SLPPOA Newsletter June 2004

The intent of this newsletter is to report the meetings notes and other unrelated events or notices which may be of interest to our Association members.

Board meetings are normally held the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:15 PM at the SLP fire station. All property owners are welcome.

Meeting was convened at 7:15 (on time!).

Notes approved after reading. 

Present: Wendy Bisset, John Fredlund, Brian Reardon, Ann Cooke, Orlando Archuleta, Karen Taylor, Kirk Thompson, Nate McDowell 

Jay Ray of State Farm Insurance presented his bid for insuring SLPPOA - Coverage deals mainly with liability coverage. We are paying $4,258 for $1M each/$2M aggregate we have now. He offers $1,8?? for 2M/4M. This effectively doubles our coverage while cutting cost. Deductible quoted was $500, but we may raise catastrophic loss coverage and raise deductible to maintain cost. Covers officers and association. Need for liability coverage because relative affluence makes us attractive target. People see us as having lots of money to sue. Sometimes fine line between acting on behalf of association vs. as self. Most personal coverage is $100k/$200K. He thinks people should carry more because it is a good deal. Thinks umbrella policies are important because people might sue for things outside house/car. Competitors are high because current company has to pay extra for not being based in NM. State Farm is richest in America. We need higher limit for structures because Hovenweep costs $6K just for equipment. Most of our buildings are related to water. We have three. Had factored in $10K coverage, but fire could take out all three. Kirk will fax a breakdown of stuff covered. Playground is covered. Kirk will provide better idea of what value to insure. To start up, sign application and check. He will need some sort of financial statement - one pager. Annual review/visit is must. If we can continue to go without claims, can keep reasonable. We think we could set high deductible since we are really only worried over catastrophic losses. 

Suggestion to insist note-taker use Word declined.

Treasury report

Nothing really. Got check for $35 from someone who owes whole amount plus fees, so confused. We are solvent. 

Water

Several proposals were presented, e.g., for insulating booster station, propanel for roof, fence around system 1 water tanks (poles are already there), pole barn for generator (most expensive). Adds up to $5,200. Backup for Y2K. Generator can power one well at a time. Do need well pad for EID. Lowest priority is pole barn. Will check if in budget for maintenance. Previous bids wanted twice as much money for less work.  Tested Fischer research labs new technology for leak detection and locating lines. Tells depth. New detection is a little better, but Kirk does not recommend $25k for marginal improvement. Wait for Ground Penetrating Radar. Discussion on technical aspects of GPR. 

We still have leaks and excessive usage such as people watering "lawns." Water availability is going to have to be cut from time to time to build up levels after 2 day crisis. 

Bednar wanted Kirk to bring back up Mutual Domestic Water coop. Only have verbal history of previous discussion. Probably some financial payback, but would take time/effort to set up and run. Was on long range planning. Suzanne may remember. We will probably need more money in the future to properly keep up water system. 

Metering water would be a tremendous advantage towards conservation. Meters will cost a lot per lot. Would require change to bylaws, so need 2/3 vote with approval, meaning large amount of effort. Would help with end-of-life of system. Entire association would need to be educated on good/bad. Need basically another Board to run the coop. 

Bob Bootzin called Kirk how about running 2 inch pipe. Kirk told him 4 inch pipe was needed to do it right.. CCRs are due next month (consumer confidence reporting). Tax we pay for using water goes into a fund that partially offsets EPA mandate to test for arsenic, radon, nitirides, nitrates, organics, etc. We get these tests every year that Kirk turns into a report about how safe is our water. 

Don Bednar has real job now, so may not be responding immediately. 

Architectural

Brian drafted letter for John Bootzin. Read it. Allowed changes.

288 Aspen grove. Wants to build 4-car garage. Brown and tan steel garage at least 24 feet from side lot line. Also wants to put in cedar split rail fence plus 15 foot retaining wall. 

Roads

Rowe to get back. Don't want to do grading until some moisture. Will check on rain dancers. One owner asked about dust suppression. Board sees this as low payback - not worth expense.

Legal

Copy of letter to Bob submitted for file.

Still no insurance provided for wall on Hovenweep. November will be one year after agreement. Owner has essentially voided the agreement by not providing this insurance. We need to keep reminding, then we will just have to get legal etc. to bulldoze wall.

Firewise 

Forest Closures 

Parks 

Katie's proposition - She thinks we should have parks and we should help out. We have existing money in budget for parks. Liability is not a question because we have that coverage anyway. We want to support, but priority for extra funding is low. Also desire to spend time by board is VERY limited.

Suggestion for vote: Support in spirit, $500 out of allocated funding, allow her to use our upcoming mailings to solicit interest/help. M/S/Passed. One opposed, one abstain. 

Slash Pit

Reiterated last months news that was recorded in the minutes that were sent to all. Curtain burner is great, but problematic. How can we keep people to stop dumping slash? Fence around pit? We need to get official word what EPA requirements are. If EPA is manageable, then SLPPOA might afford necessary fire equipment. If we bought that stuff, then perhaps we could manage. 

General Meeting

Happens second Saturday in September (11th). John needs to be elected (was appointed) if he runs. At least 3 member's terms must be up. Need someone to head up ballots, finding people to run. Ann will find out whose term is up. Need more people to run to provide choice. This at least provides alternates to replace people that leave before term is up. People will be identified by July meeting. 

New Business

Ann heard of someone wanting to sell 3 acre-feet of water in Pojoaque. She never gets her irrigation water anyway. We need to know what basin rights are in. Wants reasonable offer. We try $100 to pay for option 6 months to ask if these are useful to us. Motion/seconded to refine and offer option to buy (while we research). Discussion.

Vote - all aye

Adjourned 9:20