Marion Nichols represents The Reserve at the PLCA as the Neighborhood Voting Representative for the community.
All owner comments are welcome.
Marion can be contacted directly at: raymar.nichols@gmail.com.
Marion can be contacted directly at: raymar.nichols@gmail.com.
5-28-20 - Correspondence PLCA Strategic Plan/Rebuild of Coconut Rd
From: Marion Nichols
Date: Mon, May 25, 2020 at 8:24 PM
Subject: Re: Recent Board effort clarification
To: Ronald Bloom
Thank you, Ron, for your clarification and reassurance. It is much appreciated.
In the interest of better communication, would it be possible for Mr. Backman, in his informative "In The Know" Newsletters, to cite any Motion he is referring to? This way, Owners would not have to slog through 3 hours of video, in search of a Motion resembling:
"The Board voted to move to a new phase of the Strategic Plan, taking the work on the plan thus far by the Strategic Planning Task Force thus far and allowing future considerations (still TBD) such as beginning work to consider some facets of the plan more ‘near-term’ and other facets ‘longer-term’. The near-term items (for example, the potential to take the parking lot and roadway improvements near the Marina) could be voted separately and begun before other facets of the plan would be sent to a vote. No determination was made, and any item to come from this planning will be communicated further and will be up for a vote of either the Neighborhood Voting Representatives of the entire community (depending on the nature of the vote and/or the dollars in question). Much more to follow."
My main concern continues to be the Strategic Planning Process.
We understand that the Board passed a Motion to address the Beach and Marina as a stand-alone project, to be known as Phase 1 of the Strategic Plan.
Could someone please tell us what Phase 1 is, exactly?
Other than being told how great the beach enhancements will be, and seeing photos flicked across a screen, -- we have no idea! No details have been released to the Community. PLCA has a great website and Community messaging service designed for this very purpose.
Similarly, could someone please tell us what Phase 1 is expected to cost?
At the last meeting, Board Members referenced an $8 Million figure. Where did that come from?
The Voting Reps have been asking for financial details since last December. In February, the SPTF promised us that all would be revealed in their March 10, 2020 meeting. At that meeting we had a reliable source present, who took contemporaneous notes.
Estimates were vetted, comprising over $31 Million in total cost, -- then not disclosed to the Community. (The State of Emergency was declared on March 13th, so they had 3 days to release financial data. Alternatively, various electronic communication venues continue to function, despite COVID 19.)
Also, at that March 10th meeting, the SPTF discussed and implemented a strategy whereby $5M in Landscape costs would be redirected elsewhere in PLCA's budget, effectively hiding it from the community. What happened to ethical and fiduciary duty?
How can we trust this process?
Owners deserve better treatment than this! The Voting Reps should not have to beg for basic information.
Consider the 2 part Motion proposed by the new SPTF Chair, Ellen Dennis, at the last Board Meeting. (Motion withdrawn) It recommended overruling the previous Board's Motion to "Hold" the Strategic Plan until the COVID crisis abated; endorsed separating components of the Strategic Plan and implementing them while bypassing an Owner Referendum. What was the SPTF really trying to orchestrate?
Again, how can we trust this process?
We understand that Coconut Road needs to eventually be rebuilt, -- but shouldn't we wait and partner with London Homes? Has the Board vetted multiple bids to ensure an $800,000 price is reasonable? In view of the unique considerations entailed in this road project, have we ensured that quotations will meet all regulatory requirements including environmental? In all aspects of the Strategic Plan, the Community should not commit to any expenditure without knowing the full and final cost. Owners do not want to be obligated to additional phases of a project, simply because we've expended hundreds of thousands of dollars, and there's no going back now. Please do not sanction any further expenditures, or authorize any further break-up of the Strategic Plan, without first polling the true stakeholders, the Owners, for feedback.
A 31 Million Dollar Strategic Plan is out of control. Pelican Landing was never intended to be a five-star Resort experience. If Owners knew the true cost, the Referendum would certainly fail. No wonder the SPTF is being less than forthcoming!
