FLOSA JUNTA MEETING MINUTES / MONTHLY December 2024
1. ASADA / WATER RESOURCE COMMITTEE / Matt
Issue discussed: Marcus is interested in provistas for La India and wants the water to come from the Finca. The junta believes we should not consider giving water outside the community until we have fully built out all the lots given that there are sometimes shortages already during the high season.
We may need to drill a new well to replace well 3 because of high turbidity which is triggering high maintenance. There is an ASADA meeting on Friday which Hans-Juerg will attend.
Decision:
Action: None needed
Person responsible: Philippe, ASADA President Deadline:
2. ROADS COMMITTEE / Need new volunteers
Issue discussed: Discussion on road conditions and next year’s budget to make further improvements. Hans-Juerg suggests increasing the allocated amount to $ 15.000 in 2025. We need a new Road Committee member since Jordi has left the finca. The junta is talking to Matt and Jeff to join the junta board in 2025.
Decision: contact Matt and Jeff
Action:
Person responsible: Hans-Juerg / Wolf Deadline:
3. FINANCIAL COMMITTEE / Hans-Juerg Schmid
Issue discussed: 4 houses have not paid. One owner only paid $1500 instead of the $2K that was agreed on. Also, several people paying from abroad had bank fees deducted from their payments which made for underpayments. This will cause a lesser donation to the Asada. There are several lot payments missing.
Decision: Hans Juerg continues to work on the outstanding payments
Action:
Person responsible: Hans-Juerg Schmid Deadline:
4. SOLOID WASTE & RECYCLING COMMITTEE / Mannix O’Connor & Matt
Issue discussed: New signs have been placed. It has been decided to install a camera. No other news or complaints. Recycling containers are too small, and all users need to compress aluminum and plastic cans/bottles to save space. Lalo’s son Austin is paid to clean the area but hasn’t been as diligent as we might like. Also, Matt and Mannix clean up regularly.
Decision: make all members aware of the recycling guidelines again through the WhatsApp group and website. The PDF flyers should be available / posted in all houses to also reach guests.
Action: install a camera / send the recycle guidelines again and post them on our website
Person responsible: Communications Committee Deadline: before end of January
5. NATURE RESERVE COMMITTEE / Axel Groh & Sam Kohn
Issue discussed: Axel and Sam will present a proposal to start improving the nature reserve.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Axel Deadline: November 30th
6. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE / Sarah Mountford, Liljana Groh, Mary Kohn
Issue discussed: Website document update for the FLOSA Property Guidelines. Changes will be made on the website, and the community will be informed to read them prior to the members’ meeting. Going through this document at the meeting would take too much time.
Decision: rework the guidelines
Action: junta members are commenting on changes
Person responsible: Liljana Deadline: before January meeting
7. SECURIOTY COMMITTEE / Laura Haim
Issue discussed: Laura has agreed to prepare an overview of the security situation for the members meeting
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Laura Deadline: January 22nd
8. LEGAL COMMITTEE / Wolf Ebel
Issue discussed: no updates).
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
OTHER ISSUES:
Marcus wants 10 minutes at the meeting to discuss getting water rights for La India and his new lots.
January Junta Meeting agenda (in no specific order) / Location will be announced soon.
1) Asada:
a. Marcus / water rights / development update
2) Board members – need 2 new board members. No one has volunteered after the last WhatsApp post asking for volunteers.
3) Roads
4) Treasurer’s report
5) Trash and recycling report
6) Nature reserve committee
7) Communications committee – website / meeting minutes updates
8) Security committee
9) Legal updates – none
10) North gate does not have water and electricity, so cannot move forward.
Attending Board Members: Liljana Groh, Hans Schmid, Wolf Ebel, Sarah Mountford, Mary Kohn
Special guests: None
FLOSA JUNTA MEETING MINUTES / MONTHLY November 2024
1. ASADA / WATER RESOURCE COMMITTEE / Matt
Issue discussed: Nothing new from the ASADA.
Decision:
Action: None needed
Person responsible: Philippe, ASADA President Deadline:
2. ROADS COMMITTEE / Jordi
Issue discussed: Roads for 2024 are finished. We need cost and next phase for 2025.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
3. FINANCIAL COMMITTEE / Hans-Juerg Schmid
Issue discussed: Preliminary budget for 2025 to share with the HOA prior to the meeting. 4 houses have not paid yet.
Action:
Person responsible: Hans-Juerg Schmid Deadline:
4. SOLOID WASTE & RECYCLING COMMITTEE / Mannix O’Connor & Matt
Issue discussed: Email from Mannix suggesting proposal on fixing receptacles. Signs provided by Sarah have not been put up yet.
