Santa Fe Trail Ranch POA
Regular Board Meeting
December 5, 2009
Lazaro Martinez Station

Directors: Present Absent
  Bob Scott, President  
  Jim Davis, Vice President  
  Al Tucker, Vice President  
  Nancy Allred, Treasurer  
  Doris Noard, Secretary  
  John Albert  
  J Alan Aufderheide  
  Linda Brown  
  Fred Streiff  

Guests:  Rick Kinder, John Noard, RC & Mary Ghormley, Tom & June Stephens, Mike & Mary Jo Shelton, Val Allred, Phil Dunn, Vicki Mumma, W D Phillips, Michelle & Kevin Blake, Geobett Schneider, Betty & Jerry Withington, Frances Purswell-Montoya, Jesse Manzanares, John Parker, Steve Thompson, Donna Garrett, Norma Brandon.

  1. Bob Scott called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
     
  2. Proof of notice:  Bob Scott gave proof that proper notice of the meeting had been given.
     
  3. Roll call:  Nine Directors were present which made a quorum and all business official.
     
  4. Jim moved to approve the minutes of the 17 October 2009 regular meeting.  The motion carried.
     
  5. Committee reports:
     
    1. Common Area
      1. Phillips Lawsuit – The Board moved to approve the settlement agreement as drafted and presented to the Board by the attorneys for both sides.  Until finalized, the Phillips lawsuit is confidential.  Once finalized, the Settlement Agreement will be public information for SFTR residents.
         
      2. Lot 7B – Jesse Manzanares presented to the Board the history of Lot 7B.  Mr. Manzanares is the attorney representing the Withington’s and Noard’s acquisition of Lots 7, 8, & 9 in forclosure sale.  Lot 7B was part of the SFTR developer’s property.  Lot 7B has been included in Lot 7 transactions through three property owners since 1992.  SFTR Covenants do not allow the sale of less than 35 acres of property.  Lot 7B is 1.967 acres.  In the final foreclosure proceedings initiated by the POA Board, parcel 7B was not included.  This legal action was initiated to rejoin parcel 7B to the deed for Lot 7.  Lease pen dens have been filed on the deed so parcel B is tied up.  Action is being taken in the manner described to avoid further legal expenses to the POA Board due to the omission of Parcel 7B.
         
      3. Morley crossing/bridge status/emergency exits - Bob reported that BNSF has removed the wooden RR ties and road grading that allowed vehicles to cross the railroad tracks in the area called the Morley crossing.  There is a tunnel going under the railroad tracks further south from the Morley crossing which is being investigated.  The tunnel is 20’ wide and 18’ tall.  Access on both sides of the tunnel would need improvement.  Landowner permission on both sides of the tunnel would have to be obtained to use this exit.  Ultimately, ranch access goes back to the main bridge, which has signs posted to the 80,000 pound limit.  It needs to be determined what must be done to the current bridge to meet standards.
         
      4. Pond cattails – Linda reported that the Common Area Committee meeting discussed the use of a ‘Weed Razor’ to eliminate some cattails from ponds.  It costs $135 and weighs 8 pounds.  The Razor is thrown out into the pond, and reeled back to the shore, cutting off the cattails.  The cut cattails then need to be removed from the pond.  Volunteers would be needed to work on the cattails.
         
    2. Roads - John Albert reported there is $9,000 left in the road budget which will be used for grading/snow plowing through 12/31/09.  The Road Committee will meet in January 2010; date yet to be determined.  A letter has been sent to Dan Merrill on the use of the Morley red ash; no response to letter.  Discussion of ranch resident observing grading operator sitting in machine for ½ hour with no activity.  Suggestion of a ‘spread sheet’ of all ranch roads, work done, what is needed, scheduled dates for work, etc. to be considered by Road Committee.
       
    3. Covenants – Jim reported that he has been gathering information for a meeting to be at 5:30 pm before the end of December, date yet to be determined.  As with other homeowner associations, SFTR is growing and the covenants need clarity with consequences when not followed.  There was a suggestion that people moved to SFTR to get away from rules & covenants.

      Board election ballot change was not discussed.

    4. Finance – Nancy’s report covered finances through November.  The proposed 2010 budget was presented.  Because of requests from various Committee Chairs, the budget was tabled to Finance Committee discussion.  Send requests for planned expenses to Nancy within the next few days for the budget committee’s consideration.  John made a motion to have all unspent funds from the 2009 budget, after the bridge reserve is met, put to the 2010 road budget.  Motion carried.  The Consumer Price Index was discussed regarding the 2010 annual POA dues.  Jim made a motion to keep 2010 annual POA dues the same as 2009 (no increase).  The motion carried.
       
    5. Communications – J Alan thanked John Sanders, Patrick Roehl and committee members who have participated in the past.  The Communications Committee has met twice since the annual meeting in October.  The residency listing data base used for Community Preparedness Committee is out of date.
       
    6. Community Preparedness – Fred announced that the Committee will meet at 9:00 am on 12/19/09 at the Lazaro Martinez Fire Station on SFTR.  At this time the Committee’s main objectives will be to work on an emergency exit for the ranch, plans for emergency vehicle access in snow situations and assessment of quality cameras needed for security at the ranch entrance.
       
  6. New Business – none
     
  7. Next regular meeting 6 Feb 2010, 9:00 am. Lazaro Martinez Fire Station on SFTR.
     
  8. Al moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 am.  The motion carried.

Submitted by Doris Noard, Secretary 12/7/09