SUNLAND DIVISION 17 OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Quarterly Newsletter – February 2016
Email: sunlandnorth@gmail.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA 98382
Website: SunlandNorthOwnersAssociation.com
President’s Message –Gene Ross (Volunteer)
May 12 will be the 17th anniversary of the filing of our Association’s “Articles of Incorporation.” I believe that now, more than ever, it is worthwhile to revisit the purpose of our corporation as stated in that document:
“The purpose for which the corporation is organized is to present a unified effort to the members in protecting the value of the property of the members of the Association, Sunland Division 17, Clallam County, Washington, and to engage in such activities as may be to the mutual benefit of the Owners of the property in said association.”
The current Board, on behalf of the membership, faces the difficult task of reconciling the financial demands of several matters related to “protecting the value of the property of the members.”
A split-rail fence issue and its predicted continued costs, for example, is a precursor of other such issues that will sorely test the maintenance budget as the development ages further. Streetlights and mailboxes, many at age 16, show signs of deterioration, possibly beyond repair. The Board will soon address that problem during an effort, Director Jones says, “to lay out a more definitive plan for accumulating sufficient Reserves for our future major repairs/replacement in Division 17.” He and the External Maintenance Coordinator will soon begin work on that plan.
Then there is our insurance program. The Insurance Committee will surely face the earthquake issue again this year, confronted by the cost of such coverage in the range of a 25 to 33 thousand dollar premium with a substantial deductible. The committee is now at work on answering a troublesome question: Who pays the deductible in an event of a loss? We owe Lindsay Busch and her committee thanks for their persistence in addressing our insurance problems.
You will be well informed on these and other current issues when you attend the February 10th meeting. And we welcome Roger Briggs, appointed in January, as the fifth member of the Board.
Gene Ross, President, Division 17 (Volunteer)
Letter from Barbara Ross:
On January 19, I found in our mailbox a handwritten letter addressed to my husband, Gene Ross. The letter consisted of insults, threats and mocking his disability …”we know you can’t run”. I just wanted the anonymous writer to know that we have notified the Clallam County Sheriff and they will be investigating.
The case number is 2015-1678. If anyone knows anything about this anonymous letter, please contact Deputy Brandon Stoeppani at (360) 417-2262.
Treasurer’s Report-Jim Jones (Volunteer)
Division 17 ended the year with total operating expenses of $211, 215 for 2015 which was $979 less than our budget, plus we transferred $26,593 to reserves from assessment payments as planned in our 2015 budget. (If you would like to review the December 2015 expense report, it can be found on the Sunland North website). In addition, we transferred an additional $35,000 from the checking account operating reserves to our money market reserves account in late December so that at year end, we had a total of $229,502 in our reserves accounts and $21,180 in our checking account.
In December we transferred $125,000 from our First Federal money market account to open a new e-money market account at Sound Community Bank. This transfer was made to ensure that our total deposit at any individual bank not exceed the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000.
At year-end we had a total of $84,783 in our accounts at First Federal and $165,899 in our accounts at Sound Community Bank. In January 2016 first quarter assessments were deposited in our First Federal Checking account which has increased our total deposit at First Federal to $191,157 (as of 1/27/16). In January, with Board approval, we temporarily transferred $95,000 of Operating Funds from our First Federal Checking account to our First Federal money market to generate interest income. These Operating Funds will be transferred back to checking as needed later in the year.
Secretary’s Report -Tom Steffen (Volunteer)
I trust the early days of 2016 are going well for you. I encourage you to follow the work of the Board of Directors by visiting our website. Go to www.sunlandnorthownersassociation.com. You will find everything you need: agendas, minutes, meeting dates, committee information, and governing documents. Hope to see you at our next Board meeting that is Wednesday, February 10th at 2:30 pm in the Gathering Place.
Open Space/Meadows Coordinator-Tom Steffen (Volunteer)
As we slowly shift into longer days of sunlight, expect to see our open space/meadows gradually awaken from its winter rest. I have a meeting with Jim Rossi, who has mowed for us the last few years, on Wednesday, February 3rd at 11:30 am for a late winter tour. We will begin at 310 Blakely Blvd, so join us if you are interested. Bring your boots!
Member-At-Large Jill Hummel (Volunteer)
In their January board meeting, the SLOA board discussed the possibility of a cell tower being built on Sunland property. Currently, a committee is looking into this issue. More information will be forthcoming in the future.
