Welcome to the archive of Mapleton Hollow's community newsletter!
The Mapleton Mobile-izer is issued quarterly, following the MHA membership meetings. Special editions are issued as needed, for example before a quarterly meeting where MHA members will be voting for executives or making an important decision..
Volume 11.2 Newsletter of the Mapleton Home Association April 2006
INFRASTRUCTURE NEARLY UPON US: BILL WINDSOR UPDATES
In this issue:
Spring Quarterly Meeting
WHERE: Unity Church, Corner of Folsom and Valmont
WHEN: April 30, 2006 SUNDAY 5:00 PM to 6:00PM
Agenda:
1. Election of Officers to the MHA Board
Vice President
Treasurer
Chair of the Management Committee
Secretary
2. Updates
Infrastructure
Management
Finances
3. Thistle Report
Place: Unity Church Time: 5:00 Board Members Present: Paul Keaton President; Mark Reeder Acting Secretary Guests: TCH — Bill Windsor, Julie Nichols; Naropa — Teresa Mann, Chris Getzan, Josh Evans; WASH — Janelle Freeston
President Paul Keaton called the meeting to order at 5:10pm. The first order of business was the election of officers. Four posts are open: Vice President, Treasurer, Chair of the Management Committee and Secretary.
Acting Secretary Mark Reeder stated that Steve Gaines in #160 has indicated he would run for the position of Vice President. Paul Keaton opened the floor to nominations for Vice President. Steve Gaines was nominated for Vice President by Mark Reeder and seconded by Ben Jensen. The votes were 11 in favor and none against.Paul then opened the floor to nominations for treasurer. Jonathan nominated Keith Ainsworth for treasurer. Ben Jensen seconded. The votes were 11 for and none against.
Paul then opened the floor to nominations for Management Committee Chair. He explained to the people there that Debbie Feustel had indicated she would serve as chair. Debbie was not present. Kabir nominated Debbie for Management Committee Chair. Ben seconded the nomination. The votes were 11 for and none against.
Paul then opened the floor to nominations for Secretary. He stated that Mark Reeder who has been acting Secretary for the past year is stepping down. There were no nominations for secretary.
Jonathan Machen #25 then asked who would be taking Mark’s place at meetings. Paul suggested that board and Management Committee members would take turns. Jonathan stated that he would keep the website going to post the minutes of the meetings. He stated that city personnel and staff do read the website.
Paul commented that we have a fuller executive board and are able to handle the responsibilities of managing the Park and running the MHA. Enzo asked about becoming a member of the Management Committee, Mark then explained the procedure which entails: any resident interested must apply to the Management Committee and present proof that they are a resident of Mapleton Park. Please include a resume of your work and/or education. The Management Committee then evaluates your application to pass it along to the Executive Board with their recommendations. If the Executive Board votes to accept the nominee, then the resident becomes a member.
Infrastructure Update
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Infrastructure Update by Bill Windsor of TCH
Bill started off with the good news that we are almost through with all of our city requests. The technical documents approval is the final approval before we can pull permits and begin infrastructure work. In the first submittal of the Tech docs, there were a few comments but nothing too difficult from the Planning Department. However, there were some problems with the White Rock Ditch owners, so the resubmittal was delayed a couple of weeks. Tech docs were submitted a couple of weeks ago. Approval could be as short as 15 days or as long as 45 days. Bill anticipates that we will have approval, hopefully by mid June. Pulling permits should only be 20- 30 days, which pushes us into July. We can break ground a month later.
Also Bill is meeting with the City of Boulder’s HHS division, which had some questions on the plan for upgrades. Their questions are based on the original engineering plans for the upgrades. Originally the city’s engineer said the project could be done for $2m. However, the plans did not follow codes and was incomplete. As a result, HHS wants Thistle and the residents to do partial improvements — water and sewer — over the entire park and then come back at a later date and do electrical, gas and cable. They want this two-fold plan to take place instead of doing the upgrades street by street.
The street by street approach is less costly and disruptive to residents. It begins with Mapleton Avenue and goes through the entire park. It is much better than partial improvements, then returning and ripping up the roads a second time. HHS has asked that we explain it to them again. Bill anticipates that HHS will understand the plan. The street-by-street model is more cost effective and less disruptive. Moreover, the new south end sewer system will help drainage of the north side. And the water issues will be addressed, especially pressure for everyone’s homes. The new loop system will improve everyone throughout the Park. Finally, the MHA has written a letter in support of the street-by-street model.
Ben Jensen asked if there will be a water pressure gauge for the entire Park? Bill answered yes.
