SUNLAND DIVISION 17 OWNERS ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER – March 2013
Email: sunlandnorth@gmail.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA 98382 Website: sunlandnorthownersassociation.com
President’s Message
Welcome to the second newsletter from your new Sunland Division 17 Owners Association board. Since the Fall election last year, the board has met four times — always in open meetings. We strive for openness and transparency in our discussions and deliberations as we manage the business of your homeowners’ association.
The birthing of an organization with goals that are different from those included in the governing documents created 14 years ago is a challenge. We are on a path to improving our already healthy community. A special committee chaired by Gene Ross is working to suggest changes in our governing documents to ensure we are in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Cindy Rhodes is serving as secretary and completing a Reserve Study, an essential long-term financial planning tool. Our volunteer exterior maintenance and inspection liaison (Richard Helmenstine) and landscape liaison (Eldon Dennis) are working diligently to ensure that both our homes and our surrounding areas are healthy and well cared for. Barbara Brooner and Renee Jones have managed to create a coherent record of minutes for our board meetings. I have initiated an integrative effort to improve budgeting and tracking of association expenses. Important Association documents, as well as some great photos of our community, can be found at Division 17’s new website: https://sunlandnorthownersassociation.com
Probably the most difficult and critical issue we have to deal with now is a serious infestation of a toxic weed (poison hemlock) that must be attacked with all available tools to bring us into compliance with state and county weed control requirements. Because there is no other alternative, herbicides will be applied in our greenbelt in the next month and at least once again in the fall. Mowing will continue to be an integral part of our management of the greenbelt, as well, at least over the short term. Information about this noxious weed is contained in a special article at the end of this newsletter. We are still gathering information and exploring options on long-term greenbelt and noxious weed management. Detailed information and an explanation of the options and costs will be sent to homeowners in a separate mailing, probably just before the April board meeting.
All of this requires significant time commitments from members of the Board and many others involved in making this a better community. To all of them I extend my heartfelt thanks for their commitment to our community goals.
Jim Karr, President, Sunland Division 17 Owners Association; Email: sunlandnorth@gmail.com
Reminders
- Homeowners’ quarterly fees/assessments (Division 17 and SLOA) are due Jan 1, April 1, July 1, Oct 1
- The Division 17 Board meets at 9 AM on the first Tuesday of each month at the Gathering Place, 135 Fairway Drive, The next meeting is April 2, 2013. Homeowners are welcome to attend.
Division 17 Budget Status -- Lee Cox
As of the end of February 2013, the Association has $167,718 in its collective Reserve Funds (savings accounts and CDs) and $78,023 in its checking account for operating expenses.
Architectural Issues & Structure Insurance Update — Jerry Schmidt
- Architectural Update: During the last 90 days, only a few architectural change requests have been submitted. The committee reviewed and approved requests to install porch handrails and security lights. Requests for the repair or replacement of cracking sidewalks and driveways were not approved because they did not pose a safety threat, the Association’s criteria for major repair or replacement.
All plans for exterior construction or exterior modifications must be approved by the Division 17 Architectural Committee before construction is begun. The Exterior Change Request Form is available on the Division 17 website. When appropriate, requests will be coordinated with the SLOA Architectural Committee.
Homeowners are encouraged to contact Jerry Schmidt for assistance or guidance at 360-504-2152 or by email at victdev@aol.com
- Insurance Update: Division 17’s property/structure insurance is more comprehensive than that carried by many Home Owner Associations. Our policy covers replacement of interior walls, plumbing, cabinetry, appliances, floor coverings, built-in bookcases and permanently installed fixtures. The deductible is $5000 per occurrence and covers damage from fire, lightning, windstorms, hail, smoke, vandalism, and some (not all) damage caused by plumbing and appliance leaks/breaks. Often, the homeowner may be responsible for paying the policy’s $5000 deductible.
Homeowners are encouraged to contact their insurance agents to make sure they are not paying for duplicate coverage. (I was able to lower my homeowners–structure insurance costs by $150 per year. In addition, my insurance company added a “rider” or special attachment to my policy to cover the $5000 deductible for only $11 per year. Jerry Schmidt )
A summary of what is covered under the Association’s Property/Structure Insurance policy and other important information is included as a separate attachment to this Newsletter. This information will be added to the Division 17’s website in the near future. For more information, contact Division 17’s insurance policy representative, Dianna Kaspar at 800-228-1930 ext 7181.
Exterior Maintenance Update -- Richard Helmenstine
- Use the Exterior Maintenance Request Form located on Division 17’s website to report all exterior maintenance issues and problems. https://sunlandnorthownersassociation.com
- The semi-annual external inspection of Division 17 townhomes will begin in April. Richard Helmenstine will conduct a thorough visual survey of each unit for exterior maintenance items that need attention or repair. The date of the inspection and amount of time spent outside each unit will depend on the weather and problems encountered. Items to be checked include roofs, exterior siding and trim, street lights, gutters, walkways/driveways and mailboxes.
