Future expenses

As can be seen in the financial report that companied the letter that was handed out to everyone, we struggled last year to save any cash.  However, kudos to previous HOA boards, we ended the year with more than $23,000.00 in our HOA's bank account.  Although we haven't seen this year's budget yet, we hope to spend as little as possible throughout the year to add to that cash position at the end of the year. Obviously, as the neighborhood ages, this will be harder to do.  The HOA is resposible for costs associated with the pool, clubhouse, and outerfencing.  Additionally, we'll find some unexpected costs that arrise due to other areas of the neighborhood that need attending to that we've already started seeing (e.g., sidewalk repairs that the county doesn't address, dangerous dead trees, etc.).  We feel the need to prepare for these things in advance by saving as much of our dues toward these future events.

If we can't start putting some money asside every year for these big future costs, then residents will end up having to pay an extra fee (e.g., $500-$1K) the year big things are needed (e.g., pool repair, new fence, or a new roof on the club house).  I don't think it is fair for us to kick the can down the road by leaving such expenses to those who live here at the time the expense is incurred.  We should pay our share now.  Please leave any comments as to your ideas on how to better our financial future.

Holes to be fixed this year

The following picture is from a distance of a large hole in the lawn of the first front entrance.

This angle shows the top view.  The board is considering spending some money to fill it in, but want to know what caused the hole (possiblly a leak of some kind).

This next picture is an alarming situation.  My intent is to solve this problem this year (hoping the cost of doing so is not out of the question).  The following pictures show the first 4-way intersection when entering the first entrance.  It is located on the first left hand corner of that intersection (facing as if you were coming from the entrance).  As you can see, the entire inlet is drifting into the street.  This is causing two problems. 1) the road is being damaged, and 2) most importantly a dangerous hole is developing behind the inlet were the gap is becoming big enough that a small child could slip into the  inlet from behind.

Here is a view of the hole from above.  You cannot see it well here.  But I encourage you to go look at it.  As I write this, I’m considering roping this off to serve as a warning, and protection from liability.

IF YOU KNOW THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE COUNTY TO GET THEM TO FIX THESE SORT OF THINGS, PLEASE LET US KNOW!!

We are finding one of the road blocks to this stuff is finding out who and how to contact the right people.

Sidewalks, roads, and curbs

 Here is a view of a drifting curb that is affecting our roads at the bottom of Jorn circle.  I’m not inclined to take action this year on this type of issue, but pressure the county to fix these issues.

Some parents have expressed concern over the lack of a grate in front of many inlets.  We haven’t really spoken of getting cost numbers on adding grates.  I for one am nervous about them getting jammed with stuff in heavy rains and causing flooding.  If you have an interest in this, please comment.

During 2011, many areas such as this were identified in our sidewalks.  The county was contacted, and although I was not part of the board at this time, I understand that they were not wiling to fix these issues in a timely (not sure the exact details) maner.  Quotes were given to the tune of $11k to fix all of the issues.  The board felt this was too much money to spend at this time, so approx. $5k was used from HOA funds to fix the most problematic and glaring issues.  There are still many areas like this that remain marked.  We are aware of those, but current plans for this Year do not include spending to fix these remaining issues.  We hope to apply additional preasure to the county to fix the remaining issues.  Please comment if you have any additional information, or know of other problem areas that need to be addressed with our sidewalks.

things we are considering on landscaping

Perhaps it would be best to read the next entry before this one, but we'd like to lay out some things that different landscapers have suggested to get everyone's reaction.  Our intent is not to take over, and revamp the whole neighborhood, but we've been given some things by different landscapers that are worth considering.

Front first entrance: its has been suggested that we consider ripping out the bushes in front of our signage (not all the bushes, just the first 10 or so feet that cover the name to the neighborhood).  These types of bushes are not meant to be trimmed, and in contrast to Bear Creek (across the street) makes our neighborhood look less groomed.  (Rencent update, the landscaper we have decided on believes that he can keep these better maintained, so we are going to hold off on this for now, but would still like any feedback.)

Here is a picture for comparison of Bear Creek.  Notice, their foliage is much more maintainable than ours.

These plants (picture below) at the entrance are considering being replaced with sod due to the landscaper’s feeling that maintenance of these tpes of plants are too labor intensive.  In my own opinion, they are often just rittled with weeds as well (i.e., not attractive), but my opinion on these matters is quite weak.

