MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
SECTOR 2A AT SNOHOMISH CASCADE ASSOCIATION
7 P.M. TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 2018
CALL TO ORDER / PRESENTATION OF MINUTES
1. Nicole Klages called the meeting to order at 8:15pm. Present were Nicole Klages, Steve Yandl, John Parkin and Bill Steenis. This was enough for a quorum. Also present was our landscape contractor, Brian Skinner.
2. Minutes of the July meeting were reviewed and approved.
3. There was a brief discussion sharing names of residents who might be good replacements to fill the two current vacancies on the board. It was agreed that we would have prior conversations with people selected to ascertain willingness to serve before we voted on them to fill a position.
TREASURER’S REPORT
1. Steve Yandl reported on current financial status.
a. Currently $97,702 in the checking account (operational funds).
b. There is $16,890 in the long-term reserve.
c. We have $5,703 in operational reserve.
d. A transfer of $18,525 will be made from operating fund to the long-term reserve.
2. With new board members, we need a new signature card at Heritage Bank. The new signature card will include; Steve Yandl, Nicole Klages, Tim Day, John Parkin and Bill Steenis.
3. Steve Yandl will attempt to complete updates to the reserve analysis for review and approval at the August meeting.
4. Audit of 2017 finances will be initiated as soon as possible after reserve analysis has been updated.
MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
1. Brian Skinner, owner of our landscape company was given the floor to share some thoughts and concerns and answer any questions the board had.
a. He shared some thoughts on why vandals and other mischief makers find our boat park attractive and the detrimental impact that has on the grounds.
b. Our aging infrastructure is making some aspects of maintenance more challenging.
c. Brian shared some of the current challenges in finding workers willing to do seasonal work who are the type individuals we want maintaining our common areas.
d. Brian suggested our contract hasn’t kept pace with consumer price index increases and we might need to pay more or convert some of the listed services that are part of our contract to optional items. Several board members requested that Brian provide a spreadsheet listing the services provided under the current contract and he agreed to do so.
e. Steve Yandl asked Brian to provide a quote for removal of unhealthy trees along the path from the parking area at the boat park and to invite Kenny Trees to give a quote on removal of dying birch trees and other ailing or problem trees along Snohomish Cascade Drive.
f. Steve Yandl shared that the board was hesitant to commit to a lot of non-contract work for Skinner because it might cause delays in completing some of the tasks that are part of the contract. Brian is aware that we expect beds to be weeded and all other contract items addressed even when more lucrative tasks are available.
2. We will attempt to upgrade 6 or 7 mailboxes this year using long term reserve fund.
3. We still need to get play chips spread in the play areas.
4. The tunnel tube at the board park has a new gaping hole that needs to be evaluated and repaired as soon as possible.
a. Nicole Klages said she would research some options for our deteriorating play equipment.
b. Boat park also has missing garbage cans inside the inserts that need to be replaced so we don’t have accumulations of trash that don’t get picked up by Waste Management.
5. We’re investigating to see if we can install bollards to close off the parking area at the boat park, at least after dark unless a special event is planned.
6. Steve Yandl shared that we got Washington Tree and Lawn out to perform a lawn maintenance service in July but rather than apply selective herbicide they applied granular fertilizer that wasn’t need. Invoice isn’t being paid until this gets resolved.
7. After Brian Skinner departed, we had a brief discussion on how the contract was going, potential pricing changes or service changes and how we should respond.
a. Steve Yandl shared that in 2012 we were paying $2,522 plus tax per month on the landscape contract. In 2018 we’re paying $2,756.65 plus tax per month and the current contract doesn’t include battery replacement in our many sprinkler controllers. This is a 9.3% increase over a six-year span.
b. In the same period, using COLA data that’s used to determine social security raises, the CPI has increased 9.2%. There are regional variations and comparisons might not be the same if different time spans were chosen but it does appear increases paid to Skinner Landscape over the past 6 years are slightly ahead of increases in the CPI.
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE REPORT
1. Bill Steenis distributed a worksheet he has been working on titled “Yard Guidelines”. Bill suggested that the guidelines could be mailed to the membership as part of the mailing of invoices for annual assessment. Prior to Brian Skinner’s departure earlier in this meeting, Bill has also asked Brian if he could provide some reporting to the board on specific yards that were not on par with the landscaping of the majority of yards in the subdivision.
