SUNLAND DIVISION 17 OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Quarterly Newsletter – October 2014
Email: sunlandnorth@gmail.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA
98382 Website: SunlandNorthOwnersAssociation.com
President’s Message –Susan Hamman
First, I want to say thank you to Cindy Rhodes, past president, outgoing Treasurer and outstanding volunteer for the community! Cindy was presented with a plaque and a round of applause at the Annual Meeting. The plaque states, In gratitude for your dedication and service to your community. Also, to my fellow Board and Committee members, kudos for the excellent job you do as well. Thank you!
GREAT JOB, CINDY!!!!!
Another thank you to Division 17 residents, who overwhelming approved the 2015 budget, including the recommended $30.00 a month assessment increase. Your approval confirms this increase is needed to help build the division’s reserves and maintain the current services.
Beginning January 2015, the Sunland North/Division 17’s new assessment charge will be $2232 per year or $558.00 per quarter. Quarterly payments are due on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st and October 1st each year. The increase will be used primarily to ensure the Association’s Reserve Account has sufficient funds for future projected major repair/replacement and maintenance actions, such as painting, irrigation system repairs, roofing, mailbox and security light replacement, etc. Please note the Division 17 assessment is in addition to the Sunland Owners Association (SLOA) dues/assessment and must be paid separately.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the nature of a community. The dictionary defines community as: people living in the same district, city, etc. under the same laws and ownership or participation in common.
When you purchased your individual unit in this Homeowner’s Association, you also purchased participation in a community. Unit exterior maintenance and the common areas and green space belong to ALL OF US. Decisions made by your elected Board are made for the common good and benefit to the community.
For those of you who attended the September 9th Annual Meeting, you will recall that I spent some time talking about what it takes to make a community work. The resident volunteers are the backbone of the community. These people oversee and manage contracting services such as landscape and maintenance, review and make decisions about the issues that face the community, and work together to keep Division 17 a wonderful place to live in and enjoy. I know many people in this neighborhood with skills that could be used in volunteer activiites within our community, which means there are other people I don’t know with equal skills! Your volunteer activites can be limited to as few as ten hours over the course of a year by helping with election packet preparation, pulling noxious weeds, proofreading, and other short term projects. Or, if you would like to be involved at a deeper level, three Board positions and several Committee chairs are opening up in 2015-2016! To paraphrase a famous quote: “Ask not what your community can do for you, but what can you do for your community!” Contact any of your Board representatives for volunteer opportunities!
I want to remind everyone that community information is available through your attendance at the monthly Board meeting, communication bulletins that are sent out and the website: www.sunlandnorthownersassociation.com, and by talking with your Board and Committee members (listing available on the website).
I am pleased to welcome new Board members, Terry Main, Treasurer, and Tom Steffen, Member-at- Large. We look forward to their contributions in the coming year!
Please note the October Board Meeting will be Wednesday, October 8th from 2:30- 4:30 PM at the Gathering Place in Sunland and no Board meeting in November.
Thank you,
Susan Hamman, President 2014-2015 (Volunteer)
Secretary’s Report-Judy Field (Volunteer)
Currently, there are 15 units listed as rentals and all are occupied; nine homes are for sale with prices ranging from $265,000 to $305,000. We have two new buildings under construction (a total of four units, two of which are already sold). The unit next door to Mike and Terry Main has sold and the model just sold! Our community is growing! A reminder to notify me if you change your phone number or email address. I do send out some notices through regular mail (instead of email) so if you would like me to add you to that list just let me know. My number is (360) 797-1275.
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/Mike Main (Volunteers)
While Eldon is on vacation Mike Main will be taking calls regarding landscaping questions. Mike’s home number is 797-1766.
Undeveloped Common Space Report – Tim Paschal (Volunteer)
The only ongoing work, regarding the Greenbelt, is reseeding the north edge of the berm on Mt. Baker Drive. The piles of dirt, from the foundation excavations of the two new duplexes, were spread out and will be reseeded. We should see new growth in the springtime. What little grass that has grown since the last Greenbelt mowing will winter-over and the whole Greenbelt maintenance process will begin again this spring.