New VP Steve Gaines asked if the roads will be torn up and for how long. Bill answered that project rolls through the Park from street to street, and the entire amount of the time is projected for 6 months. But any given road section will be torn up for some part of that time. It will be a month and half for the first road section, as the crews learn how difficult it will be to do the work, then down to 3-4 weeks for each section after that. We won’t be locking anyone out of his or her homes. There will be moments when people cannot Park in front of their homes and will have to walk in. However, there will be weekly construction meetings with a Mapleton Park resident, who will help coordinate the work and provide help for residents who need it. Steve then asked if the sidewalks would be torn up. Bill answered that they would be substantially torn up. Some of the decisions will be made on site as the crews go through. Currently the thinking goes back and forth between taking them out completely and taking out only sections. Also, there is the potential of boring underground, saving sidewalks and trees. The boring issue is dependent upon how rocky the soil is.
The resident who purchased #9 asked if residents would be without water. Bill answered that the goal is to leave the existing infrastructure in place and so not disrupt utilities while the new is being put in. Enzo Gentile asked what new utilities were going to be put in. Bill answered cable, water, sewer and electrical. The telephones lines will be repaired. Residents are responsible for inside their unit.. Some older units may not have the electrical capacity for new appliances. As far as tying into the individual units, there will be plenty of room for that. We’re asking Xcel to donate the new service since the old service was put in by the owner and had no Xcel capital involved, yet Xcel has been making profits from the residents ever since. The question was asked if TCH had had any luck with Xcel donating new service; Bill answered not yet but he is still pushing for it. Mark Reeder told the residents that MHA had sent a letter to Wyatt Construction asking that the company create and fund a community liaison position, using a resident of Mapleton Park. This potentially employed resident liaison would ultimately create seamless communication between residents and the construction crews that will be creating the new infrastructure Bill said that if Wyatt did not agree to the position and the funding of it, we will figure out some sort of methodology to make it work.
Loretta Milcarek has retired from Hast & Co. and was recently replaced by Sandy Denny. Sandy is just getting started and comes to the position with a lot of experience. Hast & Co. has done a good job, saving money and running the Park smoothly for the MHA in the day-to-day work.
The MHA has hired Gene West of RBC Dain Rauscher to manage MHA’s cash reserves. Over $100,000 is to be invested in federally insured deposits. We will use a ladder plan for investing in CD’s. We have extra money because of the way the financial deal was structured. For the first two years, payment on the bonds was interest only. Beginning this year, the payments include principle and the amount of savings will be greatly diminished. We also have other emergency funds to help us in the case of crises. Mark then explained that we need to keep this money available because over the next few years, the projected finances of the Park will be very tight. This exta money will help us in case of emergencies Thistle Corner by TCH Staffer, Julie Nichols. Julie Nichols, Julie Morris and Enzo Gentile went door to get people to sign leases. 95% signed so far. We will continue to add to these. TCH is hosting CLT conference, approximately 400 people coming from all over the country. Bus tours to TCH communities including Mapleton Park. Need volunteers to be available when the tours go through the Park. If anyone is interested on the buses or in the Park or volunteer for any other aspect, then please contact Julie Nichols at TCH 303-443-0007. Conference July, 13- 15.
Jonathan Machen explained that Enzo and Julie Morris erected a sign in front of lot #81, which is the site of the CU project. Take some time to go check it out. Paul commented that the design is futuristic and interesting.
Kim Ballard #42 requested of the MHA Executive Board, Management Committee and TCH that they respond to letters affecting Kim’s household and situation. Important issues have gone unacknowledged and there is a stalled dialogue around resolution that needs to take place. “My circumstance could be the circumstance of any homeowner in the Park.” Additionally, the communications received do not address specific points. Kim stated that she is at a loss of how to continue and asks that the management make an effort to have negotiation and discussion. “ I believe I have made a sincere effort to address these issues. So let’s get things resolved.” Kim went on to add, that she wished to be included in the discussions. Her appeal at tonight’s meeting is to make others aware of her circumstances, and she is formally requesting that these concerns be worked through and aired in a fair way. Kim finished her comments by letting residents know that deer resistant plants in lot #43 are available for residents to dig up on their own. The plants will be available next Friday and Saturday. Editorial Note - "Members of the MHA Board and Management Committee and TCH regret that Miss Ballard feels she has not been listened to. On many occasions the MHA and TCH have tried speaking directly with Miss Ballard about her issues and MHA concerns, however she has referred us to her lawyer."
Mark Reeder then made a tribute to Silvia Gentile. He asked that residents thank Silvia for her work with the MHA. Thanks to her caring efforts, we are a financially strong and viable organization. If you see her in the Park, thank her personally for all her work. Paul added that Silvia made our efforts relevant, and thanks to her she made us a great organization making the income from Park revenues part of the MH. She empowered us a great deal by giving us control over all that revenue.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00pm.
