September 2021

Scott Mountain Homeowners Association
Meeting Minutes – 9.7.2021
Location:  Virtual meeting  
Board Members Present:  Neil Gavrich, Josh Gavrich, Jonathan Chapman, Kevin Quick, Steve Schroeder, Mike Brumbach, Khristina Powell
Board Members Absent:  Thomas Spathas, David Nachand 
Homeowners Present: Jim and Carol Graham
Guests: None
Call to Order:  7:00pm by President, Neil Gavrich
Approval of Meeting Minutes: Board Meeting July 6th, 2021
A motion was made by Neil Gavrich to approve the July 2021 meeting minutes, all board members present approved.
Homeowners Concerns:
Jim Graham mentioned two houses which had covenants compliance issues

• 10037 SE 99th - Car with expired plates parked in the street
• 10327 SE 99th - lumber and debris from deck replacement not cleaned up for months

BOARD OFFICERS/COMMITTEE REPORTS 
President: Neil Gavrich

• Block party will not be held this year. The plan was to delay, but with Covid situation, it was not prudent to hold a party, even outdoors.
• Funds to be held and used next year
  
• Newsletter inputs
  
• Need to highlight that we have board openings and need new members

Vice President: Khristina Powell

• Newsletter - needing inputs from rest of the board
• HOA holiday lights - Plan is to have the mailbox for voting, same as in past years. Details to be provided in the newsletter
  

Treasurer: John Chapman

• Renewed PO box
  
• Roughly 85% of homeowner dues have been received so far, similar to previous years
  

Secretary: Josh Gavrich

• Nothing to report
  

Architectural:  Kevin

• Maintenance requests on numerous houses in the neighborhood. Some new paintings, some window replacements. Minor projects being approved and then whole board being notified later
  
• House remodel on Nancy Ct
• Concern about tree health with leveling of front yard and retaining wall
• HOA to reach out to Clays Tree service for an evaluation and help with a resolution
• Retaining wall height reduced by 1 row of bricks since beginning of construction

Safety:  Steve Schroeder

• Nothing to report
  

Covenants: Mike Brumbach

• Letters need to be sent out to houses with chickens (King Way and Kela Ct)
  
• Kela Ct has a second covenants offense with a trailer on blocks to be addressed
• Josh to print letters and send out 
  
• Dead fir tree on 100th Dr to follow up
  

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by Neil Gavrich due to time constraint of virtual platform

• Discussion regarding political signs/flags from 2020 election to continue via email and board to make a determination on direction for appeal from Nancy Hall.
  

Next Regular Board Meeting:  October 5th, 2021 7:00PM, likely to be held virtually due to Covid-19. Normal meetings at the Fire Station to be conducted the first Tuesday of the month that follows, except in August and December when there will be no meeting.
Appeal of Nancy Hall
    It was noted in May that Nancy was displaying a presidential election flag on her property. At the time, no other households were displaying political candidate signs or otherwise for the 2020 election (6 months before). Nancy was informed via letter that she was not in compliance with HOA rules regarding political signs (to be removed immediately after elections). She requested an appeal but refused to join a virtual meeting, so an email appeal was submitted by her before the September meeting. Nancy made an appeal that 1) he flag is not a sign 2) BLM flags and “In our America” signs are still  in peoples yards (she believes them to be political in nature) 3) She is being singled out based on her political affiliation 4) The rules regarding political signs, adopted in 2007, were not properly adopted based on homeowner votes.
Board members discussed the appeal and the following determination was made:

• Nancy Hall is NOT in compliance with HOA rules (rules and fines adopted in 2007) due to the 2020 election ending in November (now over 9 months ago)
  
• Based on voting members (via email); 6 voted she is not compliant, 1 abstained
• Nancy Hall is to remove her flag from the 2020 election or face fines (based on previous letter in May 2021).
  

    Board member discussions via email

• Board members discussed at length, the verbiage of the “signs” section of the original covenants, stating “no signs allowed, with exception of... one professional sign”. Interpretation of “professional sign” has been, per precedent, signs that are professionally made and in compliance with size restrictions. Majority of the board agrees with this interpretation.
  
• Board members discussed Nancy claiming to be singled out based on political affiliation; the neighborhood was inspected prior to the September meeting and only 1 household was found to display anything related to ANY 2020 election candidates campaigns (Nancy Hall). One household was found to be displaying two signs and that was brought to the attention of the board prior to the meeting. Majority of the board agreed that she is not singled out based on political beliefs or affiliation, but rather she is the only one not in compliance with the rules.
  
• Board members discussed having an in person meeting regarding Nancy’s appeal; the majority of the board did not see a reason for an in person event, given current situation of Covid-19 cases  and the ability to conduct business virtually.