Below are unofficial, community-member sourced meeting notes. These are notes only and are not a formal recording of Board decisions or Owner comments/discussions.
January 27, 2025
Quorum Check and Proof of Notice
Randy Merritt, Randy Plank, Hunter Harmon, and Marek Bakun, William Brock were in attendance. Brandon Burg, HOA attorney, was also present. John Miller, RCAM, was present.
New Business - Brandon Burg - Mediation Update
A settlement agreement was made with the Legal Group of 57 owners, HOA, and St. Joe. It is public to Rivercamps. It is posted on AppFolio under “Shared Documents – Meeting Packets” titled RVC - BOD - Packet - 2025.1.27 attached to the meeting agenda.
A summary of the agreement is:
St. Joe will turn over control of the neighborhood to the owners including all documents and finances. St. Joe will turn over audited financials at their expense.
The owners will elect their own Board of 7 seats on Feb 28. Current Board members will resign and re-run if they desire. The owner-controlled board will then make all decisions, including litigation going forward.
Brandon Burg discussed the need for a nominating committee for Board members. The need for a nominating committee was amended in the community bylaws several years ago; none is needed. Anyone may run, and nominations from the floor are not necessary. Burg confirmed this once he was corrected by an owner.
St. Joe is absolved of all liability, past and present.
St. Joe will make a voluntary contribution toward the Rebuild of $1 million paid within 30 days. The Board then has 10 days to ratify the decision to accept the contribution. The money will be held in Escrow until the decision is made. The payment is a contribution and does not indicate admission of fault.
St. Joe will cooperate with pursuing all legal claims against Burg Management company, Accentria insurance company, and the arsonist family.
St. Joe retains the rights to submit additional lots to the HOA and has exemption from architectural control. Legacy rights stay intact.
All existing architectural oversight will be turned over to owners.
Owners’ intent to run for the Board needs to be sent in by February 12 at 5 pm. Email John John Miller johnm@rcamflorida.com at RCAM. Owners may submit a candidate information sheet, resume, etc. which will be included with ballots when the notice of election is sent out.
Owner Comments:
An owner asked of the expedited timeline of Board turnover (6 months typcially, less than 60 days now) will absolve St. Joe of their responsibilities prior to turnover. Burg answered that St. Joe will have to complete their responsibilities to the neighborhood, including a reserves study. An owner asked to have an outside financial audit. St. Joe will complete the audit at their expense.
An owner asked about St. Joe’s responsibility for an assessment on their unplatted lots. Per the Legal Group’s settlement, St. Joe will not be responsible for any assessment related to the rebuild now or in the future. The compromise was a one-time $1 million payment.
An owner asked if the turnover can happen completely by Feb 28th, given covenant requirements for 90 days to review financials, etc. Answer was that the turnover will be completed, but expedited.
Many owner comments were made regarding concerns with the contents of the settlement. Many owners voiced that they were not part of the Legal Group and do not agree with the settlement on their behalf. Marek Bakun stated that Board members representing the community also signed the agreement as Owner representation.
An owner asked if all 7 Board seats will be filled (the current board has 5 members). All 7 board seats will be filled, by appointment or by those running.
Adjournment
A Town Hall will be scheduled in the near future with resident Board Members to better explain the nuances of the settlement and future plans. The date is not yet set.