2. Homeowner request for projects.
a. Ryan – Approval to replace roof with Presidential TL.
b. Barrett – Approval for tree removal.
c. Fraser – No approval but concerns about illegal parking were shared with the board.
d. Catalano – Approval for new fence and new decking.
e. Zborowski – Approval for roof replacement given.
f. Riehl – Approval for expansion of fence. This was discussed in emails prior to the meeting. This approval is a variance allowing part of the fence to extend into public right of way per the submitted request from Adam Riehl. Adam has agreed to not hold the HOA liable should some utility or public entity demand fence removal for their utilization of the right of way. The proposed fence is clearly in line with neighborhood appearance standards and right of way conflicts in this case are very improbable.
g. Gowin – No actual request submitted yet but inquiries on door color options were answered and they were told that a request for a variance to build a vinyl fence would be denied.
h. Day, Tim and Krista – Request for roof replacement approved.
i. Johnson, Amy – Paint colors for house approved.
j. Lee, Bok – Roof replacement approved.
k. Walker – Proposed tree trimming approved.
l. Webb – House colors approved.
m. Challender – House colors approved.
n. Olafson – Roof replacement approved.
o. Mooney – Roof replacement approved.
p. Limesand – Roof replacement approved
q. Robison – Request for a variance to utilize Wild Hog Railing in lieu of fence along one lot border that isn’t seen by any neighbors. Existing fences posts for the current cedar fence would be used. The fence in this particular location offers significant benefits to the owner and is in character for the neighborhood so the variance is granted. It should be noted that a similar variance would not be considered if the fence section were visible to other HOA members from their lots or from the street.
3. Complaints, CC&R violations
a. Steve Yandl is aware of several yard issues and parking issues and will get letters sent as he finds time.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
1. The post office has created an option where we can set up automatic payments from our checking for bulk mail fees rather than keep an account balance with them. There was unanimous approval for letting Steve Yandl set this up at his earliest convenience.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:20PM.
__________________________
Steve Yandl, Secretary
SECTOR 2A AT SNOHOMISH CASCADE ASSOCIATION
7 P.M. TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 2018
CALL TO ORDER / PRESENTATION OF MINUTES
1. Nicole Klages called the meeting to order at 8:15pm. Present were Nicole Klages, Steve Yandl, John Parkin and Bill Steenis. This was enough for a quorum. Also present was our landscape contractor, Brian Skinner.
2. Minutes of the July meeting were reviewed and approved.
3. There was a brief discussion sharing names of residents who might be good replacements to fill the two current vacancies on the board. It was agreed that we would have prior conversations with people selected to ascertain willingness to serve before we voted on them to fill a position.
TREASURER’S REPORT
1. Steve Yandl reported on current financial status.
a. Currently $97,702 in the checking account (operational funds).
b. There is $16,890 in the long-term reserve.
c. We have $5,703 in operational reserve.
d. A transfer of $18,525 will be made from operating fund to the long-term reserve.
2. With new board members, we need a new signature card at Heritage Bank. The new signature card will include; Steve Yandl, Nicole Klages, Tim Day, John Parkin and Bill Steenis.
3. Steve Yandl will attempt to complete updates to the reserve analysis for review and approval at the August meeting.
4. Audit of 2017 finances will be initiated as soon as possible after reserve analysis has been updated.
MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
1. Brian Skinner, owner of our landscape company was given the floor to share some thoughts and concerns and answer any questions the board had.
a. He shared some thoughts on why vandals and other mischief makers find our boat park attractive and the detrimental impact that has on the grounds.
b. Our aging infrastructure is making some aspects of maintenance more challenging.
c. Brian shared some of the current challenges in finding workers willing to do seasonal work who are the type individuals we want maintaining our common areas.
d. Brian suggested our contract hasn’t kept pace with consumer price index increases and we might need to pay more or convert some of the listed services that are part of our contract to optional items. Several board members requested that Brian provide a spreadsheet listing the services provided under the current contract and he agreed to do so.
e. Steve Yandl asked Brian to provide a quote for removal of unhealthy trees along the path from the parking area at the boat park and to invite Kenny Trees to give a quote on removal of dying birch trees and other ailing or problem trees along Snohomish Cascade Drive.
f. Steve Yandl shared that the board was hesitant to commit to a lot of non-contract work for Skinner because it might cause delays in completing some of the tasks that are part of the contract. Brian is aware that we expect beds to be weeded and all other contract items addressed even when more lucrative tasks are available.
