Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the

Deer Creek Homeowners Association of Livonia

January 25, 2007

Approved at the Jan. 24, 2008 Annual Meeting

 

President Behrendsen convened the meeting at 7:38 p.m. in Meeting Rooms A and B of the Livonia Civic Center Library, with 28 homeowners in attendance.

 

Board Members Present:  Denny Behrendsen, Bob Moore, Charles (Buzz) and Suzanne Steffes, Walt Gerstner, Roy Field, Brian Gulick, Sylvia Leski and Diane Tsaprazis.  All members were present.

 

Introduction of New Neighbors Present:  - Torsten & Karin Buchwald (Wayne Road)

     -   Ansaf Alrabady (Edgewood Drive)

     -   Don and Jennie Baldwin (Wayne Road)

 

Minutes of January 26, 2006:  The Secretary read the minutes aloud. A homeowner asked a question which was deferred by President Behrendsen until later in the agenda.  A motion was made to accept the minutes as written, seconded, and passed by acclamation.

 

Treasurer’s Reports:

1. The 2006 financial statement was presented by Buzz Steffes.  The report showed dues totaling $12,050 from 161 homeowners. Donations of $375 were received, which when added to the beginning balance funds of $3,094.50 resulted in total funds available of $15,509.50.  Operating expenses were $3,517.66.  The new signs at 8 Mile cost $5,800 and the new trees along the 8 Mile easement were $3,800, resulting in an ending balance of $2,391.84.  The Association paid for all expenses to remove dead trees and plant 7 new trees on the west 8 Mile easement as well as remove one tree from the east side easement.  The report was accepted as written, seconded and passed by acclamation.

 

1. The Three Year Financial Plan was presented by Buzz Steffes.  Each year we anticipate that 170 homeowners will pay dues.  So far in 2007, 73 homeowners have paid dues.  For 2007, the operating expenses are budgeted at $5,670.

 

Walt Gerstner, Chairman of the Re-landscaping Committee, presented the Island Re-landscaping Plan.  Two years ago, the Board decided to improve the 8 interior islands.  Committee members were requested at the 2006 Annual Meeting.  The members are as follows:

            Island 1:  Dale Zahm               Island 5:  Renee DePonio & Cecile MacRae

            Island 2:  Bill Golden               Island 6:  No representative

            Island 3:  Patty Villarruel          Island 7:  Mike Marxer

            Island 4:  Robert Ellis              Island 8:  Walt Gerstner

The 8 members formed 4 teams to obtain 4 quotes.  Willson-Steinkopf Landscaping was selected.  In 2007, all 8 islands will be cleaned up by removing dead plantings, pruning, repairing sprinklers, installing new grass and edging as necessary and spreading new mulch at a total cost of $7,000.  In 2008, new plants will be installed at a total cost of $8,000.  In 2009, we will investigate having a landscape firm maintain the 8 islands with annual clean up and weekly maintenance. 

-          Buzz Steffes explained that Willson Steinkopf will be asked to refresh the Bicentennial Park entrance.  

-          Harry Ostrowski asked if any residents have separate meters for sprinklers.   Bill Golden responded that the City will not allow separate meters.

-          Buzz Steffes completed the 3 Year Report with an explanation of the year- end balances.

-          Mike Marxer reported that the bridge to Bicentennial Park is dangerous.    Perhaps the Association could contact the City for repairs.  Sylvia Leski pointed out there could be liability for us if we repair it.  Walt Gerstner said the City has installed more mulch and Mike Marxer said it has been plowed.  Sue Steffes said we need a real wooden bridge.  The Board will investigate.

-          Harry Ostrowski clarified the 2008 figures.

-          A motion was made to accept the 2007 Financial Plan as a budget and 2008 and 2009 figures as projections.  The motion was seconded and approved by acclamation.

 

Old Business:

-          President Behrendsen read the list of accomplishments of the Board of Directors since our last meeting from the Agenda. 

-          Sandy Marxer thanked the Board for our hard work and said she likes the new signs.

-          Harry Ostrowski asked about water pressure in the future due to the new developments on 8 Mile.  Pres. Behrendsen explained that we meet with City officials regularly to discuss water.  The PSI is zero at times.  Irene Martin said her faucet  barely works early in the morning in the summer.  Bill Golden said the golf courses may obtain water from ponds.  Mike Marxer said the cemetery may be watering in the morning too; there is an access pipe that comes off our area to service the cemetery. 

-          Regarding road repairs, the City did not do a 2006 Road Survey; we expect them to do a 2007 survey.

 

New Business: 

1. Appeal to homeowners to help weed entrances when we put out signs.
2. We need a website manager.  Harry Rodgers has done our website since inception; his home is now for sale.
3. An Email Newsletter publisher was solicited.  Emails would be sent “blind” so addresses would not be revealed.
4. Our lamp posts are showing degradation.  A surcharge shows up in our tax bills for lighting.  Our early Association insisted that the decorative lighting used in Homearama continue through the neighborhood.  The Board will investigate who is responsible for painting.  Homeowners were asked to make sure weed whips do not damage the fiberglass posts.  Irene Martin said her post was painted by someone this past year.
5. Crime Watch:  Pres. Behrendsen explained that a purse was stolen from a car on Ellen Drive while the resident was unloading groceries.
6. Garage Sale:  Pauline Kehoe will run the sale again this year, probably in June, although a date has not yet been established.
7. Welcome Committee:  Chairperson Sylvia Leski explained that when she sees a “Sold” sign, she goes to City Hall to get the name of the new owners.  One of 5 committee members delivers a bag of goodies and our Association information.
8. City Ordinance reminders:  Snow and grass are not allowed in the street.  Commercial Vehicles are not permitted to be in view by us or the City.  Pres. Behrendsen will get clarification on an Observer Newspaper article that commercial vehicles are not even permitted inside garages.  Residents were reminded to keep trash neat and not put trash out for collection prior to 6 p.m. on Thursday evenings.
9. Other: 

-          Bill Golden explained a water problem he has had due to Golf Ridge Estates/Glen Eden Cemetery construction.  Four inches of muddy water has accumulated in his backyard due to the dirt from the condo basements that has been dumped in the cemetery adjacent to our neighborhood.  Mr. Golden has contacted both Glen Eden and the City.  Bill Golden and Pres. Behrendsen will meet with the City Engineers.

-          Harry Ostrowski asked if mailboxes could be moved to the other side of the street.  Sue Steffes said they cannot be moved as the primary consideration is the ease of mail delivery.  Pres. Behrendsen said original residents received a letter from the Post Office that dictated the location of mailboxes.

-          Mark Miller asked about Solicitation rules.  Pres. Behrendsen said they must obtain a permit from the City and wear a badge, although this does not apply to those delivering handbills.  Pres. Behrendsen stated that all City ordinances are posted on the City website, and that Ordinance Enforcement could be called if a violation takes place.

 

Adjournment:  It was moved by acclamation that the annual meeting of January 25, 2007 be adjourned.  President Behrendsen adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m.

 

 

Minutes prepared by Diane Tsaprazis, Secretary