CEDAR SPRINGS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2020
Baptist Church Meeting Room
PRESENT: Paul and Nancy Stannert (1801), Vince and Gretchen Sellen (1802), Simone Caracciolo ( 1804), Anita Dale (1805), Diana Laiche (1806), Viola Welchko (1807), Judy Petrin (1808), William and Marilyn Rietzel (1811), Candise Cooper (1812), Bob and Andrea Gauthier (1813), Joan Mickelson (1815), Doug Winge (1817), Art and Marilyn Cawrse (1902), Suzanne Metcalf (1903), Alex Taylor (1907), Lynda Harper (1909), Art and Lexie Shotwell (1910), Kippy Strandberg (1802), Bill and Cele Westlake (1804), Heather Theny (1806), Bruce and Linda Janicula (1811). Present by Proxy for Carol Perry (1819) by Bob Gauthier, Mary Guard (1813) by Lexie Lamborn, Hildy Radke (1901) by Barbara McLenden, and Robert Kudelko(1809) by Kippy Strandberg.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by President Paul Stannert at 10:00 AM.
ROLL CALL: Secretary, Kippy Strandberg, announced we have a quorum of 23.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The reading of the January 22, 2019, Annual Meeting Minutes was waived. Vince Sellen moved to approve the Minutes and Joan Mickelson seconded. All were in favor and the 2019 Minutes were approved.
REPORT BY PRESIDENT PAUL STANNERT
The President discussed completed 2019 projects.
- 2 Skylights were repaired.
- 2 Roof exhausts were repaired.
- 8 Windows were replaced.
- Phase I Gutter repairs were completed on 12 homes.
- The Cedar Springs entrance sign and trellis were refurbished.
REPORT BY THE TREASURER CELE WESTLAKE
The treasurer reported that the 2019 Budget started out with $125,000 and ended with $116,000. Our Budget is comprised of three accounts, Operations, Insurance, and the Reserve Account. The majority of our expenses are for Landscaping. Cele noted how attractive Cedar Springs yards look and that this contributes greatly to our ability to easily sell our homes. It was pointed out that our expenditures exceeded the income from homeowner dues by $9,000.
REPORT BY THE LANDSCAPE MANAGERS BRUCE AND LINDA JANICULA
Managers explained completed 2019 projects.
- Water expenditures were reduced by $600 by reducing length of watering
- Damaged or inadequate sprinkler heads were replaced, also helping to reduce watering costs.
- Iron and fertilizer were applied to the lawns.
- Trees around homes were trimmed.
- Some plants crowding others were removed.
- Dead plants were removed and replaced.
In 2020 mulching will be applied on the Court homes. We will be retaining the services of Simply Yards and they will be starting service on February 19th 2020 with a new crew. Any concerns or requests need to be directed to the Landscape Managers and not the Simply Yard crew. The Managers thanked the homeowners for following this procedure last year. The Managers stated they will continue to maintain the properties, always listen to homeowner’s concerns, and appreciate homeowner’s input. Doug Winge stated that perhaps thatching the grass would be beneficial. Kippy Strandberg suggested aeration might work better since our lawns are soggy. Lexie Shotwell stated that the burm in her yard did not get mulch last summer.
In 2020 Herberth will do some heavy pruning and Simply Yards will do light pruning.
2020 NEW BUSINESS
REPORTED BY PRESIDENT PAUL STANNERT
- The Board would like the homeowners to consider establishing a rental policy that would limit
the number of renters allowed. We currently have 7 out of 28 homes that are rentals. The policy would grandfather in the current rentals and should have an exception for hardships. Vince Sellen made a motion to establish a committee to study the idea of capping the number of rentals allowed in Cedar Springs. Kippy Strandberg seconded the motion and a discussion followed. It was pointed out that it is hard to get Board members if there are too many rentals and obtaining loans for buyers is more difficult. Also rentals have less interest in maintaining the property. Some of the current rental homeowners were opposed to a rental policy. A vote was called and the Motion failed. - Phase I painting will start in 2020. Six contractors were asked for quotes and three responded. Skillman Painting was accepted at a cost of $27,000. The paint will have a ten year lifespan. The homes will be prepped and caulked before the two coats of paint are applied. Phase I homes included the five Court homes and home 1902 on the Lane.
- Please report any homes needing gutter repairs to Paul Stannert.
- Because we have had a few homes with roof leaks in 2019, we need to start investigations when
our roofs should be replaced. It was thought we had forty year lifespan shingles, but after talking to several roof repairmen, we were informed that we have thirty year lifespan shingles. Roof replacement will be a large expense and we therefore need to start increasing our reserve fund at a faster rate to prepare for future roof replacement. - CAU is the company we currently contract to insure our property. CAU charges us $24,000 with a $10,000 deductible. Farmers insurance offers the same coverage at a cost of $18,000 with a $2,500 deductible. The Board is investigating Farmers policy further with the likelihood of accepting the Farmers Insurance Policy.
- Based on the future projects we must complete and the increase in costs, the Board is recommending an increase in Cedar Springs Homeowner’s monthly dues from $275 to $340. Candise Cooper made a motion to do so, Lexie Shotwell seconded the motion. Motion passed.
- Paul Stannert asked for volunteers to be on the 2020 Cedar Springs Board. Paul Stannert, Kippy Strandberg, Cele Westlake, Bruce Janicula, Simone Caracciolo, Art Shotwell, and Joan Mickelson volunteered. Vince Sellen made a motion to accept the volunteers, Kippy Strandberg seconded the motion. A vote was called and the motion Passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Kippy Strandberg,
Cedar Springs Homeowners Association Secretary
