September 2024 Towne South Homeowners Assoc. Meeting Minutes
TOWNE SOUTH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
Open Meeting Minutes – September 17, 2024
Board Present – Ryan Storie, Hugh McWilliams, Jackie Tebbe (via Zoom), Greg Hertlein, Katie Mizera and Mary Ann McWilliams, Administrative Assistant. In addition to the Board members, attendees in person included lot owners: Lucille Hines, Evelyn Bevans, Betty Willett, and Ron Kaminski. Attendees via Zoom included: Don Cannon, Ginger Whetstone, Anna Lang and Nancy Katich.
Ryan Storie, Chair, opened the meeting at 7:01 pm and thanked all for coming. He introduced Katie Mizera as our new Board member chosen by the Executive Board to fill the vacancy of Dave Carr who resigned recently. Katie’s term will expire in February 2025 when she will have to run for a full position on the Board at that time. Other Board members present introduced themselves.
1. Approval of Minutes from July 16, 2024. – Ryan reported that these minutes were approved by the Board and will be posted to our website soon.
2. Financial Update – because we did not meet in August, the July P&L is included today.
a. July 2024 – Income was $630.24, most of which was Trustee Verification income, and expenses were $7,305.63 which left us with a negative net profit of $6,675.39. Tree removal in July was $6,250 and our General Liability bill was $614.00. We expect that at this time of the year we will always be in a negative net profit status.
b. August 2024 – Wasn’t any better than July. Income was $732.71, which was made up mostly of Trustee Verification and a Lien Release recovery, and expenses were $3,750.78 for a total net profit of a negative $$3,018.07. Again, tree removal was the largest expenditure at $2,500.00
c. YTD 2024 – This shows a more positive picture. Income was $44,454.21 and expenses were $40,408.99, leaving a net profit of a positive $4,025.22. At this time Jackie reported that there is $9,967.58 in our checking account and $26,611.03 in our money market account. There will be a few more mowing expenses between now and the end of the year.
d. Expenses – the Board approved reimbursing Greg for $42 for St. Louis County plot maps.
3. Liens & Releases – No liens and one release since last meeting
4. Requests for approval – Ryan reported that since our last meeting, the Board has approved two driveway extensions, three sheds (two at the same property), and one fence. The Board has denied two RV parking requests, and one request to remove a tree stump and roots.
5. Motorized vehicles in common ground areas and within subdivision. Greg reported that we have had a lot of issues recently with kids on motorized vehicles driving all over our common ground and making ruts that are making it hard for our mowers to navigate. They have also worn a path through several of our wooded areas. We have had many complaints that their reckless actions are going to hurt our homeowners or themselves. They live in the neighboring subdivision but use ours to “play” in. The Board is working on ways to resolve this. Signs will be going up soon to tell everyone that our common ground is for foot traffic only.
6. Landscaping - Homeowners may not mow grass, trim trees, plant, provide maintenance, etc., on common property without the written consent of the majority of the Board of Governors on an annual basis. The Board of Governors reserves the right to revoke such consent.
a. Mowing – as reported above, our mowers are dealing with many large ruts in our common ground due to motorized vehicles using it as a motocross track. Trying to resolve.
b. Trees – Large tree down at Towne South and Towne Centre. We are getting a bid on this tree. Evelyn asked if it will be removed or just pushed into the creek. Greg said that has not been decided yet until we talk to our tree service.
c. Creeks – no issues to report
7. Violations – There have been seven issues resolved and we’re still working on six other issues. We have St. Louis County involved in two of these six issues.
8. Zone Captains – Still need a captain for Zone 1. Zone Captains delivered invitations to the October 19th party.
9. Fall Party – Our second annual subdivision party is on Saturday, October 19th from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the parking lot of Prince of Peace UCC Church on Towne South. Please RSVP so we know how much food we will need, and let us know what you are bringing. We are still looking for more sponsors. We have a few but would love more. We also need some raffle prizes. Betty stated she wants to donate some money to be used for a raffle basket. Mary Ann volunteered to make up a basket for Betty. Jackie noted that we are accepting donations via Venmo, but if you use Venmo, please be sure to identify yourself and that you are donating to the party.
10. Beautification Group – Ryan reported that all our entrance signs have been really cleaned up by several people on the Beautification Group. Greg will be purchasing mulch this week and if anyone needs some to complete the entrance signs, please call him. He is willing to deliver it to where you need, but doesn’t want to just drop off bags as we’re sure they will just disappear.
New Business - None
Old Business
1. There are currently 48 rental homes within our HOA. In an effort to keep everyone updated, we will report on the number of rentals at each monthly meeting. This is an increase of one since our last meeting.
Open for Floor Discussions –
Betty noted that she has a neighbor who may be interested in taking over the mowing of the cul de sac on their street. She asked if the Board has considered offering to waive the annual dues to people who would be willing to take over the lawn maintenance in areas our mowers are currently maintaining. Ryan stated that we appreciate anyone who wants to help with maintaining any common area, but as our Indentures state they need to request permission to do so on an annual basis. Greg stated that he doubted that eliminating just a few cul de sac mowings would reduce our bill with the mowing company. Betty said she just wanted to throw that out there as a possible option.
Evelyn asked if the big tree at Towne South and Towne Centre was ours or Mission Estates. It was ours. She asked if the tree was removed or pushed into the creek. It was removed. Evelyn further asked if a renter could serve on the Board of Governors. Ryan stated that renters may not serve on the Board, nor can they vote on any issues brought before the homeowners. According to our Indentures, only the lot owner may vote or serve on the Board. They are certainly welcome to attend our Open Meetings and come to any event we have, like our parties.
Ron Kaminski requested to talk to the Board after we adjourn regarding modifying his request for a shed.
Ryan asked if anyone had anything more to bring to the Board at this time. There being none, the Towne South Homeowners Association Open Monthly Meeting was adjourned at 7:19 pm. The next TSHA Monthly Open Meeting is Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 7:00 pm at Prince of Peace UCC.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Mary Ann McWilliams
Administrative Assistant