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Rules Committee members serving the Community over the past year were: Britt Wisniewski, Chair; Judy Colby, Vice Chair; Bob Doupe; Lynn Koontz; Georgia Powers; Barb Cooper, Alternate Member; Judi Slajer, Board Rep; and Larry Kibbee, Board Rep. The Rules Committee holds their regular meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
The following are some of the items the Rules Committee discussed, reviewed, made recommendations or acted on over the past year.
- The need for Executive Sessions for enforcement discussions at the Committee level.
- View creation impact fees being allocated to the Greenbelt Maintenance Fund.
- Regulations concerning recreational fires and off-leash dogs at Martha’s Beach.
- Language for the new Water Disconnect Policy.
- Re-writing of the Financial Policies/Chapter in conjunction with the Finance Committee.
- The addition of an applicant’s/member’s good standing to the appropriate forms.
- Housekeeping and language amendments to the Governing Documents in preparation of the Annual Meeting/Election.
- A review of the definitions of "unkempt lots" and "timely manner".
- A review of the use of golf cart type vehicles on Shelter Bay roadways.
- A review of Shelter Bay Community enforcement issues.
- Revisions to Member’s Responsibilities in the Rules and Regulations, Part I.
- Revisions to the Elections Chapter of Rules and Regulations, Part II in response to the recommendations of the 2008 Elections Committee.
- Revisions to the appeal procedures to allow for a Formal Committee Review.
- Revisions to the Fine Schedule to allow the Committees more flexibility in recommending fines.
On the enforcement side of things, the Rules Committee held six appeal hearings and issued eight fines for violations.
Currently the Rules Committee is working on an amendment to Rules and Regulations, Part I – General to add language concerning trees, landscaping and views. We hope to provide the members and the committees with a stronger reference point when looking to policy on this sometimes contentious issue.
Looking forward, the Rules Committee is excited to be working on these interesting and timely issues in the coming year:
- Eco-Friendly Community. The Rules Committee will work with Board Secretary Slajer and conduct a Town Meeting in the fall providing Community members with information on the advantages of becoming a "greener" community. We will also look at what changes to the Governing Documents are needed to implement some of these environmentally friendly changes.
- Single Family Unit Definition. The Rules Committee will work the Manager and legal counsel to propose new language in the Governing Documents to provide for a broader definition of "family" for the Community.
The Rules Committee works to ensure policies, rules and procedures not only reflect our governing documents, but are also executed in a fair and objective manner. Ensuring members have proper notice and are properly informed, have adequate time to respond to concerns, and are aware of the various means by which they may appeal.
In a diverse residential community such as Shelter Bay, these goals are sometimes hard to accomplish, but with the team effort that now exists we are closer to reaching them than ever before in our history.
With a Community focus on pro-action and prevention, we will have fewer incidents of fines having to be imposed or decisions needing to come to hearing. The knowledge and experience of members on the Committee will continue to serve the Board to help coordinate changes to the governing documents and, on occasion, to initiate new or needed changes.
It has been our privilege to work with a willing and cooperative staff. As a Committee, we have been able to accomplish so much more, in a shorter amount of time and with greater efficiency, as a result of their work and dedication to the community. We are particularly grateful for the invaluable assistance we receive from the staff member assigned to us, Debbie Byrd, in discovery, organization and preparation of materials for our meetings and hearings.
I am also very grateful for the time, energy and thoughtfulness of the volunteer members of the Rules Committee.
Respectfully,
Britt Wisniewski, Chair
Rules Committee |
