- Call to Order: The September HOA Board of Directors’ regular monthly meeting was called to order at 10:04 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 (prearranged absence)
Pete Popp
Other Officers:
Secretary – Sharla Davis
Treasurer – Kathleen McCormick
Committee Chairs:
Covenant Compliance – Sharla Davis
Design Review – Wayne Gardner (absent)
Forestry (includes Fire Wise) – Deborah Bullock
Infrastructure –Hal Goldback
Neighborhood Watch – vacant
Website/IT – absent
Welcome – Sandy Maurer
Homeowners: Jay Best, Roy Richardson, Debra Scott
- Reports:
– Reading and Disposal of Minutes: motion made and seconded to approve the August 2022 regular monthly meeting minutes; motion passed. The minutes will be posted on the mail kiosk bulletin board and WR website.
– Officer:
– President: Jim reported that he will be resigning as the NEPCO treasurer this November; however, he will continue to serve as a representative and attend their monthly meetings. NEPCO is an active organization representing 47 local HOAs. If anyone is interested in serving on the NEPCO Board (secretary, treasurer, observer positions are open) or as a WR representative, please email Jim, pres@wisslerranch.com. Jim also mentioned that he should have a copy of the new WR umbrella insurance policy by next week.
– Vice President: Hal deferred his comments to Infrastructure.
– Treasurer: Kathleen screen-shared the financials and discussed several line items, particularly the unexpected legal fee expenses, predominantly due to amending the conveyance of water rights and the outstanding legal issues ongoing. She reminded everyone that this is a “snapshot in time,” that we need to be cognizant of our expenditures, and manage our finances very carefully.
– Committees:
– Covenant Compliance: Wissler Ranch 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.
– Landscape lighting must be approved by the Design Review Committee in advance of installation and must comply with guidelines restricting the number of lumens and degrees Kelvin for outdoor lighting. First-notice covenant violation notifications were sent to three homeowners for unapproved and non-compliant lighting.
– A first-notice covenant violation letter was sent to a homeowner for ‘nuisance animals.’
– The new revisions to CCIOA provide homeowners 30 days to cure the violations.
– The HOA continues to receive complaints about off-highway vehicles, specifically dirt bikes and ATVs, being ridden on neighborhood streets. Colorado statute prohibits the use of these licensed and unlicensed vehicles on public roadways; however, the HOA does not have the authority to regulate them. Concerns with these vehicles should be addressed to the El Paso County Sheriff’s non-emergency response line, 719-390-5555, or reported on their website, https://www.epcsheriffsoffice.com/services/file-crime-report-online.
– As a reminder, no motorized vehicles are permitted in the Common Area, including on the trail. Please ensure your family members and guests are aware that this is a Covenant violation.
– Design Review: Pete reported on the projects he and Wayne reviewed this month, including deck reconstruction plans, outdoor lighting, and a detached garage plan that must be redesigned to conform with the DRGs. A previously open unapproved, noncompliant detached structure and outdoor lighting issue was resolved.
– Infrastructure: Hal reviewed the proposed cistern plan/budget and there was much discussion. A detailed presentation will occur at the annual meeting; Board members and Monument Fire Department representatives will be available for questions prior to the meeting. Homeowners are encouraged to contact their insurance carriers to see how much their rates would change if we have a pressurized water delivery system in the neighborhood.
– Neighborhood Watch: no suspicious activity in our area reported by the Sheriff’s office; Jim said there were reported incidents of catalytic converter/’porch pirate’ thefts in Kings Deer and Monument. 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 two new families on Lockridge.
– Website: Sandy reported for Al, ‘no report.’
– Forestry (includes Fire Wise): Deborah reported that the annual neighborhood forestry review will take place on Sep. 28th. A CO state forester will perform a cursory inspection of WR trees and send a report annotating which trees are diseased/infested. The DRC & Forestry committees will review the report and work with homeowners who have marked trees.
– Homeowners are reminded that any landscape modifications, including tree removal, must be approved by the DRC prior to starting any property alterations.
– Deborah also reminded everyone that ongoing mitigation projects and efforts for our ‘Fire Wise’ status may be reported until Oct. 31st. Please email hours worked, # of bags, expenditures for tree trimming/slash removal, etc., to forestry@wisslerranch.com. She is still working on the annual report and wildfire plan renewal.
- New Business:
– Homeowner Concerns: Jim will respond to a homeowner’s email regarding his concern with noxious weeds in the neighborhood. Colorado has statutes defining ‘noxious’ weeds and requiring property owners to control certain species. At various times in the past, El Paso County has issued citations to property owners with infestations of these weeds. Homeowners can obtain information on the weeds Colorado considers ‘noxious’ as well as eradication and control measures in the links below:
Noxious Weed Species ID
https://ag.colorado.gov/conservation/noxious-weeds/species-id
El Paso County Noxious Weed Management Plan
El Paso County Noxious Weeds and Control Methods
- 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 @11:32 a.m. to discuss pending covenant issues and ongoing litigation; motion carried.
– A motion was made and seconded to adjourn from executive session @11:48 a.m.; motion carried.
- Old Business:
– The annual homeowners meeting will take place at the TriLakes United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 22, 2022; registration will start at 11:15 a.m. and close at 11:45 a.m. so the meeting can be called to order promptly at 12:00 p.m.; Hal will have cistern presentation posters available for review prior to the meeting start time;
– There will be four Board positions open for election; anyone interested in nominating themselves must email secretary@wisslerranch.com and request to be added to the ballot by October 12th.
- Adjournment: Due to no other business being brought before the Board, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the regular monthly meeting at 11:57 a.m.; motion carried.