The Homeowner's Meeting was held October 25, 2008 at 5:00p.m. in the common area on the curve. There were approximately 12 people in attendance out of 197 homes.
The yearly budget garnered much attention especially the allocation for lights. Unable to satisfy the questions of a concerned resident, the Treasurer asked the potential volunteer to investigate the situation and see what he could do .
No one volunteered to become an officer. Four people volunteered to become board members and "help out."
The approximately $4000 deficit, as a result of unpaid dues received much attention. One theory thrown out was that perhaps residents forgot to pay their dues. Possibly going to the homes of these individuals asking for the dues was an idea volleyed about. Several of the volunteers stated that they would be willing to do this.
One of the residents asked about the front entrance and its appearance along with no lights on the marquee as well as the weedy flower bed. The explanation included lack of funds for plants, no volunteers while two people try to keep things going and making a statement regarding the state of the community. Planting low maintenance, ground hugging, evergreen shrubs is a future possibility.
Allowing a management company to operate things was a viable solution to all of the HOA woes. Most in attendance were in agreement with this with the only reservation being how much of an increase there would be. HOA management by an outside entity is being seriously explored.
In the newsletter you received the following were listed under "Bills." This is a more detailed explanation of each.
There are 197 homes. If each person pays their dues($55/year) the amount collected would be
$10,835.
ALABAMA POWER=$588 mo.=$7,056 yr.
There are 3 sectors to Heather Pointe. The first sector was built by one builder and the second and third sector built by D.R. Horton. Allegedly, the developer, John Millington was not pleased with the first sectors builders because they didn't deliver on what they were contracted to do such as landscaping entire areas from one property to the other. Streetlights for sector one were installed by the developer. No streetlights were in the plans for sectors two and three. If you were here before the lights were installed in these sectors, you literally could not see your hand in front of your face. Board members looked into getting lights for sectors two and three. Alabama Power had to come out and create places for the lights which they placed strategically by the large power boxes you see behind each streetlight. These lights were purchased to provide a safer environment for these areas.
WATER & SEWER=$30 mo.=$360 year
Sprinkler system in front for flowers. Hot weather requires more water than usual for plants. Maintenance of sprinkler system.
GRASS=$75-$100 every other two weeks=$375+$500=$875 year.
The grass at the entrance to the subdivision, the area across from the houses on St. John, the common area of the curve and properties up for sale that are not maintained by the owners. Someone asked if volunteers could not do this to defray costs. This has been tried in the past and failed.
FRONT ENTRANCE PLANTS=$200 twice yearly=$400 year
The entrance is planted twice a year. Pesticide, fertilizer, 4-6 flats of flowers.
PROPERTY TAXES=$450 year
This is for the common area, front entrance, land across from the houses on St. John that faces Highway 75. The property tax you pay at your home is for your home and does not include other land that is part of Heather Pointe. These uninhabited parts must be paid for too.
BACKFLOW TEST=$100 year
This test is to prevent the back up of sewage, polluted and unsafe drinking water to homes in the Heather Pointe subdivision. County codes require that this test be done every year by a certified tester. Heather Pointe has been using Bo's Plumbing. The results are sent to the Birmingham Water Works Board by the certified tester.
INCIDENTALS=$500 year
Things that come up unexpectedly such as vandalization of lights at the entrance.
Having to rewire the lighting system because it was incorrect from the beginning.
