In attendance: Dave Smith (presiding), Tom Fischer, Steve Kessler, Nancy Lingle, and Lemie Richards.
A townhome resident on Caldwell Lane presented concerns regarding water seepage in the garage and a continuing problem with plugged gutters. The issue with water seepage is a similar issue to that of other townhome owners. Details of the problem were turned over to the Townhome Building & Maintenance Committee for resolution. The problem with gutters was felt to have been resolved with regular semi-annual cleaning by an outside contractor. Heather Faulkner, co-chair of the Townhome & Building Maintenance Committee, will verify with Abbott that this work is being completed.
There were no other homeowner concerns. The Council of Stewards (COS) also discussed these issues and took the following actions:
1. Townhome/Workplace Building Maintenance Committee – Total expense for work orders during 2008 was $15,377. (Total work orders – 73; Average expense per work order - $211). This figure is almost identical to 2007 at $15,402 and considerably lower than 2006 at $19,469. Work order expenses met budget for 2008.
Abbott has a new format for the monthly Work Order Report. The committee will request that Abbott furnish more detail regarding the description of problems and subsequent maintenance.
The committee has decided to bid the painting project for 2009. This is in keeping with a cycle of obtaining bids every two years for this work. This year’s project includes townhomes on the north side of Harper Lee Street and is the fifth phase of the painting cycle. A pre-bid meeting will be held with contractors on March 16. Work is likely to start in May.
An update of the 2005 Reserve Study will be completed in 2009. The COS voted to accept a Reserve Study Update option with a site visit by The Felix Reserve Group of Denver, Colorado. The work is expected to take 10 weeks and will be completed by the end of August. Cost will be $2,810.
2. Finance Committee – The financial report for 2008 was reviewed. Common totals were $3,207 negative (-4.6%) to budget. Peer totals were $12,925 positive (+8.4%) to budget. Total assets for the Association were at $503,475 for year-ending 2008.
All Merrill Lynch Reserve Peer accounts have been closed and funds moved to CA Banc Reserve Peer accounts as requested.
The COS approved increasing deductible amounts on the Association insurance from $2,500 to $5,000 per incident. This amounts to a savings of $1,628 pro-rated for 2009 and additional savings in years to come.
3. Property Transition Committee – The committee is still looking for a new chairperson and redefinition of options to best serve the neighborhood.
4. Landscape & Grounds Committee – An estimate from the landscaping contractor for “limbing-up” trees in front of single-family homes is no longer required since this work was completed by the Town.
Lemie Richards and Judy McLean will provide Coleman with a list of landscaping needs resulting from snow damage or other damaged and ailing plants. [Note: Townhome owners can replace plants at their own cost with advance approval of design and plant types by the Architectural Review Committee.]
The landscaping contractor will be asked to furnish a quote for upgrades to the two remaining units on Twain Avenue and the one unit on Caldwell Lane. The long-term needs and schedule for landscaping upgrades will also be reviewed.
A large, dead tree in the common area behind O. Henry Avenue (Nature Preserve Property) was threatening a home and was removed in February.
Coleman Burnett Landscaping will be requested to remove the mimosa tree in the by-way behind South Faulkner. This tree is not appropriate for that location and continues to create problems for the roof on two townhome units.
5. Architectural Review Committee – There was no February meeting since no requests had been submitted for approval.
An issue has been raised regarding appropriate colors and types for compact fluorescent lighting. The issue will be presented to the ARC for review.
6. Newsletter & Website Committee – A printable neighborhood directory is now available on the website. Residents have inquired about the availability of a pdf. format version.
7. Covenant Committee – New members are needed on the committee.
Individual residents have frequently placed notes on vehicles parked overnight on neighborhood streets. The Covenant Committee and the COS request that you report these vehicles to the committee rather than writing notes. If reported properly, the committee can establish frequency and repeat offenders and deal more appropriately with correction and/or fines.
The committee is recruiting one or two new members.
Evan Webster, Town Commissioner and President of Mi-Connection, has agreed to meet with the Association COS following a letter requesting this dialog. A meeting date has not been set.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
| NOTE: The Council of Stewards meets regularly on the fourth Wednesday of every other month in St. Alban’s Church classroom (lower level) at 7:00 p.m. Special meetings are called as needed. Meetings are open to residents.The next regular COS meeting is scheduled on April 22, 2009. |