As an update with current status regarding the HUA bid to have the property tax bill for the “open space” area brought back down, the matter and protest was submitted by our attorneys to Bob Ross (Chief County Assessor) in late June. The matter has been further sent on by Ross to Karen Fox, who is the Assistant States Attorney for Lake County. The States Attorney is being asked for her opinion, since an adjustment of this magnitude in this issuance would affect not only many people, but the County’s budget itself. Budgetary considerations aside, this is an error involving a 1,450 % tax increase which could have been prevented had proper indicators been in place at many levels of review. I will continue to report the status of this protest as news and situations develop.

The HUA has received back three initial proposals from top community association banks willing to extend us loan and credit lines offers.  We have an additional proposal in the works, and, following receipt of that proposal, the Finance Committee will extend to one or more banks an opportunity to present their programs to the committee in person.  As previously mentioned in last month’s report, there are a select few organizations dedicated to providing these types of loans and really consider it their forte, and know what associations need in this regard.  Many banks shy away from homeowner groups, or have no idea on how to work the mechanics of this type of loan.  Presentations should be happening during the month of August, which will be an extremely busy month as it is with the meetings of the reviewed Six-Year Plan and budgets.

All of the permits and budgets have been approved by the County and Village concerning their parts in the reconstruction project for the new Gages Lake sidewalk.  The sidewalk is currently out to bid by the Village, and a final decision for vendor of choice should be made at the Village’s August 18^th Board Meeting. Construction should then begin in late August to early September.

Final changes to wording and policy are being made and consolidated into the Purchasing Policy, and should be in place shortly.  We currently have no immediate large, new projects coming up which would require us to follow the purchasing policy as a bidding, approval or ordering tool.

Our Landscape Department is continuing to repair and remove damaged plant & tree material, in addition to their normal cutting and trimming routines.  The community is again reminded that priorities and urgency dictate which items must be tended to immediately, and which must be regarded as secondary to the community.  Urgent items involve health, disease and safety issues.  Stump removals are being made according to time and labor availability.  There has been an increase of spraying this year due to the high amount of Japanese Beetles found in our community.  Additionally, residents are reminded to be sure to submit architectural requests for all outside landscaping, which is mandatory for all areas further than 18” from your building structure.  Finally, seasonally scheduled pond cleaning should be starting within the next week or two.

The Maintenance Department has not received a bid as yet from Munson for alternatives to the resurfacing of the two upper tennis courts.  At this point, any proposals should probably be looked at again more fully for the early spring consideration, if approved for budget.  The scheduled paving has been completed, and curb stops were installed.  The fascia on the west side of the CB rec center has been repaired, as well as new light heads being installed along the Gages Lake pathway.  Maintenance has also been installing and fabricating new tennis wind screens, which they have installed as part of their new responsibility as the HUA, and not the golf personnel, are caring for tennis operations.  The pool pump motor burnt out at the SB/C pool, and required a new motor to be fabricated that would replace the one currently being used in the 35 year old system.  The motor should be installed the week of the 21^st.

I’d like to welcome the newest member of our maintenance staff, Ryan Cupal, and wish him well as he continues to acclimate himself with other staff members, his duties and functions in our community.

The new billboard signs on Route 120 should be installed shortly, and our CRF Director and golf personnel are currently working on new, joint-use signs at the two main entrances to the Community.  Please support our CRF and stop in to see the new games and excitement going on at the facility.  August 22^nd will be a big disco party at the CRF as well.

Stay well and be safe these last few months of summer.  

Bob Marcus, CMCA, AMS Community Manager