The HOA makes its second attempt at holding its annual meeting next Tuesday, December 6. We need 30% of eligible owners (those not more than 90 days in arrears on their HOA dues) to attend or to send in their proxy forms for the meeting to become official.
That number is 66. As of today, we have collected 36 proxy forms. We need 30 more people either to return their proxy forms or to show up in person at the meeting. If we fail, we can't hold the annual HOA board election, which has potentially expensive consequences to all owners.
Here's why:
If we do not elect a new Board and two or more of the existing Board members have to resign, there will not be a quorum of the Board to operate the Association. Then the Association goes into receivership and we pay lawyers lots of money to do what our fellow owners currently do for free.
This could ultimately mean a big rise in HOA fees. Lawyers do not work cheap. No one in the community will have control over this if we forfeit our right to run our own HOA.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Find Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
Do you know what this is? Or where to find it? Here's why you need to know:
We had a resident tell us recently about a burst pipe that flooded her upstairs bathroom and damaged her kitchen ceiling. What made the problem worse is that she could not find the main water shutoff valve. This is the valve that cuts off water to the entire unit — specifically for emergencies like this.
The shutoff valve will be outside your unit, inside a covered plastic box. It may also be covered by mulch. Dig around near your driveway or walkway until you find it.
While the affected resident also notified our property manager and asked that the landscapers make sure that they make sure all the shutoff valves are uncovered, the issue there is that the landscapers probably don't know where the valves are, either. Even if they uncover them, the next mulching could hide them again.
But you can protect yourself. Take a few minutes to go outside and find your shutoff valve. It could save you a ton of headache later.
We had a resident tell us recently about a burst pipe that flooded her upstairs bathroom and damaged her kitchen ceiling. What made the problem worse is that she could not find the main water shutoff valve. This is the valve that cuts off water to the entire unit — specifically for emergencies like this.
The shutoff valve will be outside your unit, inside a covered plastic box. It may also be covered by mulch. Dig around near your driveway or walkway until you find it.
While the affected resident also notified our property manager and asked that the landscapers make sure that they make sure all the shutoff valves are uncovered, the issue there is that the landscapers probably don't know where the valves are, either. Even if they uncover them, the next mulching could hide them again.
But you can protect yourself. Take a few minutes to go outside and find your shutoff valve. It could save you a ton of headache later.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Failure
We failed to reach quorum for our annual meeting last night. This means we could not elect the HOA board for next year. So what?
Here's the problem:
If we can't elect a new board, the HOA goes into receivership and we pay lawyers lots of money to do what fellow owners currently do for free.
This could mean that either money the outgoing board budgeted for community improvements goes to lawyers instead or that HOA fees have to rise to pay this unaccounted for expense.
No one in the community has any control over this if we forfeit our right to run our own HOA.
We are going to try again December 6. That means the HOA must spend several hundred dollars to print and mail the annual meeting notices again. It also costs us money to rent the room at the church where we meet.
If you sent in your proxy form, that is good for 90 days from the date of the first meeting, November 8, so you don't need to send it in again. If you still have the first form, you do NOT have to wait for the next one to come. You can fill out and send in the one you have.
Sending in the proxy form means you count toward the quorum (the minimum number of people we need for the meeting to be official). However, sending in the form does not take away your right to attend the meeting and vote. You just show up and you nullify your proxy.
Yes, it costs 44 cents. Yes, it requires taking the envelope to the mailbox and putting it into the slot. But it's a lot cheaper than a lawyer's hourly fee would be to run our community's business.
We also need five candidates to run for the board. One member moved away and another has announced his intention to step down to spend more time with his family. The three remaining are willing to run again.
That leaves two spots that need filling. Two spots for people who care enough about where they live to volunteer some time to help make it better.
Here's the problem:
If we can't elect a new board, the HOA goes into receivership and we pay lawyers lots of money to do what fellow owners currently do for free.
This could mean that either money the outgoing board budgeted for community improvements goes to lawyers instead or that HOA fees have to rise to pay this unaccounted for expense.
No one in the community has any control over this if we forfeit our right to run our own HOA.
We are going to try again December 6. That means the HOA must spend several hundred dollars to print and mail the annual meeting notices again. It also costs us money to rent the room at the church where we meet.
If you sent in your proxy form, that is good for 90 days from the date of the first meeting, November 8, so you don't need to send it in again. If you still have the first form, you do NOT have to wait for the next one to come. You can fill out and send in the one you have.
Sending in the proxy form means you count toward the quorum (the minimum number of people we need for the meeting to be official). However, sending in the form does not take away your right to attend the meeting and vote. You just show up and you nullify your proxy.
Yes, it costs 44 cents. Yes, it requires taking the envelope to the mailbox and putting it into the slot. But it's a lot cheaper than a lawyer's hourly fee would be to run our community's business.
We also need five candidates to run for the board. One member moved away and another has announced his intention to step down to spend more time with his family. The three remaining are willing to run again.
That leaves two spots that need filling. Two spots for people who care enough about where they live to volunteer some time to help make it better.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Annual Meeting - Next Tuesday - November 8
While all owners are welcome to all HOA board meetings, this is the one your community needs you to attend. We need about 30% of eligible owners (all those not more than 90 days delinquent in paying their) to reach a quorum. If you don't think you can make it, please fill out and return your proxy form.
It's the annual meeting where we pass the budget for next year (the proposed budget keeps fees at $213/month) and holds elections for the board positions.
Think you can do better than the people on the board now? Here's your chance. All five seats are up for grabs. One board member has sold her unit so that seat must be filled. And board president David Hey has announced his intention to step down.
Serving on the board gives you a greater voice in shaping our community.
Here is the location (less than 1 mile from us):
River of Life Christian Center
6605 Krycul Avenue
Riverview, FL 33569
View Larger Map
It's the annual meeting where we pass the budget for next year (the proposed budget keeps fees at $213/month) and holds elections for the board positions.
Think you can do better than the people on the board now? Here's your chance. All five seats are up for grabs. One board member has sold her unit so that seat must be filled. And board president David Hey has announced his intention to step down.
Serving on the board gives you a greater voice in shaping our community.
Here is the location (less than 1 mile from us):
River of Life Christian Center
6605 Krycul Avenue
Riverview, FL 33569
View Larger Map
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