Archives for July 2012


BranderBelle is inoperable due to the recent storm. Updates on availability will follow.

Posted July 3, 2012 at 12:16 PM

2012-2013 BCA Board Work Plan

Posted July 16, 2012 at 4:45 PM
Goals are set for 2012-2013. (more...)

BCA Board of Directors Meeting, July 9, 2012

Posted July 6, 2012 at 10:32 AM




Minutes



1. CALL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING TO ORDER – The July 9, 2012 BCA Board of Directors meeting was called to order by President Guthrie at 7PM in the meeting room of Brandermill Woods, 14311 Brandermill Woods Trail, Midlothian, VA 23112. Directors Bettin, Davis, Hillman, Livingston, O'Hanley and Rowe, Community Manager Pritz, Assistant Community Manager Raimo and Recorder Judy Agee were present.

2. MEMBER VOICE - Jim Schrecengost, Timber Ridge encouraged the board to be more proactive in directing staff to enforce the covenants which are intended to protect property values, and the ARB should only approve exterior changes that are in compliance with the standards. He also stated the proposed vendor preference policy may be seen as discriminatory by outside vendors.
- Warren Ragsdale, Huntsbridge stated he would propose a sliding scale percentage depending on the RFP quote for the vendor preference policy to encourage business owners in the community.

3. MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES – June 4 & June 23, 2012
MOTION: Director Livingston moved to approve the minutes of the June 4, 2012 board of directors meeting.
MOTION SECONDED: Director O'Hanley
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

MOTION: Director Rowe moved to approve the minutes of the June 23, 2012 board of directors strategic planning session.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Davis
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

4. PRESIDENT’S REPORT - President Guthrie reported he met with Mike Hatch, general manager of Brandermill County Club to discuss opportunities for the BCA to work with the club, which included a tour of recent improvements. President Guthrie thanked all volunteers and staff for a wonderful 4th of July celebration. He reported that Community Manager Jane Pritz submitted her letter of resignation effective August 31st since she is retiring with her husband to South Carolina. He thanked Jane for her 9 years of assistance to the community, and she was recognized by a round of applause from the board and audience. Community Manager Pritz noted she had a lot of good years in Brandermill and appreciates the working relationship she has had with the board members. She extended her hope that Brandermill will continue to make progress with the master plan, the pools and other projects to remain competitive with surrounding communities.
A. Director Reports - Director Livingston noted the 7.4K race held before the 4th of July parade was a success for the runners and supported the American Cancer Society. He thanked Greg Hendler, Winterberry Ridge for organizing this event which is good publicity for Brandermill.
- Director Davis noted a glitch with the fireworks grand finale. President Guthrie noted that an article is included in The Village Mill regarding this technical malfunction of the firing system, that residents enjoyed 20 minutes of beautiful fireworks over the reservoir, and the fireworks company is refunding 50% of the cost.
- Director Davis noted that trees and limbs continue to fall after the storm and it was agreed to ask the arborist to survey the parkways for trees that might pose a danger.

5. MANAGER’S REPORT – Community Manager Pritz highlighted her written report and stated reports were included from staff. Community Manager Pritz noted the current pool membership increased to 566 and there are 3 swim team-only members.
The board approved Susan Dandridge McFarland, Garrison Place as a new member to PARC, and Steve Russek, McTyre's Cove as a new member of the Natural Resources Committee.

6. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Community Character - June 2012 report is attached.
B. Crime Prevention - June 21, 2012 report is attached.
C. MPOC Project Update - Al Raimo - May 17, 2012 minutes are attached.
D. NRC - Chair Mamie McNeal reported the NRC held a community meeting on June 26th to review the recommendations of the Communications Task Force and the addition to the Financial Policy for the proposed vendor preference policy.

It was agreed to change the order of the agenda to include Item 11. Marketing Presentation before Item 7. Self Help Standards.

MARKETING PRESENTATION - Director Bettin introduced Dennis Peterson, chair of the Marketing Committee and Sarah Johnston, President and CEO of A Touch of Technology, who gave a presentation promoting Brandermill. An update to the website with the slogan "Show Me Brandermill First" will include promotion of properties for sale and our resort-like lifestyle which will help fulfill the responsibilities of the board to protect and enhance residential and commerical property values. Dennis Peterson encouraged the board to continue using the master plan to chart progress of suggested community enhancements and the marketing plan. Sarah Johnston provided information regarding the website technology to provide changes to the current information set up to provide a platform that is more dynamic and interactive including online payments, homes for sale, and video showing areas of our resort community. Director Bettin noted the cost of this website update would be between $35,000-55,000. The MPOC will be reviewing this Marketing Committee proposal.

