Meeting Minutes

May 16, 2023

Call to order:

Meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm with introductions

  • Discussion of Robert’s Rules of Orders
  1. Attendance (A quorum was present):
    • Board Members:
      • Danny Bier (2023 co-president)
      • Alex Wolf (2023 co-president)
      • Sandy Schell  (Treasurer)
      • Brittany Meeks (Communications)
      • Andi Graves  (Secretary)
      • Christy Jones (Hospitality)
      • Kathy Walker (Member at Large)
      • Megan Johnson (Website)
      • Vorry Moon (ACC)
      • Matt Brown (ACC)
    • Neighbors:
      • Erin Bieniek
      • Lois Jacoby
      • Lila Greaves
      • Clayton Meeks
      • Janie Kurtz
      • Dorothea Diller
      • Joanna Davala

Arapahoe Highlands Civic Association Business

  1. Reading of Minutes of the previous meeting – moved that the minutes not be read. All in agreement.
  2. Reading of all correspondence and/or hearings
    • Neighborhood happenings (Notes: Add these to the newsletter)
      • We need to remove the metal spring/easter décor (Sandy will remove)
      • Thank you to Kathy for putting up signs for the meetings!!
      • School is almost out!  Be on the lookout for kids in the neighborhood
      • Reminder: Keep your vehicles locked! There have been break-ins of locked vehicles in the neighborhood.
      • We talked about trying to get a large neighborhood grant; potential to install technology that reads all the vehicles in and out of the neighborhood.
      • Reminder: please stop at stop signs!! Especially at the entrance!
      • Reminder: Please ensure you clean up your dog’s poop; and be mindful of how often they are peeing on the same spot on the grass.
      • Note: City of Centennial has movie kits for free; if any neighbors want to do this, the board would provide the $250 refundable deposit. Able to do this annually. 
    • Website/Membership form comments
      • Website comment from new membership form, recommended: James Peterson; recommendation for regular reminders in newsletters that feeding squirrels attract animals
    • New neighbors
      • New neighbors, Christy delivered a plant to welcome. Will get a membership form.
      • New neighbors, Liz, not moved in yet (+3 kids)
      • House under contract; will be new neighbors soon!
  3. Treasurer’s Report (Sandy Schell) – Did not discuss but did discuss and approve budget during this meeting; notes below
  4. Committee Reports:
    • Architectural Control Committee- Nothing to report
  5. Unfinished Business
    • Membership Drive Update
      • 67 households so far!  Beats 2022 numbers.
      • Expect ~5-8 additional during dumpster days
      • Budgeted for 70 households
      • Previously, in years past, we had ~80 people sign up.
        • Suggestion:  Divvy up anyone that has not signed up after dumpster days and call / reach out to the unpaid households. Denise was going to do that, but has not been able to do this.
      • Motion:  One neighbor did not submit the full $75 dues, discuss and decide if this constitutes membership for this neighbor.
        • Seconded by Lila Greaves.
        • Discussion: Amount that was paid was the amount that was due, due to the by-law changes of date.
        • Opposing view: Neighbors were given notice of change in by-laws in June 2022, and were given notice on the increase in dues from $50 to $75. There is nothing in by-laws that state pro-rating, including those that pay for membership during dumpster days. The expenses typically run from April to December, therefore it was decided to ask for the $75.
        • Motion to accept decreased dues from one member.
          • Majority voted to accept the dues.
    • Motion: Move that the excess charged to residents be refunded.
      • Seconded by Lois Jacoby.
      • Case: Minutes from June that we would not be doubly charged for any given month. Beginning Jan 2024, it would be fine to charge $75. In 2022, we paid dues from April 1 2022 through March 31, 2023.  They understood that we would not be doubly changed.
      • Against the motion: Opposing view: Understood concept; but it was a consensus of the old board. January brought a new AHCA board. Beginning in November, there was a lot of advertisement that the due increase would be voted on in the next meeting. Any neighbors that had a stake in it could join the meeting. We had 11 neighbors at the meeting. The vote at the time was to increase dues to $75. No mention at that meeting in terms of pro-rating the dues. Vote was by members, per the by-laws, and it passed unanimously. No one objected. Vote was based on the 2023 year.
        • When we changed the bylaws to calendar year, the budget was Jan thru December. Membership drive starts in March, to fund the activities in May through December.
        • If someone could not pay, we would not over charge people. In the September meeting it was discussed that, if someone isn’t happy with the $75, we would take it on a case by case basis if they could not pay the full $75.
      • For the motion:
        • We have paid dues through March 31, it does not matter when activities happen through March 31 2023. Budget does not have anything to do about when activities occur. Agreed that we paid dues through March 31 2023.
      • Against the motion:
        • We do not elect a new board until the end of January due to meeting cadence. Met in January to establish and nominate the board, and began the membership drive. We were already into March.
      • Against the motion:
        • If paid dues in 2022 by March, and were not asked to pay again by March 2023, that is 12 months.
      • For the motion:
        • For the last 35 years, we paid in the spring and it was good until the next spring. It is only good for 9 months. Next dues period was double paid for 3 months.
      • Against the motion:
