Highland
Park
Homeowners’
Association
Newsletter
– March 2007
Volume 5,
Issue 1
|
Homeowners’
Association Newsletter
– March 2007 Volume 5,
Issue 1 |
Board of
Managers
To ensure
that
Carlyle Management Co.
Phone: (216) 464-7465 Clubhouse email: clubhouse@highlandparkassoc.com
for information or clubhouse reservations. This email will automatically forward to Heather at Carlyle
Management. Property Management – Edward Fratus, Extension 228 |
Dates to Remember 2007 Annual Meeting Monday, April 16th Clubhouse Annual
Fee Statements were mailed in February and are due April 1st. |
Board of Managers Dave Celznick, President 934-6174 Karri Bill Mazzolini, Treasurer 934-0710 Olivia Poggenpohl, Secretary 934-3767 Bob Richenburg,
Trustee 934-2990 Please send an email to highland@highlandparkassoc.com
if you would like to be added to the email distribution list. 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 great year of service. The Board
of Managers worked as a team to navigate the many issues facing the association
and identified key areas to focus on in early 2006 to best
maintain and improve our community.
Status on
2006 Goals
Ø Achieve a Balanced Budget for the 2006 Fiscal Year. Our financial outlook rating goes from stable
to strong. The yearly association fee remains at four hundred dollars ($400),
however, for 2007 the board has voted to grant a rebate of twenty-five dollars
($25) thus making the fee collected for 2007 three-hundred seventy-five dollars
($375) plus any unpaid balance carried over from 2006. Recent amendments to
code of regulations, consultation with legal counsel and an improved collection
process have strengthened our collection process. Also, we have established
cost-effective multi-year contracts with our landscape service and pool
operations vendor allowing for accurate forecasting of future services.
Ø Maintain and Improve
Ø
Improve Clubhouse
Reservation Process. A team was
appointed to review and establish a Clubhouse reservation process. The new process has been implemented with
improved results. See “Clubhouse Update”
for further details.
Ø
Zero Shutdowns for the Pool
in the 2006 Season. The heated pool remained in
operation from Memorial Day weekend thru mid-September. Every year, we have had
a few close calls with glass in the pool area but quick thinking and awareness by
some of our residents prevented any shutdowns. 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.
Ø
Generate Revenue from
newsletter advertising - Please note our
advertising section in the back of the newsletter and on our website. We were able to release only two (2)
newsletters for 2006. We have revised
the 2007 release schedule. See “Newsletter Advertising Update” for further
details.
Ø
Maintain and Improve
Highland Park Website. You’ll find our website at highlandparkassoc.com/index.html.
Many thanks to Sean Flaherty for maintaining the site.
Ø
Expand the Architectural
Review Board-Mailboxes. We have reviewed,
consulted legal counsel and provided clarifications to the code of regulations
regarding mailbox and mailbox post maintenance and upkeep. The expectation is
no peeling paint, no unpainted surfaces, no rust or dents on the box, no cracked
or missing components. Look for more specifics in the FAQ’s section of this
newsletter and in the Revised Handbook.
Ø
Passage of 3 Key Amendments. Thank
You
2006 Amendments – Complete and recorded
·
Prohibition of Registered “Sexual Predators” or “Habitual
Sexual Offenders” from establishing residency within Highland Park Phase III.
·
“Cost of Enforcement” allows the association to recover
legal costs for enforcing the rules and regulations from the violating owner.
·
Annual Association Meeting Date Change –allows the board of
managers to set the date of the annual association meeting anytime in the first
six months of the year.
Ø
Revise Handbook of Rules
and Information. Update and distribute handbook to include the three new amendments
passed, clarifications to mailbox upkeep in the code of regulations among other
updates. See “Neighborhood Directory” update for more information.
The
first fifteen (15) 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 address the board with your concerns. A 15
minute discussion with the board goes a long way in getting your point across. Thank You to those homeowners that have
stepped up and taken action on issues. We are all “owners” in the Highland Park Association.
