SCHOA BOARD MEETING MINUTES

APRIL 11, 2023

Present: Gordon Baldwin, Lori Buma, Mindy Ewing, Laurie Kirschner, Paul Martin, Nancy Muirhead, Chris Regan (via Zoom), David Hamilton

• It was agreed the addition of a SCHOA website, designed by Gordon, would be beneficial in communicating with HOA members. Gordon stated the cost of maintaining the site would be $10 to $15 a month. He provided a sample of what the website would look like. The question of whether to launch the website will be addressed in the upcoming survey, once it is finalized by Chris and Gordon, which will be going out to all neighbors.

• Boat rack – the possible need for a boat committee was discussed to maintain the rack and assure all boats are in compliance with the rules set forth in the CC&Rs. It was determined that a notification should be sent to neighbors to identify their boat(s) on the rack by Lot number and by location, with a possible deadline for compliance if people are slow to respond. That deadline would be set at the next board meeting. The notification could be sent via the website. Any boats not claimed or identified would be removed. The general clutter and unsightly appearance around the lake front was also discussed, with the possible removal of the grill and the child’s picnic table. Gordon stated he could use his trailer to take items to the dump, if needed.

• Paul has priced the lumber necessary to fix the section of the dock closest to the shore. The boards are deteriorating and could be a safety hazard. Trex is not available in the color that would match the farther section of the dock, so treated lumber will likely be used instead at a cost of $11.48 + tax per board (~ $150.00). Paul and John Ewing will be responsible for getting the materials, and a work party will be organized to handle the job. David raised the question of whether the underlying support structure is also in need of replacement – putting new dock material on top of an unsound support structure would not be safe nor sufficient for long-term maintenance. Paul will pry up some of the existing boards to try to determine if the supports are in good enough shape to last another few years. If so, the work will proceed. If the structure is determined to be unsafe, the underlying support structure may have to be replaced by a professional at a considerably higher cost.

• CC&Rs – the question of whether any updates need to be made will be addressed by all neighbors, with David providing a PDF of the current rules which Gordon can then send to all HOA members. People will be able to comment or make suggestions via the website.

• Budget report - 2^nd quarter dues are currently being collected. The process is going smoothly. There have been no large charges to report. Water usage is low right now, but will increase in summer. Charges will also increase once neighborhood work projects begin. There has been an increase in the fees for the landscaping crew, but they remain within budget. The question was raised as to the meaning of “biweekly” in the landscaping contract – twice a week or every two weeks. Laurie will check for clarification.

• A brief update on Stop the Airport was given by Nancy. This past January, the group filed a complaint alleging wrong-doing by CACC. It is alleged they violated state law when naming the green field sites by ignoring JBLM, ecology laws, and the rights of the Nisqually tribe. Legislative Bill 1791, at the time of the meeting, had passed the House and was in the Senate. (Update: the bill passed the Senate the day following the board meeting.)

• Nancy also gave an update on the Welcoming Committee. The plan is to put a flier in the mailbox of any new members with an invitation to meet with the committee to learn about opportunities and general information regarding South Cove. Two families have had the pleasure of a friendly greeting by the Welcoming Committee. Chris is working on a system to receive information about new residents, which he will be able to pass along to the committee.

• The repair of the mailbox kiosks was discussed. Three are in definite need of total roof replacements, but all will be replaced to keep the look consistent. A work party will be assembled to do the repairs. Paul will look into options for materials. It was suggested that a composite material be used as opposed to the wood shingles.

• Nancy gave an update on the squatters that have taken over a double wide just past the South Cove boundary, to the east of the Muirheads’ property, on land owned by Brett Trowbridge. The squatters are reported to be armed felons, and have tried breaking into a property (not a SC property), and ride along the boundary line on quad ATVs. The squatters say they were given permission to use the trailer, though Mr. Trowbridge denies this claim. Nancy and Chris will speak with Mr. Trowbridge’s attorney by phone consultation on Thursday, April 13, to determine if there are any legal means to remove the squatters from the property. They are deemed to be a danger to the area, as they are armed.

• Nancy says she has a mole removal person who could possibly take over any mole problems once the Bumas have moved.

• The light on 68^th is still not working. Hun was supposed to check into getting it fixed, but as of this meeting, the status of the repair work is not known. The company which used to take down the lights for repair no longer provides that service.

• The fencing along the lakefront has proven to be successful in keeping geese off the common area. The current fence will need to be replaced with a more permanent fixture. A 3 foot high wrought iron fence would run approximately $1,000. There would be a new gate across the dock, and a fence section that would swing open to allow people to get their boats to the water.

• Gordon will handle the self-reporting of the pond inspection.

• Paul will investigate the best way to remove blackberry brambles from the barberry bushes along the fence line around the south side of the pond.

• Work parties for four different projects will need to be formed: mailbox repair; dock repair; fence replacement; blackberry removal. An email could be sent to HOA members asking for volunteers for the work and for support, such as food/drinks for the workers.

The next board meeting will take place June 6, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Laurie Kirschner, 8025 68^th Ave. Plans for a neighborhood-wide July 4^th party on the commons will be discussed at that time.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mindy Ewing, Secretary, on April 13, 2023.