The annual open board meeting was held on January 14, 2020 at the Harris Public Library.
The meeting was called to order at 6:02 pm by Heinz Mantel, board president.
Board members present: Heinz Mantel, Carole Pascarella, Kevin Cullen, David Riley, Bob Kord, Zach Gerbeth, Erik Lundry, Lauren Plennert and Ginée Ames. Not present: Jim Sweeney.
Residents present: Juan Gomez Lobo, Chris and Julie Schmitt, Sandy Kord, Bill Plawinski and Carl Pascarella.
1. Treasurer Report: Bob Kord, Treasurer, presented the Treasurer Report. Our total assets are $87,230.16. That’s an increase from last year. The board is controlling expenses and our funds are in an interest-bearing account. Expenses for year end 2019 were $32,116.34. Down from last year. In order to continue to keep expenses down, we need the entire HOA to help with keeping grass clippings and other waste out of the streets. The major expense for the year was updating and maintaining the entrances. Dues will remain the same at $225 and $375. Invoices for 2020 dues will be mailed out by month end.
2. Maintenance/Landscaping: We will work on getting new bids on all areas. We’ve already secured the bid for the lake treatments. That cost will stay the same as last year. If we pre-pay, which we will, can save more. Our service provider for the lake highly recommends we do a better job of reducing the amount of grass clippings and other debris from entering the lake. Even if you don’t live on the lake, please keep your grass clippings and other debris out of the street. They end up going down the storm drain and can result in the association paying out a huge sum of money. If you live by a storm drain, please help and keep them cleaned off. Debris must be thrown in the garbage and not pushed down the drain.
The big expense for the association this year was upgrading the landscaping at each entrance for a total of $11,589. We also removed and replaced 8 dead trees costing us $2455. These do have a warranty and they will be watched to ensure if they need replaced they are done so within the time frame of the warranty.
The walls at each entrance are in bad shape. When they were repaired several years back, we were told that we were only buying time. The bricks are deteriorating, and it is time to gather ideas and quotes. That discussion will start at our next quarterly meeting.
3. Social: The events in 2019 were a success, including the addition of a hayride with Saddlebrook. The Easter Egg hunt for 2020 will be on Sunday, April 4th. Heinz will ask the Snyder’s (owners of lot 87) for their permission to host it again on their lot. The plan for 2020 is to host the same 4 events (Easter Egg Hunt, Garage Sale, 4th of July, and Hayride). This year we are going to partner with neighboring Saddlebrook, and possibly Fox Chase, for our garage sale. This year the date will be June 5th and 6th with the times being from 8am to 2pm. The hayride is TBD. Please follow our Facebook page and/or register your email address on the Devonshire website to stay current on all news and events.
4. Communications: Zach will be taking over from Ginée. We are going GREEN*! He will send out a final postcard from the HOA in March. It will list the dates we have so far for 2020 events and announce there will be no more postcards mailed out.
David reported we have 108 email addresses. Lauren reported 96 in our Facebook group.
*STAY INFORMED (and help us save postage)! If you aren’t signed up for the Devonshire emails, please go our website and sign up. https://www.devonshirepointe.com. We do not send an abundance of emails nor do we sell your information. Facebook is also a great source for what’s going on in the neighborhood. We have a closed group called “Devonshire Pointe.”*
5. Architectural: Kevin Cullen reported that several requests were received and approved. No shed requests to date. Information and application for sheds can be found on our website.
6. Covenants: A reminder to all residents to get approval prior to starting any projects.
7. Open for comments/questions from the floor:
– Discussed fishing in the lake. Heinz will talk to the company that does our lake treatments about what stocking our lake would take.
-Residents may want to reconsider parking in the street overnight. When it’s dark, there’s some corners that make it harder to see what’s ahead. Also, snowplows need to get through.
-It was brought up to think about where you put your garbage cans. If you can bring them up from the curb the day garbage is picked up, that would be great. Also, if you can store them in a place not visible from the street, that would be even better.
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:10pm. Minutes by Ginée Ames.