SUNLAND DIVISION 17 OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Quarterly Newsletter – January 2015
Email: sunlandnorth@gmail.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA 98382
Website: SunlandNorthOwnersAssociation.com
President’s Message –Susan Hamman (Volunteer)
Happy New Year! It takes me a certain amount of time to master writing down the new calendar year when we turn the chapter each January! It seems like yesterday when we worried about the impact of the year 2000 to computer systems! And here it is, 2015!
Division 17 heads into this new year with vibrancy and relish. Approved community plans will be moving forward, including the painting of eight more building (16 units), which will receive their first coat of new paint since they were built. The Mount Baker circle neighborhood has two brand new buildings (four units) and we welcome new neighbors in these buildings, and in recently completed units within existing buildings.
March will bring out residents who will serve as “planting volunteers” to plant Douglas Fir seedlings in some areas of our community that have gaps in their privacy barriers.
A 2015 reminder, information on Sunland North is always available to residents through various avenues; attendance at the monthly Board meetings, homeowner communication bulletins/notices that are periodically sent out, quarterly newsletter, postings to the Division 17 Association website and by talking with your Board and Committee members (contact information is available on the website). Please check the website for up to date information.
I realize that the September 2015 Annual Board meeting/election is nine months away, but there are three Board positions and several Committee chair positions that will open up in 2015-2016. If you are interested in being involved in your community please contact any member of the current board to express your interest. You can also help as a vounteer with many of the short term projects going on, such as pulling noxious weeds, proofreading, helping with special mailings and election packets, and a myriad of other projects that are needed to keep this community well-honed and functioning.
I recently completed a very interesting book called “In the Common Interest: Embracing the New American Community” by John Carona. This book discusses the phenomenal growth of homeowner’s association (HOAs) in the United States. More and more people are moving in HOAs as both a means to protect and enhance property values, and to build community spirit. Division 17 is a wonderful community and a prime example of these values. Division 17’s Board, committee members, volunteers and residents are doing a great job of keeping it that way.
Please attend the monthly Board meetings which will be held on the second Wednesday of every month from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Gathering Place. Please note the date changes for November and December 2015 under Judy Field’s report.
Thank you,
Susan Hamman, President (Volunteer)
Treasurer’s Report-Terry Main (Volunteer)
We made it through 2014 with a few additional financial outlays (house painting, bark/mulch), but overall Sunland North Division 17 is still in the black and on the road to achieving a fully funded reserve, thanks to the overwhelming voting majority from our community to increase our assessments. Your yes vote on the assessment increase contributes to a sound financial backbone for our community and our future. The New Year has its share of challenges, but I have no doubt we can tackle them in a positive way.
You can find a recap of our 2014 expenditures and the comparison to the 2015 approved budget on the Sunland North Division 17 website.
Secretary’s Report-Judy Field (Volunteer)
There are eight homes for sale and 14 rentals in Sunland North. We will have six new residents by the end of December 2014.
For the 2015 calendar year, Division 17 has been assigned a new day and time for our regular Board meetings. We will be meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. at the Gathering Place. These are the scheduled dates: January 14th, February 11th, March 11th, April 8th, May 13th, June 10th, July 8th, August 12th, September 9th and October 14th. The November meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 3rd at 2:30 p.m., while the December meeting will be December 1st at 2:30 p.m.
Earlier this year, one of our residents, living alone, passed away in his home. None of his neighbors had a key to his home nor knew how to contact his family. As a result of this, the Board is considering an update to our current Owner Contact Form with added space for an emergency contact name and phone number. This form is kept in a file with the Secretary and is NOT disseminated to other residents. This issue will be on the agenda for discussion at our next meeting, January 14th, 2015. We would appreciate your input, so please plan on attending.
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.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 (Volunteer)
As mentioned in an earlier email, our landscape contractor has begun winter pruning of plants in our subdivision. His crew will continue working on this project throughout the months of December, January and February. The weather will have a large role in how quickly the pruning project will be completed. In addition to pruning, the landscape crew will be cleaning out leaves from the plant beds and hauling everything away.
