May 12, 2009 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
The meeting was held at the Firehouse. In attendance were, Sherri Spykerman, Eric Cohen, John Corcoran, Tom Gering, Jodi Jacobson, Accountant Bruce Anderson and Manager Keith Edquist.
Approval of Minutes—there was a motion, seconded and carried unanimously, to approve the April 14, 2009 minutes as written.
Manager’s Report- Keith reported on the cost to sandblast and stain and seal the existing playground structure, about $1100. The Board took no action at this meeting to begin this process. Further discussion revealed that some members of the Board thought Mr. Edquist was to have researched and brought a bid, all in, for the Prodigy play set from Big Toys. Mr. Edquist did not have this direction in his notes, nor did the April minutes reflect it. Mr. Edquist was asked to research this expense for the next (annual) meeting. He noted that in addition to the play structure expense, there would also be excavation expenses and costs relating to the containment and placement of proper cushioning materials in the play space.
The BigToys Prodigy cost from the catalog is $15, 940. Ultimately, the Trustees were uncertain where the funds for a playground may be drawn from. Mr. Anderson clarified that a playground may be considered a capital expense, and thus funds could come from the “other reserves” category. Those represent accumulated funds acquired over several years of operations, any budget surpluses from past operations having been accumulated in that account. Mr. Anderson said depositing surplus funds to this reserve account was an accounting function, not requiring direction from the Trustees. Mr. Corcoran thought that the Board should be providing direction, via resolution, on what should be done in the case of a surplus or deficit at the end of the fiscal year.
Mr. Edquist said he had sent a general email to all Little Elk owners regarding the need for new members of the Board of Trustees and offering himself or existing Board members as contacts.
Unfinished Business-Smart Barn Construction—Mr. Edquist noted that he had spoken with owner Steve Smart, on the Smart barn lot, in regard to the project. He said Mr. Smart is working hard to complete the work in line with the Pitkin County permit he has received, which has a May 2009 deadline. Keith reported that Mr. Smart said the property is listed and that he hopes to sell it. The Board did not change its position on the issue.
Financial Reports-–Bruce Anderson brought the current association financials as of April 30, 2009. He reported seven persons in arrears on the aging report. He said he expected the association to be over budget when all expenses were in by about $11,000. This is due almost entirely to expenses in the water operations line item, where expenses were $50,766.43 against the budget of $19,200. Other line items and additional income in water tap fees and interest offset this to a degree.
In regard to the prior playground discussion, there were questions regarding the $4632.42 expense in the Landscape/Parks/Playground line item, which Bruce explained as mowing, bridge construction and weed control from last summer. Director Jacobson observed that $200 per homeowner in 2009-2010 expense for a playground did not seem excessive. There were no other observations from the Board on the balance sheet or profit and loss statements, other than to note the “Other Reserves” balance as $23,947.59, and the “Water System Reserves” at $242, 016.15.
Discussion of Proposed 2009-2010 budget - Bruce also brought information regarding the proposed budget for fiscal year 2010, noting that overall there was no plan for an increase in assessments. Rather, the 2009 budget proposed a reallocation of funds between the ““Water System Reserves” and the “Water Operations” line items. Bruce noted that water operations were quite expensive last year, with some expense still to come in the coming fiscal year from summer projects. The proposed budget shifts $19,200 into water operations from water reserve for 2009, reducing the annual contribution to water reserves to $51,200 from last year’s budgeted $70,400. This keeps assessment levels the same while realistically addressing the recent and anticipated operations costs on the Little Elk Water system. It will still allow for over $300,000 to be accumulated towards the water system reserve by fiscal year- end 2010.
Following this presentation and some questions from the Trustees, Director Corcoran moved to approve the proposed budget prepared by Mr. Anderson. This was seconded by Director Gering and approved unanimously without further discussion. The annual meeting date was set for June 2, 2009. The Notice of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy will be mailed out this Friday, the budget and the annual minutes from the 2008 annual meeting are posted on the website. Notice will direct owners to both documents.
Trash service was again discussed. Mr. Edquist had received conflicting reports on the expense of trash services from the current vendor. He brought a bid from another vendor, but said he was not clear on whether it included or did not include the cost of bear resistant trash toters and recycle bins. That bid was lower than the present vendor’s expense, and includes recycling once per week. While this was favorable, the contract also called for a 3 year commitment and possible increases with 30 days notice, which the Board did not favor. At meeting time it was uncertain whether the difference in price would be worth the changeover, so Mr. Edquist was directed to re-confirm the expense from Waste Management and report to the Board prior to the annual meeting. Sherri and Keith had contacted all those owners who had driveway service, and the billings will be adjusted accordingly. People who benefit from driveway pickup service, as opposed to curb services, from the vendor will pay for that directly, and no longer through the Association. A unified list for whichever vendor is chosen remains to be created and sent to the prevailing trash collection service.
Unfinished Business-
Keith reported on the meeting held by the Little Elk Ditch Company, which serves a dozen owners in Little Elk Creek, and to which LEC pays annual dues for its shares. The association had asked for further accounting information from Little Elk Creek Ditch CO, which was never supplied, thus the association had not paid an invoice from 2008. A check was signed for $261 in dues and $965.70 for ditch cleaning and will be mailed tomorrow.
Included in the Board materials this evening was a letter from owner Chris Davenport in regard to issues on or about his property caused by the late fall water line installation made by owner Alan Adger. Mr. Edquist said he had spoken with Alan earlier in the day, and that Mr. Adger was sending his irrigation man over to Davenport’s to address whatever problems were there. Keith did not know if this person made actual contact with the Davenports by meeting time. Keith said Mr. Adger had no plans for the pile of boulders from the excavation which are in the Davenport’s view plane. He said he would like to sell them, but really had no immediate plans to do anything with them. He said he would repair the fence, but did not intend to replace the gate which was removed in the excavation work, as he might use the corridor for access to the subdivision. He said he had told the Davenports they could move the gate onto his property if it bothered them. Director Corcoran asked about the nature of the easement Mr. Adger holds over the Gilmore’s property, and whether such access would be allowed. Mr. Anderson thought that would be a matter for Adger and Gilmore. He said he would research this easement with Pitkin County.
The Board is holding Mr. Adger’s deposit in regard to the road cut compaction and repair, and determined to hold it until the issues with Davenport are corrected and addressed by Mr. Adger. Mr. Edquist was asked to contact Mr. Adger regarding the roadcut and the Davenport issues. He was asked to try to get the roadcut repaired as soon as possible, and to convey to Mr. Adger the determination of the Board that all of the issues arising from the water line placement, and enumerated in the Davenport letter to the Board (buried and possibly broken sprinklers, buried turf, fencing, un-replaced gate, and pile of boulders on the Adger lot in the Davenport view plane) be addressed and resolved.
There being no other business to come before the Board, there followed a motion to adjourn at 9:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Keith M. Edquist, Association Manager
Sherri Spykerman, President