Laurel Park HOA Board Meeting
Tuesday March 13th, 2007, 7:00p.m. Laurel Park Clubhouse
Meeting called to order by Bob Brooks at 7:00p.m.
Attendees: Bob Brooks, Kim Clark, Rhee Nelson, Kris Milstead, Bob Martin, Buck Reese, Gerald Oliver, Anthony Simmons
Bob announced that residents have 3 min for residents to comments with a total of 30 minutes devoted to resident’s questions and concerns. The open portion of the meeting will adjourn at that time.
Mary Reese announced that some residents from the Cobblestone area have started a lunch group. From that group the formation of a garden club, bridge club, bunco, book club, etc. These groups ask if the clubhouse can be used for these groups with no rental fee. Bob responded that he would answer the question tomorrow after board discussion. Rhee asked if the meetings are open to all residents or only Cobblestone? Mary – wants to know the board’s policy and stated that most clubs are open to all residents.
Pam Wickler asked several questions of the board and the swim team parents who were present; why the swim team is going outside of LP to get swimmers? Why is the swim team open to other communities? How many swimmers do we have? How many are expected by the league? Who do we compete against? Who pays for insurance for swimmers? Are the fees more for outside residents more than residents? Pam commented that the general consensus is that the lights issue is connected to swim team. She also suggested that the swim team consider a smaller league and expressed concern that only a small group of residents are targeted for the swim team.
Bob Brooks announced that agenda items for future board meetings should be submitted two days ahead of time. Board meetings will be organized by Old Business, New Business and Committee Updates. Resident expressed opposition to closing of meeting.
Any additions or corrections to last month’s meeting minutes - - Bob Martin noted that there will be aa review performed of LP’s financials, not an audit.
Minutes are approved.
Resident’s session closed as of 7:08p.m.
City of Concord & Police dept – Church is no longer paying for an off-duty police officer to direct traffic. Police are patrolling George Liles more often and have written 65 tickets over a 2-day period. Rhee noted that construction workers are driving too quickly at end of day around the circle.
City of Concord code enforcement representative, Mike Coble, was in attendance and noted that his office works with the police dept in code enforcement – junk cars, minimal housing, basketball goals, overgrown grass. Let Mike know of any concerns. Bob asked if the board should contact code enforcement or police department to enforce the HOA’s guidelines regarding overnight parking in LP parking lots. Mike stated that this is a police department issue. LP parking lots are private property, so we have jurisdiction over those areas. The Concord Police officer suggested posting a sign stating “no overnight parking” as the sign usually deters the issue. Bob asked if someone persists in parking overnight, could the car be towed? Kris Milstead asked what are the guidelines for basketball goals in neighborhoods? Mike stated that basketball goals are not allowed overhang into the street. Players should move goal back off street when finished playing. Kris also asked if the city imposes fines for basketball goals left too close to the street? Mike stated they usually leave a door hanger, then send a letter if necessary. Rhee asked if vehicles parked on the street and into the grass area could have fines imposed? Mike stated that as long as there is a legal tag on the car, there is no issue. Concord Police officer stated that construction/utility workers should put out placards giving notice of work in progress if they are parked in the street. If workers are blocking a sidewalk then there is an issue. The Concord Police officer stated that there is a proposed city ordinance, yet to be passed, that restricts parking on grass. Jennifer Beresh asked if there is a list of most often abused ordinances that could be published in the newsletter? Mike stated that he doesn’t usually have to come to this neighborhood, but can be involved in fence/property issues.
Committee reports
- Newsletter and neighborhood directory are two separate efforts
- Newsletter budget spent $250 already
- Brainstorming session was not successful, not many residents participated
- Decisions – 1. Newsletter will be distributed to residents monthly on the 1st weekend of the month unless holiday. 2. Calendar of events current and upcoming, spring & fall litter clean up, committee meetings, social meetings will be included in the newsletter
- Will send draft of newsletter to board members
- Delivery persons needed
- LP HOA email addresses can be set up for board members - need decision
- Last financial info is from December. Gina or Jennifer can post to the LP web-site.
- What should be included in newsletter during closed session?
- Proposed items for the next newsletter – update on neighborhood watch, the neighborhood survey, contact information for burned out streetlights, sidewalk repairs, etc.
- Proposal to highlight a LP covenant or City of Concord ordinance in the newsletter. Buck volunteer to pass these on to Jennifer.
- Swim team budget – no working budget this year due to no monies yet. Any money taken in for registration goes to coaching fees, etc. Any money leftover will be spent on banquet, medals etc.
- 35 swimmers, all LP residents at this time. Must have 26 volunteers from home team, 21 volunteers for visiting team, no requirement for number of team members, requirement is how many people it takes to run a meet successfully. Concern was raised about teacher of tennis and swimming in our community and a question was raised concerning their insurance coverage. Fees involved require the recruitment of outside team members to cover expenses. Buck asked if additional insurance is required for the team. Kim responded that a rider is required.
– Approved for the pool were chairs & lounge chairs, platform stepladder, walls, paint, baby-changing tables. Bob Brooks stated that Bob Martin and Kris will approve items that don’t go over budget.
