The board of directors for the Woodmen Hills Metropolitan District held its regular meeting Nov. 15 at the Community Center West. The board also conducted its budget hearing for 2013.The budget meeting, posted online Nov. 2, allowed for public input before the board approved it. With no comments from the public, the board discussed the budget as presented and voted unanimously to approve the budget and appropriate funds for 2013.Eddie Avedikian, parks and recreation director; and Kendal Zimmerman, program and activities director, presented information on the finalized rate changes that will take effect Jan. 1.According to the Nov. 3 issue of The New Falcon Herald, the previous rate increase proposal would change the system from a punch card system to a flat rate of $29 for unlimited fitness and water aerobics for residents and $39 for non-residents. The Child Watch program would have been separated out into its own program, with a fee of $49 per month for up to two hours per day, with a discounted rate for additional children.After hearing concerns from residents that the increase was too much, Zimmermann said she and Avedikian sat down with concerned residents to determine a compromise. The new system will now mirror the old one with punch cards that residents and non-residents can purchase to allow them access to the programs of their choice.ìWe looked at the last few years and what punch card numbers were purchased to determine what the new system would have,î Zimmermann said. The punch cards can be purchased in 12 or 25 punch amounts, with an expiration date of 30 days from the date of purchase, she said. ìWe got the prices down close to what (the residents) presented to us.îThe board unanimously approved the rate change, and Keith Moulton, board president, said, ìI think this is good because we are creating a better workability with our residents.î Zimmermann said the system will be reviewed in six months.Jan Pizzi, board treasurer, updated the board on the estimate she received from a public relations firm to facilitate better communication with the residents. Jen Barry Productions presented an estimate of $10,000, less than what the 2013 budget had set aside, she said.The board approved the contract with Jen Barry Productions, according to the proposal, in a 3-0 vote. Board secretary Al Kreps recused himself due to a conflict of interest.Gene Cozzolino, interim district manager, updated the board about a water coupon program that the district had set in place in previous years. He said the program provided homeowners with a coupon for a discounted water rate, if their house was less than two years old and they were laying new sod.Problems with the coupon program have occurred because the 2011 water rates are different than the 2012 rates, Cozzolino said. He recommended discontinuing the program and giving credits to anyone who received a coupon but hadnít used it.The board unanimously voted to stop the water coupon program and reimburse anyone with an outstanding coupon.The board heard a presentation from Mark Carlson, president of T. Charles Wilson Insurance Service, regarding appropriate insurance coverage. The board gave Carlson direction to research new insurance companies.
