President Ani Ruiz Chang called the meeting to order at 7:36pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes of May 2015 General Meeting: no quorum, so unable to approve.
Davie Police Department update: by Officer D. Graziadei
No major crime activity reported since last meeting;
Year to date: 1250 traffic citations written town wide;
124 accidents year to date, down from last year at same time
Update on Town Events & Projects: by Councilman Gary Jablonski:
Regardless of posted speed limits, according to a 2001 SWR code ordinance based on State law, drivers should exercise “reasonable care” around horses on roadway or swails;
As requested, a couple of “Slow for Horses” signs installed on Mustang Trail;
Reminders about upcoming town wide family celebrations.
Town will send email reminder to be considerate of the animals in our town as we celebrate the July 4th holiday with fireworks.
President’s Report: by Ani Ruiz Chang
SRHA board members helped at the successful Education Board’s Scholarship Food Truck fundraiser on May 30.
New SRHA Logo finalized
Target date for updated Waggler design is August edition. A few changes already visible in July edition. Personal classified ads will be available free to SHRA members; $10 for non-members. Saied Taie-tehrani and Minute Man Press recognized for great job in taking on the layout/production of the Waggler for the June and July editions.
Treasurer’s Report: by Dennis Hugdahl.
Current bank balance $3,969.07;
Checks to be deposited $150;
Outstanding check of $1,400 for Waggler expenses not included.
Trending about the same as last year at this time.
Committee Reports:
Waggler: 7 advertisement contracts received; No outstanding receivables collected during June. New ads will not be printed unless payment & contract is submitted.
Membership: Current membership 291 – 5 new applications received. Up about by 44 compared with same time last year - 59 away from goal of 350 for this year.
Sunshine: Sunshine and Membership committees implementing new process to send welcome letters and application to new residents.
Drainage: Mustang and Hancock project is going forward. Jose Chang will be joining Vince Falletta on the Drainage Committee.
Beautification: Courtesy of John Zito, low maintenance landscape designs created for 7 Sunshine Ranches entrances – 5 small, 2 large; landscape improvements approved by Town. As part of the SRHA “Adopt-a-Corner” initiative, local nurseries will be invited to donate plants and monthly maintenance of one or more entrances. Volunteers welcomed to approach nurseries on our behalf.
Unfinished Business:
Meeting reminder signs for all entrances can be made now that logo is finalized. Ani will coordinate with Chris Brownslow.
Suggestion Box: input from May meeting:
Safety Grant suggestions:
LED lighting around STOP signs;
A few (one or two) rumble strips before STOP signs (preferred option);
Real Estate feature for Waggler: Monthly list of SWR properties for sale
New Business:
Proposed Park and Ride off of Griffin and I-75: Residents encouraged by Councilman Doug McKay (town representative to the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization) to attend a meeting of the MPO on July 9th to support the REMOVAL of the Park and Ride plan along portion of Griffin & I-75. The SRHA will send a reminder to members with all details.
2015-2016 social/fundraising events: there will be a mix of joint (with other HOA’s) and Sunshine Ranches only events. Tentative plans are for:
July ’15: SRHA Board and Committee Leader appreciation event proposed;
Sep. ’15: SRHA Membership appreciation – perhaps pot-luck gathering at Equestrian Park.
Oct. ’15: Addition of Farmer’s Market component at Town Craft Fair; this would be expanded in 2016 to a Spring and Fall SRHA family event;
Nov. ’15: Addition of Country Festival component at AKF Car Show Fundraiser
Dec. ’15: Joint Christmas party at Rolling Oaks park with other HOA”s.
Summer 2016: Summer Splash family event - water based because of hot weather. Open to all Town residents, but planned and run by SRHA.
Open Discussion:
Reminder from Councilman Steve Breitkreuz about the “the Hazardous Waste Pick-up scheduled for July 11th at Rolling Oaks Park.
Call to Action: Ani encouraged the members to do one of the following:
Volunteer on the SRHA Beautification or Hospitality Committees;
Join one of the town advisory boards where our SRHA is underrepresented;
Invite someone to next month’s meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.
President Ani Ruiz Chang called the meeting to order at 7:37pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Davie Police Department update: by Officer D. Graziadei
Crime statistics for the last four months included 230 service calls;
There were three burglaries: one residence, one shed, one vehicle; (was that for the last month though or YTD. Seems low. All the other stats are YTD, Perhaps move to after YTD stats if from last month only.
