By David Futey
The Gleneagle Civic Association (GCA) Zoom meeting began Sept. 19 with a quorum of board representation. The attending board members were Shawna Uehling, board vice president and Architectural Control chair, Glen Leimbach, board member at-large and Ray Berg Open Space manager, Mark Connell, board member at-large and Roads, Signs and Ditches chair, and Glenn Gutnayer, board member at-large and representative on the Architectural Control Committee (ARC). Gordon Streich, board president and Covenants Control chair, was unavailable for the meeting.
The meeting was moderated by Warren Management representative Howie Feller. He introduced himself as the new representative for Warren Management as Josh Gregory, the previous representative, had left the company. Feller noted that he works with three homeowners associations at this time.
After the prior meeting minutes were approved without modification, Feller proceeded through the Financial and Manager’s Reports. The August financial report, available in full through the portal at portal.warrenmgmt.com, showed the GCA as of Aug. 31 with $233,806 in total assets, $7,397 in total liabilities, total unallocated reserves of $179,899, and total equity of $36,509. Feller noted that most expense categories went over budget for the August reporting period including professional fees, administrative, and committees. During the manager’s report, Feller stated that two board member positions will be up for re-election and the Warren Management renewal is scheduled for December.
During the Roads, Signs, and Ditches Committee report, Connell stated that temporary street signs have been placed on Huntington Beach and Pauma Valley. He will buy wooden posts in quantities of 10 for those and other signpost repairs and convert existing metal signposts to wood.
In the ARC report, Gutnayer said the process is continuing to convert GCA members over to the Warren Management portal from the GCA website for request submittals. The ARC has the Architectural Control approval process and variance policy and form pdfs available on the portal. Gutnayer said three or four ARC requests were awaiting a response at this time.
Violations reported
Leimbach presented for the Covenant Control Committee. He said there are six to eight violations being pursued, most related to trailers and recreational vehicles parked in yards and driveways. One resident has an “unkempt” yard. Residents in violation receive a first notice sent by registered mail. If not resolved, a second notice will be sent registered mail
Leimbach also presented on Common Elements and the Ray Berg Open Space. He said 100 cubic yards of fill were used to move the trail between the 13th and 14th fairways. A new culvert was installed as part of the trail move.
He said an elderly gentleman was walking in the open space, fell and required assistance. The Monument Fire Department could not reach him as they could not determine how to enter the open space. Leimbach has since provided a map with access points to Jonathan Bradley, Monument Fire Division chief of Community Risk Reduction. The map will be incorporated into the department’s vehicles online map system.
New annual meeting date
During the new business portion of the meeting, Feller said the annual meeting needs to be moved from Oct. 9 to formally set it up. Feller needs a meeting budget from the board, to send out the call for candidates to the community, the printing and mailing of the 701 pamphlets to each community member, and a required 15-30 days’ notice of the meeting. A tentative date of Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Antelope Trails Elementary School cafeteria was settled on. It was stated that seven community members attended the 2023 membership meeting.
Leimbach led a discussion regarding the creation of a sign and flag policy. The policy and related discussion resulted from a situation where “two GCA neighbors became at odds over religious rights and the posting of a sign.” The sign in question was posted near the property line, facing the neighbor. A lawyer, consulted by the board, said the GCA needs to establish a uniform way to protect the rights of all parties.
The policy draft sets sign dimensions at 24 by 18 inches, the sign is placed in the front yard of the property, close to and visible from the street and not directed toward a neighbor. This policy draft also stipulates a flag size no larger than 3 by 5 feet. It was stated that a political flag possibly exceeds that dimension. When approved, all flags would fall under this policy.
The discussion involved the flag size being changed to no greater than 4 by 6 feet and establishing a time frame for a displayed sign to be posted was not stipulated in the policy draft. The board decided to table a vote on the policy to resolve the flag size and the duration for displaying a sign. A GCA member on the call brought up Colorado HB21-1310: HOA Regulation of Flags and Signs, which was passed into law in July 2021. It broadens homeowner protections regarding the display of flags and signs relative to HOA policies.
Member comments
The GCA member comments portion of the meeting included discussions on benches, Airbnbs in the community, noise from the Ford Amphitheatre, and loose dogs in the open space. A GCA member requested a bench be placed along the new 14th fairway access trail. Leimbach said bench material (expanded metal), dipped in a rubberized compound, set in concrete would cost about $600 each. The board is seeking community members to donate for the bench and board members would install it. No board monies are presently allocated.
It was also suggested that the board get a post hole digger for the GCA-owned tractor for signpost installation. Connell priced a post hole digger rental at Home Depot at $150 for four hours. The rental option is only supported currently and until it becomes cost effective to purchase one and store it. The GCA does not have a storage facility. A storage facility is needed because equipment is presently left outside, a board member said.
GCA members living on Doral Way asked what the policy is regarding Airbnb properties. The homeowners have been subjected to unattended fire pits left burning overnight, outdoor music, noise, and trash from an Airbnb next door. A lengthy discussion ensued that brought up the issues of absentee landlords, not wanting to limit long-term rentals, a number of related Colorado Revised Statutes found under Title 38, Article 33.3 (Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act), the difficulty in organizing a membership vote to pass a declaration, and the enforceability to restrict Airbnbs. It was suggested to have covenant violations accumulate for the owner to address the situation.
A Candlewood Court GCA community member asked if the board could raise the issue of noise from the Ford Amphitheatre as it is affecting GCA members. The community member noted that the Sun Hills board presented to the Colorado Springs City Council on the impact of noise being experienced by its members. It was suggested that a GCA citizens’ committee needs to be formed to gather information on the issue, bring it up at the annual meeting to assess the impact, and determine further action.
A 30-year GCA community member, whose backyard abuts the open space, said that dogs off leash in the open space has become an issue. The member believes the off-leash dogs occur in part from dog owners who live outside the community using the open space as a dog park. The community member has observed cars being parked on the street and dog(s) subsequently let loose in the open space. They have witnessed dog fights caused by off-leash dogs and have concern for children riding on bikes being attacked. They have also limited their own dog walking in the open space as well for safety concerns. They noted it is posted that dogs must be on a leash and questioned who enforces it. Leimbach said it is difficult to enforce due to limited resources. It was suggested to report instances to Animal Control or the Humane Society.
The meeting adjourned at 5:26 p.m.
David Futey can be reached at davidfutey@ocn.me.
Other Gleneagle Civic Association articles
- Gleneagle Civic Association, Sept. 19 – GCA annual meeting date moved (10/3/2024)
- Gleneagle Civic Association Board of Directors, Mar. 17 – Discussion of management’s role continues (4/6/2024)