HOA Meeting Minutes

Budget 2023 spending, as well as the 2024 plan were reviewed.  2023 Actual expenses were up in 2023, but ran near to plan. Had a surplus of $2,686.00. Snow removal is the biggest expenditure, even though we’re a county road. Insurance includes general liability for the Directors/Officers. Note: the insurance check was sent in 2023, but did not get cashed until 2024, so that is included in the 2024 plan. Will appear as 3 payments in the 2024 plan. Administrative costs include things like room rentals, postage, signage, etc. Legal fees were discussed. There were some delays due to Covid. There were some additional questions and other delays relating to the association documents that also created extra expenses.   The attorney invoiced $1,059.00. Most of this is related to the submission of the approved articles, which was submitted in 2023. The attorney charges $325.00 per hour, which amounts to about 3 hours for the year (2023) Brett does the accounting on a volunteer basis, so that absorbs some costs. 2024 Lawn care costs are expected to increase in 2024; we will be getting quotes. Questions about Lawn care: Includes prep work, maintenance/weeding. There is a plan to go in early and clean up. Will let Kevin (current lawn person) spread mulch.  That will be an additional cost. Because there weren’t enough volunteers during the Spring Cleanup, it was difficult to accomplish without enough labor and the right equipment. Volunteers help keep costs down! Contact the HOA Board IVSAClarkston@gmail.com for more information. Insurance $3,600.00 (budgeted). Administrative $1,500.00 (budgeted). Expecting a surplus in 2024.

2024-2025 Election Results Board election once every two years. There is a new Secretary, Antoinette de Janasz has been elected. Welcome Antoinette!  Brett is the treasurer, and has indicated this is likely his last term.  If there is anyone who would like to volunteer to help in this capacity, please step up! Note – one ballot was received by the exiting Secretary after counting day. The envelope was post-marked before the due date, however it appeared that someone walked it to the exiting Secretary’s house. That ballot was held, unopened until this meeting where it was opened in front of everyone. The final count is: -John Tunis, President -Ray Lievens, Vice President -Brett Suszek, Treasurer -Joe DiJanni, General Counsel -Antoinette de Janasz, Secretary Jason Nolan, Write In

Roads Oakland County may contact the association in the fall.  We may be able to set up a meeting with the county.  Over 10 years ago, 51% of the association voted to have the county come in. There was a meeting back then, and the county provided a one-time price. That price included their assessment/investigation, which they still have. Given the passage of time and inflation, we are fully expecting the overall cost to go up. The price per house was based on a formula, but it wasn’t evenly distributed across all the owners. The board feels it would be best if each household pays the same. How would we get to/from the houses during the road construction? Presumably it would be done in phases and there would have to be some sort of plan in place to handle logistics like this. Why would we go with the county if it’s less expensive to privatize? If the roads are privatized, the cost might be lower than with the county. However, there is no way to collect, and the association has no recourse if a household doesn’t pay their share. Financing would have to be on an individual basis. Road Info Party: Plans for this are TBD, but we’d love to have an open dialogue and share information.

Association Documents Articles of Incorporation were passed in the 2022 vote. Submitted to the state May 2023. State granted approval in January of 2024. Will do a mailing with a copy of the document so everyone has it. Amended Declaration of Restrictions did not get passed. Last May a new committee was formed – one person from each of the 3 subdivisions. A new ballot will be sent later this year on the revised document. Definitely needs to be updated; it’s over 30 years old and is legally outdated!

Upcoming Events Saturday, 4/27/2024 is the next spruce up for all common properties – including the lake easement! We need volunteers!! Community Party 2023 Hot dogs!  Hamburgers! Potluck! Last year’s party was in June, was hosted by Joe and Nancy DiJanni. It was fun, and about 40 people were there, but there were a lot who had stated they would have liked to have been there, but due to family/mid-summer obligations weren’t able to make it. Community Party 2024 will be in September, and Charles Baxter and Antoinette de Janasz have offered to host it this year.

Neighborhood Beautification Special thanks to Deb Froehlich and Steve Pallotta for putting up the lovely holiday lights at the north entrance of the sub!  They looked fantastic!

Neighborhood Watch Charles Baxter has agreed to head up the neighborhood watch. New signs will be posted at either end of the sub, as well as some throughout the neighborhood. If you see something suspicious, please call the sheriff!

New Neighbors Please welcome: -Dave Tapani – 5589 Birch Grove Lane -Clark & Callie Seybert – 5328 Ridge Trail N -Alyxandra Conyers & John Grostean – 5440 Ridge Trail N

Miscellaneous Weeding’s been done by Zack Sherler, but he’s off to college.  We may get another summer out of him, but the board is looking to backfill for Zack. Volunteer opportunities abound: -Spring cleanup -Lake cleanup -Hosting/helping with neighborhood parties The IVSA directory is getting a long overdue update! Please email antoinette.dejanasz@gmail.com with your name(s), address, phone number(s), and email addresses.