Pine Ridge Ranch Property Owners Association
Minutes of the Second Annual General Membership Meeting on 6-3-2006
The second annual meeting of the PRRPOA general membership was called to order on Saturday, June 3rd, 2006, at the old Fort Laramie School in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, by President Dick Gosselin at 4:10 p.m.
A. Welcome
Dick opened the meeting by welcoming everyone. He also thanked the PRRPOA Board for a year’s hard work, attending all meetings, and getting essential business completed. He also gave a special thanks to Treasurer, Callie Allred, and Secretary, Linda Gosselin.
Dick also expressed a special heartfelt thank you to Arnold and Kathy Tollefson for their hospitality and their help that they have given throughout the year, both personal and financial, and being especially generous with their time and home. He stated that without their efforts and being the facilitators they have been, the PRRPOA would not have accomplished as much as it has this year.
Dick also expressed a special thanks to our party committee, Deborah Raudins, Kathy Tollefson, and Linda Beamon, on a great planning job, arranging the facility, making the invitations, getting the food, and for Deborah’s catering talents.
B. Attendance
Preceding the meeting, registration was conducted. At registration, people were given name tags and those with voting rights signed the attendance sheet (on file with the office of the secretary). Forty-two voting members were present. Total attendance was around 100 people which included families and guests.
C. Website
Callie Allred, Treasurer and Website Manager, was asked to review how to access the PRRPOA website and what information is available on it. Callie encouraged all members to keep up-to-date on Board business and what is happening on the ranch by accessing the website at www.prrpoa.com .
D. Reading of the Minutes
Linda Gosselin, Secretary, read the minutes of the previous general meeting dated 6-4-05. Bill Rader made the motion to accept the minutes as read. Ruby Zeil seconded. Motion passed by universal show of hands.
E. Treasurer’s Report
Callie Allred, Treasurer, read the report, and copies were available to all members at the meeting. Frank Costa moved to accept the treasurer’s report as read. Robyn Whites seconded. Motion passed by a universal show of hands.
F. Recap of first year’s work
1. Matt Allred, Board Member, gave a recap of the 2005 expenditures as follows:
Pine Ridge Ranch Financial Report 2005
Road Maintenance
Grading & Excavation
$9,670.00
149 Hrs
Road base material
$15,802.06
1317 tons
Culvert purchase
$2,500.21
167 Ft. of culvert
Total Road Mtce
$27,972.27
Insurance
$1,452.30
Postage
$89.93
State of Wy.Corp Non Prof
$25.00
Office supplies & printing
$567.00
Legal Fees
$51.57
Bank Charges
$50.00
Balance carried forward
$21,713.11
2005 actual expenses
$30,208.07
2005 over budget
($8,494.96)
2005 outside capitol received
$10,000.00
Bal car ovr 2006
$1,505.04
Dues for 2006
$132.00
# of lots
190
Total Dues
$25,080.00
Uncollected 2006
$924.00
Collected 2006
$24,156.00
2006 Dues Not paid
7 lots
Dick further explained that the significant rains last year washed out many roads making them impassible. Without the generous donation from the developer, Tres Brooks, we would not have been able to fix the roads within our budget.
2. Established two positions of Secretary and Treasurer
3. Acquired indemnity insurance to protect the Association
4. Retained an attorney
5. Renewed non-profit status
6. Revised bylaws and CC&Rs. All items passed except for the swine issue. No swine will be allowed on properties. When new documents are recorded with the county, copies will be available on the website. If you need a mailed copy, you will need to request one from the secretary. Unrecorded copies are available for review at registration desk.
G. Board Members Forum
Arnold Tollefson, Vice President, talked about grazing cattle on the ranch. He indicated that cattle are on the ranch and will continue to be on the ranch to reduce the fire danger. Cattle eat the vegetation thereby reducing the fuel for fires. He indicated that the south and east areas of the ranch need to be grazed, but that the fences and cattle guards are not currently in place. He will be placing these items as he can. Property owners are encouraged to fence their properties if they don’t want cattle on their land. If you fence out the cattle, then you should graze or mow your property. Maintenance of your land is the property owners’ responsibility. Arnold reminded owners to check and maintain their fences each spring before the cattle are released onto the ranch. If members have questions regarding range management on their own land, Arnold stated he will be happy to share his knowledge.
