Minutes of the Deer Creek Homeowners Association of Livonia Board of Directors
Held at Diane Tsaprazis’s house May 31, 2009
Approved 6-28-09

Present: Denny Behrendsen, Bob Moore, Dave Wood, Walt Gerstner, Sylvia Leski, Roy Field and Diane Tsaprazis (7).

Minutes: Diane read the minutes from 4-26-09 which were approved with a few changes.

Treasurer’s Report: Dave distributed reports dated 5-31-09 showing 156 paid homeowners and a checkbook balance of $10,434.04. Including $500 in donations, we have met our 2009 budgeted projected income. Eight homeowners paid as a result of our recent letter. Dave pointed out that we should change our dues remittance form as it appears some people checked that they wanted to make a donation instead of being a member. We paid $540 to have Uncle Froggy’s Landscaping (UF) remove the pachysandra and replace it with sod at the 8 Mile sign areas; this project was added this year at the discretion of the Board as funds were available. Of the 53 unpaid homes, 11 paid last year. The report also included a summary of responses to our inquiry about newsletter emails included in our annual letter: 43% gave their email addresses. Dave also analyzed the paid homeowners by street. Denny recommended that we wait another month before we consider another collection effort.

Landscaping: Walt reported:
- Islands 6 & 8 will be refurbished beginning tomorrow. The cost will be the same as the estimate of $5,570.
- Islands 1, 4 and 7 will have timers installed this week at a cost of $1,060.
- For Island 3 where the City tore up a water line, after Walt’s call to the City, they installed new edging, sod and mulch, doing a very nice job.
- A quote was received from UF for the Bicentennial Entrance to remove the fences and black diamond edging. They recommended 75 feet of rock paver edging and mulch for $820. Sylvia recommended the stones be even with the sidewalk. Walt recommended that we wait until the end of the year to see if we have enough funds.
- A homeowner sent a request to Denny for Island 7. The homeowner and the surrounding neighbors want to put in a flowering plum and move another one, remove every other burning bush, and plant a 7 foot pine tree. They are awaiting a quote from UF. UF doesn’t want to replant the bushes elsewhere in case they do not survive. Walt explained to the homeowner that we need to finish Islands 6 & 8 first. Dave recommended that we consider it for the 2010 budget. Denny said the homeowner could pay first and be reimbursed when funds allow. Denny will report back to the homeowner.
- A couple of the 7 pine trees planted a few years ago on the west side of 8 Mile do not look healthy. The prior homeowner wanted a privacy fence when it was for sale; instead we paid 50% of the new trees. We replaced some trees already several years ago. We will keep it in mind for the future. Bob said it is tough for anything to survive alone 8 Mile due to the traffic, salt spray and winds. Sylvia thinks we have done too much there already. Bob pointed out that the east side will need work fairly soon.
- The homeowner on the north side of Bretton & Gill has pruned and cleaned up the back of the sign area and it looks very good.
- Island 1 has some dead boxwood. Walt will ask UF if they will replace it under warranty. Dave & Denny replaced a water valve on Island 1.

Lights: Denny replaced 3 light heads around the trees on the 8 Mile Island.

Solicitation Letter: This homeowner still has not paid dues.

Car Complaint: The car is still there, not licensed. The City will follow up.

Garage Sale: Pauline Condon sent out flyers for the sale to be held the first weekend in June.

Paving: Dave took pictures of the areas that need repair by the City. Denny will schedule an appointment with the new Director of DPW regarding our water and paving concerns. We do not want blacktop.

Water Pressure: Dave gave us some information about a meter we could use to monitor pressure at a cost of $200-300. Denny said it could be put on the 8 Mile island. Denny explained how our water goes west along 8 Mile, to Newburgh south, east across 7 Mile, then through Bicentennial Estates, to us. Sometimes the pressure is >100 psi which can damage plumbing.

Telephone Directory: Dave gave Diane the 2009 dues remittance coupons which indicate services available from neighbors.

Website: Denny will get deed restriction info to Ansaf Alrabady. Dave offered to help.

Next Meeting: June 28th at 4 p.m. at Dave’s house. Sylvia will be out of town. Topics to discuss: 1) Possibility of an email newsletter with a non-Board member to become editor; 2) Landscape project status; and 3) Dues collection effort. Our meeting after that will probably be in August.

Minutes prepared by Diane Tsaprazis