Highland
Park
Homeowners’
Association
Newsletter
– July 2006
Volume 4,
Issue 2
|
Homeowners’
Association Newsletter
– July 2006 Volume 4,
Issue 2 |
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 |
Upcoming Events We'll start planning this one for
sometime in August and will post the date and time on the website. BYO
Blankets, Beverages and we'll supply the popcorn. |
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 introduce our new Board members; Bill Mazzolini, Karri
Sean Flaherty and
The Board of Managers has identified key focus areas
which will help us to best maintain and improve our community. The 2006 Goals and Objectives -
1) Continue to achieve a balanced budget
·
Review
all contracts for 2006 and 2007
·
100%
collection of Association dues
·
Bid
process for all major Association work
·
Maintain
list of preferred Vendors
2) Maintain and Improve Association Infrastructure
·
Continuous
Improvement
·
Pool
Operations
·
Landscaping
·
Complete
·
Parking
Lot and Nature Trail Resealed
·
Improve
Lighting for Parking Lot
·
Enforce
Code and Deed restrictions
3) Improve Clubhouse Reservation Process
·
Team
Established to review reservation system
4) Zero Shutdowns for 2006 Pool Season
·
Glass
in the pool area remains our biggest issue
5) Generate Revenue from Newsletter Advertising
·
Newsletters
– Sharing of Information
6) Maintain and Improve Highland Park Website
·
Instant
Communication and Reference
·
Board
of Manager Minutes Posted
7) Expand the Architectural Review Board (Mailboxes)
·
All
the Same Required by Code
·
Mailbox
Team established – Review code and develop conformance
process.
8) Continue the Process of revising HP Code to fit the
communities needs
2006 Amendment Initiatives – In Process
·
Prohibition
of Registered “Sexual Predators” or “Habitual Sexual Offenders” from
establishing residency within Highland Park Phase III
·
“Cost
of Enforcement” to allow for the association to recover legal costs for
enforcing the rules and regulations from the violating owner.
·
Annual
Association Meeting Date Change – to allow the board of managers to define the
date of the annual association meeting.
9)
Republish Handbook of Rules & Information
·
Revise
handbook initially published in March 2005 by year end
The first fifteen (15)
minutes of each board meeting is open to homeowners who 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 and ask to be added to the agenda. This is your
opportunity address the board with your concerns. A quick 15-minute discussion with the board
goes a long way in getting board focus on your issue .
Thank You
to those homeowners that have stepped up and taken action on issues. I’d like to take this opportunity to continue
to remind everyone that we are all “owners”
in the
CITY OF
By
Bill Mazzolini
The City of
Page 2
FINANCIAL UPDATE
By
Sean Flaherty and Bill Mazzolini
|
Operating
Fund – Summary |
May
2006 |
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Actual through May vs. Annual
Budget—in 000’s dollars |
||||
|
Revenue |
|
|
Actual |
’06 Budget |
K$ Variance |
% to Budget |
Over/Under |
|
|
Total
Income |
|
156.9 |
153.2 |
+3.7 |
102.4% |
+2.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
REVENUE |
|
156.9 |
153.2 |
+3.7 |
102.4% |
+2.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administrative |
|
2.5 |
6.3 |
-3.8 |
40.4% |
-59.59% |
|
|
Professional |
|
5.5 |
12.9 |
-7.4 |
43.0% |
-57.0% |
|
|
Contracted
Services |
|
20.5 |
55.6 |
-35.1 |
36.9% |
-63.1% |
|
|
Maintenance
& Repair |
|
11.0 |
23.3 |
-12.3 |
47.3% |
-52.7% |
|
|
Utility |
|
2.1 |
12.6 |
-10.5 |
16.3% |
-83.7% |
|
|
Other |
|
4.7 |
10.3 |
-5.6 |
46.0% |
-54.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
EXPENSE |
|
46.3 |
121.0 |
-74.7 |
38.3% |
-61.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
Revenue/Expense |
|
110.6 |
32.2 |
78.4 |
|
|
|
The financial position of the
Association remains strong. We anticipate putting about $15k in the Contingency
Reserve Fund, based on the “latest full year forecast” (in 000’s dollars):
Total Revenue: 160.0 More
homes in Assoc.