        • [We all] understand it, but there is a level of understanding and appreciation for what the board does. What the board does matters. Board is giving time and effort, and we are thankful. There is a point where you say thank you and appreciate the activities the board creates. For one year, we may pay more- but we have given the neighbor their dues back. This is all optional, and it is a voluntary association. If we have something we think is wrong, then don’t join. This is not a corrupt corporation and they don’t deserve to be attacked.
      • Call a vote: We are voting on the motion to refund all neighbors the $18.75 (Difference of $75 and $56.25)
        • In favor: 2 neighbors
        • Opposed: 11 board/neighbors present.
        • Motion denied.
      • One additional comment: 60+ people already paying the full $75 dues are a clear majority in the neighborhood; it is a vote of confidence of the neighborhood that the dues are worth it. Majority rules.
      • We do get a lot for the money we pay annually. There is a raise in expenses, so this is expected.
      • Note: By-Laws file on website was updated yesterday with $75 annual dues and fiscal year
    • AHCA 2023 Directory Update
      • Update on progress
      • Timing for printing and distribution
      • Update:
        • Sandy copied the 2022 directory and made it a 2023.
        • Ensuring covenants and by-laws are up to date and reflect what current by-laws and covenants are.
        • Sandy has updated the names and address, Alex will QA the edits
        • Next Step:
          • We will have ~34 people that we do not have updated information for. We wanted it done by the end of May. Suggestion, wait 1 week until after dumpster/chipper when we get 5-10 (2022: 12 people) that filled out a  membership form and paid dues.
          • Need to determine how we want to contact the missing neighbors to try to get their updates.  (The Masters would help call these neighbors)
          • Goal: Directory ready to print mid-June
          • Directory will run from June to June
        • Distribution: Danny will coordinate distribution
    • Dumpster/Woodchipper days
      • Dumpsters are booked; same vendor, same time and locations as 2022
      • Chipper: Sandy spoke to Matt’s Maintenance; continued to use the same company as previous years.
        • They chip into their own trucks
        • Price increased from last year
        • Will be in the same location
      • Volunteer Breakdown/Needs
        • Sign-up is on the webpage, under the event section
        • Many slots still open!
        • Danny reached out to volunteers that will do dumpster days; 6 of 24 slots filled
      • Send an email to the neighborhood asking for volunteers for open volunteer slots
        • In email, indicate where the need is the greatest.
        • Megan and Danny will coordinate an email to ask for help from neighbors.
        • Email should also include link of where to sign up
      • Note: Kathy has signs that indicate do not fill the dumpsters unless the dumpster is being monitored. We will clarify what can and cannot be in the dumpster. It is currently online, but we can send it by email.
      • Will need a sign-in sheet and membership forms.
      • Keep set-up as-is
    • 4th of July
      • Where should this take place? Starting at the bottom of Gilpin Ct. Keisha is willing to cook and host.
      • Who will lead? – Megan and Christy
        • Christy will reach out to Candace to help coordinate the fire dept, mounted police
  6. New Business
    • 2023 Annual Budget – Review & Approve
      • Two grants only. Finalize budget and vote
      • Applied for all 5 grants, but we received 2. Because of this, we had to reduce our budget in some places.
      • Changes:
        • Reduced price for communication, which includes flyers
        • Note: We are combining the Bob Stevens BBQ with the 4th of July parade
        • Hospitality down to 275
      • Expenses v. Revenue: pretty even with the $2k base in the bank
      • Motion to approve 2023 budget: All approved, no opposed. Motion passed.
      • Note: if we spend beyond budget approved, we need to give neighborhood 10d notice
    • AHCA Facebook Group
      • Who owns this? — Fred’s son Sasha?
      • We have a neighbor that has volunteered to capture photos to recap events.
      • Would need to ensure that all neighbors are okay with photos to be posted online.
      • Danny and Christy will track this down.
    • Motion to have  Lila Greaves to apologize to Brittany, as the signs posted on her doors made Brittany feel uncomfortable and threatened, and when asked to remove them, Lila said she would not.
      • Opposed: Lila did not feel she was civilly harassing her, and anyone could see her address online. Will not apologize for putting up a meeting notice and the address.
      • For the motion: the words and terms coming through indicated that we were trying to be dishonest, you know the board and you’ve worked on the board. The words were very hurtful. They were not neighborly and kind, they were very aggressive. Understand how Brittany felt nervous of the intentions, as Lila has escalated the verbiage to being hurtful.
      • For the motion: this has not been an isolated incident. This same action has been done to prior boards and board members as they are being criticized and attacked. We all have the right to say when something is wrong, or have an opinion.
      • For the motion: If a person wants to change something that they see and think is wrong, email is not the process. Join a meeting, this is a process for making a change.
      • Call a vote: 2 neighbors opposed to the motion. All others voted for the motion.
    • Motion: Vote to censure/demerit Lila; antisocial behavior has occurred in the neighborhood. 
      • For the motion: Lila chose not to make an acceptable (to Brittany) apology and that is what brought up the motion to censure
      • Call a vote: 2 neighbors opposed to the motion. All others voted for the motion.