Board Member at Large/Liaison to SWD-David Jelin
Two reminders: Political signs may be displayed only 30 days before an election (Div 17 R&Rs Section II Paragraph 21(4) and trailers cannot be parked in a driveway longer than 72 hours (Div 17 R&Rs Section II Paragraph 1).
The following Treasurer’s report was prepared by Cindy Rhodes 10/1/14
Sunland Division 17 Owners Association Treasurer’s Monthly Report
Financial Status as of 30 September 2014
BANK ACCOUNT STATUS
| Checking Account | $ 55,847 | First Federal Savings & Loan |
| Reserve Fund Accounts (3 Accts) | ||
| #1 Money Market Savings | $ 112,340 | First Federal Savings & Loan; $40K transferred to checking account for 2014 unit painting. Deposits: $14K deposited in March & April 2014. Final scheduled deposit
of $14,248 to occur before Dec 2014. (Total amount budgeted for the 2014 annual Reserve Contribution = $28,248.) |
| #2 CD- 17 month (1.01% APY) | $ 20,220 | Sound Community Bank; Purchased Aug 2013; Matures 1/29/2015 |
| #3 CD- 12 month (0.77% APY) | $ 20,173 | Sound Community Bank; Purchased June 26, 2014; Matures 6/25/15 |
| Total of Reserve Fund Accounts | $ 152,733 | Reserve Fund expenditures in 2014 will exceed the 2014 Reserve Fund contributions. (See Notes under Routine Maintenance & Reserve Fund Accts) |
| TOTAL ALL ACCOUNTS | $ 208,580 |
2014 OPERATING FUNDS STATUS Period Covered: 1 January – 30 September 2014
Overview for 107 Completed Units ( $ ) = Exceeds Approved Budget Plan
|
Expense Category |
Sept 2014 Expenditures |
2014 Approved Budget |
Expended / Spent YTD |
Variance |
% of 2014 Budget (9 mos=75%) |
Remarks |
| Administration,
Accting & Taxes |
$ 415 |
$ 6,420 |
$ 7,520 |
( $ 1,100) |
117.1% |
May= $2690 paid for on-site professional
Reserve Study to establish Assoc baseline; Cost exceeded 2014 budget allocation of $399. |
|
Insurance |
$ 0 |
$ 43,656 |
$ 41,983 |
$ 1,673 |
96.2% |
April 2014 = Annual payment; 2014 is last year of 3-year policy period. Anticipate increase in 2015. |
|
Developed Landscape |
$ 6772 |
$ 98,868 |
$ 78,226 |
$ 20,642 |
79.1% |
March 2014= $16,592 spent for mulch/bark replacement for ALL units; 2014 Budget included only $6000 (1/3 cost of 3 year cycle) of total cost. |
| Greenbelt
(Undeveloped Areas) |
$ 0 | $ 7,704 | $ 5,057 | $ 2,647 | 65.6% | |
| Routine Repairs & Maintenance * |
$ 3231 |
$ 15,408 |
$ 11,997 |
$ 3,411 |
77.9% |
Routine maintenance DOES NOT include costs for 2104 unit painting (16 units); Major painting paid from Reserve Funds. See Note Below. |
| TOTAL ADMIN & OPERATING COSTS |
$ 10,418 |
$ 172,056 |
$ 144,783 |
$27,273 |
84.1% |
|
| * 2014 Unit Painting = $40K transferred from Reserve Account;
Major Maintenance $ 41,030 See Remarks All 8 of 8 bldgs completed (16 units) |
||||||
| Total Annual
Contribution |
Contribution
YTD |
Variance | % of Annual Contribution | Comments | ||
|
Reserve Contributions (Including Irrig. Water Setters) in 2014 Budget |
$ 28,248 |
$ 14,000 |
$ 14,248 |
49.6% |
Reserve Maintenance Fund: $25,680 + Irrig. WaterSetter Contribution $2,568;Total =$28,248.
