SEPTEMBER 2005
Published by FRIPP ISLAND PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
FRIPP ISLAND, SC
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FIPOA
Survey Comments & POA Responses
by Kate Hines,
FIPOA General Manager
The FIPOA appreciates the time and effort each of you took to make comments in the Off-island Affairs Committee survey - over fifty-one pages worth! We want you to know that we have heard you and would like to respond to as many comments as we can. Over the next 3 issues of the Trawler we will print some of your comments and our responses to them. The Security Committee addresses security comments, by far the most we received, elsewhere in this issue.
ROADS: "More attention to dirt roads or pave roads a
little at a time." "Some roads are not paved which makes the place
look dirty especially after it rains." "Dirt roads need better grading
more often." It has been the policy of the FIPOA that paving gravel roads
should be at the expense of the adjacent property owners. The FIPOA will pay for
necessary grading improvements as well as providing administrative assistance
and information to groups of property owners interested in having their road
paved, with the property owners paying for the paving.
A major road contractor grades Fripp's gravel roads once in the
spring and once in the fall each year. In 2005 we began using granite on the
roads for better drainage and compaction. It is our hope that this material will
hold up better than the material we have used in the past. This summer we have
also experimented with using a scraper to make spot repairs in mid summer.
BIKE PATHS: "Need more." "It would be nice to have bike paths in Ocean Creek." "Bike paths need to be trimmed for bikers." The Board has formed a committee to investigate the feasibility of building a bike path from Bonito Road all the way down Ocean Creek Boulevard, to Veranda Beach Drive to the Cabana Club. The committee will report their findings to the Board in October. All existing bike paths are being trimmed back further and up higher for bicycle clearance. If you have an issue with any of the existing paths, please call Tina Reeves at the FIPOA office.
COMMUNICATIONS: "Continue to increase information by email and on website re: storms, immediately before and after storms." "Would be nice if there was a way to get off-island people more involved so they can contribute - we have never been asked to contribute time to the FIPOA - pamphlet for newcomers and others concerning organizations, etc. on the Island would be informative." If you haven't given us your email address for notices, please do so now! Send it to fipoa@islc.net with "add me to the minutes list" in the subject line. Please include your Fripp address. We try to send email out at least monthly with POA meeting minutes and links to other Fripp news. Last year I received many, many thank-you comments about keeping everyone informed about storm status. I just hope we won't need to do that this year. When you purchase property on Fripp, the new owner who receives the bills also gets a new owners' packet. It lists all kinds of helpful information from island clubs and their contacts, to phone numbers for trash pick-up, to rules and regulations and fines. The Off-Island Affairs Committee is in process of putting together the same type of information for all owners to receive once, and then have the ability to get updates, as they are made available.
LAKES: "The air fountain in the Fiddler's Trace ponds is not kept up regularly." "It would be better if all Lagoons had water movement." "Lakes should be more natural - need the cover- song birds need thickets." "What Lakes?" The POA is responsible for maintenance of Blue Heron Lake, Deer Lake, and the Fiddler's Trace Lakes - about 17 acres worth of lake coverage. In January of 2005 we replaced all 7 aerators that we own. Since that time, we have had very few complaints. Once every few years the growth along the edges dies and we send a boat in to pick up all of the dead debris we can possibly remove.
Next issue: Crossovers, Deer, Trash Collection and Yard Waste.
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Free Fourth of July Ride
Fourth of July parade Grand Marshals, Bud and Carrie Catlin, enjoying a free
ride.
Security Committee Reports Comments From Survey of Fripp Island Owners
by Bob Young,
Director of Security
Last fall, a large percentage of property owners replied to a survey prepared and sent out by the Off Island Affairs Committee. The Security Committee has diligently reviewed all of the safety & security comments submitted by the property owners. You can be sure that all your comments have reached all the members of our committee and the members of our Security Department. Your comments will help us shape the Security Department in the future.
