DRAFT
Sunland Division 17 Owners Association
July 8, 2026, 2:30 p.m.
The Gathering Place, 135 Fairway Drive
Owner Comment Period
(15 minutes total allocation) for Agenda Items Only (per RCW 64.90)
John Wilson distributed a set of possible resolutions on the issue of “Policy, Governance, and Financial Review of Homeowner-Installed Exclusive-Use Structures Located Within Common Area.”
Call to Order, Verification of Quorum
President Susan Hamman called the meeting to order at 2:32 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
The meeting agenda was approved.
Review and Approval of June Meeting Minutes
Member-at-Large Tom Steffan moved to approve the June minutes, and Treasurer Betty Gwaltney seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
Old Business
Water Damage Claim – Mt. Baker Unit
Susan noted that we initially thought an insurance claim would not involve Sunland North, as the damage was the result of a contractor error. CAU recommended we start a claim because the contractor’s insurance is not sufficient to cover the damage. The unit is not currently habitable.
Unit Owner Concern – Fences and Patio Extensions
The Board discussed a concern submitted by one unit owner regarding owner-installed fencing and other changes in limited common areas, as well as who will assume the burden of maintaining such installations. The owners believe there is a conflict between current association practices and the association’s limited responsibilities as defined in the CC&Rs. The Board postponed action on the proposed resolutions to investigate the issue, as the Board had no time to review the proposals before the meeting.
New Business
Increase water damage insurance deductible to $30,000
There was an extensive discussion of several incidents involving water leaks, which have resulted in significant damage to homes and property. The damages, depending on circumstances, can affect HOA insurance, and result in higher insurance premiums. Much of the discussion centered on owner responsibilities.
To limit a sharp rise in HOA insurance premiums, it was suggested that the Board increase the deductible amount for incidents, placing more of the responsibility on individual owners rather than the HOA. The last few water claims have involved significant damage. The board asked CAU to look at how much of a difference an increased deductible would make in reducing the burden on the HOA premiums. CAU provided an outline of recommended steps to take, including notification of owners of the change in deductible.
There was a lengthy, detailed discussion about steps to increase owner engagement on maintenance and prevention measures and owner responsibilities.
Board recruitment and call for nominations from the floor
Susan called for nominations from the floor for this fall’s election to the Board. No names were offered. There were suggestions on how to increase owner participation in Board governance.
Election forms, timeline, and process
Secretary Lawrence Charters discussed draft election documents and forms distributed to the Board for review, and asked about what should be included in the annual meeting packet. The Board agreed that contact forms should be included and members urged to update their phone numbers, email addresses, and other data. The Board felt that including information on association insurance should probably be handled separately, to give it more visibility.
Officer Reports
President Update – Susan Hamman
Nothing further to add.
Vice President – Mark Anderson
Mark discussed a demonstration of a software package designed to support the management of homeowner association maintenance, tracking projects by unit, with role-based access, exportable reports, etc. The software includes functions not currently handled by Sunland North, but those who viewed the demo thought it could reduce the housekeeping burdens of volunteers who currently handle these duties. No decision was made on acquiring the software, but the discussion of possible benefits was positive. Susan requested a cost estimate to be provided at the next Board meeting.
Secretary Update – Lawrence Charters
Nothing further to add.
Treasurer Update – Betty Gwaltney
- Monthly Expense Report:
- June 2026 Operating expenses: $28,643 YTD $ 298,498 UNDER budget $27,097
- Interest income YTD: $ 21,483
- Total Funds on hand June 30, 2026:
Operating Accounts $293,832
Reserve Accounts $1,264,581 (79% in CDs)
TOTAL $1,558,413
- CD Management
First Security CD #1680 21 months @ 3.75 Mat 07/22/26
Lawrence moved, Tom seconded the renewal of the CD, and the Board approved.
Recommend renewal: 15 months @ 3.90%
Member-at-Large – Tom Steffen
Deferred to the landscaping report
Committee Reports
Architectural Control – Rob Crombie
An owner-installed paver walkway was requested for one unit.
Insurance – Susan Hamman
Susan requested that owners contact their neighbors to see if they are struggling to maintain their home, and to see if things (water, heating, security) need to be monitored while they are away.
Developed Landscape – Tom Steffen
Our landscape contractor and crew are busy with summer mowing and edging, as well as routine and owner-requested pruning work. Tom is working with Sanford Irrigation to address irrigation-related issues and owner-requested repairs (approximately 15 requests per month); we have replaced three control boxes and many sprinkler heads. In August, we will begin certifying backflow preventers.
Tom discussed with the landscaping crew options for mulching.
Exterior Maintenance – Mark Anderson, Acting Chair
Our exterior maintenance requests are separated into categories, and each category has a volunteer with expertise in their area.
36 pending projects (7 received in June). 10 completed projects in June.
House Painting & Paint Touch Up
6 buildings are scheduled to be painted this year. Oscar Lopez’s bid has been accepted and painting is scheduled. Several projects are underway to prepare the buildings for painting.
1 pending project for touch-up painting on recently installed flashing at garage, contractor has been assigned.
0 completed projects.
Privacy Fences
7 pending projects, contractor has been assigned.
0 completed projects.
Roof Issues
4 pending projects, contractor has been assigned.
0 completed projects.
Rain Gutters & Fascia Repair
7 pending, 3 are new in June. 4 have been assigned to contractor.
0 completed projects.
Chimney Chases
3 pending projects, 1 new in June, contractor assigned.
0 completed projects.
Concrete Repairs
3 pending projects. 1 assigned to contractor, 2 pending coordination of landscaping & exterior maintenance.
8 completed projects.
Exterior Maintenance Miscellaneous
5 projects pending. 5 assigned to contractor.
2 completed projects.
Natural Habitat — Sarah Miller
Sarah was absent, but the Board discussed goats. We were approached about using goats for clearing brush from the slopes on the south side of the natural habitat area, and for clearing the blackberry patch along the edge of Sequim-Dungeness. The goal is to both make things look neater and to get rid of brush and debris that pose a fire hazard. If this seems feasible, the goat-powered landscaping might take place next spring.
Welcome Committee – Colleen Weston and Ilse Long
The committee chairs were absent, but sent in a report that there were six new owners to visit.
Communications and Outreach – Kathy Gross
Lawrence reported that attacks on the website continued, from the same sources, and 58,000 attacks took place in just one day.
Owner Comment Period
It was mentioned that SLOA will hold a meeting tomorrow night (June 9), with security in place to maintain decorum.
Drivers were cautioned to be very careful while driving in the neighborhood, as elk have been spotted on Holland Road, and hitting a thousand-pound elk is far more traumatic than hitting a hundred-pound deer.
New members and neighbors were introduced.
Executive Session (if required)
There was no executive session.
Adjournment
Susan adjourned the meeting at 4:16 p.m.