positions:
3 new nominees for open positions:
A motion was made to accept all nominees and the motion was seconded, all in favor 99% (Mrs. Gilbert was in favor of Steve not returning to the board.) Terms for the newly-elected board members end in 2004.
Remaining on the board with terms ending in the indicated years below are:
Milky Spore
Milky Spore postcard mailing will be sent out requesting that those people who want milky spore applied must return the supplied postcard requesting the service. Any member who sends in a response to the first mailing will not be sent a 2nd notice. Any homeowners not responding WILL NOT have their lawns treated.
Application will be done some time after July.
The question was raised about whether or not we were getting the real Milky Spore vs. impostor spore, and the board agreed to follow up before we proceed.
A description of what Milky Spore is and how is works is posted on our community web site.
Community Trash Pickup Update
Volunteer Rich Herold did the research for the community.
AAA, Waste Management and BFI were contacted. Waste management was willing to enter into a service agreement if we could get 50 homes to sign up. Rates would be reduced 20 –25% with pickup 2 times per week, recycling and lawn scrapes would be picked up one time per week.
There will be more on this later after we see a copy of the service agreement.
It was noted that it is illegal in Fairfax County for trash pickups to occur prior to 6:00 AM and that if they come early you can contact the vendor they will send a truck out later that day or the next.
If you have chronic a problem the police will stake out the area and write the driver a ticket.
Monopole
James Michal from Jackson and Campbell, the law firm representing Sprint along with an engineer from APC attended the meeting to explain Sprints interest in have a Monopole installed at the Station #35 on Maritime Lane.
Sprint is merely feeling out the community’s reaction before proceeding in filing a request with Fairfax County.
James discussed the federal law mandating wireless providers have service available everywhere without service interruptions. The requirement is a safety issue - people using cell phones need to have access to 911 regardless of location.
Two previous meetings have been held concerning this Monopole. Notification letters from Elaine McConnell’s office were sent to the homeowners associations surrounding the fire station for the first meeting. No one from any association attended.
For the Second meeting, notification letters were sent to the homeowners adjacent to the station, this meeting was attended by several homeowners and Steve Gilbert. Several concerned homeowners did not receive notification letters from Elaine McConnell’s office. The Planning Commissioner, a representative from Elaine McConnell’s office and James representing Sprint attended this meeting. The outcome was to attend our homeowners meeting to see what the community response would be to the pole. The homeowners at the second meeting were very opposed to the pole.
Jim proposes putting a 100-ft Stealth pole disguised as a flagpole at the front of the fire station property. The pole would be able to provide room for three carriers internally, it could be lit at night to display the flag and a brick wall could surround the base hardware. The flag could be raised or lowered electrically if the community wants no light. A brass ball would be mounted at the top of the pole. The base is 36’ diameter and the top is 18" in diameter.
The advantages to the pole are better coverage (for sprint users) and better rates (?).
The placement of the pole is critical to service, they have permission to place a pole at Valley Stream Park near Lee Chapel Road and station #35 is in the perfect position to continue the grid.
James pointed out that the utility poles are 40 feet tall and the hose tower is 35 feet tall, which would help disguise the Monopole.
The question was raised whether sprint wanted approval of the board or most of the community. Sprint prefers the approval of most of the community. The fire station is neutral and will side with the community.
Huntsman shopping center site was considered, but poles are not legally allowed to be located on commercial property.
A balloon was posted at the Fire Station Memorial Day weekend. Homeowners complained the wind was too strong to get a real feel for the height and James agreed to re-post the balloon.
It was noted that the community was strongly opposed to the 150 Ft. Pole proposed by Sprint in 1995. Steve felt with the increased use of cell phones it was worth looking into again, as sentiments may have changed.
Steve proposes we vote on whether sprint should proceed. The question of whether this vote is binding was raised.
A motion was made to have the vote be binding; it was seconded but not approved.
A motion was then made to have the attending group vote as representatives of the community to see where we stand. Some were opposed to this as so few people were in attendance. This motion was seconded, with the provision of only one vote per household.
Should sprint proceed with the request for a public hearing for permission to install a Monopole?
Sprint will proceed.
Treasurer's Report
Letters are being sent to the delinquent homeowners who have not paid the 2001 dues.
It is time to have our books audited, and a request was made for a volunteer from the community to do this. Catherine Jacobs was suggested.
Other Business
Complaints are made about the trailer parked on Cervantes Lane, board was asked to request it be moved. Board suggest those complaining speak to the homeowner or contact the police.
Question was raised about looking into changing our by-laws so we change our covenants to make enforcement easier. Steve requests for a volunteer to head this, no one volunteered.
Motion to adjourn was made and seconded. 100% agreed.
Meeting adjourned at 9:34 PM