The facts are that Security is the only service provided by the POA that is rated over and above what is required to serve the needs of Fripp Island. In the future, we will do our best to provide our Island with the safety and security it demands at the lowest possible cost. The Security Committee divided the comments that were directed at Security into the following groups:
- Budget
- Staffing
- Enforcement
- Appearance
- Demeanor
- Cars & Equipment
- Positive
Budget (66 out of 200+ comments received): Of the 200+ comments
received on Security, a large percentage were related to the budget. The budget
comments were connected to the level of service provided and manpower and
equipment needed to provide the service. A large percentage of the budget
comments stated in one way or another that too much is spent by the FIPOA on
safety and security.
A large majority of property owners want a strong Security
Department to protect our people, property and way of life. However, many have
commented we have gone slightly overboard. Security does not need major surgery.
It needs to be trimmed to meet the needs of our small island.
Prior to the
survey and when preparing the 2004 budget, the FIPOA Board reduced the budget by
$50,000. Also this year, we eliminated one vehicle. The Board has been listening
to the property owners.
Many property owners asked why can't we get some relief
from Beaufort County. This year we invited the Beaufort County Sheriff's
Department, the Beaufort County Administrator and our Council Representative,
Bill McBride to visit Fripp. We asked for help with services or budget relief,
since our property taxes have increased dramatically. The response from our
county government was not good.
There is no money in the county budget to help
Fripp Island. The best service we can expect from our Sheriff's Department is a
minimum of 28-minute response time to emergency calls. It's clear that Beaufort
County does not have the resources to help Fripp with money or coverage by the
Sheriff's Department.
Staffing (27 responses out of 200+ received): Comments related to staffing are tied directly to budget. We received 27 comments regarding staffing and a large percentage of those thought we have entirely too many security officers for such a small island. We have reduced manpower in 2004 from 16 to 15. The Chief has also delayed hiring replacements during winter months so we have seen off-season reductions the past few years. This has given the Chief the ability to return substantial savings to the overall FIPOA budget at year's end.
Enforcement (73 out of 200+ comments): There were 11 positive
comments that supported the current level of Security, appreciated the patrols
and house watches and liked the quick response times. 25 negative comments that
suggested Security is heavy handed, costs too much, has too much coverage in the
off-season, is too hard on teenagers or is inconsistent in enforcement. Some
also complained that speed limits were set too low. 37 comments asked for more
enforcement. These respondents were concerned with golf cart operation, lowering
speed limits in specific areas, underage golf cart drivers, the need for foot
patrols in beach areas and more neighborhood watch programs.
As the island
expands and more tourists visit, the activities of our Security Department must
also expand. We must enforce the speed limits to protect pedestrians and
especially children. Security must be proactive dealing with golf carts. Golf
carts are a disaster waiting to happen with faster golf carts and younger golf
cart drivers. We must have adequate enforcement to protect our property from
vandalism. More tourists and contractors make us more vulnerable to crime.
Demeanor (36 out of 200+ comments): There were 36 comments regarding the demeanor of the Security officers with whom the respondents had had contact. The common theme among negative comments is that Security staff needs to be friendlier, more attentive at the gate, and less militaristic. The consensus is that Security should "calm down" and act like a resort residential community and not a big city. The common theme among positive comments is that Security personnel are courteous and helpful.
Appearance (5 comments out of 200+): The central theme of comments regarding appearance is that black is a bad color and there is a difference between the way police and Security officers should be attired. We have made decisions in the past year to tone down the appearance of Security by changing to khaki colored shirts and silver vehicles. However, we on the Security Committee feel more should be done.
Cars & Equipment (7 comments out of 200+): Most comments suggested that we have too many vehicles and that black is not a desirable color for this island paradise. In the past year we have reduced the number of vehicles from 5 to 4. Additionally, one of the black vehicles was sold and replaced by a silver pick up truck. The truck is 4 wheel-drive so it can go onto the beach. The remaining two black cars have been painted silver. Two comments suggested that there is no need for our Security personnel to carry firearms. With the number of contractors and tourists from every walk of life and the level of crime involved on St. Helena we believe it is absolutely necessary for our SLED approved officers to carry firearms. Officers on gate duty are unarmed except those on the overnight shift.
