Minutes - August 18, 2008

Posted September 17, 2008 at 10:53 AM, Filed Under: Minutes

1. CALL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING TO ORDER – The August 18, 2008 BCA Board of Directors meeting was called to order by President Bradner at 7:00 PM in the meeting room of Brandermill Woods, 14311 Brandermill Woods Trail, Midlothian, VA 23112. Directors Epps, Friedel, Guthrie, Livingston and Rowe, Community Manager Pritz and Recorder Judy Agee were present. Director McLenagan was absent.

2. MEMBER VOICE – Bob Foster, General Manager of Brandermill Country Club, noted the club's position on the proposed cell tower is positive for the club and the community. He noted that the club's interest in the cell tower is the income derived from the lease agreement, which will go towards the club's operating integrity, improvement of cell phone reception in this area of Brandermill and in the golf course areas to allow better reception especially in emergency situations.
- Gerry Barnes of Sterling's Bridge expressed concern whether the cell tower would affect his property value.
- Betty Bigger of Quail Hill noted that since there is an existing cell tower at Warbro Rd. she questioned why another was needed and had concern about potential health risks and property values.
- Marni Pilafian of Winterberry Ridge expressed concern over property values if a cell tower was constructed in Brandermill.
- Dru Shockley of McTyre's Cove expressed concern that there are too many risks involved with the proposed cell tower and noted she would not move into a neighborhood with a cell tower.
- Scott Fisher of McTyre's Cove was concerned about potential health risks and questioned the ARB approval process for this type of project.
- Carolyn Hawkins of Muirfield Green questioned if there is really a problem with availability of cell phone reception.
- Marie Stella of Cove Ridge provided copies of pictures of cell towers that are made to look like trees. She was mainly concerned about potential health and liability issues, and a possible decrease in property values.
- Susan McMakin of Timber Ridge expressed concern over potential health risks and decreasing property values.
- Marge Maskery of McTyre's Cove noted that the health and welfare of residents needed to be taken into consideration.
- Sarah McMoreland of Muirfield Green noted from a real estate agent's perspective that perception is reality in trying to determine if the buyer sees a cell tower as a risk they are willing to take.
- Christine Barnes of Sterling's Bridge stated that the proposed cell tower would lower property values and that cell phone carriers could use existing towers in the area.

3. MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES – August 4, 2008 –
MOTION: Director Rowe moved to approve the minutes of the August 4, 2008 meeting, as amended.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Epps.
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

4. PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Bradner reported he received the attached letter from Art Warren, Chairman of Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, regarding a sight distance easement along Genito Road which was deferred from the July 30th meeting until September 24th. Mr. Warren asked the BCA board of directors to make a statement regarding this easement at that meeting. President Bradner requested Director Epps to provide information to the members for their input on this statement at the next board meeting.
President Bradner noted that several members of the Crime Prevention Task Force attended training through the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design provided by the Chesterfield County Police Department on August 4th. After this training, these task force members performed an assessment and recommendations for the Harbour Pointe Clubhouse as their pilot project.
National Night Out was well attended throughout several Brandermill neighborhoods on August 5th.
President Bradner, Directors Friedel and Livingston, and Community Manager Pritz met with Bob Dewsbury at the Brandermill Country Club to discuss the club's position in regard to the proposed cell tower and as a member within the community.
President Bradner reported that the applicant for the proposed cell tower, Invisible Towers, has asked for a 30-day deferral from the Chesterfield County Planning Commission meeting originally scheduled for August 19th. Russ Gulley, Clover Hill District Planning Commissioner, noted concern that if a 30-day deferral is granted that more time may be needed for additional public meetings unless the BCA board makes a decision tonight.

A. Director Reports – Director Guthrie reported that he and President Bradner recently met with the BCA Shoreline Buffer group to discuss the draft revised buffer policy, and will meet next week to discuss additional questions before presenting the revised policy to the board.
Director Rowe reported that since there are no design plans available for the Harbour Pointe Clubhouse an architect was contracted to develop plans for proposed interior design renovations.
Director Epps reported she will provide three quotes for the proposed BCA master plan by the next board meeting. Director Epps will get the updated road policy to the NRC to enlist their help in grading the condition of the roads in Brandermill.
Director Livingston noted that the recent edition of “Richmond Magazine” – Best and Worst - listed Brandermill at #2 for the best neighborhood for kids, and at #3 for the best neighborhood for boomers.

