SUNLAND DIVISION 17 OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Quarterly Newsletter – April 2015
Email: sunlandnorth@gmail.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA 98382
Website: SunlandNorthOwnersAssociation.com
President’s Message –Susan Hamman (Volunteer)
Dear Homeowners: Before reading my quarterly President’s letter please read the following announcement:
Notice to Division 17 Homeowners
Your attendance is requested at the April 8th 2015 Board Meeting 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Topic: Earthquake Insurance Coverage
This meeting will focus on earthquake coverage for Division 17. You have been previously notified that our current carrier will no longer have earthquake coverage as part of its regular policy. The HOA must purchase it separately from a regular policy. The cost for it has sharply increased as the numbers of insurance companies who offer it have declined. This is your opportunity to weigh in on the discussion. This meeting has been moved to the Sunland Golf Course ballroom to accommodate a larger gathering of homeowners.
We have only to look at our surroundings in Sunland North/Division 17 to realize that spring is well on its way! Cherry trees and daffodils are in full bloom, the tulips are coming up, birds are singing their hearts out, and the sound of lawn mowers and weed eaters have begun their weekly routine as the landscape contractors cope with spring growth. Sunland North is hard to beat for beauty in the springtime; in talking with prospective home buyers, one thing I frequently hear is how nice the landscaping is in our community.
We are almost one-fourth of our way into 2015. With that comes thoughts of our annual election and a new Board for 2015-2016. Three positions will be available on the five person Board; Judy Field, David Jelin, and I will be finishng our two year terms. In addition, there will be two Committee Chair positions to fill, “Landscaping” and Architectural Control.”
If you have been thinking about the future of our community or some decisions or actions the Board needs to take, now is a good time to “throw your hat in the ring.” Notify one of the current Board members of your interest in running for the Board, elections to take place later this summer. Your experience and contribution can help keep this community the place that we so love and enjoy! This community runs almost entirely on resident volunteers; we need your participation.
In addition, three SLOA Board members are coming to the end of their terms later this summer, including Jim Hammond, a Division 17 owner. All Sunland owners, including Division 17 owners, are eligible to run for the SLOA Board. If you would like to participate in the future of Sunland, call Bob Willis at 797-1251 to let him know of your interest.
I have been asked about Division 17’s assessments and how they benefit the individual homeowner.
My understanding after being on the Board is that the assessments benefit the community and the homeowner! Your assessment dollars work to keep the community well maintained and attractive, which helps keeps home values stable. Prospective buyers and mortgage companies look at the financial health of the community (adequate reserves and a well-run annual budget) and community maintenance (buildings are painted and well maintained, good landscaping, etc.).
Below is a break-out of 2015’s budget and your monthly contributions to the budget categories that make up Sunland North/Division 17. Please review this chart and after your review, I hope you will see we get a lot for our community from these assessments.
| YOUR ASSESSMENT DOLLARS WORK FOR YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOU AS A HOMEOWNER | ||
| Expense Category | 2015 Budget | Your Monthly Share-$186 |
| Administration, Accounting & Taxes |
$7,700 |
$5.78 |
| Insurance | $45,150 | $33.90 |
| Landscape | $88,665 | $66.57 |
| Greenbelt Maintenance | $7,200 | $5.41 |
| Repairs and maintenance |
$21,250 |
$15.95 |
| Reserves | $26,593 | $58.40 |
The Board’s responsibility is to balance the needs and resources of the community with the expectations and needs of individual homeowners. When we all work together as a community, which is the essence of living in a homeowners association, we all benefit!
Happy Spring,
Susan Hamman, President, Division 17 2014-1015 (Volunteer)
Treasurer’s Report-Terry Main (Volunteer)
Our costs in 2015 have been in-line with previous years; but, of course, we know there will be challenges with our increased insurance costs. When the final annual premium becomes known, we will need to review our current year’s budget and our planning for the year.
This year’s reserve study does not require the full version performed by a certified Reserve Study professional (only required every three years). Instead we are opting to perform the “do it yourself” version based on our previous submittal with adjustments for known changes (major repairs and painting performed last year and this year). In addition to an annual operating budget, each homeowner’s association is required to have a Reserve Study performed annually. The Study recommends the amount of funds the association should have in its Reserve Account to cover significant maintenance, repair and replacement cost of major items (painting, roof replacement) that will occur during the next 30 years. We are targeting to have the study done by the September-October 2015 timeframe.
