Annual Membership Meeting
September 24, 2011
Presidents Report

Fiscal Year July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011 (And Year to Date)

Our fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, reflected several changes which continue to improve the financial status within the CWPOA. The Association has the responsibility of managing three separate budgets; the Road Fees, Membership Dues and the CSA-21 tax dollars, which is designated to maintain the common areas and club house.

We had the opportunity to combine two years of road maintenance fees, thanks in part to the very long, wet winter which delayed road repairs until now. We have undertaken the task of upgrading two culverts on Cascadel Drive which were causing a dangerous level of erosion under the roadbed. Additionally, pot holes are in the process of being repaired and we are budgeting for more culvert repairs and the possibility of adding one new culvert as well. Drainage ditches will also be created to help direct water away from the roads and into the culverts. Improper drainage is the number one cause of road damage.

This was the first year of voluntary membership in the association and it appears to be working well. The annual membership dues have served to help keep the association office operating and continuing to provide services to the community. Additionally, in cooperation with the Eastern Madera Fire Safe Council, the association is generating additional revenue by renting our snow plow (with an approved driver), to the council for pulling their wood chipper. To date, rental revenues exceed $3050.

This is also the first year of our new bylaws. It’s important to remember that these bylaws are “a work in progress”. Any article can be amended. All it takes is a recommendation that conforms to California Corporate Code and a majority vote of the membership. If you have any suggestions please contact the Board of Directors in writing, with your name and phone number.

Representatives from the Association and the Water Company met with our accounting firm to review problems we’re having with our current financial reports. As a result of that meeting we will be changing the format of our financial reports beginning July 1, 2011. For the past two years, we have been maintaining manually generated financial reports along side our older computer reports in an effort to better manage the business. A very labor-intensive process. You’ve seen the manual reports at annual meetings and other presentations. The new computer generated reports will be easier to read and understand.

We reactivated the use of our website which contains much of the material we once mailed to every resident. The average expense of mailings to the community, including postage, envelopes, stationary and printing averaged $200 per mailing, depending on the size. We discontinued all mailings except for matters pertaining to voting by using our website as a more economical, faster and easier way to communicate with the membership. For those of you, who do not have access to the website, please notify the CWPOA office and we will continue to mail information to you.

Our Fire Wise Committee has performed extremely well. We now have four completely stocked fire hose boxes in place with two more scheduled over the next few months. These boxes serve as readily accessible equipment storage units for our Fire Brigade as well as the volunteer/auxiliary fire departments. We have the 2011 Fire Safe recertification for Cascadel Woods, on-going Fire Brigade training with work days, and the continuing fuel reduction project which has encompassed many private properties, the common areas, Road 233 and Cascadel Heights.

And most impressively, it should be noted that the new fire boxes, hoses, tools and protective clothing are supplied through donations only. (The CWPOA does not financially support this committee). Thanks and well done to the committee chairperson, Warren Cox, and team.

Our Club House Committee is wrapping up a two-year battle with Woodpeckers. The committee has replaced and stained the severely damaged siding, as well as installing additional handrails and improving the outside lighting. An electrical outlet was added to the front deck and the root-bound septic system leach lines were replaced. There’s more work needed and plans are being formulated. Thank You, Cindy Curtis and team. (The Clubhouse Committee is supported by donations and the CSA-21 budget)

The Neighbor Watch Committee, under the leadership of Volney Dunavan, and working in conjunction with the Fire Wise Committee, has completed the Community Emergency Phone Tree List. This list is used in the case of an emergency to insure all residents are notified. If you have any questions or “personal contact information” changes for the list, please contact Carol Eggink for assistance. If you’re interested in actively participating in the neighborhood Watch Program please contact Volney. (This committee operates on donations only). Many thanks to this team for helping make a safer community.

The Common Area Committee, (formally Land Management), and the Board have a policy for the placement of tables and benches in the common areas. Plans are being developed in hopes of having everything in place by Spring. The material for the benches and tables is being donated by the Eastern Madera Fire Safe Council, (Bob Buckles),as well as a few eager property owners. The pond is being partially drained to allow for the removal of vegetation near the shoreline. Thanks to Joanne Freemire and team for moving this project forward. Earlier in the year the committee pruned apple trees, and placed a Wood Duck nest box near the pond. (This committee is supported by donations and the CSA-21 budget.)

The Policy and Procedures Committee developed the new bylaws and assisted in creating the Picnic Table policy for the common area. Thanks to Carol Eggink and the team. (This committee requires no funding)

This brief recap demonstrates how the Association is increasing available funding:

(a) We have increased Road Fees.
(b) We use Membership Dues to help support the CWPOA office and staff.
(c) We are collecting additional revenue from renting the snow plow that would normally sit idle
      during the summer.
(d) We are using the Website to reduce postage costs.
(e) We are requiring most committees to fund themselves.
(f) We are improving the road drainage system prior to any major road repair.
(g) Proposed expenditures on the CSA-21 budget are reviewed and/or modified at every board
      meeting.

Sincerely,

Stan Eggink, President, CWPOA