 |
Pruning waste piled up and ready for the dump. Pruning was heavy, but new growth will bring improved security with lower foliage. |
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Pruning and Cleanup
Minutes of Special Board Meeting 8/3/14
EMERALD COURT CONDOMINIUM HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION (ECCHA)
Minutes of Special Meeting
of Board
August 3, 2014
August 3, 2014
The meeting took place at unit A-1 and was called to order at 7:10
pm by Amy Dussault, President.
- Attendance.
Amy Dussault, President; Miguel Garcia,
Vice President; Priscilla Moore, Secretary; Ken Guinn, Treasurer; and Ken
Benoit, Member at Large; Theresa Beers, representing our property manager.
- Purpose of
Meeting.
The meeting was called to update members on progress of
Association maintenance, contract bids, and to review proposed revisions to the
Association’s Rules and Regulations.
·
The bio-swale has been brought to code, and general pruning by
Edmonds Landscaping are completed.
Further pruning will take place in January, along east and west fence
lines, so that it may be on next year’s budget.
·
The lighting bid of
Lynnmore Construction was accepted.
·
After discussion of details of service, on motion duly seconded
and unanimously approved, Chimney Specialist, was selected, to perform
inspection and cleaning of chimneys.
Theresa was asked to contact Chimney Specialist to schedule service.
·
Continuing need for regular maintenance of grounds was
discussed. Edmonds Landscaping was
unable to add us to its clients this season, but may next year. In the meantime, since Matt Murdoch is
uninsured, we will arrange to trim, clean and mow either by locating a
qualified service, or purchase equipment and do the work ourselves.
·
A general discussion was had regarding community issues of rental,
parking, garbage bin location, entryway and back deck maintenance and a
schedule of fines to ensure compliance.
Ken Guinn presented proposed amendments to our Rules and Regulations
document, and it was determined the amendments should be presented to the
homeowners at the next general meeting for approval and institution. Such a document should be dated and replace
all previous documents.
The purpose of the meeting was accomplished and no further
business required. The meeting adjourned
at 9 pm.
Approved: s/Amy Dussault s/Priscilla Moore
President Secretary
Chimney Sweep Service Scheduled
Chimney Specialists service is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20th. They will need access to roofs and individual units. An informational flyer is being sent to us, and it will be distributed to individual homeowners.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Groundskeeping: Improvements
We recently had Edmonds Landscaping come out to begin our much needed pruning and clearing project. The first phase saw heavy clearing between A and B building, and removal of an oversized tree. It included taking out underbrush there, and pruning overgrowth in entryway planters. The second phase of clearing will happen later in the year during the season when heavy pruning of trees and vines is best accomplished. That will include our north fenceline and the boundary line behind C building.
Little known fact: You might not know, but it's true, the Association has a 3-foot easement through your limited common area in back, which has to be maintained for access by the pest control service or in the case of emergency as an exit route. Now is a good time to do some of your own pruning!
New Bio-Swale Ditch: Last year, we were told by Snohomish County that the drainage ditch out front was not in to code, and that we must improve the area to bring it into compliance with the county code. Why is this important? Well, paved areas and other improvements increase stormwater runoff which can overload the sewer system and flush pollutants into the watershed and ultimately, into Puget Sound. We hired Edmonds Landscaping to do the work, which has just been completed.
A bio-swale is designed to collect, hold and slow the velocity of runoff so that drainage is not clogged, and the design of our ditch has elements that will accomplish that: inflow culverts are at grade to catch building and pavement runoff, outflow culvert is above grade, to retain stormwaters and help slow the velocity of runoff, and wetland sedges and grasses have been added to help "slow the flow." Existing gravel was dug up and removed, and clay bearing soil was tamped down to help retain the water and provide filtering. What can you do to help? Remind your children that the swale is not a play area, so we can protect our investment and see it grow healthy. Avoid littering which will collect in the area and clog drainage. And you can be proud, too, that you, as a homeowner, and a good steward, are contributing to the health of Puget Sound.
For more interesting information on bio-swales and surface water management, here are some interesting links: Snohomish County and Code Requirements; Engineering for Biofiltration.
Board Notes: The Board held a special meeting to discuss future improvement projects, budget, contracts, and changes to our rules and regulations document, on August 3. We will contract for chimney sweep services through our manager, T-Square, as well as for improvements to security lighting. Both services will most likely take place around the end of August. Changes to the rules and regulations will be submitted to the homeowners at our next annual meeting, and they will include adding more detail about parking, garbage bins, appearance and complaint reports. Until then, homeowners with complaints are urged to report them to our management company, T-Square, care of Theresa Beers.
Little known fact: You might not know, but it's true, the Association has a 3-foot easement through your limited common area in back, which has to be maintained for access by the pest control service or in the case of emergency as an exit route. Now is a good time to do some of your own pruning!
 |
| Clearing between buildings A and B has really improved our appearance and added security as well. |
A bio-swale is designed to collect, hold and slow the velocity of runoff so that drainage is not clogged, and the design of our ditch has elements that will accomplish that: inflow culverts are at grade to catch building and pavement runoff, outflow culvert is above grade, to retain stormwaters and help slow the velocity of runoff, and wetland sedges and grasses have been added to help "slow the flow." Existing gravel was dug up and removed, and clay bearing soil was tamped down to help retain the water and provide filtering. What can you do to help? Remind your children that the swale is not a play area, so we can protect our investment and see it grow healthy. Avoid littering which will collect in the area and clog drainage. And you can be proud, too, that you, as a homeowner, and a good steward, are contributing to the health of Puget Sound.
 |
| Plantings of rushes and grasses will slow stormwater runoff |
 |
| The main inflow culvert, which drains from driveway pavement |
Board Notes: The Board held a special meeting to discuss future improvement projects, budget, contracts, and changes to our rules and regulations document, on August 3. We will contract for chimney sweep services through our manager, T-Square, as well as for improvements to security lighting. Both services will most likely take place around the end of August. Changes to the rules and regulations will be submitted to the homeowners at our next annual meeting, and they will include adding more detail about parking, garbage bins, appearance and complaint reports. Until then, homeowners with complaints are urged to report them to our management company, T-Square, care of Theresa Beers.
Welcome Neighbors
We're starting up a blog just for our home owners here at Emerald Court. Here you can find news, information, updates on maintenance and improvement projects, and leave your comments. The Board hopes this will help to keep homeowners well informed and interested in our community.
Please feel free to leave comments, or suggestions, but remember to be neighborly, too. The comments section will be moderated.
Please feel free to leave comments, or suggestions, but remember to be neighborly, too. The comments section will be moderated.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)