The December 13, 2022, board meeting was held on a rather cold, rainy evening. Even with the unfavorable weather, we had good attendance. Attending board members were Stephanie Tumbleston, Michelle Bussiere, and Lynn Stilger, and the two alternates, John Baughn and Lynn Helferich filled in for the absent Elizabeth Rehling and Jerry Wortham. Residents in attendance were Dave Manaras, Wayne DeBus, and Kay DeBus.
I want to thank Lynn Stilger for conducting the meeting and for the participation of each board member. I received the minutes and recording from the meeting, which allows me to provide you with a recap.
Stephanie Tumbleston presented the minutes from the board meetings of November 8 and November 22, 2022. A motion was made and accepted, and the board approved it.
The board’s treasurer, Michelle Bussiere, presented the November 2022 financials. For November 2022, we were over budget by $2,596. This is traced to pool equipment which was up by $1,339, and landscaping, which was over by $995. Sometimes actual expenses may not occur in the same month as budgeted. That is why the year-to-date budget is under $4,367, which is outstanding.
Without going into a mound of numbers, for 2022, we saw inflation and additional reserved fund expenses play a part in the projected year-end results. However, we estimate that the combined year-end operating and reserve fund expenses will exceed the plan by only 6.9%. Further, a $3,000 reserve fund expense planned for 2023 was completed this year. This allowed us to reduce the 2023 reserve fund by that amount. We should all be pleased with how the VM 3 expenses and funding are managed.
At the November 8, 2022, board meeting, it was brought up and discussed that the maintenance of the entrance area at Coolidge needed attention. The primary concern was the curb that borders the fountain. Shortly after that, the board presidents from Units 2, 3, 4, and 5 met to discuss this issue. I am pleased to report that the curb is now repainted and looks very nice. Further discussions covered general maintenance of the entrance area. Philip Ellis (VM 2) met with the landscaper and reemphasized their contract and what the associations expected and required. I am confident that we will see improvements.
Per the November 8, 2022, board meeting, the board unanimously approved rescinding the $100.00 transfer fee discount provided to developers purchasing a property. The Rules and Regulations are updated and posed to the website for future reference.
As you know, for the past three years, we have worked to improve the distribution of the annual packets. The goal was and continues to focus on electronic communication. This year we hand-delivered only seventeen packets compared to three times that amount last year. Please understand that we know which residents do not have computer access, and these will always have our attention. We want to thank you for your support. We also see improvement in resident response through electronic voting and social event registration. For example, we received twenty-three electronic ballot returns in the first week. This year's holiday social committee only sent hard copies to non-computer residents, and they had fifty-three electronic RSVPs, which was excellent.
Now, I need to end the board letter on a serious note; when you drive south on Rancho Vista Dr. and approach Highland Ave., there is a STOP SIGN. We have had several residents driving East or West on Highland, having close encounters with drivers not stopping for the STOP SIGN.
Let’s all be careful, stop, and look both ways. Since I live at the corner of Rancho Vista and Highland, I will pay close attention to my driving habits.
We wish each of you a Happy Holiday and a great New Year.
Jerry Wortham
President, VM III
