Newsletter – Grand Lake HOA

November HOA Newsletter

Leave a Comment / Newsletter / By Communication

2023 Friendsgiving

Mark your calendars and join your neighbors at our first annual Grand Lake Friendsgiving. The social committee will be providing a variety of main dish meats and neighbors will bring the sides, desserts, and drinks! Click on the SignUpGenius link for more information, to RSVP, and to sign up to bring an item. We can’t wait to see you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084FAFA72DA13-45440809-friendsgiving

2024 Proposed Budget and Dues Increase

You can view the 2024 Budget Details and Approve here: 2024 Proposed Budget.

In accordance with the covenant, we have created a budget that covers the operation cost of the HOA for 2024. The budget details how the dues will be spent and sets the annual dues for 2024 at $700. We realize this is a significant increase however this is what is required to keep the association solvent.

We will be using the Monthly Board meeting on Monday, November 20th as a question-and-answer session for the proposed budget. Please consider attending if you have questions before voting to approve the budget. The final vote for the proposed budget will be held on Monday, December 11th at the clubhouse at 6:30 pm.

Grand Lake HOA
Proposed Budget
2024		Proposed
		Budget	Budget	YTD Actual
		2024	2023	10/31/2023	Notes
INCOME
	Association dues - $500/yr	84,500.00	84,500.00	83,885.46
	Dues Increase - $200/yr	33,800.00	0.00	0.00	Expenditure per Household(169) - $700
	Clubhouse Rental	1,900.00	1,900.00	1,600.00
	Late fee	1,500.00	1,500.00	1,705.00
	Violation fine	0.00	0.00	1,300.00
	Key fee	0.00	0.00	225.00
	NSF fee	0.00	0.00	0.00
	Legal fee	0.00	0.00	0.00
	Interest Income	0.00	0.00	421.44
	Other Income	0.00	0.00	16.00
	Closing fee	0.00	0.00	0.00
	Total Income	$ 121,700.00	$ 87,900.00	$ 89,152.90

SEA WALL RENOVATION - RESTRICTED
	Loan Debt Service - $809.91/m x 12	$ 9,707.00	$ 9,707.00	$ 7,280.19

EXPENSES
Property Management
	Property Management Fee	12,168.00	12,168.00	10,140.00	Last year of contract 2024
	Postage	2,272.00	2,272.00	1,424.00
		$ 14,440.00	$ 14,440.00	$ 11,564.00

Landscaping
	Landscaping Contract	18,940.00	17,940.00	14,710.00	Increase by $1k per year
	Aqua Systems - Lake Algae Treatment	0.00	0.00	0.00
	Bushhogging	0.00	0.00	300.00
	Landscaping - Other	0.00	0.00	93.24
	Irrigation System Repair	1,000.00	550.00	273.49
	Hardscape Repair & Improvements	750.00	0.00	0.00
		$ 20,690.00	$ 18,490.00	$ 15,376.73

Clubhouse
	Cleaning Services	2,250.00	1,600.00	1,760.00
	Consumable Supplies	250.00	250.00	149.37
	Pest Control & Termite Service	500.00	750.00	250.00
	Security Camera Replacement	0.00	800.00	826.07
	Emergency Exit Install - Pool	0.00	0.00	337.50
	HVAC Service and Repair	500.00	500.00	0.00
	Clubhouse General Maintenance & Repair	800.00	300.00	1,763.89
	Clubhouse Paint	0.00	800.00	0.00
	Insurance	5,000.00	4,600.00	4,068.48	End of yr expense projection at $4,867.20
	Real Estate Taxes	2,925.00	2,650.00	2,784.00	Approx 5% Increase
	Utilities	4,125.00	6,300.00	3,330.33
		$ 16,350.00	$ 18,550.00	$ 15,269.64

Pool
	Pool Maintenance Contract	5,200.00	4,900.00	4,705.00	About a 6% Increase
	Pool Chemicals	4,500.00	3,900.00	4,231.00	About a 6% Increase
	Pool Repairs	650.00	500.00	477.63
	Pool Supplies	150.00	150.00	18.35
		$ 10,500.00	$ 9,450.00	$ 9,431.98

Community Events
	Craft and Party Supplies	250.00	250.00	0.00
	Association Events	500.00	500.00	168.15
		$ 750.00	$ 750.00	$ 168.15

