Resident Manager's Report

Executive/Management Committee Meeting, July 23, 2007


    Location: Thistle Community Housing

  • Present: MHA: Paul Keaton-President, Keith Ainsworth-Treasurer, Deb Feustal- Management Committee Chair, Gene Langlois-Management Committee Member, Alex Wilson – Management Committee Member, Steve Gains-Vice President, Robert Power – Acting Secretary
  • Thistle: Barbara Navin – CLT coordinator, Julie Morris-Resident Manager
  • Hast: Sandy Denny-Property Manager

    Meeting Minutes
  • Agenda:
  • Resident Manager’s Report
  • Minutes from last meeting review
  • Infrastructure Update
  • Property Manager’s Report
  • Recent Home Sales
  • Fence Committee Report
  • Budget
  • Escrow Account
  • State DOH Infrastructure Finding
  • Resident Manager’s Report (altered in the minutes to protect resident identities where appropriate)

    MAPLETON PARK RESIDENT MANAGER REPORT JULY 2007
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  • Davey Tree has removed the willow tree behind #41 & #42 and the cottonwood at the back of #8, with no damage to our new blacktop. We are still working with Excel regarding stump and transformer box at the back of 146.
  • We received a report of a barking dog in a unit. The owner of the companion dog says he barks when anyone comes near the home. Apparently next door is too near.
  • One leaking outside faucet has been repaired at #153.
  • Resident was asked to show registration for his vehicle, which he produced, and it matches the description of the vehicle as well as the license number.
  • Enzo mowed the thistle patch as well as other weeds and grass in #150.
  • We seem to have an influx of skunks in the north area of the park, with several complaints of strong odors and critters living under homes. After much research and many calls it seems the best solution is to trap and remove the skunks. However, to hire a pest control company to do this is very costly.
  • There have been several complaints regarding parking in the cul-de-sac (numbers 12-16). After talking to each resident involved, we believe we have worked out an agreeable plan.
  • One of the crew replacing skirting under homes suggested there might be a fire hazard under a unit due to the amount of stuff stored under the home. Sandy has talked to resident regarding this issue.
  • Resident was asked to remove the orange cones in front of his home and has agreed to do so when the landscapers are finished.
  • We had a report of a fire at the back of one lot, with a strong odor of gas. It seems they were having a pig roast over charcoal briquettes. They denied using flammable liquid on fire.
  • There was a power outage on July 11 in the south part of the park. Excel corrected this problem.

    Additions to July 07 Report
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  • There have been several power failures due to construction affecting unit numbers 36-95.
  • Enzo received a report from a very upset resident. She stated that Julie was very inefficient as she had failed to keep the resident next door quiet. Also she did not give her time to fix her camper. This camper was ticketed last week because it has no license. The noise issue was last year.
  • We also have had some boundary problems regarding the access area in the neighboring yard. One resident actually told his neighbor that part of her yard belonged to him and he was in the process of removing bushes and plants. Needless to say this lady was very upset. Another complaint we have received concerns trespassing in other people's yards.
  • Enzo removed a very large wasp nest from #3 yard which was attached to #4 home.
  • Three vehicles were ticketed for expired license or no license. One of those vehicles is no longer on site. The other two are scheduled to be towed. A warning was placed on vehicle for non-resident status. It has been removed.
  • Additional: Enzo is authorized to paint stripes in cul-de-sac (units 12-16 area) to delineate parking spaces.
  • Regarding fences, lattice-work, etc. that is going up, Julie is to notify resident that approval is needed, and fencing will come down if not approved by Management Committee.
  • Minutes from June Meeting: will be reviewed, edited and brought to next meeting for approval.

    Infrastructure Update and Discussion
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  • Landscaping: Sandy sent a formal complaint to Wyatt saying she is unsatisfied with the landscaping and won’t accept any work that has been done so far.
  • Electrical Panel issue: Sandy is trying to determine if we get a licensed contractor to inspect and do work, and can this take place of city inspector. Not yet clear if city inspector will need to see resident property or not. Again, she emphasizes that no resident pays. A question of notice to correct and if this isn’t corrected, what is implication? This isn’t clear yet.
  • One home with sewer line that is ¾” decline in 6 feet. Also a long run of 12-15 feet without hangers. Is this appropriate? Seems unstable as the pipe is flexible. Raises question of what is happening in other homes.
  • Regarding updates/communication to residents, it is suggested to Thistle that bi-weekly meetings happen. It was noted that monthly meetings had happened at one point.
  • Barbara Navin noted that postcards went out regarding energy saving kits, and said that the kit includes a $25 value. Also if residents sign up, then future value might be available later.
  • Deb comments about the sod which was placed and is in poor condition.
  • Regarding mailboxes and the signs with unit no and name, demos were available. Noted is that the white lettering with black background stands out. Mailboxes will be the black post office mailboxes. Recommended that name lettering be 1” and numbers be 2”. Discussion includes that there will be 2 signs, number and name, and will be hung with eye hooks. Also discussed, 1 sign and adhesive backed numbers to go on mailbox.
  • Have Enzo make a complete sample with mailbox attachment and signs attached. Also a lamp attached to the top.
  • The Mobile Home Park meeting in Denver last week was excellent. Comments and discussion out of this meeting include:
  • If you have a multi-entity, you may charge 2x’s security deposit, if only 1 property, then can charge only 1x security deposit. This relates to the $5000 security deposit from 1 resident and Sandy will get clarification on whether this can be kept or not. This resident’s delinquency is now current.
  • Handling resident complaints and fair housing complaints.
  • Companion animals are not considered pets by Federal law, so rules of MHA don’t apply in this case. MHA can’t limit what the type of companion animals are desired by residents (Exclusions to this are unclear.) Residents who have companion animals will be verified that they have submitted state approved form. For clarification, companion animals aren’t service animals.
  • Resident complaints – If we fine someone, first we warm them, and they must have opportunity to contest fine before it is posted. Do this by contacting Hast and requesting a hearing of the board. They will need to come to MHA. We never have to refund or waive legal fees.