2007 Homeowners’ Meeting Mark
your calendar to attend the 2007 Annual Meeting for Highland Park Homeowners
on Monday, April 16th,
Page 2
FINANCIAL UPDATE
By
Sean Flaherty and Bill Mazzolini
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Operating
Fund – Summary |
2006 Final |
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2006 Actual vs. 2006 Budget—in
000’s dollars |
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Revenue |
|
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Actual |
2006 Budget |
Variance |
|
2007 Budget |
|
|
Annual
Assessments @ $400 |
|
165.1 |
150.0 |
+15.1 |
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167.2 |
|
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All
Other Income |
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7.0 |
3.2 |
+3.8 |
|
6.0 |
|
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Less
Rebate @ $25 |
|
0
|
0 |
|
|
(10.4) |
|
|
TOTAL
REVENUE |
|
172.1 |
153.2 |
+18.9 |
|
162.8 |
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administrative |
|
9.2 |
10.0 |
-0.8 |
|
6.7 |
|
|
Professional |
|
11.1 |
12.9 |
-1.8 |
|
11.9 |
|
|
Contracted
Services |
|
92.8 |
73.1 |
+19.7 |
|
77.4 |
|
|
Maintenance
& Repair |
|
8.3 |
5.8 |
+2.5 |
|
6.3 |
|
|
Utility |
|
12.8 |
12.6 |
+0.2 |
|
14.0 |
|
|
Other |
|
6.2 |
6.5 |
-0.3 |
|
10.0 |
|
|
TOTAL
EXPENSE |
|
140.4 |
120.9 |
+19.5 |
|
126.2 |
|
Surplus
(for Reserves and Projects) |
|
31.7 |
32.3 |
-0.6 |
|
36.6 |
|
We were able to add about
$31k to our contingency reserves in 2006. Income increased due to
additional homes in the new phases and interest income earned on the
“contingency reserves”. Expenditures
for ongoing operations/maintenance ended the year below budget. Overages in
Contracted Services were for Pelham Basin culvert repairs----$10k; Nature
Park water control----$5k; Swimming Pool improvements (pump, filter, lights,
acid-washing, guard chair, table tops, filter room, and new pool cover----$9k
total). Overages in Maintenance & Repair were
for new playground mulch and
The Annual Assessment Fee
for the 10-year planning horizon remains at $400. However, the Board of Managers approved a $25
rebate for 2007 because of cost-effective project management, additional new
homes and close-to-adequate reserves.
The possibility of future rebates will be evaluated on a year-to-year
basis. The invoice you receive in late
February will reflect the $25 rebate.
CLUBHOUSE
UPDATE
By Bill Mazzolini
The five-person team (Sean
Flaherty, Ed Fratus, Karri Furness, Bill Mazzolini, Olivia Poggenpohl)
commissioned by the Board to improve the clubhouse rental/reservation process
met in September. Priority will be
placed on implementation of the following:
- Use of the internet for reserving the Clubhouse.
- Speedier response by Carlyle Management for
those using either the internet or phone for reservations.
- A convection oven along with the existing
microwave for heating food.
- Completion of parking lot lighting.
We have received very
favorable feedback by those who used the internet for reserving the clubhouse.
We urge you to use the internet address to make your
reservation:clubhouse@highlandparkassoc.com).
More details and a calendar are on the Association website.
Page 3
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
By Bill Mazzolini
Frequently
the Board fields questions from homeowners. Here are a few that might be
helpful for some of the new residents and may serve as a refresher for current
residents. This new section is similar to the “Friendly Reminders” that we used
to include in the Newsletter. While future issues will include a new FAQ’s look for other
FAQ’s answered on our website www.highlandparkassoc.com.
I
know that
You
can obtain copies through Ed Fratus at Carlyle Management, or from any member
of the Board of Managers.
But
I don’t have time to read too much of the “legalese”. Is there a simpler way for me to learn about
the mandatory requirements that I must adhere to?
Sure! Use the “
What’s all the buzz about
mailboxes and mailbox structures?
The
metal mailbox and wooden mailbox structure are the property of the individual
homeowner. Highland Park Deed
Restrictions require that the box/structure are similar
to those initially installed in Phases 1 and 2 and that the box/structure are
maintained in good condition. Preventive
maintenance makes sense because:
·
Replacement of
the system components is costly – about $400 for the wooden structure and $20
for the large metal box
·
A
well-maintained structure enhances the value of homes in
To
assist you with your preventive maintenance, the Board of Managers will search
out a painting contractor that homeowners can hire this spring at a reasonable
rate (similar to what we did last fall with the college students). DIY’s have been successful by using a white primer and an outdoor
gloss enamel such as Rust-Oleum’s Painter’s Touch
Multi-Purpose Paint (available at Home Depot).
If you need an entire new wooden structure on a “crash basis”, call Ed
Fratus at Carlyle Management.
I just moved into
·
Parking on city streets is prohibited when more than two
inches of snow has fallen during a 24-hour period.
·
Parking is prohibited across sidewalks, in front of
driveways, within ten feet of a fire hydrant, on the same side of the street
where fire hydrants have been installed, in a crosswalk, within twenty feet of
a crosswalk at an intersection, within thirty feet of a stop sign, or on
someone else’s property without permission.
·
Parking is prohibited on any street between
·
Shoveling snow/ice onto the streets is prohibited.
Call the Avon Police Dept. at 934-1234
for non-emergency situations, specific unresolved complaints, or questions.
