Attendance
Directors present: Linda Nuzum, Cheryl McDade, Maureen Shul and Sheri Brummett
Directors absent: Brian Stopps, Linda Sweetman-King and Todd Swift
Delegates/ Representatives present: Ted Lohr, Barbara Saenger, Elisa Trebilco and Bruce Thompson
Delegates/ Representatives absent: Tres Thurston, Kyle Linhardt, Chris Fellows, Debbie Smith, Robert Fields, Steve Mimnaugh, Kristine Sherman, Mel Cunningham and Nancy Clarke
Staff: Alison Gibbens
Guests: Karla Kenny, (CPN Social Events Coordinator; CPN II) Norma Kerklo (Canterbury, HOA #2), Ron and Marcia Cushing (Romar West) and Shirley Dalton (Claremont Estates)

Approval of Agenda
MOTION by McDade to accept the agenda as amended, Shul seconded; motion approved carried.

Item added:
4. C. Audit and Tax Return

Approval of Minutes
A. February 20, 2003 Minutes
MOTION by McDade to approve the February 20, 2003 minutes as written, seconded by Brummett; motion approved and carried.

Open Forum
Kerklo inquired about how the water rates and restrictions apply to the town home and patio home areas. McDade responded that she has the beginnings of the information but would like to report at the April meeting when she has all of the information. Kerklo suggested that this information be communicated by the Metro District to all of the respective sub-associations and management companies.

Cheryl McDade reported for Mark McDade that the Parks Authority is still in the land acquisition phase for the new park. Several pieces remain that need to be acquired and acquisition of one of those pieces is close to being completed. A preliminary plan is continuing to be developed to present to surrounding communities and their approval of the plan is needed before the transfer of the Douglas County land can be completed.

Action Committees:
A. Telecommunications
Nuzum stated that the distance charge issue is basically at the same place as last month with the PUC staff looking at distance charges on a statewide basis. She continues to be optimistic about the distance charge issue. We will continue to have our attorney monitor the situation, as his contacts have been helpful in getting the state's attention on the matter. The legal fees for this approach will be lower than pursuing the legal hearing on our individual complaint.

Nuzum reported that Fei is currently testing a new provider for phone and long distance combined. He will be the contact person for information about this provider once his evaluation has been made. His evaluation and comments will also be posted on the web site once completed.

B. Traffic Safety
Gibbens reported that she spoke to David Lynn, President of Tapestry Hills HOA, about the vision issue that exists at the corner of Monarch and Berganot Trail. Residents have expressed concern over the safety when making a northbound turn off of Berganot Trail onto Monarch. With speeding motorists and increased traffic this has become a safety issue. Lynn has been in contact with The Ridge Golf Course, Continental Homes and Douglas County on this issue. After continued effort, Douglas County issued a letter and agreed and supported resident concern over limited sight at the intersection. Lynn has forwarded Douglas County's letter of support to Continental Homes and feels like the issue will be addressed this spring. Gibbens will be writing a letter voicing Master Association support, asking for prompt completion of the project and thanking those involved for getting this safety issue corrected.

Community members that are interested in volunteering to help with this committee are welcome and encouraged to contact Alison Gibbens at admin@cpnhoa.org

C. Development
Lighting at Commercial Area
This item was tabled until next month because Stopps was unable to be present tonight.

Pedestrian Sidewalk
This item was tabled until next month because Stopps was unable to be present tonight.

A. Business Partnership Program
The purpose of the Business Partnership Program (BPP) is to form a cohesive effort with our surrounding business community, advertisers, and sponsors. Nuzum presented the new marketing designs and asked for every ones opinion on the design. All agreed that the new look was nice and recommendations were made.

B. Social Events
Kenny presented the Social Committee budget noting that the total amount for 2003 is $16,000. Kollmar has done a nice job getting sponsors for our social events and we should be under budget for the year.

The next event is the Easter Egg Hunt, April 12, 10:00 a.m. at Coyote Ridge Park. Kenny has enlisted the help of three local Girl Scout Troops and a church group that meets at Buffalo Ridge. They have been stuffing 8,000 eggs for the hunt. Nuzum asked Kenny to be sure and contact Dahl at the CPN Metro District in order to make sure that the best possible effort is made to remove the wildlife scat from the Easter Egg field, ideally it would be nice to have it removed Saturday morning.

The Spring Community Garage Sale is scheduled for May 16th and 17th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Summer Family BBQ is August 23rd with details to follow.

A committee, including merchants, has begun work on planning the Octoberfest scheduled for October 25th. Kenny presented the possibility of having liquor at the event and wanted feed back from the Board on this issue. The Board noted that past events, including the picnic, have had alcohol and directed Kenny to find out more of the details and report at the April meeting.