Decision:
Action: Set up a call with Mannix and Matt
Person responsible: Wolf Deadline: before end of November
5. NATURE RESERVE COMMITTEE / Axel Groh & Sam Kohn
Issue discussed: Axel and Sam will present a proposal to start improving the nature reserve.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Axel Deadline: November 30th
6. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE / Sarah Mountford, Liljana Groh, Mary Kohn
Issue discussed: updating the community description, best methods for communication with all FLOSA members.
Decision: reaching out to members through our website and the community WhatsApp group to ask for issues / proposals for our annual members meeting in January. The submittal deadline is November 30th
Action:
Person responsible: Sarah Deadline: ASAP
7. SECURIOTY COMMITTEE / Laura Haim
Issue discussed: no updates
Decision: reach out to Laura if there are issues to be discussed and updated
Action:
Person responsible: Wolf Deadline: ASAP
8. LEGAL COMMITTEE / Wolf Ebel
Issue discussed: Sarah to drop by Liberia to give signature first week of Jan. and Wolf will do it after Jan. 14th and bring the books to the meeting. The shares and other legal documents from trust are still with Cordero / Mariana and will stay in their safe until we decide about a lawyer in Nosara (closer).
Decision:
Action: None
Person responsible: Wolf / Sarah Deadline: Dec/Jan
OTHER ISSUES:
Upcoming Finca meeting – we have the standard agenda, plus common items that Mannix supplied (Nature reserve shares), Volunteerism of the board and as a community, . We need 1-2 new members on the board – if anyone is interested in serving then they need to please reach out to Wolf or Sarah to express their interest. Discussion re: the best way to get people to provide topics ahead of time.
Each committee needs to give a 5 minute presentation and also to prepare their budget (if requested) and recommendations ahead of time to Hans Juerg (actually within November).
Any new property sales?
N. Side Gate. – North side will have a meeting separately to discuss gate, potential costs, etc.
Are there any other lots without electricity and water provided by the developer?
Attending Board Members: Lilijana Groh, Hans Schmid, Wolf Ebel, Sarah Mountford, Mary Kohn
Special guests: None
FLOSA JUNTA MEETING MINUTES / MONTHLY September 2024
1. ASADA / WATER RESOURCE COMMITTEE / Matt
Issue discussed: Nothing new from the ASADA.
Decision:
Action: None needed
Person responsible: Philippe, ASADA President Deadline:
2. ROADS COMMITTEE / Jordi
Issue discussed: Lalo expressed concerns with Lalo not getting along with the truck drivers. Lalo needs a „boss“ on the job who has more authority, that would have made the process smoother. Unfortunately Jordi was not available that day due to the delays on getting the work done. Jordi walked the neighborhood with Keith first, and they decided where the roads needed to be repaired most urgently. Lalo supervised in case there were any issues but there shouldn’t have been a need for more oversight. The final product matches the expected plan and only went over budget by one load of luster. Members on site report that the roads are in much better shape.
Decision: Keith did a great job and we should solicit bids for the work next year on both the north and south sides so it can get started more quickly and continue to build up / improve the boards.
Action: Hans Juerg will request the pipe map from the ASADA at the next meeting.
Person responsible: Jordi Deadline:
3. FINANCIAL COMMITTEE / Hans-Juerg Schmid
Issue discussed: A few houses haven’t paid, a few more missing payments have come in since our last meeting.
Action:
Person responsible: Hans-Juerg Schmid Deadline:
4. SOLOID WASTE & RECYCLING COMMITTEE / Mannix O’Connor & Matt
Issue discussed: No updates but will have this topic on our next meeting agenda.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
5. NATURE RESERVE COMMITTEE / Axel Groh & Sam Kohn
Issue discussed: No updates
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Axel Deadline:
6. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE / Sarah Mountford, Liljana Groh, Mary Kohn
Issue discussed: The guideline text still needs to be updated / reviewed on our website.
Decision: Sarah / Lilly, Mary will regroup on this after Sept. 20th.
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
7. SECURIOTY COMMITTEE / Laura Haim
Issue discussed: No updates
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
8. LEGAL COMMITTEE / Wolf Ebel
Issue discussed: Wolf and Sarah need to go to the offices in Liberia and get a signature in before 1/14.
Decision: Wolf will then bring the books to the meeting and then we could consider switching to a new lawyer.