Joseph Ginther, Board Member, talked about weed control along the roadways. Joseph indicated that weed spraying will be done at various times during the growing season to help keep roads clear. The Board is currently looking for contractor bids for this purpose.
H. Nominations and Vote for new board positions
Two nominations were received; Don Beamon and Bill Rader. Don Beamon is an incumbent. Bill Rader introduced himself and told about his background, qualifications, and desire to serve on the Board. Election will be held for the two openings. Don was asked to talk about the picture on the PRRPOA website of his buffalo hunt.
Linda Gosselin stated that according to our bylaws that election should be by secret ballot. However, there are not enough votes attending this meeting to conduct such a vote; 50% of the membership must vote. Zelman Weingarten moved that those present vote by show of hands. Robert Neff seconded. Motion passed by universal show of hands. No opposing votes.
Dick called for show of hands in favor of electing Don Beamon to the Board. All votes approved Don’s election. No opposing votes. Dick then called for show of hands in favor of electing Bill Rader to the Board. All votes approved Bill’s election. No opposing votes. Dick welcomed Don and Bill to the Board. The Board will meet at a later date to elect officers.
I. Call for new business
Dick led a discussion to introduce the idea of proxy voting by the Board for members who do not wish to cast votes for issues related to the Bylaws and CC&Rs. Several members stated their support of proxy voting. Concern was raised that many members who do not live close to the Ranch have difficulty attending the annual meeting. As evidenced with this year’s attendance, it is highly likely that we may not have a quorum attend so that votes can be conducted. The Board was asked to develop a proposal for proxy voting.
Dick then opened the meeting to the members for new business and questions:
1. How do contractors get chosen for work on the ranch?
Dick reviewed how work was done this past year. Due to the urgency of getting roads repaired during the rains, a bid process was not feasible. Two or three contractors in the area were sought, but only one was available and that contractor happened to have the most reasonable rates. As time permits, the Board will seek bids from area contractors. However, Dick related that in this rather remote area of Wyoming, there are not a lot of contractors who are willing to travel here to do work and that we are lucky to have local people who have reasonable rates.
2. What will it cost for road maintenance?
Dick indicated that for the rest of 2006, grading would need to be done about two more times. Based on last year’s rates, the cost is estimated to be around $12,000-$13,000.
3. Does Goshen County have a weed and spray program?
Dick said that Goshen County does have such a program, but that it is available for county roads only. Goshen County is not equipped to handle private roads such as ours on the Ranch.
4. What were the final costs for the Wyrulec power infrastructure job?
Dick related that the final cost for the job was $715,000. Rebates for the amount collected over and above that were sent to participants on May 20th, 2006. If other owners wish to participate, they are more than welcomed to do so. Any monies collected in the future will be rebated to original participants annually.
5. What about mail delivery to the Ranch?
Dick related that he has spoken to the U.S. Postal Service and found that to put a pod of boxes on the Ranch would cost $11,000 and would require a plot of land to meet Postal Service specifications. The Board had decided that with the few people that are currently living on the ranch, this expenditure was beyond the association’s budget. Post office boxes are available at the Ft. Laramie post office.
6. Lot 103 has a road issue.
Dick will meet with the owner after the meeting to discuss.
7. What is the rule for dogs that run loose?
Dick reviewed that the county law does not allow dogs to run loose. He also reminded us that there are many coyotes on the ranch that could kill dogs, cats, etc. He also reminded everyone that per our CC&Rs, owners and guests are allowed on rights-of-way and their own property only. You are not permitted to cross other’s property with horses, ATVs, cars, etc., without permission from each individual owner.
8. Dave Netherton asked if there is anyone who would be interested in joining his legal
action to pursue the issue of being told that power would be available to the ranch when purchasing land. If interested, contact Dave after the meeting.
9. Is phone service and internet service available on the Ranch?
Dick answered: Yes, phone service has been placed on about half of the Ranch. Sprint will place more cable as need arises. DSL is available through Sprint to some locations. You will need to check with Sprint for your particular instance. Internet service is available as well.
J. Date for next year’s meeting is 3rd Saturday, June, the 16th, 2007.
K. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m., mainly because the smell of great food was wafting across the crowd.