C. Newsletter/Website
McDade reported that Nash would be delivering the April/May issue of the Connection to the printer Friday morning. McDade further noted that advertising sales for this issue of The Connection are up and we should be on financial track for our publishing goals.

Nuzum reported that she and Brummett have met with Novreske and begun working on the outline and structure for the website under the new host. Nuzum stated that they are working on the layout and navigation system within the site.

The last community email was during the snowstorm and residents were asked to send in stories and photos of their experiences with prizes to be awarded to four entrants. The response to this was overwhelming with over 350 pictures submitted. A random drawing was held to award the prizes. The awards were three savings bonds from Bank West and a pizza from Little Italy. Thank you to those businesses for supporting our community.

McDade reported that the website continued to receive 2,500 - 3,000 unique visitors in February with that number close to tripling during the March snow storm.

D. Master Association Documents/Summary
Signage
McDade, Gibbens and Petersen will continue to work on a guide that will address all of the signage issues that exist within the Castle Pines North Master Association. Nuzum would ultimately like a comprehensive plan including the sub association guidelines as well. The goal is to have and communicate to all residents' signage guidelines and enforcements for violations.

Document Review/Summaries
Nuzum noted that Peterson continues to review the Master Association documents as they apply to several key topics.

Design Review Guidelines update
Nuzum reiterated the need to consider hiring an outside consultant to help update and upgrade our dated (1984) Design Guidelines. Some of the issues that need to be looked at are fencing and building and roofing materials, i.e. shake shingles.

Landscaping Guidelines
Nuzum continues to suggest that in light of the drought conditions we should look at the landscaping guidelines for the Master Association as well as make suggestions to the sub associations. Nuzum has been in communication with one of the Design Review Committee volunteers to do possible further work for the association in respect to outlining guidelines for landscaping during drought conditions; also making suggestions for more appropriate overall landscaping given the fact that our climate is considered high altitude, semi arid.

The Board and Delegates expressed the desire to host a "tour the neighborhood" event highlighting residents who have examples of drought conscious yards. The idea is to provide homeowners with the opportunity to view actual vegetation once planted and established and to talk with homeowners on maintenance and water needs.

D. Master Association Documents/Summary
Signage:
McDade distributed a first draft of the reference guide for signage. McDade, Gibbens and Petersen will continue to work on a guide that will address all of the signage issues that exist within the Castle Pines North Master Association. McDade asked those present to review the list of all possible signs, noting any additional types that might have been overlooked. McDade, Gibbens, Nuzum and Peterson will be meeting next week to review the direction of the project moving forward. Nuzum would ultimately like a comprehensive plan including the sub association guidelines as well. The goal is to have and communicate to all residents' signage guidelines and enforcements for violations.

An inquiry was made regarding the no parking signs at the intersection along the north side of Castle Pines Parkway and the east side of Monarch. Residents have been parking across Castle Pines Parkway on Shoreham Drive and the commercial property on the west side on Monarch instead of parking on Castle Pines Parkway. Both of these areas require that major streets be crossed in order to get to "sled hill". Nuzum requested McDade check with Dahl on alternative parking possibilities for this area. She also suggested the possibility that an alternative sledding hill designation needs to be made. This area has been used for sledding for over 15 years and is where our community goes for this recreational activity. A resolution to this issue needs to be addressed.

Community members that are interested in volunteering to help with this committee are welcome and encouraged to contact Alison Gibbens at admin@cpnhoa.org

Document Review/Summaries
Nuzum noted that Peterson continues to review the Master Association documents as they apply to several key topics. Peterson will cover these topics in the meeting with McDade and Gibbens next week.

Design Review Guidelines update
Nuzum reiterated the need to consider hiring an outside consultant to help update and upgrade our dated (1984) Design Guidelines. This area was not budgeted for this year and the board may need to consider a budget amendment if this is to be addressed this year. Some of the issues that need to be looked at are fencing; building materials and roofing materials, i.e. shake shingles.

Landscaping Guidelines
Nuzum suggested that in light of the drought conditions we should look at the landscaping guidelines for the Master Association as well as make suggestions to the sub associations.

Metro District:
McDade noted that the district has many projects that are currently being worked on. She reported that the Metro District is in final stages of putting together the water conservation plan for this year. However, the district is waiting to see where snow pack numbers come in for the season and also what other districts are doing. The District is looking at possible mandatory water restrictions and a lawn installation moratorium. Contact the Metro District to get updated information as needed. Several new wells are being drilled; one by The Retreat, one by HOA2, and another by Hidden Pointe.

