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Blue Lake Owner’s Association
Board Meeting Minutes
Dec. 11, 2007
Meeting called to order at 6:35
Attendance:
Board Members: Susie Atwood, Scott Wirkler, Kelly McKenney, Vince Shimp, Bruce Pearson, Missen Brucker
Office Manager- Gina Shaw
Homeowners: approximately 20 (see sign-in sheet)
Absent: Brian Smith
Approval of minutes of Nov. 12th meeting: Previous minutes submitted by Gina had 4 approvals when Kelly made suggestions for changes. There was a motion to approve Kelly’s changes. Passed 3:2. Kelly suggested that we post draft minutes until the final minutes are approved at the next meeting, but it was argued that the board is trying to be more timely in publishing and sending minutes to HOs. There was also discussion about corrections being put in the next meeting’s minutes. It was agreed that publishing and sending out draft minutes several weeks after a meeting, doesn’t reflect efficiency. Kelly made a motion that Gina to get minutes out by the Friday following the meeting; board to get changes back to Gina by the following Wed. by 1:30(changes to be distributed); and final approval to be given to Gina by Friday’s end of business. Bruce seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
DCC Variance Request from Nathan Nelson: Mr. Nelson is requesting a variance to the DCCs to put a manufactured home on his lot that he recently purchased on 10 Buckskin Court. Glen Montgomery, representing Timber Creek Homes explained some of the advances made in manufactured homes. He explained that standard construction projects can be disruptive in neighborhoods; but that a manufactured home can be erected in significantly less time. Nate asked the board to go to www.timbercreekhomesinc.com and roaringforkcustomhomes.com to view some of the homes put on other lots in the valley in developments similar to Blue Lake.
Bruce asked if Nate’s plans would include a poured foundation. Scott asked about the time frame. Susie read an email from Jack Musser (DDC Committee chair) regarding denials for requests for approval of manufactured homes given in the past. Judi Simecek commented about some of the other subdivisions accepting these homes. Cheryl Bach asked how insurance companies list these homes. The answer was “stick built.” Gina was asked to request the attendance of Jack Musser and Jodi Smith at the next meeting.
Missen mentioned concern of consistency as Brian Keleher’s project was denied (on Black Bear) recently by the DCC committee. Vince said he can’t make a decision regarding consistency because he’s not seen any issues of overturning a DDC Committee’s decision for other applicants in his time on the board. Kelly made a motion to have Nate come back to our next meeting with more specific information about the proposed home, and we will request Jack’s attendance. Vince seconded. Motion passed.
Home owner comments:
Cheryl Bach asked what attorney the board was going to consult. Hindman Sanchez is the current retained firm. She then read Article 7; Section 1; subsection E of our by-laws. She was questioning if increases to proposed budgets need to be voted on every year by the HOs. She also asked if big expenditures are approved by the homeowners. Kelly explained that every year the new budget for the coming year is presented at the annual meeting. Susie explained that we start creating the new budget in July, tweak it in Aug., and Sept. In early Oct. the board approves the proposal to present at the Annual HO meeting. She asked for people to get involved early to help in this process, not just complain about the end product.
Cheryl Bach asked for clarification about the increases permanence, and does the $18.03 (the reserve contribution portion of the increase) became part of the baseline for future increases? It is part of the total amount that can be increased by 5% without a vote of the homeowners.
Cheryl asked why her request for a variance wasn’t put on tonight’s agenda. Susie explained that her request wasn’t received by Gina until yesterday afternoon, and that she already anticipated a long meeting. She has been added to next month’s agenda.
Annie Urehara read about the powers and duties of board members; Article 7 Section 1. Kelly talked about how the board didn’t change the “method” of increasing dues. Susie said that the board did due diligence in following the rules to the best of their abilities.
Bob Giacinto asked if there is a dollar amount as the financial goal. Vince referred to the graphs showing percent funding in the reserve study.
Bill Reynolds talked about a budget being a tool. He talked about the reserve study showing how under funded we are as an association. The reserves can be adjusted in the future by future boards. He talked about that everyone has different solutions to the same problems. He applauds the board for running this like a business, and that this is a move in the right direction.
Vince added that this reserve study is not an end all answer, but that reserves studies should be done fairly regularly, so as the picture changes, dues can fluctuate to fit the budget appropriately.
Keith Johnson talked about the pile of dirt still being at the preschool. He’d like the board to ask for a deposit for the next project. His recollection was that the playground improvement was proposed to be done this past summer. He would like the board to apply pressure toward completion.