At the end of the meeting, the Naropa and WASH representatives made their presentations to the community. Three Naropa students — Teresa Mann, Chris Getzan, Josh Evans — created and passed out a survey on water quality throughout the park. The results of the survey will be available for the community. In addition, WASH, Watershed Association for Stream Health, staffer Janelle Freeston made a presentation on Goose Creek.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Acting Secretary, Mark Reeder
MMHP Summer Block Party-Mark your calendars
Serena Benson is brainstorming a block party to occur on July 30th from about 2 to 5pm, out on the Mapleton Green. She is hoping to have some volunteers help plan the event and would like you to give her a call to set up a preliminary meeting. So far, she is envisioning music, hopefully by some local park talent, local art, some games, picnic fare, and possibly a BBQ. Serena is hoping to bring the community together to get to know each other and have some fun in the process. There will be more details to follow once the “planning committee” has a chance to meet and craft the intention into a reality. Please save this date and offer some assistance in making this
a fiesta for all to enjoy. Serena can be reached at 303-939-0091 THANKS SERENA!
IT’S ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY
If you experience a sewer line/plumbing problem – please call Julie Morris (303- 440-3315) or Sandy Denny at Hast & Co. (303-444-7575), as you may not be responsible for the repair. It is always wise to call before hiring a contractor since our contractors are familiar with the Park and can expedite repairs.
UNWANTED APPLIANCES AND LARGE ITEMS
We’ve experienced some problems with folks leaving unwanted appliances and other large items outside the dumpsters, which winds up costing us money. If you have large items that you need to dispose of, please call Julie Morris (303-440-3315) and talk with her about potential options. Many of the appliances can be picked up at no cost to you or the community. Remember that every time we spend additional dollars, we ultimately have rent increases occur to meet our outgoing expenses. So do yourself and us a favor and call first.
ANOTHER WORD ABOUT OUR DUMPSTERS
We recently switched over to plastic covered dumpsters, rather than the metal topped ones we once had. Please take a moment to close each dumpster once you have placed your trash into it as this will certainly help with the trash critters. Many Thanks for your help.
PREPARATION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
In preparation for the infrastructure work, we will be bringing in labor (date yet to be determined) to assist any residents who may need assistance to clean up their yard and area around and under their home. No, these folks will not paint the fence or make repairs, but they will remove any article outside of your home that you wish hauled away at no expense to you. So please take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity and start thinking about what should be removed to prevent obstacles during construction. Also, as a reminder: your yard and areas around your home must be clear in order to allow contractors access when the infrastructure project begins. Take advantage of this great opportunity. Anyone interested should contact Sandy Denny at Hast & Co. (303-444-7575) to get your name on the list. A flyer with more information will be forthcoming.
Mark Reeder takes a well deserved break
From the small amount of information I (Colette Roy) have gleaned since stepping into Mark’s position as editor on the Mobile-izer, I have learned that he has been the sole editor for NINE years!!! (webmaster's note: This is incorrect. Kabir and Habiba did several of the earliest issues). Many Thanks Mark, for all the work and effort you have provided the Park in just this one endeavor, not too mention all the other roles you have filled in your dedication to MMHP. All your work is greatly appreciated by your community. New editor and new resident to the park... My name is Colette Roy and I am excited to have this opportunity to help out in a role that interests me as well as becoming involved with the community I have chosen to live in. My husband and I moved into Lori Anderegg’s home (#185) in December and have been thrilled to be in such a wonderful little Shangri-La in the heart of Boulder. I have gotten the OK from Mark to jazz up the Mobile-izer, so I decided to give it a whole new look. Any and all feedback is welcome and appreciated. I am also hoping to put in articles and announcements from folks in the park who would like to utilize the newsletter as an easy form of community info sharing. Please feel free to email me any information you would like me to put in the next edition. coletteroy-AT-gmail.com. It looks like I am able to send out copies easily via email, please email me if you would like to receive your Mobile-izer via email. It would certainly save some resources. I look forward to meeting everyone as time passes. Hopefully we will connect at the Block Party. Until then, happy reading!
Silvia Gentile Retiring from MHA Executive Board
She has worked to the help the Mapleton Park residents from the beginning of the Association. Thanks to her efforts, 9 homes were saved from the Goose Creek Flood Control Project. For the past four years, she has been responsible for setting up MHA's finances, bookkeeping and working with a CPA to make our federal Status as a non profit 501 (c) 3 workable. Without her, the MHA and the residents of Mapleton Park would have been in trouble a long time ago.
She is Silvia Gentile, and after four terms as the MHA’s Treasurer, Silvia is stepping down to a much deserved rest.
Most recently, Silvia worked with the MHA’s accountant, Christa Fleuwelling, to set up our tax reporting and auditing of the business. Finally, the MHA’s Federal taxes are in good hands.
The next time you see Silvia, take some time and say thank you.
The Mapleton Home Association Executive Board
Paul Keaton Pres.
303-939-8140
Steve Gaines V.P.
303-449-1094
Keith Ainsworth
Trea. 303 440-7721
Debbie Feustel Mgmt Chair -
303-247-0658
Management Committee
Alex Wilson
303-447-8508
Gene Langlois
303-444-4988
Mamud Kabir
303-443-8029
Site Committee
Kurt Bischoff
Attorneys
Dennis R .Frohlich
Susan Perkins
More info
The Mapleton Mobile-izer is published quarterly by the Mapleton Home Association and is distributed free to all residents of Mapleton Mobile Home Park.