The Metro District and The Ridge are preparing to lay a water reuse line from the golf course to the Plum Creek Water Treatment Center. This will allow the golf course to water greens and fairways with reclaimed water not well water. This should be in place by this summer. McDade noted that there would not be enough capacity at this time to include Bristle Cone and Glen Oaks but if ever excess is reported they would be considered for addition to the line.

McDade also stated that the district is considering the possibility of converting some of the districts parks and open space areas to water received from shallow wells in lawn irrigation return steam flows.

McDade noted that the Metro District is still working on how Canterbury, Broadwick, BristleCone and other patio/town home areas are billed and monitored for water usage.

A. Tennis Courts
Shul reported that HOA #1 and HOA #2 have agreed to allow tennis only memberships for $75 and $100 per year respectively. Shul is planning on organizing a community wide tennis league and intends on having initial meeting in the near future. This item will be removed from the agenda.

B. Fences
Gibbens reported that CPN II has begun repairing and maintaining their fences starting with Bristle Cone and continuing to Stone Croft and Briar Cliff. The individual homeowner that was contacted about their privacy fence has responded and will have their fence maintenance completed by May 31. The areas that needed addressing are complying and this item will be removed from the agenda.

C. House Bill 1161
Nuzum reported on the status of House Bill 1161 which would remove some provisions of the state's consumer protection laws as related to construction defects. Nuzum reported she is communicating with Colorado's Community Association Institute (CAI), an association of neighborhood and community associations, in order to stay better informed on this issue. The CAI currently supports the version that passed the Senate, which addresses the primary stated objectives of the bill, including assurances that builders and contractors would have an opportunity to repair defects, and limits punitive damages to $250,000. The CAI and numerous HOA's, including CPN, had opposed the original House version which had several additional provisions. The bill is currently in legislative conference committee to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions.

As directed at the previous board meeting, Gibbens wrote Douglas County- area Senators Chlouber and Evans, and Representatives, Wiens, May, and Harvey expressing the Board's opposition to the original House version of HB 1161. The Association heard back from Representatives Wiens and May both wanting further elaboration on the issues we have with the bill. Our reply will be based on the outcome of the conference committee version and will be sent upon completion of this draft. The CAI lobbyist advised Nuzum that until HB 1161 is out of conference committee, communication on opposing or supporting is not necessary as the details of the bill are not final.
Nuzum noted that the committee meetings can be heard live via the Internet with a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 1. Nuzum will send an email communicating the details and needed links of how to listen to this meeting.

Brummett suggested that individuals should send their opposition to House and Senate representatives encouraging them to support homeowners' rights.

D. Hidden Pointe Relationship
Nuzum reported that two months ago she was asked to attend the Hidden Pointe HOA meeting, to answer questions with respect to the relationship between the Master Association and Hidden Pointe as well as the relationship between the CPN Metro District and Hidden Pointe. Nuzum reported to those at the Hidden Pointe meeting that the Master Association encourages the Hidden Pointe HOA to send a neighborhood representative to attend all Master Association meetings, who would have equal voice as all other neighborhood representatives in discussing issues and advising the Board. She reiterated that this is the third year that she has attended a Hidden Pointe HOA meeting and each year has offered that the CPN Master Association is ready to discuss full voting membership for Hidden Pointe homeowners, if the Hidden Pointe HOA wants to pursue that option. Nuzum still has not heard back from the Hidden Pointe HOA on this topic.

New Business:

A. CAI Membership
The Master Association has joined the Community Association Institute, an association of neighborhood and community associations, in order to have access to helpful information about issues that many community associations face. We will be purchasing several resource books that will eventually be able to be checked out to sub associations for their use.

B. Power Lines - Oak Hills
Gibbens reported that Oak Hills resident, Kim Steinhoek, contacted the Master Association informing us that Xcel Energy is considering a project to rebuild the eastern power line adjacent to CPN with a taller structure and higher voltage. Xcel held a meeting at Douglas County High School on March 25th to present the plan to affected and interested individuals. Gibbens attended and gathered initial information on the project that is adjacent to several neighborhoods within Castle Pines North.

Several of the Master Association representatives own property adjacent to the power line but did not receive notice of the March 25th meeting, and none of the other representatives had heard anything from their neighbors. Nuzum expressed the need to contact Xcel on this project looking into the question of who got notified of the meeting and whether they would do anything to rectify the fact that that people in our area did not have the opportunity to attend the public meetings.

Thompson (an engineer familiar with this field) will pursue getting more information about the proposed plan and report to the Board at the April meeting.