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
OTHER ISSUES:
There was conversation on the WhatsApp group regarding a new lot being cleared on Markus’ land. We asked for feedback from the members on this activity in the WhatsApp group. With little or no feedback from the members, we do not have a mandate nor a legal case to pursue this issue since it is on Markus private land. The board members want to express our wish to all members to inform the board upfront about construction activities that affect the finca community. This way no one is wondering or speculating about what is happening.
If anyone in the community is interested in joining the Junta board, please let Wolf know of your interest.
Attending Board Members: Liljana Groh, Hans-Juerg Schmid, Wolf Ebel, Sarah Mountford, Mary Kohn, Jordi Rivera
FLOSA JUNTA MEETING MINUTES / MONTHLY August 2024
1. ASADA / WATER RESOURCE OMMITTEE / Matt
Issue discussed: Systems are working well, no issues at the moment. Low season and not as much water usage, so fewer problems. No update at this meeting on the pump that’s been problematic.
Decision:
Action: None needed
Person responsible: Philippe, ASADA President Deadline:
2. ROADS COMMITTEE / Jordi
Issue discussed: Per Jordi, to improve the roads in the future on the south side, may need some culverts to properly drain water and not erode the roads. South side roads are nearly complete and in pretty good shape right now. North side roads are finished except for compacting.
Decision: Thank you to Jordi and Mannix for overseeing / managing the road projects!
Action:
Person responsible: Jordi Deadline:
3. FINANCIAL COMMITTEE / Hans-Juerg Schmid
Issue discussed: Reminders were sent personally to all who haven’t paid. Most people are making promises to pay or have paid. The FLOSA has not yet made the donation to the Asada but will do so before the end of the year.
Action:
Person responsible: Hans-Juerg Schmid Deadline:
4. Solid Waste & Recycling Committee / Mannix O’Connor & Matt
Issue discussed: Working on new receptacles, Sarah brought new signs down, but Mannix hasn’t gotten them up yet as he is out of the country. Area reportedly looks pretty clean right now. It is the low season which helps this situation.
Discussion re: camera options.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
5. Nature Reserve Committee / Axel Groh & Sam Kohn
Issue discussed: No updates
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Axel Deadline:
6. Communications Committee / Sarah Mountford, Liljana Groh, Mary Kohn
Issue discussed: Liljana will make a few updates to the website. Finca guidelines and story re: the trust, needs to be reviewed by the board members to make sure it is correct.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
7. Security Committee / Laura Haim
Issue discussed: No updates
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
8. Legal Committee / Wolf Ebel
Issue discussed: Perhaps change lawyers so that our books and attorney’s are closer than Liberia. To be discussed further.
Decision: .
Action: No immediate action required.
Person responsible: Wolf Deadline:
Other Issues:
N side gate: Needs electricity option for the gate there, as well as water for the plantings. To be revisited in January when more homeowners are there.
New board members
Attending Board Members: Liljana Groh, Hans Schmid, Wolf Ebel, Sarah Mountford
FLOSA JUNTA MEETING MINUTES / MONTHLY July 2024
1. ASADA
Issue discussed: The President’s report came out and described in more detail the issues with well 3.
Some remedies were tried, but the issue is still not 100% solved. Funds are available should a new pump be required. Residents on Mariposa have very little water pressure. The president of the ASADA should be notified.
Decision: No urgent action required
Action: Wolf will follow up with Philippe to get more information and inform of some residents who experience very little water pressure.
Person responsible: Deadline:
2. ROADS COMMITTEE
Issue discussed: Lastre has not yet been laid down on the south side. Jordi reported that contractor’s equipment issues have still not been resolved. Roads on north side are in good condition, and the south side roads are, for the time being, in decent shape.
Decision: Jordi should continue to direct the contractor to either complete the job or perhaps find another source for the lastre supply.
Action: Hans Juerg will speak to Jordi
Person responsible: Jordi Deadline:
3. FINANCIAL COMMITTEE
Issue discussed: Cash in the bank is currently $33,000, however the donation to the ASADA has not yet
been made.
Action: No urgent action required
Person responsible: Hans Juerg Deadline:
4. Solid Waste & Recycling Committee / Mannix O’Connor & Matt
Issue discussed: Discussion ensued regarding a suggestion made to start a solid waste/recycling center on the south side of the finca. We would need to ensure that the municipality agrees to pick up waste at an additional location prior to setting up a new waste/recycling center. Also, it was brought up that there does not seem to be a good location for a new waste/recycling center.
Decision: It was decided that we should resolve the issues on the north side before we start a new
waste/recycling center.
