SHELL POINT RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL

 

  Regular Meeting – Grand Cypress Room

                                                           June 4, 2008

 

ATTENDANCE BY COURT:

                                               

            Arbor                          Betty Rinderle                       

Cameo                         Sharon Bermel

Cellana                        Gayle Richardson      

Coquina                       Gene Loughran           

Eagles Preserve           Paul Williamson         

Harbor Court              Joan Perry                  

Junonia                        Shirley Naugle

King’s Crown             Jim Butler

Lakewood                   Bill Staples

Lucina                         Warren Goodell          

Macoma                      Pat Straup                  

Nautilus                      Mike Klein     

Oakmont                     Bill Lanpher   

Palm Acres                  Ila Butala (minutes to 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 Bill Lanpher 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 MAY 7 MEETING AND THE AGENDA FOR TODAY

 

A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved.  The motion carried with one dissenting vote.

 

A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda, which passed unanimously.

 

 

STAFF REMARKS

 

PETER DYS

 

Dr. Dys first mentioned the warm weather and the approaching hurricane season saying that, as always, Shell Point management has been planning and doing everything possible to make all of us safe should a hurricane come our way.  He emphasized the absolute necessity of having all of the residents comply with the instructions they are given, saying that when a hurricane is on its way and the plans are being implemented, they just don’t have the time to get into a debate with residents about complying.  It is important that ALL of us comply in order to keep ALL of us safe.

 

Dr. Dys then turned to a legislative update which is of importance to all residents.  He said that nothing has changed since he reported in writing to the Council last month, but interpretative regulations that will ultimately define what will happen will not be out before the public votes on the matter in November.  The proposal which will be on the ballot will probably cause people to vote for it because it is likely to reduce taxes but we won’t be certain about what will happen as far as the details are concerned.  He therefore urged that all residents be present at the meeting in the Village Church on June 10 when Senator Saunders will be in attendance to discuss what may be in store for us when regulations are developed.  It will be wise to question the Senator about its possible impact on Shell Point concerning possible exemptions, such as monthly maintenance fees, founders’ fees, meal prices and other expenses.  It is very important that we, as residents, are prepared to jump on this issue very quickly if the referendum passes so that we get the best possible result.  Dr. Dys also mentioned that Senator Saunders cannot run for re-election to the State Senate, but he may be running for some other office, and as a concerned office holder he is likely to remain in a position of importance to Shell Point, so it is very important that we make him aware of our concerns and our interest in his views.

 

One other important state matter which affects Shell Point is the amount of money available for Medicaid reimbursement which was originally budgeted at over $278,000,000 dollars but with the reduction in state revenue has been cut to approximately $163,000,000.  The cut in reimbursement could be about six or seven dollars per patient day.  But this has also resulted in a cutback in mandated staffing from 2.9 to 2.6.  Shell Point is budgeted at 2.9 for the coming year, so with the cut in mandating staffing we have a little more latitude.

 

On other items, Dr. Dys reported that the construction going on along Shell Point across from the entrance to the golf course is a gazebo being funded through Shell Point by Mr. Jerry Horne.  Being located by the culvert going across the road it will be a nice place to observe wild life and is just another benefit of being at Shell Point.  He also mentioned that Shell Point is providing about half a million dollars for a new roof over the Village Church auditorium so there will be some change of colors around the outside which he  hopes will meet with the approval of residents.

 

On occupancy he reported that there are now 143 patients in skilled nursing with 15 beds now available, and capacity will go to 185 or 190 after the first floor is completed.   Kings’ Crown now has 7 unoccupied units but this will change as the construction is being completed.  The Arbor has 3 units which are not obligated because it takes a little while to get them ready.  The biggest issue is independent apartments.  We now have 57 scheduled to close and we expect that to happen, and another 37 are ready to close when they sell their present homes for a total of 94 units that have been sold.  Today we have occupancy of 90.2% generating revenue, and with those others which are committed that will take us to 97% occupancy.  This leaves us with 35 unsold units, of which 10 are garden apartments.

 

The statement which we will see at the quarterly meeting will be through the end of March and will not reflect all of this.  All of this good news will show up in the next quarterly statement, and if this continues we all will be very pleased.

 

TIM FICKER

 

Mr. Ficker first referred to the question concerning the lights on the bridge across the pond on the Island.  They have concluded that the best course is to replace the lights with ones similar to the old ones, feeling that they will do the job better even if they are a little more difficult to maintain.

 

With reference to the suggestion that a bench be placed on the walkway between the Woodlands and Eagles Preserve, they think that it is a good idea.  Usually this type of thing is an opportunity for a contribution, and maintenance is an ongoing problem, but they are looking into it and hope to come up with a suitable response.

 

Another ongoing problem concerns the pot-metal carriage lights by the outside doors of the garden courts.  They plan to replace them, over time, with a nice looking plastic fixture which while looking nice will also “weather the weather”.   The replacements will begin in late 2008 and continue over the next couple of fiscal years.

