Have A Look

Next time you are out during the darkness, check out the tall lamps and the sign lighting at the brick entrance.  They have been fixed and give the entrance a handsome, proper look.

As part of the repair we had the bulbs changed to high-powered fluorescent bulbs.  This will help to keep the electricity costs down.

Just a reminder that this work was done (1) because you who attended the last general membership meeting of the homeowners' association made your priorities very clear and (2) because we have been setting aside money for such repairs for a couple of years.  Naturally, the more neighbors who actually meet their obligations for the HOA dues, the easier it is to maintain the infrastructure and lights won't have to go dark in the first place.

More work is coming.  Stay tuned.

Special Thanks

Since our membership meeting last week the board has been sorting through the problems associated with the lighting and electricity.  We are on a path toward a firm fix.  Will keep you posted.

The board wants to publicly thank Pleasant Pointe neighbor Bruce Dziengielewski  for his help in analyzing electricity usage data.  Bruce's careful analysis and comparison with older personal records has helped immensely in scoping the size of the issue and helping to prioritize the sequence of the fix.  

Bruce didn't hesitate to step up when asked.  Thank you, Bruce.  We sincerely appreciate your assistance and helping attitude.

2013 Budget

As promised during the annual members meeting we are posting the budget for 2013.

Some points to note:

1.  We have approximately 180 homes in Pleasant Pointe.  Usually this gives us an annual budget of $18,000.  We have factored in outstanding dues targeted for collection this year.  This explains how projected income exceeds annual dues assessment.

2.  Items marked with an asterisk are projections based upon preliminary data.  As new data becomes available the board will adjust the budget.

Income: 23,500

Budget Lines (expenses):

Landscaping:  6900

Insurance (Directors & Officers plus General Liability): 1500

Office Supplies: 100

Postage: 200

Professional Fees..........

* Legal: 600

Property Management: 2100

Total professional fees 2700

Property Tax: 175

Church Rental (Annual Meeting):  50

Utilities.........

Electric: 3,000

Water:  400

  Total Utilities:  3400  

Programmed Maintenance and Upkeep:  2500

Contingency Reserve (Unforeseen repair/expense):  5975

Total: 23,500

This budget is posted as a projection of expenses based upon best known data.  Actual expenses will vary and the Board of Directors is empowered to adjust the budget as required to pay just debts.

The Board of Directors extends our sincere thanks to Chris at Gold Ivy Realty for his work in providing the data for this year's budget.

Respectfully submitted, 

Tim Fitzgerald

Secretary, PPHOA

New Meeting Items!

Just want everyone to know that the HOA meeting on Monday, February 11th will have some special guests.  We will have a representative of law enforcement there to receive your questions about the codes enforced in neighborhoods such as ours.

The owner of Moulton's Landscaping is also planning to attend.  Pastor Barry Moulton (yes, our landscaping company is owned by man of the cloth) will be listening for good ideas from the membership, as well as discuss various particulars about the landscaping for Pleasant Pointe.

Don't forget we have door prizes!

See you there.  6:30, Monday, February 11th.

The Loss of a Neighbor and Friend

Pleasant Pointe has lost a fine neighbor.

Annual General Membership Meeting

The next general membership meeting of the Pleasant Pointe Homeowners' Association is slated for Monday, February 11th, 2013 at Pentecostal United Methodist Church across from the Sandlewood Way entrance the Pleasant Pointe.

Pentecost United Methodist Church

Meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.  All homeowners are requested to attend.  Four gift cards will be given away during the meeting but you must be present to win.

Election Information

This information is taken directly from the Aiken County Government website on Nov 4, 2012 (Source). Please consult the Aiken County Government for any last-minute changes.

 (Click to Enlarge)

You can see the sample ballot here and another here. 

South Carolina Tax Info At Risk

The S.C. Department of Revenue announced on October 26, 2012 that approximately 3.6 million Social Security numbers and 387,000 credit and debit card numbers have been exposed in a cyber attack .

Anyone who has filed a South Carolina tax return since 1998is urged to visit www.protectmyid.com/scdor and use the activation code SCDOR123.

Experian’s ProtectMyID Alert is designed to detect, protect and resolve potential identity theft, and includes daily monitoring of all three credit bureaus. The alerts and daily monitoring services are provided for one year, and consumers will continue to have access to fraud resolution agents and services beyond the first year.

You may also contact Experian toll-free at 1-866-578-5422.

(Information provided by Arnold Advisers, 914 Dougherty Road, Aiken, SC, 29803)

Needed: Architectural Committee Members

The Homeowners Association needs volunteers to serve on the Architectural Committee.  Members interpret the rules of the covenants, evaluate proposals from homeowners in light of those covenants, and make recommendations to the board for sensible changes to the covenants if they are not a good fit for our neighborhood.

Interested?  Email us at pleasantpointe29851@gmail.com.

Activity Update

We hope you are enjoying the Autumn weather.  Days like these almost make up for the one-hundred-plus degree days of the Summer.

