Meeting Minutes, April 2025
Hello, and Happy Friday, Spirit Lake East. Below are the minutes from the HOA board meeting April 2025. As always, you can also find the minutes on our website including printable versions at the bottom of each using the link below. Have a great weekend!
www.spiritlakeeast.org/the-minutes
The Minutes
SLE HOA BOARD MEETING
Date: April 9, 2025
Location: Cup of Grace
Board Members Attending: David Petersen, Gus Ferguson, Rebecca Morales, Brendan Mills, James Stover and Tisha Dore
Quorum: YES
Call to Order: 6:07pm
Minutes from the last meeting: Accepted (Motioned by: Tisha Dore, Seconded by: Gus Ferguson)
Board Membership Update: Rebecca has purchased a home in our neighboring community of Treeport. She and husband, Angel, plan to put their SLE home on the market soon, so this will be her last meeting. As discussed in advance, Brendan Mills will take over as Treasurer, and Rebecca will get him up to speed. Brendan and Rebecca live close to each other (and even her new home is close to Brendan’s) so they have agreed it would be easy to collaborate on the transition, and Rebecca is happy to help as long as needed.
Rebecca has also introduced the Board to SLE Homeowner, Bryan Pettit, who is in attendance tonight and has the votes to fill the empty spot once Rebecca delivers her last Treasurer Report. The Board would like to take a moment to recognize Rebecca’s dedicated service to our community in a time-intensive role. THANK YOU, Rebecca, for all of your hard work and organizing everything so beautifully for hand-off. We’re glad to know you’ll remain our neighbor + appreciate your help through transition with Brendan.
Treasurer’s Report:
Current in checking account: $ 27,777.64
Current in savings account: $ 21,558.37
Current in petty cash account: $ 201.00
Total in bank accounts: $ 49,537.01
Sixty-eight (68) homeowners haven’t yet paid 2025 dues, down from ninety-seven (97) last month. Hardcopy reminders have been mailed to all 68 HOA members who are delinquent following reminders posted on social media (Facebook Public Page, FB Private Group, NextDoor + HOA website) and reminders emailed on Mar 7th after invoices initially emailed on Jan 1st (if address on-file) or hardcopy mailed Jan 1st, if no email. Hardcopies mailed to the 68 still owing offers to waive all finance charges if paid by April 30th.
*** WE DEPEND ON YOUR DUES, ESPECIALLY FOR ROAD WORK, AND TIME-CRITICAL SPRING CLEANUP.
PLEASE WORK WITH US TO CATCH UP ON YOUR DUES OR SETUP A PAYMENT PLAN ***
4 PROPERTY OWNERS have liens on their properties, don’t become another!
3 lots owe on multiple years – Liens against their property have been recorded with Kootenai County.
1 lot owes on 2023 and 2024 – Lien against their property has been recorded with Kootenai County.
The 2024 audit process continues and questions from homeowner and long-time auditor, Trudy Shrigley, have been fielded by VP, Treasurer and Road Chair, as needed to complete the process. Thank you, Trudy!
One issue brought up during the audit is that some homeowners are not paying the 3% extra to cover the fee charged on dues payments made through PayPal despite reminders of charges our community incurs. Rebecca suggested Clover. If it works with Quickbooks, we could save on fees, retire PayPal + she’ll help.
Another issue raised in the audit is the signing of Road Crew timesheets. Road Chair, Jon Dore, reminds that all work before and after his appointment (including estimated equipment time + project expenses) is pre-approved by the Board. Then, work is assigned, crews are met, work is checked once done, and two board members sign each check. That said, Jon has offered to also sign timeslips as another layer of confirmation and previous ones from already approved + completed work for historical record, if needed.
Behind on your dues? Send payment ASAP or contact our Treasurer at treasurer@spiritlakeeast.org. For more info on payments + donations (mailing address + PayPal): www.spiritlakeeast.org/payordonate
Motion to accept Treasurer Report by: Gus Ferguson Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
NEW BOARD MEMBER VOTE: David noted that we have in attendance a highly qualified candidate to take over Rebecca’s soon-to-be-vacant seat, and has the support + votes to join the Board immediately tonight. David asked if Rebecca would like to make her resignation official so the Board could vote on the candidate she introduced with her endorsement. Rebecca said yes, and stepped down with a light-hearted, I QUIT.
David thanked Rebecca on behalf of the Board once more, then asked if anyone wanted to motion to appoint candidate, Bryan Pettit, to the Board. Tisha motioned, and then Gus Ferguson seconded, and Bryan was unanimously voted onto the Board, and agreed to join us as Member at Large.
Bryan and his wife, Deanna, have lived in SLE since 2021. As a retired electrician with extensive expertise in electrical, mechanical and road + underground work and trenching, Bryan is a capable guy who enjoys helping his neighbors like plowing the driveways of those who aren’t up to it anymore. Through his church, he serves our community as part of the highway trash pickup program + participates in retreats for at-risk military veterans. Bryan also brings to the Board a solid, much-needed sense of humor. Welcome, Bryan!
Roads Report: Early phase spring cleanup of the most in-need areas continued with more GRADING ONLY:
· Wed, Mar 26th – S. Hayden, Liberty, St. Joe, and CDA
· Sat, Mar 29th – Tahoe, Newman, and remaining hot spots on CDA
· MORE RAIN CAME, SO WE HAD TO WAIT ON ADDITIONAL GRADING
· Sat, April 6th – Hayden, Kelso, Liberty, Spirit + Main Entrances (CDA and St. Joe)
Maintenance: Edges were worn-out after previously-mentioned full days of grading. Jon discussed with Lead Operator, Joe, and they agreed we needed new edges. Placed order of generic edges to save money so we can order more frequently at same cost. Picked up two sets edges + bolts ($1K) on Mon, April 7th, installed first set on Tues, April 8th, donating all time in prep for the first of two pre-approved rock projects:
Rock Distribution Project: Completed today, Wed, April 9th, addressing most critically in-need areas of Liberty, St. Joe and CDA. The grader was out all day at no extra charge beyond trucking + rock + fuel.