$14,000 deposited Feb 2014; $14,248 deposit due in Nov 14. |
|
|
2014 APPROVED BUDGET |
$ 200,304 |
|||||
OVERDUE ASSESSMENTS (As of 9/30/14) : 0 (None) YTD Non-Assessment Income: Document Fees = $200; Interest = $322
Late Fees= $80 KEH Payments = $774 (Greenbelt Maint)
Exterior Maintenance & Inspection Report- Dick Helmenstine (Volunteer)
Semi-annual exterior maintenance inspection will begin in October. Homeowners, please disconnect your hoses from their faucets when the cold weather arrives. Damage resulting from frozen pipes can be extensive and expensive. It is the responsibility of each homeowner/occupant to do this and is not covered by The Association.
We had an active summer with the completion of exterior painting of 16 units, along with the trim bring painted on an additional 16 units. Numerous work orders were completed throughout the division. Thanks to everyone who reported their various issues before they became major problems. Below, are additional hints to keep your home in good working order:
Water heater maintenance is one of those often-overlooked tasks. Because of the high mineral content here in Sunland we have a large build-up of white mineral deposits in the bottom of our water heaters. If not cleaned properly, the bottom element can become completely submerged which will cause premature failure of the element or at least will be less efficient. Simply draining the unit will not remove this build-up. The water heater needs to be shut off, completely drained and the build –up removed by vacuuming the debris out of the bottom. This usually requires a little creativity on the homeowner’s part or by calling a qualified service provider.
Smoke detectors have a useful life span of ten years. Many units are approaching this time limit. It is recommended that the unit be replaced with a new one at this time. These are a relatively inexpensive item and can be purchased at any hardware store or online. Remember, not only the batteries wear out, so do the units themselves.
Governing Documents Review Report – Gene Ross (Volunteer)
After the Annual meeting we completed our final official task—addition to the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) document of the five amendments just approved by the membership. The Board- appointed committee began its work January 17th, 2013 and will disband October 1st 2014.
Division 17 has until now been operating solely under SLOA’s Rules and Regulations (R&Rs), which in several instances did not meet our Association’s standards, needs and interests. We therefore chose to augment the SLOA document by adding provisions required by our CC&Rs. The R&Rs are the means of enforcing the CC&Rs. We urge members to read the augmented 2014 R&Rs, paying special attention to new material in Section 10, “External Maintenance” and “Landscaping”.
All the governing documents can be downloaded from the Division 17 website: www.SunlandNorthOwnersAssociation.com under the “Owners Info” tab.
Committee members, Cindy Rhodes, Cindy Meek and Tim Paschal brought to the committee an outstanding array of special skills and experiences that produced the revised Bylaws, CC&Rs and R&Rs, which we believe will serve the Association well for years to come. These volunteers should be commended for the high quality of their long-term contribution during the Association’s transition period. Also, a special thank you to Marla Taylor for volunteering numerous hours proofreading documents. Her keen eye for detail was invaluable.
Coordinator of the Resident’s phone list (social)-Susan Helmenstine (Volunteer)
As a reminder, Susan Helmenstine is the Coordinator of the Resident’s phone list (social). This list includes: names, addresses, alternate mailing addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers of the residents in Sunland North. If you have any questions, changes or additions to the list please contact Susan Helmenstine at parodux@gmail.com or by calling (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:
A message from your Board of Directors:
Division 17 Exterior Maintenance Responsibilities-Association or Homeowner
There have been questions and some confusion about Division 17 exterior maintenance responsibilites. In particular, who is responsible for exterior maintenance, the Association or the Homeowner? Washington State RCW’s, Division 17 CC&Rs make it clear the Homeowner’s Association is responsible for the following: roof repair, replacement, and cleaning, gutter repair, replacement and cleaning, exterior trim and siding repair or replacement (including fences), painting repairs and whole building repaints and skylights and solar tube repairs or replacements. In addition, privacy fences, whether installed at the time the home was constructed or installed at a later date by the homeowner (approval required by the Architectural Committee) are the property of the Association and will be maintained by the Association. Homeowners are responsible for window repair or replacement in their unit, door repair or replacement and cleaning and maintaining decks (units that have decks).
Information on the Holiday Party
The Division 17 Holiday Party is December 11th, 2014. The party will be at 7 Cedars Casino again this year. More information, along with a sign up sheet will be distributed in November. The volunteers arranging this party are: Susan Helmenstine, Nancy Follis and Renee Jones. If you have any questions please call Renee Jones, 582-9683.