Wissler Ranch HOA Board of Directors Regular Monthly Meeting Minutes
November 18, 2023
- Call to Order: The November 18, 2023, meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 10:04 a.m., at the Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church, Monument.
- Roll Call: The following Directors, officers, committee chairs, and homeowners were present:
Board Members (Quorum Established)
President – Hal Goldback
Vice President – Pete Popp
Director/Secretary – Sharla Davis
Director – Wayne Gardner
Director – Bob Roche
Officer: Treasurer – Jay Best
Committee Chairs:
Covenant Compliance – Sharla Davis
Design Review – Wayne Gardner
Forestry (includes Fire Wise) – Deborah Bullock (Absent)
Infrastructure – Pete Popp
Neighborhood Watch – Nadine Awald
Website/IT – Al Maurer (absent)
Welcome – Sandy Maurer
Homeowners: John Awald, Kristin Crowell, Larisa Grimes, Pat James, Kathleen McCormick, Roy Richardson, Nancy Smith
Reading and Disposal of Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the October 21, 2023, regular monthly meeting minutes; motion passed. These minutes will be posted on the mail kiosk bulletin board and WR website.
– Sharla gave a recap of the annual membership meeting. Even though there were no director elections this year, Article VIII of the Bylaws, Section 2, states, “The election of officers shall take place at the first meeting of the Board of Directors following each annual meeting of the members.” A motion was made and seconded to reelect the current slate of officers; motion passed: President – Hal Goldback, Vice President – Pete Popp, Secretary – Sharla Davis, Treasurer – Jay Best.
– Water meter reading report. Sharla reported that the WR water accounting spreadsheet was submitted to the state engineer on Nov 16th; 0 overages, 1 ‘no report.’
Reports:
President: Hal reported on the cistern contract/project progress and updated everyone on his and the DRC’s Nov. 10th meeting with Denver Pump Installer. Tank delivery is still estimated for the end of Dec.
Vice President: no report
Treasurer: Jay reported on the financials including bills and cistern payments. Three homeowners are still on payment plans and there are zero delinquent accounts. With approximately 45 days left in the FY, WR is in good financial shape.
2024 Budget Review: The Board reviewed the 2024 notional budget. In accordance with the Covenants, Section 7.6, Limit on Annual Assessment, which states, in part, “…the annual Assessment, exclusive of any optional user’s fees and any insurance premiums paid by the Association, shall not exceed $300.00 per year per Lot,” the Board proposed equally dividing the WR insurance premium among the 133 home/lot owners for an additional $30 to be added to the 2024 annual assessment. A motion was made and seconded to increase 2024 dues to $330; motion passed.
– The proposed budget was created with that increase in mind to fund capital improvement projects/unexpected costs outside of the cistern contract. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the 2024 budget; motion passed. The approved budget will be sent to all home/lot owners for review prior to next month’s ratification meeting.
– There was further discussion on the initiative first presented at the October 2023 annual meeting to have any excess operating funds left at the end of the fiscal year automatically transferred to capital reserves. Past annual membership meetings have always held a vote with the majority always choosing to ‘fund capital reserves.’ Having the vote on the disposition of any excess funds as part of the budget process now eliminates the cost of balloting for this issue only at the annual meetings. The Board/Treasurer will confer with the HOA’s attorney and accountant with regard to CCIOA/tax implications, if any, and revise the new policy if necessary.
Committee Reports:
Covenant Compliance: Sharla reported that a first-notice violation regarding nuisance barking/more than two dogs on property/non-compliant vehicle parking was still open due to the homeowner’s extenuating circumstances.
– In accordance with the Covenant Enforcement Policy, a first-notice violation email and letter were sent for ‘failure to report meter reading timely.’
– A homeowner emailed and asked about how “trees with fairy lights and Christmas lights are managed consistent with the HOA dark sky lighting policy.”
– The DRC responded, “As long as the temporary holiday lighting is truly temporary and not installed permanently, we see no issue with it from the DRC perspective.”
Design Review Committee: Wayne reported on the projects he and the committee are currently working, including the cistern.
– There was much discussion over an approved ‘swim spa’ project that is pending final inspection. A neighbor agreed to email his list of concerns to the DRC, and the issue was tabled until next month.
Forestry and Fire Wise: absent
Infrastructure Committee: no report
Welcome Committee: Sandy reported that everyone has been welcomed and she is keeping an eye on the two ‘for sale’ properties on Still Glen.
Web Site: no report
New Business:
– Neighborhood Watch (in cooperation with the EL Paso County Sheriff’s Office): Nadine, as the WR Community Outreach Representative, reminded everyone, that ‘Neighborhood Watch’ falls under the Sheriff’s authority, not the Board.
– A motion was made and seconded to move ‘Neighborhood Watch’ from the WR committee list to prevent confusion; motion passed. Neighborhood Watch is a separate, stand-alone committee, under EPSO. A homeowner mentioned that a new email address may be required.
– Little Free Library book exchange proposal: a new WR resident, Kristin Crowell, presented handouts regarding her idea for a neighborhood book exchange. The Little Free Library is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to “increasing book access for readers of all ages and backgrounds.”
– She will meet with the DRC to discuss/measure potential locations, and gauge community interest.
– Homeowner Concerns: no additional concerns were brought before the Board.
- 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 at 11:50 a.m. to discuss an open covenant violation; motion passed.
– A motion was made and seconded to adjourn from executive session at 12:40 p.m.; motion passed.
Old Business: An open covenant violation was deemed cured by the Board. Covenants and DRC Committees will email ‘cure notifications’ to the homeowner.
Adjournment: Since there was no other business brought before the Board, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the regular monthly meeting at 12:45 p.m.; motion carried.