SUNLAND NORTH DIVISION 17 OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Quarterly Newsletter –June 2017
Email: sunlandnorth@gmail.com
website: www.sunlandnorthownersassociation.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA 98382
Division 17’s Monthly Board Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at the Gathering Place, 135 Fairway Drive. The next three upcoming meetings in 2017 are scheduled for June 14th, July 12th, and August 9th.
New Residents: Please review Division 17’s Homeowners Association Governing Documents (CC&R’s, By-laws, and Rules and Regulations) available on Sunland North’s website www.sunlandnorthownersassociation.com
TEN THINGS EVERY HOA RESIDENT SHOULD KNOW!
From: “Guide to Understanding Homeowners Associations” – HOA-USA
- Know the Rules – Understand and comply with the restrictive covenants, by-laws, and other rules and regulations.
- Know that you must pay your assessments on time.
- Do not ignore communications from your homeowner association, especially notices that may regard outstanding assessments, rule violations, or fines. The board has the responsibility to govern fairly and consistently in the interests of all members, which includes placing liens or foreclosing for nonpayment of assessments and fines. Don’t let a minor fine escalate to the point that the association board must turn the matter over to an attorney. A fifty dollar fine can easily lead to five hundred dollars or even five thousand dollars.
- You must maintain your property according to the governing documents and rules.
- Know that an Architectural Review Application and approval is generally required before making improvements. This typically includes sheds, fences, above ground pools, playground equipment and much more. This may also include paint colors, door styles, landscaping and mailboxes.
- Know that your association has certain responsibilities to the membership including compliance with federal and state laws, fiduciary responsibility by board members, elections, meeting notices, meetings, due process and much more as defined in the covenants and by-laws.
- Stay informed and participate in the business of your homeowner association by reading the meeting minutes, attending the annual meeting, understanding the budget, and volunteering to serve on a committee or the board.
- Maintain a current address with your homeowner association. This is critical if you are a member of a homeowner association but do not live in the community. Examples include rental property, second homes, investment property, and homes used by children in college or retired parents.
- Know that if your home is rental property or occupied by others, the tenants/occupants should understand that they must also comply with certain restrictive covenants such as parking, pets, architectural changes, and other requirements. This may also include association rules regarding use of playgrounds, pools, tennis courts, parking and other common areas.
- Know who is in charge. Maintain contact information for an association representative. This may be an on-site employee, a management company, a board member, or the builder/developer.
Treasurer’s Report – Jim Jones (Volunteer)
Division 17 2017 monthly expense reports through April have been posted on the Sunland North website. The preliminary May 2017 Expense Report, which will be presented at the June Board meeting, shows that our expenses for the first five months of 2017 were $127,369, which is $10,261 higher than planned. This was due primarily to the mulch project costing about $5,000 more than planned and the unplanned billing for irrigation water from Sunland Water District. As of May 31, we had $88,195 in Operating Funds and $260,350 in Reserve Funds with $152,213 of our funds at First Federal and $196,332 at Sound Community bank.
In the first quarter, we filed our 2016 tax return with $344 due in taxes based on $1,246 in income (interest) in 2016. As an HOA, we are taxed at a 30% tax rate on any income in excess of $100. In the second quarter we have been in contact with Duane Wolfe, CPA, of Burwell and Wolfe who will conduct our 2016 Financial Review that was approved by the membership at the 2016 Annual meeting. We are anticipating that the Review will be conducted during June so that the results can be presented at the July Board meeting. We have also selected Association Reserves to conduct our 2018 Reserves Study after comparing their cost with another company. Every three years we are required by state law to conduct a Reserves Study with an on-site inspection by a reserve study professional.
The on-site inspection occurred on May 26 and their report is expected in time for our July Board meeting.
Finally, at the June meeting the Board will consider amending the Bylaws to incorporate Appendix A, Reserve Fund Management Policy. This policy, which had been recommended by an Ad Hoc committee, was approved at the May Board meeting. Once again I would like to thank the members of this committee: Cheryl Gray, Gerry Hatler, John Lewis, Pamela Reynolds, and Cindy Rhodes.
Secretary’s Report – David Walp (Volunteer)
Our Board of Directors meeting is held at the Gathering Place, 135 Fairway Drive on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Your volunteer Board really does appreciate your input as we execute our duties to represent all our interests as home owners. Please join us to observe our efforts on behalf of the owner community.
Remember to send any initial Owner Information Sheet or updates/changes to the Owner Information Sheet to me (phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc.). All information is kept securely and not shared outside of official and limited Division 17 business. My e-mail address is sunlandnorthsecretary@gmail.com.
Our community continues to be a very desirable place to live. 12 homes have sold since the beginning of 2017; there is one existing unit for sale on Cascadia Loop. Eight new units are being constructed on Mt. Baker Drive, with five of them already sold.
