Bridger Creek
Subdivision Community Association
Special Board of
Directors’ Meeting
Thursday, July 23,
2015
The meeting was called
to order at 5:45 pm at Dian Bottcher’s home (Augusta Drive).
Board
members: Sharyn Anhalt, Bill Ranard, Dian
Bottcher, Dorick Savageau and Karin Jennings were present.
Approval of Agenda – The Agenda was modified to move the Executive
Committee discussion ahead of the committee reports, and approved
unanimously.
Approval of Minutes – The minutes from the Board Meeting of June
11, 2015 modified to delete the August 3 meeting due to close proximity of this
meeting, and were approved unanimously.
Executive Committee –
The Supreme Court of the State of
Montana ruled on Board’s appeal in the Beebe v. Board case June 30, 2015. The
decision is posted on the association web site: http://bridgercreek.blogspot.com/.
The Board recognizes that our Covenants need to be revised in order to address
the funding of improvements in our subdivision. Although the Board has been
operating under the direction of the 2002 Membership vote which raised the
minimum annual assessment to $75/year per lot and allocated a portion of those
assessments to improvements, the Court ruled that the Covenants require a
consenting vote of 2/3 of the membership in order to implement a special
assessment and/or spend monies toward improvements. In light of the decision,
the Board plans to propose changes to the language in the Covenants to the
Membership at the Annual Membership meeting, May 2, 2016.
There was discussion about whether an “assessment holiday”
should be implemented, as requested by Mr. Beebe based on the ruling. However,
it was unanimously agreed that the assessments collected are the minimum annual
assessments, as voted by the Membership in 2002 and approved for collection at
the Annual Membership meeting in May 2015. Assessments are expected to bring in
$18,975 in revenues this fiscal year, and the association budget that was
approved at the May Annual Membership meeting is $18,250. Because the
Membership has directed the Board to collect the assessments through approval
of the budget, the Board feels it cannot implement an assessment holiday.
Currently, total cash held in reserve for the association is
about $29,000. The Board agreed unanimously that the Association should
maintain a prudent reserve for unexpected maintenance (sprinkler system or well
breakdown) or fluctuations in weather patterns which impact mowing or snow
removal. In addition, if membership approves, that money could be used for
future improvement projects.
Karin made a motion
to disband the Executive Committee since it is no longer needed for the legal issue;
seconded by Dorick and approved unanimously.
Finance/Treasurer Report - Current Financial Statements were
reviewed. There was discussion about the Equity categories in the Balance
Sheet. Dorick made a motion to allocate funds previously designated as “Subdivision
Improvement Reserve” to “Membership Equity”, which was seconded by Bill, and approved
unanimously. These categories were Board designated reserves, so it is
reasonable for the board to change their designation as circumstances and needs
change. Annual minimum assessment notices will be mailed out soon with a letter
of explanation and informing members of the ruling posted on the web site.
Design Review Committee
– Sharyn reported
that there was a general inquiry about an accessory dwelling unit in reviewing
whether to purchase a lot in the association, which was referred to David
Andreassi (Chair, Design Review Committee). This was not discussed further by
the Board as it was a general inquiry, and not a request for approval.
Sharyn reported that the
association received a fee for an addition to a home on Augusta (which was
approved by the D/R Committee). The fee will be returned since our Covenants only
require collection of fees for initial approval for a home or unit, not for an
addition or remodel.
Park and Trail Committee
– Karin reported that
the trails have been sprayed for weed control. Sharyn reported that the parks
are currently scheduled to be sprayed for weeds, but may be delayed due to
weather. She sent an email to alert the membership about spraying.
New Business – Nothing to report.
The meeting was
adjourned at 6:50 pm.
________________________________
The
August 3 meeting was cancelled due to the timing with this Special Board
meeting and no additional agenda items to discuss.
The
next meeting will be held October 5 @ 6:30.
Any
members wishing to attend the October meeting please contact the Board via
email at BridgerCreekBoard@gmail.com
and they will be notified of the meeting location. The Board elected not to pay
for rent for the Masonic Temple meeting space this year.
