FOREST HILL ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
May 3, 2010

Board Members present: Diane Wara, Warren Krauss, Katie Balestreri, Donna Earhart, Kathe Farrell, Mel Bachmeier.

Others in Attendance: Steve Halpern, Sally Kipper, Harold Wright, Walt Farrell, John Balestreri, Anna Bolechowski, Will Connolly.

Announcement: Diane welcomed attendees and requested that all comments/discussions be cordial and respectful.

Minutes: of April 5, 2010 - Re: election results - Harold Wright was surprised at the relatively high number of votes cast considering the recent dues increase. Anna Bolechowski commented that there was an appearance of impropriety because of the vote count confusion. The Minutes, as distributed, were MSP.

Election of Officers: The following slate of officers were nominated and elected

          President - Diane Wara
          Vice-President - Dan Kelly
          Secretary - Kathe Farrell
          Treasurer - Donna Earhart

Diane stated that the main job of the Board is to guard the Association funds, and monthly financial reports will be distributed to Board members several days in advance of meetings for their examination.

Committee announcements:

Landscape - Diane will continue leadership. The committee will notify the Board by email before a permit for tree cutting is requested.

Finance - Donna Earhart, Mel Bachmeier, Sally Kipper.

Legal - Warren will continue, and will solicit lawyers in the community by email to join this committee. Warren offered to take responsibility for contacting neighbors about problems, and sees the Board as ombudsman for disputes. The Board agreed.

Architectural Review - Katie Balestreri and Steve Halpern.

Clubhouse Maintenance - Rigo Cabezas and Steve Cohen will be asked to continue the Clubhouse upkeep. Kathe Farrell agreed to be board liaison. Clubhouse survey - John Balestreri is heading a subcommittee to study future needs and uses of the structure and will submit monthly reports.

Infrastructure - Dan Kelly, Warren Krauss, and Steve Halpern. Warren will ask Bill Callan to join.

Activities and Communication - Dan Kelly and Donna Earhart.


Treasurer's Report: Sally Kipper presented the 2010-2011 budget (copy on file in the Clubhouse office), and discussed the consolidation of the office manager's job. A job description has been developed, and interviews will be scheduled. Management companies may be interviewed for handling the accounting aspects.

Approval of the budget was moved by Mel, seconded by Donna, and passed by the Board.

Donna presented the April Balance Sheet and Receipts & Expenditures Sheet (copy on file in CH office).

Fourteen homeowners paid their assessments this past month, and reminder letters continue to be sent out to the remainder (33 homeowners, including 9 in lien, 5 partial payers, and one who has paid for last year, but not this year).

Sally will report on the Bank of America CD - term and interest rate - next month.

WTPCC: Walt Farrell reported that the Committee discussed the impact on the neighborhoods of St. Francis Circle construction.

FHGC: Diane thanked the Garden Club for taking care of the decorative planting in front of the Clubhouse, and requested that a FHGC member join the FHA Landscape Committee.

Advisory Committee Reports: Activities and Communications - Diane reported in the absence of Dan that Pocket Opera had requested June 2 as a rehearsal date, but a homeowner member had just requested the same date. It was decided to honor the Pocket Opera commitment, but discussion followed about establishing a policy regarding rentals and other uses of the Clubhouse.

Policy - We reserve the right to withdraw permission for Clubhouse use by a non-paying group in favor of rentals fifteen days or longer before an event. Moved by Warren Krauss, seconded by Mel Bachmeier, and passed by the Board.

Diane requested dates for community events to firm up the calendar. Donna will work with Dan and notify Yen ASAP.

Suggestions for the next newsletter include articles on garbage can storage (Steve H. will write), wind turbines, window permits, the blight ordinance, and muni changes.

Architecture - Steve Halpern reported

160 San Marcos: Committee recommends a neutral position, but that the letter indicate FHA is mindful of concerns of neighbors about the impact of construction.

44 Mendoza: Supervisor Elsbernd's office sent an email to Kate Conner, the Enforcement Planner, on 4/06/10. Ms. Conner responded on 4/07/10, stating that the owners are submitting plans to comply with the Code; and if plans are not received in two weeks, the matter will be referred to an Administrative Judge. She also said FHA can review the plans prior to any approval action by the Planning Dept.

30 Santa Rita: Window replacement was done without permit. Diane requested that Steve draft a letter and send to her.

21 Castenada: Recently was sold. Diane will tell the new owners that the trees removed from the planter box should be replaced as they are required by Code.

185 Castaneda: Street trees have been removed. Diane will call.

200 San Marcos: Permit has been granted to correct the garage bedroom, but there are no signs of construction.

Survey of Garbage/Recycling Cart storage; The Board authorized preparation of a newsletter article

Clubhouse - John Balestreri reported

Fire Dept. permit: Conditional permit has been granted. John has made some changes to correct minor problems, e.g., door locks, bathroom emergency lights. Some requirements may remain. The FD permit is necessary for a dance hall permit. The former dance hall permit is in Will Connolly's name from years ago. This will be changed in the next few months.

Renovation: John and his subcommittee are studying the needs of the building and will submit their findings for consideration by the Board. There is need for a board member to see any long-term project through.

Electrical permit: It was decided to hold off until renovation study is completed.

Landscape - Diane noted that Valley Crest has increased maintenance for May-June-July because of the rains. She also mentioned a complaint about the use of VC leaf blowers. The alternative of sweeping would increase expenses significantly. The Board Moved, Seconded, and Passed the continuing use of leaf blowers.

Legal - Warren presented a Conflict of Interest Policy and an Expenditures Policy for consideration by the Board. After discussion, approval was tabled until next meeting.

Other Reports and Recommendations: Will Connolly brought up the subject of purchasing a sound system for the Clubhouse, but the proposal was deferred because of the possible renovation. He requested July 1, 2, 5 for the Pocket Opera and was asked to contact Cindy.

Katie mentioned the possibility of having a New Members' Party some Thursday, perhaps in August. More discussion to follow.

Adjournment: 9:20 PM.


Respectfully submitted,

Kathe Farrell