RENAISSANCE RIDGE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SPRING MEETING
May 16, 2002
MINUTES
v
Martin Dunn, President
Ø
Looking into purchasing “No Posting” signs to
place on mailbox kiosks to help deter the large volume of advertisements and to
prevent further damage to the wooden structures.
Ø
Mentioned that there was concern about
statements made in recent newsletters regarding enforcement of the CC&Rs.
The Board is trying to enforce only the rules stated in the documents, and
nothing beyond that. Please contact the
Board if you have questions or concerns.
v
Don Corbett, Vice President
Ø Busy with bids and signing the new Common Area landscape contracts, as mentioned later in the Unfinished Business section.
v
Kyle Downey, Treasurer
Ø
Projecting the expenses for the rest of the
year, as mentioned later in the Committee Reports.
v
Brett Waldbaum, Secretary
Ø The neighborhood web site, www.rridge.org, is now online
Ø Please email secretary@rridge.org if you’d like to make any announcements in the newsletters such as births, graduations, weddings, obituaries, or any other news you’d like to share with your neighbors
v Katherine Hall, At Large: Unable to attend meeting
v Budget/Finance Committee (Kyle Downey)
Ø Last year we inherited a budget that had a large deficit from Polygon, and the special assessment of $125 per home was used to offset it. This year the Finance Committee tried to project the income and expenses based on the information given by Polygon, and it’s just about breaking even so far. There were unexpected expenses related to arborist and tree cutting fees. At a minimum, homeowners should expect next year’s Board to raise HOA dues 10% (maximum allowed without a neighborhood vote). There may also be a special assessment this summer, less than last year’s $125, if it is projected that additional money is needed to cover all actual expenses.
Ø Homeowners have done a great job paying their dues; less than 10% of the 300 homes are currently delinquent. Those that are greater than 90 days overdue have been sent notices that a lien will be placed on their home until all dues and charges have been paid.
v Safety Committee (Martin Dunn for Katherine Hall)
Ø There are no current issues, and if you’d like more information from Katherine about the neighborhood block watch program to email her at safety@rridge.org or contact the HOA.
v City Liaison (Martin Dunn for Elisa Watkins)
Ø City of Sammamish does not have ordinances against barking dogs and has no current plans to deal with that issue
Ø The chain gate at the end of 242nd is permanent and will stay indefinitely, unless the property owner at the end of the street develops the land and wants the street to pass through.
v Architecture Control Committee (Eva Gordon)
Ø The ACC has not received many applications recently. Please follow the rules and submit an application if you’re constructing anything publicly visible or above your backyard fence line. See the past newsletters or the web site for instructions.
v Web Committee (Brett Waldbaum)
Ø Visit www.rridge.org to see archived minutes and newsletters from previous months
Ø Free advertisements and for sale section for neighborhood homeowners
Ø Discounted business advertisements for homeowners
Ø Free babysitting, yard work, pet/house sitting section that kids can use to advertise themselves and homeowners can use to get local help
Ø Areas still under construction include password-protected homeowner information, neighborhood roster, and discussion forum
v Social Committee (Janice Merdgen)
Ø “TGIF” picnic in the park every Friday this summer begins June 7th; see the newsletter for details
Ø Second annual neighborhood Fourth of July parade is happening, there may even be a fire truck there this year!
Ø Renaissance Ridge Days is moving to Labor Day weekend. It will be a 3-day event, including a golf tournament, garage sales, and a barbeque/games event.
Ø Need donations for the barbeque, game prizes, and a possible raffle.
Ø Volleyball at 242nd park: posts and net can be checked out; email Kyle Downey at treasurer@rridge.org if you’re interested.
Unfinished Business
v
Water Audit
Ø
Martin Dunn reported that the Sammamish Plateau
Water and Sewer District will reduce our gigantic water bills for the Common
Areas by almost 50% if we have them perform a $3800 water audit. The Board has approved the measure and the
audit will occur this spring.
