The Minutes
SLE HOA BOARD MEETING
Date: June 11, 2024
Location: Tisha Dore’s Home
Board Members in Attendance: John O’Neil, Gus Ferguson, Rebecca Morales, Lois Tarnowski, Brendan Mills, Sandi Nichols and Tisha Dore
Quorum: YES
Call to Order: 6:03pm
Minutes from the last meeting: Accepted (Motioned by: Gus Ferguson Seconded by: Rebecca Morales)
Roles: After an election, it’s customary to vote on who will serve in each role. Member, Rebecca Morales, said it may be easier to ask if those who served previously are willing to continue serving in the same roles and then ask if that’s ok with everyone. All agreed and Sandi is good to start as a Member at Large. Roles:
President – John O’Neil
Vice President – Gus Ferguson
Treasurer – Rebecca Morales
Secretary – Tisha Dore
Members at Large – Brendan Mills, Sandi Nichols, Lois Tarnowski
Treasurer’s Report:
Current in checking account: $ 5,899.06
Current in savings account: $ 21,115.37
Current in petty cash account: $ 201.00
Total in bank accounts: $ 27,215.43
21 PROPERTY OWNERS ARE DELINQUENT ON THEIR DUES (TOTALING NEARLY $9K):
3 lots owe on multiple years – demand letters sent certified mail on 5/10 + liens to be placed on 6/30.
5 lots owe on this and last year – demand letters sent certified mail on 5/10 + liens to be placed on 6/30.
13 lot owners owe dues for this year and monthly finance charges will only continue to accumulate.
Three certified letters were returned unclaimed and now additional efforts + related fees will be applied
Since last month, seven homeowners representing almost $2K have been brought current, so we’re down from 28 delinquent accounts representing nearly $11k, but 21 is still a lot for a private community.
*** PLEASE WORK WITH US TO CATCH UP ON YOUR DUES NOW OR SETUP A PAYMENT PLAN ASAP ***
WE DON’T WANT TO POST NAMES OR PLACE LIENS, IT’S COSTLY, SO WE’LL BE ADDING IT TO YOUR BILL.
Behind on your dues? Send payment ASAP or contact Rebecca Morales, at treasurer@spiritlakeeast.org. For more info on payments + donations (mailing address + PayPal): www.spiritlakeeast.org/payordonate
Motion to accept Treasurer Report by: Sandi Nichols
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
Roads Report: Our Roads Chair, Joe Sandbank, is out sick but provided info in advance. Get well soon, Joe!
Our new grader is already making an impact. Over the last month, grading has been done in key areas including St. Joe, Liberty, CDA, and even the stretch to Treeport.
We’ll continue with our big-picture project of rebuilding the crown in the roads as weather + funds allow. Some have asked isn’t all grading in the budget. No. Dues are extremely low in SLE and still an incredible amount of work is done each year in our community from grading to plowing, sanding, signs, and more. This is thanks to the negotiation of discounted rates and a ton of donated time + volunteers involved.
In terms of the roads, dues have only ever covered repairs + maintenance NOT IMPROVEMENTS. Our aim is to improve the roads including rebuilding the crown. This is a big project with over 60 lane miles of road.
Affording this means that DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS MUST BE BROUGHT CURRENT. We’re also putting the old grader up for sale once very minimal repairs are donated to post it. WE ALSO ASK FOR YOUR HELP.
Now that our new grader is here, and you know your investment will benefit SLE TODAY, we hope you’ll contribute to not only be a part of covering the cost of this historic purchase, but to keep the road base coming so that we can start IMPROVING our roads rather than just patching them up.
Want to make a big impact? Donate $500 for a truck load of base (this includes the base + fuel + wages), and designate where you want your road base donation to be distributed. A check is best (no fees):
SLE HOA – P.O. Box 217
Spirit Lake, ID 83869
*Memo: Road Fund
FUNDS RAISED & PUT TOWARDS GRADER + ROAD FUND SO FAR:
$23,000 from sale of dump truck
$ 5,500 from unused shop equipment sale
$12,440 ($1,200/mo for July-April KEC shop rent + $440 for June partial rent)
$ 4,470.03 from donations (including $500 donation in June from a single homeowner – THANK YOU!)
$ 45,410.03 TOTAL (PLEASE KEEP DONATIONS COMING TO SUPPORT OUR ROAD FUND!)
