October 14, 2008 Board Minutes
The meeting was held at the Firehouse. In attendance were, Jodi Jacobson, Eric Cohen, Sherri Spykerman, John Corcoran, and Manager Keith Edquist. Director Tom Gering was unable to attend.
Approval of Minutes—There was a motion, seconded and carried unanimously, to approve the September 15, 2008 minutes. Minutes are posted on the website after approval.
Financial Reports-accountant Bruce Anderson provided the most recent financials for Board review. Bruce noted, and the report showed, that there were no past due assessments. The Board wanted to confirm that all accounts were covered by FDIC insurance. The agenda noted also that the 2007 tax returns for Little Elk were signed and mailed. There were no taxes due.
Curb stops-Keith reported that 10 curbstops remain unfound and unmarked, that 5 lots have no houses on them and therefore no curb stops, and that 50 curb stops were found and marked, while another 8 lots have the general location of the stop marked, though not actually found. Mr. Edquist said he would recheck that all found stops are marked with the 6 foot blue stakes. He said also that the subdivision map and an excel spreadsheet regarding curb stop locations will be kept in the pump house for reference. There will be no further attempts at present to locate the last of these stops.
Road work-Still no invoice from McDonald Paving. Expected expense to HOA is $10,500 for all work, some portion of which will be billed to owners Tonare, Gates and Gardner for work related to those homes.
Construction deposit, water tap fee and owner Smart -the Board discussed work being done to the Smart barn on Lot 3, Block 1 at some length. Mr. Smart has been invoiced for a water tap fee of $1000, and provided a letter to the Board expressing his willingness to pay this fee if he cannot produce evidence that it was previously paid. The letter also disputed the need for a construction deposit, and included a single page of elevation drawings of the barn, marked by hand with some features excluded, and some altered, with a comment on lighting from the neighbor immediately west of Lot 3, but not from all contiguous neighbors. There was a motion, seconded and approved unanimously, that if proof that the water tap fee has previously been paid is not received by the end of October, then the $1000 tap fee will be due within 30 days, or November 30th, 2008.
Discussion regarding the construction being done on the barn at present resulted in the determination by the Board that if a county building permit is required for the work, then a construction deposit to the association is also required, though this is not the only determining factor for a construction deposit. Mr. Smart does have a Pitkin County building permit for work on the barn for dormers only. Note was made that construction deposits due the association were increased from $1000 to $3000 in the Board meeting of February 2008 and are noted in those minutes. The Board determined to have Manager Edquist write to owner Smart and request that he abide by the covenants of Little Elk Creek and supply the Board more complete plans for the barn and submit therewith the required $3000, refundable-upon-completion, construction deposit, and signed acknowledgements from the neighbors of the work proposed on the structure. In other words, exactly what the covenants require of all owners for such projects. Mr. Edquist was also directed to quote the covenants and the website “good neighbor policy” in regard to procedures for making changes to homes and lots in his letter to Mr. Smart.
Unfinished Business-
Return of construction deposits – Tonare and Cohen, Livingston-It was determined that Mr. Corcoran would walk the Livingston and Cohen properties in regard to return of construction deposits. Mr. Tonare has removed the lumber pile from the front yard and it no longer appears as if that home is under construction. Mr. Edquist was to check with Bruce Anderson and Mr. Tonare in regard to how to refund his construction deposit, since he will also owe the association for road work recently completed.
Nunn horse fence—Director Jacobsen was to bring the plans and neighbor acknowledgements regarding the fence being constructed on owner Nunn’s property, but inadvertently forgot to do so.
She will bring them to the president for the association records next week.
Snowcap Caucus-information on the Snowcap Caucus was forwarded to all owners via email on their mission statement and the work they are doing. The caucus requested any homeowner interested in participating with their efforts to respond directly back to the caucus.
There being no other business to come before the Board, there followed a motion to adjourn at 8:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Keith M. Edquist, Association Manager
Sherri Spykerman, President