Our landscape contractor (Geoff Parsinen) has agreed to a new contract for 2015 that keeps the cost per unit at $58.00/month/unit, which is the same as our 2014 contract. Part of his explanation for keeping the rate the same is the increased efficiency of adding 4 new units (the two new duplex building on Mount Baker) to the contract. He can service the additional units without having to load, move and unload his equipment to a new location, thereby saving on labor cost. Another item that entered into keeping the rate the same is the declining cost of gasoline.
Undeveloped Common Space Report – Tim Paschal (Volunteer)
Currently, the Greenbelt is dormant; however, I want to mention two important items. First, on March 1st ten teams of two volunteers will spend between 1 and 2 hours planting conifer seedlings on the perimeter of the Greenbelt to increase privacy. Gerry Busch and I need a few more volunteers to fill out the teams. If you’re interested please contact Tim Paschal at (360) 582-0936 before 7:00 p.m. or send an email to bigtrees@olympus.net.
Second, I will be having shoulder surgery in February and will be unable to spray this April when the Poison Hemlock needs to be sprayed. Clallam County requires this action to be taken on Division 17 property. I need a volunteer to help out in April. Poison Hemlock is all we need to spray. Spraying the thistles, which would take the rest of the summer, will go unsprayed for the year. The only alternative to a volunteer is to hire a commercial sprayer at $55.00/hr to do the job. If you are interested in finding out more about helping with this task contact me.
Exterior Maintenance & Inspection Report- Dick Helmenstine (Volunteer) Painting schedule for 2015 includes the following addresses:
390/400 Blakely, 410/420 Blakely, 430/440 Blakely, 351/361 Blakely, 311/321 Blakely, 371/381 Blakely, 391/401 Blakely and 411/421 Blakely.
Every effort will be made to match the existing color that is currently on your unit. There will be some changes to the appearance due to conditions that are beyond our control. Bright sunny day versus cloudy days along with differences in finish and natural UV aging and weather have a large effect on the day-to-day appearance. Oxidation and a chalking appearance is a natural wear and tear condition that takes place over time. The body of the unit will be painted with a satin finish and the trim with semi-gloss. These finishes were selected to add to the longevity and improve durability. However, these finishes tend to appear a little lighter and brighter. Some colors that are currently on the units came from different suppliers/manufacturers and are no longer available. The association is currently using Rodda paint to standardize our application. This will help us in the future by having a single supplier to find a match for future applications when necessary. A team of color specialists; comprised of artists and volunteers with good vision have been selected to verify the color selections. Howneowners are also asked to remove their personal items attached to the units to enable the painting contractor access to the building. An aggressive pruning of vegetation is also being done to get plants, bushes and trees away from the units to improve the longevity of the paint as well. We will make very effort to communicate when the painters will be on site. However, there will be times when weather, unforeseen conditions and contractor availability may affect the timing of this project. Your patience, cooperation and understanding will be greatly be appreciated. If you have a question regarding this project please feel free to contact any one of your Board members.
Every unit in Division 17 has a street lamp associated with their unit. These lamps are the sole responsibility of the association. Recently, SLOA sent a memo to all homeowners in Sunland outlining changes to Rule Eight of the SLOA rules. This was targeted more for individual owners throughout Sunland. If you notice the streetlights aren’t working correctly you can notify the association using the form called Exterior Maintenance Request located on Sunland North’s website or contact one of the Board members. There have been instances where the homeowners have turned off the power to the streetlight causing the security company to report a light being out to the SLOA office. Your cooperation and assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Coordinator of the Resident’s phone list (social)-Susan Helmenstine (Volunteer)
If you have questions, changes or additions to the social directory such as a change in phone number, address or email 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 Susan 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 and being on this list is voluntary.
Additional information:
Welcome Committee Barbara Paschal and Barbara Gruner (Volunteers)
I, Renee Jones have enjoyed being the Chair person for the Welcome Committee for the past year. I want to thank the following residents who were members on this committee and did such a great job of welcoming new residents: Nancy Borrell, Barbara Ross, Barabara Brooner, Barbara Paschal and Barbara Gruner.
I am pleased to announce Barbara Paschal and Barbara Gruner will be the new co-chairs of the Welcome Committee. The following people are current members of the Welcome Committee: Lonna Baugher, Anne Meyer, Lindsay Busch, Mary O’Neil, Jaydee Price and Lynda Estes. New residents will be contacted by one or more of these members and provide information about living here in Sunland North.