 

Mr. Ficker then mentioned the new photo album of residents which will is available for six dollars at the service desks.  With reference to the DVD player in the Health Club, he reported that it does work with proper direction by the remote.  Mary Franklin or someone from her staff will meet with the residents who are utilizing it to instruct them in its use.  He called attention to the great coverage of our Golf Course in the News-Press featuring the 13th hole which will appear on the John Deere calendar and will be identified as one of the top 15 “beautifully brutal holes” in the nation.  In response to a question about construction on the Golf Course, he said that they are adding to the practice range – two practice ranges in the area have been closed and this facility produces revenue. Mr. Ficker said that the course is a great asset for Shell Point. 

 

He reported that Scott Moore will discuss the computer situation and the change in the computer fee. 

 

STEVE MINNIEAR

 

Mr. Minniear first passed out the morning assurance lists, with one copy for the Court Rep and two copies for alternates.

 

He then said that he wanted to follow up on what Dr. Dys said about the census.  He stated that there is a natural tension when we have to work with fewer beds.  Availability is 156 to 160 given sometimes incompatible roommate possibilities.  We now have 143 beds occupied.  There are 7 residents in the hospital and 3 other outside people who have expressed an interest in coming to Shell Point.  The 143 plus ten equals 153, so there is always a natural tension in making sure that there is always a bed available for Shell Point residents, and Sherry Brown and her group do a great job in making sure that that is the case. 

 

Mr. Minniear then described what is going on in Kings’ Crown.  He used superlatives in describing the renovation so far, stating that it is absolutely gorgeous, with stunning parlor areas.  There is an amazing difference before and after, with great utilization of space for a pool table, TV room, and area for playing cards. It changes the whole face of Kings’ Crown and is a wonderful benefit for all.

 

After that he reported on the Judson student interns who were with us at Shell Point for two weeks.  They gave Shell Point high marks for the treatment they received and what they had learned and experienced.  Several said that they wished they could have been here twice as long, and they sent a beautiful letter of appreciation of the entire Shell Point community – not just employees but residents as well.  Mr. Minniear also expressed his appreciation for the way Shell Point residents interacted with the students,

 

On pet policy, he passed out a short and a long statement, the short one for posting and the larger one stating the policy in full.

 

SCOTT MOORE

 

Before starting his presentation on the internet, Mr. Moore said that he wanted to report that he, also, is not satisfied with the deck coating on the second floor of the Garden apartments and that it would be corrected.

 

Mr. Moore then gave a report on what he has been doing with the internet service since he took over late in 2007.  He presented a Power Point presentation that illustrated the need for increased bandwidth and the additional proposed improvements that will take place over the summer.  He showed a comparison in pricing and speed between different competitors and that Shell Point Internet Service is the best deal in town.  If residents have any questions they should contact Scott.

 

JOHN DATTILO

 

Mr. Dattilo reported that he has completed surveys for all of the buildings.  He had no introductory comments and asked if there were any questions.

 

He did make one request – that if any residents say that they plan to stay in their apartments during a hurricane, call Mr. Dattilo right away.  He reminded the council that Administration certainly hopes that no residents will express this intention.

 

When asked about people who need special attention, he said that he has all of the information on that and is prepared to handle such situations.  If the cases are on the survey, they will be taken care of.   Asked about pick-up locations, he responded that there is a standard location at each Court for kits to be picked up and he assumes that the Court Representative is familiar with it. In response to a question, he said that if someone needs more help than originally reported or a new resident moves in with special needs, this should be reported to Renee Bittner at the Medical Center.  However, except for special needs, he needs numbers of people, not names, when there is a change of residents.

 

At this point Dr. Dys said that if we have a hurricane warning the group will be called together to review everything to be sure that everyone is fully informed on what to do and report any changes in circumstances.

 

Chairman Rockstroh asked that if a Court Rep goes away, Joyce Heckber and John Dattilo should be notified as to who the designated alternate is as being in charge during their absence.

 

In response to a question about residents in assisted living, Mr. Dattilo said that he gets information on such cases and reacts accordingly.

 

REPORTS OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

 

A report of a problem with the DVD player in the exercise room was made, as well as a concern with the garbage disposal on the beach.  Mr. Ficker said that he would check on both of these concerns.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

The matters of internet service and pet policy were discussed earlier in the meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A motion was made and seconded that the Council not meet in July and August, and it passed unanimously.

 

Copies of the election policies and procedures were passed out, with a list of key dates.  The procedure will start in September, so Chairman Rockstroh asked that any Court Rep who may not be present should have an alternate informed and present so that the process can get started in September.

 

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE GOOD OF SHELL

 

There were none.

 

NEXT MEETING DATE

 

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 3, at 8:45 a.m. in the Grand Cypress Room in the Woodlands.

 

CLOSING PRAYER AND ADJOURNMENT

 

The closing prayer was given be Bill Lanpher and the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Earl Mallick, Recording Secretary

Attachments:  Pavilion Auxiliary Minutes