Virginia City Highlands Property Owners Association
Minutes – Monthly Meeting, Tuesday May 8, 2007
Virginia City Highlands Fire Station Training Room – 7:00 p.m.
Present: Mike Lupo, Rita Lumos, Mary Tallent-Stewart, Bill Lewis
Absent: Debra Gravenstein
I. Call to order, declaration of a quorum and approval of meeting agenda
President Lumos called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and declared that a quorum was present.
II. Approval of minutes of April 10, 2007
Minutes reviewed and motion made by Mike Lupo with a second by Bill Lewis with one correction. It was noted that Rita Lumos had already had a meeting with the school district regarding the property and slash pile at the fire station and was not planning to have a meeting.
III. Financial Statements (Discussion/Action)
A. Monthly Cash Report
B. Monthly Financial Statements
Mike Lupo reviewed the financial statements with the group. There is $52,172 in checking, $129,440 in savings. Total cash is on the books is approximately $186,341. Bill Lewis made a motion to accept the financials as submitted with a second by Mike Lupo. Motion carries.
IV. Public Comments
Commissioner Kershaw addressed the group regarding Cordevista. The feedback
he is receiving from County residents is negative and heated. The Planning
Board is the recommending board. Mike asked if this was an “all or nothing”
proposition. Keith asked if a possible moratorium could be placed to allow for
a feasibility study. Bob Kershaw is checking with legal counsel to see what the
County can do to get a comphrensive plan. Pat Whitten said we must go very
slowly with this issue to make sure its done properly. Water is a very big issue.
disecting Storey County via a road through it to Interstate 80 was discussed.
although it is a possibility, it will not happen soon. Another concern of residents
is the possibility of potential developments to the west of Cordevista. Pat
Whitten discussed the planning process, potential growth and the impact.
the County is still in the process of putting together the agreement for
maintenance of Cartwright Road
V. Comments by Association Members (NRS 116.3108(3))
None to report
VI. Reports
A. Architectural Committee
Two sets of plans were submitted for review with a variance issued on one.
Lewis has stepped down as Architectural Chairman, however, he will continue
as an advisor. Walter Fox is coming on as the new Chairman.
B. Road Report
Last month the water truck’s water pump was repaired long with the rear end
and drive shaft. A temporary truck driver has been hired. The road project
was started April 2nd on Sazarac with 1 ½” rock which was too large so was
mixed with ¾” road base. Empire, Clemons and Panhandle are finished and
the cost came in a little under budget. There were questions about widening
Sazarac but it is not feasible due to budget constraints. Rita handed out
a road plan work analysis. Total budget is $111,450, actual spent was
$99,557, $15,893 under budget. There was additional work constructing
cul-de-sacs on Calaveras and Pinenut. The total savings was $12,393. The
Road Plan is a 5-year plan but may be accomplished in less time. Mike Lupo
made a motion to continue the projected 2007-2008 road plan work as
evidenced on the map provided by Rita which includes improvements to
Bonanza, Calaveras, Dortort, Delta and Crestview. This is 3.38 miles plus
culvert replacement and ditch repair. A second was made by Mary Tallent-
Stewart. Bill Lewis was opposed. Motion carries.
C. Document Report
Keith stated that the ballots have been mailed. 254 responses have been
received with 176 yes and 78 no which represents 30% of the votes needed.
We need 409 more yes votes. It was suggested that something be mentioned
at the annual meeting to remind folks to vote. 93 votes were sent e-mail.
No Park Report this meeting
VII. Old Business
A. Fire Station lease – discussion shelved until June meeting.
B. Spring Clean Up – There will be a dumpster at the firehouse 5/9-5/19 but no household or yard waste will be accepted.
C. Firesafe Highlands – work has been done on the shaded fuel break on Sazarac. It looks good. There is piled firewood from the cutting for people to take all along Sazarac. It was discussed that wood stumps are a problem in the slash pile. They cannot be cut up by the chipper. Mike Lupo made a motion that when people submit plans that they be advised that they cannot dump stumps from clearing their building site into the slash pile. A second was made by Bill Lewis. Motion carries.
VIII. New Business
A. A letter from resident John Schmoker was sent to the State of Nevada
and a representative, Katie Pace met with the group along with
representatives of the U.S. Postal Service, Dee Dee Terrano – Consumer
Affairs officer, Donna Bowerman and Bette Thomas. The issue is Zip
Code concerns. Dee Dee solicited residents comments and concerns.
Overnight delivery seems to be a problem, do not use a P.O. Box. One
solution is that the person sending the item can waive the signature and
the carrier can then deliver it. Parcel lockers can sometimes be used.
Dee Dee will check into this. Mr. Schmoker had an important delivery
requiring a signature put into the box which was lost. The rural
carrier admitted not remembering which box they had put the key in.
Mail has also been placed into the incorrect boxes. The postal reps
stated there is no excuse for sloppy delivery. Dee Dee gave the group
Bette’s number 702-361-9230 for future complaints and issues. Mail
that also has the same street name but different zips is a problem.
Another issue brought up is that insurance companies have to be
convinced that the Highlands is in Storey County and not Washoe so our
residents can receive lower rates. Dee Dee explained the zip code
system and how it came about and the 5-digit plus 4 numbering system
and how it got started and its use. Several residents suggested using the
VC 89440 zip. Pat Whitten discussed routing issues. Technically it
centers around the dense geographical area which is Reno. VC
Highlands is considered a “vanity name” and was approved as such only.
Another resident asked if it was possible to annex the 89440 VC zip and
then have the rural carrier deliver to the Highlands. Zip codes are not
zoned by county lines. Density is the criteria when issuing a code.
Pat Whitten and Commissioner Kershaw will check into boundary
expansion to include the Highlands.
B. Annual meeting
1. Annual meeting will be Saturday July 14, 2007 at the Fire House.
A motion was made by Bill Lewis with a second by Mary Tallent-
Stewart on the date. Carries. Mike Lupo suggested a pancake breakfast
and ask the fire department and sheriff’s department to get involved.
2. Budget 2007-2008 – Rita went over the proposed budget. Total
income is $196,000, administrative expense $30,907, road expense
$144,350, other expense $3,800 totaling $179,057. Ending cash
balance would be $222,943. State law requires a reserve study every
three years. The state does not have a registered individual to do it.
Funds have to be paid up front and we do not have enough. The CPA
recommended that we be out of compliance by doing a study
performed by an unregistered person. A motion was made to approve
the 2007-2008 budget by Mary Tallent-Stewart with a second by
Bill Lewis. Motion carries.
3. Items for the newsletter, annual mailing and agenda were discussed.
Keith suggested contacting VRPA to see if they want to attend.
There was also discussion regarding the 7/1/07 switch to Quick Books
and the separation of Reserve and Operating funds. The newsletter
needs to be ready the first week of June.
Recess @ 9:15 to Executive Session
Executive Session
The prior issue with the resident with the shed too close to the road will be resolved. They explained that the shed is temporary and there is no one to move it until September. They will come to the Architectural Committee to get the appropriate permit until it can be moved.
VIV. Adjourn 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Mary Tallent-Stewart
Secretary