SHELL POINT RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL

Regular Meeting – Grand Cypress Room

May 7, 2008

ATTENDANCE BY COURT:

Arbor Betty Rinderle

Cameo Sharon Bermel

Cellana Gayle Richardson

Coquina Gene Loughran

Eagles Preserve Jerry Ingalls (minutes to Paul Williamson)

Harbor Court Joan Perry

Junonia June McKinnell (minutes to Shirley Naugle)

King’s Crown Jim Butler

Lakewood Bill Staples

Lucina Warren Goodell

Macoma Pat Straup

Nautilus Absent

Oakmont Bill Lanpher

Palm Acres Ted Rodgers

Parkwood Floyd Jamison

Pavilion Nita DeWeese

Periwinkle Rob Waltz

Rosemont Richard Maass

Royal Bonnet Carol Palermo

Sand Dollar Gus Ormrod

Sundial Chris Gooden

Tellidora Anne Wills

Turban Dick Rockstroh

CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER

Chairman Rockstroh called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m. and Anne Wills gave the opening prayer.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.

ROLL CALL OF COURT REPRESENTATIVES

The roll was called with those present listed above.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 6 MEETING AND THE AGENDA FOR TODAY

Chairman Rockstroh pointed out that Anne Wells was present at the last meeting.

Gene Loughran stated that his comments should have read as follows: “After reading a note from a Coquina resident about bicyclists on the Island perimeter sidewalk, Gene Loughran reminded residents not to ride bicycles or golf carts on the sidewalk next to the road. Residents are to tell their guests of this policy.”

Joan Perry reported that there were three things omitted from Karen Anderson’s report on Human Resources, (1) That repayments to the Employee Loan Fund are made through payroll deduction and are interest free, (2) That the Benevolent Fund from the Village

Church is available for immediate emergency and (3) That Karen thanked the Village Church for hiring Don Steenhoek for the position of Employee Chaplin and said that he is doing a great job.

Floyd Jamison stated that the minutes were improper in several respects and did not comply with Robert’s Rules of Order. Warren Goodell stated that we are not required to follow Robert’s Rules and do not do so, adding that he felt that the minutes have been fine and informative. Chairman Rockstroh added that the Administration reviews the minutes to make sure that the information provided to residents is accurate, that the Administration’s participation in the meetings is very helpful, and that the minutes are useful as a means of informing residents about matters affecting them. Mr. Jamison characterized some of that as propaganda.

There was then some discussion about pet policy and pull chains. It is clear that the pet policy requires the picking up of pets when walking throughout the buildings except for the residents own apartment. Regarding pull chords, Shell Point does not conduct annual testing of the system. The pull chords should not be used as the primary method for obtaining help in the event of emergencies. In cases of emergency, it is imperative that we call 911.

Mr. Jamison then made a motion calling for changes in the way the meetings should be handled, in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order and that the “he said, she said” should be left out of the minutes. There was then a pause in the proceedings while Chairman Rockstroh asked whether there was a second, and after the second Mr. Jamison insisted on a paper ballot and ballots were passed out. Ted Rodgers and Joan Perry were asked to count the ballots. The result was 18 no votes and 3 yes votes, so the motion failed.

Chairman Rockstroh then announced that Carol Palermo had been appointed to the Allocation Committee of the United Way in recognition of the support that Shell Point Residents give to the United Way and Carol’s interest in its programs. She will be involved with three organizations, the Island Coast AIDS and HIV Networks, the YMCA and the Public Schools Enrichment Partnership. She said that she is very impressed with the programs and the efficiency of the United Way in allocating the funds with a relatively small percentage of the funds going for administration.

At this point Ted Rodgers moved that the minutes be accepted with the suggested changes. The motion passed with one no vote.

A motion was then made to approve the Agenda, which passed unanimously.

STAFF REMARKS

PETER DYS

Dr. Dys could not be present at this meeting because of another responsibility with the CMA in Tallahassee, but he sent a letter to Chairman Rockstroh regretting his absence and advising that he had asked David Moreland to report on recent sales activity. His letter also contained a review of the state legislative session which ended on May 2. Chairman Rockstroh read the letter at the meeting, asked that a copy of it be attached to these minutes, and encouraged all residents to read it.

TIM FICKER

Mr. Ficker began by congratulating Carol Palermo on her recognition by the United Way, saying that it was well deserved recognition of her contributions to the work of the United Way as well as recognition of the support of Shell Point residents. He also reported that his daughter Ginny has graduated from college, with honors, and will be moving to Greensboro to begin her career. He added that he appreciated the numerous inquiries about her well-being and that, while she will not return to Shell Point as an employee, perhaps she could do a guest spot on SPTV when she comes home for a visit.

