FOREST HILL ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2009


Board members present: Dan Kelly, Mel Bachmeier, Diane Wara, Sally Kipper, Kathe Farrell.

Others in attendance: Steve Halpren, Paul Bessieres, Walt Farrell, Harold Wright, Mary Holder, Yen Bachmeier, Peter Hockley.

Call to order: by President Kelly at 7:05 PM.

Approval of August 2, 2009 Minutes deferred until October Meeting.


Treasurers Report: Under Expenditures, Sally Kipper reported that Withholding is up because of reconciling past quarters' omissions. Dues in arrears letters will go out September 9 and will require follow up phone calls from directors. Dan is looking to hire a bookkeeper and will seek tax specialist May Pon's recommendation. There followed a discussion of the need for a dues increase to rebuild the Clubhouse contingency fund and cover increased expenses. Warren will research the method dictated by the By Laws to begin the process. Acceptance of the T. Report was moved, seconded, and passed by the Directors.

Homeowners' List: Diane has updated the list and requested that directors have access. Dan opposed, citing security and privacy issues. The suggestion was made to give hard copies as opposed to online information. Mel moved, and Diane seconded. The motion passed.

Forest Hill Garden Club: No report.

West of Twin Peaks Council: No report due to summer recess.

Proposal: Warren recommended a grant opportunity for the Garden Club that had been forwarded by Supervisor Sean Elsbernd. Diane suggested that the FHA Landscape Committee coordinate with Valley Crest and pursue the opportunity instead. She will follow up.


Advisory Committee Reports:
Activities: Dan announced the fall picnic and requested volunteers. Bill Gray will work on the committee planning the activity for the last Sunday in September.

Architecture: Steve Halpern submitted a document, "Architecture - Standards and Regulations," that his committee has created as a guide to homeowners seeking to renovate or build. He recommends that it be available for web site distribution. Following discussion, Steve and Warren agreed to work on introductory language.

1) 44 Mendoza - tall fence: Enforcement Planner will pursue assessing fines under Notice of Violation.

2) 200 San Marcos - Bedroom in garage; no off street parking. DECISION: Board should send a letter to Enforcement Planner objecting to any living area in the garage.

3) 21 Castenada - Insufficient landscaping: After our letter, owner improved landscaping amount from about 4% to about 15% - still below the 20% required. DECISION: Contact owner that additional landscaping is still required.

4) 15 Castenada - Ugly construction fence: neither neither DBI nor Planning can help. No inspection of fence in response to our complaint that the fence is too flimsy. No response from owner to our letter of 8/5/09. DECISION: Contact owner again.

5) 99 Magellan - Illegal deck and parking slab: DECISION: Contact DPW and DPT regarding the parking slab.

6) 486 Dewey - Illegal shed: No formal reply to our letter of 7/29/09. A neighbor was told they would take it down. No action yet. DECISION: Make a formal complaint to DBI.

7) 344 Pacheco - Insufficient landscaping: Widened front stairs and driveway without permit thus decreasing landscaping to about 16% (20% required). Changed curb cut from 10" to 16" without permit (10" is maximum allowable.) Sent letter of 8/26/09 requesting increase in landscaping. No response. DECISION: Make an official complaint to DBI

Clubhouse: Harold Wright Referred to a report from a Contractors Inspection Service that indicated the roof needs replacement.


Landscape: Diane Ware reported

1) The schedule of trimming was compiled by her and included the 9th and Pacheco shrubs.

2) The Fall pruning list is on the web site. The decision to prune lass frequently and more heavily was made by Diane and Valley Crest.

3) 51 Sotello: A lengthy discussion ensued about tree removal and replacement. Diane will request a reassessment of the trees involved and their longevity. Dan recommended that the Board take no position if the trees have decreased longevity.

4) 15 Mesa: The arborist will give his opinion on the tree involved.

Legal: Warren reported: The Insurance Company paid FHA $3900 for removal of tree on FHA property, but refused to pay for the second tree. The company is reconsidering. Next time, we'll use a second opinion of an arborist and put the Insurance company on notice.

Musical Days: Sally Kipper reported that 4 days of the performance were sold out; one close to being sold out. They didn't quite break even. Expenditures were more, and reserves were used. Message: expenditures will be kept at same rate. Diane thanked all involved.

Pocket Opera: Will Connelly reported that rehearsals were generally 3 closed/1 open. Numbers will be checked, but Board agreed to allow club house use for next season. Outside Lands, featuring Forest Hill history and a slide show will be scheduled for October/November. Yen will email notice to members.

New Business Mary Holder brought up problems with the upkeep of a property and subsequent effect on neighboring properties. Warren suggested Mary take pictures and write a letter to Dan, indicating concern.

Adjournment: 8:50 PM.


Respectfully submitted,
Kathe Farrell