Community Forum January 13, 2024

On Saturday January 13, 2023, a Community Forum was held at the Cinco Ventanas residence of Gloria Verret who graciously hosted the event. Our Community Forums are open to all Associates and all other Community Members and provide an opportunity for in-person interaction between Board of Director members and attendees, with an open discussion on all topics with and between property owners and residents.

Here are the Forum highlights for those that couldn't attend:

1) As at all our events, a Zoom link had been sent out for those who might wish to attend virtually. Unfortunately, a neighborhood-wide electricity outage prevented us from doing so.

2) A December 2023 Road Work report was given: 7 contractors were contacted for bidding on the Road Work Committee assessment and again, Emilio Campos was chosen as the Contractor. Based on the RWC assessment, which is posted on CVF8.org, the BOD had authorized $18,500 total for roadwork, and it was completed for a total of $18,231. This included 9.5 hours of backhoe, 51.5 hours of road grader (side material recovery and material leveling), 51.5 hours with the vibrating compactor, 13 loads of base road material and 36 loads of top material. Residents will observe a considerable “crowning” or raised center on many sections of our roads this year - the continual recovery of past material as well as the careful and continued placement of new material will allow us to achieve more “crown” every season on more sections which is very beneficial for erosion control. A big thank you was extended to everyone on the RWC for their planning and "boots on the ground" to supervise the recent roadwork. This is important to be sure that the desired work outcome is achieved and to control costs by verifying loads of material delivered and equipment time. Thank you to Ross, Oliver, Clyde, Will, Garth, Bill and Matt!

3) The situation regarding the slide-area of concern (above image) located on lower CV road was discussed. There has been a noticeable continuation of material loss from the edge of the roadside after the work was performed by the Costa Rican CNE. After having received several estimates and having priced materials the Road Work Committee recommends that a) at the current time due to instability in the soil any placing of landscaping cloth “saran” or plants on the slide area of lot CV-41 should wait until closer to the end of the dry season b) material and labor was authorized to install concrete posts to signal vehicle traffic to move away from the road edge, and c) the area is a work in progress and the RWC will continue to monitor and assess the site as work continues with the goal to place saran and plants as soon as feasible.

4) A Financial Report was given: In summary as of January 8, 2023, fundraising this year has raised $30,564. Currently, the CVF8 Association has $5243 in funds in the bank account with Banco Nacional. These excellent results have been due to a near continuous fundraising effort which began at the beginning of our Fiscal Year of April 1, 2023, and the continued support of our community. A Treasurers Report has been posted in the Members section of CVF8.org. Some expenses, as well as fundraising and collecting fees continue until March 31st and the Annual Treasurers Report will be presented and published for the approval of the Annual Assembly of Associates.

5) A Membership Report was given: Since the August 2023 Forum, an additional 12 new Associates have joined us for a current total of 86 Associates. As fundraising continues, a membership report will be updated for the Annual Assembly in March.

6) 2024 Annual Assembly of Associates: This year both an Extraordinary and Ordinary Assembly will be co-convened to occur at the same time. Our bylaws provide for one Assembly for elections and one Assembly for modifying our bylaws, hence why we had an Assembly on March 18, 2023, and then had to have a second Assembly on March 29, 2023, last year. This year, after a Presidents and Treasurers Report are presented, the first order of business will be to submit a proposed Amendment to the Associates to modify our bylaws to enable the Annual Ordinary Assembly, which is to be held every March to elect positions to the BOD and modify bylaws. The Extraordinary Assembly which may be convened by the President, Secretary or Fiscal, may elect positions to fill permanent vacancies and modify bylaws, and would only be called to order for a situation that cannot wait until the Annual Ordinary Assembly if necessary. Other bylaw amendments have been proposed or are under discussion for submission by our members. If you are an Associate and you would like to propose a bylaw amendment, please contact any member of our Board of Directors listed on CVF8.org to submit a proposal.

7) Elections: The positions of Vice President, Treasurer, Vocal 2, Vocal 4, Vocal 6 and Fiscal are open for nominations to be elected to a 2-year term. Jan Dwire, Donna Foster Hoffman, Anne Sylvestre, Will Bissell, Lin Lang and Kristen Massey have served in those positions since 2022. A great amount of appreciation was expressed in gratitude for those Associates that have devoted time and effort into improving our community. Currently, Donna has been re-nominated to continue as Treasurer, and Bill McSpadden has been nominated for the position of Vice President. If you are an Associate and you would like to nominate or be nominated for any available position, please contact any member of our Board of Directors at CVF8.org.

8) Announcement: After serving our community for 13 years, Ross Baldwin has announced his retirement from overseeing the annual road work, most recently as the Chair of the Road Work Committee since 2022. Thank you Ross! Submissions to join our Road Work Committee or our Community Committee may be submitted at any time by contacting any member of our Board of Directors at CVF8.org.

At the conclusion of the Forum, everyone shared in a cornucopia of various potluck and finger food treats those in attendance had brought. It was truly a feast and shared amongst good neighbors! If you are a long time resident or a newcomer, please plan on attending the next Community Forum with us, all are welcome!

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please send them to info@cvf8.org