As a large majority of the presidents only visit the resort infrequently, a decision was made to hold monthly informal meetings for the presidents to meet with each other and Milenium and receive updates and air comments about the management of Condado.
Unfortunately i was not able to attend this meeting (stuck at work in London !) but enclosed below for your information the notes from this meeting - not the comments ref the penthouse hedges !!
The forum commenced with a quick introduction from all the attendees, for some of the Presidents this was their first time they had met some of their fellow presidents so as these forums continue it is envisaged that all the presidents will get to meet each other face to face rather than simply communication via email.
Whilst there is no set agenda for these monthly forums it is suggested that each should start with a review of the events and issues that occurred over the previous month followed by an any other business section where any president can raise any issue or propose and suggestion for improvement that they may have. Of course no decisions can be made at these forums so any proposals will be raised in the official way.
Festivals
The Presidents applauded Mileniun for all the hard work and enthusiasm that they had put into the organization of this years summer festivals. Both festivals were privately sponsored by various companies and therefore no money came from community funds.
The festivals, spread over two weekends in July and August were a huge success and very much appreciated by all the owners of Condado de Alhama. The festivals were officially opened by a number of officials from Alhama de Murcia council which will help to build the bonds between the council and our community. Mileniun informed the Presidents that next year they will be looking into the possibility of running festival events at both the Christmas/New Year and Easter holiday periods, which are major events in the Spanish calendar. This will enable those owners that cannot come to Condado during the summer holiday periods to join in the festivities and help build a stronger community spirit.
Saturday Market
The Saturday markets that started on July 17th have been a great success and again the Presidents applauded Mileniun for all the hard work and enthusiasm that they had put into their organization. The first market day bought over 3000 people into Condado de Alhama and resulted in a large number of customers for both the supermarket and the Clover Bar, indeed the Clover recorded the highest sales figures that night surpassing the previous record sales over Christmas and New Year. It was always hoped that such events would improve the visibility of Condado de Alhama in the local community and result in interest not only from private property buyers and also from local business people looking to invest in a commercial unit in Al Kasar. Mileniun were entirely correct in this vision as we have been informed that on the following Monday eight inquiries were made to the agents from the banks from people interested in opening units in Al Kasar, the first of these new businesses is planned to open in October/November. We all hope that this will be the first of many and more units will be leased bringing more business and investment into the community.
Bus Service.
On August the 16th and 23rd two trial bus services were laid on by Alhama de Murcia council, these were aimed at showcasing the history and heritage of the town to the residents of Condado de Alhama and the council arranged a guide to take us on a tour through the town. Whilst the events are excellent the community requires a regular bus service between Condado de Alhama and Alhama de Murcia. Mileniun will be holding further meetings with the town council over the following week to try to press for this service. One of the Presidents raised the point that there is currently a bus service from Murcia to Mazarron that passes Condado de Alhama four times each day and proposed that the bus company should be contacted and asked to divert via Condado as part of this service. The President will obtain contact details for this bus company and pass them onto Mileniun who will make the initial contact.
One of the problems of gaining any kind of service from Alhama de Murcia council is the low number of owners that are signed on the Padron. We currently have approximately 250 but to be in a position where we can put more pressure on the council to provide services we will need double that amount. All owners should be reminded that if they reside at Condado for 6 months or more each year they should be on the Padron, only by increasing the numbers will the resort be able to pressurise the council into providing the services we are entitled to.
Dead trees.
Mileniun are proposing that 330+ of the dead trees on the resort should be replaced, this will cost approximately €30,000 which will have to be taken from the reserve funds. This proposal will be sent to all presidents in the following week for a vote. Many of the Presidents of Naranjos raised the point that whilst they were named “The Gardens of the Oranges” and that the sale brochures stated that the road would be “fragrant with the smell of Oranges” but in reality Polaris World did not plant any orange trees. Mileniun explained that due to the irrigation water containing a small level of salt many types of orange tree would not survive. It was noted that one type of bitter Orange ( Seville Orange ) might be suitable. To test their suitability a few trail trees would be planted in the Naranjos gardens.
Penthouse hedges
One of the presidents from the penthouses raised the issue of hedge pruning. The hedges had been cut that week but only at the sides and so the hedges were now growing tall and obscuring the view of the golf course. Mileniun stated that they would raise this with the gardening company and indeed this issue has now been corrected as has been reported in this weeks summary.
Garden Lights
Last year the issue of garden lights was raised at a presidents meeting and it was proposed that the lights be replaced with a more stable type that were less prone to breakage. Mileniun informed the presidents that over the past year only 30 lights had needed replacement, all other damaged lights were repaired. This issue will be raised again at the next official presidents meeting in November.
The forum concluded at 7pm and the next meeting will be held on Wednesday September 28th.