Budgeted Expenses 121.0
Pelham detention basin
10.0 Culvert area
repairs.
Pool projects 7.0 Pump,
filter, chair, lights,
cover, tables,room repairs.
Parking lot, path sealing 3.5
Parking lot lights (phase 2) 3.0 Safety/security
Available for Reserves 15.5
CLUBHOUSE UPDATE
By
Bill Mazzolini
A five-person team (Sean
Flaherty, Ed Fratus, Karri
NOTE: You can reserve the
clubhouse through Carlyle via phone or the internet address (clubhouse@highlandparkassoc.com).
We highly recommend using the internet!
More details are on our Association website.
Page 3
SWIMMING POOL UPDATE
By
Bill Mazzolini
The pools opened for the
2006 Season on May 27th! In order to maintain the value of this
amenity, the following maintenance items and improvements have been made:
- Acid-washed both pools to remove stains and
algae.
- Installed new pump/motor for the main pool and
new zeolyte-based filter for the small pool.
- Installed a lifeguard chair.
- Replaced 14 small table tops.
- Repaired walls, coated the copper water lines,
and painted the filter room.
- Installed four more non-slip floor mats, a door
closer and ash trays at the clubhouse.
Metropolitan Pool Services
has replaced Hastings Water Works this year on a “trial basis”. Please provide
“quality control” input to Bill Mazzolini throughout the season.
We urge everyone to
familiarize themselves with the Pool Rules from the Board of Managers,
particularly the following:
- No glass or breakable bottles/containers/dishes inside
the fence. In 2003, two incidents shut down the pool for 16+ days and
cost Homeowners about $2,600 for water and chemicals. We’ve also had “near-misses” when
garbage bags containing empty bottles ripped during change out. We’ve had
four infractions thus far this year.
- Children under 14 must be accompanied by a
parent, guardian or responsible adult (18 or over) even when the
lifeguard is on site. Lifeguard
is on site from
POOL KEYCARD DEPOSIT POLICY
By
Bill Mazzolini
I apologize for inadequate communications and confusion
about this policy – my error. Here’s the scoop:
POLICY ENACTED IN 2004: A one-time,
fully-refundable deposit of $25 shall be charged to initial buyers of new
homes, new buyers of existing homes, and the current holder
of a keycard if it needs to be replaced, if the current holder has not
previously paid the one-time $25 deposit.
BACKGROUND: The keycards are property of the Homeowners’
Association (considered part of “common areas”). The out-of-pocket cost of the
keycard ($10) is paid out of Association funds. The Board became aware in 2004
that keycards were not being returned or turned over to new homeowners when a
house was sold. There was also some evidence that keycards were given to
non-Highland Park people so that they could use the pool even though the
homeowner had moved. Based on “benchmarking” of other associations, a Deposit
Policy was enacted. The sole purpose of the Policy is to promote safekeeping of
the keycard and to ensure that keycards are returned to the Association when a
home is sold.
For simplicity and
cost-avoidance, the Board chose not to collect the deposit by sending out a $25
“special assessment” invoice to everyone. The intent was that, ultimately over
time, all homeowners would pay the deposit---either when they sold their home
or when a keycard needed to be replaced.
To eliminate confusion in
the future, the invoice for the $25 charge will clearly indicate that there is
no fee for the keycard. The charge is a fully-refundable, one-time deposit.
Questions, please yell out to Bill Mazzolini.
