2011 budget Approved

The 2011 budget for the Homeowner's Association was presented by Treasurer, Jared Weed at the November 16th board meeting.

The budget approval meeting was held on December 15th and the budget was passed.

Bear-Strewn Garbage

Our thanks to the volunteers who have worked hard to pick up the unsightly garbage strewn about by the bears. Jesse Hanson, Matthew Rowley and Sue Swanson cleared out the area around the retaining pond at the south end of Mt. Si Cottages on December 18th in the sleet and rain.

On January 22nd a little sunshine inspired Chris and Katie Starkey to attack the garbage in the wetland on our western border. They filled 5 garbage cans with refuse. Chris donated the use of his truck to haul all the garbage to the dumping station in North Bend.

There is still bear-garbage at the south end of the wetland near the field. We appreciate the help of all volunteers in this effort. Eliminating the garbage will eliminate the rats that have been having garbage for lunch and dinner and chewing on the wires of our parked cars for dessert.

Bear Meeting Recommendations for Garbage

An information meeting on the bear problem at Mt. Si Cottages was held for the residents on December 7th at Snoqualmie City Hall. Mayor Matt Larson, Mike Roy of the Public Works Department, Officer Nigel Draveling of the Snoqualmie Police Department and Julie Hopkins Biologist and bear expert presented information.

The bears have become humanized and now feel comfortable within 25 yards or so of humans. Some residents have reported that the bears have become more aggressive. One resident was charged by a bear while walking her dog; bears are frequently seen on the patios. Please be very aware of the bears and be cautious when out after dark. Because of a lack of natural food the bears had a difficult time bulking up for hibernation and may continue to look at our garbage cans as a food source throughout the winter. Even though the bears are in partial hibernation during the winter they still come out to feed every few weeks.

All speakers on the panel stressed that food must be completely removed from the garbage cans or the bears will continue to invade our community for years. They stressed there must be 100% compliance by all residents for this to work. Allied Waste is experimenting with bear-resistant cans and will let us know when they are available to residents.

Easy and inexpensive suggestions for eliminating the food from your garbage:

1. Mt. Si Cottage residents are not allowed to put garbage cans out on the street until the day of collection. Allied Waste garbage trucks come between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. on Tuesdays.
2. Put as many food scraps as possible down the garbage disposal. (Avoid putting anything with gristle or bones, or large bits of garbage down the disposal as you might break it.)
3. What you can't put down the disposal, put in a plastic bag and keep inside until garbage day. Do not put any food scraps outside. Bears can smell food from miles away. Use a sealed 5-gallon paint can for the garbage, available at Lowes or put food scraps in the freezer or refrigerator

4. Bears loove poop--both dog and human. No dog feces is allowed on the common elements. This is attracting the bears. All dog feces must be picked up, bagged and removed immediately. Poopy diapers must be rinsed out in the toilet before being put in the garbage.

5. If you have an Allied Waste clamshell garbage cart, you have Allied's permission to drill two holes in the lid and to use bolts to secure the can. This has proved successful against bear attacks on diaper-filled cans. However, you must unbolt the can the day of garbage collection. The driver will not unbolt the can or pick up garbage from bolted cans.

Thanks for your help and cooperation on this difficult problem. The harder we make it for the bears to get to the food in our cans the less we will see of them.

Finance and Budget Committee established to review expenses and evaluate reserve fund

A Finance and Budget Committee was established at September's HOA Board meeting. The purpose of the committee will be to review association expenses and evaluate the accuracy of future reserve fund expenses (as estimated in the 2009 Reserve Study) -- to ensure we're not under-funding (or over-funding) our reserve fund.

The recommendations of this committee will be relied upon to plan future budgets and assessments.

If you would like to participate in this effort, please contact a member of the board and receive committee meeting details. Or, call Sandy Cobb at CWD Group at 206-706-8000.

City Alert: "Operation House ID" Service is Not Authorized by the City of Snoqualmie

An Alert by the City of Snoqualmie, August 19, 2010:

Alert to Residents: "Operation House ID" service is not authorized by the City of Snoqualmie. The Snoqualmie Police Department has received reports that a company calling itself Aerus Painting has been circulating flyers in Snoqualmie Ridge neighborhoods to notify residents they will be painting house numbers on curbs for emergency purposes. The company suggests that residents enclose $25 in an envelope and tape it to their door in order to have their house number included in the service.