- Do not allow shrubbery or plants to grow over the top or onto your unit’s fencing/handrails or onto the sides of your These conditions make it difficult for the painting contractor to perform the maintenance painting on your unit and the plants may be harmed or destroyed when removed.
- Homeowners are responsible for the yearly inspection and cleaning of their unit’s heat pump. Compressor problems can result if debris, leaves, or animal nests accumulate inside the heat pump cover. In addition, make sure the outside dryer vent opening is not obstructed by plants or other material that blocks the air flow.
Landscape Committee -- Eldon Dennis
- All requests for adding or removing plants or landscape items in the common areas or in unfenced yards must be submitted in writing and approved by the Landscape Committee before action is taken.
- Division 17 has been notified by Clallam County that we must continue our efforts to control the noxious weeds (Poison Hemlock) growing in our open areas. By State Law, property owners are required to take effective steps to eradicate this weed since it is toxic to both livestock and humans. If Division 17 does not take action, Clallam County will hire it done and bill us for the expense.
Herbicide was applied last year by our landscape contractor using a backpack sprayer to target specific locations. A recent walk-through survey of the “infected” areas indicate that last year’s spot spraying efforts were not effective in controlling this very invasive plant. As a result, we must resort to a more comprehensive effort. Division 17 is currently soliciting bids from qualified vendors to more appropriately cover the infected areas. The date of the first herbicide application depends on the weather and will occur sometime in late March or early April.
Governing Documents Update -- Gene Ross
In January, the Board established a Governing Documents Review Committee headed by Gene Ross. Cindy Meek, Tim Paschal and Cindy Rhodes volunteered to assist Gene. The committee is meeting weekly and conducting an in-depth review of Division 17’s governing documents (By-laws, CC&Rs, Articles of Incorporation) to ensure uniformity among our documents, as well as compliance with SLOA’s governing documents and the applicable Washington State Laws regarding homeowner associations.
The committee is eliminating or revising all outdated and irrelevant provisions, realigning articles into a more logical sequence, and developing new sections, when required. Improving and updating Division 17’s governing documents will make them easier for Board members and homeowners to use to perform the internal, day-to-day operations and activities of our Association.
Announcements
- Updated Rules and Regulations: The SLOA Board recently revised a number of its Rules and Regulations. Copies of the revised document were included with the 2013 SunLand Directory sent to each For more information, contact Celeste in the SLOA Business Office at 683-7473.
- Rental Guidelines: Owners who are renting their unit must provide (in writing) the name, address, and phone number of the renter to the SLOA Business Office. Changes in rental status or occupants should also be reported to Owners are required to provide renters with a copy of the SLOA Rules and Regulations.
- Pet/Dog Restraint and Fines (Revised in January 2013): Dogs must be walked on a leash or otherwise restrained when outside -- including while in the owner’s yard. (Electronic fencing does not meet the rule’s criteria.) Owners not following these guidelines can be fined $100 upon the first offense -- no warnings are required. Fines rise significantly if another pet or person is injured by an unrestrained pet.
- The Gathering Place Coordinators: SLOA is seeking two volunteers to coordinate the scheduling and the use of the Gathering Place in 2014. This an excellent way to meet and work with other SunLand homeowners. For more information, contact Sandy Davidson (683-5292) or Ginny Friess (681-0701).
Toxic Noxious Weed in Division 17 Open Area - Poison Hemlock
Both state and county regulations require landowners to control noxious weeds on their property. “Controlling” weeds means not letting weeds reproduce seeds or otherwise spread. Under state law, if the landowner does not take steps to eradicate priority-listed weeds, County Weed Boards may enter a property to control the weeds and bill the landowner for the costs. Unfortunately, SunLand North has serious infestations of two types of noxious weeds: Poison Hemlock (toxic) and Canada Thistle.
Poison Hemlock
All parts of the plant are poisonous; can cause death if eaten (respiratory paralysis)
Toxins can also be absorbed through skin and breathing; protective clothing required for handling Do not burn; smoke is toxic
Characteristics:
Bright green with fern-‐like leaves; grows to 10 feet tall
Initially has low clumps of lacey leaves with reddish / spotted stems
During second year, plant has small umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers
Reproduces by seed; each plant has up to 40,000 seeds; spread by animals, human, weather (wind/rain) Seeds germinate throughout the year; seeds live up to six years
Stems remain toxic up to three years
Control Methods:
Quickly infests large areas; mowing alone does not kill plants
Large infestations (as in SunLand North) require broad herbicide application
Herbicides must be applied before flowering -- but not during windy or rainy weather to ensure absorption No mowing within two weeks after herbicide application
May require multiple yearly herbicide applications for three to five years
