2022JanuaryMinutes

BFCA Annual Hybrid Meeting on Thursday, January 20, 2022

Frank Roycraft, President; Tracie Priest, Vice President; Ansel Bubel, Director.

Margaret Stephens, Secretary/Treasurer. Association Members – Mike McCrea, Sue Dinges, Tommy and Sherry Briggs, Mark and Midori Okasako, Betsy Voorhies, Tim Bottcher, Maria Harageones, Mark and Jill Harper, Debbie Taggart, Llona Geiger, Johnny Richardson, Marilyn Cain, Mario Lopez, Liz Conn, Janine Friedel, Virginia Sasser, Deborah Weber, Karen Willes, Kiki Litchford, Spencer Klein, Ranelle Christle, Ben Clark, Susan Law, John Fleck, Dawn Aguero, Jonathon Fox, Carmen Pulido, Sally Litton, Lynda Davis, Gary and Sandi Smith.

TPAM representatives – Tom Rowand, Cindy Hoogerhyde.

Guests – Dr. Sean McGlynn, Fred Breeze.

Meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm.

Frank noted that the communication may be challenging as we have both people in their living rooms and physically here. We have a phone, used as a microphone to pass around.

Introductions were made for all attending.

Presentations on English Property PUD (Planned Unit Development)

Mark Okasako thanked the Board for allowing time at the annual meeting. He displayed a map of the planned development. Click here for the planned unit development map. 245 acres have already been rezoned for development and 494 more acres will be up for a vote to be rezoned February 16 at the public hearing by the city commission. Concerns are traffic especially Orange Ave/Blairstone, flooding and environmental loss due to clear cutting. Mark said they are working to get the commissioners to vote “no” and allow more time for amendments such as a conservation easement. Two multi-story apartment complex are already under review by the City of Tallahassee. Llona asked how many units and Midori offered to send her the stats. Click here for the Proposed Land Use Plan by the Developer. Mark introduced Fred Breeze, President of the Apalachee Land Conservancy Board of Directors.

Fred Breeze talked about our Blairstone Forest being unique as one of the first residential neighborhoods protected by a conservation easement. The Apalachee Land Conservancy manages the Blairstone Forest Conservation Easement. Blairstone Forest is also the first such project by Mad Dog Construction and won environmental awards. The developer, with the ALC, preserved half our land (51 acres) for a conservation easement and is protected permanently. Fred displayed a canopy map comparing our neighborhood to the proposed English Property development and noted the difference between our contiguous space and the chopped up green space proposed with the English Property development. Fred introduced Dr. Sean McGlynn who had previously helped our neighborhood with the pond.

Dr. Sean McGlynn (Board of Directors for the Florida Lake Management Society and Florida Springs Counsel, etc.) said he thinks the next development should be like ours. Blairstone Forest has a beautiful lake and Beech Magnolia forest which is unique. Blairstone Forest is right in the middle of the aquifer going into Wakulla Springs. The aquifer is very vulnerable, and the new development is half on a vulnerable area. There is more clay here in our neighborhood than the new development so the area to be developed is very vulnerable and should have conservation areas and drainage to protect both Wakulla Springs and Blairstone Forest. Nutrients are already endangering Wakulla Springs.

Tommy Briggs asked if our HOA can officially join forces to oppose this development. Ansel added that he and Tracie have attended meetings to gather information but not formally representing our neighborhood HOA. Midori commented that all of us got notice of the English Property Development at the end of September and she immediately reached out to Frank hoping to raise awareness in the neighborhood, possibly with email. An email was sent out to the HOA in October. Midori shared that after several meetings of the group, it became apparent this was no longer just a Blairstone Forest issue. There were now residents from Indianhead, Paul Russell Road, and Southwood at the meetings. Tommy asked again that HOA formally supports and commits resources to this effort – bought up to the Board. Frank explained that only the board votes. Frank stated that the Board represents the whole neighborhood, and he isn’t sure how they stand. Lynda Davis offered that maybe a vote should be in February after gathering more information. Mike McCrea’s opinion is that the general proposal is too general. Mike asked if our neighborhood commits resources into this effort, what are they and how much? Are we securing an attorney and paying legal fees? Llona stated that she has dealt with the legislature, and they don’t care about individuals, they care about organizations. We should, as a community, say this development endangers our way of life here vs a few homeowners saying that. Midori interjected experience with other homeowners’ associations, namely Piney Z, where 5 would participate in a public hearing including the president on other issues. Can we aspire to them, be collective and join force. There was more discussion on whether to take a vote.

Llona offered that we are here to express solutions and for the board to decide to vote on initiatives. We can express our concern and have board discuss and vote possibly. Mike suggested that the Board set this as an agenda item at next meeting. Tommy responded that it’s getting too late to wait. The next meeting is in within 10 days between board members to elect the officers and the city meeting is Feb 16th. Tommy was ok on agenda for the Board meeting within 10 days. Ansel motioned that they add agenda item to the next meeting. There was more discussion in support of the effort. Lynda Davis suggested forming a sub-committee. Frank stated again that he wants to represent all neighbors including people that aren’t here. Ansel proposed that this item is added to the agenda for a vote. Midori suggests a vote soon like next week. Tom Rowand input some protocol information. Johnny Richardson input some verbiage on the vote and reminded everyone that the land will be developed, that decision is gone. Requests should be made for modifications.

Frank said we need to move on, this is over an hour. Frank suggests putting this on the agenda for the first meeting in February. More discussion. Llona added that board meetings are open.

Frank announced that we have a 5-minute break.

Frank reported that we only have 15 minutes left in the room and we can send some of the reports that did not get done out in an email, but we will do the financial report.

Treasurer’s Report – Margaret Stephens

Click Here for the treasurer’s report.

Margaret reported that we tried to distribute the report and there are paper copies here if someone needs them. Margaret said she took over in Mid-October and picked up reconciliation efforts from Tracie. We try to generate the report every meeting and reconcile TPAM statements to Capital City bank statements to our invoices. Some regrouping of expenses are needed to generate the treasurer’s report. We currently have around $55,000 in our operating account as shown at the bottom of the report. These balances are as of January 18 so most of the dues are in. The expenses and budget on the report are 2021. Total expenses were around $40,000 for 2021, however there will be invoices paid in January for services in Oct-Dec. Our budget was $77,000 for 2021. Our top 5 expenses for 2021 are:

$7500 for tree removal from common property
$5461 for utilities
$4950 for TPAM (management company)
$4000 for Capital City Lawn Care
$3300 for beaver trapper

We have over $20,000 in delinquent dues as of January 18, 2022. Our attorney shared that four homeowners are in the collections process. One homeowner is in litigation, and we are asking $27,000 in this case for back dues and fines. Llona asked about any liens and Margaret didn’t know but will pursue. There is about six or seven homeowners owing more than $1,000. Beverly Clark asked about the budget and why are we not spending what we budget. Frank explained that large amounts are dedicated to big projects that we will get to. Margaret added that our balance is way lower that the budget even this year.

Frank wanted to mention that we can have as many meetings as we want. He is going to put together a post-meeting email.

Election of New Board Member

Ansel Bubel was elected as Board Director

President’s Report – Frank Roycraft