|
|
Post by guest on Nov 10, 2005 11:08:45 GMT -5
Our complete financials should be available to every homeowners via download. Contractors in our community should go through a bid process. Moderators on www.woodlandsprings.com should be voted on by the entire community, not appointed by a few. Homeowners should vote on the pool rules (outside the city laws of course). We the homeowners should vote on what ID card system is used at our pools. |
|
|
|
Post by concerned guest on Nov 10, 2005 11:23:58 GMT -5
I agree with you 100%.
|
|
|
|
Post by ME ME ME on Nov 10, 2005 13:51:32 GMT -5
Our complete financials should be available to every homeowners via download. Contractors in our community should go through a bid process. Moderators on www.woodlandsprings.com should be voted on by the entire community, not appointed by a few. Homeowners should vote on the pool rules (outside the city laws of course). We the homeowners should vote on what ID card system is used at our pools. agree with the financials. Its the law we can see them anyway. What kind of contractors do you want bids from? Landscapers? Doesnt the SBB already get those? Yes i guess the site is owned by an owner here at VOWS, but I'm not so sure if he hasnt given it over to the HOA or a group of owners. Who knows. Doesnt matter really, again, you have no control on any of it until the HOA is turned over (and then you may still not have any say so in the website, esp if they get sponsership to cover costs). Besides those moderators all seem pretty good. One might be slightly biased, but the others are not. Tho this is just my opinion. besides the other forum is a nice place to hang out now, informative and a little boring, but nicer. Its not up to us what they do with the pools, guards, ID system or whatnot. It would be nice, but since we have no ACC im assuming everything that has to do with the pools is up to the office now...no pool committee anymore. The rest of your post are things that will happen when the HOA is handed over to the residents. As of now we dont even have a group of owners even representing us now (ACC). |
|
|
|
Post by guest on Nov 10, 2005 13:57:04 GMT -5
IT was up to SBB anyway they still had control, the other groups where just advisory only.
|
|
|
|
Post by navy85 on Nov 10, 2005 14:18:21 GMT -5
-Our complete financials should be available to every homeowners via download.
Agree...or by mail for those who do not use the Internet
-Contractors in our community should go through a bid process.
Agree for major items such as landscaping, pool maintenance, lifeguards...but I don't think this will work for everything. If there is a need for a plumber to fix a leaking water pipe, for example, bidding is not productive. There should be a cutoff point, such as a dollar amount, to determine when work needs to go through a bidding process.
-Homeowners should vote on the pool rules (outside the city laws of course).
-We the homeowners should vote on what ID card system is used at our pools.
I don't agree we need to vote on everything. When we do finally get to elect a board, that will be how we vote on these items. Should we have input? Definitely, again through an elected board. Homeowner votes should be limited (changes to bylaws/DCC&Rs, for example). We can't call a vote every time a decision needs to be made.
Some additions:
- A community center or other building where we can have homeowner meetings and gatherings. I envision something that can be rented to residents on a not-to-interfere basis with community events, and could actually pay for itself.
-Change the DCC&Rs so that only significant changes go to an architectural review process - improvements such as pools. For minor items, develop standards that do not require an application (fences, landscaping, tree rings, backyard playsets, basketball goals, etc) but have deemed approval if the requirements are met. As this community grows, requests such as this will only slow down the process for homeowners who need to work with contractors.
|
|
|
|
Post by ME ME ME on Nov 10, 2005 14:45:29 GMT -5
-Our complete financials should be available to every homeowners via download. Agree...or by mail for those who do not use the Internet-Contractors in our community should go through a bid process. Agree for major items such as landscaping, pool maintenance, lifeguards...but I don't think this will work for everything. If there is a need for a plumber to fix a leaking water pipe, for example, bidding is not productive. There should be a cutoff point, such as a dollar amount, to determine when work needs to go through a bidding process.-Homeowners should vote on the pool rules (outside the city laws of course). -We the homeowners should vote on what ID card system is used at our pools. I don't agree we need to vote on everything. When we do finally get to elect a board, that will be how we vote on these items. Should we have input? Definitely, again through an elected board. Homeowner votes should be limited (changes to bylaws/DCC&Rs, for example). We can't call a vote every time a decision needs to be made.Some additions: - A community center or other building where we can have homeowner meetings and gatherings. I envision something that can be rented to residents on a not-to-interfere basis with community events, and could actually pay for itself. -Change the DCC&Rs so that only significant changes go to an architectural review process - improvements such as pools. For minor items, develop standards that do not require an application (fences, landscaping, tree rings, backyard playsets, basketball goals, etc) but have deemed approval if the requirements are met. As this community grows, requests such as this will only slow down the process for homeowners who need to work with contractors. I elect YOU. These were well said, well thought out. I to envision us having an amenity center someday! |
|
|
|
Post by navy85 on Nov 10, 2005 14:46:43 GMT -5
Just to be clear on terminology:
- the AC (Advisory Committee) provided recommendations to the HOA board. The ACC (Architectural Control Committee) is still alive and kicking; the board is the ACC.