General
	Loan Payment	23,385.24	23,385.24	19,487.70	Loan Balloon Maturity 05/20/2025
	Bank Charges	0.00	0.00	272.00
	Other Admin	0.00	0.00	75.47
	Legal	1,500.00	500.00	200.00
	Internet/Email Services	1,800.00	1,497.00	1,471.85
		$ 26,685.24	$ 25,382.24	$ 21,507.02

Capital Improvements
	Computer Equipment Purchase	0.00	0.00	0.00
	Seawall Repair	0.00	0.00	12,012.09
	Loan Proceeds Used for Seawall Repair	0.00	0.00	(12,012.09)
	Clubhouse Furnishings	0.00	0.00	0.00
	Pool Furnishings	850.00	837.00	0.00
		$ 850.00	$ 837.00	$ -

Additional Principal Payments on Debt		$ 15,000.00

Transfer to Reserves		$ 3,277.76

	Total Expenses	$ 118,250.00	$ 97,606.24	$ 80,597.71
	Net Cash Flow	0	$ (9,706.24)	$ 8,555.19

Arc Compliance

As a reminder to the community, it is essential to submit a proper ARC Request for any Improvements or changes to your property. Adding a Fence to your property also requires an ARC request. Additionally, the community guidelines detail the allowed stain colors for fences. Residents can find the Fencing Guidelines listed on our Residents page. Residents can submit an ARC request through the AppFolio Portal provided by Elite Housing Management. Residents should also remember to read the Grand Lake covenants concerning street parking.

HOA Board Meeting

Our Neighborhood HOA board meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. These meetings are open to all homeowners who wish to attend.

To help make sure that all discussion topics are covered, the board asks if you are attending for a specific issue for discussion that you email communication@grandlakehoa.com with a brief description/explanation at least 24 hours before the board meeting so the agenda can be updated and the board can provide time for you to speak about any concerns or issues you are having.

2023 Board Members:

Teddy Schell (President)
Tim Horning (Vice President)
Ela Perry (Treasurer)
John Maginot (Secretary)
Sam Hilson (Communication)

August HOA Newsletter

Newsletter / By Communication

Update on the Lake Repair

Here are the latest developments regarding the Lake Repair Project.

Seeking Expert Advice: As many of you are aware, the Lake Repair Project has encountered delays due to unforeseen circumstances with the contractor. The Board is actively addressing this challenge by collaborating with Elite Lawyers. Their specialized insight will guide us in understanding the legal implications of the potential contract termination and the necessary procedural steps.

Financial Update: To clarify, half of the project funds were paid upfront to the contractor as per our agreement. We are diligently evaluating the recoverability of any unutilized funds from this initial payment. However, we don’t expect the contractor to be willing to relinquish any paid funds without a legal battle.

Remaining Funds: The remaining funds from the loan will be allocated to dealing with any legal needs we have while exiting the contract with New Era. Additionally, we will hold the funds for now to assist the landscaping committee in efforts to locate a new contractor to take on the lake repair project.

Addressing City Concerns: The City of Huntsville expressed dissatisfaction with the contractor’s placement of materials near a storm drain, prompting potential fines and removal. We immediately conveyed the City’s concerns to the contractor and facilitated a dialogue to avoid penalties and material removal. The contractor initially agreed to relocate the materials as requested by the City. However, subsequent compliance efforts have faltered and the City will be addressing that directly with the contractor.

Next Steps: Despite the encountered challenges, we are proactively identifying alternative contractors to accomplish the lake repairs. Our objective is to ensure the timely progression of the project while upholding the exceptional standards of our community.

Community Protection and Safety: Our commitment to completing the lake wall repairs is rooted in a deep concern for the safety of our community. The decision to undertake these repairs is driven by the potential hazards that an unrepaired lake wall poses, including safety risks to those utilizing the lake area and property damage. Our unwavering dedication to these repairs is fueled by the need to safeguard our community’s property and well-being.

We are grateful for your patience and understanding as we address these challenges. Your support remains invaluable as we work together to enhance the safety and vitality of our community.

For additional information or any inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to address your questions and concerns.

Pool Season Ending

The current pool season will end on the last day of September. The Social committee plans to have an end-of-the-pool season party on or around the last weekend in September. More details will follow as we near the end of the pool season.

The board would like to thank the residents of the community for helping us maintain the pool this year and for having a mostly incident-free pool season.

Arc Compliance

HOA Board Meeting

Our Neighborhood HOA board meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. These meetings are open to all homeowners who wish to attend.

