MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

SECTOR 2A AT SNOHOMISH CASCADE ASSOCIATION

7:00 PM   WEDNESDAY    March, 8, 2006

 

CALL TO ORDER / APPROVAL OF MINUTES

  1. Jen Stout called the meeting to order at 7:04pm.  Present were Jen Stout, Bill Steenis, Amy Key, Steve Yandl, Betty Malowney, John Patterson, Trina Coleman and Bill Malowney.
  2. Steve Yandl reviewed the minutes of the February meeting which have been posted on the Association web site for the past three weeks.  We had a brief discussion on items for follow-up which were all taken care of.  John Patterson moved to accept the minutes as presented, Bill Steenis seconded and the motion passed 7 – 0.

VOTE FOR CC&R AMENDMENT

  1. Steve Yandl reported that as of March 7, we have received 150 ‘yes’ votes with 186 being the number needed for the required 75% affirmative.
  2. There were still 82 homeowners who had not submitted ballots and the votes will continue to be accepted through the end of March.
  3. Steve prepared new ballots for those who had not yet voted.  These ballots have a notation that it is a duplicate and owners are advised that if we receive two ballots from any household, the original would be the one counted if it is signed.
  4. Amy Key agreed to purchase stamps and affix to the mailings to get the ballots out.

SECURITY INFORMATION

  1. We discussed the recent burglary of the Gowen home.
  2. Secretary will contact block watch to make sure we get the reminder out regarding vigilance.

YARD OF MONTH PLANS

  1. Bill Steenis had requested an update be placed in the March newsletter which was done.
  2. We’ve let people know the commitment to do judging is only a two month task unless they want to extend longer.  The hope is by making it short duration it will be a more attractive volunteer duty and remain fun.

TREASURER’S REPORT

  1. Amy Key previously emailed the set of financial reports to all board members.  Those reports should be considered part of these minutes.  Included this month is an open invoice report that contains the list of those homeowners now one month late paying their 2006 dues.
  2. In response to a question, Amy indicated that last year the receivables were similar at the same point (about $600 difference).  Statements have been sent out.

MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

  1. Bill Malowney reported that Skinner Landscape Service has completed the enhancement of our gravel trail (pavers at end section to better control gravel).  Everyone who has seen the project was pleased with the result.
  2. Because of the wet weather, Bill reports we will hold off starting the sprinkler system until late April or early May.  Bill anticipates that repairs to the system will run about $500, the same as in past years.
  3. Bill reports that there are about 15 shrubs and 2 trees that are dead or doing poorly and should be replaced.  Bill’s proposal would be to replace the deciduous trees with a more hardy evergreen like hemlock or western redcedar.  We also need to replenish the bark chips at the tot-lot areas to bring the depth up for better cushioning should a child fall.  Bill has contacted the county to see what their plans were for the new park entrances so that he could work with Skinner Landscape Service and improve our adjacent common areas to accomplish an attractive transition from park to Sector 2A.
  4. Bill also feels that we need a drain trench, approximately 125ft long in the proximity of the gravel trail leading from boat park parking area to the ball field and along the parking area itself to control the ongoing erosion happening there.  The trench would terminate at an existing storm drain.  Bill doesn’t have any written quotes yet but talking to Skinner the approximate cost would be $1200-$1500.
  5. Bill asked the board if we could approve up to $1500 to be spent for the shrub and tree replacements needed.  Bill Steenis made the motion to approve the expenditure.  Steve Yandl seconded and the motion passed 7 – 0.
  6. John Patterson inquired about any early feedback resulting from the newsletter announcement that we were considering putting a light over the parking area of the boat park.  So far, comments have been limited but strongly in favor of doing the light.

ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE REPORT

  1. Trina Coleman reported on a number of corrective actions completed, to include a concrete driveway replacing a gravel driveway and removal of a metal shed.  She also reported on a number of approvals given to various homeowners for sheds and a garden bench.  New owners (Strumbeta) were given approval to postpone painting of the new shed they plan until they paint their house, provided the house painting occurs in spring or early summer.
  2. Trina reported that a new letter was going to owners of lot 3-0-049.  As requested, they previously removed a vehicle stored in the driveway that was not street legal but it has been noted that a vehicle that still remains stored in the driveway has expired tabs and rarely if ever moves.
  3. Steve Yandl reported that he had not received confirmation of delivery for the certified letter sent to the Hanson family regarding their gravel driveway and shelter with metal roof.  Note:  Letter was returned to registered agent the day after the meeting (March 9, 2006).  Attempts to deliver had been made on 2/17/2006, 2/21/2006, and 3/3/2006.  The Board will proceed as if the letter was received, in accordance with the Declaration, Section 11.8.  Board members were notified of this development by the Secretary on March 9, 2006.
  4. Amy Key reported that she had signed a receipt slip at the post office but the clerk was unaware what item it was associated with since she was not the person normally handling that.  The clerk told Amy that she would get the person who could track it down to place the item in our PO box.  The item was never placed in the PO box, so Amy is unaware of what someone might have been trying to send us.  Since we never received receipt confirmation for the letter to Cary and Nancy Politte, it’s possible that is the item in question.
  5. Trina asked Amy to fax her a copy of the receipt for the certified mail to the Politte household so she could get the tracking number and determine the delivery status with the post office.
  6. Trina reported that the committee has begun action on an improperly set up backyard compost pile that appears more like a rubbish heap.  It seems like a probably fire hazard as well as an attractant for pest animals.  An initial letter has been sent to the homeowners.
  7. Complaints have been received with regard to a number of vehicles parked curbside for significant stretches of time and appearing to belong to the residents at lot 2-1-001.  Trina contacted the legal owners and discovered that the house is being rented and none of the legal owners actually live at the house.  The prior written approval of the Board required by the Declaration (CC&Rs; Sections 6.3 and 6.17) was never obtained.  The Board directed the Architectural Control Committee to send a letter by certified mail to the owners advising them; a) they must make a written request within 30 days to obtain approval for this rental or leasing arrangement, b) curbside parking by tenants must end within 15 days or the owners will be subject to fines, c)  owner is liable to the Association so the burden rests with the owner to assure tenant compliance with all CC&Rs, and d) an approval, if given, would be for no more than a year and would be reviewed on a year to year basis.  Support for this course of action by the ACC was unanimous.
  8. Several board members alerted Trina to the fact that the homeowner of lot 3-0-080 appears to be storing a vehicle in the driveway.  It is typically under a car cover and it is driven on an infrequent basis but remains in the same spot for long stretches of time.  Trina will send a letter advising the owner what the restrictions are on storing vehicles in the front of the lot.
  9. Bill Steenis alerted the group to the fact that the shed on lot 2-1-007, previously cited for asphalt shingles, also has vertical siding of a wood composite material.  This was not noticed when the roof issue was raised and corrected.  The committee will check this situation out.
  10. Several board members alerted the committee to the fact that the fence around lot 3-0-117 has become somewhat dilapidated.  It is being propped up with two by fours but posts are shifting and coming down and the fence is not adequately restraining some aggressive dogs that tend to bother passers by.  The committee will send a letter insisting on correction.  This will be the second time this same issue.
  11. It has been noted that large coke trucks (not side loaders) continue to block the road when making deliveries to the home business at 1-0-034.  While the approval letter only insisted that the delivery vehicles not obstruct school busses, the direction given the ACC by the Board was actually to insist on only side loaders that didn’t obstruct the flow of traffic so much.  The ACC was encouraged to remind the homeowner that to the degree possible she should try to limit all blockage of traffic at all times.

TRAFFIC CONCERNS PUGET PARK DRIVE EXTENSION

  1. John Patterson brought up the fact that while Public Works insists the plan for the north end of 72nd Dr. SE is for it to be a pedestrian path to Willis Tucker Park only, the last time we saw final plans it still showed up as a through street.
  2. Some Board members were not yet aware the the plan for the intersection of 67th Ave and Puget Park Drive where the west entrance to the new park will be is for a barrier in the center of Puget Park Drive that will prevent left turns by westbound traffic on Puget Park Drive to 67th Ave and left turns by northbound traffic on 67th Ave to Puget Park Drive.
  3. John has received the assurances of Tina Hokanson at Public Works that they will inspect the intersection and review their plan.  Several Board members are convinced the decisions are final but it certainly can’t hurt to keep reminding Snohomish County on these issues that impact traffic through and near to our neighborhood.  John will email the group, if and when, Tina notifies him that her group will be at the intersection.

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:34 PM