Cedar Springs Homeowners’ Association Annual Meeting
March 24, 2007
Presiding were Board members Don Lapworth, Susan Miller, Alex Taylor, and Art Shotwell. The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m. in the large meeting room of the
Anacortes Library.
1. Introduction of new homeowners
Don Lapworth introduced Don and Naomi Hanson, the new owners of 1806 Cedar Springs Lane. The new owners of 1812 Cedar Springs Lane were not at the meeting.
2. President’s Report
Don Lapworth summarized the projects the board undertook during this past year:
• CC&R revision and distribution
• House Rules revision and distribution
• Research and communication regarding earthquake insurance
• Cleanup of windstorm damage
• Defining landscaping and irrigation needs, working with Simply Yards, presenting proposal to the homeowners, authorizing the project, and supervising the project while the workers were here.
• Rat extermination
• Fence repair
• Cleaning and leveling of some gutters
• Consideration of re-lighting the sign at the entrance (too expensive)
• Revision of the by-laws (still in process)
• Encouragement of automatic dues payment
In addition to the above projects, the board also took care of regular business, which included responding to homeowners’ questions, finding contractors and working with them to do the above projects, writing and distributing important communications to homeowners, keeping close watch on the association’s finances, and many other odd jobs. Don Lapworth thanked the board members for their service to the association this past year.
3. Treasurer’s Report
Art Shotwell reported that we will have our accounts audited after April 15 because it will be less expensive when the accountants don’t have tax deadlines to deal with.
We have a total of $21,000 in our combined account balances. Major expenses this past year included:
$27,400 for regular landscape maintenance
$ 5,000 for repairs
$ 4,000 for attorney fees
Everyone has paid the special assessment for the landscaping project.
Homeowners are urged to use automatic bank payments of their homeowners’ dues so as not to forget the monthly payment.
4. Landscaping Questions
Two homeowners had questions about the landscaping work. They were asked to direct their questions to Kippy Strandberg.
5. Proposed Amendment to the CC&Rs regarding rental of units
There was extensive discussion of the pros and cons of having rental units in our association. Several people didn’t understand the legal language of the amendment and questioned what it actually meant. One asked if the amendment could be altered to allow a limited number of rentals. Art Shotwell suggested that if there were aspects of the amendment that people wanted more information on or wanted to change, that they vote no for this iteration.
6. Election of 2007 to 2008 board members
It was proposed that the board be composed of the following members: Alex Taylor, Art Shotwell, Vince Sellen, Kippy Strandberg, and Jean Thomas, with Rebecca Flint as a member-at-large. Those in attendance unanimously approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:23.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Miller
Monday, March 26, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Proposed revision to CC&Rs
I've posted a new proposed revision to the convenants for Cedar Springs Home Owners Association. See the link in the right hand column. Art
Monday, March 12, 2007
Annual Owners' Meeting Agenda
Agenda: Cedar Springs Home Owners Assn.
Annual Meeting for 2007
Anacortes Library Meeting Room
10 AM Sat. March 24, 2007
(1) Introduction of Officers and Guests - Don Lapworth
(2) President's Report - Don Lapworth
(3) Treasury Report - Art Shotwell
Budget for 2007
Status of Audit
(4) Landscape Improvement Program Report - Kippy Strandberg
(5) By Laws Revision Report - Alex Taylor
(6) Revision of CC&R's to Limit Unit Rentals - Don Lapworth
Discussion of Proposed Amendment - Allen Souders, Attorney
Presentation for Vote & Approval - Susan Miller
(7) Selection of Officers for 2007 - Alex Taylor
Annual Meeting for 2007
Anacortes Library Meeting Room
10 AM Sat. March 24, 2007
(1) Introduction of Officers and Guests - Don Lapworth
(2) President's Report - Don Lapworth
(3) Treasury Report - Art Shotwell
Budget for 2007
Status of Audit
(4) Landscape Improvement Program Report - Kippy Strandberg
(5) By Laws Revision Report - Alex Taylor
(6) Revision of CC&R's to Limit Unit Rentals - Don Lapworth
Discussion of Proposed Amendment - Allen Souders, Attorney
Presentation for Vote & Approval - Susan Miller
(7) Selection of Officers for 2007 - Alex Taylor
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Grounds Improvement Report
Cedar Springs Grounds Improvement Report
March 6, 2007
John Childs, Kippy Strandberg, Susan Miller, and Alex Taylor walked the grounds today to discuss the work accomplished by the Simply Yards staff and to determine what work still needs to be completed. John was very amenable to all the suggestions and requests we presented. They include the following:
1. Drainage problems will be addressed around the following units: 1909, 1903, 1910, 1814, 1808, and 1806. It is understood that some drainage problems will still exist because of omissions during the original construction.