Adjourn:

Meeting called to a close at 8:25pm 

 Andi Graves submits these minutes, gratefully acknowledging the board’s help!

 

1 Comment

  1. Lila Greaves
    Lila Greaves on July 16, 2023 at 4:58 pm

    Comments regarding May 2023 AHCA meeting. 7/16/23

    Looks like another AHCA meeting is coming up Tues. 7/18, 7-8 PM at 7657 S Williams St, so it is time to review the previous month’s minutes for discussion at the meeting.

    It is heartening that the Board has finally admitted in writing, for all to see, that they collected three months more dues than they were entitled to. The only good thing about that, is now, at least, you know I didn’t make up such an unbelieveable scenario. One disheartening part is that apparently not one single board member, new or returning member, has 1) the ability to read and understand the Bylaws, 2) the ethics to honor the promise made not to charge dues twice for any given period, documented in the minutes of the June 2022 meeting, (the promise was made to get votes for changing the fiscal year, made by a then and still current board member, who also since twice voted to not keep her promise to the neighborhood, and that alone should invalidate the fiscal year change, i.e. voted on under false pretenses), nor 3) common sense. Having even just one of those three would have informed them not to ask members to pay more than 12 mos. dues for 12 month 2023. The other disheartening part is that they voted not once, but twice, to do this and to not return the excess dues to the members who did pay them. No matter how many times the Board unanimously votes to violate the By-Laws, it will never make it right, but only further demonstrates what kind of person each and every one of them is. If I and my friends vote repeatedly to shoplift, it will not make it legal, no matter how many times we vote. What kind of people admit they messed up but refuse to make it right?

    The May meeting was, in my opinion, a tongue in cheek, scripted, dramatic farce, in regard to their wrong doing.
    First, they voted to see if I could be a member because I “only” paid 12 mos. dues for 12 month 2023. My doing so made me the only person in the neighborhood who paid the correct dues per the Bylaws. Everyone else paid 15 months dues for 12 mos., or became alienated from such a board and paid none at all. It was also ridiculous to vote to see if I could be a member because more than two weeks prior to the meeting, they had already cashed my dues check, complete with “paid in full” legal lien waiver on it. I am quite certain I did not second having the discussion and vote about whether or not I could be a member because I had “only” paid the correct amount of dues per the By-Laws. It was just another tongue in cheek moment in the proceedings.

    They talk about their increasing the dues to 150% of what they had been, as if that was a point of contention with anyone. It was not. Asking the Board to follow the By-Laws of the organization they are leading is hardly an “attack”.

