The Wildflower II Association Board met at Englert's home, September 25, 2009. The minutes of that meeting have been reviewed by the board and accepted for posting in this newsletter. Click here to read them. 
Recently, as you know, SROA studied their long-term maintainance requirements. They found their reserves inadequate to cover the upcoming costs; SROA then requested an SROA dues increase to properly fund long-term maintenance. The ownership, understanding those needs, approved that dues increase. The CPA who works with Joanna Johns, Tony Cunha, was a member of the committee that developed SROA's long-term maintenance plan. We are fortunate to have someone with his skills overseeing our accounting and contributing his expertise to our capital reserve requirements.
We in Wildflower II have been refining our capital reserve needs for the past eight or nine years, beginning just after we were required to levy two consecutive annual special assessments in order to reroof our buildings.
As we discover the extent of our long-term maintenance needs, we have attempted to prioritize our refurbishments, so that what we contribute to our capital reserve savings covers our immediate needs, while also saving for future needs. Our goal has been to eliminate the need for special assessments, since these make it difficult for owners to project their future cash flows.
Safety-related repairs and repairs of structural elements receive the highest priority; protection from further deterioration (like painting and asphalt sealing) is a close second. Strictly cosmetic projects (like plantings, fences and garbage enclosures) are also important because 'curb appeal' enhances our property values, but the Board's position has been that structure and function must first be sound in order to support the overlaid beautification.
For the most part, over the past several years this process has worked. Our buildings are now in their third decade of life. Many systems are due for replacement. Some of our common elements suffered from original poor design. So even as we have refurbished some aging systems, others that we did not anticipate have presented themselves.
Your all-volunteer Board contributes their attention to Wildflower maintainence over the common elements of all 48 units. Our only 'profit' is the equal preservation of all owners' properties, including our own. We expect this to be accomplished in the most cost-effective manner possible.
Not all owners are adverse to using special assessments. Some distrust saving-in-advance as a funding tool, believing that it gives rise to wasteful spending. Oregon Statutes, however, are clear in directing Associations to develop and maintain funds in reserve. Also, "curb-appeal" and modest HOA dues contribute quite directly to increased property values. Structural integrity of common elements, as well as association financial health, as demonstrated by a healthy capital reserve savings account, are easily overlooked by prospective buyers.
We are owners "in condominium". We live by the choices of the majority, with a healthy respect for the preferences of the minority. As we approach the October 2009 annual Owners' Meeting, all of us owners will be presented with the opportunity to make decisions about how we want to prioritize future projects, specifically, a potential remodel of the Phase II roof-top sunken decks, and the reinforcement of deteriorated Phase II rear deck supports. Both of these projects are expensive undertakings.
Your five-member volunteer board has three seats open for election this year. Two members, Rod Englert, the Chair, and Ali Momeni, are willing to serve an additional term. One board member, Gary Lorenz, has reached the term limits of three consecutive terms and will be retiring from Board membership.
I encourage all owners to attend the annual meeting in order to participate fully in the prioritization of our future projects, as well as choosing among the options we have for funding them. For any owner who would like to help implement the owners' preferences through Board membership, In encourage you to contact Joanna Johns with your willingness to stand for election.
