MHA Management Committee Minutes 5-23-05

Management Committee/Board of Directors

May 23, 2005

Members Present: Management Committee: Jonathan Machen, Chair, Gene Langlois, Kabir. Alex Wilson

Executive Board: Paul Keaton, President; Silvia Gentile, Treasurer; Jonathan Machen, Chair of management Committee; Mark Reeder, Acting Secretary

Nick Tamm #41 resigned as President of the MHA; Paul Keaton is now the acting President. Loretta Milcarek explained the difference between an acting President and an appointed President. An acting President means that the Board is looking for a new President. An appointed President means that Paul has assumed the duties of President and the board is now looking for a new vice-president. The question was then raise whether the MHA should accept Nick’s resignation. Kabir moved we should accept; Alex seconded; the motion passed. Jonathan will continue as Management chair. Next Jonathan explained that the recent meeting with TCH discussed open lines of communication; MHA board will continue without a Community Coordinator for now; the MHA will use email as a tool for coordinating meetings and not for discussing items.

Six Warning Notices were sent to residents regarding parking violations. At this point two residents have complied. Two have not yet complied because notices were lost so the time was extended. We do not know who owns the other two so they will be towed.

Julie and Enzo met with management committee and the property manager to decide what improvements needed to be made and to determine priorities

One owner is working on his unit without a permit. Code Enforcement has been contacted again but there has been no follow through at this time from Code Enforcement.

A bid for the retaining wall at # 70 was received from Mobile Maintenance. It is attached.

Two noise complaints have been received. Julie has spoken with the residents and all has been quiet since.

The cost of trapping cats was investigated. There is a $70.00 trip charge where multiple traps are set. Then when a trap has a cat or cats there is a $70.charge per trap and $15.00 Shelter Fee per cat. This month one complaint was made about a cat going into a neighbors yard. Julie has spoken to the owner of the cat and they are going to enclose the cat.

The information regarding recycle bins that was given last month was in error. The correct information is as follows. Currently we are paying $133.50 per month for 15 carts that are picked up bi-weekly. For $159.25 per month they will pick the 15 carts weekly.

The path from the gate to the door at 35 B (Leah Young and Don Lucas) is in very bad shape. Julie and Enzo think they can put it into a safe condition for very little cost. This work is in process.

A complaint regarding the spraying of herbicides was received. As only spot spraying was being done there was no violation of the law. However, in the future it is recommended that notification be done whether the spraying is spot or broadcast.

A complaint was received because of the noise of the lawn mower and weed whacker.

Several children have requested a basketball hoop and net be placed adjacent to the washhouse.

Complaint about a “homeless” person hanging out during the day and looking into parked cars and yards was received.

Complaints have been received regarding asphalt repair and replacement work that needs to be done between 26 and 33.

c. Retaining wall behind #70: Paul asked if it was an MHA or MLLC responsibility. Mark and Roger explained the land lease’s arrangement: MLLC is responsible for the large infrastructure items and capital improvements of the park. The MHA is responsible for maintenance of the Park. Loretta explained that the money for the repair of the retaining wall was coming out of Park rents.

2. Management Committee voted on the expenditure. Jonathan requested a motion. Gene motioned; Alex seconded; the motion was approved.

d. Jonathan and Kabir will go over the letters that will be sent to homes that need yard clean up. Loretta wants them to go out by the first of June.

Jonathan them formally asked Paul if he would become the President of the MHA. Paul agreed.

1. Mark motioned for Paul to be President. Jonathan seconded and Paul’s appointment was unanimously approved.

a. Lease letters to residents, except for Spanish translation, will go out soon. Roger and Barbara will look into an in house Thistle translation

b. Loretta explained balance sheets. There was a question of the figure of ........ on tenant deposits. All residents were grandfathered in at $50 by the city in 1997. After that, new residents paid a deposit of $300. With interest, the amount in the deposits has reached this figure.

c. Replevlin letter to residents owing more than $1000 in delinquent rents is at the attorney and will go out this week to everyone.

d. A resident responded to his non-responders letter. His letter needs a response.

1. Paul asked if the MHA is obligated to respond? Loretta commented that response should come through the Management Committee. It should be a letter stating the original policy. Roger reminded everyone about the fair housing goals and who the letter goes to.

