Property and Grounds Committee

Meeting Summary         September 11, 2008

Committee Members Present:

Franklin Buck    Ken Burke

Emery Dilda                  Ann Graf

Outi Hanscomb     Cindy Horan                 

Beverly Iezzi                  Mary Owens

Bill Spring                     Woody Wilmoth

Committee Reports:

·   Roads, Sidewalks, Streetlights, Mailboxes

             -Street and stop sign posts have been painted and a plastic barrier will be placed around the bottom of each post to protect it from lawn mowing machine damage.

            -Expansion joints at the corners - The committee has already submitted a list of the most severe defects.  Sylva is contacting concrete companies.

            -Condition of mail boxes - It was noted that the mailboxes are beginning to show signs of rust, and that  painting the bottom support with a matte finish black paint would greatly improve the appearance.

·   SWM Pond                              

            -Pulte will cut sides and bottom of ponds of ponds 3, 4 and 4A in preparation of bond release.  This work should be done in the next few weeks.

            -How often will the ponds be cut in the future?  Recommendation right now:  Mow or weed whack sides of the ponds every time the common ground is mowed.  The bottom of pond 4 is to be cut 4 times a year, if weather conditions permit.   

            -3 Rivers - Pulte has not made a decision on when the work will begin at this site.  Release of the bond on pond 4 will not interfere with work at this site.

·   Grounds and Landscaping

            -The Board ordered all no mow areas to be mowed, including areas that Shenandoah designated as reduced mowing areas in the master plan.

            -Planting and Design Committee Report  - Ann Graf - It was suggested that it was time to change the red, white and blue color theme in our seasonal plantings.  The committee suggests yellow and fuchsia pansies for the fall.  They felt that some of the plants could use an application of Holly Tone and listed some shrubs that  have died and need replacing. Do we need to replace any dead for failing plants this fall?  Wait until spring?  Budget for 2008:  $13,000.  So far we have spent: Spring Flowers: $3,053.00;  Fall Flowers:  $2,722.50. There is  $7,224.50 left in the Seasonal flower budget for 2008.  We will see if we can address some of these concerns.  It was also suggested that the use of boulders or rocks could add interest to the gardens around the community center. 

            -Tree Trimming/Removal  -  $10,000 in Budget 

            -Tree Replacement  -  $5,000.00  Ken Burke will develop a RFP of possible sites for tree replacement. 

            -Farrar update - Farrar and the County hope to have the common grounds off bond by the end of the year.  TDS is working in section 4, the Smithfield and Goose Creek area.  They are spreading compost, seed and fertilizer. 

Note:  Shenandoah Landscape Services, in accordance with their maintenance contract, will aerate, seed and fertilize all of the common ground in Falls Run, even the land that Farrar has treated.

            -Master Plan - Packages A and C were approved by the Board and the contract was awarded to Shenandoah.  We have had two donations, one for a bench, and one monetary donation.   The bench will be ordered soon.

            -Villa LandPlan - Emery Dilda reported that the Villa LandPlan committee has received bids for enhancement of several areas throughout the common grounds in the Villa section.  They will present their findings to the Villa Board. 

Next meeting:  October 9, 2008        1 pm