5. MANAGER’S REPORT – Community Manager Pritz highlighted her written report and noted the pools will be open for two more weeks. Director Friedel inquired about the areas of the reservoir that have silt buildup and Director Epps noted that Chesterfield County has plans to install an aeration system. Community Manager Pritz will follow up on those issues. In response to Director Livingston's previous request, Community Manager Pritz noted that there have been 118 new residents to date who paid the $150 capital improvement fee since January 1, 2008, with a total of $17,700. Community Manager Pritz reported receiving a letter from the Chesterfield County Board of Zoning Appeals noting that KPC – The Boathouse Restaurant has asked for a 60-day deferral. If this deferral is granted, the zoning appeal would be heard at the November 5th Board of Zoning appeals meeting and the November 18th Planning Commission meeting. Community Manager Pritz followed up with Dominion Virginia Power's response that the overhead utility lines could not be installed underground after a turning lane is installed. President Bradner requested that this subject be included on the September 2nd board meeting agenda.

6. CELL TOWER PRESENTATION – Invisible Towers – President Bradner asked members in the audience to submit their questions to the board to be discussed after the presentation by the Invisible Towers representatives. After extensive discussion by Invisible Towers of concerns regarding the proposed cell tower to the board and community members, the board took the following action.
MOTION: President Bradner moved to recommend denial of the Invisible Towers proposal.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Guthrie.
The board discussed whether any board members who were also members of Brandermill Country Club should refrain from voting on this proposal because of a possible conflict of interest. Director Friedel stated that he was a club member and that he did not want to recuse himself.
MOTION CARRIED: President Bradner, Directors Epps, Guthrie, Livingston and Rowe approved. Director McLenagan was absent. Director Friedel abstained.
Director Friedel abstained from the vote for the following reasons: 1) There is a need for the board to more thoroughly absorb and consider the information provided and give all members an equal hearing with the facts available; 2) need to get the facts to the membership to consider this further; and 3) need to get a reading from the membership of what they consider as important issues.
Director Guthrie stated that he reviewed numerous emails and information regarding the proposed cell tower. He did not believe the cell tower should be located in a residential area and that the board's primary role is to protect property values. He noted that the proposed site was close to a child care facility that could be harmed financially and that no alternate sites were given.
Director Rowe expressed concern that she was not given an adequate answer regarding alternate sites for the cell tower, and was also concerned that the proposed cell tower would be located in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
Director Epps noted that every member's property value is tied to the Brandermill Country Club and that the cell tower proposed on the club's property will be detrimental to neighboring properties. She also stated she is not in favor of a tower that looks like a fake pine tree and noted no other choice other than a fake tree was presented.
President Bradner noted the following: 1) most board members have already heard the presentation by Invisible Towers multiple times; 2) there has been plenty of feedback from the community through emails, letters, meetings and direct conversations; 3) he and several other board members met with representatives from the Brandermill Country Club and understood that it was not a make-or-break situation for the club from a financial standpoint; 4) we finally were able to have a calm and professionally-conducted meeting on the subject and gave the applicants ample time to present their case; 5) two more weeks of “thinking about it” would not change his opinion; 6) he stated that this wasn't the first cell tower proposal the board had considered during his tenure and, in his opinion, it wouldn't be the last; 7) in a different form, in a different location, he may be convinced to support it. As it was presented, he was not prepared to do so and made the motion to recommend denial.
President Bradner noted that he would attend the Chesterfield County Planning Commission meeting on August 19th to inform the commission of the board's decision to recommend denial of the Invisible Towers application. Community Manager Pritz will notify Russ Gulley, Clover Hill Planning Commissioner, of the board's decision.

7. UNIVERSAL POOL ACCESS REFERENDUM – Jason Livingston – Director Livingston reviewed the schedule of activities for promoting the Universal Pool Access Referendum, which will be distributed to members on October 13th along with a fact sheet. The board will review for approval the ballot for the Referendum at the September 2nd board meeting.

8. DRAFT 2009 BUDGET – Director Rowe presented the proposed 2009 Budget, with the assistance of Buddy Whitfield, chair of the Finance Committee. It was noted that the 2008 Projected Actual numbers were needed for this report. Whitfield reported that the Finance Committee's review of the budget revealed several reports were needed for the 2009 budget: year-to-date financial results because of significant variances, strategic activities of priorities scheduled for 2008 year ending, and a 2009 specific strategic plan. Director Livingston recommended and the board agreed to schedule another strategic plan meeting. The board thanked Buddy Whitfield for his assistance.

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION -
MOTION: Director Epps moved to enter into executive session at 11:05 PM to discuss a legal matter.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Guthrie.
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

10. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION -
MOTION: Director Epps moved to return to open session.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Friedel.
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

No action was taken.

11. ADJOURNMENT –
MOTION: Director Epps moved to adjourn the August 18, 2008 Board of Directors meeting at 11:25 PM.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Livingston.
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

Submitted by:


___________________________________ _______________________________
Jane Pritz, CMCA®, AMS® Joel Bradner, President
Community Manager/Secretary Board of Directors
Brandermill Community Assoc., Inc. Brandermill Community Assoc., Inc.