HOA Annual Homeowner's Meeting - January 9, 2007 Minutes

THE SPRINGS HOA ANNUAL MEETING
January 9, 2007
(Unapproved minutes)

The Springs HOA Annual Homeowner’s Meeting – January 9, 2007

Call to Order- President Gene McGaughey called the meeting to order at 9:30AM.  Vice President Mary Yager stated she had proof of meeting notice.   Gene thanked the membership for coming.  An announcement was made stating the Springs was a member of the SRS Master Association, which includes all the properties along the Frontage Road.

Gene then Introduced Larry Urbine, who along with his wife, Marie, head the Emergency Access Committee for the Springs.  Larry then introduced guest speaker, Bill Karr, of the GVCCC Emergency Response Team.  Bill Karr stated the Community Emergency Response Team was formed 3 years ago, has roughly 201 people trained, 123 active; the team needs more volunteers; our community is unique, because there is only one way in one way out.  In the event of an emergency, it may be a while for response because of this; our community needs at least 6 or 8 trained people who live here; to guard against loss of life, search and rescue, and safety.  The GVCCC are running a public service class, 1 night a week 6 to 8 weeks, 2.5 hours per meeting.  Most people want to help their neighbors, but if you are not trained the help you can give is limited. Self preparedness, fire extinguisher use, training in medical, breathing, bleeding and shock, training in triage, determining who needs help first.  In search and rescue, what structures not to enter, physiology.  Lastly, a class testing all that is learned.  Our community shouldn’t be left isolated.  Bill wants residents from The Springs to go to the class.  Classes are held at the Green Valley administrative training room, from 6 pm -8 pm at Desert Hills.  Trained Volunteer Teams get called by the Fire Department.  They go out to replace batteries in smoke alarms; they are also non emergency volunteers at the fire department; including snake calls.  Any questions regarding the classes, please talk to Mickey or Phyllis.

Gene stated Bob Steindorff recently passed away.  Our builder, through hard work and dedication, made The Springs what it is today, and will be missed.  Gene then introduced Mary Yager, HOA Vice President, who is been the social and bylaws chair, thanked Paul and Lucinda Walter for all their hard work,  Henny Armenta, Grounds Chair, Suzy Dei Baker, Secretary, Mike Kearns, for his hard work on the  front tower, and working with Building and Streets this year.  Gene then thanked Dick D’Angelo ARC Chair, for working hard all year, Jim Rusk Streets and Buildings Chair, who has done a very good job addressing the walking trail, and street repairs.  Gene also thanked Ron Schaffer, who works all the time with ARC, Grounds, Buildings and Streets.  Bernie, ARC Co-Chair, was commended for his actions while facing problems.  Lance and Pat Johnson, for their work on the Blue Fox Committee, Lance for building the bulletin boards, and Pat for her work on the front gate area and common grounds design.  Milo Weingart was commended for his work on Wolf Run Committee, Ernie and Deby Cox, thanks for the beautiful photos on the website; and wonderful holiday decorations.  Carl Sparfeld, Director at large, does photos and works where needed.  Harold and Georgia Moberly, thanks for all the work on the Light Bulb Committee and Blue Fox Committee.  Thanks to Bill and Kay Perry, kudos for their work on the Social Committee. Thank you very much to Jeanie McGaughey, for always helping the HOA, with office support as well as a volunteer on the Welcome Committee.  Larry Urbine, thank you for your work on the Emergency Access Committee.  And thanks to all for the help setting up the meeting. 

And a special thank you to all of the rest of the membership for their help and support throughout the year.  The Membership thanks Gene for all of his hard work. 

Vice President Mary Yager stated there were 4 openings available for the Board of Directors, Bernie and Paul were enlisted, and for next 2 years 2 volunteers Lance Johnson and Harold Moberly were voted in

The Board of Directors approved the Minutes from the 2006 Annual Meeting.

President’s Report – Gene stated property values fell a bit, and resales were slow. The Springs is not the only community in Green Valley having trouble. But the baby boomers are on their way, so the homes in the Springs are still good investments and a wonderful place to live. We had a great Board this year, dedicated to the betterment of our community, very proactive.  Made quite a few accomplishments, no one quit this year.  The Board continued to support the open board meeting policy, everyone in the community had a voice.  The Board of Directors need to be well informed to be kept on course, high priorities were the Reserve Fund, we will have to raise the dues in the future, thanks to Paul everything is on track with the Reserve Fund.  This year the Springs refurbished the front fountain, based on a design from the Desert Diamond.  Bob Steindorff donated about $2400 for this.  More improvements to the common grounds, and the wash on wolf run was redone.  Very stressful new tree policy was tested; it worked will work in the future.  Wolf Run Commons Committee was formed.  The By-Laws and CC&R Committee is working on revising and rewriting our documents, the Blue Fox Committee is determining needs and changes south of Blue Fox, and the Emergency Access Committee will be active in the coming year as well.  The Board passed a resolution to join the GVCCC, the Springs is now a member, our guest speaker was from the GVCCC. 

