SLPPOA Newsletter September Annual Meeting 2004
The intent of this newsletter is to report the official minutes of the Board meetings and other unrelated events or notices which may be of interest to our Association members.
Board meetings are normally held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:15 PM at the SLP fire station. All property owners are welcome.
Next Board Meeting:
SLPPOA Newsletter September Annual Meeting 2004
Board Members Presents: Ann Cooke, Brian Reardon, Donna Smith, Kirk Thompson, Wendy Bisset, John Fredlund, Nate McDowell
Board Members Absent: Karen Taylor, Orlando Archuleta
Meeting called to order at 1404, after a potluck lunch. Introductions were made. Last year's annual meeting minutes read (phew!) and approved.
REPORTS
Treasurer's Annual Report
Our LANB account balance as of September 12, 2003, was $42,291.73 to compare with our current balance for 2004 of $44,599.35. Since January 1, 2004 we have had an income of $60,852.62 and we've spent $30,858.67. Keep in mind the remaining income must cover taxes, water fees, utilities, winter roads maintenance and incidentals for the rest of 2004. During the last 4 months of 2003 we spent $34,354.99. Depending on incidentals in the next 3 month's we are pretty much on par with last year's profit and loss.
Accounts Receivable
We have only two outstanding accounts receivable totaling $289.34. The biggest help has been the payment option started by our previous treasurer. Several owners elected to make multiple partial payments to complete their annual commitment on time. This is very helpful and I thank everyone that most Annual Fees are paid.
Accounts Payable
Two bills remain to be paid. One is for repairs made a water main and work at the system 2 lift station $530 and the other is for the recent fill material and work performed on association roads $4240 for 200 cubic yards plus delivery and spreading.
New Members and Changes to Current Member Data
Wendy would like to encourage owners to notify the board when ownership, phone numbers, email, or mailing addresses change. This helps the board keep the membership informed. We have had at least one lot sold in the last couple of months for which we currently do not know how to contact the new owners.
Statements
Wendy had a few copies of the comparison Profit & Loss statements here for anyone interested.
Water
Kirk reported that System 2 had major leaks that were fixed this summer. System 1 has been relatively good with leaks appearing and disappearing mysteriously. Heavy leaking/use seems to start on May 15 every year. The dedication of water rights to satisfy State requirements to obtain full amount of water rights is still an issue. The Board believes that it is Bob Bootzin's responsibility to retire the rights as the State originally required of him. Bootzin (paraphrasing) believes that the responsibility to retire the rights was transferred when we took over ownership of the rights we are trying to perfect. Further discussion that occurred later: When the system 2 well was negotiated, 3.5 acres of land and its water rights were supposed to be dedicated. The schedule was 1999. We had meetings with the State, who was not who takes care of the 1.5 a-ft remaining. State wants 2.18 a-ft of water bought and turned over to the State. We have talked to Bob Bootzin who said it was our problem, but offered to work a deal. SLPPOA has <60 a-ft of water to pump/use. State is withholding 10 a-ft. because of the dedication issue. We don't really even own the rights until development is finished, which we have no control over, so we can't just give back the 2.18 to get the 10. We currently pump a little less than 50 a-ft and increasing every year. When development is complete, we will know (better) how much we really need and we can apply for "perfected" rights. Our current options appear to be to buy the 2.18 a-ft of water rights ourselves, agree to Bob's deal, or sue. None of these options are really economic for SLPPOA. The most recent letter from Bootzin's lawyers will be posted on the SLPPOA site.
Booster station upgrade was completed and is working well, though the level controller had to be replaced after being struck by lightning. Jersey barriers were added to protect. Reseeding took.
The problem with the well in the road easement was resolved (see posting on SLPPOA site). A broken valve housing was mentioned. A question about how chlorine was metered was answered (Pump houses have metering pumps that squirt swimming pool chlorine bleach into the water. Kirk or Bob takes readings to ensure concentration stays at 0.4 to 0.7 ppm. They test and adjust. People can call if there is suspicion of high levels and they will test. If the concentration is correct (as required by law) and the owner is still unsatisfied, the owner can buy a filter. Don Bednar now has full-time job so he will not always be immediately available for problems. Ann reminded all that water filters need to be changed regularly or they can be worse than nothing.
System 2 water level drops about 1 ft/year. Hovenweep has stayed level. There is no tritium in the water, so it appears to be over 50 years old. Fire water comes from our system. Kirk has talked to the USFS about getting water from them. It is sometimes possible for the USFS to install water tanks for fire water and let residents use the water when there is no fire.
The fact that our water system is nearing the end of its design (expected) life was discussed. Many residents appeared to favor a vote to increase assessments to ensure SLPPOA has the money to rebuild the system when this happens. The fact that it is very hard to get a quorum of enough votes to do anything was pointed out. The Board may consider calling for a vote, but we would need support to gather votes from enough residents.
The mutual domestic water cooperative option was discussed. The main problems are that setting it up would take a lot of effort (no volunteers) and that meters would have to be installed on all properties (~$1K). Plenty of positives if we could achieve.
Roads
Ann read Orlando's report:
Pete Meskimen of P & M Construction signed a snow removal contract and plowed snow several time during the winter months and was paid according to agreement.
Scouts Lane backfill & grade was added to the road. A berm was built up to divert flow towards Aspen Lane. Hovenweep Loop, Aztec and Bonito Way backfill was added to cover water valves. Eohippus Rd from Trilobite Trail to Coryphodon Lane rip rap was backed filled into ditches on both sides of the road. Los Griegos & Cerro Pelado Trail exposed CMP was covered up with back fill.