The next rock distribution project will take place soon and address other high-priority areas that do not have enough rock. Other areas that already have enough rock from last year will be graded only. The entrances through Treeport (on the back of CDA and off of Sand Creek) will be graded soon as well.
Thanks for your patience as we move through the strategic phases of spring cleanup. As mentioned in an earlier social media report (for those who don’t follow those feeds): This is a process, and it’s North Idaho, and living off of unpaved roads takes grit. Thanks for your ongoing patience and understanding.
We’ll keep everyone posted on our continued progress.
We’re still working on a roller. It’s going to take a little more time as it will require generously-donated hours and materials during a busy season for all. We’ll incorporate it as soon as we can.
Also, Jon and our Lead Operator, Joe, are already coordinating on the upcoming IDT Highway 54 project. Jon held call with IDT and has confirmed drainage will be a part of the upgrade. The Road Crew is already coordinating on the upcoming tie-in of our roads with the new entrances to take place in June.
IMPORTANT: Abandoned vehicles are towed within 24hrs. If derelict with no confirmed connection to SLE, they’ll be towed faster for the safety of our community + homeowners. If you live here and break down, LEAVE A NOTE on the inside of the windshield and email roads@spiritlakeeast.org to let us know about it. We won’t tow your vehicle if we know that you’ll be removing it within 24 hrs. But it must be within 24hrs.
** IF NO CONNECTION TO SLE, WE TOW ASAP, IF THERE’S A NOTE & EMAIL TO US, YOU HAVE 24HRS **
We continue to invite donations for above-and-beyond items like materials for our roller project as renting is cost prohibitive, not long-term thinking. We want to use one for road maintenance especially now that we’re investing in higher-quality granite on our roads. WE COULD USE YOUR HELP. As you’re sending in 2025 dues, please consider making a donation: P.O. Box 217, Spirit Lake, ID 83869 *Memo: Road Fund
Email Q’s to roads@spiritlakeeast.org. For roads form for reporting issues: www.spiritlakeeast.org/roads
Motion to Accept the Roads Report: Gus Ferguson Motion Seconded by: Bryan Pettit
ARC Report: Committee members fielded additional homeowner questions re: county regulations. Planning a build? Email arc@spiritlakeeast.org. Form for approvals: www.spiritlakeeast.org/building-info
Motion to accept ARC Report by: Brendan Mills Motion Seconded by: James Stover
Newsletter Report:
- Spring issue deadline 4/15: checking on road cleanup, logging, election and gardening articles.
- Newsletters + SLE business ad info can be found at: www.spiritlakeeast.org/newsletters
- Proceeds from advertising in the newsletter + Facebook group go to our Road Fund!
- Homeowners: To cut costs + save time, please send us an email address so that we can reduce the amount of folks who need a hardcopy mailed to them: secretary@spiritlakeeast.org.
Motion to accept Newsletter Report by: James Stover Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
Timber Report: Spoke with two homeowners and provided approvals on thinning trees for fire season. Also fielded questions re: timber exemption. With spring, property cleanup is a priority, especially near the roads, and other areas in prep for fire season this summer. Contact VP, Gus Ferguson, with questions: timber@spiritlakeeast.org. Links to Logging + Timber Exemption Forms: www.spiritlakeeast.org/timber
Motion to accept Timber Report by: Brendan Mills Motion Seconded by: Bryan Pettit
Welcome Committee: If you have yet to register for HOA billing/mailings, use this link: www.spiritlakeeast.org/new-residents. New? Have Q’s? Email Tisha Dore at welcome@spiritlakeeast.org.
Motion to Accept Welcome Report: James Stover Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
OLD BUSINESS
- Street Signs
o Signs (CDA, Liberty, 15mph) installed – THANK YOU, BRENDAN.
o Also removed the old bus signs within the community, left posts, if needed.
o The theft issue has been addressed, we’ll leave it at that for security reasons.
Motion to Accept Old Business: Gus Ferguson
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
NEW BUSINESS
- Gem State Water
o Our HOA has no say in bill increases. Call ID Public Utilities: 208-334-0300.
- KEC Project
o Crew removing last of the old poles after all power transferred underground.
o Please watch out and be careful around their trucks. We want to keep everyone safe!
- Intermax Project
o Roll-out continues at no charge for trenching no matter how long your driveway.
o There are tiered service offerings starting at just over $80, $100 and $130 per month.
o Call 208-676-0471 or visit intermaxnetworks.com/fiber to get in the queue!
- Board Elections
o Nominations closed, qualified nominees emailed with invite to accept/decline w/ 100-word limit blurb, by 12pm, Fri, April 11th. Elections in May 2025, more to come.
- IDT To Upgrade Entrances
o IDT’s Hwy 54 project is on, CDA/St. Joe entrances to be addressed in June, and we’ll be ready in May (including Treeport entrance prep) in case they’re ahead of schedule.
o Per Road Report, Jon Dore prepping w/ Joe for entrance tie-in, in contact with IDT.
Motion to Accept New Business: Gus Ferguson
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
- Motion to adjourn by: David Petersen
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
- Meeting was adjourned at: 7:00pm
