Two weeks ago when Paul(505) left to go back to New Braunfels, he told me he had a few shrimp left in his bait bucket and offered them to me. I went to check on them the next day and there were exactly five that showed any life. I had three small mullet left in my bucket so I combined them and planned a trip up the HEB shoreline. Nature has formed a barrier of shell that surrounds the pond on HEB property. The unusually high tides have eroded a channel leading into the approximately 10 acre pond.  The picture above shows the eroded channel is about ten yards wide. Given the volume exchange of water here, the flow was ripping through the cut. There was rather quiet water on either side of the cut. I baited up the first shrimp and cast into the quiet water. I landed this 26 inch red. I ended up with the red, a 16 and one half inch trout, and two drum. I had gone out just before dark because I knew the bait would not last long.
Alice Faye's is closed on Tuesdays so on Wednesday the Wrights(307) joined me for a feast on the trout and red. We ate all we could and took a full take home box with us. We had several more meals the next few days.

The cold weather last week took its toll on the local jellyfish population. This is how it looked today along the HEB shoreline next to our property.

I just don't remember big drum being around here as they have been these last few years. Here Steve(202) shows one he landed today from the back of their house at Key Allegro. Notice also the clear water. Steve did release the drum after Cheryl captured this picture.

Keith(113) sent me this picture of his sister Sheila's catch. She caught this drum two weeks ago. The same evening Colton(705) used a claw from a crab to catch one just like this. Earlier this year I had noted a good increase in the number of crab I was seeing in the mitigation site. This may have brought in the reds and drum. Recently, I have seen very few crabs. I did see one that a girl brought to me that I could not identify. It had eight long legs and was shaped roughly in a pentagon with the nose being a bit longer. It was only about golf ball size.

Keith also sent me this story of his fishing experience that same weekend.

Hi Larry. Meant to contact you earlier but got sidetracked. Was down for our Phase II Owners meeting with my sister and managed to get in a little fishing.  I hooked what I am sure was a nice red in the mitigation area Sun night. It put up quite a fight but managed to run under the pier and break my line before I could tire him out.  I was fishing with a large fluorescent orange cork and the line was cut just above the cork. Saw the cork Mon noon submerged on the marina side of the mitigation area bridge about a foot away from the pier. It was about 2 feet below the surface and when we tried to hook the line it slowly moved off out of sight into deeper water. Unfortunately had to head back to SA soon afterwards.  So you might keep an eye out if you are in the area. If you retrieve it or hear of it being retrieved, please drop me a line. I am curious as to what it on the other end.  I was fishing with a circle hook so hopefully it will work its way out if no one catches it.

We have been looking for that cork, but no one seems to have spotted it.

This was a new first for me. On Wednesday I baited two poles with live mullet and placed them about 20 yards apart off the crossbridge. If they are too close and a hardhead gets on one, they will create a tangled mess in no time. Anyway, I went to Walmart and left the rods out. When I got back, I saw I had some slack in both lines. I pulled one in and this 15inch flounder was on the other end. I went to the other pole to reel it in and the slack line led right to the same flounder. Upon closer inspection I saw that this flounder had caught up with both of my tethered mullet. Notice the two lines coming out of its mouth. I have never seen or heard of one fish on two different lines. What if the other line were not mine? It does lead me to the conclusion that there were not other flounder in the area. If this one had time to devour one mullet and then search out and catch the other one, there must not have been much competition.
One Monday Jerry brought me a 21 inch red he caught in the mitigation site. I put it on a stringer to fillet later. I really don't care that much for reds and put off taking care of it and thought I might find someone who wanted it.  I checked on the red on Wednesday evening and it was still in good shape so I just let it go. The next morning, Jerry brought me one that was a true keeper. The trout below had its head touching the end of this five gallon bucket and you can see how much is still out. It was huge and I filleted it immediately. This trout took a mullet cast from the crossbridge. This morning Vic(712) had one in same place that was at least as big, but lost it getting it over the railing.
There were guests from 211 spending a lot of time fishing from the end of the pier on Wednesday and Thursday. I went out to see them on Thursday. For all I knew they were catching something. They said they had not caught anything in two days. I felt sorry for them and told them their best chance was from the crossbridge. The tide has been so high it was halfway over the entrance road at midnight on Wednesday. I don't believe I've ever seen it this high this time of year.
Jerry and I did see something unusual on Tuesday morning. The wind was strong and a Cooper's hawk was hovering over the mitigation site at least 100 feet in the air. Suddenly, it folded it wings tight to its body and shot like an arrow into the water below. We couldn't see if it had been successful. I had seen footage of things like this, but never in person. Very impressive.

