PLAYA ENCANTO NEIGHBORHOOD CIVIL ASSOCIATION, A.C.

General Meeting

February 13, 2016

Ciasca Residence

257 Langostinos 

PENCA President Al Ciasca called the meeting to order at 10:10 am.  Members were counted with a quorum in attendance.

Board members were introduced and in attendance were Al Ciasca, President, Terry Creech, Treasurer, Sharon Hill, Secretary.  Vocals present were Michael Colpitts, Bert Cooper and Jack Hall.

ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARD

Al Ciasca informed the members of some current board activities.  He brought our attention to all of the new signage on the beach and thanked Marilyn Hall and the guards for their hard work in making this possible.

Also, Al informed the members of a recent break-in to one of the homes on our beach by a vagrant who had been camping in the dunes nearby.  The intruder was brought to the guards attention by a maid at the residence.  The police were called and with the help of the PENCA Attorney the intruder was taken in to custody.  It seems that he had inhabited the home for a couple of days in the absence of the owner. It is believed that there was minimal damage to the home and it was not clear what had been taken.  It is understood that the perpetrator paid a fine and was released.

Minutes of the November 14, 2015 were approved as written by a motion made by Marilyn Hall and was seconded by Gary Bonebright.

TREASURERS REPORT

PENCA Treasurer, Terry Creech reported that in the HOA account our current assets equal $103,756.65 with $98,385.74 deposited with Chase Bank.  In January our revenue was $38,844.59 and our expenses were $14,336.87 for a net income of $24,507.72.

The UTILITY account, as of January 31, 2016, had current assets equaling $130,098.31 with no expenses during this time.

The Treasurers report was approved and accepted with a motion by Patrick Mondone and seconded by Linda Colpitts.

UPDATE ON ELECTRICITY

Jack Hall was asked by Dave Morris about the money in the Utility Project account.  Jack explained that PENCA will be incurring expenses in the future as Demand is increased.  Currently we are paid up with CFE for 80 meters.  As our power usage increases we will have to pay more for demand.  Jack believes the cost could be in the area of $100,000.  At this time, CFE will not allow us to purchase any more demand until the need is evident.  Jack also said that some people in our development are installing all electric homes so the demand is growing faster. 

Gary Bonebright posed a question about who is responsible for rusting meter boxes.  Jack answered that it is the responsibility of the homeowners to keep them maintained.  He suggested sanding and painting the boxes as general maintenance.  Bert Cooper said that he had a box replaced by CFE, but, it is a process.  First, CFE is called out to disconnect.  Then the homeowner must hire an electrician to do the wiring and install the new box, CFE is then  called  back out to reconnect. Tom Giljum added that CFE will replace meters (not including the box) for free, but, it takes  2-3 weeks to get done.  Arlen Gupton said that CFE is replacing the plastic meter covers with glass.

ROADS

Both Al Ciasca and Jack Hall stated that the roads are  in the best condition ever.  Rene Hernandez is doing a very good job of maintaining the roads for PENCA.  The main road is being graded one time per month and it is watered 5 times per week.  The days it is not watered are Wednesday's and Sunday's.  Al also mentioned that we are in the process of digging a bigger pond to allow more water to accumulate for use in watering the roads.

Al also said that our neighbors, in the other developments, who use the road, have contributed $15,541 this past year for the road maintenance. He thanked Phil Canale and Terry Creech for their hard work in getting this done.

SECURITY AND TRASH

Al commended the guards for doing an excellent job with our trash.  He also reminded the members that we need trash containers with lids and trash is only picked up on Mondays and Friday's. He asked that we not put  out trash on other days and that our guards do no pick up construction debris or any non-organic trash, such as, mattresses, etc.  Any non-organic trash is the responsibility of the homeowner to dispose.  The homeowner is also responsible for telling their construction crews that they are to remove any rubble, that it is not to be dumped in or around the development and non-organic garbage will be taken to the Puerto Penasco dump for proper disposal and they  must keep a clean job site.

As for security, Al said we have 3 guards on 3 shifts a day.  The beach and interior roads are patrolled 3 times per shift.  He said the guards do their best to monitor what goes on, but, they can't always be everywhere and need our help, as members of the community, to keep watch and alert the guards of any suspicious activity.