    No one said the Board is corrupt, as implied in the minutes, but it is a good point to consider, since the Board increased the dues to 150% of what they had been and obtained a grant for an additional $1,000 from the City of Centennial, but those weren’t enough for them, and they still felt the need to ask for three months dues they were not entitled to. And with all this extra money, is the Board providing us with something extra? No. Are they providing us with what we have had in the past? No. They are, in fact, taking away the Bob Stephens Memorial BBQ. Bob Stephens was the first Chair of the AHCA Board in 1986. This BBQ, usually in June, has historically been a time to welcome and get acquainted with all the new residents from the past year, and to pay homage to our association and how it helps our property values and sense of community and brings us together, at least when everyone follows the By-Laws. Speaking of money, the By-Laws require that all member households be notified of the approved budget within 30 days of approval. Maybe it’s there on ArapahoeHighlands.com somewhere, tucked in under some unrelated tab, but I sure can’t find it there, nor in the minutes. Thirty days was over a long time ago. It is hard not to think that the budget has not been made public, to the members who pay to finance that budget, because the Board doesn’t want anyone to see how their increased income is being spent and that they are providing one less social event this year, despite the increased income.

    It was a ridiculous joke, asking me to apologize to Brittany who was worried members might actually attend the meeting she volunteered to host, because I was so bold as to let people know where it was being held, as if they could not find out on their own, if they had any interest. And the most ridiculous of all was censuring/demeriting me for that. If anyone deserves an apology, it is the entire neighborhood, from the Board who created this brouhaha by insisting upon asking for 15 mos. dues for a 12 month year, despite my early on private suggestions to them not to, since they were not authorized by the By-Laws. That early refusal to adhere to the By-Laws led to more public exposure of the issue, to get justice for the residents.

    I can take a joke as well as many others, but the AHCA and its job to protect and unite the neighborhood is not a joke to me, though it apparently is to the Board. If I thought the AHCA, its By-Laws, my neighbors, our desire to keep our property values up and our sense of community strong, were jokes, my husband and I would not have spent many years and thousands of hours supporting these things. In the last 19 years, during which I have been employed by Littleton Public Schools to tutor the four core subjects with high school students who are unable to attend school for one sad reason or another, I have never had any of them behave as irresponsibly as this group, as far as righting their wrongs and being so unaccepting of my shared wisdom, knowledge, and experience, me, a 75 year old widow and a 29 year AH resident. Their behavior has been shameful and they have made a mockery of the association and its By-Laws.

    Despite the Board’s behavior, I still believe in the good in every person and I like to give people the benefit of a doubt, so if this Board cares at all about doing the right thing for the community they serve and restoring their self-esteem, perhaps as an apology to the neighborhood, a righting of their wrongs, having already refused to return the ill-gotten dues, the only other recourse to justify their actions is to reverse the Bylaws change regarding fiscal year, so the 15 months dues already paid would be for 15 months (instead of 12), and the ‘23-‘24 fiscal year would end on March 31, 2024, as it would have if the fiscal year had not been changed to end on 12/31/23 instead. If the fiscal year had not been changed, this board would have been correct to ask for $75 dues for the ‘23-‘24 fiscal year of April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024. All they have to do to justify having collected the extra 3 mos. dues is to change Article III, Dues, Section 2. back to “The fiscal year shall run April 1, through March 31.” This proposal would have to be moved and passed at this July meeting and voted on at the Sept. meeting, after presenting the change and vote notification to the residents at least 10 days prior. Heck, I’d even write a check for $18.75 to cover my additional 3 mos. dues if it passed in Sept.!

    Another major factor in this whole mess was that the June 2022 meeting was held at an AHCA Bob Stephens Memorial BBQ, with children running all over, people wanting to eat and visit with their neighbors, and general chaos ensuing, with people not able to hear and not interested in what was being discussed in the meeting anyway, and that is how the fiscal year in the By-Laws was changed, more grounds to invalidate that change. A second Bylaws change should be proposed and then also voted on at the September meeting, and that should go under Article XIV, Amendments to the By-Laws, adding at the end of Section 1., “Amendments to By-Laws may not be voted on the same day as an AHCA social event.”

    And finally, as a show of good faith, adjust the budget as needed, (posting it publicly), to restore the removed Bob Stephens BBQ this summer or fall.

    And why was “a better place to live” removed from our motto on the directory cover this year? I think I know, but I am trying hard to believe in the good in each Board member…… Prove yourselves! Neighbors, please go to the meeting, Tues. 7/18, 7-8 PM at 7657 S Williams St., and encourage our Board to right their wrongs, for all of us.

    Sincerely, Lila Greaves

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