WEST SHORE PARK CORPORATION
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES – draft
February 5, 2024
ATTENDANCE
Directors: Larry Bakirtjy, Werner Brisske, Mike Davenport, Chris Shifley
Treasurer: Fred Aichele
Secretary: Marilee C.C. Rusiniak
Commissioners: Brett Laureys
Members: Ben Arditti, Bruce Brodzik, Tracey Cornish
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order on February 5, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Countryside Fire Station #1, 801 S. Midlothian Road, Mundelein, Illinois 60060 by President Mike Davenport.
MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
Werner Brisske moved that the minutes from the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors on January 8, 2024 be approved as corrected. Chris Shifley seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.
HOMEOWNER FORUM
Bruce Brodzik presented information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding pedestrian safety in the community. It was discussed that night-time (or early morning) dog walkers can be better protected from an accident by using a light-up leash and for pedestrians to wear reflective clothing.
Included in the information packet from the NHTSA is the following safety tip for walking in a neighborhood without sidewalks such as WSP and West Shoreland: Pedestrians should walk FACING traffic and as far away from traffic as possible. https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety (Bicycles ride along WITH traffic.) Dog owners are also reminded to please obey leash laws and to always pick-up after your dog.
Tracey Cornish requested additional information regarding the proposed hike in the annual dues. It was explained that a fire in the pump house and the urgent need to replace the generator necessitated the increase in annual dues. Following several years of higher dues, the board was able to grant a year with a lower amount, unfortunately, rising costs and the continuing needs of the community resulted in the increase. Ms. Cornish expressed her desire for the board to be more forward thinking in needs of budgeting for needed projects to avoid an increase as seen this year. It was discussed that the board has identified a list of projects to be completed over the next few years which is the reason for the higher dues.
Ben Arditti requested that the board look into payment plan options for the annual dues. It was explained that the board has researched that possibility, but the cost of an outside company to do a payment system was too expensive.
Ms. Cornish asked if there was a succession plan in place for when the Treasurer were to step down. It was discussed that currently there is currently no succession plan for key office holders and that succession plans should be created to ensure a smooth transition when needed.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Fred Aichele presented the Treasurer’s Report for 1/01/2024 – 1/31/2024. Larry Bakirtjy moved and Chris Shifley seconded that the Treasurer’s Report be approved as submitted. Unanimously approved.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Brett Laureys reported that he is unable to attend the annual meeting and that the Water Commissioner’s Report is ready for presentation at the annual meeting. He also reported that he has begun receiving pricing for the generator and the pump house repairs.
Ms. Cornish asked if all the Buffalo Boxes (BBs) in WSP have been located. Mr. Laureys responded that a significant amount have been located, but not all. Work with Alicia Dodd and the Fremont Township Highway Department will be scheduled to help locate the “missing” BBs. Ms. Cornish asked if testing off all the BBs has been done or will be done. Mr. Laureys explained that testing of the BBs is tricky because there is the possibility of a breakage during testing. There is some remaining work to determine if the located BBs are active or not. Some BBs were repaired or replaced as needed during the location process. There were also valves on the water mains that were exercised during the drainage and road project last summer/fall. Some valves will be exercised in the coming season and hydrant flushing will also be scheduled.
Mr. Laureys also expressed concern about some social media complaints about shut downs and notifications. Mr. Laureys expressed that we (the board and officers) do the best that we can to respond to issues and notify residents as soon as possible as we are all volunteers and most of us have full-time jobs in addition to our work for the community. He also stated, “PLEASE, be very cautious of what you post on social media. Bad press can be bad for our property values and our neighborhood. Make sure you have the facts and understand the situation before posting.”
REVIEW OF TASKS LIST
Review and discussion of the Board and Officers Task List.
OLD BUSINESS
It was reported that the recent email problems continued. In December we discovered that some email servers began marking some of our outgoing emails as “undeliverable”. Some people did not receive some of the emails that had been sent out. Fred Aichele worked with our email server tech support to resolve the issue. Please add [email protected] to your email contact list to help ensure you keep getting our emails.
Larry Bakirtjy reported that Vanderstappen Land Surveying Inc. has WSP on schedule to complete the boundary surveys of some WSPC property. Residents may see property surveyors on and around WSPC property doing official work.
Please note that according to Illinois Statutes Chapter 765. Property § 205/11: (765 ILCS 205/11) (from Ch. 109, par. 10.1) Sec. 11. Any unauthorized person who knowingly damages, destroys or removes a stake, pin, monument or other survey marker shall, be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. For purposes of this Section, a surveyor who moves a stake, pin, monument or other survey marker for the purpose of correcting a survey is an authorized person.
(Source: P.A. 77-2561.)
Larry Bakirtjy presented final mock-ups of (new) signs for review and discussion.
ANNUAL MEETING (2/18/2024) PREPARATION
Special guest / presentations confirmed. Will finalize agenda following confirmations.
Member and proxy check-in will be overseen by Terri Aichele and Sharon Zink.
Reminder emails to membership set.
ADJOURN
Werner Brisske moved that the meeting be adjourned. Chris Shifley seconded the motion. Unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilee C.C. Rusiniak, Secretary
ANNOUNCEMENTS
March 4, 2024 – Regularly Scheduled Monthly Board Meeting
April 1, 2024 – Regularly Scheduled Monthly Board Meeting
May 6, 2024 – Regularly Scheduled Monthly Board Meeting
June 3, 2024 – Regularly Scheduled Monthly Board Meeting
All monthly meetings are held at Countryside Fire Station #1, 801 S. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein, IL 60060 at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Meetings will be held via Zoom in the event that Covid-19 Mitigation Measures are put into place and meeting rooms may not host gatherings. Dates and time and location are subject to change. All homeowners are encouraged to attend the monthly board meetings. Please contact any member of the board or check the website for updated information regarding meeting location.
MEETING DATES FOR 2024
January 8, February 5, February 18 (Annual Meeting and Board Meeting), March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 9, October 7, November 4, December 2.
DIRECTORS AND THEIR TERMS
Name Month/Year Term Expires
Werner Brisske, Block 2 February 2024
Mike Davenport, At Large February 2025
Minaxi Tailor, Block 2 February 2025
Chris Shifley, Block 1 February 2024
Larry Bakirtjy, Block 1 February 2025
REMINDERS Join the West Shore Park Corporation Facebook Page for official WSPC news as it happens. Sign up for the private Between the Pillars WSP Facebook Group for updated social events and information.
Please add [email protected] to your email contacts. We have been experiencing some difficulty with certain email servers rejecting emails because they are thought to be spam.
Please do not send emails to the [email protected] email address. The email is used mainly for sending out email to members and is not regularly checked. Your email may sit for some time before being forwarded to the correct individual to handle your situation or request. Please email or call Secretary Marilee C.C. Rusiniak, or directly contact any member of the board. Email addresses are available on the website and phone numbers are listed in the West Shore Park Homeowner Directory.
Please sign up for the Fremont Township email newsletter at www.fremonttownship.com
We encourage all Fremont Township residents to sign up!