Annual Meeting Review

It appears that most homeowners thought the meeting went well, they did address the issue that we brought up and now statedna Board member must be a homeowner and have their name on the deed, which is what the rules required all along.

A big issue brought up is the trees in the front ofnthe phase one homes, some of these river birch trees roots are causing problems, they are considering removing them, I would like to see the problem ones removed and the non problem ones stay. Or remove them all but give homeowners the right to choose a different tree that is approved by the HOA that will not get as big and that has roots that will not cause an issue in the future. I woild just hate to see the entire street be treeless, I think that would not look good, and also removes a source of well needed shade in the summer.

Parking was brought up, they are going to look into providing a visitor parking area for phase two homeowners. Also the towing company will be making regular patrols through the neighborhood and towing inproperly parked cars and vehicles with commercial lettering.

Kuester advised we are in final negotiations with a new builder but they still will not say who it is.

If you were at the meeting click below and leave a comment, we would like to hear your thoughts.

HOA Annual Meeting Tonight!

So tonight is our annual meeting, homeowners will not be voting on any issues, proxy votes were for them to make quorum only. Homeowners will be expected to sit and listen and not to participate as it should be.

1) Lets see what Board of Directors are present as a reminder here is a list of the current Board.

Here is the main issue that is important for us the homeowners, Mercedes no longer exists but they still somehow control our HOA, not us the homeowners, why you may ask?

The family who owned Mercedes Homes wants to sell the unfinished lots to a new builder, if they can sell the lots WITH CONTROL OF THE HOA, they can ask a higher price. A new builder can than come in and change the governing documents, raise our rates and use the HOA for their gain as Mercedes did and Kuester continues to do.

So how does Kuester use the HOA for their gain? Here are some examples:

1) They keep 50% of all late fees collected

2) They charge new homeowners "Account Setup Fees" in the amount of $325.00 which is very high compared to other HOA's, and they keep 100% of this!

3) We pay them monthly management fees, also in the budget you will see money for office supplies and other misc fees, 100% of which go to Kuester, as the HOA itself does not have an office.

4) When we had an insurance claim for the hail damage last year, Kuester hired themselves as the project manager, paying themselves $40,000 of OUR money to themselves.

They continue to hire contractors they have relationships with and not by the lowest bidder or who is best for the neighborhood, an employee of Kuester actually tried to get her relatives business to do the gutter clean out, luckily the sub-contractor saw through that and insisted on hiring their own crew and not using the family members crew, but make no mistake this type of thing goes on all the time.

If you are at the meeting you should ask questions like:

1) Why do we have Board of Directors who no longer live here and no longer participate actively in the HOA?

2) Why is Mercedes Homes still in control of the HOA and not the homeowners?

3) Why are "non-members" which means non-homeowners are members of the board when the governing documents specifically require board members be members!

Understand neighborhood issues like the dues we pay, budget, and garbage collection will never be fully addressed or CHANGED until the HOA is transitioned from the control of the declarent (Mercedes Homes) to the homeowners. They have control and they are going to run things the way they want until they no longer have control so the single most important fact is why, when Mercedes Homes was dissolved did a transition to the homeowners did not occur. Make no mistake about it, it is illegal and they know it, they are taking advantage because homeowners are not informed, which is why this blog was created so you could be informed and voice those concerns to them at the meeting.

If we want lower HOA fees, a more responsive Board of Directors that we 100% choose than change has to happen, and we are going to have to fight for that, they do not want to give up control, because they are profiting from us.

We recommend you review the governing documents and budget, so you can be informed at tonights meeting!

Here are the current governing documents.

Here is the budget information.

As many homeownrs as possible should show up, there is strength in numbers, we have to let them know we understand what they are up to, and were not going to take it anymore, we want change, we want real change, and we want it NOW!

Gutter Clean-Out

Metrolina Maintenance, completed a gutter clean out yesterday, as usual no email blast or any other communication from the HOA to homeowners about this, so we thought we would let you know here.