And please -- Owners don't need a propaganda campaign: the project either stands on its own merits, or it doesn't. This should not be a sales job -- rather, as Owners, we deserve full and open disclosure of all costs. We crave honest, open communication, including crucial details, -- so that Owners can make an informed decision for themselves. We could also benefit from an Annualized Schedule of Capital Expenditures, Current and Proposed. Please facilitate that.
The new Board has pledged to provide better communication with the Community and to give us a say in how our funds will be spent. Thank you.
We look forward to this new exchange of honest, comprehensive information, with realistic goals and pricing.
Let's work together towards a better Pelican Landing. We all want the same thing; let's do it.
Sincerely,
Marion Nichols,
Neighborhood Voting Rep for The Reserve
_______
On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 11:41 AM Ronald Bloom
Dear PLCA Residents,
At the last Board meeting, the Board passed a motion to address the Beach and Marina as a stand-alone project. This has somehow been construed as an attempt by the Board to circumvent the Members and proceed with an $8 million dollar Beach and Marina project without approval from the community. Nothing could be further from the truth.
It’s no surprise that the virus conditions we’ve been dealing with has adversely affected our schedule for presenting the entire plan to the community as we hoped. Consequently, much discussion has gone into the wisdom of proceeding with what was the most ready and, arguably, the most popular amenity/landmark of the community - the crown jewel of the PLCA, our marina/beach complex. Once we decided that a phased approach was a viable option, the next step was to review engineering and construction details and decide if there were ways of removing cost without jeopardizing the integrity of the project. That’s the phase we’re in now and it’s being handled by our newly formed task force set up to implement the various stages of the plan.
Fortunately, we have three talented Board members with construction project experience on our task force. John Watson, John Crew, and Ellen Dennis (Chair) have been working diligently since inheriting the preliminary plan from James Oberling and the task force he Chaired for the several months prior. We are weeks away from presenting this information to the Board to get its approval to present to the community.
At that point we would communicate the plan and cost to the community for a non-binding vote. Based on community feedback, the Board will decide whether and what to present to the Voting Representatives for them to poll their members and vote accordingly.
What has some members confused is the discussion of possibly proceeding with the infrastructure improvements to that portion of Coconut Road owned by The PLCA leading down to the marina. These are improvements that we’ve long needed regardless of any changes made to the marina. We need to raise the road to avoid the regular flooding that takes place and upgrade our access to proper utilities. It has also been discussed that we would permanently transfer the beach parking closer to the marina, an idea that the Beach Advisory Group began developing and supported before strategic planning began. During the suspension of the beach shuttle, both road parking and use of the mulch lots were very popular. This can all be accomplished at the same time we’re upgrading the road. Engineering and permitting are underway as approved by the Board in November 2019.
All of this preliminary infrastructure work, that needs to be done regardless of the long term plans for improvement at the marina/beach, is expected to cost around $800,000. This, we feel, would qualify as a Board decision and does not violate our pledge to the community for input and to require a vote on the strategic plan and its financing.
I know it can be frustrating to not hear anything new, but this is a complicated process and working through all business and government channels have been slowed by the current state of affairs. We can, and we will, do a better job of communicating our progress to you in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile, you can be assured that this Board is committed to member input and providing you with the best options for improving our community for years to come.
Stay safe,
Ron Bloom
President, PLCA Board of Directors
5-28-20 - Owner Vote On Strategic Plan
GREAT NEWS! Owner vote on Strategic Plan
At the May 28th meeting, the PLCA Board agreed to host an Owner vote in June, regarding the proposed $31M Strategic Plan.
A Brochure outlining the 3 phase plan, with details and pricing, will be made available electronically to the Community.
Owners will have an opportunity to vote "Yes" or "No", then comment. This is a non-binding referendum, which will allow Owners to provide constructive feedback.
Great progress for our future plans!
