HIGHLAND PARK

HOMEOWNERS  ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER – MARCH 2005

Volume 2, Issue 4

 

 

 
 

       

Board of Mangers Mission Statement:

To ensure that Highland Park homeowners’ value and living experience are maximized through cost-effective management and maintenance of “common areas” and administering and enforcing the Code of Regulations and Deed Restrictions.

 

Carlyle Management Company

28001 Chagrin Blvd.

Suite 302

Cleveland, OH 44122
Clubhouse Rental – Heather Johnson

Property Management–Ed Fratus

216-464-7465

 

 

 

Board of Managers:

Dave Celznick 934-6174

Sean Flaherty 934-3492

Theresa Perusek 934-3260

Pete Just 934-2330

Leslie Bemis

 

E-Mail - highlandparkassociation@yahoo.com

 

 

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

By Bill Mazzolini

 

First things first…..Theresa Perusek and I will be leaving the Board of Managers after serving as Secretary and President since April, 2003.  Theresa was the steadying influence when the storms raged ‘round us (I confess that I started most of the storms).  She helped us achieve our objectives, improve our communications process by coordinating four Newsletters per year, and spearheaded the advertising concept to generate enough money to offset the cost of the extra Newsletters.  Thank you, Theresa, for adding so much value to the Association! 

 

As president for the past year, I have tried to identify and focus on the areas of importance to each of you and areas to which will help to best improve our community.  With feedback received, we put together objectives to help us continuously improve are community and address your feedback. 

 

A recap of the six 2004 Objectives and Results are as follows:

 

·         Achieve a balanced budget and generate a reserve for contingencies. 

RESULT:  Budget balanced, $10k reserve generated.   See Sean’s report.

·         Revise the Code of Regulations to require a vote by homeowners for implementation of “significant” changes.

RESULT:  Amendment passed.  See details in following article. 

·         Implement procedures, rules and facilities so there are zero shutdown incidents at the swimming pool.

RESULT:  Zero shutdowns for 110 days of operation.

·         Generate revenue through Newsletter advertising.

RESULT:  Generated approximately $1,200 in additional revenue.

·         Conduct at least two adult and three family-oriented activities.

RESULT:  Successfully conducted a wine-tasting party, Movie Night, and 2005 Easter Egg Hunt, planned for Sunday, March 20, backup date planned for March 26.

·         Generate active community involvement through communications and teamwork.

RESULT:  See Communications article.  In addition, we opened the first 15 minutes of each Board meeting for homeowner input, published the first edition of the Handbook of Rules and Information, continued to use teams to improve work processes, and conducted a Survey of Service Providers.

 

Thank you: Dave Celznick, Sean Flaherty, Ed Fratus and Pete Just for staying focused, achieving results and fostering teamwork!  And thanks to all the volunteers in the Association who helped us along the way.  You are a pleasure to work with!

 

 

AMENDMENT TO THE CODE OF REGULATIONS

By Bill Mazzolini

 

An amendment to the Code of Regulations requiring a formal vote by all homeowners for “significant changes” to the Common Areas was sent out for ratification in January.  On March 5th, the tally of votes received, certified that more than 75% of all homeowners voted “in favor” of the amendment.  Therefore, the amendment has passed and will be recorded with the state as part of the Code of Regulations.  Thanks to Mark Fedchock, Brad Jarrell, Bill Mazzolini, Dave Mezey and John Miller for developing the proposal!

 

 

ANNUAL HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION MEETING

By Bill Mazzolini

 

The Fourth Annual Meeting was held on March 1st.  The weather limited the number of participants to approximately 25.  Meeting highlights include:

 

·         Two new Board members were elected.  Congratulations to Leslie Bemis and Bob Richenburg who will be serving on the board for the next two years.  They will replace Theresa Perusek and Bill Mazzolini as current board members. 

 

·         The Board reviewed status on the defined 2004 objectives and fielded questions from the attendees.