 I thought this was a neat picture this evening as the moon came up just after sunset from over the pier.

Paul(505) and Scott went out three hours this morning and caught about 60 trout, but only three were keepers. I doubt any of theirs were this small trout that is about 4 inches long. I guess that have to be small before they get big enough to catch and keep.

 Scott took his family out this afternoon and did manage to catch five keepers on live shrimp. Here Meredith and her friend, Erin, show four of the trout. They were fishing near marker 16. The water was so flat I was surprised they caught anything at all.

Scott did notice that there were a lot of small trout and they seemed to like his float as much as his shrimp. This float was new when he started and now it looks well used. It may have been the color of the day the trout were looking for.

Steve(202) shows off this 20+inch trout that Cheryl caught last weekend. Trout this size have been hard to come by. Steve and Cheryl have a house in Key Allegro with their own pier and lights. I told Cheryl it must be that the trout have gone south because this end of the bay doesn't seem to be holding many trout like this. They seem to always have success behind their house.

MINUTES OF KONTIKI CONDOMINIUM PHASE I OWNERS’ MEETING

NOVEMBER 9, 2013

Meeting was called to order by Larry Biggers at 9:10 a.m.

1. Members in attendance:

Ardath Bruner [102] Wally and Bunnie Montgomery [406]

Dan and Lisa Madsen [105] Sharon Loden [502]

Dr. Paul Selinkoff [106] Scott Schomburg [504]

Chuck and Sandy Madsen [107] Paul Westburg [505]

Larry Biggers [201] Kevin and Dale Denton [506]

David Schneider [205] Jeff Chafin [507]

Lynne Porter [206]                  Ray Luna [601]

Mel and Jo Biggs [207] [407] Joe and Elaine Burkholder [603]

Bill and Melba Dorbandt [209] Nancy Garcia [604]

Jim Canuteson [210] Jay Lambrecht [704]

Gerald and Barbara Weiss [303] [403] [405] Johnny and Kelly Blackwell [705]

Rebecca Pena [306] Olaf and Bridget Granheim [707]

Hanne Wright [307]                  Brett and Lynda Bohn [708]

Jim and Jeannie Vater [401] Pete and Joyce Velasquez [710]

Jane Bernhard [711]                  Vic Baltov [712]

Proxies held as follows:

Larry Biggers [101,103,202,203,204,302,304,402,408,508,602,606,701,702,703]

Scott Schomburg [104,503,607]

Ray Luna [501]

Nancy Garcia [605]

Johnnie Blackwell [608]

Brett Bohn [706]

33 Owners were present, representing 54 units out of 62.

Others present:  JR Gimler (property manager), Domingo Puente (security)

2. Opening Statement: Larry Biggers, Board President introduced the board members in attendance: Pete Velasquez, Steve Bernhard, Scott Schomburg, and Paul Westburg. Also introduced were JR Gimler, Property Manager, and Domingo Puente, Kontiki Security. Larry thanked them for their hard work this past year.

3. Conducted Roll Call: Using a roll call sheet, attendance was taken to establish who was present, represented by a Proxy or absent.  33 owners were present, representing 54 units out of 62.

4. GSM Insurance Presentation: Presentation given by Blake McDavid and Pam Jamison. Issues discussed are as follows; Contents coverage, Flood and Windstorm Insurance.

5. Property Manager’s Report:  JR Gimler introduced himself and reviewed the major projects that have been completed this year as well as projects in progress.

1. Various stucco repairs
2. Replaced columns on 100 building
3. Pest control
4. Fire Extinguishers and upkeep
5. Wiring under the 200 building
6. Roof is doing well
7. Basketball backboard replacement
8. Installed Tennis Court lights
9. Built the new cabana and doubled the size of the 308 canbana
10. Built the bulkhead at the NE corner of our property
11. Insulation under the buildings, JR recommended spray foam

6. Pier Agreement: Larry signed all pier agreement docs, with Richy, Phase II and Sea Shell Shore for the Marina and Pier agreement. Phase I is paying for the new bulkhead at an estimated $35,000.00 in exchange for ownership of the Beach Tract.