Action: Wolf to reach out to Mannix and Matt to see what the current status is after last meeting
Person responsible: Deadline:
5. Communications Committee
Issue discussed: Secretary or communications committee should put out a notice to the community to fill the vacant Junta position, in particular, involvement from a member who resides in the finca for most of the time.
Decision:
Action: Secretary/communication committee to draft a note for approval
Person responsible: Deadline:
6. Legal Committee / Wolf Ebel
Issue discussed: Wolf has been in touch with the lawyers. The minutes from the annual meeting were signed and submitted, however it needs to be entered into the legal books. Legal books are presently being kept by Cordera in San Jose making logistics more complicated than need be. Also, Cordera was used specifically for the trust agreement which is no longer valid. Perhaps we could switch to a local legal office. Andres Gonzales in Nosara was suggested.
Decision: . Changing legal offices is not urgent, but might make sense to do when the next opportunity arises.
Action: No immediate action required.
Person responsible: Wolf Deadline:
Other Issues: It was reported that there were fallen electrical cables. Anyone who sees a fallen electrical cable should call Coope Guanacaste immediately to report the location of the fallen cable. This is not strictly a Board responsibility, rather any member of the finca can phone directly.
Attending Board Members: Liljana, Wolf, Hans, Mary
FLOSA JUNTA MEETING MINUTES / MONTHLY June 2024
1. ASADA / Water Resource Committee / Matt
Issue discussed: Pending Presidents report from the ASADA.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Philippe, ASADA President, Deadline:
2. Roads Committe / Jordi Rivera
Issue discussed: One of the machines wasn’t working so the south side roads are not yet fully fixed. Pipes are still exposed. The road outside the south side is very bad. The municipality has damaged it.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Jordi, Deadline:
3. Financial Committee / Hans-Juerg Schmid
Issue discussed: Hans-Juerg sent reminders via email and now we are up to 60% paid. We still need to make the ASADA contribution but that can wait – maybe the exchange rate will improve some. Next reminders will go out in August. Tax declaration has been filed and paid. If any finca members has an inactive company, Hans-Juerg believes that they have to pay this as well.
Action: Reminders to pay dues will be sent again in August.
Person responsible: Hans-Juerg Schmid, Deadline: August
4. Solid Waste & Recycling Committee / Mannix O’Connor & Matt McFerran
Issue discussed: Matt and Mannix joined. People are using the bins that do not appear to be finca members. Mannix reports that the cost for a sign is around $1500-1900. There are not enough receptacles for all of the recycling and garbage. Plastic fills most rapidly. Looking at organizing the area. $700 for additional containers. Lids that we currently have work but maybe could be improved upon. Sarah will bring a video surveillance sign in late June and will look at a no-dumping sign as well. Also consider putting up a rope with a No trespassing sign on it.
The budget might be able to accommodate this, as long as enough members make their donations.
A future step might be to build a cover over the area.
Decision: Sarah will bring a few signs and coordinate placing them with Matt.
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
5. Nature Reserve Committee / Axel Groh & Sam Kohn
Issue discussed: No updates
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Axel, Deadline:
6. Communications Committee / Sarah Mountford, Lilijana Groh, Mary Kohn
Issue discussed: Faster distribution of minutes and distribution of that communication.
Decision: Mary and Lilijana will work with Sarah to distribute minutes to the finca / get them on the website. Sarah has had difficulty with her computer.
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
7. Security Committee / Laura Haim
Issue discussed: No updates
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
8. Legal Committee / Wolf Ebel
Issue discussed: Mariana hasn’t been responsive to the emails and Wolf has followed up with her.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
Other Issues:
We will need a new board member next year and would like it to be someone local. Wolf will message the neighbors to find out if anyone is interested.
Attending Board Members: Wolf, Hans Huerg, Liljana, Mary, Sarah, Jordi
Special guests: Mannix O’Connor, Matt McFerran
FLOSA JUNTA MEETING MINUTES / MONTHLY May 2024
1. ASADA / Water Resource Committee / Robert Hanson liaison / Matt?
Issue discussed: Well #3 continues to have issues. Philip and Zuleika have concerns that the well is only pumping sediment and requiring a lot of maintenance to clean filters. The new pump is not working any better. The next ASADA meeting is next week and Hans Juerg will report back after that. Well 2 is the backup but there may not be enough water in the dry season for the current lots on the South side.
Decision:
Action: follow up after the next meeting, waiting for ASADA to make recommendations.