2023 Board Members:

Teddy Schell (President)
Tim Horning (Vice President)
Ela Perry (Treasurer)
John Maginot (Secretary)
Sam Hilson (Communication)

July HOA Newsletter

Newsletter / By Communication

4th of July Celebration

The neighborhood will once again host our annual firework show over the lake. The fireworks are scheduled to start at around 8:30 pm. Please note that the neighborhood has obtained special permission for the firework show over the lake. However, this permission does not extend to setting off aerial fireworks or fireworks that create loud bang noises in the rest of the neighborhood legally. If you plan to have any fireworks from your yard or driveway, please be mindful of the surrounding properties and ensure that you follow the guidelines for what is legally allowed for residential fireworks. Here is an article that provides safety guidelines and information about which fireworks are permissible in residential areas.

Covenant Review and Updates

The board recently completed a review with a lawyer of our covenant and by-laws to gain a better understanding of how voting works, how the budgeting and annual dues work, and how we can move forward with providing value to the community.

Budget

One of the major revelations is that the board has been doing the budget and dues incorrectly for some time. The covenant already gives the board the authority to adjust the annual dues each year to fit the budget. The board has been struggling to constantly find a way to cover the cost of operation with the dues as they are set. However, the covenant lays out that each year the board should create a budget that reflects the current cost of operating the HOA and then calculate annual dues to cover that budget. The budget is approved unless opposed during the budget meeting by a majority vote against the budget. To help residents understand the computation clause of the covenant we have added a simplified version of the clause to the HOA website. See Article IV, Section 3: Computation for details.

Voting

Another issue the board has been facing is how to handle amendments to the covenant. One of the main issues we have faced is voter apathy or disinterest in being involved with the association. When discussing how our voting system works with the lawyer, it was pointed out that our covenant uses the term “Total Association Vote” without defining it under the definition section. This means that the board can interpret that meaning and use that interpretation as the standard going forward as long as it is publicized and the community does not oppose the definition presented by the board. Given that information, we have added the Clarification of Covenant Voting section to the board policies page. This section has the definitions that we plan to use for all votes moving forward. We will add a page to the site at a later date to allow for an opposition vote to these definitions before we enact them for any future votes.

Dues Increase

The board currently plans to create an annual budget at the end of this year that will establish the dues for the next year. the board expects a dues increase based on this year’s increased cost of operation. We believe that it will be in line with the dues increase that we have been seeking to enact this year. That would mean the dues would be somewhere near the $650 level in order to have a sound budget.

Arc Compliance

HOA Board Meeting

Our Neighborhood HOA board meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. These meetings are open to all homeowners who wish to attend.

2023 Board Members:

Teddy Schell (President)
Tim Horning (Vice President)
Ela Perry (Treasurer)
John Maginot (Secretary)
Sam Hilson (Communication)

April HOA Newsletter

Newsletter / By Communication

Greetings, Grand Lake HOA Residents!

We hope this newsletter finds you well. We have some important updates and information to share with you regarding the happenings in our community. Please take a moment to read through the following articles for important updates and news.

Book Club: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Date: Apr 24 2023 Time: 7:00 pm

Join us for our next Book Club meeting! Bring a snack or drink to share if you wish!

“Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet.” So begins this exquisite novel about a Chinese American family living in 1970s small-town Ohio. Lydia is the favorite child of Marilyn and James Lee, and her parents are determined that she will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue. But when Lydia’s body is found in the local lake, the delicate balancing act that has been keeping the Lee family together is destroyed, tumbling them into chaos. A profoundly moving story of family, secrets, and longing, Everything I Never Told You is both a gripping story and a sensitive family portrait, uncovering the ways in which mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and husbands and wives struggle, all their lives, to understand one another.

Report Comparing HOAs in Our Area

Are you curious about how our HOA compares to other HOAs in our area? We have conducted a comprehensive cost-to-value report to provide insights into the financials and amenities offered by HOAs in our region. You can find the report here. It’s a great resource to help you understand the value and benefits of being a part of our community.

Proposed Amendments to the HOA CC&R

As a community, it’s important to review and update our governing documents periodically to ensure they align with the evolving needs of our residents. We have proposed some amendments to the HOA’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R) to address various concerns and improve the overall functioning of our community. You can review the proposed amendments and vote on them at this link: [https://www.grandlakehoa.com/2023-proposed-covenant-amendments/]. We encourage you to review the proposed changes and provide your feedback during the upcoming community meeting on April 17th to help shape the future of our community.

New Outbuilding Guidelines

We have recently updated our guidelines for outbuildings in our community to ensure safety, aesthetics, and compliance with local regulations. If you are planning to build or modify an outbuilding on your property, please review the new guidelines at this link: [https://www.grandlakehoa.com/outbuilding-guidelines/]. These guidelines will help you understand the requirements and process for obtaining approval from the HOA Architectural Review Committee (ARC) before proceeding with your project.

