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PINE BROOK HILLS HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
GENERAL MEETING
JULY 26, 2011
The Tuesday, July 26th,
2011 general membership meeting of the Pine Brook Hills Homeowners’
Association was held at the Community Center, Station One.
The 7:00 pm meeting was preceded by a celebration of
Suzanne and Bart Adams as they prepare to sell their Pine Brook home and
relocate out of state. Suzanne has been a longstanding volunteer and
contributor to the Association for many years. Those present offered
recollections and reminiscences of Suzanne in her many activities. Bill
Alexander presented Suzanne with a gift from her Pine Brook Hills neighbors
and a celebratory cake which was enjoyed by all in attendance.
At approximately 7:15pm, Bill asked that new residents
attending the HOA meeting for the first time introduce themselves. Two
attendees did so.
The business meeting was called to order by President
Bill Alexander at approximately 7:20 pm. In attendance were Vice President
Dave Davies, Treasurer Terry O’Brien, Secretary Tom Mann and
Member-at-Large Suzanne Adams.
Adoption of Minutes of Previous Membership Meeting
A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to
adopt the minutes of the previous general membership meeting of April 19th.
Treasurer’s Report
Terry O’Brien distributed a handout detailing the
financial status of the Association as of June 30, 2011. Actual revenue
collected was $24,384 compared with actual expenditures of $10,715. At the
end of June a positive variance of $13,669 was reported. A checking account
balance of $27,536 coupled with a savings balance of $35,567 yielded a total
in cash and reserves of $63,103.
Fire Chief’s Report
Chief John Benson reported that the department was kept
very busy to date with fire mitigation and flood control issues. He also
indicated that bikers should exercise extreme care in negotiating the
subdivision’s roads. Not only is the condition of some of the roadways
suspect but bikers often use excessive speed in traveling down Linden and
other roads.
Water Manager’s Report
Water Department manager Bob deHaas discussed the
current condition of water in the subdivision, emphasizing the quality of
water supported by numerous water tests conducted by the Water Department.
Roads Committee Report
Co-chair Cindy Lindsay, supported by a slide show and
graphics, reviewed the history of the subdivision’s road maintenance
program. She emphasized that the Boulder County Commissioners have recently
affirmed their intent to fund maintenance on county arterial and main
roadways primarily. County subdivisions such as Pine Brook Hills will
receive few funds to repair and maintain their roadway system.
She stated that 81% of the county’s active voters not
only don’t live in subdivisions, but also pay for their own local roads
through their own town taxes – not through their county property taxes. Of
the county-maintained roads, 30% of the total length is in subdivisions with
only 10% of the county’s active voters.
Subdivisions pay approximately $12.00 per year per
household for road maintenance. The condition of roads in this and other
subdivisions continues to deteriorate.
Options:
The options presented were:
(1)
Do nothing. Roads will continue to deteriorate.
(2)
Attack the problem politically, compelling the county commissioners,
legally or otherwise, to fund the repair of subdivision streets. Difficult
since the 10% of subdivision voters will likely be outvoted by the 81% of
voters that already have to pay extra through their towns to maintain their
local roads. That 81% likely wouldn’t like part of their taxes paying for
subdivision roads.
(3)
Fix the problem by establishing within the subdivision a local
improvement district (LID) or public improvement district (PID).
To repair all PBH roads the cost is estimated to
require an annual payment from each of the 421 residents of $350. for 20
years. The LID would be the vehicle for this strategy.
It was noted that as opposed to the LID, the PID would
base the annual household contribution upon each property’s mill levy. The
PID would have no end date but would continue indefinitely. The tax paid,
however, would be a tax write-off for each subdivision homeowner.
Cindy stated that the Committee’s recommendation was
to select the third option as the most viable. A period of extended
discussion followed the presentation. Mike Thomas, the Boulder County Road
Representative, fielded many of the questions from the numerous residents in
attendance. Following this extended discussion a straw poll was taken of
those present during which the vast majority indicated their preference for
option 3. Cindy concluded by indicating that her committee with the
assistance of others would be preparing a questionnaire to be sent to each
PBH homeowner asking for their preference in funding maintenance and repair
of the roads in our subdivision on a long term basis.
Proposed Mitigation Plan, PBH
Bill Alexander suggested that the subdivision will be
well served by adopting a long term mitigation plan and recommended that the
Anchor Point Study be considered. This study prioritizes the areas in the
subdivision with the greatest fire risk. Bill recommended that the monies
budgeted each year for mitigation be directed to those high risk areas.
$15,000 was budgeted for mitigation for calendar year 2011. Following Bill’s
recommendation, the suggestion was made that rather than HOA budget funds
being directed to these high risk areas, the funds be used as matching
grants to encourage participation on the part of homeowners in those areas.
This recommendation was met with considerable support. Further
consideration will be necessary before this measure will be considered for
adoption.
Motion to Adjourn
At 9:10 pm, a motion to adjourn was offered, seconded
and approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Mann
Secretary |
