HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE -- At the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association's November board of directors meeting on Wednesday, David Twiggs sat in the general manager's seat for the last time, as Lesley Nalley will take the helm on Dec. 1.
Twiggs gave thanks to his staff and HSV members for their support during his years as leader, and said, "I'm very proud to say I'm associated with this community." He will continue working with the POA as a consultant for the foreseeable future.
During the board members' comments, Bill Roe commended the organizers and participants of the recent fall festival, saying it was a "job well done" for the inaugural event. And Vice President John Weidert noted the many upcoming holiday events in HSV, encouraging residents to attend.
The consent agenda was unanimously approved, allowing for a pre-order to be made of golf chemicals and the appointment of Dennis Block as a new member of the Lakes Committee.
In her financial report, Nalley said the POA is now doing beta-testing for an online version of annual renewals, which is anticipated to streamline the process for residents.
Nalley said she feels good about where the Village budget is, noting the total operational revenue is 6.79 percent higher than in 2015. Additionally, there is more money in the bank than in 2015, and she said, "Bottom line -- we are making progress."
She gave kudos to Ray Metz and his Golf Department team for making up ground in October that was lost during the poor weather of previous months. She also credited Assistant General Manager Linda Mayhood and her team for the recent POA property auction.
Director George Parker spoke about Lions Club activity, and said the two Village clubs are coming together to build a community garden in honor of the Century of Service celebration that will mark 100 years of Lions Clubs International in 2017.
Under current business, three items were unanimously passed, including the board's meeting calendar for 2017, the 2017 board election calendar, and a culvert rehabilitation project.
For the latter, 10 corrugated metal drainage culverts will be repaired at a cost of $245,000. Concrete will be pumped into the voids below them, followed by application of a high-strength mortar. Minimal interference to traffic is anticipated, and work is expected to be complete by the end of December. The 10 culverts are located between mile markers 10 and 11 on DeSoto Boulevard.
During comments and questions from the audience, one resident who lives on Lake Pineda asked about the problem of aquatic plant growth, saying she has to rake it out in bunches, and that its presence keeps her and other boaters from going to certain parts of the lake.
She said she feels the board hasn't done anything, and asked for action, saying "We've got to take care of our lakes."
The resident also said the monitoring of visitors from outside HSV at the lakes isn't up to par, calling it an "issue that has to be addressed."
A second resident who lives on Pineda spoke after the first, reiterating the concerns.
According to a news release, the POA's Lakes Management team released 250 sterile grass carp into Pineda on Nov. 4 to combat southern naiad weed. This was in addition to the second-phase release of more than 500 carp into Lake Balboa for hydrilla control.
Local on 11/18/2016