2. Plants will be moved away from the siding of the following units: 1802 (Court), and 1901, 1903, 1907, 1909, 1801, and 1804 (Lane).
3. Dead trees behind unit 1811 (Court) will be removed.
4. The maple tree by the sidewalk near 1802 (Lane) will be removed at owners’ request and replanted behind unit 1808.
5. The cleanup around the creek will be completed. Blackberriy bushes will be removed, and branches & leaves lying on the ground will be removed in places where the area isn’t being left natural.
6. Dead branches around 1813 and 1901 will be removed.
7. The lawn will be lifted and soil will be amended at the entrance of the Court area and across the street from unit 1811.
8. Many of our escalonia bushes have been damaged or killed by the freeze. The hard freeze occurred after we signed the contract with Simply Yards, so it is not their responsibility to replace them. John Childs suggests that we give them several months to see if they grow back rather than take them out at this time. We have dozens of escalonia and will need to consider replacements in the future for the ones that have died. John suggests replacing the dead ones with a plant that is more winter resistant. This will eventually be an extra cost to the association.
9. It was decided not to put in a border separating the gravel walkway from the new soil and bark behind the units abutting the creek. Leaving the walkway level with the ground keeps the appearance more natural and less formal, which complements the appearance of the natural wetlands area.
10. More than 280 plants were added to our grounds during the project. These plants were specifically chosen for the areas they are in. They are meant not only to beautify the grounds but also to provide a buffer between the units. If you have not yet walked the grounds, please do so and notice all the new plantings. Their beauty will be especially noticeable as spring progresses. Their colors and blossoms will change with the seasons.
If you have any specific concerns about the project at this point, please call Kippy Strandberg as soon as possible so that any extra work can be done with the rest of these items.
March 6, 2007
John Childs, Kippy Strandberg, Susan Miller, and Alex Taylor walked the grounds today to discuss the work accomplished by the Simply Yards staff and to determine what work still needs to be completed. John was very amenable to all the suggestions and requests we presented. They include the following:
1. Drainage problems will be addressed around the following units: 1909, 1903, 1910, 1814, 1808, and 1806. It is understood that some drainage problems will still exist because of omissions during the original construction.
2. Plants will be moved away from the siding of the following units: 1802 (Court), and 1901, 1903, 1907, 1909, 1801, and 1804 (Lane).
3. Dead trees behind unit 1811 (Court) will be removed.
4. The maple tree by the sidewalk near 1802 (Lane) will be removed at owners’ request and replanted behind unit 1808.
5. The cleanup around the creek will be completed. Blackberriy bushes will be removed, and branches & leaves lying on the ground will be removed in places where the area isn’t being left natural.
6. Dead branches around 1813 and 1901 will be removed.
7. The lawn will be lifted and soil will be amended at the entrance of the Court area and across the street from unit 1811.
8. Many of our escalonia bushes have been damaged or killed by the freeze. The hard freeze occurred after we signed the contract with Simply Yards, so it is not their responsibility to replace them. John Childs suggests that we give them several months to see if they grow back rather than take them out at this time. We have dozens of escalonia and will need to consider replacements in the future for the ones that have died. John suggests replacing the dead ones with a plant that is more winter resistant. This will eventually be an extra cost to the association.
