HOA MEETING OCTOBER 22, 2016 @ 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Attendees: Chuck and Sissy Short, Keli Gustafson, Peter & Nermin Lang, Mike Mrugala, Steve & Darla Hughes, Jack Mnirajd & Vanessa Souriya-Mnirajd, Doan Nguyen, John Brady, Austin Reed, Juan & Carmen Azofeifa, Jackie McCaleb, Madelyn Hinners,Ping Yang, Ann Jester, Mike & Liz Ellison, Trace Taul & Karen Schmidt Chuck, president of HOA called the meeting to order at 11:07am. He introduced the executive team and welcomed all attendees. The purpose of today s meeting is to go over current budget and talk about next year's budget. He stressed the importance of email address for all HOA members, as it is one important form of communication. Review of minutes from June 11, 2016 On June 11, 2016, John stepped down as the HOA president. There was discussion to appoint a new president and executive team. Chuck Short was nominated to be the new President and a motion was made and second and the attendees voted Chuck Short as the President. Chuck Short accepted the nomination. A new Executive Committee was appointed along with Standing Committees. Doan reported that Gene gave $2000.00 toward opening and maintenance of the pool for the season. Doan presented the outlook for the budget for 2016 with the refinancing of the pool loan. The current budget indicated a cash short fall of about $8,382.23. The $25 special assessment to replace the pool liner was voted to be put on hold and the monies placed into the general fund to help meet the cash needs for 2016. Even with the pool liner on hold the HOA was still in a negative cash position of $6,632.23, and Chuck recommended another special assessment of $75.00 was placed before the attendees of the meeting. A motion was made and seconded and the $75.00 special assessment was passed. Budget after June 11, 2016 Meeting With the team work of the Executive and Standing Committees working hard and looking at every expense to maintain 2016 budget several changes were made to the operation of our HOA. Peter helped HOA with the pool maintenance by monitoring the chemicals and the pool maintenance company a saving of $45 per week, Mike Ellison sprayed for bagworms saving the HOA about $300.00. By controlling our expenses we have been able the save money that was originally to pay for the pool liner. We also renegotiated the Insurance for the HOA and got a refund from State Farm in the amount of $2,862.13, which will has enable the HOA to generate a projected $6,000 plus reserve. Doan set up utilities automatic pay. Note: The biggest line item in the budget is the pool loan projected for $10,356.46. At the time Gene had to cosigned the loan otherwise, we would not have be able to refinance the loan. The pool loan is a balloon payment loan and in 2 years we will have to refinance. It is important for the HOA and community to keep the pool therefore in 2 1/2 we will have to refinance. Gene will not cosign at that time. We will work very delingently over the next 3 years so the HOA will have a positive cash position with a reserved in the bank in order to get a new loan. The HOA still needs to collect $1200 from a few members that have not paid the special assessment. Chuck will send out a final notice on this note. Chuck and Kristi have visited with an HOA Attorney as per the covenant charging interest on unpaid dues after 30 days, and filling a lien on the property. The cost of filing a lien approximately $150.00. The HOA would have to pay the registration and attorney fees up front, but when the lien is settled the HOA would get their monies back. Interest for $75, is around $1 a month. What is important is to collect the assessment. HOA will work diligently to collect the money. There were several homes and builders that have not paid the special assessment.
CASA BELLA PROJECTED BUDGET for 2017 Chuck showed from the 2016 budget, that $350 normal pay, plus $25, plus $75 special assessment comes to $450 dues paid in 2016. We looked at maintaining $450.00 annual dues to build a reserve but instead, the Executive Committee elected $400.00 for annual dues. As we move forward with $400.00 as dues for HOA, Chuck said we got to look at expenses. Chuck explained for the budget of 2017, we had to determine which properties is part of the CASA BELLA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION. He identified and did a breakdown: He reviewed the Casa Bella HOA plat to show a breakdown of lots. 71 lots of homeowners 7 homes built not sold 30 empty lots 18 underdeveloped 1 pool A total of 126 lots revenue to HOA. All of which are the revenues for Casa Bell HOA. Chuck developed this budget based on this revenue and established the expenses from the 2016 budget. Electric and Public Works are budgeted at 2016 cost plus 10% City Of Wichita Pool Lic. Legal: Budgeted for assistance in amending the covenant and collecting of unpaid dues. Lawn Care: Quoted from a current provider with a little added for the unknown. Pool Maintenance: Outsource (working on getting bids) Dollars based on the past. Pool being monitored (2) times a week. Sedgwick County Treasurer: Based on Property tax of 2016 Insurance: We have a quote from another Insurance Provider that is approximate $1,000.00 less per year. Accounting: We will need to hire an accountant to prepare the 2016 Tax return. MISC: This Item covers a lot of what if s. I.E. Pool Cover, Overhaul of Pool Pump and Filter, Tree Replacement, New Signs at the 3 Ponds, Printing Cost, Mailing Cost, Committee Expenses, Maintenance expenses. This Item must be and will be controlled and approved by the Executive Committee before any expenses will be paid. Should everything work according to Budget then we should end the year with a reserve of $3,500.00. Remember the reserves cover the unknown that can and will someday become apparent. (I.E. Pond erosion, New Pool Liner, and others that we cannot identify at this time.) HOA members have two payment Options: Option #1 Pay $400.00 in Full by January 31, 2017; Option #2 Split the Annual Dues into two payments of $200.00 ea. Payment #1 By January 31, 2017, Payment #2 By July 31, 2017, and any unpaid balance past due will be charge 1.25% per month. Communications Emails are very important to the Homeowners Association. We need to be able to notify all members of upcoming events as well as any issues that need to be address i.e. criminal or vandal activity. HOA Website is www.casabella-hoa.com and is now live and maintained by Kristi Holiday.