These (picture below) are the bushes behind the first front entrance.  In order to maintain the standard grooming it has been necessary to cut them back significantly.  The hope is that in the spring they will begin to exhibit uniformity AND the sparse areas will fill in. (Recent update, our new landscaper feels confident he can maintain them correctly).

View of the second entrance:  Notice our current level of spending doesn’t allow for any additional plants.  The board is considering a small increase in spending to beautify this area, but these decisions are tied to a revised budget.

Landscapers suggest that we consider alternative plants in this intersection by the pool.  They state that in the spring, this stop sign will be engulfed by the plants.  Current residence around this area, please comment about your feelings.  Is this true?  How does this area usually look?

Here is a picture of a dead tree in the commons area just outside of the villas entrance.  It has already dropped limbs and created damage.  We will be spending money to have this tree felled, but are trying to get the most econmical quote first.  I’m sure we have more of these situations around the perimeter of the property.  We will need to have these types of situations dealt with, or face damages in bad weather.  Please let us know if you are aware of any problem areas ASAP.  I'm sure it would be cheaper to have all of them removed at once rather than wait till each starts dropping limbs (or worse).

I have been informed that the residence around this island in the villas would like us to consider grassing this area instead of having pinestraw.  Considering the cost of both (A sod square costs about half of what we can get a bundle of pinestraw for and it doesn't have to be replaced twice a year), I am willing to do so. However, this area is not equipped with water, and therefore would be left to the residence to water and mow (even though my yard does fine without much watering throughout the summer -centipede grass).  I was told that they are in favor of this, but the long-term viability of this plan is worrisome.  IF you have an interest in this issue, please leave a comment.  We have recieved a quote to pull out all the bushes (and replant them elsewhere on the property, sod this island, and LEAVE the trees).   I believe the cost of doing all this would be $3K.  I believe that the savings on pinestraw would cover that cost in less than two years.

This issue regards the first front entrance.  First, we are aware of the ongoing issues with empty tree beds. The current board has no knowledge or real starting point as to going after the original company who planted the trees to force them in replacing them.  Therefore we are considering purchasing trees (initial pricing indicates $30 per tree) and planning them.  We have been told that the current trees that are there do not thrive in the conditions (current rate of growth and the fact that so many trees died under these conditions have me – a novice at such things-convinced this is true).  Please comment if you have strong feelings or interests in this issue.  We are currently leaning toward purchasing different trees (not a uniform look going forward) to replace these dead trees. 

Additionally, we have considered (based on the suggestion of our old landscaper) that we could sod the tree beds of the entire entrance for roughly the same cost as it is to lay one round of pine straw.  We are considering doing this.  Reasons are a few fold.  First, it wouldn’t cost anymore this year, and savings would occur every year going forward because we would have less pine straw cost.  Also, weed control would be easier.  However, our new landscaper is against this due to the damage the trees would have by weed wacking the trunks of the trees.  We hope to see improvement in this eye uglyness with the new landscaper, but would like to hear your comments as to the suggestion of sodding the beds.

Current situation with landscaper

We have changed landscaping companies.  The bad news is that even the old landscaper (as one of many companies that submitted bids) quoted increases in the cost for this year.  Although the landscaper we selected is still much less than the $31K/yr. we have been told that past HOA boards have approved, we will be spending about $24K total this year. 

Our hope is that we can have GOOD service this year with the new landscaper.  I for one, never want to go through the process of trying to find another landscaper.  Please join with me in fervant prayer that this one works out (only half joking).

Some last thoughts

First, we are coming to the summer months.  I'm assuming there are a handful of people who are new to the neighborhood, or for some other reason have pool questions.  Please email Damon Campbell at campbell.damon@gmail.com if you need to get access, pool cards, or reserve the clubhouse.  Or, anything else.  Damon will be out of town only the first week of June and the first week of July throughout the summer, so response should be quick.

Also, please remember that we do not have a regular cleaning service at the pool or club house.  Please leave the area cleaner than when you arrived.

Finally, as you can see we only had four people interested in running for the HOA board this last round.  Please consider serving in the future.  I can attest that it does take some time, but if we don't all pitch in, we'll end up raising dues and hiring that responsbility out.  We'll send out a mailing later this year calling for nominations (you can nominate yourself even though it feels really weird to do so).  Again, please consider responding to that call.