2017 Mar Cheri HOA Annual Board Meeting Minutes
These minutes are unofficial. They will be approved at the 2018 Annual Meeting.
In attendance: 41 households were represented.
Mar Cheri HOA Board of Directors President Ken Schiewetz called the meeting to order shortly after 3 p.m. at the Federal Way Library on 1st Avenue South.
An Election Committee was formed to count votes, including Linda Craft, Steve Freeborn and Margo Rolf.
New neighbors were welcomed, including Dwayne and Laura House, Victor Ventura-Esparza, Jordan and Brittney Carr, William and Peter Saballa-Davis, and Brenda Busskohl. Attendees also observed a moment of silence for those in the community who passed away in 2016. Remembered were Anita Mayor, Joanne Avaiusini, David and Barbara Antonelli, Olivia Bruce, Martin Moore, and Al Frank.
President’s Report
Board President Ken Schiewetz reported that 2016 was a year of changes that engaged the guiding principal of most efficient use of HOA dues. As an example, Ken shared that the association was losing money when associate members from outside the Mar Cheri community were invited to use the pool for a fee. Now associate members no longer use the Mar Cheri pool, resulting in savings to the HOA. The community also is benefiting from the new pool entry key system, which provides ready and secure pool entry while also tracking how much the pool is used. The key system showed that more people used the pool in 2016 than in 2015.
Ken also reported that drainage work around the pool and surrounding area has effectively reduced the amount of standing water in this common area. In addition, mitigation regarding the trees that were cut at the bottom of the hill is delayed due to inaction on the part of the majority land owner and the City of Federal Way. Meanwhile, the HOA’s attorneys are providing guidance as the board seeks to minimize the mitigation’s impact on the Mar Cheri community and its residents.
The 2016 annual meeting minutes were read into the record and approved by those present.
Architecture Committee Report
Board member Heather Salton reported that in 2016 the following was presented to the committee for approval: a front porch addition, painting of two houses, a new roof, a shed, and a retaining wall and fence.
Violations and concerns in 2016 included:
- Garbage left on the curb
- An overgrown yard with weeds
- A water heater left outside a home
- A vehicle that was blocking visibility for motorists
- A home business that was creating noise and parking issues
- A rented home that generated concerns about how many tenants are living in the home
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Greg Bengeult reported that at the end of the year, the HOA 2016 budget was $2000 in the black. (For more details, please see at the end of this report the HOA documents that community members can access.)
A reserve fund is needed to ensure the HOA has the resources to upgrade, replace, and fix those things the homeowners hold in common. Mar Cheri residents currently own common items with an estimated value of $167,000. Among these items are the pool, the pool decks, pool furniture, the pool key entry system, the pool building and equipment, the pool fence, the sports court, the parking lot, retaining walls, and the signs at the Mar Cheri entrances.
To ensure the association can cover the costs of repairing, upgrading, and replacing these common items, a reserve fund is needed. This fund also is required by state law. To begin building this reserve fund, the 2017 HOA annual assessment is $630 with an additional $300 special assessment.
2017 HOA assessments are due April 1.
Vice President Mark Moberg asked community members to consider volunteering to serve on the HOA board. Audrey Isaacson and Anne Mesick volunteered to share the recreation position.
Ballot results
Ken shared the results of the ballot. Budget proposal 1 with special assessment and bylaw revisions were approved.
41 households cast ballots, with these results:
Ken Scheiwetz (president) 39
Mark Moberg (vice president) 37
Nathalie Moberg (secretary) 37
Greg Bengeult (treasurer) 38
Heather Salton (architecture) 37
Nate Obermark (maintenance) 38
Makoto Sugiuchi (at large) 38
Budget 1 (keep the pool) 32
Budget 2 (close the pool) 6
Bylaws revisions 25 for, 13 against
The annual meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Thank you to all who participate in the annual meeting. The board members look forward to a great year in the neighborhood!
The following documents are available to Mar Cheri residents who would like a copy. Please contact the HOA secretary at secretary@marcheri.org. The new bylaws also will be available on the Mar Cheri website soon.
- HOA Bylaws, approved at the annual meeting
- 2017 Budget, approved at the annual meeting
- 2016 Budget vs. Actuals
- 2016 Statement of Activities
2016 Statement of Financial Position