Enhanced Camera System for Clubhouse and Pool Area

The safety and security of our residents and community amenities are of utmost importance to us. That’s why we are thrilled to announce a significant upgrade to our camera system at the clubhouse and pool area to ensure enhanced surveillance and monitoring capabilities.

The new camera system comes with advanced features, including high-definition resolution, improved low light performance, and enhanced audio capabilities. This means that even in challenging lighting conditions, the cameras will capture clear and detailed video footage, allowing us to better identify and address any potential safety concerns or incidents.

This upgrade is part of our ongoing commitment to continuously improve our community’s safety measures and ensure that our amenities, including the clubhouse and pool area, remain safe and enjoyable for everyone. We believe that this enhanced camera system will serve as a valuable tool in deterring and preventing any potential security incidents, and in case of any untoward incidents, it will aid in identifying and addressing them promptly.

Pool Season Reminders

This year the Pool will open on Saturday May 13th. Samuel Hilson will be at the clubhouse most of the opening day to help provision key fobs and help any residents with key fob issues.

During pool season the board would like to remind all residents to be familiar with the pool rules and to treat each other kindly while at the pool.

Pool Hours are:

Sunday – Thursday – to 10 pm
Friday – Saturday – to 11 pm

Pool Rules

Swim at your own risk. No lifeguard on duty.
Keep gates closed and locked at all times. Do not prop open.
No running, horseplay, or foul language.
No Diving
No Smoking or Alcohol in the pool area.
Swim Diapers are required for infants and toddlers.
Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
No pets are allowed in the pool area for any reason.
No glass containers or bottles are allowed on the pool deck.
All members are responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Any items left at the pool may be discarded by the HOA.
Proper swimming attire is required at all times.
No more than 4 guests per member without prior approval from the pool committee. All guests must be accompanied by a Grand Lake Homeowner.
Additional Guidelines:
You must have your key fob to enter the pool.
If you are the last one to leave the pool, please make sure the gate is closed.
Observe all pool rules posted at the pool. We have no lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk. There is a first aid kit in the women’s restroom, as well as a fire extinguisher.

Arc Compliance

HOA Board Meeting

Our Neighborhood HOA board meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. These meetings are open to all homeowners who wish to attend.

To help make sure that all discussion topics are covered, the board asks if you are attending for a specific issue for discussion that you email communication@grandlakehoa.com with a brief description/explanation at least 24 hours before the board meeting so the agenda can be updated and the board can provide time for you to speak about any concerns or issues you are having.

2023 Board Members:

Teddy Schell (President)
Tim Horning (Vice President)
Ela Perry (Treasurer)
John Maginot (Secretary)
Sam Hilson (Communication)

February HOA Newsletter

Newsletter / By Communication

Board Elections Results

Thank you for voting in this year’s Board Election. We received 40 votes for John Maginot, Tim Horning, and Ela Perry and the board accepted this as a quorum as per our By-Laws. Tim Horning will be taking up the role of Vice President, John Maginot will fill the role of Secretary and Ela Perry will be continuing in her role as our Treasurer. Please make sure they feel welcome and maybe thank them for the service they will be providing.

Clubhouse Rental Fee Increase

The board has voted to raise the rental fee for the clubhouse by $50 per rental. This brings the total rental cost to $200, with $100 of that serving as the standard damage deposit that is returned to you after your event is complete and the clubhouse is inspected. The rate increase is necessary to offset the rising operational costs of the clubhouse, as utilities have seen a marked increase over the past year.

Despite the increase, we believe that $100 is still a reasonable price to rent the clubhouse for an entire day. To provide some perspective, renting a single party room for just two hours at the Stovehouse costs $300.

Thank you for your understanding as we work to maintain the clubhouse and keep it affordable for our members. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the board.

HOA Dues Increase

The Homeowners Association’s 2023 budget is expected to have a significant shortfall of $9700 due to the ongoing loan payment for lake repairs. This shortfall will continue for the next five years as we repay the loan. To address this issue, the minimum that the Board can do is seek a special assessment of $60 per year for the next five years. However, this alone will not cover the increased operational costs of the HOA, and without additional funding, the Board will struggle to balance the annual HOA budget.