Want to oil your roads? Gus said be sure that KEC’s contractors will not be burying lines by you first. Given the lead times of Lyman’s + other companies, this will be challenging to coordinate around KEC this year.
Speaking of KEC, Joe is unhappy with the level of damage to our freshly-graded roads by their contractors. While temporary upheaval was expected particularly in this phase when the cables are being installed, and we’ve been assured all will be repaired before the job is done, Joe says the damage is even more extensive than expected. Gus says the contractor and KEC are aware of our frustration and have promised all will be restored including fresh base compacted by a roller before they’re done. Gus will stay on it.
Also, Joe reminds to SLOW DOWN. It damages the roads + costs us money. It’s dusty this time of year. Going over 15mph kicks-up more dust. Leave early, mind your dust, and tell to your kids to slow down.
Email Q’s to roads@spiritlakeeast.org. For roads form for reporting issues: www.spiritlakeeast.org/roads
Motion to Accept the Roads Report: Lois Tarnowski
Motion Seconded by: Sandi Nichols
ARC Report: Jon has fielded questions about builds + set-backs but nothing needs approvals at this point. Gus also took a series of calls (on HOA phone) from a realtor about building in SLE. If you have building plans or questions, email ARC Chair, Jon Dore, at arc@spiritlakeeast.org. Learn about building in SLE + find the Architectural Form for approvals here: www.spiritlakeeast.org/building-info
Motion to accept ARC Report by: Rebecca Morales
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
Newsletter Report:
- Editor & Member at Large, Lois Tarnowski, says Summer content is due by July 10th.
- 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!
- Advertising will soon open to businesses beyond SLE. Pricing will be different, posted soon.
- Sandi has some local business contacts who are interested and will work with Lois to place ads.
- Also, if you’ve provided an email address, you can always find the quarterly newsletter in your email inbox (or junk). If you haven’t given an email address, you’ll get it in the mail.
- Homeowners: To cut costs + save time, please send us an email address so that we can reduce the amount of people who need a hardcopy newsletter mailed to them. To provide your email for this (or update your email address) contact: secretary@spiritlakeeast.org.
Motion to accept Newsletter Report by: Tisha Dore
Motion Seconded by: Sandi Nichols
Timber Report: VP, Gus Ferguson, noted that a logging form has been approved. Tisha continues to check the form responses each week as the forwarding app is not working. Gus also reminded of fire season prep and the hand-out from the Fire Chief distributed at the May meeting is posted online.
Send timber/logging questions to: timber@spiritlakeeast.org. For links to the Commercial Logging + Timber Exemption Forms, visit: www.spiritlakeeast.org/timber
Motion to accept Timber Report by: Rebecca Morales
Motion Seconded by: Lois Tarnowski
Welcome Committee: The new program starts next week! This will include some fun seasonal gift packs that are being donated and will be dropped-off in mailboxes (if possible) with the help of volunteers. Contact Tisha with questions at welcome@spiritlakeeast.org. Newbies who have yet to register for HOA billing/mailings, please fill-out the new resident form: www.spiritlakeeast.org/new-residents
Motion to Accept Welcome Report: Gus Ferguson
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
OLD BUSINESS
- Street Signs
o We have extra 15mph signs in the shop and Gus + Jon will put them up on existing posts.
o Also, the sign at Blanchard + Hayden that has been tipped-over will soon be re-installed.
Motion to Accept Old Business: Lois Tarnowski
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
NEW BUSINESS
- Intermax
o After 18+ months of talks + terms negotiated, the grant is here + we’re moving forward.
o Contracts (approved w/ board edits/feedback + signed by VP/Pres) scanned + emailed.
o This grant-funded project is on track to begin soon. Any roads impacted will be repaired.
o Gus has and will continue to run point on this and will keep us up-to-date on the project.
- IDT to upgrade entrances
o They have an upcoming project on the 54 so they will redo the entrances and get them up to code and then permit them (at no cost). Timing is to be determined.
o There are no updates on this. It’ll likely happen around the same time as the 54 work.
Motion to Accept New Business: Sandi Nichols
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
- Motion to adjourn by: Gus Ferguson
Motion Seconded by: Rebecca Morales
- Meeting was adjourned at: 6:37pm