 

·         Three members of Avon’s City Council attended the meeting.  They were receptive to our plea to re-examine the need for a stop light at the Rt. 83 entrance.  As follow-up to the “next step”, our request for another traffic study has been documented in writing to our Councilman, three At-Large Councilpersons, and the Planning Director.

 

Highland Park Homeowners Association Survey Results

By Sean Flaherty

 

First of all, thank you to all of the Highland Park Homeowners who responded to the recent survey.  The results are in and have been tabulated.  We collected a total of 90 responses from both the paper and electronic e-mail surveys.  The Board of Managers was able to gather valuable data, comments and opinions aiding in several decisions regarding vendor contracts for the 2005-2006 contract years.  We appreciate all of your feedback!  Following are some of the survey highlights:

Brunner Landscaping

  • 83% of the survey respondents feel that Brunner Landscape does a good job maintaining the grass and landscaping in the common areas.
  • 63% of the survey respondents feel that Brunner Landscape does a good job of maintaining the flower and tree beds.  Survey comments suggest that the lower level of satisfaction is related to the lack of attention to the front entrance.  The landscaping of the front entrance (or lack of) is based on several factors but mostly a Board decision to hold costs down this year by not budgeting for any additional plantings, except for the minimum maintenance required.  The Board of Managers has heard the voices of the homeowners and has increased the amount allocated for flowers and shrubs at the entrance this spring.  In addition, there was a small group of volunteer homeowners that planted perennial flower bulbs last fall, therefore we should all be enjoying the fruits of their labor this spring.
  • 61% of the survey respondents feel that we receive good service and value from Brunner Landscaping.

Hastings Water Works

  • 62% of the survey respondents feel that the pool water is maintained at a healthy level.  There were lots of good comments regarding the cleanliness of the big pool, the baby pool and the water temperature.  The cleanliness issue has been addressed with Hastings and the temperature issue could possibly be rectified with a homeowner YES vote on the installation of a pool heater this spring.
  • 56% of the survey respondents feel that the lifeguards do a good job supervising the pool area and enforcing the pool rules.
  • 75% of the survey respondents agree or are neutral that we receive good service and value from Hastings Water Works.
  • Those that participated in the swimming lesson program had positive responses and comments and we hope to offer the same service again this summer.

Carlyle Management

  • 43% of the survey respondents feel that Carlyle does a nice job assisting the Board of Managers by helping to monitor and maintain the common areas
  • 53% of the survey respondents feel that Carlyle does a nice job assisting the Board of Managers by helping to monitor and maintain the clubhouse.
  • Only 33% of the survey respondents feel that Carlyle does a nice job handling the clubhouse rental process.  The low score could be a result of some past dissatisfaction with the reservation process and timeliness of returned calls.  A recent change in the staffing and reservation responsibilities at Carlyle should hopefully result in a marked improvement in the reservation process this year.
  • Only 34% of the survey respondents feel that we receive good service and value from Carlyle Management. 
  • Some survey comments challenge the necessity of a management company and feel that the responsibilities should fall on the Board of Managers.  This is a valid point but one must realize that the Board of Managers works strictly on a volunteer basis.  The management company handles the majority of secretarial, banking, billing and bookkeeping functions (the busy work) for the association.  They coordinate and help to manage our outside service vendors.  A good management company is an invaluable tool to the Board of Managers.
  • We have extended the Carlyle contract on a provisional basis for the remainder of the year and will evaluate the service again at the end of this year.  We will then have the option to extend the contract or open up for new bids.

Board of Managers

  • The Board of Managers received several good marks (80%-90% positive) in most of the areas surveyed.
  • Overall it sounds like homeowners are pleased with the work of the Board of Managers and since we are volunteers, it is one heck of a good value.