Anyone interested in running for an office on the SLOA board is invited to place their name in nomination with the current board of directors. Randy Skoglund is President.
Phil Merline is working with our County Commissioner to get stop signs placed at the three entrances of Sunland. If you want further information call Phil.
Anyone interested in attending the SLOA meetings is welcome. The meetings are the third Tuesday of each month and the next meeting is February 16th at the Gathering Place from 10:00 to 12:00.
Landscape Coordinator- Valerie Holland (Volunteer)
We need to be careful about driving over the lawn adjacent to the streets. There are several deep tire tracks and these will require repair.
PUP…Pick up the poop. Some people are not picking up their dog’s poop. Dogs are not great poop picker- uppers so it is the responsibility of the pet owner. Please be considerate and PUP!
Geoff Parsinen has done a lot of pruning and landscape cleaning. It looks good. Geoff is here the last Wednesday of each month. Let me know if there is something that you think needs to be done and I will make Geoff aware of it.
I have two estimates for a tree/root removal on Mt Baker and Cascadia. Waiting for a decision from the Board regarding this issue.
Architectural Control Committee Report – Barbara Ross (Volunteer)
The Architectural Committee has approved a backyard privacy fence and a water feature at 250 Cascadia Loop in January. We have one request pending regarding a unit color change for the triplex on Blakely Blvd.
Just a reminder for all homeowners: When wishing to make an exterior change to your unit please go to Sunland North’s website and click on FORMS, then click on the Exterior Change Request and fill out all of the information requested on the three forms listed (Exterior Change Request, Hold Harmless Agreement and Neighbor Consent Form) then submit these forms to Barbara Ross, Architectural Control Committee at 30 Mendel Drive. The committee will have 30 days to make a decision on the request.
Exterior Maintenance & Inspection Report-Richard Helmenstine (Volunteer)
Everyone needs to examine their water fittings for possible and potential failure before it becomes a real issue. As our homes age there are certain things that homeowners need to pay attention to and are often overlooked. Find out where your water shut off valves are in your home and know where you water shut off is to your home. Look for obvious signs of deterioration such as rust or dripping connections.
When you leave your home for an extended period of time, it is wise to shut off the water to your home. Especially vulnerable areas are washing machine connections, icemakers in the refrigerator, dishwashers or any appliance, that has a water connection.
Look at your plumbing fixtures and make sure they are secure and have no sign of leakage or rust. If you were unsure it would behoove you to have them inspected by someone who could give you an advice whether or not to repair/replace the item.
We have had several water system failures over the past few years and just knowing what to do and what to look for could save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in damage. If there is anyone in Division 17 that does not know where their water shut off value to their home is located please feel free to call the Maintenance Coordinator for help in locating it on your unit.
Welcome Committee-Barbara Gruner (Volunteer)
Since the last report, committee members have made four visits to welcome new residents to the neighborhood. Information packets were provided to two additional owners who declined welcome visits.
Coordinator of the Resident’s phone list (social)-Susan Helmenstine (Volunteer)
I am looking for a volunteer to take over the neighborhood list that I have been maintaining. I have kept the list up-to-date but it is still not accurate; therefore, I am not planning on distributing it. But, if you are interested in the list, I will share it with you just send me an email, parodux@gmail.com or call me at (360) 504-0019.
Additional information:
Family preparedness in case of a disaster (from Clallam County Community Assistance)
Being prepared is key in a disaster. Below, are some suggestions for a basic Disaster Supply Kit.
- Water, one gallon per person, per day for one week or more, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least one week or more supply of canned food
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries
- First aid kit and whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask, moist towelettes, and garbage bags
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener and local paper maps
- Cell phone charger (solar charger)
- Medicines, glasses, pet food, copies of documents (insurance, medical, and/or financial).
To sign up for Clallam Alerts go to http://www.clallam.net/Sheriff/
FYI. Red Cross volunteers will present information on personal, home and community disaster preparedness on Tuesday, February 2 from 3 pm to 6:30 pm at the Sunland Golf and Country Club meeting hall.
We need a volunteer to plan the Sunland North holiday party in 2016. Call Lindsay Busch at 681-2469 for details!
Many thanks to Tom Steffen, Board Secretary, for stepping up to be interim President when Richard Edes resigned due to medical issues. The Board appointed member-at-large Gene Ross to serve the remainder of Richard Edes’ term and chose owner Roger Briggs to serve in the member-at-large position.