Judi Simecek mentioned that she doesn’t want the board to take the oppositions questions of the recent vote personally. She just wants to ensure that the proxies are legitimate. She wants the increase to stand if it is contested. She’s concerned that there might not have been a quorum.
Gretta McKenney asked that the board review the proxies that were filled out as “BLOA” being the assignee. She asked that the board make it clear as to what the money will be used for. Susie said that nothing will be published until we have advice of counsel.
In regards to the preschool’s dirt pile, Gretta said that she would rather not have a tarp over it.
NEW BUSINESS:
Vacancy on the Board: The board has accepted the resignation of Brian Smith. Susie talked about the nominations at the Oct. annual meeting. Keith and Cheryl were nominated, and are both still interested. Keith had the most votes after Missen and Bruce. Missen suggested that we advertise that the vacancy. Bruce suggested we accept Keith based on the voting results at the Oct. meeting (even though there was no quorum.) Vince and Susie clarified that the board selects replacements when there is a resignation. Kelly mentioned that the vacancy leaves the treasurer’s position open and this should be taken into consideration. Scott made a motion to vote between Keith and Cheryl. Vince seconded. Motion carries.
Cheryl and Keith spoke.
The board voted: Keith 0: Cheryl 5. Cheryl was welcomed to the board. Because she replaces Brian, her term will be up in Oct. 2009.
Storage: Gina showed the board a sample of the current leases. All leases are the same. Joe Chacon asked that we table this until next month, as he would like to see some improvements if there is to be an increase. He will bring suggestions to the next meeting. Cindy Maestas mentioned that she can’t get a small tent trailer into her corner space. She offered to help Joe Chacon in marking out the spaces. Joe Chacon is working on permanent marking materials.
Gina talked about some of the issues she’s finding with current renters. Scott made a motion to remove all home renters from storage spaces giving them two months time to move out. Missen seconded. Motion carries.
Gina talked about the 4 homeowners who currently have 2 spaces rented. Scott explained that those HOs were allowed their 2 spaces when there wasn’t a demand. It should also be noted that the Burnamens pay homeowners dues on 2 lots. There was discussion about the Martin’s and Burnamens spaces being in corners where double access isn’t an option. Gina asked to table the major clean-up enforcement until spring. Request granted. Chacon and Williams are paying for 2 spaces; Burnamen and Martins are being charged for one. This issue tabled until next month.
There was discussion about the timing of the previously discussed storage rent increase.
CC&R enforcement:
Snow removal: Gina placed several calls to different departments of Eagle County. No one seemed to know anything about the county enforcing snow removal from sidewalks. Gina put an informal notice in several HO statements this month after her 12-3-07 patrol. Susie suggested we ask Hindman Sanchez about liability if we don’t enforce it. Judi Simecek said she would like to have the sidewalks cleared for the safety of kids walking home from the school buses. Kelly mentioned the discussion at a previous meeting (Oct. 8th) about her request to the County Road and Bridge’s proposed new facility being used to store some of the snow from our streets. No information was ever received from Kelly.
Pavers/Gravel for parking: Gina asked for specific articles for enforcing parking on gravel, rocks, pavers, etc. Vince found Article 1A, 2 of the DDC guidelines.
Welcome Baskets: Gina asked to stop doing them because they are a time consuming task, and in her opinion we are doing advertising for businesses. She would like to continue sending a “welcome letter.” Kelly thinks that the good will and building of community is important. Kelly made a motion to continue doing something that isn’t so time consuming and suggested Gina come up with basket items that are not so time consuming. There was a motion to stop doing welcome baskets. Motion passed 4:3 with Susie casting the deciding vote.
School District Contract: Missen talked about an impact study being done by the school district to consider the area for employee housing. Judi Simecek mentioned that the school board is lacking space for a bus barn. Gina was asked to call the county clerk for a copy of the original contract.
Susie said that we need to seek counsel on what our protections are against a possible building site for housing or a bus barn. She also mentioned that contracts are not Hindman Sanchez’s forte. Kelly mentioned that we do have another attorney, Hal Dishler, but his bills seemed very high, and he wasn’t very timely. Susie would like to seek counsel on this contract with someone with Eagle County knowledge. Garrett Brandt was mentioned as a real estate attorney.
Gina’s Report: Gina asked for permission to not file liens against HOs who are regularly making payments even though their accounts are above the set lien amount. The board agreed.
There was discussion about the change over in banking to Bank of Colorado. Gina mentioned the importance of the board’s and future office persons understanding of federal regulations governing ACH withdrawal (automatic payments of HO dues.)
Kelly motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:00.
Executive session
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