- SBB manages the community for the HOA board. The community manager makes some decisions but certainly doesn't make significant ones, such as pool rules or pool access systems.
|
|
|
|
Post by ME ME ME on Nov 10, 2005 15:08:54 GMT -5
Just to be clear on terminology: - the AC (Advisory Committee) provided recommendations to the HOA board. The ACC (Architectural Control Committee) is still alive and kicking; the board is the ACC. - SBB manages the community for the HOA board. The community manager makes some decisions but certainly doesn't make significant ones, such as pool rules or pool access systems. thanks  |
|
|
|
Post by guest on Nov 10, 2005 19:02:24 GMT -5
We should have more say in things now; versus being dumped the position of authority with no experience.
Yes, it is unrealistic to have a say in every contract decision. Although, the major ones is realistic.
I agree, the homeowners should have more say surrounind the pools, they are our pools, not a select few. Previously, the pool rules were created by Pauline Veness, per SBB not the AC.
I am against any amnetity center being paid for by dues, then having to pay to rent. Isn't that double dipping?
Amnetity center should be owned by the homeowners not any other entity.
|
|
|
|
Post by VOWS on Nov 10, 2005 19:30:41 GMT -5
"Amnetity center should be owned by the homeowners not any other entity."
Agreed..
|
|
|
|
Post by navy85 on Nov 10, 2005 20:59:06 GMT -5
I am against any amnetity center being paid for by dues, then having to pay to rent. Isn't that double dipping? Amnetity center should be owned by the homeowners not any other entity. No, it isn't double dipping. HOA dues would pay for the land acquisition and construction (from a capital fund) and for the cost of operating it for community activities (from the annual operating budgets). What I am suggesting is anyone who wants to have the exclusive use of the facility (family reunion, office party, you name it - again, on a not to interfere basis with community events/uses) should pay a small fee for that use. Nothing exhorbitant, just something to cover costs associated with setup, cleanup and operating (i.e. electricity). Think of it this way - if we both go to the pool, we both have equal access & use of the facility. If I use a community center for my own purposes, you are denied the use of it for that period of time. Isn't it only fair that I pay something for that privilege? This concept is similar to user fees that some cities charge to reserve park picnic areas. Tax dollars pay for the construction, but the users pay for upkeep since they are directly benefiting. I certainly didn't suggest that anyone other than the HOA own the facility, nor has anyone else in this thread. I agree with it, but don't understand where that second comment is coming from. |
|
|
|
Post by navy85 on Nov 10, 2005 21:21:04 GMT -5
We should have more say in things now; versus being dumped the position of authority with no experience. No argument here... but I thought that's what the homeowner Advisory Committee was supposed to be - a homeowners association board in training. For reasons that I am not privy to (I've heard lots of rumors and conjecture, but nothing from those who made the decision), the HOA Board decided to do away with the AC, and the little unified voice we had. Instead of having an election for AC representatives right now, we have less say in the operation of the HOA. This isn't a suggestion but a question - how do we get that voice back and prepare ourselves for running a homeowners association? That's the creative aspect of this suggestion, remembering that we have the framework of the DCC&Rs hemming us in. BTW, I am not interested in debating who did what to whom and whose fault it is. It's in the past. There are lessons to be learned but the blame game does not provide constructive lessons. We need to look forward and focus on the future. |
|
|
|
Post by helltotheno on Nov 11, 2005 9:57:13 GMT -5
Amen Brother...what do you suggest as a way to move the ball down the field?
|
|
|
|
Post by navy85 on Nov 12, 2005 14:58:06 GMT -5
As a start, I would like to see a homeowners "shadow" board be established (representatives elected by homeowners) that could participate in the board activities in a non-voting capacity during the development period. This is essentially the reincarnation of an advisory committee. The group should have specific responsibilities defined, and be essentially an HOA board in training. Another option is to increase the HOA board size to 5 and have two homeowners sit on the board, again elected by homeowners. The developer still maintains voting control of the board but we have homeowners who are gaining experience in the operation of an HOA.
I would like to see more communication from the HOA board to the homeowners, preferably quarterly. Posting information on a website is fine, but that should not be a principal means of communication. It requires people to constantly check to see if new information is posted, rather than having it sent to them. We should have things mailed, or if possible, homeowners can opt in to an email distibution list. The reality is that mailing information to every household shouldn't cost more than about $1-2 each (postage, supplies, time). We already have two mailings with our semi-annual HOA dues, so why can't we use those opportunities for board communication? That leaves us with paying for 2 mailings a year. The annual budget and annual summary of expenditures are two items I think should be sent to every homeowner.
We need the HOA board to be cognizant of issues affecting us as homeowners - schools, roads, nearby development, etc - and be able to put the weight of The Villages of Woodland Springs Home Owners Association, Inc. behind our efforts. As it stands right now, we can only act as individuals. I think the HOA backing us gives a little more clout.
As I noted earlier, I would like to see the DCC&Rs rewritten, particularly the sections relating to architectural review requirements. This should be done by homeowners with remaining homeowner input. I imagine the HOA board would appoint a group to do this rather than having us elect representatives, which certainly will not please some homeowners. I would like to see the changes voted on by homeowners, but the way I read the DCC&Rs, any changes we vote on must be approved by a majority of the lots, not just a majority of those who vote (during the development period, the developer can amend the DCC&Rs at his sole discretion). That may be too significant a hurdle to achieve.
|
|
|
|
Post by VOWS on Nov 12, 2005 15:42:32 GMT -5
Navy85 for President!
|
|
