SCHOA ANNUAL MEETING

JANUARY 18, 2024

A quorum was confirmed. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Residents present introduced themselves and stated the length of time they have lived in South Cove. The minutes from the 2023 Annual Meeting were read and approved.

• Budget report from Chris Regan, treasurer: Chris reported that the estimated income from dues will remain the same and expenses from 2023 were close to projections. The budget for power use will need to be raised ~ $300 as it was low last year. Water rates will likely rise this year. The cost of insurance that the HOA has to maintain is pending. Due to volunteers taking on neighborhood projects, maintenance came in substantially under budget, with a balance of ~ $15,000. There is sufficient money for funding the summer party and for maintaining the SCHOA website. There is $21,404.01on hand to start 2024. The 2024 budget will be readdressed at the end of the meeting after discussion of projects and needed improvements to the area.

• Welcoming Committee: Nancy, Vicki and Lucy gave a report on 2023 activities and planned activities for 2024. The summer picnic was deemed and success and will again be on the calendar for August 4^th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. It will again be a catered affair with residents asked to bring drinks or desserts.

• Vicki discussed a new social offering – Walk about/Talk about. Residents are invited to gather at the top of Mirror Ct. for a stroll around the neighborhood and surrounding areas. The event will occur every Saturday morning at 10:00 starting Feb. 3.

• Nancy discussed the Pattison Lake Flotilla Festival, scheduled for July 14. All residents are invited to attend. Watercraft will make a loop around the lake, ending with refreshments at the public dock.

• Dock and Treat will take place on Oct. 27 from 2:00 to 3:30, open to children and their families who will board boats and cruise to different docks for treats.

• There will be a Cookie Exchange on Dec. 15 from 2:00 to 4:00. It will likely be a progressive party starting at the De la Cruz home.

• Results from last year’s survey suggested there was interest among neighbors in becoming more involved in helping other residents and helping in welcoming new residents.

• All Social activities will be announced by email as they occur throughout the year.

• Paul gave a report on maintenance. He discussed the replacing of dock sections, and that the work was completed with volunteer help, bringing the repair in greatly under budget. The cedar shake roofs of the mailbox kiosks, all in disrepair, were replaced with architectural shingles. The majority of the work was completed by Brett Sevruk. He also resecured the dock to the shore after it broke loose at the end of last year. Thank you, Brett! Paul also said he and Dave Hamilton fixed broken sections of Nanette’s fencing along the Commons to keep out geese. Brett reported the foundation below the dock is rotted and in great need of replacement.

• Laurie Kirschner gave a report on Landscaping. Last year, the sprinkler system along Yelm Hwy. was fixed, and the same needs to be done along Kelley Beach. The need to repair/replace the irrigation system around the Commons was discussed. The system was flushed and winterized prior to cold weather. The hedges around the Commons were trimmed back this past year. The contract with the current landscaping company will be renewed for 2024. Laurie also reported that using solar mole repellers on Yelm Hwy. helped reduce the destructive mole population. This will be repeated as necessary. Battery powered repellers will work better along Kelley Beach since it is so shady. Repellers will be placed in the Commons if moles are deemed a problem there. The question was raised about the removal of blackberry vines in different locations around the neighborhood. Residents are asked to notify the board of any areas that need special attention, as the landscaping company is very accommodating.

• Chris reported the light pole that sat on SC property for an extended period of time last summer has now been removed. The sprinkler heads there will be checked for leaks or damage, and any repairs will be taken care of by PSE. He also gave an update on the street light at the top of 68^th. Repairs will begin on Feb. 7.

• There was nothing new to report from the architectural committee.

• Group Services were discussed. Chris said he had mostly positive reviews from the person who handled back flow testing last year. Any issues were handled to residents’ satisfaction. We will request a bid from the same company/person for this year, and other bids might be sought. It was also suggested that other resident needs, i.e. electrical work, might be more reasonable if we could secure group rates. This was met with a positive reaction from those present.

• Gordon gave a report on the SC website. All information on SC, including links to minutes, CCRs, etc., can be found on the site. Gordon will continue to update the site as needed.

• The boat rack in the Commons was discussed. At present, it is felt to be an eyesore due to abandoned boats. Per last year’s survey, residents would like this to be addressed. This will be discussed at a future board meeting and remedies/improvements sought. It is generally felt that the lakefront and Commons area could use some revitalization/beautification. Residents are asked to notify the board if they have complaints or see problems around the neighborhood that need to be addressed, and offer potential solutions.

• Gordon read a condensed version of the SCHOA CCRs, stressing the fact this is not a legal document but rather a simplification of the full document. The need to update the CCRs was again discussed, noting that any changes to the full document would need to be done by an attorney and recorded by Thurston County. The general condition of the perimeter fence was discussed, including who actually owns the fence, the HOA or individual residents. There was some dispute over the matter, but the understanding is that the fence is owned by the HOA. It was also noted that the fence is around 10 years old, and questions were raised about how the neighborhood will address eventual repair or replacement.

• The call for new board members resulted in the following residents committing to the 2024 HOA board: Gordon Baldwin, Chris Regan, Mindy Ewing, Laurie Kirschner, Chick Barcelona and Christine Dean. Nancy, Vicki and Lucy will continue as the Welcoming Committee. The new board will meet within the next two weeks as required in the bylaws.

• Bret Kreier gave a presentation on the Pattison Lake Management District. The PLMD is responsible for the actual management and health of the lake. For example, it monitors the water quality of the lake and how to deal with algae blooms. It has established IAVMP, the Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan, and has applied for grants so taxes and related funding can be obtained to help better manage the quality of the lake. Interested residents are encouraged to visit their website. The email address is: PattisonLMD@gmail.com. He also explained that the Pattison Lake Association is a different group. Information on that group may be found at Pattisonlakeassociation.com.

• The proposed roundabout at Yelm and Spurgeon Creek was discussed. The work is likely 2-4 years out. South Cove will need to be involved in the planning due to the fact that a small portion of South Cove property will be needed to construct the new roundabout.

• The cut through trail was discussed and concerns were raised about people using the trail to access the neighborhood for suspicious reasons, such as staking out the neighborhood. Tracy recounted a recent event in which she confronted someone who exited a truck on Yelm, cut across the trail and was walking through the neighborhood. When she followed him in her car, he quickly left via the trail, got back in the truck and left the area. Residents are advised to be aware of suspicious people in our neighborhood.

• Sherry complained about cars speeding through the neighborhood. Please slow down and observe the speed limit.

• Gordon reported that the proposed new airport that would have affected South Cove is no longer a threat.

• Thanks were offered to Nancy and Brian Muirhead for their work in helping to evict the squatters from land adjacent to South Cove.

• The proposed 2024 Budget was put forth by Chris at the end of the meeting. The proposed budget will be $40,650, which will leave about an $1,800 buffer. Chick raised the issue of the excess amount being held in the budget, mostly in maintenance. Gordon said that will likely be spent down considerably with proposed improvements that are being discussed for the coming year. The matter will be further addressed in upcoming board meetings. A motion was made to accept the 2024 budget, was seconded and was approved. Chris Regan will continue as treasurer.

A movement to adjourn was proposed, seconded and agreed upon. The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mindy Ewing, Secretary, on January 20, 2024