North Creek Village

I do not mind paying the rest of the year at $144.00 to get a head start or at least even with what all the repairs are costing. Moving into a neighborhood with a pool and clubhouse will have more expensive HOA fees. I knew this when moving in. I also did not mind having my yard mowed and paying for it. I know snow removal was included with that price and since the city is now doing that for us it doesn't make sense to keep the fees the same. What I do not like is the use of the ride on mowers in the small yards. Because of the small yards they should use small mowers. The tearing up of my home, garden, and yard cannot be prevented unless they use a push behind mower or I do it myself. As for the past dues...hopefully people kept records and pictures to use in defense. I sent numerous letters to Pam and she never stopped them from mowing my yard. I then took pictures and had my attorney send a letter stating that I would only be paying the $40 water bill until this was dealt with...which it never was. I do think that maybe a vote to see who all would be using the clubhouse and pool would be a good idea...just to get an idea of how many people would be using the amenities.

I totally agree with you about the problems we've had with mowing crews.  We've had our siding ripped, small shrubs cut down, the grass cut so high the only way you can tell it's been mowed is from the tire ruts in the ground and a halfassed job of mowing with strips of grass missed altogether.  I think it should be the resident's choice as to whether or not mowing service is used.  There are some people, elderly or disabled, who can't mow their own lawns, and somebody needs to keep the clubhouse and common area mowed.  Other than that, we should have a choice and HOA dues adjusted accordingly. 

Even though it's there, we hardly ever use the clubhouse or fitness center. The fitness center has almost always been left messy with equipment sweaty and strewn about.  The pingpong table has been broken ever since we've lived here and I have no interest in kiddie games such as foosball.  It has been trashed numerous times, as well and the little kids' room almost always trashed.  Why can't people pick up after themselves and their kids or make their kids pick up after themselves??

The pool is one of the main amenities that we would use often if it were kept clean and safe, since we both have back problems and the pool offers some relief.  Maybe more people would use it if it were clean and free from tresspassers and vandals.

Your idea of a vote is a good one.  I also think the concept of making use of the pool/clubhouse by way of a membership is valid.  That way, those who don't use it don't have to pay for it and those who do have the option of its use.  The same with lawn care.  Residents could pay reduced dues to cover the cost of maintaining the common area and an additional amount if they want their own yard mowed. 

The idea of collecting back dues scares me because everyone knows what sloppy bookkeeping was done by Almost Home in KC.  Anyway, we can always argue that for those months that dues weren't paid, we didn't have the services promised. 

I hope all this levels out and we get the neighborhood back on track in a fair and equitable manner that is reasonable for everyone.  

I 100% agree with you. We would actually be one of the families who would have a membership for the pool and clubhouse. My only problem is the lawn care. Common areas are absolutely fine to be included in the HOA fee.

We would be agreeable to a membership fee for the pool/clubhouse as well, and contribute to the upkeep of the common areas.  For us, this would be ideal and we would continue to maintain our own lawn.  I hope this concept sounds reasonable to other residents.

By the way, I was of the understanding that the elected board members determined whether or not back dues were going to be billed, or we were going forward from here.  Also, at the last meeting, I thought the board was to decide on the amount of HOA dues based on Curry's findings on the cost of services plus their management fee.  I also thought the bank agreed to foot the bill for repairs to bring everything back up to standard, since it's in their best interest to do this in order to sell properties and recoup their loss of foreclosure.  Did you hear the same thing at the meeting or did I misunderstand?