July 9, 2025 Board Meeting
Sunland Division 17 Owners Association
July 9, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
The Gathering Place, 135 Fairway Drive
Call to Order, Verification of Quorum
President Gerry Hatler called the meeting to order at 2:30 pm, and verified a quorum of four Board members present, Gerry Hatler, Betty Gwaltney, Beverly (Sunny) Stern, and Susan Hamman. Mark Anderson was absent.
Approval of Agenda
The meeting agenda as circulated earlier was approved, so moved by Betty, seconded by Sunny, and all approved.
Review and Approval of June Meeting Minutes
The minutes from the June Board meeting were approved, so moved by Betty, seconded by Sunny, and all approved.
Old Business
While there was no old business on the agenda, Gerry brought up the money budgeted for back flow preventers’ inspections and maintenance. It was budgeted for $10,000 this year but the division has spent only $500 thus far in 2025. Tom Steffen is in charge of scheduling these inspections/maintenance activities.
Gerry also brought up the reduction in irrigation watering, per requirements from the Sunland Water District. John Lewis spoke up as he has been helping Tom accumulate information on Division 17 water usage. Last year, the total water consumption was a little over 12 million gallons. The projection for 2025 (assuming normal weather conditions) is about 10 million gallons.
New Business
Propane Tank Placement – Clallam County Requirements – Gerry Hatler
Gerry met recently with SLOA and among the topics discussed was that, per Clallam County requirements, propane tanks had to be a minimum of five feet from a window. Propane vendors should be aware of this requirement when either placing a propane tank or filling one. Gerry will ask Mark Anderson to inventory all the Division 17 propane tanks to determine if the five-foot requirements are being met.
2025 – 2026 Budget Planning – Betty Gwaltney
Betty is working on the draft budget; at the moment, it is possible that there will be only a 3% increase over the 2025 assessments. 2026 is the year for an on-site Reserve Study, which costs more than “do it yourself” years. Betty is increasing the amount for reserves. The budget has to be approved at the August 2025 board meeting to be included in the election ballot packet.
Gerry asked about roof cleaning, which is budgeted for $30K next year. Mike Johnson is in charge of sequencing the groups of homes for roof and gutter cleaning and moss treatment. Betty will check with Mike on this expense projection for next year.
Betty is also working on budgeting for repairs and maintenance; there have been some large expenditures in this area for 2025.
Unit owners have always voted for a financial review versus an audit. Gerry suggested that an audit may be in order since Division 17 has never had one. Audits are about twice as expensive as a financial review. Betty will get current pricing for the both so it can be discussed at the August board meeting.
Officer Reports
President Update – Gerry Hatler
Nothing further to add.
Vice President Update – Mark Anderson
No report submitted.
Secretary Update – Susan Hamman
The 2025-2026 Election Packet with numerous documents is being updated for approval at the August meeting. Documents yet to be completed are the final proposed 2026 budget and the President’s message.
Treasurer Update – Betty Gwaltney
Monthly Expense Report: June 2025
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- Operating expenses: $ 13,700, YTD $264,694, Under budget $36,630 primarily due to some bills that were not paid until after June 30
- Interest income YTD: $17,692
Total Funds on hand:
Operating Accounts $ 251,127
Reserve Accounts $ 978,900 (85% in CDs)
TOTAL $ 1,230,582
Maturing CD’s
First Federal Operations 3-month CD at 2.71% matures August 5th. Betty recommends a 3-month renewal CD. Betty made a motion to renew, seconded by Susan all were in favor of renewal.
Reserve Study – Betty submitted the reserve study on June 22nd and is waiting on the final report. She updated the component list, adding chimney chases as a new component and updated projected replacement costs for privacy fences. The Reserve study doesn’t recognize that Division 17 is budgeting separately for painting; it isn’t giving us credit for that painting assessment that we do every year (which can be up to $80K).
2026 Budget – Betty sent the draft to the Governing Board and Committee Chairs for input. The final proposal will be presented in August.
Member-at-Large – Beverly (Sunny) Stern
Sunny read Tom Steffen’s landscaping report (see below).
There was a discussion about the irrigation leakage at 390/400 Blakely, which has also undermined the driveway. Gerry stated that the concrete would need to be repaired and bids need to be solicited for costs. John Lewis, who has been assisting Tom Steffen with this issue, stated that the entire driveway needs to be replaced.
Committee Reports
Architectural Control – Barbara Ross
The ACC had a committee meeting on July 2 to discuss the following items:
ACC approved front and rear grab bars for a Blakely unit. All required paperwork is done and the homeowner will advise when to make the final inspection.
ACC received a request from a Mt. Baker homeowner for either pavers/or sod to be installed on a walkway that is now gravel lined. The homeowner has chosen pavers. The ACC committee approved the pavers, and the homeowner will advise when the job is complete. The ACC worked with Tom Steffen on this request.
ACC approved a metal handrail (with drawing) for a Blakely unit, which has been installed. All the required paperwork has been done. The final inspection was made.
