SUNLAND DIVISION 17 OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Quarterly Newsletter – January 2014
Email: sunlandnorth@gmail.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA 98382
Website: SunlandNorthOwnersAssociation.com
President’s Message – Cindy Rhodes
On behalf of the Division 17 (Sunland North) Board members, I would like to thank the committee members and homeowners who volunteered their time to help Division 17 in 2013. We began 2013 as a brand new Owners Association with many issues to research and problems to solve.
It took a lot of effort to get to where we are today and there remains an active “to do” list for 2014, but all of the Association’s functions and activities are up and running. Our financial status and records are in good shape. The new Division 17 website (www.SunlandNorthOwnersAssocation.com) serves as a great resource for homeowners. We have a wonderful group of volunteers manning the committees that coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Association. Perhaps most importantly, your Board is working together effectively to identify and address problems/issues and plan for the future.
The Association faced some major challenges in 2013: selecting an accounting service; reviewing and updating our governing documents; improving communication with owners; developing a balanced budget; responding to the County’s directive to eradicate poison hemlock in our 33-acre open space; and tackling roof mold, water/irrigation issues, tree cutting, and open space invasion by moles—and these items are just a few of the Association’s first year actions!
What made all of these accomplishments possible can be summed up in one word: volunteerism.
Everything that was completed in 2013 and all that will be done in 2014 can be traced directly back to one or more of your neighbors who have volunteered their time and skills to help make Division 17 a pleasant place to live.
2014 begins a new chapter for our Association. The Board and committee members are a year wiser with new ideas, plans, and projects to improve our subdivision. But the Association needs your help to be successful. Volunteer to serve as a Board member or consider working on a committee. There are lots of tasks to be done; very few require special skills. Most just take a little bit of time and effort.
Perhaps the easiest way to show support is by attending the monthly Board meetings at the Sunland Gathering Place. Based on owner input, we have changed the Board meeting to 10 AM on the 1st Tuesday of each month. There is a comment period at the beginning of each meeting. Your input is critical in order for me and my fellow Board members to properly represent all homeowners.
Here’s looking forward to a great 2014!
Cindy Rhodes, President, Division 17 Owners Association
Ph 683-5388, Email: CLRhodes2@olypen.com
Secretary’s Report – Judy Field
There are two occupied homes for sale and we have sixteen homes that are currently being rented.
Starting in January, I will send out e-mail reminders two to three days before our regular Division 17 Board meetings. Please note that the time has changed: the meetings will now begin at 10:00 AM but will continue to be held at the Gathering Place, the first Tuesday of each month. The Board is hoping that a later start time will make it more convenient for members to attend.
The agenda can be found on our website: www.SunlandNorthOwnersAssocation.com. If you are not receiving our e-mail notifications, please call or e-mail me at jfielddiv17@gmail.com or phone me at (360) 797-1275.
Treasurer’s Report – Susan Hamman
Architectural Control Committee Report – Cindy Meek
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.SunlandNorthOwnerAssociation.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.
Landscape Report – Eldon Dennis
Occasionally myself, a Board member or the landscape contractor encounter questions about the status of the land area around each of the buildings in Division 17. Basically, the question is whether this area is under the control of individual owners or the Division 17 Owners Association. The answer to this question is that all areas around all buildings are common area and the Association is responsible for its care and maintenance. This insures that we don’t have many different standards of care and maintenance or different styles of landscaping in the neighborhood and it means our landscape contractor answers to just one “boss”- the Board of Directors.
At the time this is being written the landscape contractor is just starting the annual heavy pruning of the plants throughout the division. This process takes several days and is subject to delays based on weather conditions. The contractor will be making a special effort to provide clearance between building exterior walls and shrubs or plants that have grown to the point they are touching a wall. We’ve been advised that the areas where plants contact the exterior paint is likely to shorten the lifespan of the paint job and to also promote mold and mildew.
The contractor will not be mowing the lawns for the next few months as the grass is growing very slowly and mowing would probably do more harm than good.
Undeveloped Common Space Report – Tim Paschal
The Undeveloped Common Space (UCS) is dormant for the winter. After the holidays, and if the weather cooperates, I will be calling for volunteers to help eliminate the Scots-broom (Scotch broom) along Sequim Dungeness. The work party will happen midmorning and last about an hour. If this is something you might want to volunteer for, contact Tim Paschal (360) 582-0936 or e-mail bigtrees@olympus.net.
Yard waste is not to be dumped in the UCS. When this occurs, it just increases the effort and cost to everyone for clean up. FYI: Anyone can take yard waste, for a minimal cost, to Cascade Bark, 11 Washington Harbor Road, Sequim, Ph (360) 582-9592.
Exterior Maintenance & Inspection Report- Dick Helmenstine
The following units will be scheduled for exterior whole house painting in the spring/summer/fall of 2014:
21/31 Mount Baker
250/260 Blakely
270/280 Blakely
290/300 Blakely
310/320 Blakely
330/340 Blakely
350/360 Blakely
370/380 Blakely
The following units will be scheduled for trim painting during that same time frame:
130/140 Cascadia Loop
150/160 Cascadia Loop
170/180 Cascadia Loop
190/200 Cascadia Loop
191/201 Cascadia Loop
231/241 Cascadia Loop
250/260 Cascadia Loop
Test holes are being dug in and around the division to try and improve drainage in some of the lower soggy areas. Anyone who is experiencing these problems is encouraged to contact Eldon Dennis or Richard Helmenstine for further inspection.
Governing Documents Review Report – Gene Ross
Just a week shy of a year’s work by the Governing Documents Committee, 15 proposed amendments to the current CC&Rs are ready for the Board’s first review. Tim Paschal has prepared a document showing the current text, the proposed changes, and reasons justifying each change.
In addition to its completed reviews of the Association Bylaws and CC&Rs, the committee will now begin to draft a set of Rules and Regulations which are necessary to enforce the CC&Rs for the benefit of the members and the Association. The Association currently does not have an adopted set of Rules and Regulations except those expressed in various sections of the Bylaws and CC&Rs. The Committee will soon be consulting with the Board on that issue.
Board Member at Large / Liaison to SWD – David Jelin
The Sunland Water District (SWD) is striving to improve water service and waste water (sewage) treatment and disposal. This includes resolving numerous leaks, broken pipes, etc. An issue for Division 17 is the need for meter boxes and the metering of water usage. The metering of water is a state requirement to conserve water by deterring over-use and by finding leaks. The plan remains to keep water meters separate for home use and irrigation of common space (lawns/shrubs). This has been successful in finding leaks throughout SWD’s system. Though there is no current plan by SWD to charge for water usage based on consumption, but there is still a need to conserve water. I’ll pass on metering-related information as it becomes available.
SWD is faced with the growing problem of the disposal of waste solids. You can do your part by not flushing anything down the toilet that didn’t come from YOU– post-digestion, so to speak. This includes, but is not limited to, spiders and bugs, toys, paper products -especially soft wipes which do not break down.
Keeping solids out of sink drains (by using the trash can instead of the garbage disposal) will help reduce sewage solids and keep your drain lines cleaner, saving all of us additional fees and repairs. This includes fat solids or hot fat/oils that congeal when cooled and can clog drains and sewage lines.
Many people flush their used medications down the toilet, but there is now concern about medications showing up in the water table. The SWD will be testing the water wells for drugs (I will pass on these test results when available). Therefore, do not flush unconsumed drugs. Narcotics should be taken to the Sheriff’s office. All other drugs and medications should be disposed of in your general trash – but must be mixed into kitty litter or used coffee grounds. Washington State is currently working on legislation that will require pharmacies to provide prescription and drug disposal.