- Call to Order: The July HOA Board of Directors’ regular monthly meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. via Cisco Webex.
- Roll Call: the following board members, officers, committee chairs/members, and homeowners were in attendance:
Board Members (quorum established):
President – Jim Keefe
Vice President – Hal Goldback
Sharla Davis
Wayne Gardner
Pete Popp
Other Officers:
Secretary – Sharla Davis
Treasurer – Kathleen McCormick
Committee Chairs:
Covenant Compliance – Sharla Davis
Design Review – Pete Popp (for Wayne Gardner)
Forestry (includes Fire Wise) – absent
Infrastructure –Hal Goldback
Neighborhood Watch – vacant
Website/IT – absent
Welcome – Sandy Maurer
Homeowners: John and Nadine Awald, Roy Richardson, Debra Scott
- Reports:
– Reading and Disposal of Minutes: motion made and seconded to approve the June 2022 regular monthly meeting minutes; motion passed. These minutes will be posted on the mail kiosk bulletin board and WR website.
– Officer:
– President: Jim attended the CDOT in-person open meeting on the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Hwy 83 and County Line. Pete Popp also attended and Jim deferred his comments to Pete (during Design Review).
– Vice President: Hal deferred his report to Infrastructure.
– Treasurer: Kathleen screen-shared the financials and discussed the unexpected legal fee expenses with regard to amending the conveyance of water rights. The legal steps were more complicated and lengthier than anticipated. She reminded everyone that this is a “snapshot in time” and that we need to manage our finances very carefully. The operating budget is projected to have a deficit which doesn’t include possible additional legal expenses.
– Committees:
– Covenant Compliance: WR is a covenant-protected community and residents are legally obligated to maintain compliance at all times with the Design Review Guidelines, Covenants, Rules, and Policies. All governing documents are posted on the wisslerranch.com website.
– Outdoor lighting continues to be an issue with too bright bulbs and/or non-compliant, unapproved driveway lighting, specifically several properties on Lockridge. The DRC will contact these homeowners to discuss resolutions.
– A reminder notice was mailed to a homeowner with a utility trailer on site in excess of seven days, and another to an owner for unapproved accessory structures.
– Two reminder notices were sent for non-compliant commercial signs. Homeowners and their realtors should review the “Buying and Selling in Wissler Ranch” information posted on the website to prevent these issues in the future.
– Design Review: Pete reported on the four projects he & Wayne worked this month, including watering/fertilizing of the common area trees; the stumping/grinding by the picnic table is still an open item.
– CDOT/roundabout meeting: Pete reported that several homeowners from WR, Hawk Ridge, and County Line attended. Kathleen screenshared the proposed preliminary design. The reality is the engineers are moving forward despite voiced safety concerns (wildfire evacuations, traffic speeds, etc.). There was much discussion on the fact that there needs to be concerted citizen engagement to overturn and/or modify the preliminary design. Projected start date appears to be the end of the year.
– Infrastructure: Hal explained in great detail the proposed cistern project based on his extensive discussions with the engineers and reported that the proposed budget, with 10% contingency costs built in, is roughly $350K. The bid still needs to be submitted in writing.
– A special session will be scheduled this September as homeowners will have to approve moving forward on the replacement project. With Station 2 relocating from Roller Coaster Rd., WR may no longer be within five miles of a fire station…Jim will research insurance implications.
– Hal is also working with TLMFPD on a written agreement for their support in maintaining the new pumps and keeping the cisterns filled…they refuse to commit. As a reminder, TLMFPD does not have the proper equipment to fight fires in our area, despite the perception that previous tax increases would be used to purchase just that.
– Neighborhood Watch: no suspicious activity in our area reported by the Sheriff’s office; Jim said there were ‘Next Door’ reports of non-residents wandering through local neighborhoods. Please be alert and aware, and report any concerns to the EPSO Non-Emergency line, 719-390-5555; in an emergency, call 911.
– Welcome: Sandy reported that she welcomed four new families this month.
– Website: Sandy reported for Al, ‘no report.’
– Forestry (includes Fire Wise): Kathleen reported for Deb; she reminded everyone that ongoing mitigation projects and efforts may be reported until Oct. 31st for our ‘Fire Wise’ status. Please email hours worked, # of bags, expenditures for tree trimming/slash removal, etc., to forestry@wisslerranch.com.
- Old Business:
– none
- New Business:
– Augmentation Water Rights Status: Jim reported that all documents have been signed by the developer, courtesy copies were delivered to Great Divide, and the issue should be closed by August, end of month.
– Homeowner Concerns: a homeowner inquired about what could be done regarding the numerous dead trees on Palmer Divide, aka County Line. These properties are within Douglas County and outside the jurisdiction of the HOA or El Paso County; therefore, Douglas County Zoning or the Colorado Forestry Department should be contacted. No other concerns were brought before the Board.
– New Legislation: A new Colorado statute, HB 22-1137, modifies the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act and implements changes to covenant enforcement and collections procedures effective August 9, 2022. The HOA will rewrite existing policies to implement the requirements of the law. The Board voted to purchase template policies from the HOA attorney and will modify them as necessary. A working meeting will be held to discuss the documents and the new policies will be voted on prior to implementation.
- Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session: Pursuant to CO Rev Stat § 24-6-402 (2016) (E) (3) (a,) in part, “…authorizing the body to meet in an executive session and identification of the particular matter to be discussed in as much detail as possible without compromising the purpose for which the executive session is authorized…”
– A motion was made and seconded to adjourn to executive session @12:34 p.m.; motion carried.
– A motion was made and seconded to adjourn from executive session @12:47 p.m.; motion carried.
- Adjournment: Due to the length of the meeting, a motion was made and seconded to carry over additional business to next month’s regular meeting, motion passed; a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the regular monthly Board meeting at 12:47 p.m.; motion carried.