2. Finally decided that a response would come from TCH with an MHA Executive Board review.

a. Jonathan reminded everyone that the former Community Coordinator, Kathryn Alexander, was going to review the Confidentiality letter. He will check with Kathryn on this item. He will also check with her on the possibility of Kathryn putting all of her documents in order.

Bill Windsor will be presenting Excel with a presentation for evaluation of Electric and gas within the park, with the hopes of a “donation”, of upgrading Utilities. The main thrust of the effort is justified because Lu Nuttall put in “private” Utilities as the park was built and Excel has been collecting revenues on it. Because of this Excel should upgrade and sell additional power with higher Amps available to residents.

Also discussed was the splitting of the Park utilities upgrades so that half the Park would be done in one phase the other half of the park would be done in the other.

The MHA presented the fact that by upgrading utilities in two phases – the southern half of the Park first and the northern half of the Park second - there were some great benefits. 1) 75% of the sewer problems were in the southern half. 2) Less impact on the residents, specifically digging up their yards for the dry utilities which would take out a significant number of trees, 3) Saving up to $500,000 in costs.

Bill Windsor pointed out that there are both positive and negative components to the split. Negatives are uncertain timing on when we could do the northern half of the part, as it pertains to the bonds, which are allocated to doing the whole park.

The MHA reiterated how the lower half of the sewer has 75% of the sewer problems, which indicates more root problems and this being the “older” portion of the park, so therefore should be addressed sooner. This would also alleviate some problems with the northern half of the Park. Also conveyed was the cost savings of doing both wet and dry at the same time in order to save money and minimize impact on residents.

Leslie acknowledged that the impact on trees was greater if dry utilities were done through resident’s lawns. She also added there were places on the south half of the Park where sewer replacement wasn’t absolutely necessary – at the northern end of the upper tier near Folsom, with four homes from Branding Iron and the entrance to the Park at Mapleton. In addition, by tying in the water lines from the northern half to the southern half, we could increase water pressure in the northern half immediately, allowing for hydrants and the safety benefits.

Bill seemed much more amenable to examine this further and asked that once the prelim city review was in place to look into this further.

Mark and Kurt suggested that the “Executive” board be allowed to make the decision on behalf of MHA residents in order to not cause a sense of the “haves and have not’s”, within the park. Also this allows for Thistle not to create an adversarial relationship with the park residents.

Leslie Ewy and Wyatt Construction manager Tim Kane will get together to go over figures and cost out the feasibility of upgrading the Park’s infrastructure in two phases. This will help determine where thee boundary line between the northern and southern parts of the park lies.

2. Management Committee Report (Jonathan Machen) The MHA management committee voted to give Lea Young assistance with money and in applying for financial assistance. Barbara Navin pointed out the possibility of a larger fund to help any resident. She also stated that she would send information on county aid to Lea. Roger once more pointed out that all aid by the MHA has to be applied fairly. Paul pointed out that he would be more comfortable with the MHA not actually giving money, just facilitating.

a. The Taggart Insurance puzzle is being worked out. There were two policies at once – one which had been started by the MHA in September, 2004, before closing and one started at closing by Loretta. Loretta explained that this was because the bond issuers insisted on the MHA having a policy. Should have come out of the Park income instead of the MHA.

b. The bill for tying down number 81 and realigning it came to $1200. On the advice of the MHA’s bookkeeper advisor, Silvia created an account as an expense just for improvements. So far the only expenses in the account are for #81 and they include: transportation, insurance, and tying down.

c. The MHA owes back wages to a past community coordiantor. Approximately $2500. We will try to workout a payment plan. We will pay the Accountant for work on taxes. Silvia will send out an email to people asking for information that the accountant needs to finish taxes.

Update on Roger of Mobile Maintenance giving bid on wall on lot 70 (Taken care of)

a. Next Meetings - Set time for next large meeting of Executive Board and Management Committee June 27, 2005.

b. Loretta discussed a new concept for mobile home parks using converted RTD buses.

Kabir then motioned to approve old minutes. Alex seconded and the minutes were approved.

Mark mentioned that Kathryn Alexander alerted him to a Wells Fargo grant opportunity. Silvia stated she would check out the opportunity with Kathryn.

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