Ø
If you see any vandalism of the Common Areas
sprinkler system or timer box, like what occurred last summer, please call the
police and contact the HOA. Every homeowner
in the neighborhood ends up paying for vandalism.
v
Tract “I” Easement
Ø
Trees are still being planted in the area west
of the neighborhood near SE 8th.
The Board is signing off on their completed work in May.
v
Arborist and Landscaping Activity
Ø
Don Corbett has been busy accumulating bids from
arborist and landscaping contractors.
The Board has approved Don’s proposal to consolidate and renew the
Common Area landscaping contract with Earthworks. The company is including “at-risk” tree
removal, and has expanded its area of maintenance to include all of the Common
Areas in the neighborhood.
Ø
The City of Sammamish wants all removed trees to
be replaced by at least three trees, and a permit for each tree removal is
required. These are additional, unexpected
expenses for the HOA. $4,500 was
budgeted for arborist and tree removal fees in 2002, but it will likely cost
closer to $10,000.
Ø
During the meeting, homeowners expressed an
interest in paying additional costs to have the front entrances of the neighborhood
replanted and new plants added. A
committee will be formed to look into the costs and design of this improvement;
see the newsletter for more information.
New Business
v
HOA Elections in August
Ø
Elections for the 2002-2003 term will take place
at the next meeting in August.
Ø
Don Corbett, this year’s Vice-President and
President-Elect, will be next year’s President.
Brett Waldbaum will complete the second year of his term as
Secretary. We need volunteers and
nominations for people to fill the Vice-President, Treasurer, and At Large
positions. Each is a two-year term.
Ø
One vote per home; proxies are allowed; and
there must be a 10% vote (30 homes) for a quorum to be reached.
Ø
There will be no online or mail-in voting, but
proxy voting is allowed (see the newsletter for more information).
Ø
Homeowners that have not paid their HOA dues in
full may not vote, per the CC&Rs.
v
Dogs in the Neighborhood
Ø
Martin Dunn reminded all homeowners with dogs to
please be courteous to neighbors and try to control barking pets. Not only can it be disruptive to those trying
to sleep, but it can be scary to children who walk by.
v
Street Parking
Ø
Kyle Downey reiterated past newsletters and
reminded everyone that it is illegal for cars to park on the sidewalk. Please ensure that your guests don’t park on
the sidewalk, and if you see sidewalk parking to call the police and the cars
will be towed.
Ø
Other parking violations, such as parking on the
street longer than 24 hours or parking on the street facing the wrong way, can
be reported to the police and the cars may be ticketed.
v
Backyard Landscaping Update
Ø
Don Corbett reported that almost all of the 17
homeowners that received violation notices about exceeding the maximum 120 days
to landscape the rear yard have completed their back yard installation. Thank you to everyone who has landscaped
their back yard, the neighborhood looks better this year than last! The few who have exceeded 120 days and still
not landscaped have been contacted and are subject to a $200/month fine.
v
Front Yard Maintenance Policy
Ø
There is a correction to the March newsletter
that stated that front lawns will be mowed by the HOA if not maintained, Don
Corbett reported. The CC&Rs contains
conflicting statements about this rule, so the HOA will not mow lawns without
at least 45 days notice.
Ø
Front lawns that are blatantly not maintained or
dead are unacceptable, depreciate the look of the neighborhood, and violate the
rules described in the CC&Rs. The
Board is performing monthly walk-throughs, and homeowners are being contacted
if they appear to be neglecting their front yards.
v
Common Area Sign Policy
Ø
The Board is watching for signs being posted in
any of the neighborhood’s Common Areas, Brett Waldbaum reported. The CC&Rs say that signs are not allowed
in the Common Areas. Signs posted into
the ground damage the landscaping and could damage any underground lines. “A-frame” signs are acceptable, as long as
they are temporary and not left overnight.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:56 pm
Attendance: 25