Highland Park

Homeowners’ Association

Newsletter – APRIL, 2009

Volume 7, Issue 1

        

 

Board of Managers Mission Statement:

To ensure that Highland Park homeowners’ value and living experience are maximized through (1) cost-effective management and maintenance of “common areas”, and (2) the administration and enforcement of the Code of Regulations and Deed Restrictions.

 

 

Carlyle Management Co.

28001 Chagrin Blvd.

Suite 302

Cleveland, OH  44122

Phone: (216) 464-7465

 

Clubhouse email:

HJohnson@carlylemanagement.com

for information or

Clubhouse reservations. 

 

Property Management –

         Edward Fratus, Extension 228

 

Dates to Remember

 

WHAT:  ANNUAL HOMEOWNERS MEETING

WHEN: MONDAY 4/20/2009

TIME: 7:00 pm

 WHERE: HIGHLAND PARK CLUB HOUSE

 

WHAT:  EAGLE RUN

WHEN:  Saturday  5/23/2009

TIME:    9:00 am – 10:00 am

WHERE:  Highland Park

See article Page 3

 

 

Board of Managers

 

Dave Celznick, President  934-6174

Bill Mazzolini, Vice President  934-0710

Jeanne Stark, Secretary  934-3348

Kevin Malinowski, Treasurer

   216-403-8233

Bob Richenburg, Trustee 934-2990

 

 

 

Website:  www.highlandparkassoc.com

 

 

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT by: Dave Celznick

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the current board members for another year of great service.   Jeanne and Kevin are at the end of the two (2) year terms.  New Board members will be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Homeowners’ Association (see “Dates to Remember” above).

 

Each fall, the Board of Managers set goals and objectives for the upcoming year.  Status on the 2008 Goals is as follows:

Ø      Budget and Finance - The financial outlook remains favorable allowing for continued maintenance and opportunity improvement projects.  The Annual Assessment Fee remains at four hundred dollars ($400).  However, for 2009 the Board has voted to grant a rebate of thirty dollars ($30) thus making the 2009 Fee three-hundred seventy dollars ($370) plus any unpaid balance carried over from 2008. 

Ø       Maintain and improve Highland Park Structures and Amenities. Repair and improvements include;

1)       Sealing and re-striping of the parking lot.

2)       Sealing of the Nature Park Trail.

3)       New pool chaise lounges (10) and a table (1).

4)       New umbrellas.

5)       New umbrella stands to secure umbrellas.

6)       Rejuvenation of Swimming Pool Team.

7)       Upgrading of retention basin on Wendell.

8)       New sewer pipe guards in Wendell and Montrose Basins.

 

Ø       Liability, Risk Assessment and Reserve Analysis.  This activity is focused on the Clubhouse & Pool areas.  This result of this effort will help determine lifecycle replacement cost and provide input on optimizing the level of contingency reserves.  This is ongoing project from 2008.   Kevin and Bill are in process.

 

Ø       Mailbox - Continuous Maintenance is the plan backed by Deed Restrictions that includes sending notification to those homeowners whose mailbox and/or mailbox post is in need of upkeep. The expectation is no peeling paint, no unpainted surfaces, no rust or dents on the box and no cracked or missing components.  Well maintained mailboxes contribute to the aesthetic value of our community. 

 

Ø       Zero Shutdowns for the Pool in the 2008 Season.  The heated pool remained in operation from Memorial Day weekend thru mid-September. Please realize any broken glass in the pool area will cause an immediate closure and pool inspection/cleaning as well as the added expense of draining, filling and reheating the pool.  The small pool continues to be an issue and was shut down for one day to adjust the chlorine level. 

 

Ø       Highland Park Directory Completion.  This is been in process for the last three years.  The new board will set a date and publish.

 

Ø       Play Ground Improvement – Coming Spring ’09 (See Playground)

 

Ø       Communication through Highland Park Website and Newsletters. Website is continuously updated (Thank You Sean Flaherty for volunteering your time).  Also the Board published two (2) “content rich” newsletters in 2008.

Awareness Reminder #1- The posted speed limit in Highland Park is 25mph.  The development is on the Avon Police Patrol route and from recent communication most of the fast drivers are residents of the development.  Please take the time to slow down!

Awareness Reminder #2 - We are all owners of Association property.  The Board has set a high quality standard for our vendors and expects each homeowner to maintain property within the Deed Restrictions and Highland Park Rules. This agreement was part of the documentation each of you signed when you purchased property in Highland Park.

 

The first fifteen minutes of each Board meeting are open to homeowners that would like to express concerns or comments to the Board of Managers. A few residents have taken the opportunity to discuss issues. Please call any Board member for the time and location of the next meeting if you have an issue to discuss. This is your opportunity to address the Board with your concerns.  Thank You!

