Santa Fe Trail Ranch POA
Regular Board Meeting
November 20, 2004
Sullivan Room – Trinidad State Junior College

Directors: Present Absent
  Bill Wenstrom, President  
  John Albert  
  Bob Dye  
  George Gonzalez  
  Diana Novacek  
  Diane Rader  
  Don Ruward  
  John Sanders  
  Robert Scott  

Guests:  Dave Skogberg, John Woods, Harriet & Fred Vaugeois, Mary Jo & Mike Shelton, Phillip Dunn, Vicki Mumma, Eddie Gieske, Ann Scott, Linda & Chuck Austin, Tom Stephens, Steve Rening, Elaina Smith-Rening, Betty Withington, Tim & Nicole Reidy, Ed Hockett.

  1. CALL TO ORDER – Bill Wenstrom called this meeting of the Board to order at 9:00 AM.
     
  2. PROOF OF NOTICE – Bill Wenstrom gave proof that proper notice of the meeting had been given.
     
  3. ROLL CALL & DETERMINATION OF QUORUM - Seven (7) of the board members were present, which made a quorum and all business official.
     
  4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PRIOR MEETING – Several clarifications were requested.  Don Ruward moved to approve the minutes as amended.  The motion passed.
     
  5. OLD BUSINESS
     
    1. COVENANT CHANGE AND DUES INCREASE – Bill Wenstrom reported the results of the vote.  The dues increase passed with 57% approval of the 236 votes received.  The covenant change did not receive the required level of participation and automatically failed, even though 77% of the votes received were in favor of the change.  Because of the low voter participation and the strong approval percentage, the board is currently investigating the process of using the Colorado Common Owner Interest Act to allow the property owners to regain control their covenants.
       
    2. COMMITTEE CHAIR REASSIGNMENTS – Bob Scott requested that John Albert be appointed as chair of the Road Subcommittee.  Bill Wenstrom moved that John be so appointed and also that Bob Dye be appointed as chair of the Emergency Services Committee.  The motion passed.
       
    3. COMMITTEE REPORTS
       
      1. COMMON AREA
         
        1. ROAD – Work is still progressing as weather permits.  The subcommittee is scheduled to meet immediately after today’s board meeting.
           
        2. RANCHING (GRAZING AND FENCING) – Fencing is still in progress along the border with Vermejo Park Ranch.  Jerry Withington will be finalizing the 2005 grazing lease soon.
           
      2. COMMUNICATIONS – No report was given.  This item will be on the agenda at the January meeting.
         
      3. FOREST MANAGEMENT – Diana Novacek reported that the new committee held their first meeting and that a full report will be posted to the web site.
         
      4. FINANCE – John Sanders moved to accept Diane Rader’s 2004 Year To Date report as submitted.  The motion passed.
         
    4. CBM TASK FORCE – The task force is a group of SFTR property owners that have been researching the issue of coal bed methane drilling in the area.  Dave Skogberg gave a report of the group’s recent meeting with a CBM developer, and John Albert gave a report of their recent trip to Vermejo Park Ranch to see their CBM project.  They agreed to produce a detailed report on their research.  Also, it was suggested that interested property owners download "Oil and Gas at Your Door?  A Landowner’s Guide to Oil and Gas Development".  This 197 page document is available at www.ogap.org.
       
    5. ADOPT 2005 BUDGET – Diana Novacek moved to approve Diane Rader’s 2005 budget.  After some discussion, John Sanders moved to table the motion until Diane is available to provide clarifications.  The motion to table passed.
       
    6. PHELAN LAWSUIT – There was a hearing last week, but we have not received a full report from our lawyer.
       
    7. WEB POSTINGS – The minutes from the October annual membership and board meetings, updates to the board contact list, and future board meeting schedule have been sent to the webmaster for posting.  The revised list of committees and chairs will be sent for posting as soon as possible.
       
    8. SECURITY – No report was given.  This item will be on the agenda at the January meeting.
       
  6. NEW BUSINESS
     
    1. MEETINGS AT FIRE STATION – Future meetings will be held at Fisher Peak Fire Protection District’s Station 3 on SFTR whenever possible.
       
    2. HOLIDAY DOLLARS – The POA intends to participate in First National Bank’s “Holiday Dollars” program.  This will allow property owners to pay annual dues with a low interest bank loan.  For more details, contact POA treasurer Diane Rader.
       
  7. FROM THE FLOOR – None.
     
  8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – There will be a special meeting in December to approve the 2005 budget.  The time and place will be announced prior to the meeting.  The next scheduled meeting of the Board will be January 22, 2005 at 9:00am.  The meeting location will be announced prior to the meeting.
     
  9. ADJOURNMENT – Bob Scott moved that the meeting be adjourned.  The motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 AM.

Submitted by John Sanders, Secretary, on November 22, 2004.