Minutes of the Deer Creek Homeowners Association of Livonia Board of Directors

Present:  Denny Behrendsen, Bob Moore, Bob Ellis, Walt Gerstner, Sylvia Leski, Connie Vokal, Dave Wood and Diane Tsaprazis (8).

Minutes:  Diane read the minutes from 9-15-10 which were approved with 2 changes.  Diane will save minutes in Windows 97-2003 in the future so that all Board members can access.

Treasurer’s Report:  Dave distributed a current report showing 158 paid homeowners with one homeowner paying $50 with the comment that “people on the islands should pay more.”  Interior island expenses went over budget by $260, because of the unbudgeted cost of $200 to shut off the sprinklers with Rainy Dave’s Co. and $60 for one extra week of mowing with Metro Grounds.  Werner Landscaping winterized the 8 Mile island for $45.  We have not yet been billed by the City for island water expenses. Overall, our income of $12,125 is $125 over budget and expenses are running lower than anticipated, so Dave expects a year end balance of about $3,150.  Our present checkbook balance is $4,962.80, of which $1,000 has been allocated to our future project sinking fund.  The report was accepted.

Landscaping:

-       Sprinklers:  Per Walt, all the timers have been shut off and are therefore not using any battery power.  The City picked up all the water meters, including Island #2 that was missed and noticed by Rainy Daves.

-       Island Maintenance:  Metro Grounds did 1 more fertilizer application.  They did everything in the contract and kept good billing records.

-       Roses:  Connie could not find any more healthy roses for the 8 Mile island.  We will look again in the spring.

-       Fall Clean Up:  Held on October 13^th at 10 a.m.  All Board members helped at the 8 Mile entrance. 

-       2011 Quotes:  A homeowner sent a note to Dave recommending that his son’s company, Brets Cutting Edge, give us an estimate.  Their quote for interior island maintenance was much higher than we pay to Metro Grounds.  However, Brets quoted a lower price for spring cleanup of the 8 Mile island.  Walt will call Metro Grounds to get their bid for 2011.  We will make a decision after we receive Metro’s bid. 

Website: Denny will follow up with our webmaster, Ansaf Alrabady. 

Lights:  Denny replaced the igniter, coil and a bulb at 8 Mile.  The gfi was tripping perhaps due to the old parts.  Thank you to Denny for saving us money on repairs.

New Residents:  Sylvia will look up the new owners on Gary Lane to distribute a welcome bag.  Also, the white house on Ellen between 2 courts has a new owner.

Directory:  Denny made several recommendations for possible advertisers.  Dave will help Diane prepare file updates.  It was recommended that we add phone numbers for DTE – street lights and City Public Works for trash and street repairs. 

Bulk Leaf Pickup:  Denny called the City about scratches made in the street concrete and was told that the carbide spacer on the bucket causes scratches.  A vacuum system can be used instead, but it doesn’t work well if residents put out grass & twigs.

Holiday Decorations:  Denny has 3 decorative deer in his attic.  Connie recommended we add conical lit trees with Home Depot having a set for $35. Any items need to be well staked -the deer need large wooden stakes to keep them steady.  Bob Moore and Dave recommended a Rudolph deer be added to our display.  Dave recommended we add gfi protected items so we can reset them easier.  We discussed the gfi going out during moist winter storms.  Bob Moore recommended netting type lights on the boxwoods.  Bob Moore has our wreaths in storage at his house, and Connie offered to refresh them.  Bob Ellis and Bob Moore will shop for new items.  Dave has extra electrical cords at his house.  We decided on netting lights and a Rudolph. 

Holiday Gathering:  We will gather at Bob and Betty Moore’s house on December 12^th at 4 p.m. with everyone bringing beverages and appetizers.

Next Meeting:  January 12, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Dave’s house.  Diane will email an annual letter to Board members for their review at the beginning of January.

Minutes prepared by Diane Tsaprazis