President Gary called the
meeting to order at 2:04PM. Board members present were: Al & Margaret
Cleveland, Herb Jolliff, Gary Van Horn, Alan Wright and John Horn. Robert
English was not able to attend. There were 27 neighbors present for the
meeting.
WELCOME AND
APPRECIATION: President Gary
officially welcomed all who had moved into the neighborhood during 2021, and
also those who had served as Block Heralds during the year as they were
instrumental in keeping the neighborhood going. Gary also listed the neighbors
who had passed away during the year, among them Dave Martin who served as the
IAHA Architectural Chairman for many years.
SECRETARY: Robert was unable to attend today’s meeting,
but the minutes of the previous meeting had been posted on the IAHA web page in
draft form back in early November. The motion to approve the October minutes as
posted on the web was made by Herb Jolliff. Al Cleveland seconded. All
approved by voice vote.
TREASURER: Margaret listed the expenditures for the
previous year, with paperwork showing where everything went, and while she
reported that the allowed budget for 2021 was largely met (except for legal
expenses, as mentioned in President Gary’s report). She expressed concern that
the cost of everything is going up noticeably, and stated that the budget
should be increased by 10% for 2022. This topic was tabled for the next Board
meeting in January.
The fund for the
taxiway project is on track, and this coming year is the final one for the
special assessment to be applied to homeowner’s dues. Margaret also mentioned that the checks she has
received that apply to the year 2022 will not be cashed until 2022 (to help
keep the books in order).
A motion was made by
Al Cleveland to establish a “memorial flower fund” to purchase flowers and
cards for the relatives of those of our neighbors who were no longer with us,
with a $40 limitation for the expense. Herb Jolliff seconded. All approved
by voice vote.
MAINTENANCE: Al reported that the maintenance committee
has replaced the aging pressure washer. The committee is also watching for a
good deal on a power broom to help sweep up the chips and rocks that may
accumulate on the taxiway system. The months of December and January will be
used for maintenance of the existing equipment.
Al also took the
time to thank the following who were of great help in the area of maintenance:
Weeds have been a
problem; copious amounts of weed killer has been sprayed in the common areas
with little effect. A tenacious grass has taken hold which resists the weed
killer. “Simplot” was suggested as a chemical agent to use on the weeds. Al
said he was hopeful that the dormant period during the winter can be used to
good effect to apply this new weed killer to keep it from sprouting again in
the Spring.
Three formal
complaints have been received about plant and/or tree overgrowth partially
blocking various taxiways, and there was an informal complaint received
regarding drain blockage which allows water to back up during heavy rains. All
landowners have received notification regarding their respective issues and the
committee looks forward to successful resolution of these issues in the coming
year.
ARCHITECTURE: One new development to report: a lot on
Airport Way has changed hands, though nothing has been built on the property
yet; plans are being made ready for the architectural committee to review.
There are two lots, one on Stearman and the other on Luscombe, coming up for
plans review before building next year.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
What follows is the text of what President
Gary read during the meeting:
LITIGATION:
As you are aware,
we have been advised not to comment regarding details of a litigation in
process - however, this much can be said:
- Two attempts at Formal Mediation have failed –
following an initial attempt by the Board to encourage reconciliation as
outlined in the IAHA Dispute Resolution Procedure. After that a Legal Complaint
was filed with Polk County and litigation was underway,
with attendant IAHA
legal expenses necessary to be represented and defend against a summary
judgment. That document is a public record for those who may be interested.
- Initially, we retained our regular legal
counsel to protect our interests. After a few months, our Insurance company
decided to step in and it's now in their hands and in front of the Polk County
Courts. That's about the limit of what we can say at this time.
- As a result of this litigation it may be
necessary to establish and maintain legal assistance funding through a special
assessment and/or an ongoing fee – as we did with the Taxiway Improvement plan.
We have traditionally avoided legal costs in
the past and have
been able, up to this latest experience, keep that support to a minimum. One
thing the litigation has brought to light, however, is that in today's world
costs are not always subject to control as one would like to do. Practically
speaking,
this would be for
Membership protection to avoid the potential of having another uncontrollable
event require a significant short-term assessment.
2022 BOARD
TENTATIVE WORK PLAN:
- June 2022 will mark the last special
assessment payment due on our 5-year plan to accumulate funds supporting a
major refreshment and repair of the Taxiway system, including repaving and
rocking the edges. This next year's Board will be getting
to work on planning the specifics (using
up-to-date) pricing information) for that effort starting with our January
meeting. If you have an interest in that effort, please let us know through either
the Secretary or the President's email, which can be found on
the website.
- In October of 2020 a Subcommittee of the Board
(and it could eventually be the whole Board) was initiated to review our
CC&R's and Bylaws to bring them up to date with experience from events of
the last 20+ years since a “plain language” revision
was approved by the
membership. Since then, both the recent Pandemic and the litigation situation
has resulted in a delay of any work, but that needs to change. The process will
be that the Subcommittee will take the time to develop proposed revisions.
That initial DRAFT
will then be reviewed and otherwise massaged by the whole Board and screened by
the law firm we have used for the last 40+ years since initial formation of the
Association in 1977-78 before asking the Membership for review and
comments. Following
that, the final drafts will be submitted to the Membership for approval and the
updated documents will be filed with the County to complete the process.
- In the meantime, if you have thoughts or
concerns related to the CC&R's or the Bylaws to put on the table in front
of the process, please submit them in writing to the Secretary so everyone can
benefit from the start and we'll get them in front of the
Subcommittee to
have early input for the effort.
OTHER BOARD MEMBER
COMMENTS: A question came up
regarding the large trees on Skylane taxiway which do not allow a plane with
60-foot wingspan to pass freely. A solution will be found though it will need
the help of a professional tree-trimmer. Cars kept outside in perpetuity was
also discussed.
GOOD OF THE ORDER: All present thanked Gary Van Horn for his
efforts throughout the year as President and neighbor.
ELECTION RESULTS: With all submitted ballots counted, the
current board will serve again in 2022 with the important addition of Mark
Overholtzer as Architectural chair for the coming year.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:00PM and all
attending enjoyed the socializing and dessert potluck afterward. Next Board
meeting is scheduled for 27 January of 2022. Submitted by Robert English,
secretary, from notes made by Board members at the meeting itself.