In spite of the golf course arbitrarily forcing a last minute change of venue from the Morgan Creek Pavilion to Sierra View Country Club we experienced a fantastic turnout for the annual meeting Tuesday night, November 19. This included presentations by the board, the homeowners forum, nominations for two board seats and, of course, refreshments.
Highlights of the meeting were:
The welcome committee is staffed and underway with visits and welcome packages given to new residents.
Speeding: Three new radar photo units have been purchased. They will begin taking photos of speeders and fines will be assessed. This should greatly enhance community safety. It was pointed out that in a survey, the majority of people observed speeding were residents, not guests.
High resolution cameras are planned for installation at all entrances which should enhance security.
No new activity on the golf course relationship was reported. It is still hoped that we can achieve a win-win. However, it was emphasized that we are prepared to address any eventuality should the need arise.
A contractor has been selected and work on the greeters cottages should commence shortly. Major updates oinclude: Moving the keypad at the Vineyard gate to the lane nearest the cottage and creating a more direct drive through for residents. Creating a small office at the Walerga gate which will be staffed full time by our Associa representative and assistant.
Again, we are disappointed by a lack of financial highlights presented. However, the treasurer, Mike McKenna has promised to provide the BLOG with some useful high level data. We are anxious to improve transparency and will publish it as soon as received.
Nominations were open for the two board seats. The incumbents, Deb McSherry and Walt Tibet, both gave short qualification speeches. A third candidate, Michael Baker, did not attend. There were no further nominations from the floor.
All in all we had one of the most successful annual meetings in recent history. The attitudes and turnout suggests the community is continuing to come together in a very positive way. Thanks to all who organized it and attended.
How was it one of the most successful meeting?
Does not seem like anything was accomplished.
Other than nominations, nothing ever gets “accomplished” at the annual meeting. What made this one special was the large turnout in spite of the last minute change in venue forcing people to drive some distance, as well as the announcement of many new initiatives designed to bring the community together. It was not acrimonious. The vibes were POSITIVE.
Here are my observations about several of the planned actions the Board is taking on the following items:
Speeding fines: I acknowledge that speeding is a problem in some areas in Morgan Creek as is the failure to obey stop signs. However, I question the Board’s current power to assess fines to speeders. There is nothing in our CC&R’s or Rules that empowers the Board to assess these fines. To my knowledge the Board has not amended our CC&R’s nor did they adopt a new rule to enable this type of fine to be assessed. There has also NOT been a formal notification given to EACH homeowner that these fines will be assessed, how they will be enforced, when they will start, etc. I believe this type of new fine would require an “official” mailed notification to each Homeowner and Tenant on record. Notification by announcement at a Board Meeting and notification on Town Square and Next Door would not be sufficient. Also, fines could not be assessed to visitors, delivery drivers, day workers, etc. This is a fairness and equity issue.
Installation of high-resolution cameras at all entrances: It is my understanding that high-resolution cameras were already installed as a component of the gate installation project?
Relocate the keypad at the Vineyard entrance to the lane nearest the cottage for a more direct drive through for residents: After much discussion and consideration, the current location of this keypad was approved by the Placer County and the Placer Fire Department as a component of the gate installation project. The relocation of this keypad will require the approval of Placer County and the Placer Fire Department IN WRITING. During the gate installation project, bids were received for the relocation of the keypad and they were expensive. How much is this project costing all of us? Has anyone officially requested the relocation of the keypad and secured an official quote for this project??
All of the cottages will be renovated including the relocation of the Vinyard entrance keypad. How much will this project cost the homeowners? Are there sufficient funds in the 5% project section of our HOA budget to complete this renovation project within the restricted legal expenditures?
If so, why are these costs not being shared with all homeowners – it’s coming from our homeowner assessments?
New dedicated assistant for Morgan Creek: How much has the cost of this assistant added to our Associa Contract? Another valid reason our Management contract should go out for a RFP.
Is anyone else concerned about all of this? Where are our official notifications? Where is the disclosure of project costs? Where is the transparency? A post on Town Square and an announcement at a Board meeting without details is just not sufficient.