Monday, November 17, 2008

Minutes - DVLA Board Meeting 11/18/08

Minutes of the DVLA Board Meeting of November 18, 2008

Board Members attending: Cyndy Johnson, Sally Musemeche, Mike Barker, Alan Strebeck                   Absent: Barbara Hjelle

Meeting held at Fire House.

Three landowners were in attendance.
               
President Cyndy Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. 

1.  Approval of Agenda
Because of Barbara Hjelle's absence the Board tabled the discussion of board policies.  Cyndy Johnson said that eagle scout Greg Hall had requested to be on the agenda in order to talk with the Board about funding for a project he is proposing.  The Board discussed the fact that they do not have a line item in the budget which would allow such a request.  They decided to have Greg make his presentation and then consider this as an agenda item later when a budget could be determined.  The "awards presentation" was tabled.  Attorney Robert Mitchell could not make this meeting so the item concerning the procedure for withdrawing from the Washington County Water Conservancy District was tabled.

MOTION was made by Alan Strebeck to accept the agenda as amended.  Mike Barker seconded the motion.  The motion was passed.

2. Presentation by Eagle Scout Greg Hall
Greg explained that as an Eagle Scout project he would like to take out the old fencing around the mailboxes and replace it with new fencing.  This would be a project with about 15 people helping him over a 5-6 hour period.  The posts would be cemented in. The materials would be DVLA approved fencing. The amount he was seeking from the DVLA to complete the project was approximately $3,800.  When asked by the Board, Greg explained that to fulfill the Eagle Scout requirement the project would have to be completed by April which was when Greg would turn 18.

The Board discussed the possibility of using money from the recycle "binnies" to help fund a project like this.  It is unclear though when that money will be coming back to Dammeron Valley. 

Greg was asked to give the Board a copy of his plan detail and budget.  The Board thanked him for his willingness to propose such a project to improve the community.

3.  Review and approve minutes of the September meeting
MOTION was made by Mike Barker to approve the October minutes.  Alan Strebeck seconded the motion.  The motion was passed.

4.  Review financial reports - Stella Callagee
The Board acknowledged the receipt of a $400 gift from Pride Homes, Jay Bradley, for the fire department.  It is much appreciated.

MOTION was made by Alan Strebeck to accept the financial report for filing.  Sally Musemeche seconded the motion.  It was passed.

5.  President's Message
Cyndy Johnson said she appreciated the efforts of everyone in the community who helped with the injured fire fighter fundraiser.  Both those who ran the event and those who contributed gave generously of their time and money.

4.  Reports:
a.  Fire Department
A representative was unavailable so there was no report for the fire department.

b.  ARC - Trustee Assignments: November - Mike Barker, December - Cyndy Johnson
Lance Cornwall, Chair of the ARC, gave the report. 

Lance reported that inspections and refunds were made for projects on the following lots: ME-23, PHV-95 and PHIII-65.  The ARC has a set of plans for PHV-90 that is waiting for Dammeron Corp. approval.  Projects in Pinion Hills go to Dammeron Corp. for approval before final ARC review and approval.  The landowner on lot ME-20 is no longer going to build. 

The Johnsons on PHV-105 have also decided not to build at this time.  They talked with Lance about having their deposit returned but they would also like to keep a set of the approved plans so they can move quickly when they decide to build in the future.  As a compromise the Board and Lance decided that the approved plans would be held by the ARC Chair and would be given to the landowners when they were ready to build.

MOTION was made by Sally Musemeche to retain all three copies of the approved plans and when the ARC was advised they were planning to build and received the deposit money, the landowners would be given their plans so they could proceed quickly.  Alan Strebeck seconded the motion.  The motion was passed

c.  Trustee Reports
1.  Sally Musemeche reported on her committee looking into the handling of neighborhood complaints.  She has been handling issues as received, giving landowners CCR information as well as referrals to the County when applicable.  She would like to recommend at the Annual Meeting that landowners establish a legal fee fund.  Sally said that the DVLA cannot be selective about enforcing the CCRs.  Alan Strebeck discussed the need to have the landowners amend the by-laws to allow fines.  Current state law does not allow the assessing of a fine unless it is within the guidelines of the HOA.

2.  Cyndy Johnson said that she is working on the website with Johnna Evans.  They are correcting out of date information. 

