HOA Board Meeting Minutes – Dec 4, 2013
The Crossings Homeowners Association
https://www.thecrossingsneighborhood.com
Board Meeting
Date: December 4, 2013 at 7:00pm
Location: Curran Residence
The meeting began promptly at 7:00 PM at the Curran residence. The following board members were present: Jack Curran; Brian Kile; Chuck Kraynik; Jim Lacey; Ray Speicher; and Kevin Sullivan. Work obligations prevented Chris Bogdon from attending.
No Crossings residents were present for the open floor portion of the meeting.
The minutes of the November 13, 2013 meeting were read and approved.
Treasurer's Report
As of December 4, 2013:
Savings Account balance - $5,722.63
Checking Account balance - $10,601.13
2013 Dues collection is current.
We expect to receive another electricity bill and one more landscaping invoice for 2013. Jim Lacey will prepare the 2013 Financial Summary to be posted on the web-site.
Grounds Report
Several items were recorded in the notes from the October meeting that would be remedied in the spring next year. So we don’t lose sight of these, we will include them in the minutes of each meeting until then. These include:
- Remove and replace shrubs at the Stonehenge entrance to the plan.
- Check into some tall grass plantings for the Phase 2 retention pond area.
- Phase 1 pavilion and picnic table repairs and repainting of the playground equipment.
- The damaged fence on Winchester Court caused by a free-space tree that fell was reviewed with the homeowner. It was agreed that the tree removal will be done in spring 2014 and the fence damage will be repaired.
A motion to consider developing a proposal for Jessen Tree Service to have “preferred vendor” status with The Crossings was discussed. Throughout 2013, Jessen was used for tree removal. Based upon good work performance, competitive prices, and maintaining adequate insurance coverage, it was thought that some type of volume-based arrangement might be negotiated. Conceptually, at certain tier levels of invoiced work paid to Jessen by the HOA, Jessen would rebate some percentage back to the HOA. This negotiation can take many forms but the idea is that Jessen would be incentivized to give the very best pricing to The Crossings in return for some significant volume of work. More to follow on this topic as it develops.
Notification was received from a homeowner on Hunting Ridge Trail that a free-space tree was leaning over his fence with potential to fall and cause damage. Jessen Tree Service looked at the tree and said it was healthy with low probability of causing any problem. Several Board members then met with the homeowner and communicated what Jessen had said. The status of this tree will be monitored periodically.
New Business
As reported at the November meeting, an informal observation of The Crossings was done during a two week period at the end of October and in early November. It revealed that a significant number of homes have lamp posts that were not in working order for the full two week period. Our Covenants require that each home have a working post lamp. A notice was posted on our web-site explaining the need for working post lamps and informing everyone that enforcement action will begin in January for those not complying. Another observation will be done this week to provide more data.
Jim Lacey prepared the letter for notification of 2014 HOA dues that was approved. Copies will be mailed by mid-December. This mailing will also include the “Notice of Nomination for Election to The Crossings Homeowners Association Board”, and also the “2014 Election Nomination Form” to be completed by any candidates volunteering their service.
Brian Kile will prepare the 2013 Message from the Board President and it will be posted on the web-site.
The current Certificate of Resale available on the web-site will be revised to include contact information for the new homeowners. This will enable smoother transitions when properties change hands and it will help speed communications with our new neighbors.
A notice was posted on the web-site on November 6th with information on the upcoming “Celebrate the Season Night” at the Phase 1 pavilion area at 6pm on December 15th. This coincides with the annual Luminary Night and will be a good time for all. The Board discussed using this occasion to reach out to Crossings residents for greater involvement in committees supporting The Crossings activities.
Similarly, ideas were discussed about changing the venue and expanding the Annual meeting in April. The theme would be getting to know our neighbors better and may even include a pot luck meal with everyone bringing a dish of their choice.
A motion to investigate the feasibility and cost of erecting a “message board’ for Crossings notices was discussed and seconded. Ray Speicher volunteered to gather more information. This message board could be used for posting time and place of upcoming Board meetings, information related to Garage Sales; Cranberry Cup; Halloween and Christmas activities, etc. There will be more to follow on this topic.
Brian Kile provided an update on the development of Park Place. Preliminary development approval was granted by Cranberry Township for phase 2 of this project. This includes a crushed stone walking trail connection with The Crossings located at the existing trailhead on Crossing Ridge Trail; construction of a road with sidewalks connecting Park Place from the location of the Park Place Clubhouse to Graham Park; and construction of a road with sidewalks to connect Park Place with the Bellevue plan. These projects will commence in late winter or early spring.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 8th at 7pm at the Kraynik residence at 138 Crossing Ridge Trail