Notable Comments:

  • Several homeowners asked about the new mailbox structure by the Pulte model home at the South Park entrance.  This is a temporary structure required by the postmaster for our new neighbors in the new part of the development that is still under construction.  Once the homeowners’ permanent mailboxes are installed the mailbox structure will be removed.  We thank you for your patience during construction.
  • There were several comments regarding the Nature Park.  As outlined at the Annual Association Meeting on March 2nd, the landscape committee has developed a plan and has worked with the landscape vendor to upgrade the maintenance plan for the nature park.  Through a cost saving package secured by the landscape team, the nature park has and will continue to receive semi-annual weed and insect spray treatments and an increase in the number of grass mowings this year to help maintain and improve this area.
  • There were several comments regarding the entrances to the development.  Our association is only responsible for the maintenance of the Route 83/South Park entrance.  We will have the holiday lights again this year and, as I mentioned before, there will be increased attention given to the Route 83 entrance this spring.  The landscape vendor will be planting new rocks, flowers and shrubs and therefore, you can look forward to a more beautiful front entrance this spring and summer.

 

 

 

 


FINANCIAL UPDATE

By Sean Flaherty

 

2004-2005 Budget Review

 

2004 Budget

 

2004 Actual

 

2004 $ Var

 

2005 Budget

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Assessments (Receivable)

 

136000.00

 

 

 

 

 

142800.00

 

Assessment Cash Rec'd

 

 

136000.00

 

135811.48

 

-188.52

 

142800.00

 

Clubhouse Rental

 

3000.00

 

2520.00

 

-480.00

 

3000.00

 

Miscellaneous Income

 

200.00

 

527.52

 

327.52

 

200.00

 

Carryover Expense from prior year

 

 

-8630.00

 

-8740.00

 

 

 

0.00

TOTAL REVENUE

 

130570.00

 

130119.00

 

-451.00

 

146000.00

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Administrative

 

6100.00

 

3933.56

 

-2166.44

 

6250.00

 

Total Professional

 

13925.00

 

11935.00

 

-1990.00

 

12825.00

 

Total Contracted Services

 

49050.00

 

46694.17

 

-2355.83

 

55590.00

 

Total Maintenance & Repair

 

22100.00

 

30358.92

 

8258.92

 

25800.00

 

Total Utility

 

9400.00

 

10285.63

 

885.63

 

10300.00

 

Total Other

 

8500.00

 

8303.40

 

-196.60

 

9800.00

TOTAL EXPENSE

 

109075.00

 

111510.68

 

2435.68

 

120565.00

CURRENT REVENUE - EXPENSE

 

21495.00

 

18608.32

 

-2886.68

 

25435.00

Contingency Reserve

 

 

 

7500.00

 

 

 

2500.00

Carryover

 

 

 

11108.32

 

 

 

22935.00

 

2004 Budget Highlights

  • 99% Dues Collection Rate
  • At or under budget in 20 of 35 expense categories

 

Notable budget category analysis:

  • Misc. Income and Expense - Offset by newsletter advertising revenue.
  • Legal – Cost reduced by allocating delinquent assessment dues collection responsibilities to Management Company and association Board of Managers.
  • Landscape – Minimized costs through extensive volunteer efforts and prioritizing expenditures.  (Spring & Fall clean up, Daisy Troop & Homeowner volunteer plantings)
  • Cleaning Contract – Over budget by a significant dollar amount.  Changed cleaning contractors and did not account for additional cleanings scheduled for pool season.  (2005 budget will reflect an accurate annual figure.)
  • Snow Removal – Actual costs greatly exceeded the 2004 budget.  This is a difficult area to budget as we pay for the service based on the number of times the vendor actually plows.  Mother Nature controls this category.
  • Electrical Maintenance & Repair – This category was significantly over budget last year and can be attributed to the repairs made following an incident of vandalism at the clubhouse, maintenance and repair to the clubhouse air conditioner and also the installation of the new lights in the parking lot and pool area.
  • Recreation Area – This category was not budgeted in 2004 and the expenditure covers the costs involved in the nature park path sealing project.
  • Gas Utility – Cost savings can be attributed to the installation of the clubhouse parking lot lights and shutting off the gas burning lights.
  • Water Utility – This budget item greatly exceeded the planed expenditures and can partially be attributed to a damaged sprinkler valve that was repaired.  We are also taking a closer look at the invoices and consumption and will be comparing them to the prior years to see if there is anything else that is out of the ordinary.

