The Falls- Electronic Association
Newsletter December 22, 2008
THE FALLS
An
E-Newsletter for the Snohomish Cascade Homeowners Association
Annual Meeting
The Association Annual Meeting
was held on Wednesday December 3, 2008 at the Totem Falls Elementary
School gymnasium. About 28 members attended the meeting.
During the meeting, temporary
Board President Charles Hower and Vice President Bruce Sieloff led a
briefing and discussion of the Temporary Board’s findings since the
October 2008 Board meeting that included the budget- the Association
financial position, and new budget- a review of a new proposed CC&R
fine schedule, volunteer opportunities, and the Association website.
During the months of October and November, the Temporary Board held
7 meetings.
Budget- The Association
owes in excess of $20,000 or more to three landscape companies. Two
companies have agreed to allow payment when the Association can collect
the cash. Interim Treasurer Carey Ecker says the Association will owe
about $30,000 with what is owed to the landscape companies and as a
result of bills that will become due by the end of the year.
The reasons for this debt include:
Forecast Actual
Administrative $ 4,625 $10,165
Landscaping $35,600 $
Utilities $
2,555 $ 4,188
2009 Budget Proposal-
The temporary Board developed
a budget for 2009 that concentrates only on basic maintenance. Expenditures
will only be for maintaining landscaping in the common areas, the waterfall,
fence repair, and the trail. Capital improvements such as landscaping
enhancements, fence and signs will be deferred in 2009 until the Association
can build sufficient reserves.
A major goal for 2009 will
be to pay off the outstanding debt accumulated in 2008.
The budget was approved by
the members attending the Annual Meeting. To see the budget open the
attached file “The Falls 2009 Final Budget.”
2009 Dues- Dues will
not be raised for 2009. They will remain at $275. While dues notices
will go out soon after the first of the year, interim Treasurer Cary
Ecker encourages anyone who can to pay their dues early. Your early
payment will help the Association and will be greatly appreciated.
Three Year Project Plan-
Over the past two years, the previous Board, along with member Bob Roush,
developed a three year project plan to manage improvements to the Association’s
common areas. The Project Plan will be suspended until the Association
can collect sufficient funds to resume its operation. To see the
plan, open the attached file “The Falls Three Year Project Plan.”
(Please note that 1st year is 2008)
Cost Cutting Ideas/Suggestions-
The Board is looking for ideas to save money while maintaining the high
quality of life we all enjoy in The Falls.
The first measure that the
Board has undertaken was to not renew the contract with the property
management company Port Gardner Management. This will save over $15,000
for the Association in 2009. As a result, the Association will return
to self management. This includes keeping the books and collecting dues
by the Board Treasurer, enforcing CC&R’s, and coordinating basic
maintenance.
The Board is considering a
change in policy regarding repair of the fence along the common area.
It is looking at requiring homeowners whose properties share the fence
along the common area to share 50% of repair/replacements costs with
the Association. This will include the fence along Snohomish Cascade
Dr SE and the fence along Puget Park Dr SE. The Board has not found
language in the Articles, By-Laws or CC&R’s that infers the Association
will cover 100% of the common area fence repair/replacement.
The Board is interested in
any ideas that can reduce costs and still maintain our livability as
a community. If you have any ideas please contact the Board at board@the-falls.org.
Volunteers Needed- to
ensure a successful 2009 and beyond, the Board needs to remain intact.
Also, the Association needs your help with various projects. Often the
Board would hire contractors to conduct projects. Since it has to cut
back on hiring contractors, your help is essential.
Some ways you can help include:
CC&R Enforcement-
The temporary Board also worked on revisions of the CC&R fine schedule.
See the attached file “Rules, Regulations & Fine Schedule Final.”
The temporary Board developed
this list of the “Top 10” CC&R violations in The Falls:
Association Website/Contacting
the Board- Chris Rhoades has volunteered to take over maintenance
of the Association website. The temporary Board has shown an interest
in turning the website into a focal point for communications for the
Association. Currently, you can find the Association Articles, By-Laws,
and CC&R’s on the site as well as other information about the
Association and our community. The web address for the web site is www.the-falls.org.
Since the Board has let go of Port Gamble Management’s services to contact the Board, you can write them at:
The Falls Homeowners Association
PO Box 13475
Mill
Creek, WA 98082-1475
Or send an email to:
Members of the Board of
Directors Approved- At the end of the meeting, the members in attendance
approved the following members to serve on the Board of Directors for
the 2009 term:
President- Charles Hower
Vice President- Bruce Sieloff
Secretary- Sara Blair
Treasurer (interim)- Cary Ecker
Member At Large- Barbara Wenders
Monthly Board Meetings-
The Board has decided to change its monthly meetings from the second
Tuesday of each month to the second Wednesday of each month. Members
are always welcome to attend. The Board hopes that changing to the second
Wednesday will encourage attendance by members.
COMING EVENTS:
Event Date/Time Place
Board Meeting January 14,2009
at 7 p.m. Totem Falls Elementary
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Vice President- Bruce Sieloff
Secretary- Sara Blair
Treasurer (interim)- Cary Ecker
Member At Large- Barbara Wenders
Contacting the Board:
Mailing Address-
The Falls Homeowners Association
PO Box 13475
Mill Creek, WA 98082-1475
Email- board@the-falls.org
Website- www.the-falls.org