This service has not been made known to or approved by any City of Snoqualmie department. There is no record of a business license for Aerus Painting and they are not authorized to paint house numbers on city street curbs.

If residents have any issues or concerns regarding Aerus Painting or the flyers they have distributed, they may call the Police Department at 425-888-3333.

4th of July Fireworks

If you plan to celebrate the 4th of July with Fireworks here at home, please limit your fireworks to the cul-de-sac on Hancock Ave. Snoqualmie city laws allow legal fireworks to be discharged between 6 and 11 p.m. on July 4 only.

Remember, fireworks are not allowed on HOA property (parking lots, patios, lawns, porches, etc).

Landscape Committee Back at Work!!

The landscape committee has kicked off our Spring landscape improvements! Today they began by planting around more of the utility boxes in our common spaces:

This area is planted around the utility boxes
back in the NE green...

...and this is another view.

This box is also in the NE green, along the street.
(The scraggly plants, which were pruned back for the
winter and for transplanting, will fill in fully with time.)

This is what these areas looked like BEFORE the plantings.
(Lots of ugly utility boxes, which have now been beautified!)

This box -- which is back in the NW green -- was planted last Fall...

...as was this area also, visible along Hancock Ave.

Additionally, some flowering carpet roses were planted
at the end of the cul-de-sac (on Hancock) last Wednesday.

Thanks to all of the homeowners who participated in this fun planting party! As with all plantings so far, no HOA funds were used. All plants were donated (or purchased with money specifically donated for this effort). We are all GRATEFUL for these willing, generous donations.

If you would like to donate plants (or money for plants) for plantings around your home, please contact Sue Swanson at (425) 441-8162. With donations, additional plantings can easily be arranged.

Thanks also to everyone who enjoyed participating in Sunday's Window Box workshop, and thanks to Sue Swanson & the Landscape Committee for putting this on!

What do Board members do?

Are you considering serving on the Board, but wondering what that responsibility entails?

In formal terms, board members are responsible for "fulfilling their fiduciary duties". But what the heck does that mean???

Well, here are some things Board members are responsible for. (These come from CAI's "Rights & Responsiblities for Better Communities".)

• participate in Board meetings & decision-making communication in a prompt manner
• meet their responsibilities as a homeowner, and as a community leader
• contribute to a responsive & competent association
• manage the association in an organized manner, and exercise sound business judgment
• be honest, fair & respectful
• maintain the community according to established, agreed-upon standards
• help manage funds responsibly
• demonstrate a willingness to listen to others
• keep an open mind
• support their colleagues
• encourage input from residents
• conduct business in a transparent manner
• become educated in the association's governing documents

Board members' responsibilities do require a commitment of time and effort, but when willing participants serve, it doesn't take much -- and it's time well-spent!

Should I attend the Annual meeting even if I don't want to run for a Board position?

Yes!

This is an important meeting -- even if you don't want to run for a Board position.

Most importantly, please come & vote for the
people you want representing you! This is a representative government, so you'll want good representatives (even if you can't participate directly yourself).

Also, at least 25% of homes must be represented at this meeting (that's at least 11 homes). Otherwise no election can be held.

If you cannot attend, please send someone with your proxy (which was mailed to you) so that your vote can be heard.

So, you want to make a difference?

Do you want to make a difference in your community?

Looking for a way to serve your neighbors?

Want to see some changes made?

Do you want to do something productive to help your Association?

Do you want input on how we spend money?

Do you want input on decision-making that affects you, and your community?

You can! Come serve as an HOA Board member!

Elections will be held March 15. There are two open positions. All applicants are welcome!

Do you have executive experience? Or do you simply have a willingness to volunteer a little time to make our community better?

If yes, we hope you will consider this worthwhile opportunity. You can make a real difference.

(Check back over the next two weeks to learn more about this important meeting, and about the responsibilities of a Board member. Good stuff to come!)