Board Members In Attendance: President Steve Freeborn, Treasurer Peter Keller, Architecture Chair Sherry Murchison, Maintenance Chair Mark Bunger, Secretary Leigh Strinsky
President, Steve Freeborn gave introductory comments and asked for comments or corrections to the 2011 Annual Minutes. No one commented, so the minutes were admitted into the record as written.
2012 Annual Treasurer’s Report — Peter Keller
2011 income exceeded expenditures by $1000. Assessments were received from 67 of 69 homes including two homes which had been in foreclosure. The re-introduction of swimming lessons brought in $1750, 40% of which the association retains. The IRS ruling reclassifying our lifeguards as employees resulted in a one-time expense of $3000 for 2008 and 2009 back-taxes. We are currently appealing the IRS late payment penalties for those years and expect to receive their ruling shortly. Planned capital improvements for 2012 are a winter pool cover ($1500), replacement deck umbrellas ($200) and new restroom flooring ($1000).
Architecture Report — Sherry Murchison
In 2011, Sherry received and processed 18 requests: 4 tree blocking problems, 4 roof/gutter replacements, 3 driveway replacements, 3 deck/patio replacements, 1 fence, 2 change color of home, one mailbox enclosure and one rockery wall. Special thanks to Bill Durflinger for providing his expertise and assistance during the last year. Lastly, the Architecture Committee would like to encourage everyone to consider your neighbors when you think about your home. If you have trees that block their view can you imagine how they feel every time that they look out of their window? It’s important to remember that your neighbors look at your home and landscaping far more than you ever do.
Recreation –Mark Bunger for Nancy Krueger
The past summer was a positive season for the community. The pool was open for weekends from Memorial Day and then full time when the public schools finished in June. This added to the number of visits and increased our guest fees. We also scheduled four private parties before regularly scheduled hours on Saturday mornings. The fees covered the cost of lifeguard, plus we charged non-guest members. Two of our lifeguards also started swimming lessons during the weekday mornings. Lessons began in June and continued until late August. After paying the teachers, Mar Cheri netted $697 from the lessons. We plan to offer lessons again this summer. For 2012, we plan to add new flooring mats to the dressing rooms, to replace broken umbrellas and to purchase a substantial winter cover to keep leaves out of the pump in the fall. These expenditures will be approximately $2700. Many thanks to everyone who lent a hand at the pool last season: it takes many people to keep the pool a vital part of our neighborhood.
Maintenance Report — Mark Bunger
In the summer of 2011 the gas line from the gas meter to the pool heater was replace with a larger diameter pipe. This should help the heater last longer. We also had several of the bricks surrounding the edge of the pool replaced and the caulking between the bricks and cement deck was removed and replaced. These repairs were made by The Watermill Inc, Pools and Spas.
For the summer of 2012 we are not anticipating any major repairs to the pool equipment but there are several other items to be addressed. These were addressed in Recreation Report.
As mentioned in the Pool Advisory Committee report, we are exploring the idea of a covered picnic area near the playground along with improved drainage. A more permanent solution to the weed problem is also being considered.
Pool Advisory Committee Report — Mark Bunger
Please see the attached report for a full briefing on the findings of the Pool Advisory Committee.
Ballot Results
Steve introduced the new Board Members after ballots were counted by Greg Bengeult and Harold Isaacon. President – Steve Freeborn, Vice President – Arnie Ruston, Secretary – Vicki Bengeult, Treasurer – Peter Keller, Maintenance – Mark Bunger, Recreation – Nancy Krueger. Architecture position remains unfilled. In the interim, please contact any board member if you have issues or projects that need to be addressed.
General Comments & Requests
Concerns about trees, shrubs and hedges blocking views continue to be an issue. There was a motion to change our covenants to make this restriction more stringent. However, the conclusion was reached that the board will work with homeowners to ensure better cooperation of this covenant.
Parking on street: Please remember that it is illegal to park in front of mailboxes and remind your visitors about this. The mailman will not deliver mail to homes whose mailbox is being blocked. Please be considerate of your neighbors in this regard.
Neighborhood Watch: Home break-ins are on the rise in North Tacoma and parts of Federal Way. We all need to remain on guard for our own homes and our neighbors. If you see anything suspicious, call 911 or report through SafeCityFW.com
The meeting adjourned at 8:00pm and the next regular board meeting will be held on the second Tuesday in March. Please contact a board member for time and location.
Respectfully submitted,
Leigh Strinsky
Mar Cheri Secretary