To avoid having to come back to the community again next year for an additional increase, the Board is proposing a $150 increase to the association fees, This will enable the Board to pay off the lake renovation loan within two years and prepare for the balloon note that comes due in 2025 for the $200k in existing debt owed by the Association. The proposed increase will result in an additional $38 per quarter, making the total quarterly assessment cost $163 and totaling $650 yearly.

The first $100 of the increase will be earmarked for debt reduction until both loans are paid in full, and the remaining $50 will be used to rebuild the depleted saving reserves of the association that have been used to continue operating at a loss for the last few years.

To help members understand why this dues increase is needed and be informed, a survey of other associations in the area is being conducted to compare the value of our amenities and the cost of our HOA fees to similar HOAs in the area. The report will be shared alongside the request to vote for the dues increase. The 2023 budget is also included below to show how the board is utilizing the current dues.

The Board is actively taking steps to ensure the HOA’s long-term financial stability by addressing the budget deficit and paying off existing debt. The Board is also reviewing the CC&R and By-Laws to ensure that the due increase process is followed correctly. The proposed increase will need to be voted on by the association members however, If the dues increase is not approved, the Board will have to make difficult decisions, including shutting down amenities and services like the pool, clubhouse, and lawn care, to cover the cost of the association’s debt. Therefore, the Board urges association members to support this increase to ensure the continued operation of the HOA’s services and amenities.

2023 HOA Budget

INCOME
Association dues		$84,500.00
Clubhouse rental		$1,900.00
Late fee		$1,500.00
Violation fine		$0.00
Key fee		$0.00
NSF fee		$0.00
Legal fee		$0.00
Other Income		$0.00
Closing Fee		$0.00
Total Income		$87,900.00


EXPENSES
Property Management
Property Management Fee		$12,168.00
Postage		$2,272.00
Total Property Management		$14,440.00

Landscaping
Landscaping Contract		$17,940.00
Aqua Systems – Lake Algae Treatment		$0.00
Bushhogging		$0.00
Irrigation System Repair		$550.00
Hardscape Repairs & Improvements		$0.00
		$18,490.00

Clubhouse
Cleaning Services		$1,600.00
Consumable Supplies		$250.00
Pest Control & Termite Service		$750.00
HVAC Service and Repair		$500.00
Clubhouse General Maintenance & Repair		$300.00
Clubhouse Paint		$800.00
Insurance		$4,600.00
Real Estate Taxes		$2,650.00
Utilities		$6,300.00
		$17,750.00

Pool
Pool Maintenance Contract		$4,900.00
Pool Chemicals		$3,900.00
Pool Repairs		$500.00
Pool Supplies		$150.00
		$9,450.00

Community Events
Craft and Party Supplies		$250.00
Association Events		$500.00
		$750.00

IT Services
Internet		$1,224.00
Web Hosting/Email Hosting		$165.88
Website Tools		$106.87
		$1,496.75

Capital Improvements
Computer Equipment Purchase		$0.00
Clubhouse Furnishings		$0.00
Security Camera Replacement		$800.00
Pool Furnishings		$837.00
		$1,637.00

General
Loan Payment		$23,385.24
Sea Wall Repair Loan		$9,700.00
Additional Principle on Debt		$0.00
Transfer to Reserves		$0.00
Legal		$500.00
		$33,585.24

Total Expenses		$97,598.99

Net Cash Flow		-$9,698.99

Arc Compliance

HOA Board Meeting

Our Neighborhood HOA board meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. These meetings are open to all homeowners who wish to attend.

2023 Board Members:

Teddy Schell (President)
Tim Horning (Vice President)
Ela Perry (Treasurer)
John Maginot (Secretary)
Sam Hilson (Communication)

January HOA Newsletter

Newsletter / By Communication

Book Club: The Maid by Nita Prose

Jan 23, 2023

Come enjoy good company and a good discussion of the book, The Maid (description below). Please bring a drink or snack to share.

Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.

Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.

But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had united with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?

A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.

Lake Renovation Update

The Board has secured a loan to cover the cost of the repairs to the lake. The contractor has begun work on the lake renovation but has had delays due to weather. This is to be expected because we missed our timeline for doing this work during the dry months while the lake was low.

We hope to be able to complete the vote to pay for the loan by special assessment instead of slowly paying it off over a 5-year period with very high-interest rates.

If your household has not yet voted for the special assessment please consider doing so now.

The board plans to once again print and distribute flyers to those 75 households that have not cast a vote in January. We will include a section that will allow for voting by paper if some are uncomfortable with a digital vote.

The Vote page has been edited to reflect our current plan to use the special assessment to pay back the loan instead of paying the contractor directly. If this changes your vote you can contact communication@grandlakehoa.com to have your vote reset.

