Bradford HOA Meeting Minutes

Annual Meeting — October 13, 2008

The meeting location was changed from the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center to Westlink Christian Church earlier today due to the Extension Center closing for Columbus Day. Those with an e-mail address listed were notified by e-mail and signs were posted on each entrance to the Extension Center and Westlink Christian Church. Five Board members and twenty other persons were present. Secretary of the Board, Steve Slack, was out of town. Attendees were asked to sign in and pick up an election ballot, a proposed 2009 budget, and a list of completed projects and project ideas.

President Cherryl Cox opened the meeting at 7:15PM with introductions from each Board member present. Cherryl asked that a representative of each household complete the ballots by circling the names of those approved for office. She explained that the Architectural committee chair was a vacant position and that Monty Sowder would be vacating the Board position charged with keeping up the Commons Areas at the end of the year. Any homeowner in good standing should notify a Board member of his or her interest in either of these two positions. Those who would like to serve in any Board position other than a vacant position must notify a Board member of any interest prior to September 1.

Board members gave updates in specific areas of interest. Mike Welty (Collections) indicated procedures followed in order to collect delinquent dues, including one Small Claims Court filing this year. Mike also reported on the implementation of the ability to pay dues online, using PayPal. We do pay a small charge for each dues payment submitted through PayPal, but we elected not to pass that charge on to homeowners. A few more than 40 households used PayPal to submit the second half of their annual dues.

Cherryl collected the ballots while Monty Sowder (Commons Area) reported on projects completed since October 2007 and listed some new project ideas along with estimated costs. Completed projects included painting of the wall surrounding the neighborhood, extension of the patio area inside the pool fence, a new bulletin board at the pool, a new liner on the sport pool, annual addition of small feeder fish, repaired sidewalks and sprinkler heads, replacement of some rip rap, and new lighting at both entrances to the area. Project ideas include a gate alarm and/or motion detector lighting and/or security cameras at the pool, replacing the pool fence with a taller one, replacing several trees in several Commons areas, and replacing rip rap on the Middle lake.

Several homeowners presented concerns about dead and dying trees in the area, security at the pool, drainage concerns—some causing flooded basements, speeding traffic and cars parked on the street causing safety concerns for small children. Mike and Monty gave some historical context as many of these problems seem to be recurring problems that have been addressed in various ways. Homeowners were encouraged to call the police whenever laws are broken or safety and security is an issue.

Cherryl gave the Architectural Committee report in the absence of an Architectural Committee Chair. We continue to have problems with noise and trash in certain areas of the development, and neighbors have complained often about loud parties and trash remaining in the area for days after the party. The Architectural Committee is aware of these problems and Cherryl has approached the homeowners to remind them of the responsibility that comes with living in a family area. Again, calling the police when laws are violated may be the best action to take until behaviors change.

The problem with people storing trash cans at the front of their home, visible from the street, was mentioned and several showed concern. Cherryl said that this, too, was an issue that the Architectural Committee planned to address more thoroughly. She explained that the Committee was inactive for some time until several homeowners volunteered to help reactivate it, and some things were not tended to properly. The trash can issue and other Architectural Committee issues are likely to be addressed more aggressively in the future.

Cherryl moved to accept the proposed budget; Tom Sanders seconded the motion, and discussion ensued. Some suggestions were given as to how to benefit all homeowners and not just those who used the pool or the lakes were given—year round access to bathrooms, a play area near the Central Park entrance, a fence between the sidewalk and the road in this area were all mentioned. Each of those items was considered as food for thought, but each presented a set of problems that stalled quick or easy implementation. Cherryl called for the question; 18 households approved the projected budget; no one disapproved.

Present Board Members were all re-elected with 15 households approving and no one disapproving. President is Cherryl Cox; Treasurer is Rick Gibson; Secretary, Steve Slack; Collections is Mike Welty; Member at Large is Don Mallonee. The Architectural Committee chair is currently vacant and the Commons Area Chair will be vacant after December 31.

Mike Welty asked for public recognition of the work that Cherryl Cox and Monty Sowder have done to make our area a better place to live; both were recognized with a round of applause.

Discussion then continued about the area behind the new Lowe’s, the need for a new pool fence, the possibility of lawn chairs at the pool. Various board members responded with information that they believed to be the latest available.

Cherryl Cox called the meeting adjourned at 8:26PM