Meeting Minutes SJE HOA April 10, 2010
The second meeting of the San Juanillo Estates Homeowners Association (SJE H OA) was held on April 10, 2010 at the offices of Bob Demos in Pleasantville, NJ.
Attendees:
Kurt Becker (President), Bryan Brillhart (VicePresident), Sandy Brillhart (Secretary), Bob Demos(Patas Pequenas), Ron DiGregorio (Patas Pequenas ), Mike Fitzgerald
Via telephone: Jeff Bowdler, Barb Morgan, Dave Morgan, new owners Mike and Bob from Colorado
The President called the meeting to order, introduced attendees and asked for comments on the minutes of the last meeting. Being none, the minutes were approved as submitted.
Kurt reported that, thanks to Glen Auwarter of Patas Pequenas, he now has updated contact information for all lot owners. Ron di Gregorio and Kurt Becker will follow up with those whose contact information is incomplete and will send registered letters to them if necessary.
Kurt reported that there are 3 lots that have been sold but that have not yet closed. Kurt will follow up with Ricardo Cordero, the attorney for Patas Pequenas, on their status. The owners of these lots have paid their HOA dues.
Kurt suggested that all SJE owners refer regularly to the blog for news and updates on our community. Bryan stated that he posts news and general items of interest about Costa Rica, as well as specific updates about SJE on the blog. He encouraged all owners to comment and post information. Kurt emphasized that the blog is a living, viable document that not only helps keep owners informed, but also serves as a marketing tool to potential owners.
Kurt reported that 32 lots have been sold and that road repairs and lot clearing are underway. He noted that almost all of the individual lot owners paid their dues and lot clearing fees. Jeff asked about the fees for next year and whether the dues and assessment include planting trees. Kurt stated that we have $1,350 budgeted for common areas, but that planting on individual lots is the responsibility of the individual owners. He emphasized that the $100 lot clearing fee was a one time special assessment to manage the growth on our lots. Bryan stated that managing the growth is necessary because Costa Rica government prohibits the removal of trees over 3” in diameter. Kurt offered to follow up with Monique to obtain a list of nurseries for lot owners who may want to plant on their lots.
Kurt stated that the current budget and proposed CC&Rs require the developers to pay HOA dues and assessments for all unsold lots. Kurt, Bryan, Sandy and Dave stated that this was how other HOAs they are involved with handle unsold lots. Ron stated that he will discuss this with the other Patas Pequenas partners and will advise us of their commitment. He stated that the developers have invested in improving and protecting the property for years without imposing fees on the lot owners. Ron expressed confidence that the partners would arrive at a fair fee structure for the unsold lots. He suggested the possibility of the partners putting funds from the sale of lots into an escrow account and using them to pay for the property managers, fees, commissions, caretaker and marketing. Bryan reiterated the need for a specific commitment from the partners for the unsold lots.
Jeff asked what, if any, contractual agreements exist between the developers and the caretaker and whether the current caretaker is necessary. Kurt, Bryan and Sandy stated that , based on their recent visits, he does a good job protecting the property against squatters and maintaining the land. Ron did not know if the caretaker was under contract and stated any buy-outs would be subject to Costa Rican labor law. Ron agreed to present a job description and contract for the caretaker position.
The new owners , Mike and Bob, asked if the annual dues were likely to increase next year. Kurt stated that the goal is to contain costs to keep the fees for the lot owners reasonable.
There was discussion about dedicating a lot or section of the community for common shared uses such as recreation, solar farm , band-shell or community garden . All agreed that this was desirable and Ron said he would discuss with the partners.
Kurt reported that Glen gave him marketing brochures and said he could provide them to anyone who is interested. Everyone agreed that a marketing plan from Patas Pequenas is needed. Mike F. affirmed his support of the ideas developed at the first HOA meeting for the developers to build a spec house or donate a lot for a group of owners to build a house. There was agreement that this would help spur sales and could provide a place for owners to live while their houses were being built. Ron will discuss this further with the partners.
Kurt stated that he, Bryan and Sandy met several times to review and modify the CC&R documents. He asked everyone to read them carefully and provide him with their comments within 2 weeks. . Dave said that he reviewed them and found them acceptable. Kurt said that he will ask all lot owners to vote to approve the document after comments are received. He added that Costa Rican law does not recognize CC&Rs. Bryan stated that the CC&Rs were meant to be a mutual and respectful agreement for the benefit of all lot owners.
Sandy asked if the proceeds from the sale of the new lot would be used to pay the Environmental Certification fee as discussed at the last meeting. Ron said that he would discuss this with the other partners and include it in the fare structure proposal for the unsold lots.
Kurt suggested that the community might eventually want to get involved with local causes or non profits such as the Save the Rainforest campaign. It was agreed that it is important for SJE to be good neighbors who are respectful and supportive of local customs and the environment but that it is premature for us to support any one cause at this time.
Kurt stated that the next meeting will be held in December and reminded everyone to get their comments on the proposed CC&Rs to him within the next two weeks.
ACTION ITEMS
ALL – GET COMMENTS ON CC&RS TO KURT BY APRIL 25
RON AND KURT – UPDATE CONTACT INFO FOR LOT OWNERS
KURT – FOLLOW UP WITH RICARDO REGARDING CLOSING STATUS
KURT – FOLLOW UP WITH MONIQUE FOR NAMES OF LANDSCAPERS
RON – FOLLOW UP WITH PATAS PEQUENAS AND PROVIDE SPECIFIC COMMITMENT ON UNSOLD LOTS
RON – FOLLOW UP WITH PARTNERS ON DONATING LOT, BUILDING SPEC HOUSE; COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE ; ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
RON – PROVIDE JOB DESCRIPTION, INFORMATION ON CONTRACT FOR CARETAKER
The second meeting of the San Juanillo Estates Homeowners Association (SJE H OA) was held on April 10, 2010 at the offices of Bob Demos in Pleasantville, NJ.
