HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION
PARK CITY, UTAH
NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2009
This is the 25th edition of the Bear Hollow Village Homeowner’s Association Newsletter brought to you by your Board of Trustees. This Newsletter will provide you with an update on things happening in our community and other information.
****************************
CLUBHOUSE – our management and maintenance contract with All Seasons Resorts was allowed to expire without renewal on June 30. Effective July 1, the Trustees have assumed the responsibility for management of our Clubhouse. Greg Watkins has been designated as the Clubhouse Manager. Greg has been certified by the State of Utah as a pool /spa manager and is qualified to act in that position to ensure we are in compliance with all State and Summit County health code regulations.
Greg has been diligently inventorying and inspecting all Clubhouse amenities and scheduling or making repairs and adjustments as necessary. He is either performing or contracting for all cleaning and maintenance services associated with the Clubhouse.
The Trustees have determined that in all fairness to Greg he will be compensated for his additional duties and responsibilities at the same rate for which we paid for contracted services to All Seasons Resorts. We believe the improvements in services and oversight that Greg will provide (and has already demonstrated) are well worth these normal costs that we incur. Owners can contact Greg directly at 435-655-5888 or greg@sisna.com with any Clubhouse related questions or issues.
We have experienced several problems recently with owners / guests entering or attempting to enter the Clubhouse or pool areas after hours. When that happens, the silent alarm is activated and the Summit County Sheriff responds. Needless to say, that is causing some concern and displeasure with the Sheriff for repeated alarm response calls that are a “false alarm”. The Clubhouse and pool hours of operation are clearly posted at all entry points. Owners should ensure that all family members and any property managers or renters associated with their unit are aware of these regulations. Persons found improperly entering or on the grounds of the Clubhouse after hours are subject to fines by the Homeowner’s Association and arrest by a Sheriff’s deputy. Please do not make either of those actions necessary. Obey the posted signs !
The Clubhouse internet access router system has been upgraded and a local area network signal allowing persons anywhere in the Clubhouse to access the internet with their laptop computer via our wireless signal is now in place.
All required modifications to our pool and hot tub to bring us into compliance with the new federal law called the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act have been completed. Basically, we needed to install new approved anti-suction entrapment covers on all the intake and skimmer grates in the pool and hot tub.
MAINTENANCE / UNSIGHTLINESS- it cannot be emphasized enough that it is very important for individual owners to maintain the exterior of their homes in an appropriate manner. The weather extremes of harsh winter and the ultraviolet rays from the sun during the summer at our higher mountain elevation take their toll on exterior finishes of our properties, especially the wood logs on decks and entrance ways throughout the community. It is extremely important that the wood logs and beams be treated with stain and/or preservative to prevent them from cracking and / or twisting. The HOA recommended to all owners in the Summer 2008 Newsletter that this maintenance concern be addressed; many owners heeded this advise and took steps to address this issue. Owners were again reminded in the Spring 2009 Newsletter to address maintenance issues on their homes. Dozens of owners have taken steps to paint or stain their exteriors and perform other needed maintenance. Regrettably, many owners have not addressed this concern.
In accordance with the CCR’s and the No Unsightliness Policy, the HOA will be citing Owners who have not addressed the exterior maintenance and appearance of their homes.
PLEASE address these maintenance concerns without having to be notified by the HOA. Now is a good time to schedule exterior maintenance / staining / painting projects. Owners who would like a referral to contractors who have done work in the community with no complaints and for a fair price can contact Howie via email hb2690@aol.com or telephone 908-707-4594.
PETS - domestic pets (dogs, cats) are a part of any community. Pet ownership also requires owners to act responsibly and treat their pets and the community that they are a part of with courtesy and respect for others. There are several owners and long term renters in the community who are allowing their dogs to run un-attended and off leash in the community. These dogs are leaving pet droppings all over the lawn and sidewalk areas that are not being picked up by their owners. The HOA has a Pets Policy and the Summit County Health Department has strict rules regarding sanitation and pets.
The Trustees and many residents in the community are noticing constant violations by dogs and their owners not picking up droppings. Effective immediately, any pet owner observed allowing their pet to be unattended in the community or not picking up droppings will be referred to the Summit County Animal Control Officer for fine and enforcement actions as necessary.
Owners with pets, or owners renting to tenants with pets, should modify their actions to comply with community rules and County laws immediately.
LANDSCAPING SERVICES - we are experiencing a community wide problem with the irrigation timer clock mechanisms malfunctioning; they have just plain wore out. The timers will need to be replaced. The HOA will assume the expenses for the purchase and installation of the new timer clocks. We will try to match exactly the mechanisms that are currently mounted on the exteriors of owners units and keep installation hardware fasteners to a minimum.
We have had a very wet / rainy Spring season. Weeding and lawn mowing schedules have been disrupted but we are now getting back to normal schedules. The HOA has authorized an additional spraying for weeds throughout the community. Red Barn landscape will be coordinating the spraying in near future. Extra weeding time is also being scheduled to address problem areas.