In the future it will be a challenge to hold the line on the Reserve Fund; 4 or 5 years down the line this will be increasingly difficult, and due to the lack of volunteers may put us into the position to employ a management company, it can be good and bad, but will cost more.  It will be prudent to keep an eye on the streets; they are deteriorating faster than anticipated.  Some areas are crumbling and some are sinking.  The nature trail will prove to be a strain on the budget.  Investments have made the Springs a rental community; most people have someone maintaining these homes, but there are still problems with maintenance.  Gene thinks this is a great area to live, wonderful neighbors, and a beautiful area to live in.  Gene thanked all for the opportunity to serve the community, and heartfelt for all the experiences he has had.  The membership gave him a round of applause.  Mary Yager stated there was a quorum present.  Mary Yager stated she was very happy for the experience of serving on the Board 4+ years.  To the old members of the Board, thank you, for the new members, good luck. 

It was announced there would be an executive meeting of the board after this meeting concluded.

Financial Report - Paul Walter stated summary sheets were passed out, and at the end of the year, the total assets were $223,129.41 between the reserve and operating fund.  Homeowner dues are due the first of January; and after the 10^th of January late fees are added, there are 24 people that are late out of 444.  Every year we will be contributing to the Reserve Fund, this year it was $42k.  Included in the paperwork is the budget, 2006 projected and actual; as well as the 2007 proposed budget.  2007 is the first year we have more expenses than income.  This is due to the refurbishment of the Wolf Run Park.

ARC Report- Dick gave the report and thanked Bernie and Gene for all their help.  Ron Schaffer and Mike Kearns have been working on a uniform color for the exterior paint and stain.  ARC has received 100 requests regarding their homes or complaints regarding a neighbor’s home; all have been resolved and responded to in a timely fashion.  Out of 444 properties in the Springs, 190 homes have received notices of various work to be done; a number of our part time residents don’t have regular maintenance scheduled when they are not here.  Private property requests go to the ARC, common grounds go to Grounds Committee.

Streets and Buildings - Jim Rusk gave thanks to Mike Kearns and Gene for all their help.  The repair of the Walking Trail was a lot of work, there were numerous cracks, but all the volunteers made the project fun.  Streets Committee has been working with engineers to coordinate the repairs and maintenance of our streets.  The Reserve Fund will be a saving grace against special assessments in the future.  One other thing, Jim has been monitoring the progress with the Anza Trail, there will be a trail to Canoa Road, with a bridge, Pima County stated this project will be completed by the middle 2007.  Jim stated we will have access issues from people other than residents parking on our streets, which could be a problem. 

Grounds Report – Carl Sparfeld read a letter from a resident regarding a view issue, thanking Henny for restoring her view.  Deby Cox was thanked for the wonderful Christmas decorations at the front.  Carl stated many Grounds issues were neglected over the years, and Henny would have her work cut out for her.  Carl asked the membership be patient; Henny will work to clean up common ground areas.  The newsletter has addressed work that had been done, and the parks are scheduled to be refurbished.  This will take time; it is an ongoing project in the works. 

Mary Yager stated the By-Law Committee has completed the first draft of the revision.  Hopefully, by next January a vote can be taken approving the Revised By-Laws. 

New Business – Gene asked if anyone wanted to bring up new business, it couldn’t be voted on, but could be put in the agenda for the next regular business meeting.

Open Forum – Phil Gray stated he accepted an appointment by Pima County for the Frontage Road Community Advisory Committee.  Any comments or questions regarding this project will be addressed by Phil Gray.  Phil Gray discussed the importance of a good HOA Board, the value of the Reserve Fund; all residents/homeowners must support your Board.  Management companies are just as much work as running the HOA internally.  Open house signs have been excessive through the summer months.  Henny brought up the resolution by the Board about how to determine the boundaries between common grounds and private lots.  Walls were built from ten feet from the actual lot lines, some lots have no walls defining their properties, and the homeowner has the right to move the walls to the lot line.  Grounds Committee will not cross into a private lot defined by walls, even though walls are built into the common grounds.  There is CC&R approval; the Board can do maintenance on private lots as well as common grounds.  Some residents have not established their lot lines, so the Grounds Committee can make a reasonable assumption of the obvious boundary for the purpose of maintenance.  Any resident could mark the area, with a planting or different rock color.  All Common Grounds should look the same as the rest.  The Board of Directors has a map with the lot lines if you would want to know where your lot lines are; Pima County also has maps with the lot lines defined.

Submitted by Cindy Misiewicz, Recording Secretary

These Minutes are subject to approval at the next Annual Board Meeting

Following the annual meeting the new Board meet for assignment of offices.