These are the steps you will need to do in order to vote.

Register on grandlakehoa.com using this URL: https://www.grandlakehoa.com/register
Wait for your account to be approved and verified as an eligible voter (You will receive an email).
Then go to https://www.grandlakehoa.com/lake-renovation/ to cast your household’s vote. You will be asked to log in and then if you have been approved as a voter you will be able to cast your vote.

If you have questions or need support contact communication@grandlakehoa.com.

Board Elections

The election committee is working to prepare for the board election. This year we will have 3 seats to fill. We will be looking for at least 3 nominations or volunteers to run for these board seats. The term for a board seat is 2 years. The election will be held in the month of February and the results will be tallied and presented at the annual community-wide meeting on February 20, 2023. The board and the election committee will be utilizing the digital voting system on our website grandlakehoa.com. We will have backup paper ballots for anyone that does not want to cast their vote digitally. If you would consider being a candidate for the upcoming election please send your contact information to election@grandlakehoa.com. The cutoff for being considered for a board seat will be the first week of February.

Annual Community-Wide Board Meeting

The annual community-wide board meeting will be held on February 20th, 2023 at 6:30 pm. We encourage at least one homeowner for each household to attend. This meeting will be to certify the election results and assign board positions to new members, Present the annual budget, and discuss the plan for the year.

Arc Compliance

HOA Board Meeting

Our Neighborhood HOA board meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. These meetings are open to all homeowners who wish to attend.

2022 Board Members:

Teddy Schell (President)
Vacant (Vice President)
Ela Perry (Treasurer)
Vacant (Secretary)
Sam Hilson (Communication)

December HOA Newsletter

Newsletter / By Communication

Book Club: The Maid by Nita Prose

Jan 23, 2023

Come enjoy good company and a good discussion of the book, The Maid (description below). Please bring a drink or snack to share.

Lake Renovation Update

The Board has been working to obtain a loan to cover the cost of the repair. We will still need to either do a special assessment to cover the added loan cost or do a special assessment to pay the loan back. The loan is currently approved and we are waiting for the final closing to move forward with the repairs. We will be continuing to seek votes for the special assessment in January. We are currently about 30 votes away from having a majority vote and around 75 households have not voted.

The board plans to once again print and distribute flyers to those 75 households in January. We will include a section that will allow for voting by paper if some are uncomfortable with a digital vote.

These are the steps you will need to do in order to vote.

Register on grandlakehoa.com using this URL: https://www.grandlakehoa.com/register
Wait for your account to be approved and verified as an eligible voter (You will receive an email).
Then go to https://www.grandlakehoa.com/lake-renovation/ to cast your household’s vote. You will be asked to log in and then if you have been approved as a voter you will be able to cast your vote.

If you have questions or need support contact communication@grandlakehoa.com.

Board Elections

In January the board will start preparing for our annual election of board members. This year we will have 3 seats to fill. The election committee is in the process of getting up and running. We will be looking for at least 3 nominations or volunteers to run for these board seats. The term for a board seat is 2 years. The election will be held in the month of February and the results will be tallied and presented at the annual community-wide meeting on February 20, 2023. The board and the election committee will be utilizing the digital voting system on our website grandlakehoa.com. We will have backup paper ballots for anyone that does not want to cast their vote digitally. If you would consider being a candidate for the upcoming election please send your contact information to election@grandlakehoa.com

Arc Compliance

HOA Board Meeting

Our Neighborhood HOA board meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. These meetings are open to all homeowners who wish to attend.

2022 Board Members:

Teddy Schell (President)
Harold Overton (Interim Vice President)
Ela Perry (Treasurer)
Vacant (Secretary)
Sam Hilson (Communication)

October HOA Newsletter

Newsletter / By Communication

Book Club: When Crickets Cry

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2022 AT 7 PM

Come enjoy good company and a good discussion of the book When Crickets Cry (description below). Please bring a drink or snack to share.
It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl’s pretty yellow dress can’t quite hide the ugly scar on her chest.
Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he’s restoring at a nearby lake. The stranger understands more about the scar than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives.
Before it’s over, they’ll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry . . . and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.

Grand Lake Halloween Party

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2022 AT 4 PM

Lake Renovation Project

The lake retaining wall is in disrepair and we need to address the issue before it gets any worse. The longer we wait to fix the issue the more costly it becomes. We have received a quote from New Era Construction for the repairs. You can view the quote here. The repairs will cost a total of $48,024 which the board plans to pay for with two special assessments. One in November for $143 and one after the first of next year when the repairs are nearing completion.

