July 8, 2008 Board Minutes
Meeting was held at the home of Sherri Spykerman. In attendance were, Eric Cohen, Tom Gering, Sherry Spykerman, Jodi Jacobson, John Corcoran, and Manager Keith Edquist. Owner and applicant, Amy Pate, Lot 35, Block 1, attended in regard to the home to be constructed on this lot.
Approval of Minutes—There was a motion, seconded and carrier unanimously, to approve the June 8 minutes and the minutes of the annual meeting held June 11, 2008. Sherri was to post these on the website.
Review of Pate’s plans—Amy Pate (977-0483, amy@rockymountainred.com) presented two sets of plans (Stevens Group, Carbondale, including site plan, landscape plan, floor plans of 1st and 2nd levels, elevations) and some additional photographs showing the proposed style of the home, as similar to the cabins at the Roaring Fork Club. Amy made some changes on the plans presented, which were representative of changes to windows. Note was made that the site plan does not indicate the location of the septic tank, which should be shown. She indicated there might be a shed roof or dormers on the rear elevation of the garage, which elevation was not shown on these plans. Amy was encouraged to consider a pond or pool on the lot to insure continuity of ditch water for irrigation. She was also encouraged to have the sub-contractors park on the lot itself and not on the streets. Amy was asked to secure signoffs from two additional neighbors (Marsh and Vernon) and to submit all the signoffs along with a new set of plans. Amy promised to do so.
Election of Officers—The Board elected the following persons as officers for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, by acclimation: Sherri Spykerman-President
- Tom Gering- Vice-President
- Eric Cohen-Secretary
- John Corcoran-Treasurer
Review of Treasurer’s Report—the documents provided at the meeting were a ‘Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2008’, and ‘Profit and Loss Budget vs. Actual’. Both were labeled as not finalized. The Board discussed various line items in the budget as over/under and noted $96, 380 budgeted vs. $96, 044.52 in expenses in total. On the balance sheet note was made of $210,460.88 held in an Alpine Bank Certificate of Deposit. It was believed about half of this was set aside for capital improvements to the water system. The Board asked that a final 2007-2008 budget vs. actual be available for the next meeting, along with an update on any assessments due.
Bank Signatures—members of the Board signed appropriate bank signature cards provided by Sherri prior to the start of the meeting. These update signers on the association accounts to remove old and add new Board members.
Road work discussion—There was some discussion regarding road work scheduled for this summer, and a determination to charge owners Tonare and Smart $750 each for road cut repairs made to benefit there homes/lots. There was approval to ‘soften’ the hump at Gate’s lot on Haystack. Contractor Martin MacDonald is scheduled to perform various road repairs in the community this summer. Sherri stated the expected expense as $10,000 or slightly more, not including culvert humps. It was the consensus of the Board that a single contractor should perform the work and therefore would be responsible for warranty issues. Manager Edquist was asked to contact owners Tonare and Smart regarding these decisions.
Bridge repair—the horse and pedestrian bridge over the Little Elk Creek ditch is in need of repairs to the railings and walking surface. Manager Edquist submitted a proposal to replace the decking and rails for the sum of $1800.38, work to be done in early August. The Board accepted this proposal and it was left with President Spykerman for signing.
Playground discussion—the Board considered the condition of the playground as an amenity to the neighborhood and reflective of the neighborhood. Eric Cohen had done internet research and come to the conclusion that commercial equipment for the playground could cost up the $30,000. Previous discussions had focused on a much smaller number of less than $5000. After prolonged discussion of what the playground means to the neighborhood and how it is representative of the neighborhood (good or bad), it was determined that Tom Gering and manager Edquist would meet on site, measure the present area and consider other areas nearby. Also, Edquist volunteered to do some more research on costs and availability for the next meeting.
Curb stop markers—the board considered two different fiberglass markers to place at curbstop locations and determined a single blue fiberglass stake the better of the two options. Sherri is to look for taller (5 to 6 foot) markers than the sample shown at the meeting. A list of lots with curbstops still missing at various lots was given to Edquist to continue to try to locate.
New Business—the Board discussed a renter who has two pit bull dogs. There is a level of concern in that they killed Director Gering’s cat, under his deck and at his house. Also, they have been loose a couple of times and run to people in the street. Dogs running loose in the community were discussed. The pit bull owners have installed an ‘invisible fence’ on the lot. The owner also has a hand-held device and has kept them contained. As of the date of the meeting, they were no longer running free.
In regard to pit bulls, Pitkin County has no specific regulations, and LEC has none in its declaration. There followed a discussion as to what, if any, action to take in regard to this situation. John Corcoran suggested a letter be written to the tenants, owners, and copied to the Pitkin County animal control officer. Edquist was to draft such a letter for Board review. There was consideration given to posting something more in regard to dogs on the LEC website’s ‘Good neighbor Policy’, such as a ‘three strikes and you’re out’ regulation, requiring removal of dogs from the property after a third incident. Manager Edquist felt the Board was getting into a “rule and regulation” situation, and cautioned that all owners would have to be made aware of any such policy by mail, as not all are able to access the internet and website. Specifically, this would have to be a published rule/regulation/policy before action could be taken under it.
Parking on the streets—the Board discussed signage to prohibit parking on the streets, but determined not to place such signage. An owner on Haystack had several cars parked in the street instead of the driveway last week. An owner on Haystack had several cars in the street for 3-4 days and had been previously contacted numerous times for the same problem in the winter. The board understands that there may be times when this is necessary but questioned why this homeowner needs to continually park on the street. This is particularly troublesome in the winter, and also seems to encourage other owners to do the same. It was determined that two of the Board members who are neighbors would discuss this with the offending owner and try to get the practice to stop. Update at next meeting.
Thistles—the roadsides are not being sprayed this year, the problem has lessened with spraying previously and President Spykerman has been digging the few thistles adjacent to the roadsides that she has seen. Spraying for noxious weeds in the common area has already been contracted for the year.
The discussion on Polsky and water assessment was tabled. There followed a motion to adjourn at 9:40 pm.