We have been working closely with Gold Ivy Realty who, as you know, we brought on board to help the Home Owner's Association assist with covenant enforcement, dues collection and so forth.  Karen at Gold Ivy has been tireless in this role. She gives these things the attention they are due. 

Some activity points worthy of note:

We brought on a new contractor to handle the groundskeeping. Moulton's Landscaping has been conscientious and responsive in their new role with us.

The replacement fence along Pine Log road has recently been painted.  This will help to ensure the fence lasts a good long while. The contractor is returning any day now to repaint the fence at the Pleasant Point entrance.  That fence has taken some nicks and cuts and needs the makeover.

We've looked into repairing the lights at the entrances.  And we have every intention of doing so.  This is not an inexpensive job.  We must be certain we can meet our monthly obligations before taking on improvements and other one-time expenses. 

The dues for Pleasant Pointe work out to $8.33 per month.  We base our budget on collecting dues from all properties in the subdivision.  When some fall behind in paying those dues, improvements and repairs are placed in a wait status while current income pays the monthly expenses.  We thank the most of you who are current or are actively working to catch up.  If you'd like to work out a catch-up plan, you can contact Karen at Gold Ivy Realty, 649-0100.

On the subject of annual dues, those who have asked in previous HOA meetings will be happy to know that the Gold Ivy team indeed has billed the developer for the lots he still owns.

Expect to see a letter in your mailbox early in November with more information.

Happy Halloween!

Gold Ivy Realty

Chances are you have recently received a letter from Gold Ivy Realty.  Karen at Gold Ivy is assisting the board with some of the homeowner association management duties that must be attended to but have been a little much for the volunteer board to accomplish.  Gold Ivy is the property management firm that was referenced in the meeting minutes from March 2012.

Among the duties Gold Ivy is handling is dues collection and covenant enforcement.  Having this kind of talented assistance for the homeowner association is a welcome addition and will help the association uphold the quality of Pleasant Pointe and protect property values for us all.

Meeting Minutes, March 2012

Pleasant Pointe Homeowner’s Association

Annual Homeowner’s Meeting Minutes

March 20, 2012

The meeting was called to order by Pat Cox, PPHOA president at 7:04 p.m.  There were 16 attendees at this meeting, plus four board members.  The meeting began with an introduction of board members followed by introduction of residents.

2011 in Review:  Pat addressed the budget summary which was included in the mailing announcing the meeting, thanking those members who have already paid dues for 2012.  In 2011 the board took in just under $400 more than was spent.  Dues payments are critical.

The PPHOA has engaged the services of attorney Phil Woolhiser.  Mr. Woolhiser is advising the board on dues collections, and other legal matters including covenants and county ordinance enforcement.  Mr. Woolhiser is filing liens against property owners in arrears on dues.  These liens will be exercised at any closing for the affected property whether for sale or refinancing.

The PPHOA has let a new contract for a new landscaping service.  The new contract reduces costs by $50/month.

The PPHOA had the dilapidated fence along Pine Log Road, parallel to Lenox Way demolished and replaced.  This fence will be painted during 2012.  When the fence is painted it is the intent of the board to repaint the fence at the Pleasant Pointe Drive entrance as well as it is chipping and flaking.

It is a challenge to keep up with property owners and the board continues its ongoing resident verification.

The Year Ahead: 2012

Gary Bacon, board VP – has diagnosed some the issues with entrance lights.  The board intends to fund repairs in 2012.

There are no volunteers to step up and serve on the board.  The board will negotiate with a management company to take over certain board duties.  The current quote from the management company is $250 per month but the board president will attempt to negotiate that to a lower figure.  If hired the management company will collect dues, pay bills, develop annual budget, provide statements, issue covenant violation letters, perform monthly inspections of the neighborhood, and provide welcome packages for new homeowners.  Under consideration is Gold Ivy Realty. 

If a management company is hired, the current board president, vice president and secretary will remain in place as a liaison team. 

Discussion from the floor:

Resident reports that In 1994 the HOA was dissolved.  Response:  The Homeowners association was reestablished in 2006 by vote of the neighborhood at large. 

Covenants:  Need to be updated and there is a question as to the applicability of any covenants to all parts of the subdivision.  Response:  The board will establish a committee to update the covenants.  

Discussion of various violations of county ordinances.  Response:  The board has no authority to enforce county ordinances.

Question:  How do renters know what the rules are?  Response:  Good question.  Board will look into a way to manage that.

Request:  Please be courteous – curb your dog from urinating on neighbor’s property and ornamental plants.  And please pick up after your dog.  Response:  Will put reminder in minutes 

Request:  Entrance sign at the Sandlewood Way entrance is peeling and is in need of repair.  Response:  This will go on the maintenance list and will be funded as funds are available.  .

Request:  Can we have the management company show up to discuss with homeowners?  Can we make sure all the homeowners know about the management company?  Response:   Will check to see what procedures are required for such an action.  Board will follow those procedures and keep the community informed.  We may have the  management company come and speak to a special meeting of the homeowners.  Will schedule such action by June 1^st.   