 

 

2005 Budget Considerations

 

Assessment Income

  • An estimate of a moderate increase in occupied homes from the new development from 340 to 365 homes by year-end was included for the 2005 budget.
  • This increase in ownership should net the association a 2005 income increase of approximately $4000-$5000 based on pro-rotated annual assessment fees.

Landscape

  • The annual budget amount was increased slightly to cover new maintenance responsibilities for:
    • Three (3) new parcels of land (Detention Basins) that we now own and are required to maintain. 
    • The Board approved Route 83 Entrance beautification project.
    • A cost saving landscape package deal that will cover the additional maintenance to the nature park.

Cleaning Contract

·         Increased the annual budget amount based on inadequate budget figure from 2004.

Recreation Area

  • Added a budget amount for funds to cover projects in the Clubhouse and Playground

·         Projects currently planned for 2005

    • Wood chips added to the playground
    • Window treatments in the Clubhouse
    • Garbage cans in the park and playground area
    • Replacement of stolen clubhouse tables

·         Projects under consideration for 2005

    • Additional Playground equipment
    • Basketball hoop

Insurance & Taxes

  • Increased the budget amount to cover increases in both the insurance premium and tax obligations from the new land and the increase in the number of homes in the development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

ACTIONS FOR MAKING HIGHLAND PARK A BETTER COMMUNITY

 

COMMITTEE UPDATES


Each of the board members has been assigned to oversee each of the community committees.  Thanks to all who have already volunteered!!!  The committee leaders and Board liaisons are as follows:

 

Ø       Social – Pete Just (934-2330)

Ø       Landscaping - Dave Celznick (934-6174) and Karri Furness (934-7219)

Ø       Directory – Jeanne Yeagley (934-4778)

Ø       Communications – Theresa Perusek (934-3260) and Pete Just (934-2330)

Ø       Swimming Pool – Bill Mazzolini (934-0710) and Dave Celznick (934-6174)

Ø       Clubhouse and Recreation Facilities and Spaces - Sean Flaherty (934-3492)

Ø       Neighborhood Watch Program – Bill Mazzolini (934-0710)

 

GET INVOLVED!!!!  If you are interested in joining one or more of the above listed committees, please contact one of the listed committee members. 

 

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

By Pete Just

 

For a listing of Highland Park Community events visit http://calendar.yahoo.com/highlandparkassociation.

 

Pete provide update!

 

LANDSCAPING

By Dave Celznick

 

The Association will be signing up to a 2-year contract with Brunner Landscaping with an option for a three year contract.  A detailed statement of work was developed for the vendor procurement process.  Brunner was chosen on the basis of bid accuracy, past work history, competitive pricing and willingness to provide packaged services.

 

Our new service level agreement includes, flower plantings at the front entrance, and increased mowing, weed control and fertilization of the Nature Park.

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS

By Theresa Perusek

 

E-Mail Address

If you would like to be included in periodic e-mail correspondence that contains important information about upcoming Highland Park community activities and events, please take a minute to send us an email with your contact information.  Our email address again is highlandparkassociation@yahoo.com.

 

You can also use the above listed e-mail address to submit questions and comments.  If you prefer discussing your question or comment “live”, you can contact a board or committee member, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community News

By Theresa Perusek

Community Resource Services

 

Are you looking for a way to help out someone in your area that is experiencing a hard ship? If so, why not consider supporting the Community Resource Services of Avon and Avon Lake.  The Community Resource Services organization is dedicated to helping out those within our community who are jobless, without adequate income or housing, hungry or in need of social services in time of crisis.  This agency will most efficiently and personally help others to find the answer they are seeking. 

