St. Alban’s Square Neighborhood Association
Report from Council of Stewards Meeting
February 29, 2012 [Regular Meeting]
In attendance: Dave Stout (Presiding), Bob Cameron, Celeste Colcord, Tom Fischer, Gary Simmons, Jill Stierli (Secretary), Jennie Clifton (Recording Secretary), and Vera Victorino (Abbott Enterprises).
Several homeowners have expressed concern about parking around Training Ground at Davidson, our newest work unit tenant at 122 St. Alban’s Lane. In a letter to John Cunnane of Cunnane Dilorio Realty, manager of the work units, Vera Victorino of Abbott had passed on these concerns, described by some as “nuisance” parking. Dave Stout invited Frank Giancarli, owner of Training Ground, to attend the COS meeting and to discuss these issues.
Mr. Giancarli explained that his business is community oriented and specializes in massage therapy and personal training. They serve the serious athlete interested in personal training and not the general public interested in a one hour workout once or twice a week. Most clients are from the immediate neighborhood and walk to the center. The Training Ground does little advertizing and depends on word-of-mouth to bring in new clients and members. The business is considering expansion into the upstairs unit. The number of people training at the center at any one time is limited to three or four, and many of these folks have walked. Even with the possible expansion, parking is not expected to be a problem. Frank has also received permission from St. Alban’s Church to use their lot for parking when needed. The Training Ground wishes to be a good fit for New Neighborhood and will work with the Association in any way possible to avoid and solve problems.
The Council of Stewards (COS) also discussed these issues and took the following actions:
- Committee reports were presented as follows:
1. Townhome/Workplace Building Maintenance Committee [Gary Simmons, COS representative and acting chairperson] – E-mail communications to this committee (or any other committee) should be made through the chairperson. If other COS members receive calls or e-mails regarding maintenance issues, these communications should be forwarded to Gary Simmons or Abbott for action. Gary will follow-up with the resident and anyone else that needs the information.
The committee has received quotations from two contractors for door and shutter painting ($31,400) and for preventative roof maintenance to flashing around penetrations ($26,000). Further review of door painting will be discussed as this work poses security issues for townhome owners. These proposals will be reviewed at the next committee meeting on April 18 and a final proposal will be made to the COS for approval on April 25. This work will be done in lieu of starting a new painting phase in 2012.
Concern was expressed to Abbott regarding repeated requests by the committee for follow-up work on problems identified during the video work done on all storm drains from townhomes. Much of this work, particularly in reference to repairing damaged pipe ends, still needs a contractor to present a proposal and quotation on how to resolve the issue. Vera will investigate the apparent hold-up in progress.
Information from maintenance feedback surveys is not being forwarded to the committee. Although this information was primarily received for Abbott internal purposes, Vera will follow-up with Dennis Abbott on the possibility of sending this feedback to the committee.
Maintenance costs are below budget for January, but these numbers usually fluctuate month-to-month.
Two or three new members are needed on this committee. If interested, contact Gary Simmons.
2. Finance Committee [Tom Fischer, chairperson; Dave Stout & Jill Stierli, COS representatives] – The updated financial report for January was presented. Expenses are on target to budget. A request was made to Abbott to move $20,000 from operating funds to Common Reserves.
3. Property Transition Committee [Celeste Colcord, chairperson and COS representative] –. One closing occurred in December on a single-family home on Caldwell. The market continues to be slow and prices are depressed, but holding up well in the neighborhood. There are currently seven single-family homes (two under contract) and eight townhomes (one under contract) for sale.
4. Landscape & Grounds Committee [Judy McLean, chairperson; Dana Sonnenberg, COS representative] – Landscaping upgrades and drip irrigation have been completed on Caldwell Lane and St. Alban’s Lane, including work units.
All dead trees have been replaced by the Town of Davidson except for the two on Clemens Place.
5. Architectural Review Committee [Luann Christine, chairperson; Celeste Colcord, COS representative] – No requests were submitted and there was no meeting during the month.
6. Newsletter & Website Committee [Dave Smith, editor; Steve Lee, webmaster; Bob Cameron, COS representative] – Conversion to electronic delivery by residents continues at a slow pace.
Access and updates to information on both the neighborhood website and the Abbott website continue to be major problems.
Dave and Shannon Stout have written a newsletter article for animal lovers. It highlights the Cornelius Animal Shelter and requests volunteers. A special section for “Animal Lovers” will be added to the neighborhood website, with links to lost and found pets and animals that are adoptable from the shelter. [See newsletter article on page 6.]
7. Covenant Committee [Shannon Stout, chairperson; Jill Stierli, COS representative] – No special issues are on the table and there was no meeting.
Four street parking violations have been forwarded to Abbott for further action.
8. Ad Hoc Safety Committee [Alfred Geiger, chairpersons] – The committee is keeping in touch with the Town of Davidson regarding actions that were discussed in the December COS meeting. Dave Stout has also referred the Town of Davidson School Safety Initiative to this committee for possible actions within our neighborhood.
9. Ad Hoc Neighborhood Beautification Committee [Dave Stout, chairperson and COS representative] – It is time to make a decision regarding painting of the entrance fencing off Grey Road. Options include using volunteers for the entire job or having the work done professionally.
Faulkner Square is looking much better. The volunteer committee for this work is expected to change plantings for spring/summer.
- Management Report – The Aging Report and the Management Action Log were reviewed. The Aging report continues to look good. Two accounts were reviewed for possible COS action.
The Council of Stewards Code of Conduct and Job Description final resolution was reviewed and approved by the COS.
- Unfinished Business – In early-Spring, Tom Fischer and Dave Smith will remark all reserved parking spaces throughout the Neighborhood. Most previous markings have faded or worn away.
There were many questions regarding the recent letter from Abbott correcting coupon book errors sent in January. This confusion is now corrected, but if your account is still not correct, contact Abbott immediately.
- New Business – Dave Stout will start a “Complaint Log” and will be the steward of that log. This log will record complaints from service by any committee and will seek resolution of problems.
Lights behind business units appear to have burned-out since they are not coming on at night. Dave Stout will contact Cunnane Dilorio Realty about this issue. It poses a safety issue because of poor visibility at night.
- The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
- The COS went into Executive Session following the regular meeting.
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 has been rescheduled for April 25. If an owner or resident wishes to address the COS at a regular meeting, please call a COS member about 5 days in advance of the meeting and the issue will be added to the “Homeowner Concerns” part of the agenda near the beginning of the meeting. |