– If decision is made to resurfacing old pool a new pool cover will be needed. The deck lighting, and chemical controllers are being leased; $2200/ yr to lease, $2300 to purchase. Caribbean pools has current lease. Kris asked if pool pumps are running all year. Scott confirmed that they run all year if the pool is not drained. The new pool has cover and doesn’t need to run all year. Scott asked if a decision had been made regarding pool resurfacing?
Old Business
- Pool cover
- Refinish bottom of old pool
- Light fixtures are leaking water. Dave Kilmer deduced that if water is coming in, then it must be leaking out. This can be tested with die.
- Dave Kilmer also reported that two skimmers are not piped into system, but it won’t affect function of the pool. There are cracks in marcite and evidence that pool putty was used to blend cracks, which causes roughness of pool surface. There is a pipe on the side of pool that seems to go nowhere. It is not causing known problems at this time. Pool skimmers seem to be set at different levels, but should be set equal levels. Only remedy without major repairs is to maintain water levels high enough for all skimmers. The ladder climb-out needs to be repaired or replaced.
Resurfacing $17355.00
Pool cover $7525.00
Buck asked about warranty documentation for the pools. No one currently on the board is aware of where that documentation might be.
Rhee asked why these items weren’t noted when the pool was built and inspected? Dave Kilmer stated that inspectors look at chemicals, posted notices, safety issues, etc, not structural items.
1. Cayman Pool proposal for $2391.84 motion from Kim, second from Gerald Oliver.
2. Repair or replace ladder – all in favor
3. Resurface pool – Rhee made motion to resurface pool, approve to spend $17355 and any reimbursement from Niblock will go back into HOA reserve.
Buck noted everything would be fixed now with the exception of the pool cover to be purchased in the fall.
Updates
1. Ryan common area – Gerald reported that electricity in that area for irrigation would be approximately $500.00. He recommended getting landscaper to bore through to put in electrical and water at one time. The cost will be approximately 8.00/ft. No place for flowers on Torrington, in estimate from Woodlands. Gerald has questions for Woodlands. Bob Brooks recommended Gerald meet with Scott to include items in a package so that we can use the money received from the city. Bob Brooks recommended Gerald contact Woodlands for other issues.
2. Browning issue – Barefoot – removed screen because it kept clogging. Barefoot recommended softening water. Gerald will get a price on a water softening system.
3. Sidewalk “ownership” is turned over to the City of Concord one year from recorded plat map. Most sidewalks in our neighborhood are now city owned. Call city for repair issues. Kris can notify city of needed repairs. Gerald volunteered to mark sidewalks and contact Keith.
4. Common/natural keystone area – Kris stated that the common area is Laurel Parl property, not a natural area. Rhee documented issues and noted plat copy. Someone is supposed to bush hog the area once/month. Dumping has been occurring. Estimate has been received from Woodlands to clean up the area, which is over an acre. Proposal to clean up the area and not level off, leave natural as is, no grading, etc. and to plant flowers. Rhee recommended that the area remain a natural area, used for some purpose to benefit the whole community such as wild flower planting or walking trail. She suggested that it should not be excavated or the terrain changed, but rather it should be cleaned up and mowed every month. Second by Gerald. Motion approved.
5. Letter to residents – Kim made a suggestion that items could be clarified in the newsletter. Pool closes at dark now without lights. Bob Brooks made similar suggestions. Recommendation to add appropriate verbiage.
6. Delinquent liens – 30-day lien notices will be sent to applicable residents.
7. Sign at clubhouse parking lot – private parking lot so sign can be placed where the board wants it. Bob Brooks stated that the preference would be to post it in a position so drivers would see it as they come in to the parking lot.
8. Rhee – Cobblestone is using a new stone, which doesn’t need to be addressed at each ARC review. The ARC needs the name of cedar shingle contractor to address fading and wearing issues. New colors to be distributed to cobblestone residents whose homes need repairs. Rhee is researching water drainage issues in new section and in Danburry Circle. She also expressed concern over rumors of townhouses in area opposite of the church.
Buck stated that a motion should be made that no waiver of any covenant
restriction could be made by anyone, including LP committees, without full
approval of the board. Rhee made motion, Second by Buck.
9. DOT left turn lane – will be fixed, no date given at this time.
10. Buck – what to be put in newsletter - - one item of covenant, “did you know”
11. Financial – Bob Martin – there is a financial review, not an audit, in process
- Money has not been moved to different accounts or plans at this time since large ticket items have been discussed lately and are up for approval.
- Reiterate – if item is unapproved or unbudgeted, the item should not be paid until Bob Martin is contacted
- Review contract cleaning bills - $75.00 paid per event for cleaning
- Are groups using the clubhouse that are not paying a fee? Yes, Girls Scouts
- Was the Super Bowl party expense approved? Yes thru social committee ($322.00)
- Byrd contract update
Kris – addendum to master contract, Woodlands contract, approved last month
New items
- Improve neighborhood while providing services to residents
- Analyze growth
- Identify items that can be included in a master plan
- Reserves
- pool
- Ryan common area
- Entrances
- Neighborhood master plan needs to be developed
2. Buck suggested pool items be put in newsletter
3. Bob asked Gerald to get estimate for power in Gazebo area and determine best kind of lighting.
4. Special board meeting, events board approved
5. Scott Greeson
6. Tree replacement on Torrington – Gerald will follow up with the residents
Bob asked if there were any additional issues. None were noted.
Meeting adjourned at 9:17p.m.