Got call from Jim Moore about grade on Scouts Lane. Had meeting with Jim & Pete of P& M Const. about the drainage. We all came to the agreement that Pete would regrade the road and try and spread the flow more evenly above Jim's property. Also Pete was to add some gravel to a section on road to help with the muddy road due to drainage. Need to discuss with some property owner's about allowing some drainage into their property. Unit 4, Lot 14? Also discussed with Pete about installation of larger CMP on critical roads that tend to wash out or old CMP plugging up do to size.
I got a call from about sand/salt mix for trash cans on Los Griegos Rd. I was able to contact Chris(?) From Sandoval County (771-3314,) about acquiring sand/salt mix, he informed me that he would send a dump truck load to the Fire Station. It was delivered one week later. I also found two trash cans with missing lids? I went to the hardware store and purchased two different type of trash cans and filled them with sand.
Jersey barriers were install around the well pump house near Los Griegos & Cerro Pelado to help with protection of structure in winter time.
Pete of P&M Construction graded the roads a couple of times during this summer and also he deliver and place 200 cubic yards of pit run gravel in pursuant to the written proposal submitted by P&M to SLPPOA on July 30, 2004. The Services are to be performed was to specifications provided by Engineering Inc. to P&M in Units 1, 3 & 10. (reference maps C - 1 & C - 2 of engineering report.) No culverts were installed at this time.
Decided to give DCS Enterprises another chance at snow removal & road grading. He indicated to me that he purchased a road grader and will not use his bull dozer to remove any snow. It was also conveyed that he shouldn't take dirt off of the road's if possible while plowing snow. A contract is being worked out at this time.
Thank you SLPPOA members for those who have given me support in this first year as the "Road Director". I have been getting a lot of calls and comments on how bad the SLPPOA road's have been this year! As we all know we have had a great monsoon season and I hope that we get a the same in snow as we are all still in a drought. Along with that rain came erosion and we sure did get a whole lot of both this year! It cost SLPPOA some were around $1000.00 to grade or plow snow each time and with the rising cost of fuel the prices it can and may go up to $1100 to $1200 per grading. I felt if I was to grade the road each and every time it rained we wouldn't have any funds to try and start on long term required maintenance. That's if you haven't already notice the exposed utilities like phone and water lines on the side and top of our road easement. This is in part due to erosion and constant grading through out the years. My feeling is instead of putting a "band aid" ( grading away the road,) we should try and put that extra $$ to fixing the road by redirecting drain off, adding larger culverts, rebuilding the roads to proper level and grade. We have just scratched the surface on what needs to be done with the roads! There is a lot more too be done beside's snow removal & grading. I had planned on doing these requirements in phases with what ever money was left over from snow removal. These were recommendation for SLPPOA roads in a engineering report provided by "Engineering Inc.". These were the choices I made for this year and did what I felt that was necessary. Maybe I didn't spend as much time as some of you think I should of? but I have a personal and professional life as all of the SLPPOA board members do! Thank you all once again and please volunteer for the board position available.
Sorry I couldn't make the meeting! I have other personal obligations out of town to attend.
Sincerely
Orlando Archuleta.
Architectural
Over the past year approximately 10 requests for building modifications were made. These requests included adding extra buildings such as sheds and green houses, building retaining walls, adding fences, and building homes. All request were approved. However, there was one property (Gentry's old place ) where the present owner requested a variance for a building that was already built. This request was denied because the current owner failed to explain how the community would benefit from granting such a variance.
Legal
Other than the dedication issue, legal news was good. See wall-in-easement resolution on SLPPOA WWW site.
Firewise
This year they got 501 c (3) set up so they could get grants. There is a bit more paperwork to get $100K from State to help pay for thinning. Another grant is in the pipeline.
Chipper days have been occurring. Slash only, no needles. The slash pit was closed because burning it became too hard permit-wise.
Parks
Nothing active to report. One resident proposed new play equipment, but the small allocation in SLPPOA budget did not support request. No help from others was offered in response to solicitation of interest.
Insurance
More good news. SLPPOA switched to State Farm. We now pay about half as much money for about twice the coverage.
Other Business
Loose cattle was brought up. Since this is an open-range state, keeping cattle out of your yard is your responsibility. However, since the cattle probably belong to Ray Trujillo, and he does not want them in your yard, you could call him to come get them.
More talk about money. Everyone agrees our assessments are dirt cheap. The Board has been exercising its ability to raise them 10% every year. The general membership can vote to raise them to better fund important infrastructure. In past, special assessments were used for specific projects. We try to keep at least a $20K cushion. If we did raise assessments, part-year residents that don't use much water might complain.
Election
A quick count showed we had enough present to hold the election. There was only one candidate but four positions to fill. Nate nominated John Bootzin at JB's request. Kay Karns volunteered to run. Jeff Erickson accepted nomination. John Fredlund also volunteered to run, but stated that Volunteer Fire Department activities were his first priority for volunteer time. We tried to figure out Mike Brown's status - whether he had agreed to run. Voting results were:
109 for Karen Taylor (three year term)
34 for Jeff Erickson (three year term)
30 for Kay Karns (three year term)
25 for John Fredlund (one year term)
12 for Mike Brown
10 for Renée Collier
5 for John Bootzin
Meeting was adjourned at 5:08.