3.  Alan Strebeck said that with the help of the volunteers, he hopes to see the burn pile opened every other weekend.  Signs will be posted at the entrances as to when the burn pile is open.  Those landowners willing to help volunteer at the gate should call Alan.

4.  Mike Barker reported he will be meeting with the Chief about contents in the fire house for insurance purposes. 

In respect to flooding issues Mike said that there are no long term solutions on the horizon.  Cyndy Johnson said that the Board needed to check with Ron Whitehead as he was going to give them an estimate of the engineering study costs if the DVLA wished to pursue that process.

The Board concluded the Trustee report section by discussing what types of issues the Board should take on.  There had been several in the past year that were considered controversial.  Mike Barker said that if the Board is being asked to take action they should have the opportunity to look at both sides of the issue.  Alan Strebeck added that with some issues the Board is gathering information and making it available to landowners but it is not an issue that the Board will decide on - like the incorporation feasibility study.  Sally Musemeche said the Board should look at the budget and decide if money could be used to provide informational meetings for landowners when these types of issues come up.  Alan Strebeck felt it was important that the Board keep landowners informed.

5.  Unfinished Business:
a. Phone procedures
Sally explained that the DVLA phone line has been set-up to receive calls.  There is a recording explaining that someone will get back to the caller in a timely manner.  There is also the capability for the caller to send a fax.  So far it seems to be working well.  The volume of calls has been very light.

6.  New Business:
a. Budget Discussions - the Board will hold a special meeting at the beginning of January to discuss the 2009-2010 budget.
 
7.  Adjournment
MOTION was made by Sally Musemeche to adjourn the meeting.  Mike Barker seconded the motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:15pm.

Stella Callagee
Recording Secretary

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Minutes - DVLA Board Meeting 10/22/08

Minutes of the DVLA Board Meeting of October 22, 2008

Board Members attending: Sally Musemeche, Mike Barker, Barbara Hjelle, Alan Strebeck                       Absent: Cyndy Johnson

Meeting held at Fire House.

Six landowners were in attendance.
               
Vice President Sally Musemeche called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. 

1.  Approval of Agenda
Sally Musemeche said that Robert Mitchell would attend the November Board meeting to talk about the report he had submitted concerning withdrawing from the Washington County Water Conservancy District.  The awards presentation was also postponed until the next meeting. 

2.  Review and approve minutes of the September meeting
MOTION was made by Barbara Hjelle to approve the September minutes.  Mike Barker seconded the motion.  The motion was passed.

3.  Review financial reports and dues collection update - Stella Callagee
Stella Callagee reported that unpaid dues still total $4,896.00 which represents 4.0% of the total amount billed.  She will begin taking action to place liens on the properties.

MOTION was made by Mike Barker to accept the financial report for filing.  Barbara Hjelle seconded the motion.  It was passed.

The Board discussed the meeting date in November.  Due to the Thanksgiving holiday and the fact that some officers will be away, it was decided to change the meeting date to Tuesday, November 18, 2008.

Sally reported that she is working on the DVLA phone set-up.  Karen Sharkey has resigned as secretary and the Board members will be handling the calls to the DVLA on a monthly rotation.   This will also include emails sent to the DVLA.   The system being set-up will make the process transparent to the landowners and others who are contacting the DVLA.

4.  Reports:
a.  Fire Department - Chief Kyle Talbot
Chief Talbot reported that there were no fires in the past month.  The department responded to a number of very serious medical calls.  These included a vehicle wreck and a rattlesnake bite in Diamond Valley. 
The department needs a good quality medical vehicle.  The Blazer and Brush one are being outfitted with medical supplies so they can be used if needed as a 3 way response. 

The lead engineer will be conducting upcoming training on driving safety and vehicle maintenance.

The Chief talked about concerns he has about the volunteer roster, particularly for medical calls.  One of the officers was injured in connection with his work and is currently off the team.  Another volunteer has been hired as a full time fireman in Las Vegas.  Craig Bennett said that over the years seven volunteers from the Dammeron Valley fire department have gone on to full time fire department jobs.  This is a testimony to the way that Chief Talbot runs the department. 

The Chief reminded landowners that they should have their chimney cleaned if they will be burning wood this winter.

Burn permits will be available through the winter.  Landowners can call the Chief for a permit.  Guidelines for granting a permit are: - burning to be done 20 feet from a building and there is no wind.  The landowner must stay with the burn until it is extinguished.  A burn also has to be completed by 1:00pm.  The Chief would appreciate at least a day's notice so he can review conditions and issue the permit.

