By Clayta Richards / crichards@crossville-chronicle.com
The Fairfield Glade Community Club (FGCC) 2007 annual meeting opened with Dr. David Prigg, board president, introducing fellow members of the board who were on the dias, including Bob Jackson, Jim Burgett, Bob Spencer, Glenn Harper, Jeff Welch and Charlie Woll.
Election committee chairman Ed Lewis introduced Mark Cabaniss and Janice Plemmons-Jackson of Plemmons-Jackson, Cabaniss & Associates PLLC. In establishing a quorum for the meeting, Cabaniss stated FGCC had 16,854 members in 2007. Of ballots mailed to members, 7,149 ballots (or 42.4 percent) were returned on time to be counted in the election, also establishing a quorum for the meeting.
Ballots were contracted for mailing this year with Don Napier.
Approval of the minutes of the 2006 annual membership meeting (held Sept. 15, 2006) was quickly accomplished.
Treasurer Charlie Woll thanked the audit commitee, consisting of David Prigg, Bob Spencer, Bob Stacy and Nan Sharpe. Woll stated the audit was accepted on June 6; it received an unqualified opinion from the auditors.
Immediately following, independent auditors Coulter & Justus, P.C., presented the audit statement for fiscal year 2006, and a time for questions was opened.
Eileen Graham came to the microphone to ask if the club continues to show a surplus at the end of the year, will the IRS revoke the club's not-for-profit status?
FGCC Controller Regina Rector answered Graham that since the funds are turned around and invested into club assets, the IRS will not revoke the not-for-profit status.
Discovering that the even numbered pages of the 2006 Annual Financial Statements from the audit were missing from many member packets, a motion to approve the numbers was delayed until later in the meeting when full copies could be handed out.
President David Prigg then gave his annual address, noting the very many positive actions that have happened over the past year, including the ongoing construction of the community center; the agreement with the Tennessee Attorney General regarding lot owners and underdeveloped property; proactive planning for sewer problems, lakes and dams and various infrastructure; the new north fire station; updating of the public safety department; fire department improvements; and the golf courses have remained in great shape in spite of the long, hot summer. President Prigg's full comments were printed in last week's Glade Sun. They can also be accessed at www.crossville-chronicle.com, click on Glade Sun.
Ed Lewis, chairman of the election committee, introduced Mark Cabaniss, of Plemmons-Jackson, Cabaniss & Associates PLLC, who reported, for the at-large FGCC board of directors position, incumbent Charlie Woll received 4,510 and his opponent, Gerry Miller, received 2,438. Additionally, Bruce Turley (ran unopposed) was elected to represent the timeshares; Jeff Welch (also unopposed) was elected to represent the developer. The vote counts for the unopposed candidates were unavailable from the accounting firm.
Election committee chairman Ed Lewis thanked committee members Shirley Coy, Nancy Hamm, Don Hawker, David Johnston, Jack Olsen, and Winston Wilks.
During comments from members, Art Meharg directed a question to board member Jeff Welch, asking what Wyndham plans to do with the old conference center/Sassafrass buildings. Will they be torn down and anything else built there?
Welch answered that he knows of no planned use for the property once the buildings are removed. He said he knows an engineer and construction company have been hired, but no demolition/construction dates have been set that he is aware of.
Don Olson came forward and said, "Thank you, Dr. Prigg, for an excellent presentation that covered every question I had."
Fire Chief Bob Citkovic issued a thank you to the board for their cooperation; he also thanked residents for their cooperation.
Mike Tartaglia asked if the decision to purchase Stonehenge would be put to a vote of the members. Answered: yes.
He also asked if the club has in writing from the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) that providing sewer to the grocery store will not throw the club into a public utility status.
Dr. Prigg answered this, stating the club has an opinion from the best known attorney on public utility law, which says no it will not cause it to become a public utility. He stated the TRA knows the club's status, and even though they have previously made inquiry to TRA on the matter, he has been advised they will probably never receive a direct response to their inquiry from TRA, but they have been advised the attorney's opinion is valid.
Is there a chance members will ever get to vote on issues, by person as opposed to by lot? Answer: It would take a very large change to the covenants and restrictions.
A number of questions have been asked lately about how much longer the developer will be at Fairfield Glade. Jeff Welch put this temporarily to rest, stating that even though it sometimes seems like the club and the developer are in an adversarial relationship, "We are a team. The developer needs the club and the club needs the developer."
Gary Dixon came forward to encourage the board to support some of the alternative points of view that are offered at times.
Another resident told the board they needed to be sure the issue of grease disposal was discussed/agreed upon before the sewer is attached to the proposed grocery store. Community Services Director Jeff Warren answered that the issue is included in the agreement and has been thoroughly discussed.
A new resident to Fairfield Glade (George Garamonte [spelling may be incorrect]) came forward and stated his house had been vandalized twice while it was being built by criminals stealing copper wire. He asked that the club have a representative at the trial to contribute to the proceedings. Dr. Prigg stated they would work with the public safety chief to let the club's opinion be known at the trial. Developer representative Jeff Welch stated, "Believe me, I'll be there."
It was suggested that a Web site, such as Angie's List, be developed as a place to post comments about service people in the community. A call to the techno-geniuses of the community was issued for development of such a site.
Pat Gruet congratulated the board on a job well done. He told the membership, "Bigger is not better — don't tell your friends about Fairfield Glade." While everyone was still smiling, Gruet asked the board if the number of public safety officers would be increased as the population grows. The board answered that it is in the budget.
Don Wettlaufer asked if the board could take care of a common area on his cul-de-sac, Oxford Circle, because it is an eyesore. Dr. Prigg stated community services will take a look at it.
Dave Zellner asked if the loan for the community center went through the competitive bid process. Controller Regina Rector stated yes. Four bids were returned, and the best terms were offered by AMSouth (now Regions Bank). The loan is for $2.8M and the club has not had to draw down on the loan yet.
Another question was asked relating to the estimated annual costs and fees on the community center. What part is related to the swimming pool?
Harvey Hoffman answered that these figures were presented a year ago and they are available on the club's Web site, www.fairfieldglade.cc.
What is the annual deficit projected to be? About $350,000, including debt service. Jim Burgett added that regarding pool operations, the timeshares pay double. The extra share they pay per year adds up to approximately $37,000.
Cal Davis congratulated Dr. Prigg on doing a wonderful job. Regarding crime in the 15 years Davis has been here, he stated he has not seen it even though he knows it exists.
As a final action of the membership at this annual meeting, with full copies in hand, they approved the 2006 Annual Financial Statements.
Copies of the annual meeting package can be obtained at the Fairfield Glade Community Club administrative office.