In Addition to this repair, the board is exploring the option of adding a sidewalk around the lake. We are waiting to receive an additional quote from the contractor for this. David the owner of New Era met with the board and did some ballpark figures for the sidewalk but he is talking with his engineers to give us an official quote. However, he said that it will be much cheaper to do the sidewalk along with the repairs than it would be to do it later, and the additional dirt that could be moved for leveling the sidewalk area could reduce the cost of bringing in fill dirt for the repairs.

To move forward with the repairs of the lake we need to have a vote from the Association members. To help that process along I have been working to create a way for us to have virtual voting for our community. I believe I have the system working but there may be some bumps along the way. If this works we will be using this for future votes and elections so please remember your login information.

These are the steps you will need to do in order to vote.

Register on grandlakehoa.com using this URL: https://www.grandlakehoa.com/login/?action=register
Wait for your account to be approved and verified as an eligible voter (You will receive an email).
Then go to https://www.grandlakehoa.com/lake-renovation/ to cast your household’s vote. You will be asked to log in and then if you have been approved as a voter you will be able to cast your vote. (note: when you vote or view results it can take up to 60 seconds for the result page to load, this is a bug that will get fixed)

We would like to get as many members to vote during this week as possible. The contractor is waiting on us to get started on the repairs.
If you have questions or need support contact communication@grandlakehoa.com.

Playground Replacement

The Pirate Ship has now been removed and donated. The playground committee has begun the process of ordering the parts and lumber to build our new playground equipment. Once all the necessary preparations have been made the committee will be putting together a volunteer group to assemble and install the equipment. If you wish to volunteer your services please email playground@grandlakehoa.com.

Arc Compliance

HOA Board Meeting

Our Neighborhood HOA board meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. These meetings are open to all homeowners who wish to attend.

2022 Board Members:

Teddy Schell (President)
Harold Overton (Interim Vice President)
Ela Perry (Treasurer)
Steven Lowder (Secretary)
Sam Hilson (Communication)

September HOA Newsletter

Newsletter / By Communication

Book Club: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 AT 7 PM

The bestselling historical fiction novel from Kim Michele Richardson is a novel following Cussy Mary, a packhorse librarian, and her quest to bring books to the Appalachian community she loves, perfect for readers of William Kent Kreuger and Lisa Wingate. The perfect addition to your next book club!

The hardscrabble folks of Troublesome Creek have to scrap for everything—everything except books, that is. Thanks to Roosevelt’s Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project, Troublesome’s got its very own traveling librarian, Cussy Mary Carter.

Cussy’s not only a book woman, however, she’s also the last of her kind, her skin a shade of blue unlike most anyone else. Not everyone is keen on Cussy’s family or the Library Project, and a Blue is often blamed for any whiff of trouble. If Cussy wants to bring the joy of books to the hill folks, she’s going to have to confront prejudice as old as the Appalachians and suspicion as deep as the holler.

Inspired by the true blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the brave and dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service of the 1930s, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a story of raw courage, fierce strength, and one woman’s belief that books can carry us anywhere—even back home.

Pool Season Reminders

The pool will be closing for the year on September 30th. Once the pool is closed all residents’ key fobs will not have access to the pool gate until it opens in the spring.

Playground Replacement

Over the fall and winter months, while the pool is closed, the HOA Board and playground committee will be removing the Pirate Ship play set and replacing it with a functional play set that is open and completely visible.

We believe this is necessary for our community. The pirate ship is in disrepair and at a point in its life where maintaining it will become more costly than replacing it. It is also being used as a hangout for activities that could potentially cause harm to our youths.

The first step will be finding a new home for the pirate ship. We plan to offer it for free as is, to any party that wants to remove the equipment.

Once the current equipment is gone, we will be working to build a new swing set that is safe, fun, and secure.

An update on the playground will be given at our next HOA meeting on Monday, September 19th.

Arc Compliance

HOA Board Meeting

Our Neighborhood HOA board meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. These meetings are open to all homeowners who wish to attend.

2022 Board Members:

Teddy Schell (President)
Jason Sowash (Vice President)
Ela Perry (Treasurer)
Steven Lowder (Secretary)
Sam Hilson (Communication)

August HOA Newsletter

Newsletter / By Communication

Grand Lake Book Club: Hood Feminism

MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2022 AT 7 PM

Our August Book club book! 7 pm at the clubhouse on Monday, August 22nd. Book description below.

