Wissler Ranch Homeowner's Association Board Meeting
Kilmer Elementary School
October 15, 2003
APPROVED
Board Members in attendance
Mark Cookson
Ken Bonitz
Gary Fish
Shari Wilson
Marne Trujillo
Chad Boekes
Bob Lorenz
Mark Cookson presented the Agenda.
Election of Board Members
The first order of business was election of board members. Mark asked if we had additional volunteers. No one volunteered. We have 3 volunteers. Agenda presented
Gary Fish - Keep property values up and help enforce the covenants in a fair manner
Bob Lorenz - To give the Homeowner's a voice.
Jim Montgomery was unable to present his viewpoint since he is away in England.
Chad motioned that the names presented tonight are the ones to be voted upon. Ken seconded. And all were in favor.
President's Report - Mark Cookson
We have 8 out of 9 new members (served less than a year). We have a water report and a new approach to covenants. We have had community get-togethers - in May and August. We no longer send out a newsletter. We now send out a "President's Letter". These have been created by Mark, Ken and Bob. We paved the mailbox area and we have established a neighborhood watch program. Mark said that 2 vehicles have been noticed videotaping and photographing property. Finally, we have purchased a recorder for taking minutes. Then, he presented cost savings.
Vice President's Report - Ken Bonitz
Ken stressed that it was important to come to the monthly meetings and provide community input. Ken said he focused this year on the Fire District. We as individuals vote on the fire district that we belong to, not as a community. The general election is November 4th. We have 3 cisterns in the area. The second thing he addressed was landscaping and paving around the mailbox. The third was water issues. Finally, he worked on whatever other issues needed to be accomplished.
Treasurer's Report - Chad Boeckes
Chad began with the current balance sheet. As of today, our cash balance is $29,656 as of today. We budgeted $21,945 (at $165 per lot). Our budgeted expenses were $21,945. We have actually spent $20,460. Our 2004 budget is not set, it is pending input from the community. Nancy Shanley asked how that input will be collected. Chad said that the budget will go out in a mailing to everyone.
Hospitality Committee - Margie Boeckes
The picnics were good because many new people were in attendance. The upcoming event is a trick-or-treat event in the commons area. She gave an update on the Neighborhood Watch for Gerry Majors, who is out of town. In addition, Mark is setting up a chili cook-off. Gerry Majors will be the new Chairperson.
DRC Committee - Mario Salazar and Steve Martinez
Nothing spectacular or anything out of the ordinary happened in 2003. Steve said that the turnaround time for plan approvals is ~ 1 week. Steve also mentioned that a handful of landscaping plans haven't been submitted and requested that people please submit these.
Web Site - Shari Wilson
Shari gave an update on the status of the website.
Covenant Committee - Gary Fish
Gary is the only member of this committee. First Gary discussed the process. Then he presented the number of issues reported. Fifteen issues have been reported, 10 resolved, a few variances, and a couple still open. Mark pointed out that the process is designed to keep a paper trail. Gary said that submittal must be in writing.
Unfinished Business - Ken Bonitz and Bob Lorenz
Bob began explaining that the board consulted a lawyer to get the facts. They prepared reports on history and usage, they want to obtain community feedback, and utilize finding to develop policies. Ken presented the key findings. First, we report at a community level and the 122,000 gallons is an average only. Second topic is ponds, pools, and water features. These are allowed - BUT, only if augmented with an outside water source. Third was landscaping irrigation. Our covenants allow 1500 sq ft, but the state enforces this as an average. A homeowner felt that he expected the board to be stricter on landscaping over-usage versus large family over-usage. Finally, what happens if we exceed our community allotment. The first action is that the community will be put on a watch list. We are on a 300-year plan - not year by year. Our average water usage per lot has gone down since 2000 from ~ 74,000 gallons to ~ 60,000 gallons. The "Go-Forward Plan" - board will present the plan to the community and get feedback. We will also monitor usage and determine accountability for exorbitant usage. Our scheduled reading is November 1st. Finally, Ken presented contact names and numbers for water issues.
5-Year Capital Improvement Plan - Mark Cookson and Ken Bonitz.
Some options were presented - the entrances, a possible pavilion, landscaping around mailboxes, other ideas? First, they presented some sketches of the entrances and costs. Next, they presented the costs and options for the pavilion and mailboxes. Nancy requested a formal meeting dedicated to this issue and that we seriously consider Xeriscaping. Finally, the question is how to pay for this. From existing capital reserve, charge a one-time fee, etc.
New Business - Mark Cookson
Next year, we are going to review and refine all regulations in the DRC, Covenants, By-Laws, and Water Augmentation Plan (remove inconsistencies). Also we will work on the 5-year plan, etc.
New Board Members will be Bob Lorenz, Gary Fish, and Jim Montgomery.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:07 pm.