The meeting of the Topkie Home Owners' Association took place at the home of Carol Welsh.
Those attending were:
Carol Welsh
Carol Wyant and Craig McGrath
Gary Dorer
Bob and Donna Berry
LoRee Parker
Phillip and Grace McKee
Carole and John Sheffield
The meeting was called to order at 3:20 p.m. Carol Welsh and LoRee reported to the group regarding the health of Betty Martin and Horacio Shakespear.
The minutes were distributed, discussed and approved. The association name has been changed in the minutes from “Homeowners' Association” to “Property Owners' Association” to more accurately reflect the title used in our CCRs; this title shall be used forthwith.
The secretary was asked to forward a copy of the CCRs to all members who want them.
Treasurer's Report: As of December 9, 2007, our account totals $6789 plus $50 that was remitted on this day for a total of $6839. Dues for the current year were payable as of the meeting date, December 8, 2007. Gary Dorer moved and Carole Sheffield seconded a motion to approve the treasurer's report.
Cleanup of islands, common areas: Carol Wyant asked if we had received plans for the front entrance from Design Group. It was explained that the plan was rejected by the Association because it failed to take into consideration that the boundaries of Loma Topkie's entrance sign are already outside our legal perimeter and boarders on City property. We had also not been able to come to agreement regarding billing for electricity for new lighting and irrigation water and felt that, until we have a feasible plan we will not move in that direction.
Carol then moved that we authorize up to $1000 for clean up of the common areas, seconded by Phillip.
The garage sale took place in October with three households participating.
Carol Wyant voiced appreciation of John Sheffield's accomplishment in helping the City win a grant for the installation of a solar-powered interactive speed sign up Dry Creek Road from Topkie Drive. Residents already notice a positive calming effect on traffic.
John suggested that we continue to pay at the current rate of $50 per annum. While some residents questioned what we will do with the dollars accruing in the bank, it was generally recognized that having such a back up could be useful in case of a law suit or the need for a general expenditure for the well-being of the neighborhood, i.e., road improvement, etc.
All residents acknowledge the value of the trees on our properties and want to protect them from further disease or possibly death. Therefore it was unanimously decided to have a tree service come out to look at all trees on all of our properties for an assessment of their health and what may or may not be done to protect them in the future. We require a written report to all property owners, at which point any further action, remediation, etc., will be the sole decision of each property owner. The president and vice president will make the decision as to who will do the assessment: the association is allowing up to $2000 for this service.
John Sheffield and Gary Dorer will assess the erosion problem along Topkie Drive and decide whether we need to add more river rock or not. It was suggested that we remove excess stones from the upper side of the road and use them to combat erosion on the down side.
Since inception of Loma Topkie, a utility easement has been in place between the Welsh and Berry properties. There is some concern about the City using that easement to connect Topkie Drive to the Kachina neighborhood. Likewise, there's an easement between the McKee's and the Berry's, but there is little chance on the City making use of it.
LoRee Parker resigned her position on the Property Owner's Architectural Committee effective immediately. We thank LoRee for her past efforts on all our parts in keeping our neighborhood esthetically pleasing and helping retain our property values!
The group voted to retain the current committee
John made a motion to find replacements on the architectural committee for Horacio and LoRee. The reformed committee will review the current CCRs and make suggestions for up-dating them in consideration of new technologies and global climate change, i.e., solar panels on roofs, clothes lines, etc. John and Phillip were then assigned to perform the review and make recommendations to the association.
Donna Berry moved and Gary Dorer seconded to adjourn.