If you would like to review the monthly financial reports, they are located on the Sunland North Homeowner’s website which is www.sunlandnorthownersassociation.com.
Secretary’s Report-Judy Field (Volunteer)
There has been a surge of real estate activity in our area. Four units have sold since March 1st and two others are “Sales Pending” and that leaves one occupied unit on Blakely Blvd for sale and four unoccupied units on Mt Baker. We show twelve rental units. Remember to notify me (Sunlandnorthsec@gmail.com) or call me at (360) 797-1275 if you change your email address or your phone number. If you do not want to receive any notifications via email, just let me know and I can send them regular mail.
Architectural Control Committee Report – Cindy Meek (Volunteer)
We remind all owners that any exterior change to your unit must be submitted in writing to the Division 17 Association for approval prior to any work beginning. “Change” means any exterior modification, including the addition or modification of fences, gates, storm doors, or porch rails and modification to patio surfaces. If you have any questions, please contact me via email: meekcyn@gmail.com.
You will find the Exterior Change Proposal Checklist under the “Forms” button on Division 17’s website: www.SunlandNorthOwnersAssociation.com. Please send the completed checklist and paperwork by mail to: Sunland Division 17 Owners Association, ATTN: Architectural Control Committee, P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA, 98382. Requests will be reviewed and responded to within 30 days of receipt.
Undeveloped Common Space Report -Tim Paschal (Volunteer)
Winter is drawing to a close and what a warm one it has been. The weather’s effect on the greenbelt has been significant. The field grass is weeks ahead of last year’s pattern, which causes the Division to mow as much as a month earlier than we have done in the past. If a cooler/wetter spring and summer follow this early mowing we may have to mow more times. The last two years we got away with three mowings, which saved us about $1,500. Repeating that good luck this year is possible but not certain.
As a reminder, the Greenbelt is not a repository for trash, branches or old plants that have been pulled up. These items could cause damage to the mower, personal units or people. Please respect the space and protect everyone’s safety.
Our major tree-planting event took place in early March and thanks to nearly 30 volunteers, 250 trees were planted at various locations on the perimeter of the Green Belt in an effort to increase privacy. From Board members to renters and many of us in between our combined efforts resulted in a major future improvement. Good job everyone.
Exterior Maintenance & Inspection Report- Dick Helmenstine (Volunteer)
Spring has sprung! The semi-annual building inspection will begin in April. Anyone interested in assisting in this project is welcome. There will be a brief training session on what to look for and a checklist provided to assist in documenting findings. If you are interested, please contact or leave a message for Richard at (360) 504-0019.
Full house painting will begin when the weather permits. The contractor will contact us and let us know the start date. Each homeowner will be contacted with the start date. The following homes are scheduled to be painted this year:
Residents need to remove personal items from the outside of their units so painters have access to the building(s). Any issues or concerns can be addressed by contacting any member of the Board or the Exterior Maintenance Coordinator.
Coordinator of the Resident’s phone list (social)-Susan Helmenstine (Volunteer)
The Division 17 Resident’s List is being updated for release in May. The list includes: names, address and/or alternate mailing address, email addresses and phone numbers. If you have any question, changes or additions to the list please contact Susan Helmenstine at parodux@gmail.com or call (360) 504-0019.
If you don’t have computer access to print the list, let me know and a printed copy will be provided for $1.00. Please do not share the list with non-residents. This list is provided for personal use only within the Division 17 neighborhood.
Welcome Committee-Barbara Paschal and Barbara Gruner (Volunteers)
The Welcome Committee is happy to report six visits have been made to new residents since the beginning of the year. Since more homes have sold, the Welcome Committee will be making more visits in the near future.
Volunteer Corner-Help is needed
This is a new section of the Division 17 newsletter. This section will list volunteer opportunities for Sunland North residents. Currently, Richard Helmenstine needs residents to help with the semi-annual building inspection that begins in April. Please call Richard Helmenstine at (360) 504-0019 to sign up. Richard will provide training and a checklist for volunteers.