Positive Comments (47 comments out of 200+): Normally in a survey of this type, you are more likely to hear negative comments than you are positive ones. It is just human nature to remember the bad impressions when responding. We certainly appreciate the positive comments. The Chief and his staff work very hard for the property owners of Fripp Island.
Security on Fripp
Island may seem expensive until crime or disaster strikes. At that time the need
for a well run Security Department is priceless.
Our Security Department enhances our reputation of being a wonderful place to live,
vacation, or invest in. The Chief and his staff deserve accolades for the good job they have done.
The Security Committee will continue to implement changes suggested in the
survey with the help of the new Security chief.
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Fourth of July
Fripp Island's Fourth of July parade brought out big crowds as usual.
Islanders went all out with various themes including "Free the
Flamingos" and
even a few blasts from the past - "The Flintstones" - as well as
some new
characters - "The Fripp Stones" - and the traditional "Red,
White and Blue."
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Stuart Mitchell, Resort General Manager Responds to Survey
by Stuart Mitchell,
General Manager Fripp Island Resort, LLC
The FIPOA General Manager was kind enough to forward us a copy
of the survey that was completed for the FIPOA in November 2004. I was asked to
respond to some of the comments made concerning amenities and the management of
Fripp Island Company, LLC.
The Wardle family acquired the controlling interest
of Fripp Island Company in October 2003, and assumed the management
responsibility for the Company in October 2004. Doug Wardle assumed the position
of President and hired me as General Manager. Most of the survey comments
concerning management of the Resort related to previous management and therefore
cannot be addressed specifically.
The questions and comments concerning
amenities seemed to focus on quality standards of members. An example of this
would be the appearance of dirty swimming pools and closures. To rectify this,
new pumps and filtration systems were put in pools and they were painted and
cleaned up. As of this writing half way into July...none have been closed this
year as a result of clarity or chemical problems.
Restaurants Under New Authority: The survey comments concerning restaurants include; high prices, seasonal closings, and member discounts. In response, Fripp Island restaurants have been placed back under my authority along with a company called Fripp Foodservice, LLC. We have made an effort to see that at least one facility is open from early morning until late evening. As needed, based on usage, additional restaurants are made available. To eliminate future guess work for our members, the hours of operation for each facility will be published in a future company newsletter.
Pricing Comments: Regarding pricing comments; members receive a 10% discount in all of our restaurant facilities (if you haven't received your discount, be sure to ask). In addition, a survey was done with surrounding restaurants and clubs, such as Dataw, Dock Side Restaurant, and many others. It was determined by the Club Advisory Board that our prices were "better than competitive".
Racquet Club Courts Resurfaced: Concerning the Racquet Club; the tennis courts have been resurfaced and the members report that the facility is in excellent shape.
Golf Courses: Concerning the Golf Courses; a substantial investment has been made to install new grass and enhance the design of the Ocean Point course. The Ocean Creek course is maintained to a standard that all members can be proud of. Fripp Island is located in a temperate belt that requires over-seeding to obtain a green look during the winter months. As a result, there will always be a transition period in late spring and early summer. A recent survey of golf course conditions in the Beaufort area found that our two golf courses rated excellent.
Amenity Cards: The single largest issue that seems to be on most
peoples mind is Amenity Cards.
All of the amenities, including the golf courses,
require users to either be a member, or the guest of a member. The membership on
Fripp Island is a "Good Deal". It includes restaurants like the Beach
Club, Bonito Boat House, Cabana Club, 19th Hole, and the newly renovated Ocean
Point Grille (formerly Hugo's). It also includes the Ocean Point and Ocean Creek
golf courses, 8 clay and 2 hard surface tennis courts, 7 pools, plus kid's pools.
The conditions of all the amenities have been improved considerably in
the past eight months. The need for unaccompanied non-members to carry Amenity
Cards for access to the facilities is imperative to maintain the quality of the
facilities and the value of your Fripp Island Club membership. The Amenity Card
program that is in place today may be modified slightly in the years to come,
but will remain for the future. We have come a long way with the amenities. With
the continued support of the members, we will see more and more improvements.
