The Minutes
SLE HOA BOARD MEETING
Date: September 10, 2024
Location: Tisha Dore’s Home
Board Members Attending: Gus Ferguson, Rebecca Morales, Lois Tarnowski, Brendan Mills, Tisha Dore
Quorum: YES
Call to Order: 6:00pm
Minutes from the last meeting: Accepted (Motioned by: Lois Tarnowski, Seconded by: Gus Ferguson)
Treasurer’s Report:
Current in checking account: $ 10,071.85
Current in savings account: $ 21,260.47
Current in petty cash account: $ 201.00
Total in bank accounts: $ 31,533.32
12 PROPERTY OWNERS ARE DELINQUENT ON THEIR DUES
(TOTALING OVER $5K):
3 lots owe on multiple years – Liens against their property have been recorded with Kootenai County.
2 lots owe on this and last year – Liens against their property have been recorded with Kootenai County.
7 lot owners owe dues for this year and monthly finance charges will only continue to accumulate.
16 owners representing more than $5K are now current, down from 28 delinquent accounts + nearly $11K, but 12 homes representing $5,450.01 in unpaid dues is still a lot for a small private community.
*** WE DEPEND ON YOUR DUES. PLEASE WORK WITH US TO CATCH UP OR SETUP A PAYMENT PLAN***
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: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
Roads Report: Joe was working late but provided his points in advance. Our Road Crew spoke with Intermax contractors onsite to get the all-clear to start cutting-in gutters in prep for winter in key areas where Intermax said they were done installing conduit. Then, Intermax used those gutters to bury lines, and filled them in flush with the road, leaving us where we started, less the HOA budget paid to our crew.
Gus discussed this issue with the Intermax project manager who was aware of the situation but had not contacted the HOA to address it proactively. He apologized noting that this should not have happened and would never happen again. The project manager went on to confirm that the contractor would work to fix the problem ASAP. He then said that if the repairs to restore the gutters are not done to our satisfaction, Intermax would donate to our Road Fund for our crew to re-do the gutters in those areas.
While Joe hopes Intermax completes the repairs to our satisfaction, he believes we should be ready to act on the donation request in the event our Road Crew needs to step in to finish repairs before winter. The Intermax project is slated for completion by end of Sept or early Oct. So, all agreed, we must continue to follow this closely over the next few weeks. Then we can make a determination, address accordingly.
So far, Gus is encouraged we’re headed in the right direction as the Intermax PM has already followed up to check on the gutter repairs done so far. Gus said that while some were in better shape others were still not yet brought back to our standard. The PM promised the contractor will work to improve those areas.
As a side-note, Gus expressed concern with the PM over the depth of the conduit asking if it was vibrated in at the lowest point of the gutters then covered or was it simply put into the gutters then covered. Gus was assured that they’d reached a minimum depth of 24 inches (in some areas even 36 inches). The PM reaffirmed that Intermax would be responsible if we grade above 24 inches and hit anything later.
Gus noted that this is another reason why the HOA must allow Intermax another chance to complete the gutter repairs, so if there are any depth issues, they’ll likely be uncovered now and by them and while contractors are still onsite—and as ARC Chair, Jon Dore, said—while the conduit is still empty with no potential for damage as the fiber won’t be added until installation of the conduit, vaults + boxes is done.
On the old grader, Gus donated final repairs to put it up for sale. Jon tried a few replacement pins for the engine cover but none fit, so he’s going to modify the existing one. The asking price is $12,999 including snow plow + wing blade. New cutting edges for the old grader purchased before finding the new grader will be added at full asking price. While Joe’s been told the new edges for the old grader are not returnable for cash he’s pursuing a credit to put it towards purchasing new edges for the new grader as an alternative.
While the new grader is already making a big impact and saving us money, reminder from earlier meetings that we still need to outfit the new rig with a chain package with ice cleats, which will be $5,600 with tax.
Please consider donating for above-and-beyond work + new grader accessories that aren’t a part of our existing budget for maintenance + repairs. The new grader is here, so you know your donation will go to good use right now, and not years from now. Even if it’s $20, $40, $50 – IT ADDS UP!
This will help us to get the chain package + continue with the big picture project of crowning our roads.
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 NEW 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 2023 – April 2024 KEC shop rent + $440 for June 2023 partial rent)
$ 6,920.03 from our community ($1,600 since August meeting – THANK YOU SO MUCH!)
$ 47,860.03 TOTAL (PLEASE KEEP CONTRIBUTIONS COMING TO SUPPORT OUR ROAD FUND!)
The board 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: Rebecca Morales
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
ARC Report: There were two inquiries from one lot owner who needed more info on the application process. They’re building a shop, and answers were provided, will send plans once they’re drawn-up. 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: Lois Tarnowski
Motion Seconded by: Rebecca Morales
Newsletter Report:
- Editor & Member at Large, Lois Tarnowski, is coordinating the Fall edition. Content deadline: 9/30.