He then gave an update on internet service, saying that the efforts of staff and the support of resident computer experts Richard Nelson and Don MacDonald are coming to fruition. He said that they are getting virtually no complaints and that about 99% of the problems now are related to the particular computer or user. Since we expanded capacity from 3 to 10 megabytes we have come close to using 10 only a few times. By the end of the summer we will have further expanded to 45 megabytes with the ability to smoothly and quickly go to 100 megabyte capacity when needed. And they have concluded that they should not establish the help-desk which was discussed at the last meeting because it would require an increase in the monthly charge for service and, as stated above, almost all of the problems now are related to user error. He stated that, as predicted a few months ago, the additional equipment upgrades will require Shell Point to increase the monthly fee to $26.95 as of August 1. He provided some price comparisons to Comcast and Embarq for similar service, showing that the increased Shell Point price will still be a relative bargain and promised a fuller report for the June Residents Council meeting.

He next reported that residents do not need to do anything with their television sets when the switch to digital occurs in February of 2009. Residents WILL NOT need to purchase a converter box or any special equipment if they are plugged into the Shell Point cable system but they may chose to purchase high-definition capable TV and DVD equipment if they wish to take advantage of the upgraded hi-def signals. He also mentioned the addition of the ARTS station on channel 72. Referring to last month’s report regarding the loss of four channels from the Sky Angel package, he believes that we may be able to view those stations on the Shell Point website in the future. They are working on an arrangement with a new company to partner with Senior TV which in order to offer several upgrade packages for a fee. We should soon hear about opportunities to purchase these packages based on consumers choices.

Mr. Ficker also complimented Al Slickers on the fine manner in which the Pavilion meals are being handled out of the Social Center, saying that he is really proud of that group. He also reported that the King’s Crown project is going well, on schedule and budget. One Council member expressed appreciation for the refinishing of the benches, and another commended him for the new surroundings at the mid-rises. In response to a question, he said that the lights on the bridges on the Island will not be replaced, but they may be able to find a different and more suitable kind of lighting. In response to a question referring to some ongoing work on one of the laundries on the Island and whether that meant that all of them would be done, he said “gradually”.

DAVID MORELAND

Mr. Moreland started by saying that we are surviving and on the road to recovering occupancy. He referenced January 2007, which he said was a devastating month, with one sale with a deposit and one cancellation. Then in February there were 4 sales and 2 cancellations. And this is normally the best time of the year for sales.

He explained that part of the problem is that there are now many people who have long term care insurance, so that if they came to Shell Point they would be paying a second time for long term care, so they came up with the “C” contract under which the purchaser pays the entrance fee and monthly fee but accepts all of the risk of the nursing experience. Currently, given economic conditions, we need a more affordable option, so we came up with the B contract which provides for a discount off of the entry fee but covers skilled nursing for only 30 days after which they must pay the private pay rates. In addition, beginning in March of 2007 they introduced discounts at an average of about 5% which brought relative success but not strong success. We were getting deposits but not settlements. Cancellation rates were incredible because people could not sell their homes. Early in 2008 we analyzed the inventory and found a signification portion of the inventory was in the smaller units. When the Arbor opened, most of the residents went from garden units, so there were a lot of them vacant and we gave the largest percentage discount on them, 25% for a limited period, and a small discount amounting to approximately 5% on the more expensive units, something like a store that advertises large discounts on some items to get you in the store with the hope of selling a more expensive item. Since February 15, we have had 71 deposits, 40 on garden units and 31 at the lower discount of 5%. The number of deposits for February, March and April of this year has been greater for that period of the year than it has been for the last five years.

Today, all of the units sold or occupied would amount to an occupancy rate of 96.43%. If you remove the six models from the unsold inventory, the unsold inventory would be about 3%. Actual occupancy, which got below 90%, is now ant 90.38%, and we expect to be at 91% by the end of June.

STEVE MINNIEAR

Mr. Minniear first commented on a question asked at the April meeting regarding Village Call pull cords. He said that the individual pull cords are tested at the time of move in or walk through but annual testing does not occur. The pull cords are a Village Call system and you normally would get a response in 10 to 15 minutes. Even if you tested them regularly you could not be certain that they would work the next time. If you have a medical crisis you must call 911; you may also use the pull cord if you wish additional support. Using 911 is the best method to insure that your call has been received and immediate medical assistance is on the way to your apartment.

