AGENDA

Bethany Beach Landowners’ Association

Annual Membership Meeting

Saturday, June 23, 2007 at  10:00 a.m.

Library

1.                  Welcome and President’s Report 

2.                  Report from the Treasurer

3.                  Proposal to Amend the ByLaws 

4.                  Election of Directors

5.                  Communications  Report

6.                  Approval by Board of Donations

7.         Appointment of Committee to work on Upcoming Election including questions for Candidates, and Candidates’ Night, September 7, 2007

8.         Motion to Adjourn

9.         Introduction of Hon. George Bunting and remarks by Sen. Bunting

     BETHANY BEACH LANDOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION                

Annual meeting

Saturday, June 23, 2007

The meeting, held at the South Coastal Library, was called to order at 10:05 by President John Himmelberg, who welcomed the members. A total of 44 property owners were in attendance. Current members of the Board attending, in addition to the president, were John Barbour, Mike Loftus, Tracy Mulligan, Frances Gravatte, Paul Denault, John Vogt, Dan Costello, Janet Kennedy, Julia Jacobsen, Jane Fowler, and Lois Lipsett.

John summarized the major issues worked on by the Board, including BBLA help with ensuring the enactment of appropriations for the 50 year beach replenishment; establishing the Bethany Beach Farmers’ Market and preparing to apply for 501 ( c )(3) designation; increasing the number of newsletters; and updating the BBLA web site.

The Board will continue to monitor funding for future beach renourishment and will form an alliance with other associations representing the coastal community. At this time, money has been appropriated only for reconstruction.

The Town doubled the tax rate this year. BBLA will continue to monitor expenditures and report to all members as issues arise. The notice by BBLA of the proposed increase elicited 70 to 80 comments, which were assembled and sent to the Town Council. Until the BBLA notice, the Town said no comments had been received.

Absentee voting was an issue for the Town until the State legislature rewrote existing laws to allow all towns to determine their own requirements. Only Coastal towns allow non-residents to vote. The Council also promised simpler procedures for submitting absentee ballots. BBLA has been monitoring this issue since the 2006 election, when approximately 50 absentee ballots were disallowed.

Route 26 widening is still an issue even as density is increasing. BBLA will work with the 15 associations in the area.

A motion was made and passed unanimously  to accept the minutes of the 2006 Annual Meeting. 

Treasurer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2007 (June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2007) Tracy Mulligan reported that as of May 31, 2007 the treasury has a total of $26,726, a decrease of $9015.   Membership is down 43, from 967 in FY06 to 924 as of May 31. A detailed report is attached.

A motion was made and passed unanimously to accept the Treasurer’s report.

Mike Loftus revised the by-laws to clarify and revise some parts and to specify disbursement controls. A list of proposed changes was sent to all members with the notice of this meeting (attached).

A motion was made and passed to adopt the proposed by-laws.

A motion was made and passed unanimously that the membership approve the actions of the Officers and Board on behalf of the association during the last 12 months. 

A slate of new directors to serve until 2009 was presented:

Julia Jacobsen, Mike Loftus, Laura Marriott, Bob Parsons, Sally Phillips, and Steve Trodden.  Another member, Michael Horne, expressed interest in serving on the Board.

A motion was made and passed unanimously to accept the slate as presented, along with Mr. Horne.

Communications:  Dan Costello, co-editor of the newsletter with Cathy Phillips, reported that their goal is to send (via email and posted mail) four newsletters per year, plus a special mailing containing candidate responses to BBLA questions. We have been hopeful that mailing the newsletter to the entire property list maintained by the town will help us increase the number of dues-paying BBLA members. One immediate result of increased issues is some people are now communicating their concerns.

Candidates’ night:  BBLA will again sponsor this meeting. A committee was appointed by John Himmelberg to develop questions for the candidates to address and to arrange the location:

Dan Costello, chair, Paul Denault, Cathy Phillips, Jane Fowler, Steve Trodden, and John Himmelberg.

Contributions made in FY 2006-07:

A report was given on the contributions that had been made by BBLA in the last 12 months:

BB Fire Department     $1500

Millville FD                     1500 (service to be discontinued in January 2009)

Friends of Library           1500

4^th of July Parade            1000

Farmers’ Market            3000 (start-up donation)

A motion was made and passed unanimously to approve giving donations to these organizations, with the amounts to be considered and determined by the Board of Directors.

Other discussions included fund raising, Town emergency notification procedures, curbside recycling, and a dog park. The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 am.

Senator George Bunting then spoke about many issues concerning the county and state.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be Saturday, July 28 in the library at 10 am.