9. It was decided not to put in a border separating the gravel walkway from the new soil and bark behind the units abutting the creek. Leaving the walkway level with the ground keeps the appearance more natural and less formal, which complements the appearance of the natural wetlands area.
10. More than 280 plants were added to our grounds during the project. These plants were specifically chosen for the areas they are in. They are meant not only to beautify the grounds but also to provide a buffer between the units. If you have not yet walked the grounds, please do so and notice all the new plantings. Their beauty will be especially noticeable as spring progresses. Their colors and blossoms will change with the seasons.
If you have any specific concerns about the project at this point, please call Kippy Strandberg as soon as possible so that any extra work can be done with the rest of these items.
Board Minutes - March 6, 2007
Board Meeting Minutes for Cedar Springs Homeowners’ Association
March 6, 2007
Present were board members Don Lapworth, Kippy Strandberg, Alex Taylor, Susan Miller, and Art Shotwell. Jan Berry attended as a guest.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Reminder to everyone: The annual homeowners meeting, required by the CC&Rs, takes place Saturday, March 24 at 10:00 a.m. at the Anacortes Public Library. Please plan to attend so that you can vote on next year’s board members and a possible change to the CC&Rs.
Issues for the homeowners meeting on March 24
1. Alex Taylor will call around to find replacements for outgoing board members. Board members who are leaving are Don Lapworth, Susan Miller, and Art Shotwell. We will vote for new board members at the homeowners meeting on the 24th.
2. There is a concern among a number of homeowners about the increasing number of rentals in our development. Board members also share these concerns. One board member who has previously lived in two townhouse/condo associations described the disastrous situations that arose in both places because of irresponsible renters. The situations were so bad that those homeowners’ associations moved to discontinue allowing rentals as soon as the units being rented out were sold. Cedar Springs board members all prefer that rentals not be allowed. The board members authorized Don Lapworth to talk to Alan Souders, our attorney, about the situation, and to have Mr. Souders draw up language for an addition to the CC&Rs that the homeowners can vote on when we have our annual meeting. The addition to the CC&Rs will propose that as soon as the current rental units are sold, no further rentals will be allowed.
Landscaping Report
1. Please see the attached document to read Kippy Strandberg’s report on the walk-through of the grounds today (March 6) with John Childs to see what work still needs to be completed.
2. During the landscaping project it became necessary to authorize a change orders for additional work and material. The board authorized change orders for $2500 for Simply Yards to do the additional work.
3. Several fences are in need of repair. One is on the Court, and another is behind 1808 and 1810 on the Lane. Jan Berry has volunteered to get the name and number of the neighbor on the other side of the fence so that the board can discuss plans for repairing the fence and paying for the repairs.
4. Richard Bergner and members of the Skagit Conservation District group will tour our development on Saturday, March 10th at 1:30, to look at what we have done to become a certified wildlife habitat. There will be 30 to 35 people coming through our area that afternoon.
Bylaws Revision
Alex Taylor and Vince Sellen are working on the revision. They will focus on how many board members are needed, what their duties are, how to ensure continuity on the board, the kinds of elections needed, and the use of Roberts Rules of Order in meetings.
Treasurer’s Report
Three homeowners are behind in the payment of their dues. Two are 60 days behind, and one is 90 days behind. Because we just wrote a large check to Simply Yards for the landscaping project, our reserves are unusually low, and it is more important than ever that we get dues payments on time. The CC&Rs stipulate that late charges be assessed for late payments, so beginning April 1st, our accounting firm will send notices to homeowners whose payments have not been received by that date, and they will charge penalties for late payment. Please be sure to get your April 1st payment (plus any payments you have missed) to Furin & Co. on time. Remember that the next payment is for $195.
