January 2024 Towne South Monthly Meeting Minutes
TOWNE SOUTH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES – Open Meeting – January 16, 2024
Present: Ryan Storie, Jackie Tebbe, Greg Hertlein, Hugh McWilliams, Dave Carr, and Mary Ann McWilliams, plus lot owners Lucille Hines, and Via Zoom – Katie Mizera and Aaron & Anna Lang.
Chair Ryan Storie opened the meeting at 7:00 pm and welcomed all to the first TSHA meeting of the new year. He reported that Chair Mackenzie Hennekes has resigned and that as Vice-Chair he will be moving up to the Chair position. He introduced Dave Carr who has graciously stepped up to fill the vacancy left by Mackenzie, which expires in February 2025. The rest of the Board introduced themselves.
1. Approval of Minutes from November 21, 2023 – Jackie stated that the minutes were distributed to all the Board members and will be posted on the website shortly. Ryan asked if there were any corrections or changes to these minutes. There being none, the minutes of the November 21, 2023 TSHA Open Meeting were approved as submitted.
2. Financial Update - Jackie passed out three documents – the November 2023 P&L, the December 2023 P&L, and the January 1, thru December 31, 2023 P&L. November’s income was only $75.08 and expenses were $2,432.74 which was largely lawn care and insurance. December’s income was $175.09 and expenses were $1,062.03, a big portion of which was the postage for our January mailing. These two months left us with a negative net profit. However, the YTD 2023 P&L shows a much better picture. Income totaled $48,576.08; expenses totaled $33,239.12, leaving us with a plus $15,336.96 net profit for the year. The majority of the expenses in 2023 were for lawn care ($12,000), tree removal ($7,000), and utilities ($3,000), plus insurance. She also noted that many checks have been coming in for our 2024 dues and as of this date the current balance in our checking account is $31,008.93 and $10,609.36 in our savings account. This brings us to $41,618.29.
a. Assessment Invoices went out on January 2, 2024 – mailing included the invoice plus the ballot for voting on the amendments.
3. Proposed amendments to Indentures – Ryan ran through the proposed amendments we are asking for votes on. We want to increase the number of positions on the Board so that we can hopefully get more people to help with responsibilities. Then if you vote yes to that, we ask that you then change what constitutes a quorum. We are proposing a majority constitutes a quorum. Next we want to be able to change the language and process of how assessment fees are established. We propose that the Board present a budget to the homeowners and based on that budget determine if the annual fees need to be increased. We want to be more transparent. And a second part of that amendment is the fact that the Board is, in fact, proposing that beginning January 1, 2025, the annual assessment fee be increased to $75.00. And finally, we are addressing the number of rental properties we will allow within our subdivision. We are asking homeowners to cap it at 60.
Ryan asked if anyone had any questions about any of these proposed amendments. No questions were voiced.
4. Board Positions for 2024 – Ryan reported that there will officially be three open positions on the Board beginning in February. Hugh, Jackie and Ryan will be up for re-election and all have expressed their desire to rerun. However, we welcome any and all nominations. Jackie will post this information on our website. Voting will take place at our annual meeting on February 17th.
5. Ameren/Lighting Update – Greg reported that the light at Towne South and Towne Center has been replaced. The holes dug to run the cable are still open with caution tape around them and metal plates covering the holes. It seems that there is a different crew that fills the holes. Not sure exactly when that will be done.
6. Liens & Releases – Mary Ann reported that there have been no liens or releases since our November meeting.
7. Requests for Approvals – None have been requested since our last meeting.
8. Landscaping
a. Mowing – the last mow for the year was done on November 24th. We will be looking into pricing from other vendors for the 2024 mowing season. We did, however, save quite a bit of money by mowing only twice a month instead of every week.
b. Trees – We have had our tree service look into several problem areas and we will be getting a quote and plan of action from them and hopefully discuss it at the annual meeting. We would like to begin addressing these areas late February or early March.
c. Creeks – nothing reported.
9. Complaints – It was reported that we have received a couple of complaints about properties that are not in compliance with our Indentures. We are working on resolution.
10. Zone Captains – Hugh is going to be contacting each of the Zone Captains and asking if they are willing to take on another year of service. We know we will have a couple of Zone Captains to replace. We want to be able to give them a list of what they will be asked to do and Hugh wants to hold a couple of meetings during the year to keep the group engaged and moving forward.
New Business
1. Annual Meeting – Saturday, February 17, 2024 – 2:00 pm – Prince of Peace UCC. Ryan noted that we are looking for a guest speaker so if anyone has a recommendation, please let us know. Also if you have any specials requests for agenda items, please let us know so we can get those on the agenda.
Old Business – No update on getting non-profit status. Mary Ann will work on this after the annual meeting.
Floor Discussions – Ryan asked if anyone had anything to bring to the Board at this time. There being none, the Towne South Homeowners Association Open Monthly Meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm. The next meeting will be our Annual Meeting on February 17, 2024. There will be no other regular meeting in February.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ann McWilliams
Administrative Assistant