Owners are reminded that the maintenance of their private property landscape areas is a shared responsibility between the owner and the HOA. The HOA makes every attempt to accommodate all owners reasonable requests for landscape services, but we cannot do everything for everybody. Please do your fair share to address minor landscape problems on your private property.
COMMON AREA 16 PARK PROJECT - the park project in the area known as Common Area 16 ( near Bobsled Blvd. and the Bear Cub Drive entry) is substantially completed. A half court basketball court, with a height adjustable backboard and rim, is in place. A patio area is finished, surrounded by tree’s and shrubbery. A sod grass area between these two concrete pad areas is installed, along with mulch beds for the planted areas and tree berms. The irrigation system was expanded to include these planted and lawn areas. The remaining open areas adjacent to the park are being seeded with native grasses and temporary irrigation lines. All that remains to be done at this time is for court lines and striping to be painted on the basketball court and benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles and a barbecue grill to be put in place; all in progress. The HOA invites all owners and their guests to please enjoy and make use of this new amenity in our community.
FINANCES - the Association remains in sound financial condition. There are currently 4 owners with their dues accounts in Delinquent status. One of these properties is being sold and we will recover all monies owed at the closing; two owners have contacted the Association and are making payment plan arrangements to address amounts owed; one account remains with our attorney for legal actions. The HOA recognizes there are difficult financial times nationwide impacting our owners in varying ways. Association dues responsibilities that address your fair share of community expenses have not diminished and must still be paid. The HOA will accept any reasonable payment plan from an owner experiencing difficult financial times but we cannot accept a total disregard of an owners responsibilities to the HOA and to the community. Owners who choose that option will be referred to our attorney for legal actions ( regrettably but necessarily).
We currently have the following funds in our accounts:
Money Market Savings reserve account - $86,429.52
Certificate of Deposit reserve account - $20,098.89
Escrow Account * - $22,200.00
Checking Account ( operating capital) ** - $21,476.01
TOTAL $150,204.42
* This account was established with our Attorney, Bennett, Tueller, Johnson & Deere per request of the Summit County Planning Department to meet the requirements of the issuance of a Low Impact Building Permit to complete the Common Area 16 park project. Upon inspection and approval by the County of the completed park project the funds will be released back to the HOA. (this is an interest bearing account)
** Funds in our checking account fluctuate almost daily to fund operating expenses
All our accounts are on deposit with the Chase Bank ( formerly Washington Mutual Bank) Kimball Junction, Park City branch.
All Association funds are fully accounted for and all bills are paid and current.
LOGS ISSUE - owner Joel Levy has advised he is experiencing a problem with the large exterior logs supporting his house and exterior decking twisting and buckling. Joel has requested that any other owners in the community experiencing a similar issue please contact him directly to discuss options. Joel can be reached at 310-623-1775 or jlevy@l-wcpa.com
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUE – Throughout the community there are several townhouse units, certain units in the Lodge condominium’s and the Bear Claw, Calgary and Cross Country condominium units designated as “affordable housing” units for Summit County. These deed restricted units have been the subject of much scrutiny and concern over the years, dating back to the original Developer time period (1999 forward). Briefly, it is our contention that the recorded deed restrictions are incomplete and fatally flawed in many ways. Recently, Summit County designated the Mountainlands Community Housing Trust as the entity responsible to monitor and regulate the sales of these units. A letter from Mountainlands was mailed to all affordable unit owners in the community on June 19, 2009. On behalf of the community in general, and the affordable unit owners as a group, Howie wrote a letter to Mountainlands on July 10, 2009 pointing out the numerous errors and omissions in both the recorded deed restrictions and the June 19 Mountainlands letter.It is hoped the letter written by Howie will begin some dialogue or process to address and resolve this long lingering problem. All Summit County Council Members were copied and received the reply letter sent.
Any affordable unit owner who would like a copy of the letter sent by Howie, send an email to him at hb2690@aol.com Developments on this issue will be reported as they occur.
PARKING - there are signs posted throughout the community advising where parking is prohibited. While we are more strict in enforcement actions during winter / snow removal times, several narrow alleys in the community have safe passage issues when cars are illegally parked on these roadways. Parking rule violators are subject to towing at their expense. Please obey the posted parking rules.
SKI PASS REMINDER - there are many new owners in our community. For their benefit and as a refresher to all owners be reminded that as a Utah property owner you are eligible for discounted LOCALS SKI PASSES at many of the area resorts. Each has a unique program and discount available. Generally, you must sign up in person at the resort ski desk and show proof of Utah property ownership ( bring a tax bill or a utility bill) to qualify. After initial sign up, you can usually renew or buy more discount passes on line or over the phone. Contact your favorite resort/s/ now to enroll – BIG savings !
*******************
Please continue to enjoy the Summer season. It will begin snowing very soon !
Your HOA Board of Trustees !
GREG NICK JODY HOWIE SUSAN