Updates There was a discussion to the covenant because not all the houses will meet the expectations of the design committee ie) # of trees and shrubs. However, if we make any amends to the covenant, we would have to hire an attorney to make changes. HOA has a bid for lawn care from the Yard Doctor he will take care of the sprinkler systems as well as the mowing of the common areas. If he damages anything them he will fix it at his expense. Sam (The Yard Doctor) has been very good on working with us. His bid does not include any fertilization on the common areas. The estimated cost for fertilization is Between $4800-$5000 which is not included in the budget for 2017. Chuck thinks this is not a good idea and it is not good for the pond. Insurance - Chuck will meet with Rob Davis to discuss the insurance coverage for Casa Bella HOA. D&O policy will be covered with Rob s insurance. D&O covers the decision the Executive Board makes as well as any committee chairperson or anyone working under the directive of the board. Accounting - JC volunteered to prepare 2015 tax returns which saved HOA $585.00. Until the new board, there is no movement on filing of the tax returns. We were 30 days late in filing. JC will be moving and will not be available to prepare the 2016 tax returns, so we will need someone to prepare the taxes for 2016. Miscellaneous - The pool cover needs to be replaced. This past summer several HOA members cleaned and washed the old cover, and patched the holes with gorilla tape. Needless to say we need to replace the cover. Chuck talked to the pool guys about getting netting so that the moisture can go into the pool but keeps debris out of it. We need to investigates on getting a new cover but it will cost $1200-$1800. The pump control is already loose would need $500 to fix the pump. Several trees need to be replaced. They are dead and look terrible. Signs at ponds need to be replaced $40 each and $20 each for a post. Jackie brought up that they did not put seed in pond 3. Gene said it is not his responsibility but the HOA s responsibility. He seeded twice. One bid is $2,600. HOA needs to look at taking care of pond 3. Ponds are starting erosion. Overtime we will have to address this issue. Not sure the method. Something we will have to investigate to take care of in the future, could cost $20,000-$50,000 per pond. Little erosion on pond 1 and moving to pond 2. Will have to find rocks to control it. Committee-they need some money to do things. Jackie donated ice cream and water at the National Night Out. The Summer Blowout the band donated their time and equipment.(peg and The Bundy s) Need money to make a welcome basket to give to new homeowners to Casa Bella. The Executive committee is responsible for monitoring and controlling the budget, therefore, there is a process in placed if committee members need to request money. HOA Dues Covenant will allow HOA members to split their dues with two options: Option 1: pay $400 or Option 2: split into two payments $200 each: payments due by Jan 31 and Jul 31. If dues are not paid by the due dates, then HOA will enforce 1.25% interest per month. Jaclyn McCaleb made a motion and Mike Ellison seconded the motion to accept the 2017 budget and the dues. Members voted to for HOA to pay dues of $400 with the two options. Motion passed
Committees Report Communication Officer: Kristi She has most of the names and emails for everyone in the neighborhood. Emails help tremendously because it will help save HOA money. She announced the new website, casabella-hoa.com, and encouraged everyone to go there for announcements and events. She recommended that everyone register on the web site to be notified of any new information added. The web site will notify you of the changes by email. Welcome Committee: Keli Keli would like to give a basket with goodies along with bylaws and covenant to welcome new homeowners. Everyone is encouraged to email Kristi if someone knows new family moves into the neighborhood. This includes renters in the Casa Bella neighborhood. This will build a community and establish good relationships. Social Committee: Jackie Jackie proposed that we have a quarterly gathering. She shared events that occurred for 2016 which was the ugly sweater in December, national night out with firefighters, and summer blowout event with a band. She suggested that we have a Holiday Party in early December this year. She doesn t mind hosting it at her house if we have a potluck. Maintenance Committee - Peter Peter shared that the bridge between ponds 1 and 2 need to be painted as well as the lights above it. He appreciated everyone's help cleaning the commons area last spring. This next summer of 2017 the pool guy needs to monitor the pool twice per week. Neighborhood Watch - Trace 1st Neighborhood Watch Meeting was on October 18th. The two patrol officers gave great information regarding security in our area and what we can do to help our community. Some of the suggestions are very common sense, such as: closing garage doors, locking car doors that must be parked outside, turning lights on at night, having your neighbors check your mail when you are out of town and exchanging phone numbers with neighbors to keep an eye on things. Others may be purchasing security cameras, motion lights, and alarms. Trace suggested that we have assigned block Captains for every street in the neighborhood. The block captain will be responsible for getting everyone's name, address and phone number on their block for contacting purposes. He suggested calling 911 if anyone suspects something suspicious in our community. If you are interested in participating we still need a few Block Captains, please email the HOA at CasaBellaHOA@cox.net. There was a discussion about individuals driving over the speed limit in our neighborhood. Especially during the lunch hour and after school is out. Design Committee- Penny Mike spoke in Penny s absence and shared that we need to review the current covenant and make sure that it makes sense to all of us because some parts of the covenant is unreasonable. We may need to change our bylaws and there is a formal procedure we have to follow if we want to make a change. The Design Committee will continue to educate the community what is required and not required in our neighborhood per the covenant.
Miscellaneous There are concerns of unleashed dogs roaming around. HOA will email to the owner per covenant and will contact animal control. Peter is concerned with the lack of attendance from Elliot, Co-Vice President, and Penny, Design Committee Chair. It was suggested that Chuck discusses the concern with Penny and Elliott. Chuck will update the executive committee after his meeting with them. Mike is impressed with Chuck s leadership and we applauded his efforts. Motion to adjourned made by Peter Lang and second by Juan Azofeifa, the meeting adjourned at 1:15pm