President Notes May 18, 2017
Not Official Meeting Minutes but Rather my thoughts following the Board Meeting of May 18, 2017
—President Larry Dittloff
Once the official meeting minutes are approved, they are posted to this website.
Two members addressed the Board regarding a request for immediate approval for the replacement of a storm damaged roof which was immediately approved by the Board and by a member who was protesting his receiving a Courtesy Letter regarding his driveway. I indicated that I would get back to him, after a review, but, at first glance, it appears the notice that he was given cited the wrong reasons for the violation.
Members present included Bradley, Greeley, LaVack, Nuesca, Tremper and myself.
Members absent were Aldridge, Obie and Luke.
The previous minutes were approved but with a couple of corrections.
The Architectural Compliance Committee reported that they had considered several applications quickly, but told Vantage that some of the applications were not forwarded to them in a timely fashion as it is the goal of the Committee to respond to the member applicants in three or fewer working days. The Committee also stated to Vantage that their response to a lot was for reasons that the Committee did not state. Fences must be set back from the streets by 25 feet as that is the requirements of our CCR’s and Thurston County Building Codes.
The Compliance Committee reported that parking issues are still out there and reiterated that, according to our CCR’s, “no more than two vehicles may be kept or parked in any driveway, and no more than one vehicle may be kept or parked in any such adjacent parking area; “A vehicle is defined under our current CR’s as “any automobile, van, motor home, truck, trailer, boat, or similar device for the transportation of people or objects”. In the past, the Board has granted temporary variances for good reason. The Committee also is very aware of the on-going storm clean up. It was the Committee’s observation that the community is showing great responsiveness to cleaning up storm debris and damage and should be commended for their action. WAY TO GO CCGCE!
The Roads and Signs Committee reported that speed bump painting will start now that the weather has cleared up. They also said that the Board has conditionally accepted a quote for new traffic sighs and that members of the Board will begin installing the signs as soon as they are delivered. Also noted was an update from PSE that informed us that that they were a little behind because of storm damage and that the conversion of our streets lights to LED will now begin at the end of May. A bid for repairing three dry wells was received. The Board asked for additional quotes for this work. I also reported that we could have Thurston County Sheriff, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST, patrol our streets for speeders if we raise the speed limit to 20 MPH. I asked members of the Board to consider this possibility and to talk to as many of our members as they can so that we can obtain a consensus and that we would formally consider this at our June Meeting. I also reported that I had received the stencil for “Dump No Waste” into the storm drain and that Committee members would be soon applying that notification next to our dry wells in the community. I also asked Vantage to provide an accurate map of the community that shows all 420 lots. I finally reported that I had not been in touch with the golf course about their progress of cleaning a dry well that is filled with their sand and their spilling of sand on the streets. I will attempt to get an update on this from the Golf Course by our next meeting.
The Ad Hoc Bylaw and CCR Rewrite Committee reported that they have met and have reviewed the two documents and have made several updates and changes which were given to the entire Board at our May Meeting. I asked the entire Board to review those two documents and to provide all feedback to the Committee by the end of May as the Committee would then reconvene and deliver a final DRAFT version to be presented to the Board at our June Meeting. The plan, then is to mail out the final DRAFT to the membership for their review and comment. Any member wishing to appear before the Board would be afforded that opportunity at our Public Forums just before the July, August and September Board Meetings. The two documents would be a part of the Agenda of our Membership Meeting in November.
The Treasurer’s Report was tabled because the Treasurer was unable to be present at the meeting. I have already asked the Treasurer to complete his review of our monthly financial activity and to send an e-mail to the Board members so that they might approve it. At the meeting, I did address the report itself, which I consider accurate, but I would like to see its format change. The current monthly report shows invoiced and realized income as one number. I feel that that is very misleading to the Board and that there should be a line that shows real income and receivables in a non-combined manner. I said that this would be a point in our discussions with Vantage for a contract renewal.
A discussion was also held about the recent storm and the Board’s response to that event. In consultation with two other Board Members and with Vantage and under the emergency provision of our By Laws I authorized LGL Construction to clean up any fallen trees that were impeding traffic on the streets and roads of our community. Furthermore, I stated that we would also be doing some additional street sweeping, as well (even though we had swept the streets just before the storm). A member felt that I had acted arbitrarily and without total need. I stand by my actions as there was a need to show that the Board recognized the severity of the situation and that it had to show responsiveness. The Board did approve my actions by authorizing the payment of $801.54 for community cleanup. Vantage is reviewing the costs for a complete or partial re-sweep of our streets.
In other actions the Board has suspended its plans for the provision of a written newsletter because no one on the Board has the time or inclination to put one together. I indicated that I could write a story or two but it was suggested by the Board that we needed a volunteer, who had the time, to put it all together and work with Vantage in getting that mailing out. I hope we can find someone who can assist us in that undertaking. Does anyone wish to help us out? If so, please contact us.
The Board also discussed the upcoming June 1st meeting with the Lacey City Council regarding their annexation of CCGCE. I urged the entire Board to be in attendance at that presentation.
We concluded the evening by going into Executive Session to consider fine reversals and delinquencies.
