Town Meeting – June 25, 2015

Board Members Present:

President Mary Pracht                   Suzie Combs

Vice President Joe Claflin              Sharon Carr

Secretary Diane Jones                   John Coleman

Treasurer John Porter                    Chris Wesson

General Manager James Turner

Board Member Absent:

Larry Hibbs

Information obtained before the meeting began:  Click on the picture to view

Exploratory Committee

Town Meeting adgenda

Meeting began at 6:00pm with the Committee Reports

ACC – Sharon Carr

9 open permits – 3 of these are for houses

Community Standards – Debbie Clement:

   Over grown grass complaints – now mowed.

Trash cans must be put away within 72 hours

Social Committee – Debbie Clement:

This year was the worst in history… obvious that the community does not want organized social functions.  We are forming a 50^th anniversary committee to celebrate in 4 more years. 1969à2019 

Debbie thanked her committee for working hard this year and donating their own money for the activities.

Roads – Bob Jones:  (committee of one / 1) 

Public Relations – Suzie Combs:  Banner to appear at Brick Fest this weekend.

Youth – Kathy DeVilbiss:  $6,000

Want to donate $5,000 toward refurbishing the Tennis Courts.

Treasurer’s Report:

Click on picture to view

More DH members are choosing to pay monthly.  A 10% penalty is added

GM Report – James Turner

• Receiving Bids for Tennis courts
• In need of commercial mower  - current bid $76,000.00
• In need of driver for mower
• Grease Trap bid will be in tomorrow
• Auditor is proceeding / on time for the Annual Meeting
• Lift Gate bid has been passed out to Board members.  See Board meeting Notes

Resident Carl Ward explained his experience regarding road repair and asked for clarification regarding the ‘bidding’ process.

Resident Kenny Pierce asked why are we ‘repairing the same roads / parts of roads over and over again’?

            Fact:  Many DH Roads do not have the proper foundation to ensure road repair longevity.

Resident Ray Massey –It seems to me that the maintenance crew should be spending more time on community property instead of the golf course ‘which serves relatively few members.

Signs out side Diamondhead with the “Open to Public” wordage are the property of DRC and slip covers paid for by the Lion’s Club.

4^th of July Celebration:

• Parade participates will congregate at the swimming pool at 9:30am
• Parade starts at 10:00am
• Lake Hamilton Fire Department will be offering hot dogs and games for the kids at 11:30am
• No Fire Works display – The problems from last year’s demonstration caused the Fire Marshal to deny DH’s fireworks display. 
• No donations received
• Private home fireworks is allowed.

Security~

DH Police Department – Chief Joel Tyner

GM James Turner expressed his thanks to Joel Tyner for his service to our community.  James explained the process he & the Board are going through:

July 2011 Law Suite regarding the Police Department led to the cancelation of insurance coverage.  Ensminger vs. Chambliss/ Nelson vs. DPOA

• The Liability Insurance has put out ‘close to a million dollars’.
• DH was notified on June 18, 2015 PD insurance is cancelled as of July 5th.
• Substantial savings in the budget by eliminating the Police Department
• 21 insurance agents have been contacted for quotes.  One response received:
• $35,000 per year with a $50,000 deductable –
• IF they agree to insure DHPD
• Options being explored:

Private Security at the Gate

Sheriff sub-station

Harp Security

Many stories were told of Joel’s assistance in a desperate time of need.  Many voiced their reason for moving to DH was due to the Security / Police Department.

Some members expressed their desire to pay additional dues to ensure the retention of Chief Joel Tyner and his department.  Others stated the dues & special assessments are already too high. 

Additional Comments:

• Each Board member expressed their appreciation for Chief Joel Tyner and their need for additional answers before they could express their decision. 
• Director John Porter expressed the issue as NOT a matter of additional money but IF any insurance company will insure the DH Police Department.
• Security is NOT where you should make the Budget cuts.
• In the past, we had a security company and, in order to save money, we put up a gate.  
• We must pay for the actions / inaction taken by the Board of 2010
• The stories by residents spoke highly of Joel’s First Responder capabilities.
• A first responder does not need to carry a gun.  It is the gun that requires the high liability insurance costs.
• Garland County police officer stated the response time from the DH Police Department being 4-7 minutes compared to outside police response of an hour + a half – “you’re living in heaven”.
• We need to be looking at our Budget for this possible shortfall.  We should be able to pay for our security –but – this is not possible when our golf course is not being used properly.
• Mary Pracht clarified the request: Are you saying: We need to find the money for security somewhere else in the current budget.  Answer: Yes!

GM Turner stated:  We are still in conversation regarding this issue.  We have many more questions than answers.  There is a very short time crunch to find these answers.

A Special Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1st @ 6:30pm

Meeting ended at 8:36pm

Notes provided by,

Diane Porterfield

adianerdh@att.net

620-3167