I have have verbally asked Barrington Bank to submit our application and their proposal through their underwriting process (pending board approval at meeting) in order to attempt to receive a timely commitment for infrastructure loan money.  It seems as though several other banks have not been up front in their desire to present loan proposals, and Barrington, who is one of the leaders in community lending instruments, will accelerate the process.  There is no commitment on our part, as yet, to even take the loan should it be offered, nor is there a definite decision as to the number of streets and drainage areas the HUA will be repairing this year.  Previous vendors have submitted updated quotes from last year in order that we fully realize the current costs involved.

Our HUA employee health insurance will remain with Humana this year.  The actual vote for the continuance of the policy was tabled last month pending confirmation of the proposed 13.7% increase.  As confirmed, the approval will again be put to vote at the May meeting.

Funds representing amounts in excess of the FDIC insurance limits have been transferred to our new account with the Wintrust MaxSafe program, which divides the money (funds over the $250,000 limit) up among member/sister FDIC insured banks to assure us a maximum protection scenario with our reserve funds.  This distribution is managed by Wayne Hummer Associates, a partner with the Wintrust / Barrington Bank MaxSafe process.  It has currently been split among three banks.

Several quotes covering a few approaches have been submitted to the Board for the repairs needed at the Hidden Hills clubhouse building.  As of this date, we are waiting for an additional quote and then we will decide if we want to go through an advisory firm of if we want to contract with construction personnel ourselves.  Regardless, the extent of work needed cannot be fully known until the siding is removed by the construction personnel.  Once repairs are completed relative to any wood, structural and elevation issues, current quotes will be coming in for the informative costs of re-siding the clubhouse, including the use of HardiPlank material. Information will be distributed to the Neighborhood committee, as received.

The State pool inspector for pool licensure has recently informed us of our need for a newly-sanctioned vacuum pump and outlet shut off alarm system.  One of these systems was immediately ordered for each of our four pools and will be installed and operational in time for the pool openings this season.  We have also finished compliance inspection work, mandated by the Village, for the pool access systems.  Again, please know that you must have pool passes, as issued through our Security Department, to access the pool and neighborhood clubhouse areas.  Additionally, excessively delinquent homeowners will be suspended from the privilege of using the pools and facilities.

Our HUA building roof repair proposals have been submitted to the board for vote, and hopefully updates to the seal coating of the road areas around the CFR/Golf building and parking lot will be available by May 25, 2010.

Maintenance is busy getting all of the pools in top shape for opening day.  They will be painting the deck in Covered Bridge, are hot-patching roads, and doing all general maintenance.  Landscaping has been continuing removal of busted-up timbers and doing either replacement or grass leveling restorative work.

I wish to extend my sincere wishes to Gordon Lind, former Board member and active participant on various HUA committees, for a full and speedy recovery regarding his recent surgery.

Bob Marcus, CMCA, AMS Community Manager