Riverwood Homeowners Association, Board of Directors Meeting – March 11, 2021.
The meeting was called to order by President Larry Dashiell at 6:04 pm.
Board Member Attendance: President Larry Dashiell, Pam Brown, Nancy Stoll, Jann Gilbert, Amy Fylan
Others Attending: Stressla Beavers, Patrick Steininger, Carol Hardy, Irene Hennessey, Annette Adams, Elizabeth Geressu, Leo Zinn, Tama October, Ashleigh Norment, Delores Gradin
Minutes of Previous Meeting: Moved by Nancy and seconded by Pam, that the minutes of the January 14 meeting be accepted as presented. Moved by Jann and seconded by Nancy, that the minutes of the February 11 meeting be accepted as presented. Carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Moved by Nancy and seconded by Pam, that the Treasurer’s report of January 14 be accepted as presented. Carried.
Balance Sheet and Income Statement for February were distributed by email. The February report reflects our budget balances for halfway through this fiscal year. February was the month we paid the biggest single invoice of the year, which was insurance for $33,825. We were able to do that without further drawing from Reserves, in spite of some other large invoices. So our Reserves still stand just shy of $70,000 and we will now be making an effort to transfer whatever we can from Operating Account to Reserves before the end of the fiscal year. We have made 7 of 12 payments on our water bill, including the most expensive months of the year, and we have almost half of the water budget remaining, which is great news. Legal expenses continue as we are working with the lawyer on the lawsuit and also on parking and insurance issues which needed attention. Moved by Nancy and seconded by Pam, that the Treasurer’s report be accepted as presented. Carried.
Welcome and Neighborhood News: (Chair – Lisa Dashiell) Elizabeth Geressu, a new homeowner in D70, is present and is welcomed. Rentals: One person is off the list.
Architecture: This committee still needs a chairperson. One household submitted a request and it was approved.
Budget: (Chair – Leo Zinn) Committee Chairs were asked to submit changes in the Budget. Very little was mentioned. Legal expense will be higher, about $2,000. There are no red flags at present. Expenditures are about $9,000 less than last year at this point. Jann asked about a budgeted figure for gas, and that is for the rec room and pool but it’s much lower than last year due to lack of use. Riverwood may need to hire a parking company to monitor parking. There will be an executive Board meeting about possibly raising the monthly assessment. Moved by Nancy and seconded by Amy, that the Board accept the mid-year Budget report.
Landscaping: (Co-chairs – Kris Clarke, Stressla Beavers) Stressla gave the following report: There is sun but it’s too early to plant yet as the soil is too cold. Avid gardeners can clean flower pots, weed flower beds and get rid of slugs where possible. Landscapers have put down weed suppressor in flower beds and Weed & Feed on the lawns.
Maintenance: (Chair – Jim Eveland) Absent, no report.
Newsletter: (Chair – Tama October) Please send news items to rwh.news@gmail.com by the 20th of the month.
Parking: (Interim Parking Chair Jann – Gilbert) Jann reported as follows: Thanks to Juan and Stacie Paz for working on this committee. Homeowners have been contacted regarding parking complaints in in D20 and D60. The special request offered to the situation in D60 expires in the middle of the month. Larry has devised a new parking pass which will be rolled out possibly after April 1 and will include pass and a packet. Parking enforcement and policies will be reviewed and updated. Further information will be tabled until attorney input is received. This committee needs members and a chairperson.
Keys and Rental Garages: (Chair – Annette Adams) Vacancies 0. Waiting list 3. Garage I-30 appears to have been breached, as some personal items were missing and the man-door was found ajar. Locks for both doors have been replaced. Discussion ensued as to which budget should cover repairs. When submitting the bill to the Treasurer, ask her this question. There is no Miscellaneous category. Some feel it should go to Repairs & Maintenance.
Pool: No activity at the moment.
Recreation: (Chair – Shirley Piel) Absent. Shirley is hoping that by June we can socialize in person.
Insurance: (Chair – Stan Clarke) Absent, no report.
Moved by Jann and seconded by Nancy, that the Committee reports be accepted as presented.
Old Business: Jim Eveland has proposed a plan for a mailbox safety latch system, which would cost about $900 for parts. To get this price (100 intended mailboxes) we would have to buy in bulk. To implement it, each mailbox key would be temporarily borrowed. In several driveways mailbox damage is evident. This is not in the budget. It could be put in a future budget. Some homeowners would be willing to contribute $10-20 apiece. Some would be willing to lend the mailbox key for this improvement. Past experience with water conservation inspections showed that not all homeowners would be enthusiastic. Leo is willing to work with Jim on this. This was discussed to the best of Larry’s ability. Jann suggested it be tabled until Jim is available.
New Business: 1. Attached to the Zoom meeting invite, a 2-page report was sent regarding neighborhood issues, namely, people sleeping in cars and/or campers on Shaver Street, and gun violence in surrounding apartments. We are urged to continue reporting these problems with photos and vehicle details, to let City Council members know we need more police presence, and to work with managers at Stonehurst and Hidden Oaks. Retired people especially are encouraged to be active spending time contacting City officials and testifying. Links for reaching officials were included in this information. Homelessness is becoming a more serious problem as time goes by, and it looks like the City is going to sanction outdoor camps in open spaces, which will impact East Portland more than other areas of the city. If East Portland doesn’t want a disproportionate number of outdoor camps, each person needs to campaign against it by voicing opposition to City Council members. A City meeting by Zoom will be held March 17 at 2 pm, and Tama will remind of this in the newsletter and include the links mentioned above. 2. Jann is wondering if Comcast could boost the signal so Zoom would be more accessible. 3. The Board will have a short after-meeting today to discuss a parking issue.
The meeting was adjourned at 7 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Delores Gradin, Secretary
