February 7, 2006
MEMBERS PRESENT: Frances Collinwood, David Jiles, Ray Metz, David Miles, John Nist, Mike Shorb, Richard Stewart, Chris Van Horn
MEMBERS ABSENT: Nancy Christiansen,
HOMEOWNERS PRESENT: David Flaming, Costica Gheorghiu, Bernard Kania, Kent Brady, Monty Tuengel, Ric Gosser
The meeting was called to order by John Nist on Tuesday, 7:00pm at the Hilton Lake firehouse. Written agenda is not available.
[MSP] Meeting minutes of January 2006 approved, with corrections (add Mike Shorb as new Board member- Treasurer).
[MSP] January 2006 budget.
Questions ensued regarding the budget and whether it was clear what the line items are for 10-20 checks are written per month. The ledger is open for any HLHA homeowner to examine. The current budget is presented to the Board meetings in summary form in Excel format. An account management software such as “Quickbooks” may be a solution to make the budget more visible. Quickbooks could also automate the check writing part of the Treasurer job. Ray M. and Mike S. took an action to explore this method. They will report back to the Board next month.
Dues: 35 of 118 homeowners still have not paid by the payment deadline. Late letters will go out this week. It is noted that Lot 111 and Lot 27 had problems with on-time delivery of bill. Lot 111 was hand delivered and payment received at tonight’s board meeting. Lot 27 bill was re-sent to the correct address (Oklahoma address). This homeowner was given until the end of February to pay on time.
Lake Treatment:
Frances C. reported her information from contacting Aquatechnics. They apply a product called “Slam”, every 8 weeks. Cost is $325/treated acre. A sonar (sp?) granular formulation for noxious weeds only, such as milfoil. 4 treatments was estimated at $10,000/year. This product does not include algae control.
Mike S. proposed that we develop a lake health project and a plan. Select someone to measure and evaluate the quality of the lake. Much discussion ensued about current state of the lake. The comments run the full spectrum from “the lake has never looked better with the current treatment” to “the lake has never looked worse”. Both comments were spoken during this meeting.
[MSP] Propose use of “Ponder” product for one year. Bid for treatment must include 1. written guarantee of claims for consuming built-up plant matter (50% improvement in one year was stated in January board meeting sales pitch) and 2. Verifiable metrics for supporting guarantee. The bid must separate material and labor and not exceed the $4,600 in preliminary bid.
Neighborhood Watch: The last meeting was held on January 19. It was well attended- standing room only. There were representatives from 1. Snohomish County sheriff, 2. Fire Department and 2. LeadOnAmerica.org. Signs for the neighborhood have been delivered. Mrs. Verfaillie is going through the process of finding the best location for them, including contacting SnoCo for permission to mount them on existing signposts.
Fence adjacent to Hilton Estates: Someone has cut a hole in it and taken the wire off of the top of the fence holding it onto posts.
[MSP] John Nist to contact the company (Atlas Fence Co) who built the fence to come and repair it (not to exceed $500).
Bank Account: We are not getting a good deal with BofA. Mike S. called 3 banks to research their offers. 1.KeyBank will allow 75 transactions/month at no cost, 2. WAMU has account minimums with free banking. WAMU will also not allow 2 signature line checks, 3. Cascade- No data.
[MSP] Change to new account at Treasurer’s discretion. Combine checking + savings into one single checking account.
Water & Power charges: Treasurer to contact utilities to shut off and turn on power and water at appropriate time of year. This avoids some costs (~$16/month when not in use).
Wind damage: There was a tree in green belt behind Lot 140, which blew down. The homeowner would like a response from the Board about helping to pay for tree cleanup and damage to window(s). The Board’s position is that a verifiable bill for tree cleanup will be paid by HLHA. The homeowner should contact his homeowner’s insurance policy for repair of the window(s).
Annual meeting:
[MSP] Annual meeting will be held on 3rd Tuesday of March (March 21) at 7PM. No Board member, other than Frances, could make a Saturday AM meeting.
Proposal to restore order to board meetings: Frances proposes that homeowners who attend board meetings be called on in an orderly fashion, be given a prescribed amount of time to talk without interruption from others (5 mins?) and then move on to regular Board matters.
Meeting refreshments: No specific person is tasked with bringing refreshments, at this time. Bring your own water/soda/etc.
Homeowner with greenbelt tree concern: Owner at 10529 32nd Dr SE (Lot 116) has concerns about some trees in the greenbelt, which are endangering his house. He has contacted the Board twice with no response. David M. agreed to talk with him to assess the situation.
[MSP] Three trees behind Mike S’s house need to be removed. Remove (not to exceed $600).
2006 Board Meetings:
Mar 7th.- HL firehouse
Mar 21- Annual Board Meeting 7PM, HL firehouse, pending room reservation.
Apr 4th. - HL firehouse
May 2nd. - HL firehouse
Jun 7th- HL firehouse
Jul 4th- No meeting
Aug 1st. - HL firehouse
Sep 5th- HL firehouse
Oct 3rd.- HL firehouse
Nov 7th.- HL firehouse
Dec. 5th- Holiday Party
2006 Calendar of Events:
Annual Board Meeting- Mar 21
Spring Work Party- May ??
Garage Sale- May ??
Hilton Lake night out- Jun ??
Fall Work Party- Oct ??
Hilton Lake Homeowner’s Association Website: http://www.hiltonlake.org