- Topics: Winter Prep, Plowing Protocol, Timber + Logging, KEC + Intermax Update, Dirt Bike Safety.
- Tisha to draft Snow Plow Protocol article + edit the previous Winter Prep story. She’ll also shorten last year’s Timber article to make room for a quick reminder of logging app process, send to Gus.
- Gus to draft KEC + Intermax update story. Jon + Chance Dore will draft the Dirt Bike Safety article.
- Sandi has some local business contacts who are interested and will work with Lois to place ads. Tisha reaching out to Intermax contact to check on possible advertising in the newsletter + FB.
- 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 is NOW OPEN to businesses beyond SLE. Pricing is different, has been posted.
- 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: Gus Ferguson
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
Timber Report: VP, Gus Ferguson, has nothing to report, and there have been no new logging applications. He continues to remind of fire season. It’s hot + dry for felling trees in prep for winter. So, use chainsaws with caution, stick around to make sure there are no sparks that ignite after cutting, have a fire extinguisher handy, etc. There are A LOT of fallen trees lining the roads of many properties. Haul out fallen trees while you can before winter. If you want to offer up trees for firewood in exchange for someone hauling them away, and clearing them off your property, let us know! Brendan has a church group to help.
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: Lois Tarnowski
Motion Seconded by: Rebecca Morales
Welcome Committee: Tisha shared the info that will go in newbie mailboxes w/ a small donated gift once it cools next week. The Board previously approved the gift ideas, but they got to see the info that will go with it to help folks get acclimated in SLE (local services, reminder of website etc.) for a final thumbs-up. Contact Tisha with questions at welcome@spiritlakeeast.org. If you have yet to register for HOA billing/mailings, fill-out the new resident form: www.spiritlakeeast.org/new-residents
Motion to Accept Welcome Report: Rebecca Morales
Motion Seconded by: Lois Tarnowski
OLD BUSINESS
- Street Signs
o Once it cools down, more 15mph signs from the shop will be installed on existing posts.
o Also, the sign at Blanchard + Hayden that has been tipped-over will soon be re-installed.
o Liberty & CDA sign is missing and a photo was provided post-meeting, HOA to address.
Motion to Accept Old Business: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: Rebecca Morales
NEW BUSINESS
- Signs in SLE
o An issue has been raised about CC&R violations regarding SLE business owners posting signs on their property and around SLE to promote their businesses or side-hustles.
o While we agreed via email prior to the meeting that many work from home now, and the CC&Rs do allow agricultural businesses and even others that are “compatible with the surrounding area” as long as those are approved by ARC, it was concluded that it is the business signs posted around SLE, which are the only true violation of the CC&Rs.
o In an effort to find a solution that will keep signs from continuing to appear around SLE (and encourage folks to remove theirs as well as those placed by their loggers + others), Tisha asked Susie Bratsch, host of www.facebook.com/groups/SLENeighborhood, if SLE biz owners could share in that group IN MODERATION about their businesses FOR FREE as we cannot allow those posts in the HOA group, unless it’s paid ads for the Road Fund.
o Rebecca suggested NextDoor + SLE Bulletin Boards as two additional free options. Please don’t take up the entirety of the bulletin boards. They’ll be refreshed as needed.
o We did not want to enforce the sign rule without offering these three + free alternatives as a work-around so Tisha proposed that SLE Neighborhood serve as the official sister group of our HOA forum on FB, then there are both paid + free options for small business owners to promote their businesses in a more effective + compliant way.
o If you have a sign above a business that CC&Rs have made allowances for such as an agricultural business or produce stand, for examples, let it be discreet, singular, and only on your property, and not posted all around your property or on neighboring properties.
o Have a biz that may fall under “compatible with the area”? Email arc@spiritlakeeast.org.
- KEC + Intermax Projects
o KEC is burying the powerlines underground + Intermax is installing fiber Internet.
o Intermax filled in our new gutters, we’re working with them to fix (see Roads Report).
- IDT To Upgrade Entrances
o No updates: IDT’s upcoming 54 project (TBD over the next year), will include repairing the SLE entrances + getting them up to code + new permitting (at no cost) now in place.
- Gem State Water – NEW METERS ARE BEING INSTALLED ON SLE HOMES STARTING THIS WEEK – BRIEF WATER INTERRUPTION MAY OCCUR, BUT IT SHOULD BE QUICK. THANKS FOR NOTING!
Motion to Accept New Business: Rebecca Morales
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
- Motion to adjourn by: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: Tisha Dore
- Meeting was adjourned at: 7pm
