December 2025 Board Minutes
December 10, 2025
Sunland Division 17 Owners Association
December 10, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
The Gathering Place, 135 Fairway Drive
Call to Order, Verification of Quorum
President Susan Hamman called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Treasurer Betty Gwaltney moved that the agenda be approved, and Member-at-Large Beverly Stern seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Review and Approval of November Meeting Minutes
Betty moved that the November minutes be approved, and Beverly seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Old Business
External Maintenance – Budget up to $40,000 for extrusion inspection and repairs – 2026
Outgoing External Maintenance chair Mike Johnson proposed that up to $40,000 be budgeted for inspection of roofs around extrusions (vents, skylights, chimneys). The work would start with up to 10 units. The work would require partial disassembly of some roofing tiles, examination of flashing, vents, skylights, chimneys, and repairs and reassembly of the roofing tiles. External maintenance will provide more information.
Committee appointments, assignments, duties, and liaisons
Secretary Lawrence Charters discussed recent changes to Washington State law, particularly RCW 64.90, which differentiates between “board committees” and “advisory committees.” RCW 640.90.410, Section 6, specifies that “board committees” require two Board members, while advisory committees do not require a Board member.
6) Except for committees appointed by the declarant pursuant to special declarant rights, all committees of the association must be appointed by the board. Committees authorized to exercise any power reserved to the board must include at least two board members who have exclusive voting power for that committee. Committees that are not so composed may not exercise the authority of the board and are advisory only.
After examining the Division 17 CC&Rs, Lawrence suggested that three committees be designated as Board committees: Architectural Control, Unit Exterior Maintenance, and Developed Landscaping. The other committees may remain as Advisory committees. The Board Committees can continue with non-Board member chairs, and the following Board members are assigned to these committees:
-
-
- Architecture – Susan, Mark
- Exterior maintenance – Betty, Mark
- Developed Landscaping – Beverly, Lawrence
-
The Insurance Committee, Natural Habitat Committee, and Communications and Outreach will remain as advisory committees.
The Board approved the change in committees. The President requested the Secretary to provide a more detailed guide to these changes.
New Business
Call for volunteers – Webmaster apprentice and Exterior Maintenance chair
Lawrence said there is a need for a backup to the webmaster, who also handles the Sunland North mail system. This position does require some background in computer networking. More details will be added to the December 2025 newsletter.
Mark and Mike Johnson called for a volunteer to act as the exterior maintenance chair. This individual will not be performing the maintenance, but a background in home maintenance would be helpful, or the ability or interest in learning the subject. More details will be added to the December 2025 newsletter.
There was a brief discussion about owners who are away from home for an extended time. Please have a neighbor or someone in the community monitor the property during absences and consider water sensors under sinks and the water heater, and take other preventive measures before an absence.
Gutter Cleaning, moss treatment – Exterior Maintenance
Two bids were received for gutter cleaning and moss treatment. Mark recommended Northwest Gutter. Another vendor submitted a bid, but left out several items. Mark moved, and Betty seconded a motion to accept the bid. The motion passed.
Payment/Forms Drop Box – Betty Gwaltney
Betty suggested we purchase and install a drop box, to be mounted on the back of the Mt. Baker mail kiosk, where members can drop off payments, forms, and other correspondence. There was a brief discussion about issues with the US Postal Service. Beverly moved acceptance of the purchase and installation, and Mark seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Officer Reports
President Update – Susan Hamman
Susan noted there will be three open board positions in October 2026. She encouraged all members to work at getting more people involved in the association, and to recruit people to fill these positions next year.
Vice President – Mark Anderson
No additional comments.
Secretary Update – Lawrence Charters
No additional comments.
Treasurer Update – Betty Gwaltney
Monthly Expense Report:
-
-
- Nov Operating expenses: $18,615 YTD $ 388,866 UNDER budget $ 21,474
- Interest income YTD: $ 28,529
-
Total Funds on hand October 30, 2025:
Operating Accounts $ 205,972
Reserve Accounts $ 1,001,910 (85% in CDs)
TOTAL $ 1,207,882
CD’s :
-
-
- 12month CD at Kitsap Credit Union matures 11/25/2025 (~$112,265) Renewed at Kitsap Credit Union (12 month @3.10%)
-
Reserve Account 2025 Contribution – Recommend transfer of at least $128,000 to reserves (barring unforeseen maintenance expense)
Lawrence moved to accept the recommended end-of-year transfer of funds to the reserve account, and Susan seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Betty requested that budgeted funds for painting be moved out of reserves and into the operational budget. Lawrence moved the motion, and Beverly seconded. The motion passed.
Invoices for 2026 were mailed this week.
Member-at-Large – Beverly Stern
No additional comments.
Committee Reports
Architectural Control – Rob Crombie
Working on getting painting preferences for homes that have been designated for repainting in 2026.
Insurance – Susan Hamman
Working on insurance for next year. The current policy expires in May 2026, and other homeowner associations are reporting sharp increases in premiums for 2026.
Developed Landscape – Tom Steffen
We made significant progress in coming into compliance with the requirement to have testable and fully functioning backflow preventers (bfps) for every irrigation system. We have 63 bfps throughout our HOA. Ten (10) new bfps have been installed since September, nine (9) on Blakely Blvd and one (1) on Cascadia Loop. Jamie Parish Plumbing installed five (5) at the cost of $4,510.00. Sanford Irrigation installed five (5) on Monday, and we haven’t received the invoice. We have approximately twenty (24) additional bfps to replace.
Our landscaping crew is still working, picking up leaves, pruning, and occasionally mowing lawns. If owners have specific requests, they should register them via our website landscaping portal.
Exterior Maintenance – Mark Anderson (acting)
No additional comments.
Natural Habitat – Sarah Miller
No report received.
Welcome Committee
We have a new Welcome Committee, Sandy Reed and Melanie Dundy.
Communications and Outreach – Kathy Gross
No additional comments.
Owner Comment Period
Barbara Brooner mentioned that Board meetings are very collegial. Could we have a “bring a buddy” event to provide greater exposure to how the association is managed, and possibly recruit more volunteers? There were repeated suggestions that this might involve wine and cheese.
Adjournment
Hearing no objection, Susan adjourned the meeting at 3:39 p.m.