The burn pile is going well.  Discussion indicated that the Board hopes to get volunteers to man the gate every other Saturday.  Available dates will be posted at the mailbox area.

Sally Musemeche asked the Chief to extend the Board's deep appreciation to the fire department volunteer team.

b.  ARC - Trustee Assignments: October - Alan Strebeck; November - Mike Barker, December - Cyndy Johnson
There was no report for the ARC.  Alan Strebeck made a trustee report that two projects had been reviewed for their deposit return.

c.  Trustee Reports
a.  Barbara Hjelle asked the Board to approve the draft of a letter to the County concerning the SSD.  This issue had been discussed at last month's meeting.  The Board approved the draft as presented.

b.  Alan Strebeck reported that there is free firewood available at the young women's camp in the Cedar City area.  The wood is pine and aspen.

5.  Unfinished Business:
a.  Board Policies - Barbara Hjelle 
This discussion was tabled for a later date.

6.  New Business:
a.  The Board discussed use of the $1,375 collected for last year's Valley Christmas fund.  A request was made by the fire department for use of these funds. 
MOTION was made by Sally Musemeche to allocate last year's Christmas fund collection to Chief Talbot in support of the fire department.  This will be a one time allocation to the fire department as a discretionary amount to be used by the Chief.  The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote.
 
7.  Adjournment
MOTION was made to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm.

Stella Callagee
Recording Secretary

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Minutes - DVLA Board Meeting 09/30/08

Minutes of the DVLA Board Meeting of September 30, 2008

Board Members attending: Cyndy Johnson, Mike Barker, Barbara Hjelle, Sally Musemeche
Absent: Alan Strebeck

Meeting held at Community Center.

Twelve landowners were in attendance.
               
President Cyndy Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. 

1.  Approval of Agenda
Agenda was accepted as proposed.

2.  Review and approve minutes of the August meeting
MOTION was made by Barbara Hjelle to approve the August minutes.  Mike Barker seconded the motion.  The motion was passed.

3.  President's Message - Cyndy Johnson
Cyndy Johnson thanked all who helped with the Valley Fall Festival party.  There was a great turn out.  The Board would love to hear from those who have ideas for additions and changes to the format.

4.  Review financial reports and dues collection update - Stella Callagee
Stella Callagee reported that unpaid dues total $4,896.00  which represents 4.0% of the total amount billed.  There are 16 lots, down from 27 reported last month, with unpaid yearly dues.  Of the 16 lots there are already three with liens filed against the properties.  Outstanding late fees have been paid.  Stella will begin placing liens on the outstanding lots.

MOTION was made by Mike Barker to accept the financial report for filing.  Barbara Hjelle seconded the motion.  It was passed.

5.  Reports:
a.  Fire Department - Chief Kyle Talbot
Chief Talbot reported that there were no medical calls in the past month.  The department responded to a structure fire in Diamond Valley which ended up being cancelled.  Another fire fighter from the Dammeron Valley fire department has been hired as a full-time fire fighter in a municipality.  This is about the 7th volunteer to go into a full time job and the department is proud of providing the training and direction that is highly valued by others.

The burn pile will be reopened on Saturday, October 4th, restarting the monthly schedule of opening the first and third Saturday mornings.

The State has given the Chief the authority to approve open burning on lots, starting 10/15.  The Chief will be able to give permits through the winter months. 


b.  ARC - Trustee Assignments: September - Sally Musemeche; October - Alan Strebeck; November - Mike Barker, December - Cyndy Johnson
There was no report for the ARC this month.

c.  Trustee Reports
Barbara Hjelle gave a report for the weeds committee.  The committee members are: Barbara Hjelle, Sally Musemeche, Cindy Garn and Brooks Pace.  The committee is looking into setting up a "weeds day" to get volunteers out to help clean lots as well as pick up cuttings.  Landowners should contact Barbara if they are interested in helping.

The weeds committee is looking at establishing an annual calendar so the Valley can be more proactive with controlling weeds.  The committee feels that priorities need to be set.  Cindy Garn reported that owners of problem lots will be contacted about receiving help with clean-up.  Some lots have been identified which are producing tumbleweeds that are seeding throughout the Valley.

Barbara Hjelle pointed out that the Valley will be receiving revenue from the recycling effort.  Suggestion was made during discussion that some of this revenue could be used for weed control. 