 

                                                           


FINANCIAL REPORT  By:   Kevin Malinowski

Key Assumptions:

 

 

No of Homes

 

 

 

No of Homes

 

 

 

429

 

 

 

438

 

 

 

2008

 

2008

 

2009

(ALL FIGURES IN $1,000)

 

 

Budget

 

Actual

 

Budget

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment Fees ($400/home)

 

 

$171.6

 

$171.6

 

$175.2

Other Income

 

 

$6.4

 

$4.2

 

$4.0

Minus Rebate ($30/home)

 

 

-$12.9

 

-$12.9

 

-$13.1

 

 

TOTAL

$165.1

 

$162.9

 

$166.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING & MAINTENANCE EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE:

 

 

9.7

 

8.1

 

9.2

PROFESSIONAL:

 

 

11.4

 

11.3

 

11.4

CONTRACTED SERVICES:

 

 

84.3

 

91.4

 

97.7

MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS:

 

 

6.3

 

8.2

 

10.4

UTILITIES:

 

 

14.0

 

14.3

 

14.9

TAXES:

 

 

8.8

 

6.6

 

7.0

OPERATIONS SUBTOTAL

 

 

134.5

 

139.9

 

150.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROJECTS SUBTOTAL

 

 

17.5

 

12.3

 

14.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SURPLUS (DEFICIT)

 

 

13.1

 

10.8

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parking Lot/Trail Seal

 

 

4.0

 

6.9

 

 

Playground Mulch

 

 

1.5

 

0.0

 

 

Basin Upgrade per City Inspections

5.0

 

3.5

 

 

Playground Equipment

 

 

4.0

 

0.0

 

 

Montrose Basin Wall Compacting

 

3.0

 

0.0

 

 

Pool Furniture

 

 

0.0

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

SUBTOTAL

17.5

 

12.3

 

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tennis Court Repairs

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.0

Playground Mulch

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

Playground Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.0

 

 

SUBTOTAL

 

 

 

 

14.5

 

HIGHLAND PARK GOLF LEAGUE………..By Sean Flaherty

The weather in Cleveland is starting to turn for the better and it is time to dust off the golf bag and prepare for the 2009 Highland Park Golf League.  We have confirmed start dates for us over at Bob-O-Link Golf Course.  The official start date will be Wednesday, May 6th.  We will have our usual start time of about 5:30 - 5:45 Wednesday evenings again this year.

 

The Highland Park golf league is a 9-hole social league open to all Highland Park resident golfers of any ability.  We will be playing on Wednesday evenings again this year at Bob-O-Links Golf Course.  The league will consist of 2 nine-week sessions this spring and summer.  The first session will start Wednesday, May 6th and run to the last week in June.  The first tee time is around 5:30pm and we will usually have 4-5 groups.  There are no advance parings.  We simply pair up as people get to the first tee.  You are welcome to participate in one or both of the sessions.  Discounted 9 hole green fees will be offered again this year and you must pay for the 9 week sessions in advance! The fee this year will be $112.50 and you will be given a league punch card.  You may pay your green fees at Bob-O-Link Golf Course anytime after April 6th.  Bring the card with you each week and present it to the starter at the first tee.  He will sign you in and punch your card for play.  In the event you are not able to play on a league Wednesday you will be able to use the card for golf on any other day should you decide to play on a non league day (special events and tournaments excluded).  There is no expiration date on the cards.

 

There will most likely be folks that head over to the course over the next couple week to get in some practice rounds.  Please email Sean Flaherty at flahertysean@yahoo.com

 

CLEVELAND CLINIC EAGLE RUN---IMPACT ON HIGHLAND PARK by Bill Mazzolini

Heads up!  The Eagle Run will be held on Saturday, May 23 from about 9 – 10 am.  This race benefits the Avon Schools Educational Endowment Fund, Avon Seniors, and Community Resource Services.  Planning efforts are underway to ensure that Highland Park residents are not inconvenienced.  The course is as follows:  Begin at Avon High School, up Stoney Ridge, into Highland Park on Harriman Trail, then Truxton, Wendell, Truxton, South Park, Haverford, North Park, Truxton, Bellcrest, Truxton, Harriman; back to the High School.  Highland Park’s Stoney Ridge entrance might be closed for a short period of time (30 minutes) when the majority of the runners enter.  Our eastern entrance at Rt. 83 will remain open.  Sponsors have requested the following from us:  (1) No parking on streets during the Run (2) Drive very slowly; (3) Watch out for runners/walkers

 

 

 

 

SWIMMING POOL & CLUBHOUSE UPDATE By Bill Mazzolini

***The pools will open on Saturday, May 23rd!  Swimming lessons will again be offered by Metro Pool Services.

***To comply with federal requirements, new drain guards will be installed. 

***Our Pool Team (Dave Celznick, Kathy Maxwell, Bill Mazzolini, Faith McDonald, Erin Morton, and Wendy Rounds) is       developing some procedures to control crowds, especially from opening day through July 4th.  The purpose is to enhance the experience for Highland Park residents by limiting the number of non-Highland Park users.  Cooperation by all residents will be needed. 

