December 8, 2010 Board of Trustees Meeting
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011The meeting was held at the Firehouse. In attendance were: Beth Blackmer, Bob and Valerie Wright, Andrew Ernemann. Trustees Kent Meager and Tom Gering were unable to attend. Also in attendance were Association Accountant Bruce Anderson, and Manager Keith Edquist
Approval of Minutes—the Board approved the minutes from the October 13, 2010 Board meeting without changes.
Financial Reports –Bruce Anderson provided Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet information for Little Elk Creek as of October 31 and as of November 30, as the Board had not met since October 13th. He also provided aging statements for each of these periods. There were no questions in regard to the financial statements, and the Board focused on the aging statements, as there is more currently due than normal.
One home in foreclosure proceedings was noted as under contract for sale, and that balance would normally be addressed in closing. There was discussion about late fees and possible liens on property should other outstanding balances not be paid shortly. Trustee Bob Wright was to speak with one of these owners in arrears, and Trustee Blackmer with another, to see when these obligations could be met. Bruce was in contact with a third owner on the same topic. Mr. Anderson will keep the Board apprised of results.
Bruce said 2009-2010 fiscal year tax returns had not yet been prepared by Reese Henry and Co. CPA’s. He said an extension had been filed. The Trustees directed Bruce to have the tax return prepared without waiting for the final audit reports, which was the CPA’s reason for waiting to this date. President Blackmer recommended that she and Trustee Meager, work through the draft Management Letter with Mr. Anderson to complete that portion of the audit.
The written audit recommendations from McMahan and Associates were discussed. Bruce had prepared responses for Board consideration for each recommendation from his perspective as association accountant. The auditing firm’s recommendations were considered individually by the Board, along with Mr. Anderson’s opinions on each. The Board’s actions in regard to these recommendations were as follows:
Cash Receipts Posting-recommendation to post assessments received to the general letter on the date received. This will change present practice, and in particular in regard to charging of late fees. Mr. Anderson was asked to notify all owners of this change on the next statements. Discussed and carried by motion and second, unanimous approval.
Replacement Study-recommendation that the Association complete and review a reserve study. Mr. Edquist was asked to confirm estimates from owner Dan Harris in regard to the expense of complete replacement of the water system. This process is underway via the Responsible Governance Policies and other actions, prior and present, of the Board of Trustees. Discussed and carried by motion and second, unanimous approval.
Construction Deposits-recommendation to require receipt of construction deposits prior to approval of plans by the ACA. Discussed and carried by motion and second, unanimous approval.
Contractual Arrangements- recommendation that written contracts be executed for all significant agreements for the provision of goods and services. Discussed and carried by motion and second, unanimous approval.
Vendor Files-recommendation that hard copies of invoices be filed alphabetically by vendor name rather than by check number as is the current practice. Mr. Anderson displayed an entire year’s worth of Association checks and invoices in a letter size folder no larger than 1.5 inches in thickness. The association has so few vendors that finding hard copy records is not hindered by the present filing method. His recommendation was not to change the present method of filing, and the Trustees agreed. No action needed.
Assigning Accounting Numbers- recommendation to use account numbers for income and expense items in the Association’s bookkeeping. Mr. Anderson stated similar reasons to those regarding Vendor Files for not changing the present methods, and the Trustees agreed. No action needed.
Investment Policy- recommendation to establish a formal and written, investment policy to guide placement and use of Association funds. This process is underway via the Responsible Governance Policies and other actions, prior and present, of the Board of Trustees. Discussed and carried by motion and second, unanimous approval.
At this point, Mr. Anderson left the meeting, financial matters being concluded.
Unfinished Business- Mr. Edquist and President Blackmer signed a revised management contract with EMRE LLC to June 2011, with countersigned hard copies to each party.
The three yet to be adopted Responsible Governance Policies were discussed, modified and passed by motions in favor, seconds and unanimous “yeas”. Secretary Wright is to sign these for website posting. These are:
Investment of Reserve Funds
Collection Policy and Procedure
Enforcement Policy/Schedule of Fines and Fees
All the State required Responsible Governance Policies have now been reviewed and adopted by the Board of Trustees for the Little Elk Creek Village Homeowners Association.
Unfinished Business-cont.
Further discussion of the revised Architectural Guidelines was undertaken, and Trustees Wright and Ernemann are to work through a final revision prior to the next meeting. Mr. Edquist’s comments have been incorporated in the most recent revisions. This document too will be posted to the website when complete.
Beth Blackmer made a brief report on the Source Water Protection Plan presentation held at Kent Meager’s home. She said owner George Johnson had volunteered to lead in the production of this document on behalf of LEC, and that the process was moving forward. She named the committee as LEC owners George Johnson, Dan Harris, Tom Gering, John Ott and herself.
Keith and Beth gave a brief update on Dan Harris’ leak seeking on the water system, saying he believes there is a slow leak, and that some manipulation this past week may have provided its location. Dan will continue to test the system for this leak, and provide Mr. Edquist with enough information to allow notice to affected owners prior to shutting off sections of the water system overnight.
New Business-none.
The next meeting of the Trustees is set for January 12th, 2011. President Blackmer reminded all Trustees present and absent that the meeting is set for the second Wednesday each month and to place it on their calendars now.
There being no other business to come before the Board, there followed a motion to adjourn at 9:33 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Keith M. Edquist, Association Manager
Beth Blackmer, President