Board of Director’s Meeting – May 6, 2014 Mar Cheri Community Club
In attendance were Steve Freeborn, Pete Keller, Kay Gordon, Mark Bunger, Nancy Krueger, Margo Rolf and Don Deighton.
Minutes from the April 2014 meeting that had been previously approved were signed by the president of the board.
Discussion began with the announcement that Leigh Strinsky has volunteered to fill the vacant position of treasurer. In her absence from this meeting, Pete Keller continued to act as treasurer and provided a report to the board. It was also announced that Leigh will order materials and computer programs necessary for the treasurer position.
Vice-President Mark Moberg has not been able to attend meetings due to a conflict in schedule. The board voted to change the monthly meeting date to accommodate his schedule. Beginning in June, board meetings will be held the third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be June 17th.
Treasurer’s Report – Pete Keller
Current Balances
Savings $19,670
Checking $18,670
Including $10,000 Pool Resurfacing Fund
Assessment payments for 44 homes have been received so far. Reminder notices have been sent this week to members with unpaid assessments. The first half of our property taxes and our business license renewal have been paid. Phone and trash service at the pool will be started this month.
Principle April Transactions:
Income
$11,375
Expenditures
$ 76 Alpha Ecological (pest control)
$ 248 Puget Sound Energy
$1,518 Property Tax
A note about the sale of a Mar Cheri property:
The residence at 29608 2nd Avenue is under contract to close on June 15.
Architecture –Kay Gordon
Don Deighton reported for the Architecture Committee. The problem of cars without current tags being parked on the streets has been addressed and progress has been made. Also upon request, one resident agreed to trim shrubbery.
The board wishes to bring to our attention the following:
It is Spring. Trees, shrubbery and other vegetation have grown for another year.
As lush, verdant, and beautiful as the trees/shrubbery may be, you still need to appraise your own yard with the same critical eye that you do your neighbors’ yards. Are your trees and shrubbery growing into their yards? Are they growing to heights/widths that infringe upon their right to a view? If they have been trimmed in the past, it is quite possible that they need to be trimmed again.
Talk to your neighbors and tell them your concerns and ask them if your plantings are blocking their rightful view. Friendly discussions between and among neighbors are a good start to a healthy neighborhood. Be proactive on the maintenance of your own property. We need to protect property values, and we need to be good neighbors. Remember our covenants.
In connection with this subject, there was a lengthy discussion about some specific trees, those spruce trees at the pool. This was a continuation of a discussion from the April board meeting. It is the opinion of Don Deighton that the trees are too tall and need to be cut or cut back and that they may be an issue to the new owners of 29608 2nd Avenue. He had done some research and brought pictures to the meeting. It was also pointed out that the roots of those trees had been an issue with the pool plumbing which had cost a considerable amount to repair. He has talked to some other residents in his concern for the general welfare of our community and the present and future property values.
Nancy Krueger expressed her opinion that the trees were not a problem and that they should not be cut down. Don Deighton said that at the 29608 2nd Avenue property there was a possible view of the Olympics and the Sound that is being obstructed. Margo Rolf looked at the pictures and observed that the trees on that particular property were also blocking whatever view there might be and that unless that property’s trees, which give some privacy from the pool and from the adjacent property, were cut they still would not have a view. The new owners have not closed yet on the property and no opinion from them was heard. On site visitation was suggested.
There was further detailed discussion and in the end there was a consensus that perhaps there was a way to save the trees. It was decided to have an arborist come to evaluate the trees and to recommend action, if necessary. Nancy is going to obtain an arborist. Nancy will inform Kay of the date, and she will try to be present for that consultation.
Maintenance – Mark Bunger
Steve Freeborn gave Mark an application for funding to help correct water problems in residential areas in King County. We have had a long–time issue with excessive water in the area around the swimming pool and swim clubhouse. It is a marshy area and though there have been some attempts to remedy the water issue in the past, it remains problematic for the association. It was noted that Adam Scholze had called and reported that it was far too wet to take his mowing equipment into the area to mow at this time. Mark will study the information regarding possible grant money and make an application for funds.
Pool clean-up will occur May 10th and May 17th from 9:00am to 12:00 pm. Remember that 3 hours of your time will earn you a $50 refund of your dues. Margo Rolf added that a flyer announcing the clean-up days was included with the hard copy of last month’s minutes sent to residents and that she had asked Vicki to send the same information via email and post on the website.
Recreation – Nancy Krueger
Nancy announced that Leah Freeborn has agreed to teach swimming classes. We now have two teachers. So we will be offering swimming classes again this year. We also have 5 lifeguards committed to our summer program, and we are still looking for one more. It was noted that it has been a money-making program for the association.
So far we have two associate members signed up for the summer.
The pool will open Memorial Day Weekend beginning on May 24th.
The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be June 17th.
Respectively submitted,
Margo Rolf, Secretary