Garner Farms: 2009

Annual Meeting of the Garner Farms Homeowners Association
May 20, 2009 • 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: 8 of the 109 households represented - Gary & Nancy Gusse, Becky Wilkins, Jeff Blozevich, Kim O'Brien, Dennis McCarthy, Kristin Lizak, Helen Schiltz, Ben Patterson
Absent Board Members: Jamie Wardlow

Meeting was called to order at 7:10 by president Becky Wilkins.
Minutes of the 2008 Annual Meeting were presented and accepted by the Board.

Treasurer’s Report (May 20, 2008 – May 20, 2009)
Gary presented the financial report for the 2008-2009 fiscal year:

Starting Checkbook Balance (5/20/08) $15,889.33
Income:
Dues ($100 per Household) 102 Paid (09/09) $10,200.00
3.25 Paid Late (07/08) $325.00
Total Income $10,525.00

Expenses:
Lawn Care & Landscaping (Highpoint Lawn Care, Suburban, Puls) $7572.42
Annual Picnic (cancelled due to weather) $281.50
Insurance (State Farm) $706.00
Postage (P.O. Box Rental and Stamps) $112.00
Communications (Directory, Newsletters, Office Supplies, etc.) $808.70
Utilities (Water and Electricity – Northwest Blvd. Entrance) $391.46
Welcome Gifts (Bouquets from Hy-Vee Floral) $85.60
Neighborhood Garage Sales (May 2008 & May 2009) $726.17
Bank Fees (Wells Fargo) $12.84
Property Taxes (Outlots) $16.00
Document Filing Fees $21.00
Total Expenses $10,733.69

Checking Balance (5/4/08) $15,682.64

Lawn care & Landscaping was $4000 higher due to hiring Suburban to landscape the Garner Farm front entrance on Taylor Street (as requested and approved at last year’s Annual Meeting).

Although the picnic was cancelled due to weather, we were responsible for expenses for renting the tents and bouncy toy for the kids.

Association Dues:
There are 3.75 households that have not paid their dues this year. Gary will send one more notice and then will begin the paperwork to file property liens. There is a $7 fee to file the lien and then another $7 fee to remove the lien. Homeowners are now responsible for paying those fees and are charged a flat $20 fee by the board.
Association Dues have been a much-talked about topic by association members. Many have requested reduced dues as we have a budget surplus. The board discussed this and ultimately decided to not reduce the dues for the following reasons:
· In this fiscal year, we had more expenses than income.
· Our insurance deductible is $5000 so we always need that cushion.
· We are responsible for maintaining the outlot and need money to ensure we can cover any repairs.
· The pine trees along Northwest Boulevard will continue to die because of the fungus, and the board will need to have money to remove the dead trees ($300 each as of last spring), and plant larger ones to blend (price dependent on size). This expense will continue year and after.
· A surplus allows us to do extra things we would not normally be able to do - such as landscaping the front entrance.

In previous months, it was proposed that we allow for reduced association fees for board volunteers as an incentive for participation. The board unanimously voted that down; all board members will continue to pay the same yearly homeowner’s fee as all other members do.

Audit:
A By-Law Amendment was voted upon and passed unanimously:
“Hire a public accountant to audit the association financials every third fiscal year, beginning in 2009.”

The original intention was to have a baseline created this year as Gary’s term as Treasurer was ending. As new board members have a three year term, the board felt it was appropriate to audit the books every three years – after each Treasurer’s term ended. Gary will start getting bids to have the association book audited this summer.

Architectural Control Committee
The members of the committee are: Jamie Wardlow, Gary Gusse, Helen Schlitz, and Dennis McCarthy.
Before building structures on their property, homeowners must first submit plans to the board for review and approval (per the Restrictive Covenants). Approval requires the OK signature of at least 2 committee members.
If an association member is unhappy about what another association member has built, they have recourse to report it to the committee.

The committee will review the current standards and discuss. Items specifically noted were: fences, sheds, and play sets.

Garage Sales
The board will continue to support the Spring sale for the association.

