ANNUAL POA MEETING RECAP
(Posted 7-21-10)

Entrance issues and parking problems were among the most-discussed topics during the 2010 Ivy Hall Property Owners Association Annual Meeting.

Homeowners representing about 40 addresses -- approximately 16 percent of the neighborhood -- attended the meeting either in person or by proxy. The meeting lasted nearly two hours and was held July 20th at Eastbridge Presbyterian Church.

Two incumbent board members -- Bob Lang and Martine Wolfe-Miller -- ran unopposed for two of four open seats and garnered additional terms. Newcomers Tina Hutchinson and Kelly Frazier agreed to fill the other seats.

Board terms are for three years. Office positions for the 2010-11 year will be decided by vote at the next regular board meeting. The results of that meeting will be posted on this Web site.

Details from the Annual meeting:

• In his State of the Neighborhood report, POA President William Ray Jr. made the following points:
  • The Board apologizes for the month-long power outage at our entrance, but SCE&G assures us that the lights will be back on soon. [Power was restored July 21.] When the irrigation system is operational again in the coming days, flowers will be planted in the median. The goal is to make our entrance look as colorful as Wal-Mart's across the highway.
  • On-street parking continues to be one of the main problems in our neighborhood. Not only is it unsightly, but clogged roads potentially can block emergency vehicles. Chronic parking violators should expect to be fined.
  • POA coffers received an unexpected bonus of about $15,000 this year via easement transactions with SCE&G and Mount Pleasant Waterworks. The Board is in the process of deciding whether to spend the money now on capital improvements or put it in an emergency fund.
  • Our Annual Picnic in early June was lightly attended. The Board is thinking of scheduling future picnics in the fall when it's cooler.
  • Our annual POA fee ($173.65) remains among the lowest of any neighborhood in Mount Pleasant. We've collected between 80-90 percent of Ivy Hall's fees so far this year, but we're striving for 100 percent. The fee is needed to pay our basic bills (landscaping, property management, pond maintenance, etc.).
     

• Odessa Management owner Jim Wilson gave a budget report and said our neighborhood was in great financial shape, referring residents to spread sheets he brought to the meeting. He said residents who were having trouble paying the annual fee could be put on payment plans. He encouraged owners to email or call him with questions or comments about the budget.
• Wilson also talked briefly about the covenant enforcement process. Things got a little heated when two residents expressed their anger toward Wilson for the way he talks to them, saying Wilson should show them more courtesy and respect. Wilson defended his communicative style, ended his talk shortly thereafter and left the meeting. 
• ARC Chairman Rebekah Whichard provided an overview of the ARC review process.
• Bob Lang spoke about the state of our ponds, which he said were in excellent condition. He reminded residents to cut their grass all the way to the water's edge if their home backs up to a pond. He also cautioned residents not to introduce new aquatic plants into ponds or to feed alligators if spotted.
• Lang then provided an overview of Ivy Hall's covenant enforcement policy and reminded residents of the most common violations: parking on the street, unsightly yards, mildew-stained vinyl siding, and trailers/boats in driveways. He directed residents to the Neighborhood Services link on our Web site for help in finding good people to perform work here.
• Board member Robin Richardson urged residents to take the termite threat here seriously and to review their termite contracts.
• Sheila Anderson provided an overview of the Welcoming Committee, by which new residents are greeted by a Board member and presented a small gift certificate.
• Anderson, a Realtor, also gave a report on the real estate market in Ivy Hall. She said according to the Multiple Listing Service 15 homes had sold here in the past year, selling for about 96 percent of their list price and remaining on the market an average of 98 days. The average sales price was $227,000, and the average price per square foot was $141.
• Board Secretary Martine Wolfe-Miller provided an overview of the Yard of the Month program and reminded residents of the town's plan to expand U.S. Highway 17 to six lanes from the IOP Connector to Darrell Creek. The expansion, due to start in 2011, will force us to lose part of our entrance. But our sign, she said, shouldn't be impacted.
• Wolfe-Miller, the town's public information officer, also noted that Mount Pleasant received a great honor recently in being named an All-America City and one of Money Magazine's Top 100 small towns in America.
• The following are some questions and comments from residents and answers from the Board:
  • C: Residents are encouraged to enroll in Mount Pleasant's Citizens Police Academy.
  • Q: Can we replace Odessa? A: Odessa Management's contract with Ivy Hall is up for renewal in January. The Board will address that issue at that time.
  • Q: Can we replace our entrance sign? A: The Board is always looking at ways to improve our entrance. Replacing the sign is definitely an option the Board will consider in the coming year.
  • Q: Can we ban fireworks in the neighborhood? A: Our covenants currently don't address fireworks, which are legal in the town. The Board will consult with Mt. Pleasant Police to see if we could do anything.
  • Q: What should we do with the surplus money in the budget? A: The Board will look into that over the coming months.
  • C: The county's recycling trucks, which come through Ivy Hall every other Monday, will now accept all kinds of plastics, bottles and card board. Click here for more info.

  Despite its testy beginning, the meeting ended on a positive note with owners applauding board members for their volunteer service.

  For more Ivy Hall news, click here.