***The Pool Team is also assisting the Board as it develops future plans for an improved, larger pool facility.

 

CLUBHOUSE  NOTICE…..SEE THE NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS ON OUR WEBSITE:  To reserve the clubhouse, send an email directly to Heather at Carlyle Management:  HJohnson@carlylemanagement.com. 

 

PLAYGROUND/NATURE PARK UPDATE by Jeanne Stark

A sure sign of spring is when the children return to the Nature Park.  The kids will be happy to know the new swings and Tetherball have been ordered and installation is slated for the end of April/beginning of May.  We had hoped for an earlier installation but considering the winter and cold March we just survived, we had to wait for the ground to thaw!  I hope your families enjoy the additional swings and new Tetherball.  These improvements are resulting from Homeowner Surveys when residents were asked what type of upgrades they would most like to see. 

 

One upgrade that was suggested was exercise stations along the Nature Trail similar to those you can find in the Metro parks.  So the Board would like to hear from you – is that something you would find useful?  What are your thoughts?  Email the Board at WWW.HIGHLANDPARKASSOC.COM.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Here’s a few FAQ’s received by the Board.  There’s other FAQ’s on the Highland Park website.

                                                                       

Q:        I am not familiar with the Highland Park Deed Restrictions and “home-grown” rules.  How

 Can I learn about them?

A:         Obtain a copy of the May, 2008 Highland Park Handbook of Rules and Information” from Carlyle Management or from any Board member.  This booklet contains a simplified version of the Deed Restrictions, along with other Highland Park rules, some useful Avon ordinances, etc.  An official copy of the Deed Restrictions can be obtained from your builder or from Carlyle. 

 

Q:         With respect to the “Highland Park Handbook of Rules and Information”, who is responsible for enforcement of Deed Restrictions, rules, ordinances, etc. listed in the Handbook?

 A:        (i) Per the Code of Regulations, the Homeowners’ Association and, by delegation, the Board of Managers is responsible to administer and enforce Highland Park’s Deed Restrictions (Section III of the Handbook).

(ii)  Avon’s Police and Zoning Enforcement Officer are responsible for enforcing Avon’s Codified Ordinances and zoning restrictions.  Generally, the Zoning Enforcement Officer handles land use-related issues, and the Police handle all other.  As a convenience, the Board of Managers includes a small number of relevant ordinances in Section IV of the Handbook.  This is by no means a complete list!  The Board of Managers does not enforce local, state or federal ordinances, laws, rules or regulations.   

 

Q:         What are the rules about dogs running loose and picking up dog waste?

A:         Avon’s ordinances require dog owners to pick up and dispose of pet waste in their own proper receptacle, and ensure that dogs do not roam “at large”.  The ordinances are in place for health and safety purposes.  So, as a reminder, please control your pet and pick up after your dog on other homeowners’ property, on streets and sidewalks, in the Nature Park and on other “common areas”.  Thank you!

 

Q:         What actions should I take if I witness someone not following pet-related (or other) ordinances?

A:         Often, a “neighborly resolution” via discussion will make them aware of the ordinances and solve the problem.  If violations continue and are impacting your private property, the Police should be contacted for guidance/action.  In “gray areas” or situations in which Association “common areas” are affected, call a Board member for guidance.

 

Q:         Can we store our large garbage cans outside?

A:         Deed Restriction No. 10 includes the following:  “No material or unsightly matter shall be stored outside of the house….”  Although the Deed Restriction does not specifically reference garbage cans, the Board recommends that they should be stored inside the garage.  Thank you.

 

 

HELLO, NEW NEIGHBORS!  By: Jeanne Stark

Please extend a “warm welcome” to the following families who moved into Highland Park recently. If we erred or missed your name, we apologize.  Please let us know.

           

Hayibor Family on Haverford

Blake Family on North Park Drive

Holtzmeier Family on Bellcrest Drive

Damasiewicz Family on Wendell Court

Koehler Family on South Park Drive

 

 

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NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING

 

Thanks to the residents who have used the Newsletter to advertise their businesses.  The fee structure for a business card-size ad is noted below.  

 

To advertise your business, please mail in the “Newsletter Advertising Form” below or e-mail your company info to MazzOhio@aol.com.   If you have a company logo that you’d like included, please enclose it. 

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Newsletter Advertising Form

 

Mail to:  Bill Mazzolini               3861 Silsby Ct.              Avon, OH

Please check one of the following (assumes three issues per year):

HP Resident:               □ Single Issue Business/Service Advertising (resident $25 / non-resident $40)

Non-Resident: □ □ Annual Business/Service Advertising (resident $60 / non-resident $105)

                             

Company Information:

Company Name:_________________________ Contact Name:________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________     

Business Description:__________________________________________________________

Additional Information:__________________________________________________________ 

 

Please enclose a check payable to Highland Park Homeowners’ Association for the appropriate amount.

Please support our advertisers.

 

 

 

 

 

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