December 14, 2005
Highland Park Homeowner’s
Association
Minutes of November 16, 2005 – Annual
Homeowner’s Meeting
Meeting Attendees
Brian Benham, President
Bill Dickey, Vice-President
Dennis O’Toole, Treasurer
Lisa Wurster, Secretary
Coleen Ellis, Board Member
Meeting started at 7:00 pm
and adjourned at 8:15 pm. Held at
President Brian Benham
provided the following updates:
Maintenance of the Front
Entry- Maintenance of the front
entry had been neglected for some time.
A new vendor was contracted to manicure the entry and bring it back to
its original state. Maintenance is now caught
up. Took bids for 2006 for lawn/entry
maintenance and Mowing by the Hills won the bid. Fall and winter decorations were added last
year and this year and they have really added to the entry. Several homeowners commented on how nice the
entry looks.
Snow Plowing – We have contracted to have snow plowed this
winter. If snow is 4” or more,
subdivision will be plowed if the County has not already plowed.
Tree Planting – We have engaged McNamee Landscaping to re-establish
the original subdivision tree-planting scheme.
The tree planting will start this week.
If there is visible sign of an original tree, the homeowner will bear
the cost of the tree (and stump removal, if applicable). If there is no visible sign of an original tree,
the Association will pay the cost. From
that point forward, any tree replacement will be the responsibility of the
homeowner.
Several homeowners issued
concerns about the project. Some wanted
the opportunity to plant trees on their own.
Several others were concerned about the placement of trees. Brian indicated that homeowners could contact
him if they felt very strongly about planting their own trees and also
indicated that the placement of the trees was determined when the original tree
plan was drawn up when the subdivision was established.
Maintenance of lawns – Brian reiterated the importance of maintaining lawns
and let homeowners know that if lawns are let go (6” or taller), the
Association will have the lawn cut and will bill the homeowner for the expense.
Bridge Repair – The bridge at the front of
the subdivision is in need of major repair.
The Board is concerned about liability should an accident occur. Bids are being obtained and work should begin
as soon as possible. Several homeowners
wanted to be sure that the cost of repair was
Easement issue- Homeowner in front section of HP has built on lake
easement. Members of the Grounds
Committee discussed with homeowner and gave him the option of establishing a
new easement on the north side of his property.
Grounds Committee to follow up.
By-laws and Covenants
Compliance - Brian re-iterated the
importance of homeowners complying with by-laws and covenants and indicated
that most homeowners who have been notified of a violation have been
understanding and cooperative. There
have been a couple of homeowners who have indicated that they will not comply
with the covenants. Brian let the group
know that the Board has consulted with an attorney about a couple of issues and
asked for guidance on how to handle items such as a large vehicle parked in a
driveway in violation of the covenants.
Our attorney has advised us that we have full authority to uphold the
covenants, including towing of vehicles in violation.
Basketball Goals - Brian clarified the covenants with respect to
basketball goals. There is a discrepancy
between covenants that were distributed to builders and the by-laws that were
given to homeowners. The interpretation
the Board has taken is that basketball goals are in violation if they are not
placed behind the front facade of the home.
Several homeowners raised
issues with the maintenance of the front lakes.
Brian clarified the Board’s interpretation of the covenants as they are
currently written. That is, the
Association will pay for expenses related to storm water run-off. Members of the Grounds Committee met with the
county commissioner to learn more about the construction of the lakes and how
they operate. The lakes do not need the
pump or the fountain for proper operation.
Nevertheless, as stated in the current covenants, algae control, lights,
pumps, fountains are all the responsibility of the lake owners.
Issues were raised about the
current condition of the front lakes (a couple of homeowners reported that they
smell and have floating algae). One
homeowner raised concern about the type of chemicals currently being used to
treat the lakes. She has researched this
issue and believes that we should consider using copper sulfate alum. Someone asked about the location of the
pumps; Charlie Burris will check to see where the pumps are being stored.
Most if not all of the lake
owners issued ongoing concerns with the maintenance of the front lakes and the
expenses associated with it. It was
recommended that the lake owners form a separate board but no interest was
shown by lake owners present at the meeting.
Election of several board
members took place this evening. One
homeowner wanted to ensure that there were enough Class A and Class B members
present to vote. Determined that Class B
members were no longer applicable once the Association was in the hands of the
homeowners. Determined that with
approximately 125 lots, we did have at least 10% of Class A members present to
vote.
Coleen Ellis, Lisa Wurster
and Dennis O’Toole are serving out the last year of their initial three-year
term so were not up for re-election at this time.
Brian Benham was named
President during 2005 after resignation of Scott Cassin (former
President). His term will not expire
until summer of 2006.
Bill Dickey, current
Vice-President, ran for re-election and was voted in for another term.
Mike Coombs and John Price
were newly elected as board members for one term.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:15
pm.