Publications
Newsletter:
Megan Patterson will continue to create the quarterly newsletter on a quarterly basis, with the next one due in July 2009. If anyone has something they would like announced or published, please send them to Ben Patterson or GarnerFarmsnews@yahoo.com.

Directory:
The directory is published every two years, with the next one due July of 2010.

Blog Site / Email:
We continue to maintain a blog site for Garner Farms; minutes of association meetings are also posted here. http://garnerfarms.blogspot.com/
If you would like to send an email to any board member, you can contact them directly, or send the email to: GarnerFarmsnews@yahoo.com

Fall Picnic
Last year’s picnic was cancelled due to inclement weather. However, securing volunteers for the event proved to be difficult. The annual picnic was intended as a time to meet your neighbors and other members of the association. As the turnout is traditionally poor, and the same people come to all events (not used to meet new people) the board is contemplating ending the annual picnic. We have tabled this vote until the next meeting. However, input from association members would be much appreciated.

Landscape Maintenance
Dennis has examined the outlot to look for erosion and has reported that there are no issues as of now. We will continue to monitor it this summer.

At the meeting, it was noted that the lawn along Northwest Boulevard got very long and looks quite bad after the recent mowing (clumps). It was assumed that although the lawn mowing service follows a schedule, they need to mow more often if needed. Jamie was absent from the meeting, but will be notified of the issue. If this happens again, we need to talk to the service.

Concerns Expressed by GF Members:
1) “Someone is messing with the natural water flow causing everyone’s yard and basements to flood because the water builds”
Board response: This is an issue between private property owners and the Board has no authority to intervene..

2) “RV and trailer parking on the street and drive ways”
Board response: #3 of our Restrictive & Protective Covenants states:Motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, trucks and vans used primarily for work , trailers, boats, boat trailers, mobile homes, motor homes, campers, camper trailers, and other motorized vehicles, except normal family vehicles, shall not be parked nor stored on any lot, driveway or street in said addition (except in the garage) for more than a total of twenty-four (24) hours in any seven (7)-day period. Special circumstance exceptions may be requested of the Board of Directors prior to the anticipated occurrence.

As there have been multiple complaints about work trucks, trailers, and campers, the board will start sending letters to offenders, who will then have 1 week to rectify the issue. The board is currently looking into the proper legal recourse for ensuring compliance with all of our Restrictive & Protective Covenants.

As everyone is aware, Garner Farms has Restrictive & Protective Covenants. These serve a number of important purposes including maintaining property values and maintaining harmony among neighbors. It is up to each of us as members of this association to respect and comply with these written policies. As Board members, we are delegated the unpleasant responsibility of ensuring compliance with all the covenants for the protection of every Garner Farms homeowner. Please help make our job easier by complying with the covenants. If anyone needs a copy of the covenants or has questions, feel free to contact any board member.

New Board Members
The Annual Meeting consisted only of current board members, therefore three new people could not be voted in to assume the roles of those whose term is up. The following board members were to be finished with their term: Jeff Blozevich (Vice President), Gary Gusse (Treasurer), and Kristin Lizak (Secretary). All will continue to serve on the Board until new members can be found.

The role of the board is to have volunteers assume the responsibility for the by-laws and accounting information on behalf of the association. Over the years, the lack of participation by members (either on the board or in positions that assist the board) has reduced significantly. It is easy to sit back and complain about what is happening around you, but it’s much more productive to take an active role and be involved in what is happening. All members are encouraged to step up and serve a term on the board. We are all extremely busy but one hour per month is not a significant time commitment.

Association Monthly Meetings:
All monthly meetings are open to any member of the association. The board approved the idea of holding the meeting at a local restaurant to entice any homeowner to attend. The Board will spend $10 per person to cover food for those who attend. The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 15 at Godfathers in the Village Shopping Center at 6:30 pm. Please think about attending to learn what is going on, and to meet other Garner Farms members.

Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Jeff, seconded by Ben. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Submitted by Kristin Lizak

Garner Farms

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Monday, May 4, 2009

Garner Farms Board Meeting Minutes

2009-2010 Garner Farms

Blog Archive