BELLA VISTA -- About 30 Property Owners Association members attended Thursday when the board backed away from a plan to vote on behalf of 587 lots in the May 20 election.
The discussion began at a work session last week.
The ballots have been mailed for the election which will include an assessment increase as well as four seats on the board. According to governing documents, all lots owners "in good standing" receive one vote per lot. The association owns lots that were delinquent on assessments.
At the work session, General Manger Tommy Bailey said the association cast votes as the owner of empty lots in the 2004 election. That was also an assessment increase and failed.
Chairman Charlie Teal moved the discussion of the association-owned lots to the top of the agenda, before the open forum, explaining the board already received feedback from members who didn't like the idea.
The audience applauded when the board agreed to abandon the idea to vote as owners of the lots.
Other issues discussed at the work session were also re-evaluated at the meeting.
Board member Dave Barfield asked Bailey why there were no plans to replace large monument entrance signs on Bella Vista Way. The signs were dismantled by the association recently and discussed at the work session.
Bailey said he has spoken with companies the association has worked with in the past, but he needs the board to approve spending money on drawings.
Barfield said sign companies would be willing to respond without requiring payment up front. An architect is probably not necessary to design a sign and the project should be completed as quickly as possible, he said.
Chuck Wipf, an engineer from Crafton Tull, was at the session to present a 10-year plan to replace bridges on several golf courses. He said the bridge near Berksdale hole 18 should be first because of flooding damage and it's not safe for heavy equipment.
Conceding a new bridge might have a design that could better withstand flood damage, board member Brad Morris asked for an estimate to repair the bridge. Bailey said repairs are usually almost as costly, but agreed to get the estimate.
NW News on 04/18/2014