WCA President Michiel Oostenbrink called the meeting to order and updated the VMs on several projects that were recently completed, including LED light installation at the tennis courts and the Countryway bathroom renovations.
In new business, Oostenbrink stated that the VMs would not be voting on the potential annexation of Westchase Station until the August meeting. He said the WCA had been working with Stanley Martin Homes to ensure their architectural guidelines conform to those of both WPV and Westchase in general.
Kathleen Reres, WCA legal counsel, said that she had compared their governing documents to those of Westchase to make sure there are no conflicts. She explained that Stanley Martin Homes has the right to build regardless of how the VMs vote, but annexation would require the new development to adhere to Westchase rules. Castleford VM Mary Banks asked whether the new home buyers would have to pay the $2,500 capital contribution fee, and Oostenbrink said they would.
Government Affairs Chair Rick Goldstein asked his fellow VMs to approve his request for three future speakers: County Commissioner Josh Wostal (October 2025); County Administrator Bonnie Wise (January or February 2026); and Kim Byers, assistant county administrator for public works (April 2026). After a brief discussion, VMs unanimously approved.
Alternate Bridges VM Pam Wilcox spoke up from the audience to inform the VMs that the CDD is considering a $12 million proposal to create community-wide trail system. She added that it would require a 20-year bond. Oostenbrink noted that CDD Chair Matt Lewis was in the audience and asked him to provide the VMs with an update, which he did. Turn to page 10 to read coverage of the July CDD meeting for more on the proposed trail project.
Radcliffe VM Eric Holt, who chairs the Document Review Committee, reported that he asked to have a file attached to the monthly meeting packet that includes a lengthy list of proposed changes to the CCRs and bylaws. He invited the VMs to attend a committee meeting so they could share any questions or concerns. Chelmsford VM Joanne Maurer asked if Holt would consider changing the meeting time to later in the day, and he agreed to try.
Oostenbrink then introduced the following members of the Inframark team: Chris Tarase, President of Community Management; Jason Lavrack, Vice President of Client Services; Christian Judy, Director of Community Management; and Jennifer Jordan, the new senior property manager. Lavrack then shared a bit more about Inframark and provided an overview of the transition process. Judy said that residents will receive a letter in the mail with instructions on how to set up their new portal and Jordan shared a bit about her background.
Oostenbrink then turned to the agenda item regarding whether Westchase should continue to have lifeguards on duty at the pools. He told the VMs that the current Swim & Tennis Center payroll is approximately $495,000. Inframark had recommended that the WCA hire an aquatics company to oversee and maintain the pools. He added that the cost of the lifeguards alone is $325,000.
Mary Griffin, VM for Single Family Homes of WPV, suggested that the board replace the lifeguards with attendants who are trained in CPR and have access to portable defibrillators. She said she researched other HOAs in Florida and could not find any that used lifeguards. Jim Brinker, VM for the Classic Townhomes of WPV, asked Oostenbrink to confirm that eliminating lifeguards would not negatively impact the community’s insurance rates. Oostenbrink stated that it would not.
Goldstein expressed concern that parents and grandparents would become the lifeguards if Westchase were to opt to move forward without them. He said the cost of the lifeguards was worth it if they saved even a single life. Bennington VM Russ Crooks said that he agreed with Goldstein, and urged the VMs and board members to carefully consider the possible ramifications. Banks shared that she belongs to four HOAs with several pools among them, none of which have lifeguards, and it has not been a safety issue.
Holt asked whether Inframark could put together a proposal detailing the financial and safety implications of eliminating lifeguards. Lavrack responded that several options exist and agreed to prepare a relevant proposal.
Griffin made a motion to have the WCA board pursue various options for removing the community’s lifeguards and for Inframark to present those options at the next VM meeting. All but two VMs present voted in favor of the motion, with Goldstein and Glencliff VM Shirley Boyd dissenting.
The next item on the agenda was the vote to potentially recall Board Members Oostenbrink, Goldstein, Nancy Sells and Terry Boyd. Griffin made a motion to remove all discussion of board member removal from the agenda. She argued that because elections were just two months away, nothing positive could come from such an exchange.
Kingsford VM Forrest Baumhover made the original motion to add the recall of Oostenbrink to the agenda and Village Green VM Bradley Lloyd and Brinker urged the VMs to allow him to speak. Baumhover stated that he represented several residents when he asked to add the agenda item and expressed frustration that other VMS were attempting the shut down the discussion surrounding the conflict. He then left the room. Griffin’s motion passed, with all but Goldstein, Lloyd and Brinker voting in favor.