tamarac at moon valley
HOA ANNUAL MEETING
OCTOBER 7, 2023
MINUTES
Attending: Jean Long, President, Kathy Strasser, Vice-President, Stu Smith, Treasurer, Judy Gardner, Secretary, Mary Bartlett and Randy Vinson, Administrator. There were thirty-three homeowners in attendance in addition to board members.
Jean Long called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Stu Smith moved that the April 1 minutes be approved. Nicole Cyr seconded. Minutes were approved by a unanimous vote. Jean called for committee reports to be given:
- Welcome committee – Judy Gardner thanked the members on the welcoming committee: Lauri Demetres, Christie Grove and Nicole Cyr. All new members have been visited in 2023. Judy asked that any members who had not yet submitted their information for the residents’ directory please do so, and they would be added.
- Architectural Committee – Kathy Strasser reported that the committee is very busy. They inspected the seven homes sold in 2023; rewrote the checklist for homes being sold; developed new guidelines for awnings and replacement trees/bushes; reviewed and approved landscaping issues and all other architectural requests. She noted that the TAC does not give violations for backyards. The HOA is responsible for front yards – except for the sidewalk areas leading to front doors which are homeowners’ responsibility.
- Pool and Park – Jean reported that we spend around $10,000 a year on the pool. Recently some tiles came loose and were reattached. We do not expect to have any additional costly repairs to the pool this year.
- Tree Report – Stu said tree trimming and removal is scheduled for October. There are fifty-three trees to be trimmed and eight to be removed. There have been some issues with the watering system under artificial turf – that is the homeowners’ responsibility. We will spend around $15,000 to remove trees this year. As far as replanting is concerned, it depends on the space available (that does not contain roots) and must be approved in advance. The HOA is revising the approved tree list to look for trees with vertical roots to reduce damage.
- Parking Report – Mary reported that Bill Goshert helps the parking committee by driving around the community late in the evening. Cars are not considered parking overnight until after 11:00 p.m. If a car is parked at the curb for two weeks the homeowner will receive a notice. Mary reminded the group that when purchasing a new car/vehicle, be certain it fits in your garage, or it will be a violation of the CC& Rs. Homeowners were reminded that all parking regulations are posted on the website.
- Real Estate Report – Randy reported that seven homes sold this year; two are in escrow and 1 is being listed.
- Painting – Randy reported that fourteen homes will be painted in 2024. The price for painting only went up $100 per house.
- Financial Report – Randy reported that APS (utilities) and water went up by 10%. We need to raise HOA dues by a minimum of $7.00 per month to make up for the increase. Cleanup of the wash area owned by Tamarac cost $2500 the first time we cleaned it up in 2022r and $9600 this year (due to guidelines from the City of Phoenix) which was charged to capital reserve. We are now doing maintenance every 3 to 6 months based upon need. This year the operating budget is $3,000.
- Capital Reserve Report – Stu said that the streets will need sealing again next year as it will be 5 years since it was last done. It will be approximately $20,000. Our goal is to keep a minimum of $100,000 in capital reserve. The primary concern/issue is spending money for things that are not budgeted. He reminded residents that when roads needed to be paved some years ago, we had to have a special assessment of $1300 per home to pay for it. We’d like to avoid that in the future. Therefore, he is suggesting that we round up the $7.00 per month increase with another $3.00 (to $10/month) to be put in the capital reserve account to be available for future expenses.
- Annual HOA Dues – The 2024 budget was provided with notes showing the increases that will take place over the 2023 budget. The Board has the authority to make the decision on HOA dues and is limited to raising them by no more than 10% ($14.00) per year.
So the options are (1) raise dues $7 per month just to cover expected increases to operating costs; (2) raise dues by $10 per month to pay for budgeted increases to 2024 operating costs and add $3.00 per month to capital reserve; and (3) raise dues by $14 per month which is the maximum amount allowed; $7 each to operating and capital reserve. The Board will finalize the 2024 budget and decide about the HOA dues increase in their November meeting.
New Business
- Street Signs – Stu reported there are several faded and broken street signs. The company that originally did our street signs bid $16,800-$26,400 to replace them. Stu got other bids and gave samples of aluminum signs or composite signs from Fast Signs. It is recommended by the board that we replace the signs with solid aluminum signs with reflective lettering (to show up at night). These signs will be affixed over the current tile signs and the cost will be $4500 for the 48 signs.
- Cost Savings – Stu said that we want the homeowners to have input on budget issues and financial issues. Therefore, we provided attendees with some cost containment considerations that have been submitted to the board for their feedback. The possible choices were (1) homeowners become responsible for their own landscaping, (2) homeowners become responsible for repairs to their own sprinkler system, (3) homeowners become responsible for the painting of their own home, (4) make no change to homeowner’s responsibilities and (5) other ideas or comments.
A drawing was held for one free month of HOA dues and the winner was a new homeowner, Kyle Kilyk! Congratulations to Kyle.
Questions from homeowners
Q. What can we do about cars and cycles racing on Tierra Buena?
A. Not much – we suggest you call the police to report it and, if possible, safely take a picture of the vehicles/people involved.
Q. How much extra are we paying for the portion of the park we are responsible for?
A. We paid $42,500 the last two years, and project $3000 next Year.
Q. Why does that part of the park belong to Tamarac?
A. When the community was developed, it was required to have a certain amount of green space. Therefore, the developers acquired that part of the park to qualify for having the required green space. We have met with the City of Phoenix, and they will not accept it back even if we offered to give it to them.
Q. Are we getting the best price on insurance? Do we shop for it?
A. Yes, we do. However, there are not many companies that offer it.
Q. Since Las Meridas must put up a retention wall at their part of the park, which is very expensive, what if Tamarac has damage to their part of the park/wash due to erosion, etc.
A. This is why we need to have a healthy capital reserve for these types of unbudgeted expenses.
Q. Which fund does house painting come out of?
A. Operating budget.
Q. What part of the front yard is the HOA’s responsibility?
A. Everything EXCEPT the sidewalk/entrance to your house.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Submitted by: Judy Gardner, Secretary