Page 4
NEW AMENDMENTS TO HIGHLAND PARK
By
Olivia Poggenpohl
In
March all homeowners were mailed an overview of the three code amendments to be
voted upon by
- AMENDMENT A: An occupancy restriction to prohibit any
person registered as a “sexual predator”, “habitual sex offender” or
similar categorization from residing or occupying a home in
Approved
by 335 or 80.7 percent of the voting members
- AMENDMENT B: “Cost of Collection” and “Cost of
Enforcement” provisions to hold any homeowner in question liable for all
costs associated with the collection of their specific past due account or
other enforcement assessment(s) levied against them—including but not
limited to reasonable attorney fees, recording costs, title reports, court
costs, etc.
Approved
by 314 or 75.7 percent of the voting members
- AMENDMENT C: A change to allow more flexibility for
scheduling the Highland Park Homeowners’ Association annual meeting. Currently the meeting is stated “to be
held on the first Tuesday of March” each year; the amendment will seek to
provide a change to schedule the annual meeting “within the first or second
calendar quarters” (January through June) for any year.
Approved by 320 or 77 percent of the voting members.
PARKING LOT LIGHTING PROJECT UPDATE
By Bill Mazzolini
Phase II of the parking lot
lighting project was completed in early January at a total cost of $4,500. Phase I (six stack lights along the
clubhouse sidewalk) was installed in 2004.
The two high-density pole lights along the
*** Enhance
safe walking conditions for those using the clubhouse at night.
*** Deter use
of the parking lot by unwanted visitors.
*** Further
deter trespassing at the pool by “
Re-seeding and landscaping
along the trench will occur in the spring.
Our thanks to
NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING UPDATE
By
Olivia Poggenpohl
After review of the newsletter schedule for
advertisers, the Board will publish three issues a year, if we need to publish
an extra issue then it will be free to our advertisers. And because we weren't
on track last year we have decided to give all advertisers one free issue in
addition to your current committment. Take a look at our new schedule:
- Early Winter – before annual meeting
- Spring – prior to pool season
- Fall
Page 5
NEW NEIGHBORHOOD DIRECTORY
By
Jeanne Yeagley, Sean Flaherty & Olivia Poggenpohl
We
are in the process of updating the Highland Park Homeowners’ Association
Directory. It’s been three years since our last edition and there have been
many new residents moving into the neighborhood to include. This year, in order
to streamline the process we have created a link on our website to submit your
information. Just log on to http://www.highlandparkassoc.com/DirectoryForm.htm
and once you submit your data, the information is sent to a spreadsheet. This makes
it easy for us to merge the data into the new directory format. Of course,
we’ll include you in the directory if you don’t have access to the internet.
Complete the attached form and send it in by
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Please
complete the following contact information on the website or mail this form to:
Highland Park Directory Update
c/o
Jeanne Yeagley
36131
North Park Drive
Avon,
Ohio 44011
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Last Name |
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First Name |
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Spouse Last Name |
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Spouse First Name |
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Street Address |
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City |
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State |
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Zip Code |
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Home Phone |
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E-mail |
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Child #1 Name |
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Birth Date |
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Child #2 Name |
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Birth Date |
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Child #3 Name |
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Birth Date |
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Child #4 Name |
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Birth Date |
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Child #5 Name |
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Birth Date |
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Page 6
NEWSLETTER ADVERSTISING
By
Olivia Poggenpohl
Thank you to the many residents
who have used the newsletter to advertise your business. We hope it has proven valuable to your
organization.
If you have a business you’d like
others to know about (or if you have been satisfied with work completed by a
local company and think they could be a good resource for other residents), why
not advertise in the Highland Park Newsletter? The cost to advertise for
residents is $25/issue or $85/for three issues (three to four newsletter issues
are distributed each year) or for non-residents is $40/issue or $150/year for a
business card size advertisement. Please see this issue’s
advertisements on the last two pages and support these local businesses
whenever possible.
If you are interested in
advertising your business, please complete the advertising insert form and
return it to Olivia Poggenpohl at
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION IS AVAILABLE
If you are interested in placing a
classified ad for items for sale—most commonly motor or marine vehicles, furniture,
household items, etc.—or if you would like to publicize an upcoming garage sale
or similar market event, we will entertain such ads on a first come-first
served basis if space allows. Your classified ad will be limited to a business
card size and the copy will be typeset in 10 pt. Arial font. The cost will be $10 for residents or $15 for
non-residents per item per quarterly issue of the newsletter.
Please use the Advertising Insert
form located at the bottom of this page.
THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE
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Newsletter Advertising Form
Please check one of the following:
HP Resident: □ □ Single Issue Business/Service Advertising
(resident $25 / non-resident $40)
Non-Resident: □ □
Annual Business/Service Advertising (resident $85 /
non-resident $150)
□ Single Issue “For Sale” Classified Advertising (resident $10 / non-resident
$15)
Company Information:
Company Name:
Contact Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Business Description:
Additional Information:
Please enclose a check payable to
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Page 7
Please Patronize
Your Highland Park Newsletter Advertisers
Page 8