Actual surprises at the townhouse association meeting

Most business today at the townhouse association meeting was fairly standard.
The three new board members were seated, Carl Foreman, John Burnett and Carolyn Cox. New officers were elected. Well that was a surprise, last year all new board members were selected for office, this year the same officers were re-elected, president Brent Gray, vice president Jim Bigg, treasurer Larry Siler and secretary Bill Turner. No new blood this go round.
Liaisons were named to the committees, Ida Ferree to standards, control and capital improvements, Larry Siler to finance, Bill Turner to architectural review and Carl Foreman for nominations and elections. Things were going along smoothly until Gray tried to also name Carolyn Cox to standards and John Burnett to finance. According to the by-laws in art. 8 only one board liaison can be named per committee. Former board member Robert Jordan brought up the point of order.
Gray backed down and agreed to have the two attend the committee meetings as unofficial meeting back up. There in case needed for any type of information or relief.
Jordan piped up again in displeasure because he requested an item be added to the agenda of this voting board meeting and it was not. Jordan and former board member Henry Frank requested a letter written by them be read into the record and be on the agenda. After much back and forth dialogue between Larry Siler and Robert Jordan it was agreed the letter would be entered into the record.
The letter is as follows.
"December 16, 9:28 a.m.
To: the HSVTHA board of directors
From: Robert Jordan and Henry Frank
Subject: Notification of THA owners of the use of the association reserve fund for replacement of Guadalajara Courts bridge.
It is agreed that the bridge in Guadalajara Courts at 15 and 17 Reddina Lane must be replaced to eliminate the liability to the THA and the court. It is believed that the current bridge should be considered a total loss and the new bridge is a capital project. Since some $54,000 of the THA reserve funds are being used to pay for this replacement it is also believed the total membership of the association must vote on this as stated in the THA by-laws, art. VI, sec. 12.
The intent of the THA by-laws sec. 12, art. VI requires the owners to be advised and allowed to vote on capital projects over $50,000. It is believed this is an obligation of the board of directors to comply with the spirit of this by-law and to enforce it. It is believed that the owners must be notified that the THA reserve funds are being spent on this project and what the payments schedule with Guadalajara Courts will be to repay the reserve fund. It is believed that the THA owners will support this capital project if it is communicated to them openly and clearly and they are given the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers. To do less will put the directors in a position of be viewed as arbitrary and not acting with the interest of the full association. Many hours have been given by the directors and staff to bring this project this far. To not bring the owners into the confidence of the directors will be counter productive. Please do not put the integrity of the THA board at stake.
It is requested that the signers below be placed on the agenda at the Jan. 4, 2011, board meeting to present this letter and read it into the meeting minutes."
Henry Frank was also in attendance at the board meeting but let Jordan handle reading the letter into the record.
The current board does not plan to bring the matter before the THA owners.
The next voting board meeting is set for Jan. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the THA administrative building on Perralena Lane.