Morningside HOA Board Meeting
6/2/2021
Meeting Minutes
Ben Whipple called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
In attendance: Ben Whipple, Jeff Miller, Matt Huff, Jimmy Newland, Andrew Johnson, Benny Nixon, and Phillip Blume.
Approval of Minutes: Benny motioned, Andrew seconded, and minutes from both 3/17/21 and 4/19/21 meetings were approved.
Reports on Ongoing Items
Community Block Party: There was discussion of feedback from the May 1 block party. Abby Miller had mentioned that next time the social committee will recruit more volunteer help as there was not enough this time. A suggestion was made to do an evite next time. It was also suggested that we could be more clear next time on messaging in terms of times and who to contact if there is an issue during the party. The board agreed that going forward amplified music should stop at 9:00 p.m.
Community Dumpster: Philip reported that the dumpster was here for two weeks and yielded one load. It did get overloaded at the end and boxes were left beside it which were not taken. Ben thanked Benny for taking them himself to be recycled. The board agreed that next time we would shorten the duration of the dumpster but message about it a lot further in advance.
Front Entrance Items:
- We contracted with Oconee Irrigation to fix the irrigation system at the front of the neighborhood. After some work, however, they determined the irrigation system could not be fixed. Once the company started digging and diagnostic procedures, there was just too little that was actually salvageable. The board agreed to abandon the water meter and have Oconee County lock it back up.
- The trees and plantings were installed up front about a month ago by GA Green WorX. Andrew did a lot of hand watering, with Philip and Ben helping to get through the dry spells. Andrew reminded the board that cost effectiveness was chosen over planting more mature trees, but reported that 2-3 feet of growth could be expected each year.
- Philip reported on the dead roses up front. The county extension office thinks they were accidentally sprayed with herbicide. Houseman disagreed and thought it was beetles and Rose Rosette disease. Houseman did agree to supplement the replacement of those bushes. Philip will follow up with Houseman.
- Andrew said probably 50% of the remaining roses bushes do have early Rose Rosette disease. They will ultimately die and it will spread plant to plant. Andrew recommended removing all roses on the East entrance.
- Jeff asked about how College Pro is doing up front on maintenance and if they are diagnosing issues or coming up with recommendations to do stuff different. Ben suggests giving College Pro feedback until we are at the end of their contract. Matt will ask them not to prune as much on shrubs but to prune higher up on the trees right at the entrance for better driver visibility.
- Andrew recommended putting out an RFP for front maintenance to 3-4 companies. The RFP will include cutting grass, trimming as needed, pine straw, weed killing, and refreshing annuals at front once a quarter. Jeff and Philip will help put that together.
- Andrew will talk to Kevin about not mowing the retention pond so that vegetation and grass do not pile up at the drain.
Taxes: Matt reported that taxes were done and filed. The HOA owed $0.
Contact Info: Ben reported that he had now received contact information from everyone. The board agreed that at this time it would be used for neighborhood correspondence and not a directory due to privacy concerns.
Patriotic Decorations: There was discussion around Patriotic decorations up front. Jimmy reported that he had not clearly communicated to the decorating committee about having them before Memorial Day. Jimmy noted that he would make sure to contact the committee to have in place before July 4th. Moving forward, the board expressed interest in also having graduation signs – like many other neighborhoods. The consensus was to have one sign up front with all graduates on it. The board may have to help the decorating committee get the names and information for graduating students each year and if they want to be listed. This will be assigned to the decorating committee to establish timelines and get cost estimates.
New Business
Someone reported that there had been a request for a “no soliciting” sign up front. Jeff and Benny said it had been taken down when the first house was built but was still behind the front sign. The decision was to re-deploy it if the sign was still usable. Benny would call Sign Bros. if necessary.
Ben brought up the topic of elections. After board discussion, it was decided to have all 7 terms up for re-election, but to set 3 of them as one year and 4 of them as 2 year terms. That way moving forward, the terms would be staggered so as to maintain continuity from year to year. After this election year, all terms would be 2 year terms. Someone noted that we needed to allow for proxy votes. Ben suggested reaching out to the community via email in late July with the election being mid-to late August. Ben said he would call a board meeting about a week before the election to talk through final details.
Ben adjourned the meeting at 8:23.
Respectfully submitted,
Jimmy Newland