I would like to thank everyone for your support through the past months. It is wonderful being back on the Island. My door is always open for questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact me at (843)838-1568 or come by for a chat. I always have a pot of coffee brewing.
Did You Know?This is the first in a series of information reminders by the General Manager.The Speed Limit on the Inlet Bridge:
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Splinters From The BoardSplinters of The Minutes:The extended parking area at Rock Beauty Road is completed and has space for 15 cars and
10 golf carts. |
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Changes in Commercial Access Fees
by Charlie Davis,
Chair, Commercial Access Committee
In response to the concerns of property owners, the Committee met on June 9,
2005 to discuss two issues.
The first was that the FIPOA Board asked if our
committee would recommend the issuance of decals for contractors for less than a
year [currently commercial decals are issued for a year or vendors/contractors
get through the Security gate by buying daily passes].
The second was whether the Committee - and the Board - could reduce the hassle to
property owners who have deliveries of furniture, flowers, etc. or who are requesting services.
First, a little background: To do away with access fees would require raising
the assessment per property owner to around $85.00 a year; this would be extremely unfair to the majority
of the property owners who are not carrying out major construction/re-construction or do not have a
significant number of deliveries. This impact would be especially unfair to property owners who do not
permanently reside on the Island.
In 1999, an initiative to change the Bylaws to increase the cap on annual
assessments from $450 per year to $700 per year was defeated by voting property owners by 54% to 46%.
In late 2003, the Committee was asked to formulate guidelines on access fees
to find a fair way to have contractors and vendors who make deliveries support the cost to repair the wear
and tear their vehicles do to the roads and bridges.
As a result of comparing commercial access fees with those of our neighboring
gated communities, some fees at Fripp were increased; others were reduced for 2004 and 2005.
But the major work the Committee did was to provide guidelines for simplicity of
enforcement - to ensure that whatever criteria for fees was established - our Security personnel at the
gate could easily determine who had to pay fees and who did not.
I believe that the fee schedule recommended by the committee in early 2004 - with modifications by the Board has had the following benefits:
- It brought order out of the previous ad-hoc set of rules that existed prior to our revisions.
- And it had the cost of services and deliveries fall on those property owners who use them.
As a consequence of the revisions implemented in early 2004, commercial access fees raised
significant funds. This was due to the rise in construction on the island, to the raising of fees for contractors
in 2004 in line with fees of neighboring gated communities, and the setting of clear guidelines as to who
has to pay access fees and who does not.
The total of revenue collected from passes and decals was $215,634. This was almost
one half of our total expenses for road repair and expenses for roads and bridges, which, in 2005, are projected
to be $438,105. Two other items are worth noting:
- Over 57 % of the $215,634 collected was from daily passes. The amount of revenue collected in 2004 was close to $124,000 from daily passes and around $92,000 from annual decals.
- For the first four months of 2005, Security issued 5,688 daily passes to contractors and to vehicles making deliveries. This is almost 1,600 more passes for the same four-month period in 2004 and will total over 17,000 daily passes to contractors by the end of this year - over 70 passes a day when weekends and holidays are excluded. When we consider that many of these passes are requested in the early morning work shift, we all must keep in mind that maintaining simplicity of identification of deliveries or contractors for daily passes is extremely important for the Security personnel.
In light of the above and also to reduce the harassment for property owners, on 11 June, the committee recommended - and the Board adopted - the following modifications:
- Fripp will no longer require access fees for deliveries of flowers.
- The access fee for satellite TV providers will also be cancelled. Sometimes it requires two, three, or four visits from different satellite TV trucks to solve just one problem.
- Finally, the Board voted to reduce the price of an annual decal for commercial vendors and contractors by 50% on Jan 1 of each year. This will give vendors three months of access - from Jan. to April 1 - for half the price of a yearly decal. April 1 again starts the next round of commercial decals at the full price.
The Fripp Island Property Owners Association Board has compared access fees
with
those of neighboring gated communities.