    Property Manager Update – Sandy Denny + input from TCH
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  • Several residents with past due amounts are paying current month’s lot rent and working to pay the past due amounts.
  • 1 resident had an eviction hearing set in July which is delayed until October 15. Regarding the possibility of the resident selling home, it is noted that account has to be current for the sale to take place. The amounts currently shown are not in balance and Sandy will find out why and correct this. Even if accounts are brought into balance, an eviction hearing can take place because of violation of MHA by-laws and regulations.
  • Another resident’s court date isn’t yet set. No other discussion about this.
  • Hast provided the MMHP July Financial Report. It isn’t approved at this point because corrections are needed. Discussion included:
  • Meaning of various line items including collection loss
  • Legal expenses including related to past due accounts
  • need to increase interest income on cash reserves
  • Regarding new residents and house sales
  • One sale was approved today for #82. Also, noted is that background of applicants are improved over a year ago.
  • Thistle reports 4 sales this year. 12 sales since Thistle bought the park. Barbara says people are tending to pay in cash. More people are applying for MMHP. Tendency seems that people tend to apply for a particular home before applying.
  • #23 sold recently.
  • Regarding background checks, Deb suggests that these be done right before finalizing sale. However, background checks are with a 3 month lifespan. Thistle application has a 6 month lifespan.
  • Regarding Boulder Manor applicants, concerns about those residents – rumors about delinquencies and other issues.
  • Robert reports about 1 person who had interest in bringing in a home and was frustrated by not getting clear information from Thistle or Hast. This happened in a February – April timeframe.
  • Sandy will find out if someone who wants to bring in a home, can they be hooked up to the electricity right now.
  • Deb brings up possibility of rent increases. Those who are paying $285 will have to be raised and are in that process. There are 6 residents.
  • Fence Committee – didn’t meet. They will report next month.

    Budget – Escrow account
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  • Again, it is brought up by Paul and Deb to Thistle that MHA needs the Escrow account reports in a timely basis and that they need to be current and accurate. In the past, the escrow accounts weren’t funded. They began, likely in June. So MHA needs the archived tax statements/coupons and bank statements for the accounts. The spreadsheet report which was submitted by Barbara in this meeting is insufficient. This has been an outstanding issue and MHA wants it resolved.
  • Deb brings up why can’t MHA wire transfer amounts directly into escrow accounts (as is done with mortgage payments to the bank) rather than send check to Thistle?
  • Currently, the taxes, audit costs, land liability insurance, land trust fee, bond trustee fee all go to Thistle in one check currently. These costs are per the lender’s agreement. Deb recommends that these amounts are wire transferred into the accounts directly and wants to receive from Thistle agreement for this to happen.
  • Paul wants clarity about the following issues: tax bills, insurance bills and audit bills. MHA knows what they paid in on these categories, and wants to see what has been paid out. MHA wants the real statements, not spreadsheet analysis. MHA needs this ASAP in order to complete their budget. Deb mentions that hold-ups on this information holds up the budget completion and delivery to Thistle.
  • Deb brings up that budget will be “lean” and so it is important to maximize income.
  • Sandy brings up how to deal with 5 vacant lots because of uncertainties on availability. It will stay as vacancy loss for the year. 4 of these 5 lots are market rate.
  • Sandy then asks if a resident can swap a tiered lot for a vacant lot at market rate. Answer by Paul is that this could lead to being out of compliance.

    Report on State DOH meeting.
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  • Paul reports that Thistle is trying to get money ($350K to complete infrastructure on south side (phases 6, 7) and $350K for the north side). Thistle went to the state on this (Thistle completed phase 5 with the MHA grant). State has questions about sustainability of this project. (a depreciating asset, problem of buying into the park, or replacing a home if damaged at 30% tier…) Paul interpreted state’s response as one of trepidation. 30% tier will be difficult to replace a home – a big challenge. Barbara says that City may be willing to loosen zoning to include permanent foundations in MMHP because of what is happening at Boulder Manor. Deb says that MHA needs to be very careful of being taken over and that permanent foundations may be a step to this and is why MHA fought for mobile home zoning. City thinks that Boulder Mobile Manor will be temporarily displaced. Likelihood is that they will be permanently displaced. State wants to see movement on the loan fund for replacement of homes. Thistle has started a sub-committee to work on the loan fund.
  • Discussion turns to buying FEMA homes if needed to replace homes here. Comments include being wary because they have big problems including severe off-gassing.
  • It is mentioned that if park infrastructure isn’t finished by Dec 08, then a situation of out of compliance with agreements with City of Boulder related to purchase of the property from them. Question of what will City do at that point and discussion of possibilities which includes importance of MHA-TCH being in communication with them about issues related to completing infrastructure. Next meeting will be Aug 27
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