(June 30, 2016) About a month after two tie votes stalled a pair of capital purchases related to the Ocean Pines Association golf course, the board of directors met again in special session and passed both by separate 4-2 votes.
Another item, a motion to approve the purchase of a food truck, was not on the agenda despite also previously meeting with a tie vote.
In a seeming game of musical chairs, Vice President Cheryl Jacobs was absent during the previous vote, but present during the special meeting last Thursday, while Director Dave Stevens was present the first time, but absent the second.
That was enough to swing the vote.
The directors approved three Toro fairway mowers, from Turf Equipment Supply for $44,633.34 each, or roughly $26,000 less than what was approved in the budget. Turf also won the bid on a Toro sprayer for $68,224.29, about $8,000 more than what was budgeted.
Tom Herrick and Jack Collins voted against both purchases, suggesting golf management company Landscapes Unlimited had not requested new mowers or sprayers.
Following the meeting, the directors adjourned to a closed session to discuss a contractual matter related to the golf management company.
Last Friday Jacobs, in a phone interview, said the closed session was essentially a “straight-up” one-year review of the company’s performance.
She later sent a written statement about the meeting, addressing both the capital purchases and the food truck.
“Due to a family medical emergency, I was unable to attend the May 26 Board meeting. This was the first meeting I ever missed attending, which was troubling to me, but as much as I love Ocean Pines, family comes first,” Jacobs said.
“I had initially requested we resolve the tie votes on the capital expenditure requests through an electronic vote. After reviewing the video of the meeting, it was clear to me that a special meeting was required to address those items, as well as including a one-year review of the contractual performance of the company that manages our golf course, Landscapes Unlimited.
“After much effort trying to find a date that met all or most of the director’s schedules, a special meeting was held on June 23; only the mowers and sprayer for the golf course were requested for purchase, which passed by a four-to-two vote (Mr. Stevens was on vacation out of the country and unable to attend by telephone).
“While I remain a proponent of the food truck, after my independent investigation I did not feel there was sufficient information to be able to make a decision. There was no capital request for it at the June 23 special meeting or at the regular board meeting on June 25.
“I know there are differing opinions about the food truck, but I am able to see the opportunities that it could provide for the entire community at special events such as Movies in the Park, Concerts in the Park, Big Truck Day, 4th of July celebrations, just to name a few, as well as food service at Mumford’s Landing family pool, that is currently lacking. There is no denying the popularity of food trucks, which are now even becoming franchised.”
Another item, a motion to approve the purchase of a food truck, was not on the agenda despite also previously meeting with a tie vote.
In a seeming game of musical chairs, Vice President Cheryl Jacobs was absent during the previous vote, but present during the special meeting last Thursday, while Director Dave Stevens was present the first time, but absent the second.
That was enough to swing the vote.
The directors approved three Toro fairway mowers, from Turf Equipment Supply for $44,633.34 each, or roughly $26,000 less than what was approved in the budget. Turf also won the bid on a Toro sprayer for $68,224.29, about $8,000 more than what was budgeted.
Tom Herrick and Jack Collins voted against both purchases, suggesting golf management company Landscapes Unlimited had not requested new mowers or sprayers.
Following the meeting, the directors adjourned to a closed session to discuss a contractual matter related to the golf management company.
Last Friday Jacobs, in a phone interview, said the closed session was essentially a “straight-up” one-year review of the company’s performance.
She later sent a written statement about the meeting, addressing both the capital purchases and the food truck.
“Due to a family medical emergency, I was unable to attend the May 26 Board meeting. This was the first meeting I ever missed attending, which was troubling to me, but as much as I love Ocean Pines, family comes first,” Jacobs said.
“I had initially requested we resolve the tie votes on the capital expenditure requests through an electronic vote. After reviewing the video of the meeting, it was clear to me that a special meeting was required to address those items, as well as including a one-year review of the contractual performance of the company that manages our golf course, Landscapes Unlimited.
“After much effort trying to find a date that met all or most of the director’s schedules, a special meeting was held on June 23; only the mowers and sprayer for the golf course were requested for purchase, which passed by a four-to-two vote (Mr. Stevens was on vacation out of the country and unable to attend by telephone).
“While I remain a proponent of the food truck, after my independent investigation I did not feel there was sufficient information to be able to make a decision. There was no capital request for it at the June 23 special meeting or at the regular board meeting on June 25.
“I know there are differing opinions about the food truck, but I am able to see the opportunities that it could provide for the entire community at special events such as Movies in the Park, Concerts in the Park, Big Truck Day, 4th of July celebrations, just to name a few, as well as food service at Mumford’s Landing family pool, that is currently lacking. There is no denying the popularity of food trucks, which are now even becoming franchised.”