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Maple Valley HOA 2020 General Meeting
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Fire station 21
1. Call to order at 7:01
2. President’s Welcome- Rick welcomed everyone to the meeting; ten people were in attendance, representing seven households. He spoke about how the purpose of the HOA board is to keep the front of the neighborhood looking nice. We are a volunteer board with no management company, which allows us to keep HOA dues lower. In 2020, we completed our front entrance remodel, had 6 dumpsters for resident use but had to cancel most of our activities due to Covid.
3. Old Business
a. Announcements: Vicki spoke about the new Facebook group, “Maple Valley HOA of Wichita, Kansas”. It will be limited to adult residents and all posts will need to be approved by an admin prior to posting. It will allow us to collect HOA dues electronically and without a fee using Facebook pay. Vicki also maintains the HOA website: www.maplevalleyhoa.com. All board members have an email link on this website; feel free to contact any of us for any needs or concerns.
b. Financial Report: Kim gave the financial report for 2020. All residences have paid dues for 2020. Our major expenses have been $845 on mowing, $600 on welcome gifts, $262 on postage and mailings, $298 on electricity, and $643 on dumpsters. We have a surplus in the bank account; we will discuss in new business how to spend some of that down and possibly lowering dues.
c. Waste connections: Rick spoke about the need to keep at least 85% of the neighborhood using Waste Connections to continue receiving our quarterly discount of $37 (regularly $68).
4. New Business
a. Current events: All events for 2020 were cancelled due to Covid. Everyone in attendance would like to see them return in 2020. Our events for 2020 will be Easter Egg hunt, garage sales (weekend after Mother’s day), Christmas light drawing, and neighborhood night out. Bruce and Heather Bachelor will head up neighborhood night out.
b. Using surplus funds: The bank account has built up some excess funds. In addition to voting to lower dues, we can also do someone one-time things to improve the neighborhood. Everyone shared their ideas. These ideas included getting a company to trim the trees along the main street, bringing in a mulcher for everyone to use, offering flowers or fertilizer to everyone, adding park equipment, adding concrete picnic tables in the park, adding a sun sail in the park, increasing sand in park, painting curb numbers and street sweeping. Vicki will contact city to see about feasibility of modifying park and/or trimming trees. She will also contact the two tree companies suggested by two residents present (Abe’s Tree Service and Kansas Tree Experts) for information regarding neighborhood discounts, mulching, and/or tree trimming. Street sweeping is free through the city; we will request through Wichita Report app.
c. Voting: On the ballot this year are three items: retaining a lawyer, lowering dues, and board positions. Regarding the lawyer, the board feels it necessary to seek a lawyer’s help regarding enforcement and clarity regarding the bylaws. This will cost us a retainer fee of $2500. We feel it would help us better address violations including but not limited to fences, boats, campers, etc. It is a large amount to spend so it is prudent to seek approval. Secondly, dues can be lowered since we have an excess. $40 dues would cover our expenses for a typical year, $30 dues will not completely cover expenses but will draw down savings slowly. Finally, all board positions are up for election each year. No one is running for secretary; all other board members have agreed to continue. Write-ins for any spot are allowed. Voting will be done by paper ballot; one per household.
[Voting results: 1. Yes to retain lawyer. 2. Dues lowered to $30 3. All board members retained. Bruce Bachelor written in as secretary.]
5. Resident concerns: The board asked for any resident concerns. The concerns were as follows: lawns not being maintained or mowed, feral cats, yellow boat being left out for weeks, campers/trailers parked in driveways, trees along firefly needing trimmed, fences being installed backwards, cars being parked in the street for long periods of time, and that we do not want to have such restrictions that our neighbors feel un-welcome or friendly.
6. Other: Rick asked for volunteers for the Architectural committee. Bruce B and Riley E volunteered.
7. Meeting adjourned 7:48 pm.