C. Snow Storm Follow-Up
Nuzum wanted to thank the effort of McDade and Gibbens during the 2003 snowstorm. McDade made continual phone calls in order to find out where plows were located, who was plowed and what time expectations were for completion. She was also in direct contact with the county supervisor updating him and asking for assistance in areas that had not been addressed. This information was then posted on the community web site for everyone to keep updated.

The County had CPN's public roads plowed Thursday or Friday; this was consistent with other parts of the south metro area. We had electricity and telephones that many areas throughout Denver did not have. Their were some complaints and some miscommunication within certain neighborhoods, but most neighbors took into consideration the severity of the "100-year" storm and took advantage of becoming better neighbors and helping others in their neighborhood. Brummett commented that it was great to be apart of this community where everyone contributed to memorable once in a lifetime event.

Representatives from the neighborhood HOAs, which have independent contractors to plow private roads or sidewalks/driveways owned by the HOA, indicated that many of them had plowing problems too. Often the contactors could not get into the neighborhoods or were stuck in other areas of the city.

After some discussion, the Board felt like the county plowing of our streets is sufficient for future planning although we need to communicate a better street priority plan. Snow plowing contracts for Sub-HOA properties would be a good topic for the next gathering of Sub-HOA managers and board members, which will focus on grounds management including landscaping. Gibbens will work on setting this meeting up.

Kerklo noted that for future years fire hydrant flags could be requested from the fire district for hydrants that seem to get continually buried during blizzard conditions.

D. Board Member Resignation
Nuzum announced the resignation of Todd Swift, Board of Director. Swift's letter stated that he will continue to serve as Briar Cliff's Delegate and has enjoyed serving as director for the past 2 ½ years.

Nuzum stated that Swift's position will be filled at the April meeting by board appointment and those interested need to contact Gibbens at admin@cpnhoa.org. Interested delegates will be asked to give a brief statement on why they would like to serve as director.

E. Huntington Ridge Report
Delegate Sherman was unable to attend and Gibbens will contact her with regard to several issues that need to be addressed in the Huntington Ridge area.

Additional Homeowner Input:
No input.

Management/Financial:
A. Monthly Financial Report
A. Monthly Financial Report
McDade distributed the financial report. She noted that we now have a total of 2,418 CPN master member homes as of 2/28/03. For the month of February, a total of 23 homes closed (14 new homes, 8 resale's and 1 lot). The Association continues to be in good financial standing.

McDade noted that the second billing was sent out March 3rd with the $50.00 late fee per delinquency assessed to properties not paid. She also noted that we received an additional 128 payments in the last 30 days with approximately 137 households with outstanding dues.

The Feb/Mar 03' issue of The Connection was the last issue with advertising sold by our prior advertising coordinator, and had lower advertising revenues. With the new advertising focus, we should be back on track for breaking even in our publication costs for future issues.

Brummett MOTIONED to accept the January Financial Reports; Shul seconded; motion approved and carried.

Shul MOTIONED to accept the February payables; Brummett seconded; motion approved and carried.

B. CPI Adjustment to Maximum Assessment
McDade requested this item be tabled until next month.

C. Audit and Tax Return
McDade distributed a copy of the 2002 Audit Report and management letter. Wenner, Silvestain and Company reported that the association has no financial misstatements and related financial numbers are correct. The management letter suggested some minor areas for improvement, including consideration of alternative investment opportunities, staggered billing, improving collection efforts, and the need to include the general ledger number on the face of paid invoices.

McDade noted that the auditors' comments regarding collections referred to 2002, and the suggested collections efforts have already been implemented in 2003. She has also implemented the auditor's suggestion regarding invoices.

The Board felt as though staggering the annual billing, evening out receipts, would be confusing to the membership and was not of great benefit to the association due to the increase in associated administrative costs. The current annual billing procedure was left in place and the 2003 dues invoices will be going out midyear.

The auditor was pleased with how well the audit went and McDades' ability to provide all of the information requested in a timely manner. The Board thanked McDade for all of her hard work and congratulated her on a successful audit.

McDade also noted the need to look at opening an additional association bank account due to FDIC insurance limits placed on banking institutions. She will check into choices for the April meeting.

Adjournment:
MOTION to adjourn by Brummett; seconded by McDade; motion approved and carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Alison Gibbens
Recording Secretary

Castle Pines North Homeowners Association
Copyright © 1999-2003 Castle Pines North Homeowners Association
All rights reserved.

Telephone and Fax:
303-482-3078

Address:
CPN Association, Inc.
7402 Yorkshire Drive
Castle Rock, Colorado 80104

Contact the Castle Pines North Homeowners Association (CPNHOA) by e-mail.