2. We will attempt to upgrade 6 or 7 mailboxes this year using long term reserve fund.
3. We still need to get play chips spread in the play areas.
4. The tunnel tube at the board park has a new gaping hole that needs to be evaluated and repaired as soon as possible.
a. Nicole Klages said she would research some options for our deteriorating play equipment.
b. Boat park also has missing garbage cans inside the inserts that need to be replaced so we don’t have accumulations of trash that don’t get picked up by Waste Management.
5. We’re investigating to see if we can install bollards to close off the parking area at the boat park, at least after dark unless a special event is planned.
6. Steve Yandl shared that we got Washington Tree and Lawn out to perform a lawn maintenance service in July but rather than apply selective herbicide they applied granular fertilizer that wasn’t need. Invoice isn’t being paid until this gets resolved.
7. After Brian Skinner departed, we had a brief discussion on how the contract was going, potential pricing changes or service changes and how we should respond.
a. Steve Yandl shared that in 2012 we were paying $2,522 plus tax per month on the landscape contract. In 2018 we’re paying $2,756.65 plus tax per month and the current contract doesn’t include battery replacement in our many sprinkler controllers. This is a 9.3% increase over a six-year span.
b. In the same period, using COLA data that’s used to determine social security raises, the CPI has increased 9.2%. There are regional variations and comparisons might not be the same if different time spans were chosen but it does appear increases paid to Skinner Landscape over the past 6 years are slightly ahead of increases in the CPI.
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE REPORT
1. Bill Steenis distributed a worksheet he has been working on titled “Yard Guidelines”. Bill suggested that the guidelines could be mailed to the membership as part of the mailing of invoices for annual assessment. Prior to Brian Skinner’s departure earlier in this meeting, Bill has also asked Brian if he could provide some reporting to the board on specific yards that were not on par with the landscaping of the majority of yards in the subdivision.
2. Homeowner request for projects.
a. Ryan – Approval to replace roof with Presidential TL.
b. Barrett – Approval for tree removal.
c. Fraser – No approval but concerns about illegal parking were shared with the board.
d. Catalano – Approval for new fence and new decking.
e. Zborowski – Approval for roof replacement given.
f. Riehl – Approval for expansion of fence. This was discussed in emails prior to the meeting. This approval is a variance allowing part of the fence to extend into public right of way per the submitted request from Adam Riehl. Adam has agreed to not hold the HOA liable should some utility or public entity demand fence removal for their utilization of the right of way. The proposed fence is clearly in line with neighborhood appearance standards and right of way conflicts in this case are very improbable.
g. Gowin – No actual request submitted yet but inquiries on door color options were answered and they were told that a request for a variance to build a vinyl fence would be denied.
h. Day, Tim and Krista – Request for roof replacement approved.
i. Johnson, Amy – Paint colors for house approved.
j. Lee, Bok – Roof replacement approved.
k. Walker – Proposed tree trimming approved.
l. Webb – House colors approved.
m. Challender – House colors approved.
n. Olafson – Roof replacement approved.
o. Mooney – Roof replacement approved.
p. Limesand – Roof replacement approved
q. Robison – Request for a variance to utilize Wild Hog Railing in lieu of fence along one lot border that isn’t seen by any neighbors. Existing fences posts for the current cedar fence would be used. The fence in this particular location offers significant benefits to the owner and is in character for the neighborhood so the variance is granted. It should be noted that a similar variance would not be considered if the fence section were visible to other HOA members from their lots or from the street.
3. Complaints, CC&R violations
a. Steve Yandl is aware of several yard issues and parking issues and will get letters sent as he finds time.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
1. The post office has created an option where we can set up automatic payments from our checking for bulk mail fees rather than keep an account balance with them. There was unanimous approval for letting Steve Yandl set this up at his earliest convenience.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:20PM.
__________________________
Steve Yandl, Secretary