The next meeting of the weeds committee will be after 10/15.  Any landowners interested in attending or joining the committee should contact Barbara Hjelle.

Cyndy Johnson reported that she has ordered an A-frame sign on which notices can be placed.  It will be put near the mailbox cluster.  The highway cleanup effort is being coordinated by Rick Smith and a clean-up morning is being planned for a date after the deer hunt.  Cyndy is working with Johnna Evans on the DVLA website.

Mike Barker is working with Chief Talbot on the replacement value of the fire department assets.  He has been reviewing the DVLA insurance policies and has found that though the liability policies are good the fire house contents may not be covered well enough in the event they need to be replaced.  He also pointed out that though he is a State Farm agent he does not have a business interest in reviewing the Valley's policies.  In fact State Farm does not insure fire houses.  He is only doing this review because he is the most knowledgeable member of the Board in this area.

Sally Musemeche talked about the letter to the Board from landowners who were concerned about a Dammeron Valley beauty shop business flyer they had received.  Sally explained that after researching this particular case the County found there had been an incorrect approval of the license granted.  The request had been approved by the County Commissioners with specific restrictions due to septic issues.  But what had been left out of the information for the Commissioners was a disallowance by the Environmental Protection officer.  The County was moving to correct their decision to a denial of the operating license in light of the information update.

6.  Unfinished Business:
a.  Report on the Fall Festival Party - Karen Sharkey
Karen reported that she has received a lot of positive feedback and accolades on the party.  The bake sale and auction collected around $750 towards Community Center improvements.  Several landowners made substantial donations in food and supplies.  Board members added that it was a great party.

b. Report on meeting with County and State entities re: flooding - Cyndy Johnson
Cyndy reported that there were three officials at the meeting - representing State Trust Lands, UDOT and Washington County.  These representatives met with Board members and landowners.  They told the DVLA Board that due to the widespread burn off in the mountains the flooding will continue to be bad - probably for the next 100 years.    The representatives said that they could not commit assistance.  They asked the DVLA to have an engineer prepare a report of the flooding issues.  This would have to be done at the expense of the DVLA as there are no State or County funds available.  Ron Whitehead is getting back to the DVLA with an estimate of engineering costs - which is expected to be around $20,000.  With an engineering report the State and County could start looking at the water problems.  Brooks Pace said he would look into seeing what he could do about getting engineering assistance from local firms at a cost a lot less than that. 

c.  Board Policies - Barbara Hjelle
Barbara asked that this item be moved to the next meeting as "unfinished business" as Alan Strebeck has given a lot of input on the document and she would like him to be in attendance before continuing the discussion.

d.  Continuation of discussion on dissolution of SSD
Brooks Pace said it would take upwards to $6,000 to reestablish an SSD if needed.  The Board discussed keeping a shell SSD in place to prevent having to pay this set-up cost in the future. 

The Board discussed the fact that the County will be moving in the immediate future to dissolve the DVLA SSD as it creates a County wide waste water SSD.  The Board does not have time to seek a vote from the landowners on whether or not to maintain a shell SSD or allow it to be dissolved.  The issue of the land on which the firehouse sits is key.  Brooks Pace had deeded that land to the SSD.  Maybe it would be best to retain a shell SSD with the DVLA Board taking on the role of the SSD Board.  Then the issue of the land can be researched and taken care of in the future.

MOTION made and amended by Mike Barker and then seconded:
1.    DVLA Board would ask the County to deed the land that the firehouse sits on to the DVLA
2.    because of the time issue, ask the County not to dissolve the current SSD structure until the DVLA gets additional input as to the impact of this action
3.    ask the County to appoint the DVLA board as the defacto SSD board

Barbara Hjelle said she would contact the County Attorney, David Patterson, about this decision.

7.  New Business:
a.  Discussions outside of board meetings - Board
Cyndy Johnson said that the practice has been to allow Board discussions outside of the monthly meetings about issues that had already been brought up in a public meeting.  Mike Barker said that usually email discussions are in conjunction with a landowner question that has been forwarded by the Secretary for a Board member response.  Other board members offer information as the response is put together.  It was pointed out that this issue is in the board policies document and will be part of the discussion at the next meeting.
 
8.  Adjournment
MOTION was made by Barbara Hjelle to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.

Stella Callagee
Recording Secretary