Several members voiced their concerns about security during Easter vacation and spring break.  Jack Hall said that in years past that we have hired a policeman from Penasco.  Al Ciasca said that we would look in to having a police officer during that time.

ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Al introduced Marvin Sexson as the chairperson for the Architectural Committee.  He announced that all plans need to be presented to MARV for approval before permits are issued.  Al said that after he and Jack Hall met with Fausto Soto (Director of construction for the City of Penasco) they were able to clarify what needs permitting.  The three things that require a permit  are, NEW HOMES, HOME ADDITIONS AND WALLS. Permits are not required for septic tanks, cement slabs, interior remodeling, etc.  However,  any and all contractors must follow the rules of clean job site, toilet facilities and removal of construction debris.

Al stressed the necessity, for homeowners own safety that the contractor shall pay the required Social Security for the construction project. If a worker is injured on your job, and the contractor skips, and if the Social Security has not been paid, the homeowner is responsible for the well-being of that worker.  A discussion ensued of how to go about this.  When hiring a contractor it is the job of the homeowner to ensure that the contractor pays the required  Social Security. Every two weeks a specified amount is paid and the homeowner should receive a receipt from Social Security through his contractor.  It was also mentioned by Marilyn Hall that Social Security is a separate entity from Hacienda (taxes) and some contractors may not want to do Social Security because they believe it will affect their taxes.  Brent Erekson added that one could ask the contractor to show Social Security receipts from prior jobs.

Andrew Bradberry asked if PENCA could supply a list of contractors who do work in the area.  Al answered that as a group PENCA could not make recommendations.  Terry Creech suggested that individuals could put information about contractors on the forum at the  Playa Encanto website.

OLD BUSINESS

It was brought up by several members about compensating guards, Carlos and Tony, for their cell phones.  Al stated that Carlos receives compensation now and that Tony will also receive this in the next pay period.

Dawn Fried asked about putting a telephone in the guard shack and was answered that it was tried at one time and did not work out.

Tom Giljum suggested that we try rumble strips instead of the speed bumps we have now.  Al answered that the speed bumps are working and rumble strips would be difficult to remove and place  back while grading and watering  the roads and they  would be covered by sand in quick order.

Sharon Hill was called on to speak about upgrading the beach rules.  After the new rules were reviewed, she  asked if anyone had anything to add. Brent Erekson suggested we add to turn off generators (noise) after 10:00 pm.  Jack Hall requested that No Bonfires be added.  Several members requested that the guards cell numbers be added to the emergency list.  Sharon proposed that we have the rules laminated and each house would have one to display.

This was brought to a  vote and passed by unanimous decision and was approved by Dawn Fried and seconded by Carol Johnson.

NEW BUSINESS

Al Ciasca presented a plan to build a multipurpose facility in the property next to the library and tractor barn.  It will be a 34'x72' slab contained by a 3' wall.  It will be shaded and have a barbecue area.  It is designed to be used for HOA meetings, sports activities and social events.  A copy of the drawing was given to the members.  The designer, Gary Padgett, explained the drawing and took questions.  Some had concerns about noise, who would be allowed to use the facility, bathroom facilities, lighting, etc.  Al answered that all these concerns have been taken in to consideration.  Questions about funding were answered by Terry Creech that there is money in the PENCA treasury to cover the expenses.  Paul Hughes asked what the net cost to PENCA would be and Al answered it would be approximately be $12,198.

Marge  Hughes asked who owned the property and how we will acquire it.  Jack Hall answered that PENCA is in the process of arranging an agreement with Tonya  Perry in exchange for power to her home.

Some members have  concerns about non-payers and renters using the facility and were assured that the guards would enforce the rules there.  There  also was a generous offer to assist in landscaping the facility by Dawn Fried and Demetrios Vlahos.

A vote to accept this proposal was passed unanimously.  A motion to accept was made by Bonnie Windsor and seconded by Dave Morris.

Al Ciasca thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the meeting at 11:15 am.

A wonderful potluck meal followed and a big thank you to Al and Cris Ciasca for hosting.

Submitted by Sharon Hill, PENCA Secretary