MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

SECTOR 2A AT SNOHOMISH CASCADE ASSOCIATION

7:00 PM   WEDNESDAY    August, 10, 2005

 

CALL TO ORDER / APPROVAL OF MINUTES

  1. Jen Stout called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.  Present were Jen Stout, Bill Steenis, Amy Key, and Steve Yandl.
  2. Steve Yandl asked to waive a full reading of the July minutes which had not been edited from the version posted on our web page.  There were no objections.  Bill Steenis moved to accept the July minutes, Jen Stout seconded the motion and it was carried 4 – 0.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – PROPOSED CC&R AMENDMENT

  1. Steve Yandl proposed that we ask the membership to vote on an amendment to the Declaration so that Section 6.2.2 would read: Building Materials.  All exterior materials must be approved for use by the Architectural Control Committee.  Roofing materials must be cedar shingle, shake or tile, or such other materials as the Board may from time to time designate by rule as being appropriate.  All siding materials must be cedar, redwood or other exterior wood materials excepting plywood siding of any type whatsoever, with one exception; plywood siding may be used in soffit areas.  Window frames must be of wood approved vinyl, or milled in white, silver, bronze or taupe anodized aluminum.  Types and colors of exterior paint and stain, including doors, must be submitted to the Committee for approval.  The exterior of all construction on any Lot shall be designed, built and maintained in such a manner as to blend in with the natural surroundings and landscaping within Gold Creek 2A.  The use of bright hard stains or paint are not allowed except by written approval of the Architectural Control Committee.  Exterior trim, fences, doors, railings, decks, eaves, gutters and the exterior finish of garages and other accessory buildings shall be designed, built and maintained to be compatible with the exterior of the structure they adjoin.
  2. On discussion it was agreed that the best time to ask for this vote would be in conjunction with the budget ratification vote for 2006 budget.  This would allow time to share a list of materials the Architectural Control Committee might consider as acceptable alternatives to cedar shake or shingle as roof material.  The one material reviewed this far, CertainTeed’s Presidential Shake TL would be suitable in the opinion of all board members.  Steve Yandl made the motion to put the amendment to a membership vote in December, Bill Steenis seconded and the motion was carried 4 – 0.

ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE ISSUES

  1. None of the ACC members were present so we did not have the usual report.
  2. Les Ostermeir had sent a group email sharing that the committee was wanting to get Board clarification on how we should deal with homeowners found to have sheds made of plastic, vinyl or other materials not allowed by the CC&Rs.  He suggested that we either have a special meeting called later in the month or anticipate an extra long meeting in September to made some decisions.  All Board members present agreed that if a plastic container shows above a six foot fence, it isn’t a “box” it is a “shed” and it must comply with the CC&Rs.  The question remaining is whether or not a variance or exception might be granted and would that be fair to the many homeowners who have already made a considerable investment to put up approved wood sheds.
  3. We discussed the fact that many boats, trailers, RVs have been parked for sustained periods in driveways.  The solution may be to pay a property management company to handle enforcement or provide some sort of compensation for CC&R enforcers and guarantee consistent enforcement and a more fair and predictable method for dealing with violations [Note, Section 3.7 of CC&Rs says that members of the ACC shall not be entitled to compensation for their duties enforcing provisions of the CC&Rs].
  4. Steve Yandl reminded the group we still need to get a file copy of any letter that was sent to the homeowner requesting an updated approval for home business based on different business scenario than when the original application was approved.  Amy Key will forward the draft letter she had to Jen Stout who may write a letter as President if it turns out no letter has been sent at this point.
  5. The suggestion was made that we put a general reminder in the newsletter regarding some of the common violations to hopefully lessen the need for involvement by the ACC.

YARD OF MERIT REPORT         

  1. Bill Steenis reports the program is going well.  He now is able to get a person to assist with moving signs.
  2. Bill has volunteers with assignments such that nobody has to serve more than two months as an evaluator.  So far, the record of follow-through for volunteers has been excellent.
  3. In fine tuning the form for evaluation, Bill is considering “weighting” different categories to give a point spread that makes it easier to rank or order and pick the top winners without having to do secondary reviews to break ties or near ties.

INSURANCE RENEWAL ISSUES

  1. Steve Yandl reported that per an earlier conversation with Bill Malowney, we might want to consider an additional insurance policy that would protect assets in the event that a Board member would cause a loss through some wrongdoing.  Since we require duel signatures on all checks and financial documents, we are fairly well protected but the insurance cost is reasonable and it would protect the Association against an unlikely but potentially devastating loss.
  2. Since the renewal check for our standing policies was ready to go, Amy will send it in and renew policies as they are now.  The new added policy can be discussed further and added at next renewal or sooner if all are in agreement and a Board vote taken.

GROUNDS AND MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

  1. Steve Yandl reported on information provided to him by Bill Malowney.  We had to replace two control valves at the Boat Park which were badly damaged by small explosives, probably July 4 fireworks.  This cost us approximately $450.
  2. Bill approved extending our existing sprinkler coverage to include a section at the north end of 72nd Drive and also the NE corner of the intersection of Snohomish Cascade Drive and 67th Drive.  This will cost approximately $450 to get watering coverage where we’ve been getting individual homeowners to water common area or letting lawn go dormant.
  3. Amy Key reported that there is a fallen dead tree across the trail east of 72nd Drive, roughly behind her house.  The tree is low enough to force taller hikers to duck.  Other Board members suggested that there would be no objections if she or some other homeowner cut and removed the blocking portion of that tree from the buffer area.

TREASURER’S REPORTS

  1. Amy had earlier forwarded current monthly finance reports.  Those reports should be considered part of these minutes.
  2. One of the checks we signed was to remove the one lien for homeowner assessments. 
  3. Amy shared a copy of the auditor’s final statements which basically showed no changes.
  4. To avoid misunderstandings next year, Amy will be letting people know that payments not received prior to April 1 are subject to a lien being filed.  There will be regular late notices but no special notice to alert a homeowner that they are on the verge of having the lien filed.  The burden for maintaining communication over problems making the payment falls to the homeowner, not the Treasurer.

PARK RESERVATIONS ISSUES

  1. Jen Stout reported that she never heard from the soccer camp people and really didn’t see any evidence that they conducted their scheduled camp at the boat park.  No Board members had seen such activity either.
  2. Jen said she had been contacted by Mark Popham regarding his team being able to use the field.  She was still waiting for additional information from Mark.

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:36 PM.