 

So how can you help?  There are many ways in which you can help support this wonderful organization.  Some of the ways include:

·         When buying an item where you buy one get one free, why not donate your extra item, or donate food in general

·         Provide transportation to an elderly person

·         Make a cash contribution

 

“People helping People” is the motto Community Resources Services has lived by for over 15 years.  If you’re interested in helping out in any way, please contact the office at (440) 933-5639.  Thank you in advance for your consideration!

 

      Warm Welcome to our New Neighbors

 

We would like to give a warm welcome to the following families/individuals who recently moved into the Highland Park Community:

 

The Carson Family                                  The Inman Family

3542 Bellcrest Drive                                36317 Southpark Drive

 

The Dahl Family                                      The Pascu Family

4000 Astoria Way                                    36130 North Park Drive

 

The Fleming Family

36099 Billingsley Row

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Clubhouse and Recreation Area Committee

By Sean Flaherty

 

Based on feedback from homeowners and continuous efforts to provide World Cass Service to our association members, I am pleased to announce that Carlyle Management has made an internal change in their clubhouse reservation procedures.  The phone number to make clubhouse reservations will remain the same, but reservation responsibilities have been reassigned within Carlyle Management to a full time staff member at their office named Heather Johnson.  We welcome Heather as part of our Clubhouse team.

 

The clubhouse is available for rental and is an ideal place to host community or family events this spring and summer season.  To arrange clubhouse rental please contact Carlyle Management Company at (216) 464-7465 - Option 7.  This is a voicemail box so please leave your name, contact number(s), a good time that you can be reached and your first and second choices on rental dates.  A representative will reply to messages within 24 hours (Mon-Fri).

 

Please email us at highlandparkassociation@yahoo.com if you have comments, suggestions or would like to join to the Clubhouse and Recreation Area committee.

 

 

REMINDERS

 

Following are a list of things to remember as part of being a Highland Park resident:

 

  • Obey all driving rules, especially the 25 mph speed limit.

 

  • Comply with the “Restrictions to be Placed in Deeds for Highland Park Phase 3” which are part of your Code of Regulations.

 

  • Pick up after your pets and ensure that your dog does not roam “at large” (per Avon ordinances).

 

  • Comply with Avon’s “noise control” ordinance (no powered equipment except snow removal equipment between 9:00 pm – 7:00 am Monday through Saturday or between 7:00 pm – 9:00 am on Sundays and holidays.

 

  • Per Avon’s Codified Ordinance No. 452.13, parking on the street is prohibited if two inches of snow fall during any 24-hour period.

 

  • Minimize wind-blown debris by putting garbage out no earlier than Sunday evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING

By Theresa Perusek

 

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, for which you like others to know about, why not advertise or ask the company if they’d like to advertise in the Highland Park Newsletter?  The cost to advertise for residents is $25/quarter or $85/year (four newsletter issues are distributed each year) or for non-residents is $40/quarter or $150/year for a business card size advertising section.  Please see this issue’s advertisements on the back cover and support these local businesses whenever possible. 

 

If you are interested in advertising your business, please complete the following form and return it to Pete Just at 4072 Truxton or e-mail your company information to pjust@shamrockcompanies.net.  If you have a company logo which you’d like included, please ensure that you include it in the e-mail you send.  Checks should be made payable to Highland Park Homeowners Association. 

 

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Newsletter Advertising Form

 

Please check one of the following:

 

Resident:

Non-Resident:

 

Quarterly Advertising (resident:  $25 / non-resident:  $40):

Annual Advertising (resident:  $85 / non-resident:  $150): 

 

Company Information:

Company Name:

Contact Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Business Description:

Additional Information: 

 

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

 

Thank You!

 

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The next newsletter will be distributed in early June.