At the Board meeting, the following issues were also discussed:
It is important for the POA to keep letting property owners know that any
time a contractor comes on Fripp to address an emergency - power failure, backed
up septic tank, air conditioning, etc. - then those contractors responding to
such an emergency are exempt from paying an access fee. When calling Security, a
property owner just needs to say that they have a particular emergency and this
vendor is coming to fix it. This will be reiterated on the POA website.
Vendors and service providers who have bought yearly decals will be listed on
the POA website as well as in the handbook that the Off-Island Affairs Committee
is preparing for each property owner. This will only be a listing service, not a
recommendation as to the competence of any vender or contractor.
Vendors may promise "free delivery of goods" but they still must
pay an access fee at gated communities - either by an annual gate fee for a
decal or through a daily fee both of which they generally pass on to property
owners. When calling for deliveries or services - ask if they will seek reimbursement for a gate fee.
Of particular importance is the size of the vehicle making the delivery. One
property owner, who only had a couple of pieces of furniture delivered, had to
pay a delivery access fee of $45.00. The vendor sent the few pieces of furniture
on a 16-wheel truck - which required a $45.00 access fee. The access fee is not
determined by the size of the delivery, but by the size of the truck making the
delivery. It is important for property owners not to be taken advantage of like
this and that the size of the vehicle making the delivery be in proportion to the size of the delivery.
Finally, if a delivery person or contractor shows up at the gate without the
ability to pay the access fee, Security WILL NOT require the property owner to
come immediately to the gate to let the vendor in. Security personnel will allow
the vendor/contractor through the gate if, when contacted by Security, the
property owner indicates she/he will reimburse the POA for the access fee within a reasonable time.
Letters to The Editor |
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Island Clubs
Friends of Music Elect Co-Presidents and Announce The Musical Program for the 2005 - 2006 Season
by Lloyd C. Arnold
The Fripp Island Friends of Music announced the election of Co-Presidents Doug Thompson
and Ethelyn Morrison to serve for the coming 2005 - 2006 musical season and at the same time announced
the artists and schedule for the coming season.
The schedule includes:
Sunday, October 23, 2005
The Zephyr Brass Trio
1. Dr. Jean Martin-Williams - horn; University of Georgia faculty
2. Dr. Moffatt Williams - trumpet; Columbus State University
3. Dr. Mark E. Britt - trombone; Furman UniversitySunday, February 12, 2006
Robin Spielberg Pianist, composer, recording artist.
Spielberg will play a special Valentine ConcertSunday, March 19, 2006
The Brimervian Trio
1. Dr. D. Ray McClennan - clarinet; University of Georgia
2. Dr. Michael Heald - violin; Professor; University of Georgia
3. Dr. Liana Embovica-Rivkin - piano; Professor, University of GeorgiaSunday, April 9, 2006
Janice Martin makes a return visit to Fripp.
Janice plays the violin, piano, sings and dances.A wine and cheese social to give everyone an opportunity to meet and greet the artists
will follow all Sunday concerts.
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Audubon Club Plans Field Trip to Center for Birds of Prey
by Arlene Jacquette
Fripp Island Audubon Club members will have a special treat this
year: a visit to the new International Center for Birds of Prey in Avendaw,
South Carolina. Continuing its mission to enhance members' appreciation of the
Lowcountry's ecosystem and wildlife, the Club welcomes Fripp and Beaufort area
residents to its 2005-2006 programs.
Audubon fall meetings will highlight the results of the
active turtle nesting season and feature photos of recent birding trips in
Alaska taken in July by program director Ben Ten Eyck. A potluck supper
preceding the speaker program will kick off the new season on Thursday, October 27.
Housing over 200 birds representing 78 species, the Center, which will open to the
public in mid-2006, incorporates the South Carolina Center for Birds of Prey and a Britain-based raptor facility.
Club members were thrilled to see at close range a peregrine falcon, Harris hawk and
American bald eagle from the SC center in the Community Centre in 2004.
