Home Association Meeting

ODHA Ogden Dunes Home Association 115 Hillcrest Rd, Suite 111, Ogden Dunes, IN 46368 Annual Board Meeting Monday, April 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes Board Members present: Andrew, Karen, Karl, Betsy, Nanc, Phil, Andrew, Michael Andrew called the meeting to order at 6:40 Andrew introduced himself and the agenda. Minutes: Treasurer’s Report 2023: We ended 2023 with 351 members out of 625 households in town. About 51% of town belong to ODHA. Total Income brought in for 2023 was 65,000. Maintaining the park takes 37% of our revenue leaving us with net income of 17,300. Because of this, we needed to go up in membership fees. We currently have 43000 in the bank. Community Fund The Community Fund and the OD Town Council approved two grants We’ll be using one for replacement of the water foundation closest to the road at Kratz Field. We received a partial funding for replacement of community garden beds. The Porter County Community Fund will be distributing funds at the end of April. Active: This software program will allow us to collect memberships and summer camp fees. We are able to use this software for waivers and permissions. We collect emails and can communicate things like summer camp changes – rain, etc. We do not collect cash anymore, but do still take checks at Town Hall. Andrew showed a quick demonstration. Properties owned by ODHA: We own 21 acres in town making us the largest land owners outside of the town. Andrew discussed that there is a small section of town that we are working in partnership with EAB to plant native plants from where we removed invasive species. The OD depot will be placed in one of our spaces, as well potentially moving the shared library. There are 5 accessways that have access to the beach. We are working with the town to open 4 more accessways (6 or 7; 9, 16 and 170, with direct access to the beach. 3 of them will get customizable stairways and one will likely be a normal sand slope. Pollywog Pond; We worked with Karl K for Ogden Dunes to be designated Bird Town – Pollywog Pond will be the area. May 18th is the opening. Soccer Program: Glenn Seerup talked about the program which has been around for 6 decades. Glenn has run it for 11 years. We have kiddie kickers (3-6) as well as traveling teams (U8, U10) competing in the NW Indiana soccer teams playing against teams from 20 area communities. We have had to raise costs, since expenses (referee fees, paint to strip the field) have increased. Glenn made a call for volunteers, especially people whose children are currently a part of the program. He also asked that we spread the word. The soccer club also hosts adult leagues for both men and women. Summer Camp: Deb Pratt discussed summer camp. It will be starting June 17 with four sessions hosting about 36-38 per week. She encouraged people who had youngsters from 3-10 to participate. Deb’s approach is to have children who go through the program level up to be counselors. Eric Kurtz and Trish ensured that counselors are CPR trained. Summer camp partnerships within the community including the police department (play games with the kids) and the Historical Society which will be putting on a program with the kids this summer. The bigger concept for the camp is taking care of the world and kindness for those around us. Community Garden: Michael Bill Smith introduced himself. He is on his 2nd year of managing the gardens. We have 22 plots and 6 community beds (the produce of which goes to the Portage Food pantry). Volunteers help maintain the overall property, and the process is entirely organic. There are three beds available now at $65/member and $100/non-member. We are looking to replace the beds in phases with volunteers. New Business: -Special Announcement: Karen mentioned Mike Webber will be retiring from the Community Fund after over two decades of service. Mike thanked all the individuals with whom he has served. Mike encouraged the town to set a challenge goal to allow the board to create more events/do more things. -Election of Board of Directors: Karen Tallian indicated that the board needed to be elected by a quorum of 5% of memberships. That would be 17 and we have 24 in attendance. Andrew clarified that there is one vote per household. Karen motioned that we vote Phil Hargarten, Andrew Gurshick, Maryann Schaefer, Nanc Ashby, Betsy Marvalis, Karen Talian and Laura Brennan. Karen asked if there are any nominations from the board. Nancy seconded. Andrew asked for a vote. All members voted in favor. -Elect Officers: Nanc Ashby motioned for Andrew Gurshick to be President, Karen Tallian as Vice President, and Maryann Schaefer as Secretary/Treasurer. Mike Weber seconded. All voted in favor. -Pavilion: Andrew talked about building a pavilion to be completed in time of the centennial. Andrew passed out look books to those in attendance. Andrew talked about ODHA’s history. In 1974, we deeded the town the beach and two accessways. Our membership is voluntary because we are not a gated community. Andrew showed examples and explained that we hoped for stone pillars and to have a fireplace. We would create a pre-fabricated model. We are also looking to do a stone path from the pavilion to the bathrooms and upgrade and standardize them. There will need to be updating to electrical, including accommodations for a security system. We currently don’t have hot water for the bathrooms at Kratz and need to have that changed. Andrew also discussed the furniture and accessories we would also have available. The total for all of these ranges from 102K – 175. We are also asking for maintenance money. Andrew discussed donation levels including the possibility of full naming rights. We want it put together in thirteen months for the kick-off for the Centennial. Discussion of rental fees has not yet been determined. OPEN COMMENTS: -Regarding the Pavilion, we were asked what the insurance would be and who would maintain it. ODHA would be responsible for both. -Asked where membership software is and we directed them to the town website -Asked if we would go forward with a. 501c3 for donations. -Luke Brennan thanked the ODHA and the board members. -Barb Schultz mentioned that she though the pavilion was a great idea. Adjourned Karen motioned, Phil seconded. All in favor. Adjourned at 7:46 Meeting adjourned at 7:54. .