Reminder: When you, your guests, or your service providers park on the streets in Division 17, please keep all wheels on the pavement. This helps prevent damage to the irrigation system and the sprinkler heads that are buried in the lawns. Adhering to this requirement helps keep maintenance costs down for all of us!
A BIG THANK YOU to pet owners for following SLOA and Division 17 requirements to pick up and dispose of pet feces. This keeps our neighborhood clean and safe for foot traffic.
Insurance Committee’s Report – Lindsay Busch (Volunteer)
Division 17’s insurer is Community Association Underwriters (CAU). Our policy was recently renewed with CAU. The coverage policy is available on Division 17’s website, under the tab “Owner Information.” The policy covers all common elements of our units. As a homeowner, you will need a condominium owner’s policy, also known as an HO-6, to pick up coverage for your personal property, furniture, additional living expenses (in the event your unit is uninhabitable due to a covered claim) and personal liability.
Greenspace Committee’s Report – Tom Steffen (Volunteer)
A mild spring and rapid growing conditions have necessitated two mowings of the greenspace this year (you may have noticed that the bald eagles particularly enjoy the availability of mice as the fields are mowed!). Tom Hamman has been patrolling the greenspace for poison hemlock removal.
Architectural Control Committee’s Report – Barbara Ross (Volunteer)
The Architectural Control Committee approved the following exterior changes in May: 1) A new cedar gate for 30 Mendel, 2) A color change for 20/30 Mendel, 3) A partial Hardi-Plank backyard fence for 90 Cascadia Loop, and 4) A storm/screen door for 50 Mendel.
Homeowners, any exterior change to your unit must go through the Architectural Control Committee for approval. Please go to the Sunland North website, click on Forms and print these three forms: Exterior Change Request, Hold Harmless, and Neighbor Consent. Fill them out and send them to Sunland Division 17 Owners Association, P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA 98382. The Architectural Control Committee has 30 days to respond to your request.
Exterior Maintenance & Inspection’s Report – John Lewis (Volunteer)
Despite the cool damp weather we have made progress with the maintenance and inspection programs. Thanks to the volunteer teams all of the inspections were completed in April and their observations converted to work orders for the contractors; a total of 75 new work orders. The observations and work orders continue to focus on the fact that our homes are “aging” and will require more maintenance in the future and some of it will be more costly. For example a roof leak caused interior damage and a defective underground cable to a security light required replacing a section of underground cable.
The moss treatment program got off to a false start when the original contractor withdrew, a few days before his first scheduled treatments, and a new contractor had to be engaged. An initial group of homes have been treated and the contractor will return in late summer to clean the gutters, (after most of the killed moss has found its way to the gutters). Unfortunately we may not able to get as many roofs treated as hoped for but we will try to catch up with next year’s budget.
This year’s painting program is ready to go and homes scheduled for painting will get a notice in advance of work starting.
Several driveway, patio and sidewalk slabs are needing repair or replacement due to settling and cracking. This work is very costly and disruptive. I have obtained estimates for replacement and, alternatively, slab jacking. It is intended to include a specific project estimate to work on the most severely damaged slabs in next year’s budget.
Finally I wish to thank all of our residents who have been very understanding and helpful with the exterior maintenance and inspection programs; it makes the volunteers work much easier. Thank you.
Welcome Committee’s Report – Barbara Gruner (Volunteer)
Since the last newsletter the Welcome Committee has made 2 visits to new residents to provide information about living in Division 17 and to answer questions. A packet of information was also provided to a renter on Blakely Blvd. Thanks to new committee member, JoAnn Sahs-Cavin, and Anne Meyer for joining me on the visits! This summer should be a busy time for welcoming people to our neighborhood with all the recent home sales and construction being completed on Mt. Baker Drive.
Board Member at Large Two – Jim Hammond (Volunteer)
Progress on the security lighting project: a sample post top LED lantern has been located at 21 Mt. Baker Drive as a trial to see how it fits as a replacement type for existing pole top fixtures throughout Div. 17 (phases 1 – 5). Mt. Baker Circle is on a different lighting system and therefore exempted from this replacement.
This particular lantern carries a 5 year warranty and is a self-contained LED lamp and integrated circuit. Failures within the 5 year period are replaced on a no charge basis by the manufacturer. It is rated 9 watt total wattage and has a lumen rating of 623. The application concept is to reduce the height of existing poles from 10 feet to 8 feet and add the lantern so it will be like the test one on 21 Mt. Baker Drive. The bulbs are integrated into the circuitry and are not changeable without the complete circuitry being changed. The existing photo electrics that control the lantern will not be changed. The budgeted estimate is $17,000 including fixtures, pole adjustments and installation and will be proposed for inclusion in the Division 17 2018 budget.
Susan Hamman
Newsletter Editor 2016 – 2017 SusanRainsHamman@gmail.com