7. Treasures Reports: Larry reviewed the balance sheet giving an update of our financial health.  Larry also noted that we were able to get a good percentage of work done, under budget, this past year. Larry discussed the adding of Jerry Gill, new maintenance man, to Kontiki’s payroll at the beginning of this month.

8. Future Pool:  Larry addressed the possibility of a new pool.  Jim Post with Coastal Reflections bid on a new pool with costs estimated at $150,000.  JR Gimler has ordered border tile to replace tiles missing from existing pool.  Ladder on existing pool has been replaced.  Johnny would like to rebuild pool. Dale Denton made motion to allot $1,000.00 for a pool this year and pay balance in 2014 for pool to be built in 2015. Seconded by Brett.  Motion failed.  General agreement among the owners is to assess for the pool at the 2014 Owners’ Meeting, for it to be built the winter of 2015.

9. Possible Name Change: Possible name change was discussed at great length.  A couple of options suggested were North Point or Live Oak Point Condos.  Problems with name change were addressed. Problems included; confusion for past renters who are familiar with our name, changing of Documentation.  Possible alternatives to name change would be adding proper signage for distinguishing Phase I from Phase II.  Also discussed was the words “Beach Resort” on the sign at front entrance.  This is a problem because Kontiki is not a resort. Pete Velasquez should be contacted with suggestions and comments on the name change.  A straw poll vote was taken that “Kontiki” should stay in the new name. This was agreed upon by the majority.  Another item discussed was the need for improved signage.  This will also be addressed by the board in 2014.

10. Gates:  Paul Westburg discussed the adding of rolling gates to keep phase II and other nonresidents from using our pool, cabana, and tennis courts. Gates would be a minimum of 48” high with entrance being at the corner of 701 with a keypad and/or remote clickers for opening. On both gates there would be a walk through gate.  Estimated cost for gate project is approximately $35,000. Concerns of view obstructions was mentioned by Paul Westburg.

Gating Cross Bridge:  Gating the cross bridge was proposed due to the fact that most thefts comes from people using the cross bridge to enter property.  Installing the cross bridge gate is part of the Entrance gate project.

Motion by Paul to install the gates as described.  Seconded by Scott. Motion passes. Five opposed.

11. Rental agreement forms: Kontiki has designed a new rental agreement form.  Motion to accept new rental agreement made by Brett, Second by Nancy. Passed unanimously.

12. Vehicle Hanging Tags:  In the process of getting new hanging tags. The new hanging tags would limit information about where the tenants are staying so that outsiders do not take tags from cars and enter property. New tags will only have the following information; Unit#, arrival and departure dates, and vehicle license #. Benefit of hang tags would differentiate between Phase I and phase II.  Color could also make a difference.

13. Property use Policy: Discussed use of common grounds to host parties. Paul Selinkoff made a motion that no tents be allowed and no noise after 10 pm. Motion failed.  New motion by Scott to require parties to engage in a contract to control all actions. Larger parties would have to sign an agreement with the HOA. Second by Ray. Motion passed with one opposed.

14. Trash Dumpsters:  Location of trash dumpster was discussed. Motion by Johnny to put trash dumpster at the corner of 708. Second by Olaf. Motion passed. Opposed by four doors.

15. Pier Improvements: Scott discussed that the pier has only one fishing station to the left and that five new fishing stations and lights could be added. Improvements would cost approximately $25,000.00 and includes a gate. If a gate is added, Phase II is in agreement and costs would be split 60/40. Gate would not have a lock, but rather a sign with strong language indicating private property.

16. Atrium doors:  Gerald Weiss led discussion about replacing sliding doors with French or atrium doors. He offered to chair a committee to investigate the options.  Options will be presented to the board.

17. Bulkhead: Motion brought by Scott to approve the $35,000.00 bulkhead. Seconded by Brett. Motion passed unanimously.

18. Fishing turnouts:  Ray made a motion to approve fishing turnouts. Seconded by Brett. Motion passed with five opposed.

19. Trailers:  Ray brought a motion that trailers with no watercraft on them cannot be left for more than 30 days.  Seconded by Brett. Motion passes unanimously.

20. Dog waste dispensers:  Nancy brought to motion that she will fund three dog waste dispensers if JR can install.  Seconded by Chuck.  Motion passed unanimously.

