Minutes
Moorings Cluster Association Special Meeting
Reston Community Center Lake Anne
18 March 2002

ATTENDEES: Carolyn Badila, Bill Berkson, Frank Best, Mary Buff, Frank Cahoon, Tim Cohn, Joel Compton, Karen Compton, Jack Corkey Laurie Corkey, Bob Eurich, Barbara Eurich, Sarah Gerould, Jerry Inge, Bill Jackman Joan Kelly, Joel Anne Lambert, Art Lambert, Erik Landberg, Allen Lenz, Pat Lenz, Eveline Marquardt, Mike Marquardt, Carol Matthews, Andrew Nachison, Gaylon Swanson, Stan Wellington

Bill Berkson, President, called the special meeting of the Moorings Cluster Association to order at 7:32 p.m. on March 18, 2002. Twenty households were present.
Assembled members of the Cluster introduced themselves.

MINUTES:
Minutes from the 30 October 2001 Annual Meeting were approved without amendment.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
Bill Berkson reported that, among other Cluster achievements, we got the garbage to work. Apparently things are running reasonably well now.

SECRETARY'S REPORT: (Tim Cohn):
The Moorings Cluster Association has a website: www.mooringsclusterassociation.org. The site is intended to offer Cluster-relevant information, including a FAQ, Minutes from Board and Cluster Meetings (which are password protected: Username and password deleted by webmaster for obvious reasons), Cluster Rules and Regulations, etc. Suggestions and comments are welcome.

TREASURER'S REPORT:
Frank Best presented the current financial status of the MCA. He noted that the Cluster finances are generally fine, although we have taken more money out of capital reserves than expected this year. We spent more on Grounds and Taxes (which was not in the budget this year, but will be next year); less on Insurance, Trash (due to a new contract) and Snow. The cluster paid a one-time tax preparation fee of $750 from the previous year. The Cluster spent $15000 for capital expenditures. Sidewalk repair was the major item (see attachment ). However, total expenditures were in line with the budget. Total cash (plus all reserves) has declined by about 5000 dollars. There is approximately $1000 in interest (earned on CD's since the last statement) that is not recorded on the balance sheet.

SIGN AND SIGNAGE COMMITTEE:
Bill Berkson presented a picture of the new Cluster sign, currently being manufactured by Anomaly Graphics, which is a simplified version of the design presented at the October Annual Meeting. The sign issue has now expanded into a Cluster Sign and Signage Committee, chaired by Ron Taylor, which is considering all signage issues in the Cluster including fire lane signs, house numbers, etc. Bill B. is soliciting suggestions for other thoughts about signage. Sign and Signage Committee will prepare a proposal on signage for the next Annual Meeting. One suggestion from the audience was to move the entrance sign (which directs people to go left or right depending on house number) in front of the flowers so that it will be more visible.

GROUNDS COMMITTEE: (Erik Landberg).
The Committee (GC) will be breaking ground soon on a landscaping project on Moorings (area currently used as dog dumping ground). Most of the work is to be done by volunteers from the Cluster. The original plan, conceived two years ago, called for a butterfly garden. The butterfly garden has been moved to an area beside the totlot, near some dead dogwood trees, and is expected to be completed in the fall. GC welcomes input and assistance from any residents who are interested.

GC has prepared a list of recommendations, which it presented to the Board (the Board will distribute them to the Cluster and put them on the website). GC also wishes to provide NatureScaping, a Reston Association book, to all residents. It discusses why we should prefer native plants to invasives, a new focus of both Reston Association and the National Wildlife Federation.

Survey of Landscaping and Trees (Art Lambert). A lot of our plantings have been ignored, and there is a recognized backlog of work. Art has met with arborists from Northern Virginia Tree Company and others, and has cost estimates for taking care of the trees. Dogwoods are in danger of borers and need treatment. Tree crowns over parking bays need to be cut back. Cherry trees need to be taken down, and there may be a need to cull the crabapple trees near the totlot. The hemlocks are suffering from a disease which we can attempt to control with spraying; however, we are likely to be unsuccessful in the long run. We probably will need to increase the tree budget to accommodate the various needs.

Q: Does all tree work need to be done in one year?
A: No, it could wait for a while, but not much more than the next year or two.

Q: How can we remind members about cleaning up after pets and not feeding wildlife? Could we send a letter from the Cluster Board to known offenders?
A: (Bill B.) Yes. The Board would be the right body to send such a letter. The Board could also consider putting up a sign.

Q: Can we do something about people who feed squirrels? It creates a nuisance.
A: The Board will consider these animal issues, and consider sending letters to offenders. We may need to send letters to adjacent clusters; many offenders are not MCA residents.

FY2002 BUDGET: (Frank)
The proposed budget appears in the third column on the budget sheet (attached ). The income projections assume no change in fees. There was some discussion of various items, including the significant reduction in trash fees. Total proposed expenses: $32711.76. Capital expenditures include: $3000 for Garden areas; $2000 for Capital Assessment (reserve) plan. Total Capital expenses amount to $6,700.

Q: Why use outside people to do reserve plan?
A: Ron Taylor, others, seem to think an independent expert will be able to provide needed guidance.

Q: Why are trees not part of the regular budget?
A: Because they haven't been dealt with for many years. In the future they will be budgeted annually.

Q: Why not increase dues?
A: We're awaiting the professional assessment of reserve needs. Depending on the recommendations, we may make a decision to increase dues.

Q: Are the proposed reserve professionals going to discuss their methodologies?
A: Yes. But we will need to specify the scope of the reserve review, and how it corresponds to the needs of the Cluster.

Q: The major item in the reserve budget is road repair. But that cost will depend on the price of oil, which is very hard to predict. Given the uncertainty, what is the benefit of a reserve study?
A: This is largely correct. However, note the answer above and that the Cluster has already approved the $2000 (see October minutes) to spend on reserve study.

Q: Are we providing adequate funding for the trees?
A: (Art) Three thousand dollars is enough for this year, but we will need to continue for more than one year.

Q: Will $3000 take care of overhanging trees (and corresponding liability issues)?
A: (Art) Yes. However, it will not take care of some trees that are not on Moorings Cluster Association property which might drop branches onto our parking areas.

Q: Have we signed contract for mulch for totlot?
A: (Bill B.) Erin found woodchips for $0.

Q: (Gaylon): Could we fix drainage problem in east corner of totlot before putting mulch in totlot? Otherwise, mulch will run off and make a mess.
A: (Bill B.) Yes. We will try to take care of that before putting down wood chips.

Motion to accept budget without amendment. Second; Passses unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:
Cluster Clean Up Date: April 27. Raindate: May 4. Bill Jackman will be in charge of producing worklist for Cluster Cleanup.
Concern: Intermittent streetlight on Moorings (in addition to non-working light).
Concern: Are lights on Moorings part of the long-term reserve plan? What are costs?

Q: What are dues?
A: $670 if paid by April 1.

Joel Anne asked for, and received, applause for: Mary Buff and Jery Inge for organizing and hosting the recent Cluster Party; the recently-retired Cluster Board; the current Cluster Board; and the new Treasurer.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:35 p.m.

--submitted by Tim Cohn
Moorings Cluster Association Secretary
18 March 2002