Report from the
St. Alban’s Square Neighborhood Association
2009 Membership & Budget Ratification Meeting
September 22, 2009
According to Association bylaws, the Neighborhood Association Membership Meeting must be held in the third quarter. The purpose of the meeting is to elect new members to the Council of Stewards and to present committee reports of the past year’s activities. Presentation and ratification of the next year’s budget is covered in the same meeting. Issues and questions are also discussed and official actions taken or referred to the Council of Stewards (COS).
John Williamson, Association President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and made introductions. A quorum of members was verified. Homeowner notification of the meeting was verified. Minutes of the 2008 meeting were approved.
The Nominating Committee presented via ballot the names of candidates for the Council of Stewards: Tom Fischer and Jill Stierli to fill three-year terms that expired this year. There were no nominations from the floor and no other nominations had been submitted to Abbott Enterprises. A motion to elect the candidates by acclamation was approved.
A summary of the committee reports is submitted below. For questions, please call the committee chairperson or Council representative.
Finance Committee
Tom Fischer, Treasurer, reported that the current budget is on target. The Council of Stewards approved the 2010 budget in the August meeting with an increase of $1.50 per month for Common charges (both townhome and single-family home owners). The amount will be split between Operating Funds ($0.50) and Common Reserves ($1.00). There will be no increase in assessments for townhome maintenance (Peer Group). There were no objections to the 2010 budget and it was ratified.
Architectural Review Committee
This committee (five members) meets monthly to consider requests to make architectural changes and to establish neighborhood standards as needed. The committee is now getting more requests for major additions. Please allow 30 days to get submissions approved, particularly if major changes are requested.
Covenant Committee
This committee’s responsibility is to review reported or observed covenant violations with the intent of maintaining and preserving community standards. Parking violations continue to be a key focus, with lighting, street regulations, and yard/home appearance also reviewed as primary issues. The committee currently has five members.
Landscape & Grounds Committee
Lemie Richards, COS representative, stated that this committee is responsible for maintaining landscaping appearance throughout the neighborhood, including removal of dead trees, replacement of dead shrubs and bushes in townhomes, and replacement of shrubs/trees where needed. Development of a plan to upgrade landscaping in all townhomes over a period of years is underway. Requests for landscaping changes not involving architectural revisions must also be reviewed and approved by this committee. A major erosion issue behind South Faulkner at the turn of Miriam G. Tuttle Byway was resolved this year. This committee is responsible for the Yard-of-the-Month award and the Holiday Decoration Contest. It is also responsible for the holiday decorations at both neighborhood entrances. [Note: Volunteers to help put up these decorations are always welcome.]
Townhome & Workplace Building Maintenance Committee
Jim & Heather Faulkner, chairpersons since early in 2009, reviewed the committee’s responsibilities which include the exterior maintenance of townhomes and the review and processing of repair orders in a timely fashion. The fifth phase of the townhome exterior painting project (buildings on north side of Harper Lee Street) has been completed. Replacement and repainting of rotted sections of stairway supports on O. Henry Avenue has been completed. Abbott Enterprises should be contacted about problems that need repair. Expenses for repairs are on budget for 2009. The committee has been working hard to clarify what is included as Association responsibility when repairs are needed. A spreadsheet is being developed to outline these repairs and should be available by year’s end.
Newsletter & Website Committee
Steve Lee, neighborhood webmaster, presented the report. Many residents in our neighborhood have contributed to the writing, production, and delivery of the newsletter and their volunteer efforts are greatly appreciated. The newsletter is posted to the website each month. During 2010, two or three newsletters may be combined to save costs. Casita residents may receive copies of the newsletter upon request. “Human interest” stories of neighbors are encouraged. Volunteers for delivery are always welcome. A printable neighborhood directory is now available on the website. [Note: Please visit www.stalbanssq.org.]
Property Transition Committee
The original purpose of this committee was to help new resident transition by providing information regarding covenants, the website, committees, and the maintenance fee payment process. Nancy Lingle is handling work for this committee, but due to the current slowdown in the housing market, there has been little activity in 2009.
Following committee reports, the floor was opened to new business and comments:
- A resident of Fairview Lane reported that a task force has been formed to review safety issues along that street, including speeding, disregard for STOP signs, and children playing and riding bikes. An October 28 meeting is scheduled with the Police Department for an update discussion of problems, as well as the pursuit of solutions. Further points included discussion of the speed limit, traffic volume, parking needs, and supervision of children playing in the street. [Note: See newsletter article on pages 6-7.]
- Mike Stenhouse thanked all members for volunteering their time to make St. Alban’s Square Neighborhood a great place to live!
- Pat Stenhouse expressed an interest in the possibility of larger street signs similar to those in the McConnell neighborhood.
- There was discussion of repainting the parking lines and other street markings. [Doug Wright, Davidson Public Works & Project Director, has indicated that this work is scheduled to be completed in the next several months.]
- A question was raised regarding status of delinquent accounts. These accounts are at an all-time low. The monthly impact is a very small percentage of total fees paid each month.
- Vera Victorino, Abbott Enterprises, reminded homeowners that it is the responsibility of the homeowner to make renters and/or buyers aware of the Association Covenant and bylaws.
- A resident expressed concern about damage caused in the by-ways by trash/recycle trucks at the turns. [Note: Although some of the turns have been widened and walls re-enforced, the situation will require further study.]
Drawings for the $100 and $50 cash prizes were held.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 P.M.
Following the Membership Meeting, a special session of the Council of Stewards was held to select officers for 2009-2010:
Steve Kessler, President
Nancy Lingle, Vice-President
Jill Stierli, Secretary
Tom Fischer, Treasurer
Jack Christine, Recording Secretary
Representatives for the various neighborhood committees will be assigned at the next Council of Stewards regular meeting on October 28. A complete list of committee chairpersons and council representatives will be included in the November newsletter.
The COS also approved a proposal by Queen City Waterproofing for repair to three townhomes for water leakage. A total of $6,000 has been set aside from Peer (townhome) Reserves and repairs will be coordinated with Coleman Landscaping and Queen City Waterproofing.
The special session was adjourned at 8:40 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 October 28, 2009. 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. |