Page 4
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH UPDATE
By
Bill Mazzolini
The
Board has heard of several vandalism incidents – tree lawn trees damaged,
driveway eggings, shrubbery damage, spray-painting mailboxes and a car, and
mailbox entry. To assist in prevention of damage and theft, we are re-sending
the Neighborhood Watch concepts. Please
review them with your family, keep them handy and use the concepts:
As previously
published in 2003 and 2005:
Key
homeowner responsibilities are as follows:
- Know what is “usual
and customary” about your neighbors, so that you can tell what is “unusual
and out of the ordinary”. Don’t
be a busybody or invade anyone’s privacy – but do
be familiar with who lives in houses (children and teens as well as
adults), types of vehicles and daily routines.
- Invite new neighbors
into the Program.
- “Look out for each
other” during vacations or extended absences. Use common sense and don’t leave signals
indicating “no one is at home”. For example, take action to cover your
mail, newspaper, circulars/fliers, garbage cans, and lights.
- Adhere to good
observation techniques: (a) observe secretly, whether in your home,
your car or on foot; (b) don’t confront suspects; (c)
watch for suspicious people, vehicles or sounds; (d) trust your judgment and recognize when
to call for help; (e) write down “what, “when”, “where”,
“who”, and license plate number, if it’s safe to obtain it;
and (f) periodically practice your
observation techniques.
·
When necessary, call for help using the following protocol:
For bona fide emergencies (any crime, fire or serious
medical problem in progress or suspected to be in progress)----call
For non-emergencies (crimes which have already occurred, non-life
threatening situations, minor mischief) – call
the Police at 934-1234.
Be prepared with
“what”, “when”, “where” and “who”. And
don’t hang up until instructed.
Key Point No.
Key Point No.
2: call immediately, but do not take personal risks to
prevent a crime or make an arrest. That’s the responsibility of the Police.
Page 5
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO
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
- 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.
- 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.
Each
amendment will necessitate a 75% approval of the voting power of the
Association in order to be passed. Your ballot can be mailed to Carlyle
Management,
WELCOME TO OUR NEW NEIGHBORS
Please
extend a warm welcome to the following families/individuals that have recently
moved into our
|
The Schuller
Family |
The |
The Keller Family |
The Lehnowsky
Family |
|
The Morgan Family |
|
|
|
Page 6
BASEMENT FLOODING
By
Karri
After
the
“Question:
What can a homeowner do to
reduce the chance of future water in the basement?
Response:
Main Sump Pump Inspect the sump pump
operation periodically. Make sure the float is not sticking (some pumps have
internal floats, observe pump operation – use hose if necessary). On an annual
basis unplug the pump and make sure the suction screen is free of material or
debris. Replacing the sump pump every three years is recommended by some
manufacturers. The few homeowners that have slimy red iron deposits on the
crock walls need to be on a regular maintenance program to check for iron
deposit build ups in the pump and discharge line.
Back Up Sump Pump Homeowners that want to further
reduce the chance of water backing up the sump may want to consider the
installation of a backup sump pump. The most successful seem to be the battery
backup units with the battery charging station/ monitor. The “Basement
Watchdog” has a model that indicates how many hours of continuous operation the
battery has (usually up to eight 8 hours). They can be expensive ($400 - $500)
but several residents say it has saved them.
It is best to have a separate discharge line for the backup sump pump.
This separate line should discharge to grade level a minimum of five (5) feet
away from the foundation. A flap to prevent pests is needed on the discharge
line.
The
water
siphon version of the back up sump does not appear to perform well in
severe inflow conditions. Several homes in
Note: Please consult a
qualified professional before making any modifications to your sump pump
system. Obtain the proper building permits for any work performed on your home.
Basements are subject to flooding by their very nature. These recommendations
may reduce the chance of flooding only. The recommendations given here may not
apply to all situations. No guarantees are given or implied.”
Drive
Carefully
School is out
so please SLOW DOWN when driving in
the neighborhood.
Page 7
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 four issues (three
to four newsletter issues are distributed each year) or for non-residents is
$40/quarter 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 8