Person responsible: Hans Juerg & ASADA board. Deadline:
2. Roads Committe / Jordi Rivera
Issue discussed: North side: The lower part was fixed with donations from North side. Lastre has been applied and there is a compactor working on it today. Upper part: Lastre and distribution should be completed this week.
South Side: Jordi will see how the work is done on the North side and t hen determine who to best use for the South side.
North side gate: No water at the North side. Very difficult to water plantings there and keep them alive. Also no electricity at that gate location.
Decision: In the future it would be better to have one company / group managing the entire project for both sides.
Action:
Person responsible: Jordi / Liljana Deadline:
3. Financial Committee / Hans-Juerg Schmid
Issue discussed: April was the deadline for HOA fees to be paid. Only 40% have paid. We need the money this year in order to cover bills, but without the owners paying their dues we may not be able to fund all of our needed ASADA and roads projects for the year.
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
4. Solid Waste & Recycling Committee / Mannix O’Connor & Matt?
Issue discussed: Great deal of conversation on the whatsapp group regarding the recycling committee. Invite Mannix and Matt to meet with Wolf to make their recommendations and prioritize them. Lili suggests a sign that says “only for FLS members.”. Putting up a camera is a good option as well to enforce compliance with recycling rules. Mary could have a sign made in June if that is desired.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
5. Nature Reserve Committee / Axel Groh & Sam Kohn
Issue discussed: No new items.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Axel Deadline:
6. Communications Committee / Sarah Mountford, Liljana Groh, Mary Kohn
Issue discussed: Website updates and improvements made earlier this month. Improved navigation. In the last 2 months we have had 29 visitors to the website.
Decision: Will continue to discuss the website functionality with members and use it for posting information.
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
7. Security Committee / Laura Haim & Robert Hanson
Issue discussed: New whatsapp group for posting any issues / crime in surrounding neighborhoods. Reach out to Laura Haim to join. Security committee could discuss and make recommendations for the gate codes / how to handle those (should they be publicly posted).
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
8. Legal Committee / Wolf Ebel
Issue discussed: No new items.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
Other Issues:
Attending Board Members: Jordi, Liljana, Wolf, Hans, Mary, Sarah
FLOSA JUNTA MEETING MINUTES / MONTHLY April 2024
1. ASADA / Water Resource Committee / Robert Hanson liaison / Matt?
Issue discussed:
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
2. Roads Committe / Jordi Rivera
Issue discussed: Mannix and Lili discussed, a quote to fix the N side road from the 106 to Lili’s gate. Flosa can do the steep part twoards the top. North side can gather a donation for the lower side of the North side main road. It is urgent to get the roads repaired before the rains come.
Decision:
Action: Jordi is getting a final quote and schedule for starting so we can move forward prior to rains starting.
Person responsible: Jordi / Lilly on the N side Deadline:
3. Financial Committee / Hans-Juerg Schmid
Issue discussed: Hans Juerg is not present but provided this email update: (insert here)
Decision: Still need members to pay as soon as possible (By April, in order to remain a member in good standing) so that we can get the roads repaired and make our donations to the ASADA.
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
4. Solid Waste & Recycling Committee / Mannix O’Connor & Matt?
Issue discussed:
Decision: Mannix and Matt will be invited to the next quarterly meeting
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
5. Nature Reserve Committee / Axel Groh & Sam Kohn
Issue discussed: Axel and Wolf have discussed. This project may need to wait until next year due to availability of funds.
Decision: Postponing for the time being
Action:
Person responsible: Axel Deadline:
6. Communications Committee / Sarah Mountford, Liljana Groh, Mary Kohn
Issue discussed: Communication options for Committee members to join the monthly calls. We will invite non-Junta members on specific committee issues for part of the meeting to share on their committee. Perhaps on a quarterly basis.
Website: The purpose of the website is to allow for transparency to the community. We will give an overview of the new website to the community at the next meeting.
Decision: Minutes will be posted on the website after each meeting. Committee Chairs will be invited to join the meeting every quarter and provide their quarterly reports.
Action:
Person responsible: Sarah Deadline: after each meeting
7. Security Committee / Laura Haim & Robert Hanson
Issue discussed: No updates from that committee. Gates / codes might be something they want to talk about.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
8. Legal Committee / Wolf Ebel
Issue discussed: Wolf sent the signed minutes to Mariana (legal rep). No other legal issues right now.
Decision:
Action:
Person responsible: Deadline:
Other Issues:
Attending Board Members: Wolf Ebel, Jordi Riviera, Mary Kohn, Liljana Groh, Sarah Mountford, Robert Hanson