On the pet policy, there was a discussion about where pets may be put down to walk inside of residential and other buildings. Some thought that they must be carried in all areas except the residence, while others claimed that the policy, as stated by a Shell Point employee, permitted walking the dogs in some areas of the buildings, and service dogs in all areas of the buildings. Mr. Minniear referred the council to the Pet Policy #M-59, dated 11/1/02. It states specifically “Pets are not allowed in public common areas (i.e. The Common, cafes, dining rooms, activity centers, church, etc. All pets must be carried in public areas of residential buildings such as hallways, elevators, and lobbies.” He agreed that this policy refers to Pets and not Service Animals. Mr. Minniear said that he would get a clarification as to where and how this policy should be communicated.

Mr. Minniear also endorsed what Mr. Ficker said about the fine work that Al Slickers is doing to provide meals to those in the Pavilion during the renovation of the first floor of the Pavilion. And he announced that on Friday five young ladies from Judson University in Chicago will arrive on our campus as interns to help Resort Services, the Pavilion and Resident Case Management.

JOHN DATTILO

Mr. Dattilo passed out forms which he needs to have completed in order to prepare for hurricanes. He asked that they be completed and returned by the end of the month. He asked that they not be totaled – just fill in the other parts and he will do the totals. Be sure to list emergency needs and pet information. He said that the proper chairs can be purchased from Target and before the end of June Ace Hardware is likely to have them, but those who need them should purchase them soon as they may not be available for long. Those with special needs (example – oxygen generator) will need to be sure that they understand what they need to do to prepare for the event. Some residents will need to send forms to the Medical Center. Spouse may go with their other who has special needs.

REPORTS OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

Dr. Rodgers asked about having the transportation service pick-ups and drop-offs in Palm Acres. Mr. Ficker said that they do not plan to stop in Palm Acres or along Shell Point Boulevard for two reasons: there is not an appropriate location for a shuttle bus to safely pull over for drop-off and pick-up and there is no way to maintain the tight schedule of the shuttle if they added a Palm Acres stop. Dr. Rodgers said that Dawn Boren told him that they would stop and Mr. Ficker said that he would talk with Dawn and follow up with Dr. Rodgers.

OLD BUSINESS

Shell Point Tax Concerns are covered in the letter from Dr. Dys.

Mr. Durrell reported that the Christmas Gift Committee met on May 5, 2008, that collections are coming along on schedule, that Shell Point will start adding interest at an annual rate of 3% to the balance of the Fund each month, that this Summer the committee will start working on preparing a couple of TV interviews and articles for publication this Fall, and the next Committee meeting will be on September 15

Mr. Ficker was asked about plans for a”Help Desk” for computer problems. He said that in view of his earlier comments that there are now very few problems with the service, the current methods of calling 2190 with problems or seeking help from a knowledgeable, computer-savvy neighbor are the best means to take care of the existing problems. The cost of contracting with a firm to provide Help Desk support would have required an additional $3 per month charge to subscribers and was deemed unnecessary.

NEW BUSINESS

There was none.

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE GOOD OF SHELL POINT

Mr. Jamison suggested that in view of the increased foot traffic on the walkway between the Woodlands and Eagles Preserve, especially by residents using canes or walkers, it would be nice to have some resting benches, like those at the Arbor and Woodlands, along the way.

NEXT MEETING DATE

The next meeting of the Residents’ Council will be on June 4, 2008, at 8:45 a.m. in the Woodlands Grand Cypress Room.

CLOSING PRAYER AND ADJOURNMENT

The closing prayer was given by Anne Wills and the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Earl Mallick, Recording Secretary

Attachments: Pavilion Auxiliary Minutes

Letter from Dr. Dys to Chairman Rockstroh

Memo from Secretary Mallick

MEMO ON MINUTES

In view of the discussion on what should be contained in “Minutes” at the May 7 meeting of the Residents’ Council, I thought that it might be helpful to explain how they get from the meeting to publication and then consideration for approval by the Council. I also have given some thought to why I ever volunteered for this assignment, thinking about the old line that any one who would go to a psychiatrist should have his head examined.

While we attach the name “minutes” to what I write about each meeting of the Residents’ Council, they are not really “minutes” in a legal sense and do not have any legal significance. I consider them to be more of a news letter rather than a document of a legal nature. My intent is to report what is going on to residents who are unable to attend the meetings so that they will be informed. From the comments I have received personally, the residents appreciate this and would not welcome a sterile, official document.

I also want to point out that what is published is what I write and reports honestly what goes on at the meetings. After each meeting I prepare a draft for Chairman Rockstroh to review for completeness and accuracy. He sometimes suggests changes that are helpful. I then send the draft to Tim Ficker’s secretary, Joyce Heckber, who has it reviewed by appropriate Shell Point employees who spoke at the meeting. Some minor changes may be suggested during that review for clarity, but in no case have they been improper. I would never sign anything with which I disagreed, and my objective is always to inform fellow residents