Keep well,
Marion Nichols
May 12, 2020 - Due Process for Strategic Plan
To The Board of Pelican Landing:
As Neighborhood Voting Rep for The Reserve, I wish to raise a concern regarding the PLCA Strategic Plan; specifically, a point from the "In The Know" newsletter of Tuesday, April 28th:
- The Board voted to move to a new phase of the Strategic Plan, taking the work on the plan thus far by the Strategic Planning Task Force thus far and allowing future considerations (still TBD) such as beginning work to consider some facets of the plan more ‘near-term’ and other facets ‘longer-term’. The near-term items (for example, the potential to take the parking lot and roadway improvements near the Marina) could be voted separately and begun before other facets of the plan would be sent to a vote. No determination was made, and any item to come from this planning will be communicated further and will be up for a vote of either the Neighborhood Voting Representatives of the entire community (depending on the nature of the vote and/or the dollars in question). Much more to follow.
Ambiguity aside, I checked the video, and that is not the Motion that passed.
Nina Landen moved that the Marina and Beach components be separated as a "stand-alone" project. (known as "Phase 1") It unanimously passed.
Ellen Dennis, new SPTF Chair, withdrew her 2 part Motion, which advocated proceeding with the planning prep for Phase 1, while bypassing an Owner referendum. This also would've negated last month's Board motion to put the Strategic Plan on hold.
No Board Motion agreed to begin Phase 1, or commence with further planning preparations or costs. It was noted that proceeding to the next step (Design Drawings and bids), would cost almost $1 Million.
Chip Hanft expressed surprise over the $8 Million dollar cost of Phase 1. He correctly pointed out that, first, there needed to be clearer communication with the Community. Rick Parker also reinforced the importance of obtaining approval from the Owners.
I couldn't agree more.
I am concerned that this was the SPTF's attempt to force components of the Strategic Plan upon us, without Owner knowledge and consent.
Has the SPTF been totally forthcoming and transparent with the Community?
1) Where are the cost estimates, that were promised us in February? (We've been requesting them for months) How can Owners make an informed decision without costs? (The mention of the $8M price tag for the Beach/Marina was the first I'd heard of it.)
2) There was a March 10th Strategic Planning Meeting where estimates were revealed for the first time. Why has this been hidden from the community? Are all the Board Members aware of the figures presented? $31 Million, plus? James Oberle suggesting PLCA increase the Annual Assessment from $2415 to $4000?
3) What happened to the promised Owner Referendum? (At the Strategic Committee's insistence, this was the only way an Owner could register their support and offer feedback on the Strategic Plan they presented.) The SPTF seems to be trying to bypass democratic due process.
The Strategic Planning Task Force represented that the Sept 2019 Owner Survey was used to develop the Strategic Plan.
Yet, that survey reveals that 70% of owners do not want a Community Pool; 82% do not want indoor Pickleball Courts (even 70% of Pickleballers don't want it!); there's no support for tripling the size of our Fitness Facility; etc.
The survey invited Owners to speculate and give their opinions.
There is a huge difference between what someone dreams of, and what someone is willing to pay for. (Or able to pay for in these perilous economic times!)
Before spending any more money, the Community needs to have the components of the Strategic Plan clearly identified and accurate costs estimated. Beach Park enhancements are a high priority -- but Owners should choose the enhancements, not have them forced upon us. $8 million dollars is outrageous! We should be allowed to provide constructive feedback and have the Plan fine-tuned, before the final owner vote.
It is imperative that the PLCA Board maintain its independence from the Strategic Planning Task Force.
Clearly, the Board needs to direct the SPTF to reveal the cost estimates to the Community, then implement a democratic due process that honors the wishes of the Owners.
I greatly appreciate the personal investment and dedication that each Board Member contributes.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter,
Marion Nichols
Neighborhood Voting Representative for The Reserve
PLCA Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Ron Bloom
BloomPLCA@icloud.com
VICE PRESIDENT
Ellen Dennis
EllenDennis211@gmail.com
SECRETARY
Rick Parker
a_richard_parker
@hotmail.com
TREASURER *
James Oberle
james.s.oberle@icloud.com
DIRECTOR
John Crew
johncrew21@gmail.com
DIRECTOR
Nina Landen
ninalanden8@gmail.com
DIRECTOR
John Watson
johntwatson@aol.com
COLONY/PELICAN'S NEST GOLF CLUBS
Chip Hanft (The Colony)
chip.hanft@gmail.com
HYATT
Julian Tucker
julian.tucker@hyatt.com
* ASSISTANT TREASURER
Tony Urick