Our accounts have the following amounts:
Operating account: $ 2013
Insurance account: $ 1769
Reserve account: $14,750
New business
There is still interest on the part of many homeowners in earthquake insurance. The board hasn’t put it before the homeowners just now because of the recent payments for the landscaping project. If there is sufficient interest, the board will be glad to bring the issue before the homeowners again.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. The next meeting will be April 3rd at the Lapworths’ home.
Reminders
Susan Miller
March 6, 2007
Present were board members Don Lapworth, Kippy Strandberg, Alex Taylor, Susan Miller, and Art Shotwell. Jan Berry attended as a guest.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Reminder to everyone: The annual homeowners meeting, required by the CC&Rs, takes place Saturday, March 24 at 10:00 a.m. at the Anacortes Public Library. Please plan to attend so that you can vote on next year’s board members and a possible change to the CC&Rs.
Issues for the homeowners meeting on March 24
1. Alex Taylor will call around to find replacements for outgoing board members. Board members who are leaving are Don Lapworth, Susan Miller, and Art Shotwell. We will vote for new board members at the homeowners meeting on the 24th.
2. There is a concern among a number of homeowners about the increasing number of rentals in our development. Board members also share these concerns. One board member who has previously lived in two townhouse/condo associations described the disastrous situations that arose in both places because of irresponsible renters. The situations were so bad that those homeowners’ associations moved to discontinue allowing rentals as soon as the units being rented out were sold. Cedar Springs board members all prefer that rentals not be allowed. The board members authorized Don Lapworth to talk to Alan Souders, our attorney, about the situation, and to have Mr. Souders draw up language for an addition to the CC&Rs that the homeowners can vote on when we have our annual meeting. The addition to the CC&Rs will propose that as soon as the current rental units are sold, no further rentals will be allowed.
Landscaping Report
1. Please see the attached document to read Kippy Strandberg’s report on the walk-through of the grounds today (March 6) with John Childs to see what work still needs to be completed.
2. During the landscaping project it became necessary to authorize a change orders for additional work and material. The board authorized change orders for $2500 for Simply Yards to do the additional work.
3. Several fences are in need of repair. One is on the Court, and another is behind 1808 and 1810 on the Lane. Jan Berry has volunteered to get the name and number of the neighbor on the other side of the fence so that the board can discuss plans for repairing the fence and paying for the repairs.
4. Richard Bergner and members of the Skagit Conservation District group will tour our development on Saturday, March 10th at 1:30, to look at what we have done to become a certified wildlife habitat. There will be 30 to 35 people coming through our area that afternoon.
Bylaws Revision
Alex Taylor and Vince Sellen are working on the revision. They will focus on how many board members are needed, what their duties are, how to ensure continuity on the board, the kinds of elections needed, and the use of Roberts Rules of Order in meetings.
Treasurer’s Report
Three homeowners are behind in the payment of their dues. Two are 60 days behind, and one is 90 days behind. Because we just wrote a large check to Simply Yards for the landscaping project, our reserves are unusually low, and it is more important than ever that we get dues payments on time. The CC&Rs stipulate that late charges be assessed for late payments, so beginning April 1st, our accounting firm will send notices to homeowners whose payments have not been received by that date, and they will charge penalties for late payment. Please be sure to get your April 1st payment (plus any payments you have missed) to Furin & Co. on time. Remember that the next payment is for $195.
Our accounts have the following amounts:
Operating account: $ 2013
Insurance account: $ 1769
Reserve account: $14,750
New business
There is still interest on the part of many homeowners in earthquake insurance. The board hasn’t put it before the homeowners just now because of the recent payments for the landscaping project. If there is sufficient interest, the board will be glad to bring the issue before the homeowners again.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. The next meeting will be April 3rd at the Lapworths’ home.
Reminders
- It is requested that if homeowners have questions or concerns, they put them in writing and send them to the Board. If the matter is urgent, please indicate that it is, and indicate a date by when a response is needed. Someone from the Board will respond.
- The minutes can also be found at http://cedarspringshoa.blogspot.com/
Susan Miller
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