ACC made the final inspection of a Cascadia Loop unit which had a storm door and grab bar installed.
ACC made the final inspection at a Cascadia Loop unit of the VA made and installed ramp in the front porch area. Barbara discussed the ramp with the landscapers, and they said it was not a problem for them. The final inspection was made of the VA handrail in the patio area.
ACC made the final inspection of a motorized retractable screen for the patio at a Mt. Baker unit.
Insurance – Susan Hamman
Division 17 owners will be invited to a presentation on our CAU insurance by Dianna Kaspar, to be held August 29, 2025, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Sunland Golf Course ballroom. The other Sunland HOAs with CAU policies will also be invited. This has been a very helpful presentation in the past, and unit owners are encouraged to attend.
Susan received a call from West Coast Inspections, a firm contracting with CAU to do an on-site, visual inspection of Division 17. CAU also sent a letter to Division 17, confirming a risk management survey of Division 17 property. The site visit has not been scheduled as of yet.
Developed Landscape – Tom Steffen
For several years, there has been a 25 gallon per hour irrigation leak at 390/400 Blakely. During this time, the backflow preventer was turned off for fall and winter months, but remained on during the irrigation watering months. Sunland Water District asked Division 17 to fix the leak (loss of approximately 600 gallons a day for 5.5 months).
After considerable time and expense, the leak was located; it is under the driveway. Since May 2019, when the driveway was repaired, significant cracking and separation have taken place. The water leak appears to be the result of the concrete shifting, breaking the irrigation line.
Until the driveway is excavated and the irrigation plumbers properly fix the broken lines, the backflow preventer will remain shut off (in order to eliminate the water loss). There are two ways to get water on the plants and lawns at 390/400 Blakely for the rest of the drier months: (1) periodically (weekly?) turn on backflow preventer in order to activate the system (this will be a substantial time commitment); (2) purchase above ground sprinklers, hoses, and timers for the hose bibs to water more regularly.
In order to prepare for painting of designated buildings, Town and Country Tree Experts were hired to trim and remove selected trees and stumps around those buildings.
The Board discussed the situation above and determined that purchasing sprinklers, hoses and timers to be the most effective way of dealing with the irrigation until the driveway and irrigation fixes can be completed.
Exterior Maintenance – Mike Johnson
Painting is in progress. Despite early efforts to correct any maintenance problems, the painters reported additional items that will need attention after the painting is completed.
Formost Builders recently completed activities at three properties in the neighborhood. North Olympic Handyman also completed several repairs in the neighborhood in June..
A security lamp repair at Sarah Miller’s will hopefully be completed July 11th. This repair has been left wanting for many months. Professional neighborhood digging and trenching crews made up by Tom Steffan, George Bannon and Mark Anderson under the leadership of Mike Johnson were instrumental in making a huge mess to accommodate those repairs. The mess should be taken care of once this geriatric team has finished physical therapy. Finish date to be determined.
We had tremendous support in this endeavor by the driveby inspections performed by the Mt. Baker neighbors. Veronica Bannon and Julie Anderson were full of helpful hints also.
Natural Habitat – Sarah Miller
The Poison Hemlock Control Team continues its assault on this noxious weed. Several volunteers gathered on July 7, 2025 to take care of a large patch that was blooming. It’s important to nip these in the bud before they set seed. The volunteers filled about a dozen large contractor garbage bags with the flowers of many PH plants. They sprayed what remained of the plants and will keep an eye on the death throes of the plants, which were not easy to get to, as they were hiding behind a large stand of Himalayan blackberries and stinging nettles. Thanks to Gerry Busch, Diana Burns, and Greg King for assisting with this effort.
Thanks go to Barry Burns for the continued trash pick-up, and Mark Anderson for assisting with the removal of a large tire and wheel that has been under the trees along Woodcock for longer than any residents have lived in Sunland North.
While not Natural Habitat related, Sarah profusely thanks Mike Johnson and Mark Anderson for continuing the efforts to fix her non-functioning security light at her residence. The conduit is now in and ready for the electrician. Getting the excavation dug and driving the conduit was no easy feat in the soil, full of Sequim potatoes and clay.
Welcome Committee – Kay Hatler
Nothing to report.
Communications and Outreach – Kathy Gross and Lawrence Charters
Lawrence reported that Gmail accounts increased in price, but he was able to get a discount by opting for the annual plan. Regarding the website, the level of attacks has remained steady, although the Russians are attacking directly now instead of going through third party channels.
The July newsletter was issued to unit owners.
Owner Comment Period
There was a question about an email that went out recruiting for an RV lot host; this is a SLOA generated e-mail and governed area, not Division 17.
Another unit owner complimented Mike Johnson on the excellent fence repair job done on their property.
Another unit owner complimented Tom Steffen on his prompt attention after the owner submitted a landscaping request to have overgrown bushes and trees trimmed around their unit.
Adjournment
Gerry adjourned the meeting at 3:29 pm.