Year to date: 843 traffic citations, 452 in Sunshine Ranches;
77 accidents so far this year, 104 last year in the same time frame;
In the 199th block of Griffin, there was a recent traffic fatality
Update on Town Events & Projects: by Councilman Gary Jablonski
Stirling Road guardrail project is in progress;
The Schools and Education Advisory Board scholarship fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday May 30th, from 4-8pm at the Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park;
The Grand Opening ceremony for the Country Estates “Fishing Hole Park,” at 190th and Griffin, is scheduled for June 27th from 10:00am to noon;
The Town’s birthday party tentatively scheduled for the beginning of November;
President’s Report: by Ani Ruiz Chang
There will be a SRHA membership table at the Education Board’s fundraiser;
New logo for the Association being developed;
Four standing committees (according to by-laws) will report at the monthly meetings; other committee reports only as needed.
Treasurer’s Report: by Dennis Hugdahl.
Current bank balance $2,820;
Checks to be deposited $1,700.
All outstanding Waggler expenses have been fully paid
Committee Reports:
Waggler: Saied Taie-Tehrani took over the advertisements for the Waggler; deadline date for all submissions has been changed from 10th of the month to 8th so that Waggler is received by the residents before monthly general meetings of the SRHA.
Membership: Judi Parker stated that there are now 286 members.
Sunshine: Rachel Greene asked everyone to make her aware of resident news so she can send appropriate acknowledgments.
Drainage: Vince thanked the president and the new executive board for their enthusiasm and the Town for making the new microphone available for our meetings; if it is approved, the drainage district will subsidize the Mustang and Hancock project.
Beautification: Ani reported that Sunshine Ranches entrance signs will be improved; awaiting landscape design plan from the Town to speak to local nurseries about “Adopt-a-Corner” initiative, which will request plant donations and monthly maintenance of the entrance they select.
Unfinished Business:
Meeting signs – Waiting on final logo to proceed;
Suggestion Box: input from April meeting on 2015 Priorities for Board:
1. Promote and unite the community through social events;
2. Increase membership;
3. Improve finances;
4. Keep meetings & resident comments short, decrease interruptions when others are speaking.
New Business:
Waggler updates: working on new logo design and editing of the Waggler, hoping to launch for July issue, with new content and ads and ongoing improvements going forward.
Request for Suggestions: 2015-2016 social/fundraising events; Waggler content, & Safety Improvements.
2015 Christmas Party will be Town-wide, collaborating with other HOAs and it will be held at the Rolling Oaks Barn.
Neighborhood Safety Grant Program: Town has approved a Safety grant of $40,000. HOA should submit application for one specific area of improvement; if approved, project must be completed within nine-months and Town will reimburse 75% of cost.
Open Discussion:
A resident asked if we can legally have a 50-50 raffle at our general meetings to raise money. Ani responded that a fundraising committee is going to be established and they will look at several possibilities;
A resident suggested that Public Works provide us with “Watch out for Horses” signs for Mustang Trail to improve road safety around horses; Gary responded that he would take care of it.
Call to Action: Ani encouraged the members to do one of the following:
- Attend the food truck event on Saturday;
- Look into the town advisory boards –SR is under-represented;
- Volunteer for the beautification or fundraising committees;
- Invite someone to next month’s meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.
Meeting called to order at 7:35pm by President Ani Ruiz Chang; Pledge of Allegiance.
Officer D. Graziadei gave the Davie Police Department update:
- No major incidents in Southwest Ranches;
- Several residential burglaries; please check your home alarm system and make sure it is activated when leaving the house;
- An increase in sign vandalism in the town;
- Rosina Marrapodi suggested the public be educated about a new synthetic drug;
- Bill Greene said there was an accident at Mustang and Hancock;
- Judi Parker requested more patrolling on Mustang.