Attendees:
Kurt Becker (President), Bryan Brillhart (VicePresident), Sandy Brillhart (Secretary), Bob Demos(Patas Pequenas), Ron DiGregorio (Patas Pequenas ), Mike Fitzgerald
Via telephone: Jeff Bowdler, Barb Morgan, Dave Morgan, new owners Mike and Bob from Colorado
The President called the meeting to order, introduced attendees and asked for comments on the minutes of the last meeting. Being none, the minutes were approved as submitted.
Kurt reported that, thanks to Glen Auwarter of Patas Pequenas, he now has updated contact information for all lot owners. Ron di Gregorio and Kurt Becker will follow up with those whose contact information is incomplete and will send registered letters to them if necessary.
Kurt reported that there are 3 lots that have been sold but that have not yet closed. Kurt will follow up with Ricardo Cordero, the attorney for Patas Pequenas, on their status. The owners of these lots have paid their HOA dues.
Kurt suggested that all SJE owners refer regularly to the blog for news and updates on our community. Bryan stated that he posts news and general items of interest about Costa Rica, as well as specific updates about SJE on the blog. He encouraged all owners to comment and post information. Kurt emphasized that the blog is a living, viable document that not only helps keep owners informed, but also serves as a marketing tool to potential owners.
Kurt reported that 32 lots have been sold and that road repairs and lot clearing are underway. He noted that almost all of the individual lot owners paid their dues and lot clearing fees. Jeff asked about the fees for next year and whether the dues and assessment include planting trees. Kurt stated that we have $1,350 budgeted for common areas, but that planting on individual lots is the responsibility of the individual owners. He emphasized that the $100 lot clearing fee was a one time special assessment to manage the growth on our lots. Bryan stated that managing the growth is necessary because Costa Rica government prohibits the removal of trees over 3” in diameter. Kurt offered to follow up with Monique to obtain a list of nurseries for lot owners who may want to plant on their lots.
Kurt stated that the current budget and proposed CC&Rs require the developers to pay HOA dues and assessments for all unsold lots. Kurt, Bryan, Sandy and Dave stated that this was how other HOAs they are involved with handle unsold lots. Ron stated that he will discuss this with the other Patas Pequenas partners and will advise us of their commitment. He stated that the developers have invested in improving and protecting the property for years without imposing fees on the lot owners. Ron expressed confidence that the partners would arrive at a fair fee structure for the unsold lots. He suggested the possibility of the partners putting funds from the sale of lots into an escrow account and using them to pay for the property managers, fees, commissions, caretaker and marketing. Bryan reiterated the need for a specific commitment from the partners for the unsold lots.
Jeff asked what, if any, contractual agreements exist between the developers and the caretaker and whether the current caretaker is necessary. Kurt, Bryan and Sandy stated that , based on their recent visits, he does a good job protecting the property against squatters and maintaining the land. Ron did not know if the caretaker was under contract and stated any buy-outs would be subject to Costa Rican labor law. Ron agreed to present a job description and contract for the caretaker position.
The new owners , Mike and Bob, asked if the annual dues were likely to increase next year. Kurt stated that the goal is to contain costs to keep the fees for the lot owners reasonable.
There was discussion about dedicating a lot or section of the community for common shared uses such as recreation, solar farm , band-shell or community garden . All agreed that this was desirable and Ron said he would discuss with the partners.
Kurt reported that Glen gave him marketing brochures and said he could provide them to anyone who is interested. Everyone agreed that a marketing plan from Patas Pequenas is needed. Mike F. affirmed his support of the ideas developed at the first HOA meeting for the developers to build a spec house or donate a lot for a group of owners to build a house. There was agreement that this would help spur sales and could provide a place for owners to live while their houses were being built. Ron will discuss this further with the partners.
Kurt stated that he, Bryan and Sandy met several times to review and modify the CC&R documents. He asked everyone to read them carefully and provide him with their comments within 2 weeks. . Dave said that he reviewed them and found them acceptable. Kurt said that he will ask all lot owners to vote to approve the document after comments are received. He added that Costa Rican law does not recognize CC&Rs. Bryan stated that the CC&Rs were meant to be a mutual and respectful agreement for the benefit of all lot owners.
Sandy asked if the proceeds from the sale of the new lot would be used to pay the Environmental Certification fee as discussed at the last meeting. Ron said that he would discuss this with the other partners and include it in the fare structure proposal for the unsold lots.
Kurt suggested that the community might eventually want to get involved with local causes or non profits such as the Save the Rainforest campaign. It was agreed that it is important for SJE to be good neighbors who are respectful and supportive of local customs and the environment but that it is premature for us to support any one cause at this time.
Kurt stated that the next meeting will be held in December and reminded everyone to get their comments on the proposed CC&Rs to him within the next two weeks.
ACTION ITEMS
ALL – GET COMMENTS ON CC&RS TO KURT BY APRIL 25
RON AND KURT – UPDATE CONTACT INFO FOR LOT OWNERS
KURT – FOLLOW UP WITH RICARDO REGARDING CLOSING STATUS
KURT – FOLLOW UP WITH MONIQUE FOR NAMES OF LANDSCAPERS
RON – FOLLOW UP WITH PATAS PEQUENAS AND PROVIDE SPECIFIC COMMITMENT ON UNSOLD LOTS
RON – FOLLOW UP WITH PARTNERS ON DONATING LOT, BUILDING SPEC HOUSE; COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE ; ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
RON – PROVIDE JOB DESCRIPTION, INFORMATION ON CONTRACT FOR CARETAKER
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