7. SELF HELP STANDARDS - President Guthrie noted the board approved the Property Intervention (Self-Help) Policy at the June board meeting. Community Manager Pritz presented Woodlake's self-help policy and the recommendations for funding and standards for BCA's self-help policy. She recommended $4,500 from the Community Improvement Grant program be allocated for self help for the remainder of 2012 and a budget line item of $7,500 be allocated for the Self-Help program in 2013. Community Manager Pritz noted staff is in the process of identifying the properties that will potentially need assistance.
MOTION: Director Hillman moved to amend the budget and move $4,500 from the Community Improvement Grant program to Self-Help in 2012.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Bettin
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

8. FINANCIAL POLICY CHANGE - Director Livingston reviewed the proposed amendment to the BCA Financial Policy, Section 7. Contracts and Bids, D. Local Vendor Preference Policy, giving preference to local vendors through a competitive bid process to recognize and retain services of Brandermill residents and businesses. Director Livingston explained if the lowest bid is not a local vendor, the local vendor who submitted a bid within a specified percentage and has been deemed responsive and responsible would be asked to reduce its bid to match the bid of the lowest bidder and they would be awarded the contract. In summary, the Finance Committee is supportive of the overall concept of some sort of reasonable advantage for local businesses, but questions the proposed method of allowing local businesses to reduce a price to meet competition. The Finance Committee proposed taking more time to review alternatives and stands willing to help with such a review.
Member Comment: - Mamie McNeal, Planter's Wood noted that after NRC review they would like the RFPs posted on the website for availability to residents and businesses.
- Jerry Clemmer, Huntsbridge stated he has experience with RFPs that are decided by the point system which can be complicated.
President Guthrie noted his previous experience with a locality using a similar competitive bid process giving preference to local vendors and it continues to work very well. Director Rowe stated she wanted to give preference to local vendors but felt asking the local vendor to drop their quote by the specified percentage of 20% was too high and that there are very few vendors to choose from in our community. Director Hillman stated she did not feel it was ethically correct to give preference to local vendors by asking the local vendor to drop their price but instead to direct the business to the local vendor. Director Davis stated that 20% is too high and Director Livingston suggested it be changed to 15%. Director Rowe asked that the Finance Committee and the board revisit this subject next year.
MOTION: Director Livingston moved to adjust the BCA Financial Policy.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Davis
MOTION CARRIED: President Guthrie, Directors Bettin, Davis, Livingston, O'Hanley and Rowe approved. Director Hillman opposed.

9. ROUNDABOUT SIGN UPDATE - President Guthrie reported he and Director Rowe have been working with Chesterfield County to bring the roundabout sign into compliance by placing Brandermill, Clover Hill High School and Swift Creek Middle School in a raised panel. He stated the overall size of the sign will not change. Director Rowe reviewed three renderings and the quote for the renderings, which included a 50% discount offered by the sign company. All of the board members agreed the rendering presented to the Board of Supervisors was a good choice.

10. STRATEGIC WORKSHOP REVIEW - President Guthrie reported the Board Work Plan 2012-2013 is attached to the Minutes of the Board of Directors Strategic Planning Session dated June 23, 2012.
MOTION: Director Davis moved to accept the document as presented and maximize the publicity to the community.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Bettin
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

11. MARKETING PRESENTATION - Director Bettin - See discussion before Item 7.

12. COMMUNICATION TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS - Director O'Hanley thanked the members of the Communications Task Force for their time and expertise to recommend changes to help improve communications with residents, along with input from communication surveys, NRC communication meetings, and a communications consultant. Director O'Hanley noted the goal of the recommendations is how the BCA will best communicate with association members within the next five years. The recommendations for the first year includes several updates and upgrades to the website as well as continuing with blast emails, The Village Mill and telephone directory as the budgeting process will allow.

13. EXECUTIVE SESSION - To discuss personnel issues
MOTION: Director O'Hanley moved to enter into executive session to discuss personnel issues.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Bettin
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

14. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION - The board returned to open session.

No Action was taken.

15. ADJOURNMENT - President Guthrie adjourned the July 9, 2012 Board of Directors meeting at 10PM.

Submitted by:


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


SAFE seeks 18- to 24-year-olds for survey

Posted July 25, 2012 at 3:26 PM
Help reduce DUI car crashes and enter to win an iPad3. (more...)

Police look for teen vandal

Posted July 25, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Anyone with information about the recent break-in at Swift Creek Middle School is encouraged to call Crime Solvers or the police. (more...)

Big Foot in Brandermill

Posted July 20, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Sasquatch sighted in Sunday Park.

Last weekend, a Richmond crew filmed scenes in Sunday Park for a "mockumentary" on the sighting of Sasquatch. The film crew, final.revised, was one of 40 Richmond crews participating in the 48 Hour Film Project. (more...)

Community Character Committee

Posted July 17, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Brandermill Woods, Ivy Room

History Task Force

Posted July 11, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Harbour Pointe Clubhouse

Brandermill Sailing Center

Posted July 10, 2012 at 4:51 PM
Thursdays through Sundays and holidays through September 3, 1 to 7 p.m.

Brandermill Green Market

Posted July 10, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Saturdays through October at Market Square from 9:30 a.m. to noon.