The Audubon Club meets every fourth Thursday of the month (except November). The $20
(per family) membership dues support groups that protect habitat and conduct nature education. Prospective members
can forward their checks and addresses to Fripp Island Audubon Club, 199 Tarpon
Boulevard. By joining now, they will receive a list of programs planned for the 2005-2006 season.
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Fripp Bridge Club Schedules ACBL Appreciation Games
by Dick Briggs
The Fripp Bridge Club continues to host 8 to 9 tables of bridge
each Thursday morning at 9:45 AM and play until about 1:00 PM.
We have compiled a directory of players. The directory includes names, phone numbers
and e-mail addresses to enable players to get partners and their game convention card clearly in their minds.
Our club is about 100 strong with 65 players from Fripp Island. In June, we hosted
two visitors to Fripp - one of whom actually took a fourth place with a brand new partner - so the game is not
one in which only the more talented and experienced players do well - everyone has a chance by simply
making fewer mistakes than their opponents.
Cliff Rhein, Herman Schmit, Nancy Rhein and Bobbie Inglett won the quartile team of
four championship our 2nd quarter. Linette Strick and Dick Briggs, who never played together, won club Championship.
Come September we will be having ACBL appreciation games - one for all those with less
than 50 master points - another team of four game and again our Club Championship.
To all bridge players on Fripp; we hope you will come on out and try our game.
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Women's Club Cake Walk a Successful Venture
by Judy Hummer
President, Womenıs Club
Thank you, Ladies of Fripp Island, for your generous response to the Fourth of
July "Cake Walk."
We had about 55 cakes that generated $974, and $502 was received in donations
for a total of $1,476.
$1,000 has been pledged to help refurbish the Aubudon
Park at the entrance to Fiddler's
Trace. The remaining monies will go toward the purchase of four new benches in
Fripp.
Thank you for a great start for Fripp Island Women's Club in 2005-2006.
Community
Community Centre News
by Dean Pelley
I can finally declare that the work on the new parking lot has been completed. This has taken many years from inception to completion. The landscaping will add to the beauty of our island. This is a great example of what can be accomplished when we all work together to improve our island. Particular thanks to the Wardle family, Stuart Mitchell, Kate Hines, Don Aldrich, Tom Gioiosa and Jim Yeager.
New residents welcome
To those of you who are new residents or visitors to Fripp Island, we encourage you to participate in any of the Community Centre activities. Particularly popular activities are Tuesday afternoon Bingo at 4:30, Wednesday Vesper Service in the Chapel at 5:30, and Thursday morning Duplicate Bridge at 9:45. There are many other activities such as bridge games on Monday and Wednesday, low impact aerobics, fitness exercise, and Yoga. All of these activities are listed on the back of the Community Centre monthly newsletter. Read our event schedule online at: http://www.fipoa.org/org/cgi-bin/calendar/calendar.pl.
Be at Bingo by 4:15 PM
If you want to play Bingo, please try to arrive by 4:15 to sign in and select your cards. We try to start by 4:30 and the law states that we cannot sell any more cards after play has started.
Book sale successful
The gigantic book sale on July 3 was an outstanding success. Over $700 were raised to benefit the Community Centre and All Faiths Chapel. We thank the Copeland Funeral Home for the use of their tent. They have very willingly set up and taken down the tent free of charge for us on several occasions. Please thank them when you get a chance. Thanks to Sandy Buschur for her countless hours of preparation.
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WELCOME NEW PROPERTY OWNERS
Property Transfers as of 3/16/05 thru 7/28/05
Women's 9 Hole Golf
Wednesday morning at 8:30. We will be playing at the Ocean Point in August and at the Creek in September.
The Banquet was held during the month of August, as several members will be leaving early September.
Rally for the Cure
Good
Summer Fishing and Kingfish Tournament Set
For the 60-day period ending July 11, 2005, we responded to eight cases involving 15 persons, 3 vessels plus
a Jet Ski, including locations from St. Helena Sound, Savannah Wreck to Trenchards Inlet. Two emergencies related to
reported persons stranded on sandbars at Fripp and Hunting Islands. Three of these cases were conducted at night.
There were no injuries or loss of life.