Today’s feminist movement has a glaring blind spot, and paradoxically, it is women. Mainstream feminists rarely talk about meeting basic needs as a feminist issue, argues Mikki Kendall, but food insecurity, access to quality education, safe neighborhoods, a living wage, and medical care are all feminist issues. All too often, however, the focus is not on basic survival for the many, but on increasing privilege for the few. That feminists refuse to prioritize these issues has only exacerbated the age-old problem of both internecine discord and women who rebuff at carrying the title. Moreover, prominent white feminists broadly suffer from their own myopia with regard to how things like race, class, sexual orientation, and ability intersect with gender. How can we stand in solidarity as a movement, Kendall asks, when there is the distinct likelihood that some women are oppressing others?

In her searing collection of essays, Mikki Kendall takes aim at the legitimacy of the modern feminist movement, arguing that it has chronically failed to address the needs of all but a few women. Drawing on her own experiences with hunger, violence, and hypersexualization, along with incisive commentary on reproductive rights, politics, pop culture, the stigma of mental health, and more, Hood Feminism delivers an irrefutable indictment of a movement in flux. An unforgettable debut, Kendall has written a ferocious clarion call to all would-be feminists to live out the true mandate of the movement in thought and in deed.

Wine Tasting Night

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2022 AT 7 PM

Come enjoy a night of wine tasting at the clubhouse! $40 per person and money will be used to purchase wines and hors d’oeuvres. Money must be paid by Monday, August 22nd. You may pay through Venmo (@Rebekah-Shaw-8), Facebook messenger, or drop cash off at my house (15217 LST). Please specify the money is for wine night. Hope to see you there!

https://facebook.com/events/s/wine-tasting-night/743354406948004/

Pool Gate Update

The lock system repairs are now complete and all gates and doors are fully functional. An Emergency Exit lever was added to the pool area that will disable the gate. This Emergency Exit will sound an alarm and should only be used to open the gate in an actual emergency. We also added signage that explains to correct operation of the bathroom door lock system. Please review these signs and make sure to explain the operation to children as well.

Common Area Reminder

The board would like to remind all residents that the area around the lake is a common area for all residents to enjoy. This post is to notify all residents that if you have any property in the common area, that is a violation of the covenants. There will be an official notice mailed, but we wanted to let you know that any watercraft not properly marked or stored by August 12th, 2022 is subject to removal. Properly marked means your house number is clearly visible on the watercraft. Proper storage is either tied up in the lake, clear of debris/water with a cover, or stored on your property. Regarding property (swings, chairs, fire pits, etc.), starting August 12th, those are subject to violation notices and a fine schedule. We wanted to provide as much notice as possible so you have the opportunity to correct it.
Thank you, your HOA board.

Pool Season Reminders

During pool season the board would like to remind all residents to be familiar with the pool rules and to treat each other kindly while at the pool.

Pool Hours are:

Sunday – Thursday – to 10 pm
Friday – Saturday – to 11 pm

Pool Rules

Swim at your own risk. No lifeguard on duty.
Keep gates closed and locked at all times. Do not prop open.
No running, horseplay, or foul language.
No Diving
No Smoking or Alcohol in the pool area.
Swim Diapers are required for infants and toddlers.
Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
No pets are allowed in the pool area for any reason.
No glass containers or bottles are allowed on the pool deck.
All members are responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Any items left at the pool may be discarded by the HOA.
Proper swimming attire is required at all times.
No more than 4 guests per member without prior approval from the pool committee. All guests must be accompanied by a Grand Lake Homeowner.

Additional Guidelines:

You must have your key fob to enter the pool.
If you are the last one to leave the pool, please make sure the gate is closed.
Observe all pool rules posted at the pool. We have no lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk. There is a first aid kit in the women’s restroom, as well as a fire extinguisher.

Arc Compliance

As a reminder to the community, it is very important to submit a proper ARC Request for any Improvements or changes to your property. Adding a Fence to your property also requires an ARC request. Additionally, the community guidelines detail the allowed stain colors for fences. Residents can find the Fencing Guidelines listed on our Residents page. Residents can submit an ARC request through the AppFolio Portal provided by Elite Housing Management. Residents should also remember to read the Grand Lake covenants as it pertains to street parking.
Residents can submit an ARC request through the AppFolio Portal provided by Elite Housing Management.

2022 Board Members:

Teddy Schell (President)
Jason Sowash (Vice President)
Ela Perry (Treasurer)
Steven Lowder (Secretary)
Sam Hilson (Communication)