With only three board members present, the POA Board of Directors went ahead with its work session on Thursday morning, discussing Branchwood, the Highland's Clubhouse and the fee schedule in preparation for next week's board meeting.
Since Thursday's meeting was a work session, there were no votes taken, but the board members seemed to agree to pay about $33,000 for engineering work that will produce a plan to turn the former Branchwood Golf Course into a park featuring a walking trail.
General Manager Tommy Bailey explained that he has already seen some concept drawings produced by the design firm, Alta, for the area. The concept includes landscaping and picnic areas, he said. The next step, he said, is to determine exactly where the trail will be located.
After the meeting, he explained that the old golf cart trail will not be used because of the flooding potential. Flood waters in August 2013 damaged the cart path and closed the golf course. A new trail route will avoid the lowest areas of the valley.
n CLUBHOUSES -- Bailey also had news for the board about the restaurant located in the Highlands Clubhouse. A lease is being arranged with a restaurateur from Pineville, Mo. Before he can move in, the POA will have to repair the walk-in cooler and the range hood. Bailey said that will probably take at least 60 days.
After the meeting, POA Finance Director Dwain Mitchell said the potential lessee is now operating Red Hills Burgertime in Pineville, Mo. He is planning a full-service restaurant in the Highlands with some homestyle cooking.
Meanwhile, Bailey said he has the plans for the Metfield Clubhouse. It includes both an exercise room and a multipurpose room, as well as a quick-service grill area attached to the pro shop. Membership services will lose some of its space, but since the new software program is simplifying their operations, that shouldn't be a problem.
n FEE SCHEDULE -- Bailey recommended two changes to the fee schedule.
One, taking affect in January 2016, will reinstate the fee to use the stump dump. Bailey said the POA spends at least $60,000 annually to operate the stump dump. There are also additional costs to clean up illegal dumping.
The stump dump fee was waived in order to help builders who use the stump dump when they clear lots, but Bailey said, he didn't believe the stump dump fee was a problem for builders. They are more concerned with the complexity of the Bella Vista permit system then the fee. The board will vote on Thursday.
Also, Bailey said he has received complaints about the family outdoor pool pass. In Bella Vista, a family pass only covers five people, but in nearby Bentonville, a family pass covers six people. Bailey recommended changing the number to be consistent with Bentonville. That change, if approved by the board on Thursday, would take place when the pools open this summer.
General News on 05/20/2015