Comment:  Thank you to the board members for serving.  It is not fair to board members that nobody else will volunteer.  We need the management company.  If it requires paying more in dues, that’s fine with me.  Response:  Thank you for your kindness.

Question:  If we hire a management company, will the dues increase?  Comment:  They likely will have to as they have been the same since 2007.  Comment:  Homeowners Association dues are very inexpensive (calculates to $8.33  per month) and if they need to go up then so be it.  Comment:  If everyone pays their fair share we might not have to increase the dues.  Response:  We are trying hard to balance requirements and income.  Cannot say for certain that dues will need to increase.

Meeting adjourned 8:07

Recorded and submitted March 20, 2012

Timothy P Fitzgerald

PPHOA Secretary 

Fence Completion

We are happy to announce the completion of the replacement fence along Pine Log Road.  And a special thank you to the residents whose properties back up to the fence lines for your assistance and cooperation.

Fence Construction

Hi neighbors!

By now you may have noticed the work going on along the fence line behind the Lenox Way properties.  The original fence was in sad shape and did not present a favorable appearance to passers by along Pine Log Road. Last year the fence suffered some damage when one of the Bradford Pear trees dropped a limb and damaged some pickets.

The contractors are rapidly moving on the new fence project.  The new fence will be a different style, an equestrian style fence and will look very similar to the fence adjacent to the Pleasant Pointe Drive entrance.

It will take some time for the treated lumber to cure so the new fence will not be painted for several months.  However, it will present a much better appearance than the one being demolished today.

Meeting Minutes, February 2011

Minutes

Pleasant Pointe Homeowners Association Meeting

Feb 22, 2011

The annual meeting for 2011 took place on Feb 22, 2011.  There were 41 people in attendance – approximately twenty-five households out of an estimated 180 households within Pleasant Pointe.

Meeting was called to order by Gary Bacon, HOA Vice President.  The VP introduced the other board officers:  Pat Cox, interim president, Beth Barranco, Treasurer and Tim Fitzgerald, Secretary.

The VP outlined ground rules for the meeting including adherence to the published agenda until reaching its end and the need for all to be respectful of one another.

The Treasurer gave her report indicating the following:

                2010 Dues Receipts - $15,318.14 (This includes collection of some arrearages)

                2010 Expenses:  $11,457.07

Presently there is still in excess of $21,000 in uncollected dues arrearages.

                2011 Budget was presented line by line.  This budget will be published in a separate document.  The total of the 2011 budget is $17,070.  Included in 2011 budget are increases in energy sensitive expenditures (utilities, landscaping), and new elements of the budget never before included to include liability insurance for the Association, Officers and Directors insurance for the Board Members and an attorney on retainer to handle such issues as may arise.  For the first time the budget includes lines for an emergency fund and a capital improvements fund to accommodate the maintenance of fences, signage and such belonging to the Association.

The VP announced the board is seeking to rebid the landscaping services.  The contract has expired and is being executed month-to-month.  Details will be published.  Anyone wishing to receive a request for proposal may contact the board at Pleasant Pointe HOA, PO Box 5983, Aiken, SC 29804.

Officer Elections:  It is time to elect officers of the board.  Such elections will be by ballot to be mailed to each household.  The Interim President, Vice President and Secretary have volunteered to serve terms for 2011.  Nominations are needed for the position of Treasurer.  Should no nominations be received for this position the board has no choice but to pay a third party to perform these duties

.

Note that ballots will be disbursed only to households in good standing with the Association.

Question from the floor concerning when dues are payable.  Per the protective covenants dues are payable in advance on January 1^st.  In 2011 the board voted to move this date to March 15^th to put time between this due date, property tax due dates and the holidays.

Question from the floor regarding information dissemination to those without access to the internet.  The board will take this under advisement and develop an information strategy.  Meanwhile the Interim President, Pat Cox, announced her phone number as 803.663.3632 and the VP Gary Bacon announced his as 803.646.1409.  Someone from the floor reminded the gathering of the Street Captains system.  The board will resurrect the last known list of such Captains and will be contacting them soon.

The Interim President spoke of the need for a strong Association to remedy the complaints that come from Association members.  The hiring of Banks & Associates PC as our attorney will provide more leverage to the Association to resolve issues.

Question from the floor about streetlights and HOA dues compensation.  This question arises every meeting and the answer does not change.  Any member who provides a copy of an electric bill for a Pleasant Pointe address to prove they are being charged for a streetlight will be credited an equal amount toward their association dues.  This is an annual requirement to be accomplished upon receipt of invoices from the Association.

Question from the floor about the tall grass underneath the transmission lines.  Board will contact SCE&G to determine corrective measures.

Question from the floor about driver liability should there be a collision with a golf cart in the neighborhood.   Board will look into this question.

Comments from the floor about the need to observe posted speed limits within the neighborhood for the well being of all.

Comment from the floor that landscapers are dumping grass clippings behind entrance signs.  Board will investigate.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.  The Treasurer provided a $50 check to the church for the use of their facility.

Respectfully submitted.

Tim Fitzgerald

Secretary, Pleasant Pointe Homeowners’ Association