21. Budget:  Motion by Brett to accept the budget.  Seconded by Bunnie. Motion passed unanimously.

22. Board Members: Motion was made from the floor to re-elect the two board members whose term was up. Seconded by Nancy. Passed unanimously

23. Meeting Adjourned at 12:59 pm:  Motion made by Larry Biggers. Seconded by Nancy. Passed unanimously.

It was an historic day for Kontiki today as Nick notarizes my signature on the documents to resolve our longstanding pier and marina issues. I understand that Richy will go in tomorrow to sign. This also makes the GLO very happy as they are planning to take our permit requests to the School Land Board for approval in December. The GLO attorney made an inquiry today to see how we were progressing.

Pat(602) was having additional insulation put in between the walls of their condo today. Most of the original insulation is in poor shape and newer products are available that improve insulation effectiveness by several degrees. This company suggested that we consider putting more insulation under our flooring. I know what is there is not much as my floor tiles get really cold in the winter.

It's time to bring in the winter flowering plants. I went to Walmart, Adams Nursery, and Bloomers before I found these at Lowe's in Aransas Pass for $1.98 a six pack. Everywhere else I had checked they were more like $3.00 a pack and not nearly as nice. While at Lowe's I ran into Penny shopping for petunias for Phase II.  I guess they will be adding a little winter color too.
I have never owned a truck, but I expect my car to work as if it were a truck. I think carrying all these pansies were easier on it than when it has to pull my boat.

One of the problems defying solution this year has been where to locate the trash dumpsters. The conditions we are dealing with now are not the same as when this complex was built. For one thing our society is more throw away minded than ever before. We are generating more garbage than ever in our past. When this complex was built, the pick up trucks were smaller and picked up the containers from the side.  Four pads were built and worked out just fine. Notice in the picture below how small the pad is. Also this container below was placed next to what is now our office. This makes this location less desirable.

Later the pick up trucks went to front pick up and got much larger. In the picture below the result can be seen of the front pick up trucks and their large size. The front pick up trucks require the drivers to align the trucks from a direction that is not easily achieved given our parking spaces. Not unlike a lot of things in communities we all want the convenience of location, but not the smell and unsightly appearance.

The appearance becomes an issue on Sunday afternoons when the weekend crowds have departed. We have the containers serviced on Fridays and Mondays and still there are overflows at times. We changed from three cubic yards to four cubic yards in an attempt to take care on most of the overflow. The container below has now been relocated because we added a new pavilion just to the right in this picture.

 So now we have the problem of locating four containers in the summer and three in the winter. Two work out well at the south end of the boat parking. The other two are more problematic. One could be placed near the boat wash area that has some advantages, but then accessibility becomes a problem. Only the 700 building would have easy access. This summer two were placed at the end of the entrance road, but they were not what we wanted to see or smell when entering the property. There is just not room for two at the east end of the 700 building. We could move up from four cubic yards to six cubic yards to get by with only three in the summer, but they are one foot taller and may be difficult to access.
We will look at some of these issues at the annual meeting and hopefully come up with a solution that is functional and  palatable to everyone

Joe sent me a picture of his big trout.

Larry, here's the picture of the 22 1/2 inch trout I caught on the end of the pier Wed. night using mullet for bait.  The other two were legal even though they look relatively small by comparison.  The foot is mine (didn't have anyone up at 2:30 am to take the picture).  See you next year, Joe

 We just replaced the concrete in front of the crossbridge about three years ago. Now it has sunken again and dropped below the level of the right side of the bridge. It was considered to replace the concrete again.

Jerry did some tricky cutting on a 4x4 and came up with this wedge design to provide a gentle ramp up to the bridge. Looks good and works well. Jerry is pretty good at problem solving.

Went out last Sunday with Marv and Paul(106). Notice the water. We had no wind at all in the morning. We saw lots of mullet in the water, but the larger fish would give us no action. Here Paul casts toward the shoreline in Paul's Mott. He said he saw at least 15 keeper reds swim by, but none were hungry.
Just after noon, the wind picked up to 13 to 15 mph in a matter of minutes. We moved to the protected area near marker 7. I picked up a big gafftop on my DOA and Marv got a keeper trout on shrimp. He had trouble with the shrimp because we had a pesky gull that stayed right with us. When Marv would cast or pop his cork, the gull would dive for his shrimp with a high degree of success.
Joe Fischer( guest in 603 picked up a 22.5 inch trout off the end of the pier on mullet on Wednesday evening. He promised to send a picture. The tide has been unseasonably high and should bring some reds into the mitigation site.