Councilman Gary Jablonski gave an update on projects, town events, and fielded questions and comments from residents:
- Congratulated new board;
- The Education Advisory Board is holding a food truck event on May 30th at the Equestrian Park to raise money for scholarships; there will be raffle baskets;
- Chris Brownlow requested that a microphone be available for our meeting nights;
- With regard to the Stirling Road guard rails, the survey work has been completed;
- Regarding the LED speed limit signs, it’s too complicated for our existing company; the work is going out to a new bidder;
- On May 28th from 9:30 until 2:30, the Mini-FLOW mobile will be at Town Hall for Driver’s License renewals, etc.;
- There will be a household hazardous waste event on July 11th at the Rolling Oaks Park;
- Last month, he was asked to check on a bulk trash problem on Luray Road; Code Enforcement is on it, and many homeowners have been cited;
- Sandra Farah asked what is done about bulk trash violators; if there is an excessive amount of vegetation, it will be picked up and the homeowner will be billed; if it is hazardous waste, e.g. tires, the homeowner will be fined; or the violation will be flagged by Code Enforcement;
- A safety grant program was passed by the town council; HOAs may apply for the grant, there is a $40,000 limit, HOA must match 25%, town reimburses HOA up to 75%.
Aster Knight spoke about the Aster Knight Parks Foundation; the Chili Cook-off was fun and enjoyed by all. On November 14th, the fundraiser will be a classic car show at the Rolling Oaks Park; looking for volunteers for a host committee, please call December or Aster.
Ani gave her President’s Report:
- Is contacting the town and other HOAs, studying the by-laws, connecting with committee leaders;
- Challenges faced by SRHA: lack of participation by members and low membership;
- Has heard about tensions and differences in the past, so let’s “put the past behind us.”
Committee Reports:
Waggler committee consists of Saied Taie-Tehrani, Ellen Wellington, and Ani. Saied thanked Esther for doing a great job on the ads. Ellen will be putting the next issue together, as William Wellington will be in Europe. William has said that he wants to continue as editor.
Membership: Judi reported we have 265 members and have collected $6,625.25 in dues; will mail another invoice to homeowners who have not yet responded. Sandra stated that she is “blown away by Judi” and all that she has been doing through the years; it’s a lot of work.
Drainage: Vince Falletta stated that the new executive board has many new ideas and is bringing the SRHA back into the “Sunshine.”
Communication: Headed by Ani; has created a new e-mail list; meeting announcement was e-mailed; new Facebook page, please go to the page and “like” it; all communications will be funneled through the Facebook page; website will have a calendar incorporated into it; would like to have photos taken during the meetings and posted on the Facebook page; call or e-mail Ani or Sandra to disseminate information if you don’t have a Facebook page.
Lost and Found: Chris noted that the Stevens family of Sweetwater Farms lost their boxer; there are now photos of the animals which will be posted on Facebook.
Beautification: Bill Greene will stay on until Ani finds a replacement. Ani suggested a project to improve the appearance of all our Sunshine Ranches signs; Bill said he has tried to improve the appearance of the signs, but December wants only low-maintenance plants (natives). The sign at Hancock and Griffin needs to be cleaned up.
Hospitality: Ani and Rosina bring coffee and dessert.
Unfinished business: Ani introduced the officers and the board.
New business:
- Ruth Wolff wanted to brag about her 11-year-old grandson who plays the trombone; he has been selected to play in the Air Force Jazz Band in Washington, DC.
- Ellen’s youngest daughter, Taylor, is going on a mission trip to Mexico with other high school students from her church and will be working on an orphanage.
- Ani stated the new board has three basic goals:
1. Create a meeting environment that is more focused and meetings that are shorter in duration;
2. Increase membership and participation;
3. The financial recovery and prosperity of SRHA.
- Ani has instituted a suggestion box: anonymous; general suggestions to improve the association, meetings, etc.
- A scholarship application was submitted by Chris to Ani on behalf of the Education Advisory Board; scholarships are awarded for service hours to students 18 to 25 years old; the applications are reviewed by a group of retired teachers. Check the Southwest Rancher for more information.
- Ani suggested making fundraising a new committee.
Open discussion:
- Bob Parker asked who has the meeting signs; the Parkers have one, as does Ellen; Chris volunteered her students to make new signs (can be added to their portfolios) and will happily accept donations for the signs.
- Bob stated that more can be accomplished by speaking to one of the councilmen in attendance at our meetings than by speaking for three minutes at a town meeting.
- Ani feels it’s important to have the board members attend the council meetings to become familiar with the people and the process.
Treasurer’s report: Dennis Hugdahl reported an account balance as of March 31 of $8,533.44; checks totaling $4,424.06 were since written, $2,600 is spoken for, leaving a balance of approximately $1,500.
Ani wished all mothers a “Happy Mother’s Day.”
Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm.