October 2023 HOA Board Meeting

October Board Meeting

Tuesday, October 10th,, 2023

7 pm

Virtual via Zoom

Attendees: 

Board: Kristina Redford-Meyers, Cyndi Hartman, Kelly Fairbank, Joy Charles, Jade Perez and Sandy 

Cluster Residents: Chun-Lung Huang

Agenda

Community updates

  1. Erosion/Drainage
    1. VCAP-Deposit submitted, but not yet deposited 
    2. 2229/2231 – DRB application submitted
  1. Website
    1. September meeting minutes- Approved

Action Item: 

Jade will post approved minutes. 

  1. Reserve study needs to be published on our website

Action Item: 

Jade will post in Announcements and in the Minutes

  1. Last tab – tree committee – can be deleted

Action Item:

Jade will delete

  1.  Sandy requested we add Cluster Guidelines, Under Cluster Resources in the Menu Under the Guideline

Action Item: 

Jade will add the Cluster Resources 

  1. Update on concrete
    1. Bright construction group walkthrough- Lower pad and curb near sewer is starting to crumble; ramped area is what needs to be replaced.  

Action Item: 

Kristina is waiting on DRB proposal review and will follow up with Cyndi when this is finished. 

  1. Tree inspection
    1. 2272 Hemlock tree – this tree trimming was done by TreeSmith USA – may still need to be taken down
    2. 2246 Elm Tree – need to decide upon it’s removal
    3. Tree branch hanging over Olde Crafts behind 2201/03
    4. 2252/54 Oak tree – board decided on $700 treatment for tree and to continue to monitor
    5. Hemlocks in upper cluster island – 3 young trees – infected and need to be treated.  Board voted to allocate $450 to hemlocks in upper cluster for bacteria.
    6. Joy’s maple tree

Action Item: 

Sandy is pending a response from Kevin and Sandy/Joy will do the walk through together. 

  1. Design Updates
    1. Decks, fences, doors – DRB application – submitted?- Sandy ran into issues with the PDF submission, but is working on this. 
    2. Bin enclosures- No update but Sandy will check on the Cluster Lookbook with Erin 
  1. Landscaping
    1. Updates? No updates 
    2. Two areas behind 2251- These areas were planted, but there is a large bare area. Kristina asked if we could get more native plants. 

Ad Hoc:  Joy will check with Chris to see if it is too late for the Fall treatment. If it is not too late this year, the board would like to move forward this Fall if Chris thinks this would still be effective. 

  1. Pet waste in neighborhood
    1. Here is what was posted in the newsletter:

Pet Waste Guidelines changes will be proposed at this year’s Annual Meeting.  Currently the guidelines for Wheelwright Cluster Association do not provide adequate spaces in the neighborhood for dogs to relieve themselves.  The board believes these guidelines are too strict and have the opposite effect – dogs are going everywhere.  Additionally, pet owners from other neighborhoods do not know our guidelines and therefore let their pets use the bathroom indiscriminately along our sidewalks.  Therefore the board is proposing the following changes:

  1. Dogs may NOT use the bathroom on anyone’s personal property – front yards, backyards, and side yards – this will be strictly enforced.
  2. Dogs may not use the bathroom where there are signs that explicitly ask for dogs to stay off the grass*.
  3. Any other common spaces where there are no signs can be used as a bathroom for dogs.
  4. Dog owners MUST pick up after their dogs.  There is never a time or place where this rule does not apply.
  5. Dogs MUST be kept on a leash at all times unless in a fenced in yard.  You may not allow your pet to roam freely around the neighborhood at any time.

*these signs may move around to different common areas around the cluster to help rejuvenate spots that are suffering from pet waste.

  1. Asked Sawyers cluster about their pet waste stations but have not yet heard back.

Board Discussion: 

For #1, we should include a note that this is about other people’s personal property. 

There is already a blurb in our guidelines that we can pull for the notes on when to pick up, etc. 

  1.  Important Upcoming Dates
    1. Fall household hazardous waste pickup – this Saturday, Oct. 14th

Action Item: Kristina will send an email to Wheelwright HOA members and Jade will post on website. 

  1. GreenDrop donation – Saturday, October 21st (only until noon) 
  2. Roll off dumpster – Friday, October 27th-30th
  3. Fall cluster cleanup and cookout – Saturday, October 28th
    1. Projects:
      1. Invasive species removal, lower cluster
      2. Trash pick up
      3. Spreading wood chips behind 2245-49
      4. Potholes near LFL* Priority 1 
      5. Paint and repair trash enclosure in Tot Lot
      6. Clear Seal benches * Priority 3
      7. Tot lot equipment clean up 
      8. Trenching the timbers near the little free library * Priority 2

Notes: 

Jade and Joy will coordinate with Sandy to do a walk through before the morning of the clean up to get the directions for the trenching. 

Kristina will look at the area near the LFL to see how bad the poison ivy is so that we can do the trenching in advance. 

Kristina will check on the mulch/wood chips and will coordinate with Joy if we need any. 

Sandy will check on paint supplies (Ex. Paint and Paintbrush) for trash enclosure to see what is left and will follow up before the clean up. 

  1. Cookout
    1. Food

Notes: 

Kristina will do the Costco pickup after she sends a list to the board for review. 

  1. Annual Meeting – Monday, December 4th at 7pm – zoom
    1. Topics for meeting
      1. Dues increase
      2. Budget review/budget proposal
      3. Ongoing projects
        1. VCAP
        2. Design updates
        3. EV charging
        4. Purchasing 2nd speed bump 
  1. Additional items
    1. EV charging – reached out to Dominion again – waiting to hear back
    2. Wood borders by LFL – to be completed at cluster cleanup
    3. Parking/towing speeding in the neighborhood – Easton Warner at 2276
    4. Watchlights
    5. Zelle
    6. Lower Cluster Clean Up

Action Item: 

Joy will reach out to Chris to see if we can get the lower cluster added to the maintenance schedule to keep it today and will verify the cost with the board. 

Financials

Next meeting:  Tuesday, November 7th 

Wheelwright Cluster Board Meeting Minutes-September 2023

September Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

7 pm

Virtual via Zoom

Attendees: 

Board: 

Cluster Residents: 

Agenda

Community updates

  1. Erosion/Drainage
    1. VCAP – signed proposal and check sent
    2. 2229/2231 sidewalk drainage project
      1. DRB finished and ready to be submitted
  1. Reserve Study
    1. Copy of the study needs to be published on our website

After Action: 

  • Kelly will send the updated reserve study via email.
  • Jade will post the updated reserve study. 
  1. Update on concrete
    1. Proposal for areas needing repair from Bright Construction Group still under review.
  1. Repaving parking lot
    1. Board decided to forge ahead with Pavement Design, LLC – management of the project only.
      1. Burt says most companies in VA  won’t break ground to repave until mid March to early April.
      2. Based on that timeline, he suggests sending out the bid package to prospective paving companies at the beginning of March with bids expected to be returned in 2 weeks.  The board would then decide on who and when.
      3. Repaving should take 4 days
      4. Pavement Design LLC will bill for the work after the job is completed
      5. PD, LLC will make 2 visits to the site during the work and then a final visit once the work is completed.
      6. PD, LLC requires tonnage tickets for the asphalt installed to ensure that the required amount was received.
  1. Tree inspection
    1. The board voted to dismantle the tree committee after Mike Pendleton stepped down as chair.
    2. Sandy will reach out to TreesmithUSA to see if we can get an inspection done.
      1. 2272 Hemlock tree – this tree trimming was done by TreeSmith USA – still needs to be inspected? 
      2. 2246 Elm Tree – trimmed by TreeSmith USA, but will circle back in fall 
      3. Tree branch hanging over Olde Crafts behind 2201/03
      4. 2252/54 Oak tree – not healthy – needs treatment at the very least but will need to be taken down eventually (Confirmed: We did decide on the $700 treatment for this tree if needed to maintain tree for as long as possible)
      5. Hemlocks in upper cluster island – 3 young trees – infected and need to be treated.  Board voted to allocate $450 to hemlocks in upper cluster for bacteria.

After Action: 

  • Sandy will follow up with Kevin from TreeSmith USA on all of the items above. 
  1. Individual Homeowner who is upset about the trees has contacted RA regarding recent tree removal; Kristina followed up to provide clarity on the safety reasons for board decisions when removing trees and the board recognizes the importance of sharing information regarding decisions on safety measures in the neighborhood. 
  1. Design Updates
    1. Decks, fences, doors – DRB application ready for submission?
    2. Bin enclosures and front entrances (including overhang) will be the next DRB application to work on 

After Action: 

  • Christina has reviewed the DRB and Sandy will be working on consolidating those edits and submitting the updated DRB for Deck Stain, Fences, and Doors along with Erin from RA. 
  1. Landscaping
    1. Fall lawn treatment this Friday, 9/22
    2. Deadline for homeowners to order fall lawn treatment this Wednesday, 9/20
    3. Weed killer in concrete cracks- Joy did ask for this to happen in the yearly work from here on out. 
    4. Updates? 

After Action: 

Joy will see how much it would cost the cluster to treat Cluster Areas for grass/lawn treatment in the following areas: 

  • Behind 2257-2263
  • Near the new Stairs between 2263 and 2265, including front yard area of 2263
  • Between 2249 and 2251
  • Behind 2218-22030
  • Area between 2230 and 2242 
  • Behind 2217 and 2219
  1. Pet waste in neighborhood
    1. These proposals were agreed upon at the last meeting:
      1. Board agrees that communicating specific areas in the community that are on and off limits for pet bathroom use is important.  Current guidelines seem to be draconian.  Jade to take a look at the cluster map for a first draft on where can pets have waste? Then, she’ll send a draft proposal to the board for the September meeting for the board to review and discuss.
      2. Rework guidelines to be clear about which areas are acceptable and unacceptable, email community about upcoming changes and vote at annual meeting.  
      3. Infractions from within our neighborhood that occur will get targeted emails from the board.
      4. Additional signage to be purchased and strategically placed in common areas.

After Action: 

The board has decided we will skip trying to create designated pet areas after reviewing the map again.. The board will write updated, proposed guidelines before December’s meeting for the community to vote on at the annual meeting. 

  1. Resale disclosure Act
    1. Any changes that the board needs to make? Include previous years annual meeting minutes in the package from here on out
  1.  Important Upcoming Dates
    1. Fall hazardous waste pickup

After Action: 

  • Joy will work with Chris to schedule this for Saturday, October 14th 
  1. GreenDrop donation

After Action: 

  • Cyndi schedule this for Saturday, October 21st
  1. Roll off dumpster

After Action: 

  • Kristina will  request this for the Cluster Clean Up weekend on Saturday, October 28th . 
  1. Fall cluster cleanup and cookout

Board Decision

  • Confirmed Clean up Date for Fall Cluster Clean Up: Saturday, October 28th 
  1. Annual Meeting – Monday, December 4th at 7pm – zoom
  1. Additional items
    1. EV charging
    2. Parking/towing speeding in the neighborhood – Easton Warner at 2276 has volunteered to help with monitoring vehicles and registrations and will report issues to the board for action. 
    3. Watchlights
    4. Zelle
  2. Ad Hoc

After Action: 

  • Cyndi will move the speed bump to the mid-Cluster again to slow speeding drivers. 

Cluster Clean Up Draft List: 

  • Invasive Species removal in Lower Cluster
  • Trash Pick UP 
  • Worms and Woodchips Behind 2243-2247
  • Pot Holes near LFL
  • Paint Trash Enclosure in Tot Lot 
  • Repair Hinge on Trash Enclosure in Tot Lot 
  • Clear Seal the Benches 

Next meeting:  Tuesday, October 10th

August 2023 Wheelwright Cluster HOA Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday,August 8, 2023

7 pm

Virtual via Zoom

Attendees: 

Board: 

Cluster Residents: 

Agenda

Community updates

  1. Erosion/Drainage
    1. VCAP project approved by board – design proposal signed and sent.
    2. 2229/2231 sidewalk drainage project
      1. Final proposal sent by Juan at Bright Construction group
        1. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y3StFCa-nFv5tdV1qhaYRU7bRlXL1EgU/view?usp=sharing

Board Decision: 

  • Start with Option 1 from Bright Construction Proposal
  • Then look at completing options 2 and 3 in the next fiscal year from our drainage budget. 
  1. Reserve Study
    1. Copy of the study needs to be published on our website
    2. Any additional comments?

Notes: 

  • After Action: Kristina will send Jade a clean copy of the reserve study.
  • After Action: Jade will update the website with the reserve study. 
  1. Update on concrete
    1. Proposal for areas needing repair?

After action: Cyndi will do another walk through with Juan to review our usual areas of concern. 

  1. Repaving parking lot
    1. Burt with Pavement Design, LLC has decided to help us with the management portion of the repaving only.  The cost of management only is $2500.  Included:
      1. He has based our needs for parking lot reconstruction off of the reserve study as well as Dominion’s proposal.
        1. Dominion recommended the drive lanes being replaced.  When you send out the RFP for bids, you may want to include the option of full asphalt replacement, with the asphalt being installed is 3 inches.  As your reserve study showed.  Most damage is in the drive lanes,  I would recommend a total of 4 inches in the drive lanes because of trash trucks, recycle trucks etc.  Also you may have more than 3 inches now in areas of your parking lot.
        2. Burt now needs our signed contract as well as names of the companies we would like bids from.  I can ask if he has specific recommendations as well based on who he has worked with.

Decisions: 

After Action:  Kristina will resend the proposal to the board; Board will review scope of the proposal and board will vote via email.  

After Action:  Kristina will reach out to Burt to let him know he should scope companies who are willing to work with the Cluster in Coordination with any EV charging station needs either immediately or down the road, as well as a note regarding sewers/underground issues. 

  1. Tree inspection
    1. Do we have an inspection date scheduled?
      1. 2272 Hemlock tree – this tree trimming was done by TreeSmith USA – still needs to be inspected?
      2. 2246 Elm Tree – trimmed by TreeSmith USA, but will circle back in fall and possibly JL to see about possible removal
      3. Tree branch hanging over Olde Crafts behind 2201/03 
      4. Hemlock at the bottom of the cluster has enough fungus/bacteria that we need to remove it.

Decisions: 

  • After Action: Joy-See what J&L has to say about the health of the tree at 2252 to determine if this tree is salvageable
  • Board Decision: Allocate $450 to hemlocks in upper cluster for bacteria.  
  1. Design Updates
    1. Decks, fences
    2. Doors
    3. Bin enclosures

Discussion: 

  • DRB for decks, fences and doors is almost finished; Sandy is working to finalize and send this over to Kristina by 08/09 , with goal to get finalized DRB submitted to Reston ASP 
  • Bin Enclosures will be next on Sandy’s docket for review with Reston Association for DRB guidance on how to modify. 
  1. Landscaping
    1. Updates?

After Action: Kristina will send a note to Joy to ask the landscaping crew to spray the weedkiller in the cracks.

After Action: Kristina will coordinate with Joy and get notes out to Cluster Residents regarding seeding options with the cluster landscaping team. 

  1. Pet waste in neighborhood
    1. Problem with pets using the bathroom on homeowners’ lawns and common grassy areas
    2. Board agrees that communicating specific areas in communities that are on and off limits for pet bathroom use is important.  Current guidelines seem to be draconian.
    3. Rework guidelines to be clear about which areas are acceptable and unacceptable, email community about upcoming changes and vote at annual meeting

Decisions: 

  • After Action: Jade Perez will take a look at the cluster map for a first draft on where can pets have waste? Then, she’ll send a draft proposal to the board for the September meeting for the board to review and discuss. 
  • After Action: Kristiina will send General Cluster Email with annotated Map and Cluster Waste Areas with note regarding annual meeting bi-law updates
  • Decision: Infractions from within our neighborhood that occur will get targeted emails from the board. 
  • Decision: Purchase additional signage regarding Private Property/Trespassing/Pet Waste areas for front and back of the cluster
  1. Resale disclosure Act
    1. Effective July 1, 2023, all documents prepared by community associations in connection with the sale of a lot or unit will be referred to as resale certificates. In addition, several procedural and substantive changes should be noted:
    2. The current operating budget of the association, rather than just a summary, must be provided;
    3. Copies of approved board meeting minutes from the last six months and copies of approved or draft meeting minutes from the most recent membership meeting must be provided;
    4. Specific statements must be made concerning: (i) parking and vehicle restrictions in the recorded covenants or rules and regulations, (ii) restrictions on the operation of home-based businesses, and (iii) restrictions on an owner’s ability to rent their home;
    5. Fees for resale certificates may be required to be paid upon request of the certificate rather than being due at settlement; and
    6. Associations must publish and make available a schedule of all applicable fees assessed as part of the resale certificate preparation and delivery process.

After Action: 

  • Kelly will review what is required from the Cluster within the guidelines to ensure we are in compliance. 
  1. Additional items
    1. EV charging- No updates 
    2. Worms/wood chips behind 2243-47-No updates 
    3. Wood borders by LFL-After action: Jade and Kristina will tidy this until the Fall clean up. After action: Jade will grab the wood pallet for Thursday pick up. 
    4. Parking/towing speeding in the neighborhood- After Action: If the car in the lower cluster has not been removed, Kristina will call the towing company on 08/09/2023
    5. Watchlights- No updates 
    6. Zelle-No updates

Next meeting:  Tuesday, Sept 12th

July 2023 Wheelwright Cluster HOA Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, July 11th, 2023

7 pm

Virtual via Zoom

Attendees: 

Board: 

Cluster Residents: 

Agenda

Community updates

1)  VCAP project – Adele from DecoFootprint will join us for a short segment of the meeting at 7:15 to answer any questions.

  1. Who is responsible for determining underground utilities?  For HOA common areas, we typically schedule Miss Utility to mark for underground public utilities roughly one week prior to any field work for project design or project build.  If there is concern for marking private utilities, most HOA Boards have their management company schedule this, or for an extra fee we can coordinate this.  
  2. Complaints – is there a time frame where we as a client have time to assess work and have issues addressed?  After our field inventory, site analysis, base mapping, stormwater assessment, VCAP/CAP project concepts and design, we can schedule a design presentation to reveal the proposed project plans before submitting to NVSWCD the project application that includes the plans.  We can discuss any revisions, if needed, and then submit the project application to be considered for rebate approval.
  3. Is this a severable contract?  The reason we present a separate Design Proposal first is to cover our services rendered for planning, design, application submission that includes a preliminary budget, and application approval.  Once your VCAP project application is approved, we present a second Project Proposal that outlines the project site prep, site work, and site restoration.  
  4. Watering of vegetation – responsibility of client or DecoFootprint?  If water access is provided by the private homeowners near the project, we typically like ot water immediately after planting and adding the mulch layer.  This is usually one of the last steps before site restoration.  The HOA is responsible for watering the vegetation after the first watering.   
  5. What condition will jobsite be left after completion of work?  Site restoration is mentioned in our Project Proposal.
  6. Plant guarantee – pests/disease?   This is mentioned in our Project Proposal.
  7. Is travel time billed?  ​​​​No.
  8. Underground obstructions clause?  What happens if there is something that is found that makes the work substantially more difficult?  This is mentioned in our Project Proposal.
  9. Acts of God clause?  Also mentioned in our Project Proposal.
  10. Is work/plants guaranteed for some period of time upon completion?  Also mentioned in our Project Proposal.  Here’s a link to our SAMPLE Project Proposal:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MvJGK9P4PaepHm-66-agCS3SuJujuhN5/view?usp=sharing
  11. Regarding property plats, many of our homeowners do not have these and when they’ve been necessary for work, homeowners have had to shell out costs to have their land surveyed.  Homeowners have not had luck obtaining these records from the county.  Have you had this issue before?  I have a site planning map of the whole neighborhood – I’m not sure if that would help at all.  Unless a homeowner waived the plat at settlement, the majority of property owners received a property plat with their settlement papers.  If they settled on the property less than 7 years ago, they can contact their settlement company to request a copy if available, contact their realtor to chase it down, or make a trip to the Fairfax County land records department to request a copy.  For townhome property owners in Fairfax County, it’s not available to request a plat online.  Other HOA Boards provide both the community planning map/s (aka grading plans) and the community record plats.  Both sets of plans are extremely helpful.  The record plat is the more important one because it’s the legal recordation of the community property lines, easements, right-of-ways, etc.  If the Board does not have these plans, and they do not wish to pay extra for an engineer or surveyor to prepare new land surveys (expensive!), then a Board member or community volunteer makes a trip to the Fairfax County land records department to request copies of the community recordation plans. 

Clarifications Provided by Board Members in Q&A with Adele from Deco Footprint

  • Rick Fairbank- Shared with Kristina that he doesn’t think it would be standard for most homeowners to have their plats. This didn’t appear to him to be a common theme in closings that he has seen. Rick explained that our entire plat for the community is on file with Fairfax County and because there are such standard delineations for properties, not every mortgage lender feels the need to require a plat, nor does every seller get required to require one in selling. 
  • According to Adele, individual plats are less important for this project than the community plats. However, the issue of roof water and creating appropriate irrigation, might create complexity because the irrigation may need to begin at the site of individual homeowners, but as the focus is on a communal area (the steep hill) and this is a community supported conservation landscaping project, Adele felt okay that we could begin without individual plats.
  • What would it look like if we did need to get individual plats? How would we proceed with that, recognizing that they are not on file with Fairfax County? According to Adele, Deco Footprint would just have to be more cautious with their measurements to ensure they are not missing something that could cause a problem down the road, but they have worked on similar situations working without plats. 
  • At what point does a community submit their application to the Reston Association from Adele’s perspective? After the design plan is finalized or approved by VCAP? Adele recommends doing both simultaneously in case we are approved as her company is largely limited to two planting seasons in Northern Virginia, Spring and Fall, due to weather. This way if approved for the VCAP grant, RHOA is also already approved and Deco Footprint could begin their work as quickly as possible. 
  • Is April the earliest planting? Generally speaking, but as long as the ground is above 40 degrees Farenheit they can begin planting and have begun as early as January.
  • Deco Footprint could send a designer to support the board in the RHOA Design Review board meetings to answer questions about the project, if needed. 
  • Deer deterrent plantings will be prioritized, but Adele did recommend we begin to focus on deer deterrent methods, such as fencing. Fencing is not currently included in the budget for this project so Wheelwright HOA will need to consider how to move forward on the fencing issue afterwards. 
  • 8-10 foot logs with a 10-12 inch diameter that we can save in the neighborhood from fallen trees might be able to be reused on the project. 
  • Deco Footprints does offer a maintenance contract that HOA’s can purchase after the installation if they’d not like to do the initial maintenance, including appropriate watering schedules, themselves, but after the first year or so, the maintenance should be fairly minimal, as planned. 

2)  Reserve Study

  1. Reserve study – final copy received with a few amendments
    1. What is included:
      1. Summary including where we are with funding, what our goal is over a 20 year period, what do we have to do to get there
      2. Condition of areas in our community that fall under capital expenses
        1. Notable findings of common assets:
          1. Parking lot
          2. Concrete
          3. Storm water drainage system (After Action: Kristina will ask for clarity on recommendations here)
      3. Methods of funding over the 20 year period
        1. Cash flow
        2. Component
        3. Hybrid approach
      4. Schedule for capital repairs
  2. Annual contribution to reserve fund – currently $9000, recommend $21,100.
  • Things to keep in mind:
    • All expenses are being covered through the collection of HOA dues. 
    • Some of these expenses will fall under Capital Repair, which could come out of that, instead of the current annual budget. 
    • The purpose of the reserve study is to ensure our HOA can potentially avoid special assessments, thus the increase in dues. (After Action: Kelly will continue to review the numbers to confirm what this year’s quarterly increase will be in preparation for the annual meeting in December.) 
  1. Asked to include repaving of the parking lot in 2024. 
  2. Capital expenses – what qualifies, what doesn’t qualify?
    1. Where does our money come from to take care of capital expenses?
    2. Do we need to make adjustments?
    3. We need to take into account our checking account balance.
    4. What investments do we want to make going forward?
  3. Taking into account interest when investments are made. 

3)  Drainage issue by 2231

  1. Proposals from:
    1. Riverbend Landscaping
    2. Sunrise
    3. Bright Construction Group (Juan)-Pending work to be done.

4)  Update on concrete

  1. Update on walkthrough?  Cyndi is working to finalize a walk through. 
  2. Which are areas of concern?

After Action: Cyndi will focus on an expedited time frame for all of the proposals to ensure we can finalize plans for the work ASAP. 

5)  Repaving the parking lot

  1. Burt with Pavement Design, LLC
  2. Are their services more than we need at this time?
    1. Pavement inspection for cracks/sealant issues
    2. Pavement upkeep plan/schedule
    3. Management of the construction is another component

Decision by Board: 

We do want to have good oversight of the work  that is not from us. However, we not feel we need another assessment or inspection to tell us we need to replace the pavement. We will go back to Pavement Design, LLC, to ask to remove the inspection from their contract as we know we need to replace the parking lot paving ((the base layer as well as a full mill and resurfacing) (After Action: Kristina will take this back to Pavement Design LLC) 

(After Action: Kristina will reach out  VA Asphalt Company and have them come do an estimate for work at recommendation from Cyndi) 

6)  Tree inspection-Delayed pending Joy’s input as the tree lead

  1. Do we have an inspection date scheduled?
    1. 2272 Hemlock tree – this tree trimming was done by TreeSmith USA – still needs to be inspected?
    2. 2246 Elm Tree – trimmed by TreeSmith USA, but will circle back in fall and possibly JL to see about possible removal
    3. Tree hanging over Olde Crafts behind 2201/03

7)  Cookout this Sunday

  1. By the little free library at noon? 

Board Decision: Moved location to lower cluster to avoid parking impacts near Little Free Library. 

  1. Kristina has 3 packages of 10 hotdogs
    1. Other remaining items from Cluster Community Cookout included water and chips, along with condiments, which Cyndi will manage. 

8)  Whose terms are up at the end of year/what are people’s intentions?

Kristina and Sandy were both considering wrapping up, but felt that with so many ongoing projects they are going to hold on they think for now and will be willing to serve on the board for another term of two years. Kelly feels she is also willing to serve on board for the coming year, as does Cyndi. 

Next meeting: 

Tuesday, August 8th

June 2023 Wheelwright Cluster HOA Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, June 13th, 2023

7 pm

Virtual via Zoom

Attendees: 

Board: 

Cluster Residents: 

Agenda

Community updates

  1. Cluster Clean up – projects remaining
  • Wood chips – Kristina contacted homeowners 2243-2249
  • All replied yes (did not hear back from 2243)
  • Jen Ren mentioned soil (clay that isn’t very porous) and slope

Board Discussion:  On 2245 we can put the mulch between the pavers; Kristina will reach back out to Karen Beasley at 2243 to make sure she’s okay before she puts down the mulch.  The goal here is to reduce the moisture and we need to use the mulch we have. 

We’ll start on 2243 and 2245 as there is the most moisture there. 

Sandy recommended the board may want to look at including Earthworms to create an organic solution to help with the soil that is mostly clay. After Action: Sandy will research. 

  • Wood borders around lfl

Decision from the board: After Action: Jade will lay the wood out in front of the LFL near the hill and we will table this project for the Fall cluster clean up. 

  • Do we still have perishables from the cookout?  Schedule another?

 Hot dogs and hamburger buns are frozen and there are some chips that need to be eaten; Cyndi has an older case of beer that needs to be used. 

  1. Erosion/Drainage
    1. VCAP – answers to questions from Adele at DecoFootprint:

1)  I remember when we first met, you said that the timeline for breaking ground would be probably early next year.  When and what would we owe you in 2023 based on our discussion of a final budget of $14,500 so that we can obtain the maximum $7,000 VCAP funding?  What would we owe you in 2024?  For this year, we would like a good faith deposit of $2,500 to get us started on the VCAP planning and design for a Conservation Landscaping project on a steep hillside.  Since our services are considered “technical assistance” this portion will be covered by the VCAP rebate when the project is completed.  The remaining $12,000, depending on when the potential VCAP project is approved, we typically collect a 50% project deposit of $6,000 to reserve a space on the install schedule for spring or fall, the two most busy times to install plants, and collect the remaining 50% deposit of $6,000 upon project completion.  If this is acceptable, I can write up our Proposal that explains this in detail.

2)  Before you begin with your design, will you give us an idea of what option you are going with?  I.e. terracing using biologs, coir matting, coir matting and biologs, rerouting downspouts or not, etc?  We’ll also want to make sure that the design includes plenty of walking space for our homeowners to access the backs of their homes as well.  Yes, we can present the preliminary design to you or to the Board for Q&A and at this design presentation discuss our observations, assessments, professional recommendations, pros and cons, etc.

Discussion: The board is fine to go forward with this as a good faith risk, but the board has asked for a reasonable “contract” that can show how this can work, including acts of God that are unexpected. 

After Action:  Kristina will reach back out to her and will follow up with the board on where we are on this “Good faith contract” 

  1. Drainage work by 2231/33
    1. Another project proposal from Riverbend landscapes

  1. Juan? –

Cyndi and Juan are scheduled to meet on Thursday to review this; Kristina asked to get very specific measurements to ensure we can use those for the design review board; the goal is to be able to make the decision at next month’s board meeting. 

  1. Design updates
    1. Doors/sidelight
    2. Garbage bin enclosures
    3. Clear stain for decks

NO updates: Sandy working on writing up items. 

  1. EV/Charging Stations
    1. Draft of EVWG charter sent to Chesapeake Law Group, PLC
    2. Second meeting tentatively scheduled for Sunday, June 18th
      1. Dominion update
        1. Dominion’s Design and Construction team will come out and do a review of our site and let us know the best places, costs, etc. From the sounds of it, they will draw up plans for us as well
  1. Concrete/Watchlights
    1. Walkthrough schedule update? Cyndi will be walking through this week. 
    2. Watchlights?- No new reported issues. 
  2. Parking/Towing
    1. 2217, 2215, 2213, 2211, 2209, 2223 parking space shuffle – keep Kristina posted a week in advance to inform homeowners
    2. Speed bump moved
      1. Feedback?

Several members of the board have noticed speeding from the lower cluster now; concern expressed for the safety of neighborhood kids and older residents 

Discussion: How can we help ensure we can support the safety of the community without taking overly punitive actions?  

Decision: We’ll start with a notice in the newsletter and we will review how to add a second removable speed bump. Kelly will share the cost of the previous speed bump at the July meeting and we will review how to pay for this next month at the board meeting. 

  1. Registering cars with cluster – update?

After Action: Jade will do a walk through and comparison against registration next weekend.  Any concerns? Areas to focus on? 

  1. Self registration form – updates?

Looks like we may be able to do this with a combination of WordPress and Google forms. However, this will take a bit more time to ensure we can create an authentication and role-based process; research in progress. (FYI: As part of the process, we may need to scrub our current subscribers list in WordPress (currently 681 subscribers) and do an update of associated emails. )

Discussion: As long as it’s not a smart phone required for two-factor authentication, fine to move forward. 

Decision: Jade will go forward with pro-typing this for the board to review and will include a training/enablement plan to ensure that all residents can be included (Ex. Zoom transition for the board) 

  1. Start meeting with paving companies again
    1. Burt – Pavement Design, LLC? – pay to hold our hands through the process?

Board Decision: This is a valuable service for such a large expenditure and will provide us the expertise we need to ensure we’re getting the most bang for our buck. Kristina will reach out to him to ask for the services they offer again and the costs associated. 

  1. Landscaping
    1. Update on:
      1. Bags of mulch?

Joy has the final two bags of mulch and will ask Kelly at 2248 if she wants the remaining two bags mulch. We need to bill for the Mulch so  Joy and Kristina will put those numbers together and will send that to Kelly.  

  1. Stump removal (Chris)
  2. Individual yard landscaping through Chris?  Still pursuing? 

Decision: We will hold on this until next spring and will reach out next year in advance of the Spring clean up to see if they can offer this then. 

  1. Chemical application to lawns – Elite is still giving us notice after treatment

After Action: Joy will follow up with them on this. 

Ater Action: Joy will follow up with Elite to ask if they can start cutting the grass just a bit higher as we enter the slower growing season.

After Action: Joy will reach out to Chris for cost estimates now so that we can hopefully include notes on lawn aeration and seeding in the July newsletter.  

  1. Reserve Study/Online payments 
    1. Reserve Study – final is in our hands

All- Kristina asked for all board members to review for 

  1. Zelle for online payments – update?

 Still on Kelly’s to do list for 3rd quarter invoices

  1. Possibility of linking to website- Kelly is still confirming the details on this. This is something that can be noted on the site, but she isn’t sure just yet. 
  1. Trees
    1. Tree maintenance with Tree USA scheduled for Tuesday, June 27th.
      1. Do we need to ask Chris to avoid that day for landscaping? Agreed yes and Joy will manage that. 
      2. Kevin with Tree USA is offering a 15% discount to homeowners who want to have work done on personal property around the same time.

Board  Decision:  Put in a newsletter and have homeowners contact individually.

  1. Tree list for summer inspection
    1. 2272 Hemlock tree- This trimming will be taken care of by Kevin at Tree USA 
    2. 2246 Elm Tree-Holding until the Fall for a final decision on moving/keeping and JUL trees will do standard trimming. 
    3. After Action: Joy will reach out to Mike Pendleton for the August tree inspection with J&L trees
  1. Newsletter topics
    1. Ad-Hoc Cookout in late June? 

Vote is for this to happen on Sunday, July 16th; we’ll block off the spaces near the LFL and we’ll do it there. 

  1. Cluster Clean Up results
  2. Benefits of planting native plants in cluster and yards 

Kristina will include this in the newsletter

  1. Garbage
    1. Issues?

Financials

Next meeting:  Tuesday, July 11th

May 2023 Wheelwright Cluster HOA Board Meeting Minutes

May Board Meeting

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

7 pm

Virtual via Zoom

Attendees: 

Board: 

Cluster Residents: 

Agenda

Community updates

  1. Cluster Clean up review
    1. How did it go?
  • It turned out okay, better in the afternoon. It seemed like people weren’t sure due to the rain.
  • Discussion: Next year we may want to include shifts and a skill notation (ex. Carpentry) if the work requires it. 
  1. What still needs to be completed? 
  • We need to deal with the mulch in the parking lot. 
  • Building additional benches; ideally Sandy would like to have one more person to help her at a time, but it would be helpful to have others with carpentry skills. 
  1. What food is left over and what to do with it? 

Discussion: 

  • Hot dog and hamburger buns probably need to be reduced in the coming year. 
  • Sandy mentioned maybe getting the Kona Ice truck for the coming year
  •  Kristina will freeze the hot dogs and hamburgers for a possible late-June impromptu meeting. 
  1. Projects left for completion? 
  • Wood chips
  • Mulching slope by 2231: Kristina will email neighbors around this area to see if they are okay with adding the mulch
  • Wood borders the Little Free Library. After Action: Jade will move these to match trench line until Fall clean up happens
  • Invasive removal: We could still remove more. 
  • Spraying weeds
  • Benches
  • Clear seal stairs: After Action: Sandy would like to hold on this until the Fall so that we can research more about dealing with clear stain 
  • Painting trash bin enclosure – oxford brown
  1. Erosion/Drainage
    1. VCAP
      1. Adele Kuo – landscape designer with Deco Footprint.  She has a lot of experience with VCAP and most of her designs are approved for VCAP funding.  She will submit the application, take care of any easements, fully design and implement the project.  She will work within our means.
        1. Budget of up to $14,500.  With VCAP rebate the project would cost us a total of $7,500.
      2. $7,500 is our entire budget for the year 2023.
      3. Timing would likely put us in 2024 (according to Adele)

Board vote and decision:

 Update the erosion budget for the year 2024 to be $14,500 (with the firm belief that we will be eligible for the VCAAP rebate) 

Discussion: Concern for the design meeting RA guidelines and works for residents nearby. After Action: Kristina will find out what the contingencies are for the contract to ensure, should the grant fall through, we can pull out if needed. 

Drainage work by 2231/33

  1. Jose – never heard back after multiple efforts to contact; the board (Cyndi) will likely ask for a 2nd proposal from Juan. The goal is to finalize the bids and make a decision before the end of the year. 
  1. Design updates- No updates beyond D. 
    1. Doors/sidelight
    2. Garbage bin enclosures
    3. Clear stain for decks
    4. Attaching stucco to concrete blocks- Resolved. No more language is included. 
  1. EV/Charging Stations
    1. We have not yet had a second meeting.
    2. Fairfax county update on Charge Up Fairfax program
      1. Concluded their review of applications and engineering site visits will begin in the next month.  Those communities will then hire contractors to complete the installation.
      2. Contingent on budget approval, Charge Up Fairfax will open up to the county in the Fall with the launch of an official program webpage.
      3. Electrical contractors-No recommendations from the county
      4. Jill will work on getting information about Dominion
  1. Concrete/Watchlights
    1. Walkthrough schedule update? 

Cyndi is working to coordinate  with Juan when this can happen. 

  1. 2205 and 2219 watchlight update?

 No issues observed right now. 

  1. Parking/Towing
    • 2217, 2215, 2213, 2211, 2209, 2223 parking space shuffle; a week ahead Kristina would like to have a week of notice on their moves. 
    • Speed bump still needs to be moved to temporary home at top of cluster

After Action: Jade, Joy and Kristina will coordinate to move; Cyndi can help coordinate with her cart 

  1. Registered cars – time for another walkthrough?

After Action: Jade will do walk through the weekend of May 20th 

  1. Self registration form

After Action: Jade will work on a prototype form to share for next month with notes of consideration in the build for the following? 

  • Renter access; can we create roles for the renters to be able to register their own cars?
  • How can we include notification to the board?
  • Highlight that Old Crafts is the approved spot for parking multiple vehicles
  1. Landscaping
    1. Update on:
      1. Mulch delivery for cluster residents

After Action: Joy will send out a note to ask residents to confirm if they’ve picked up mulch and who hasn’t gotten their mulch yet; Kelly asked for the spreadsheet of who got mulch so that she can bill residents 

  1. Stump removal (Chris)

Pending equipment for this 

  1. Individual yard landscaping through Chris?  Still pursuing?

Joy will follow up with Chris 

  1. Issues? No reported issues and homeowners seem to be happy with the mowing; 

Ad-Hoc- Kristina asked if elite could give us at least a days notice on the chemical application so that we can better notify residents 

  1. Reserve Study/Online payments 
    1. Kelly submitted final edits a month ago this week and we’re expecting to hear back this week. 
    2. Updates?

Possibility of online payments for cluster dues

Zelle is free, but Kelly is working to visit in person to help get this set up.Kelly’s goal will be to get this set up for the board to test by 3rd quarter dues. 

After Action: Jade, Sandy and Kristina will help to test Zelle for the cluster when it’s ready. 

  1. Trees
    1. Reston tree experts quote for tree trimming/pruning
      1. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MrMHgNJDmfLWKqFIzJ60IpPqnFpCIffe/view?usp=sharing

Concerns from Reston Tree Experts included: 

  • Trees that are too large for peninsulas
  • Mulch has been over built up around our trees, which can cause the roots to grow up and beyond where they should for health. 

Discussion:

 Should we go with J&L for standard maintenance, rather than having one of these specialized groups do this larger work? Would it be valuable to get a quote from J&L to see where there is overlap? 

Can we get a quote from Kevin at TreeSmith that removes the trees that would normally be covered by J&L for preventative maintenance? 

Board decision: We will have J&L do their normal work and we will contract with Treesmith USA for the corrective pruning, minus the Elm tree removal, for 3200. After Action: Sandy will do the outreach to get this moving.  

  1. Elm tree – problem of the giant tree on the tiny peninsula by 2246
  2. Tree list for summer walkthrough
    1. 2272 Hemlock tree
  1. Newsletter topics
    1. Ad-Hoc Cookout in late June 
    2. Cluster Clean Up results 
  2. Garbage
    1. As long as homeowners are allowed to deposit items in the roll off dumpster, we are no longer eligible for a voucher from the county to deposit garbage at no cost.  This will have to be taken into consideration for future budgeting. 
    2. Issues?-Nothing reported 

Financials

Next meeting:  Tuesday, June 13th

April 2023 Wheelwright Cluster HOA Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

7 pm

Virtual via Zoom

Attendees: 

HOA Board: Joy Charles, Sandy Mohler, Kristina Myers, Cyndi Hartman, Kelly Fairbank

Cluster Residents: Karen Reese (2207), Dan Moran (2271)

Agenda

Community updates

  1. Erosion/Drainage
  • Met with Dan Schwartz from Fairfax County Soil and Water Conservation District about the sloped area behind 2250-2254.
  • He gave us an official site assessment report with his recommendations.
  • Submitted this site report to two companies who had come by already to look at the area and who have experience with the VCAP program. It will be less of a headache to work with companies that already have experience with VCAP. 
  • Coordinate with Erin on DRB application. We can most likely submit to VCAP first and then submit the DRB application to RA. 
  • VCAP should cover 80% of cost up to $7,000. Dan said we have a good shot obtaining the funding for this project. 
  • Cluster Resident Kerry Wingell emailed about the wet flooded area by 2231/33. He’s worried about the water pipe line. Board Decision: We will reach out to Jose about this area to mitigate the drainage issue. 
  1. Design Updates

Doors/sidelight modifications

  • We are still working with RA to get updates approved as it requires submitting a proposal with RA. Sandy thinks it should go through this year.

Garbage bin enclosures 

  • Sandy will reach out to architects on RA to see what we can do to modify current designs. Based on Sandy’s experience, this process of getting modifications determined and approved will still take about 8 months. 
  • There is an issue with not attaching stucco to concrete blocks. 
  • We need to adjust HOA guidelines to include language regarding clear stain for decks. 
  1. EV/Charging Stations
  • First meeting with Jill and Kristina happened on Sun 4/2; Cory was unable to join. 
  • They are working on charter now and looking for feedback from HOA board members on language now. The next step is to submit this to legal review. 
  • Jill agreed to reach out to Dominion to get more information about grants for installing charging stations in our neighborhood and if the utilities in our neighborhood are capable of supporting community EV chargers. 
  • Kristina reached out to Erin, at RA, to get information on where they are with the pilot Charge Up Fairfax program in Reston and also to find out if there is anyone on staff who can give advice on the feasibility of charging stations in communities like ours. She heard back that the process is very slow going, they have not picked their clusters yet and the grants are very small, but we still need additional clarification on what that means. 
  1. Concrete and Neighborhood Lights 

Update

  • Waiting for Juan to respond and we are asking for suggestions from the community on which areas of sidewalk that need repair. 

              Are lights blinking by 2205 and 2219? 

  • Karen R reported this, but said it was a very windy night. Cyndi will keep an eye out to confirm.  Kelly has seen the light by 2219 blinking at times. 
  1. Parking/Towing

Update from Sandy on upper-cluster reshuffle

  • She  has talked with all neighbors involved and has gotten verbal agreements about the reshuffling. 

Parking Spaces to be modified: 

  • 2213, 2217, 2215, 2211, 2209, 2223

Board Vote Required and Results Were: Board voted to reassign spaces 2213,  2217, 2215, 2211, 2209 and 2203 

2272’s personal parking space #25

  • Requested that it be repainted due to the fading paint. People are parking in their parking spot claiming that they didn’t know it was reserved due to this faded paint. 

Cluster Resident Request Review: 

  • Karen R. asked for another speed bump closer to the entry of the cluster as residents and visitors are still speeding into the neighborhood. 

 Board Discussion:                         

 Joy is highly in favor of more speed bumps, while Sandy suggested that we need to get more community buy-in before we purchase another and we’d need to get that at the annual meeting. Until then, Kelly suggested moving the speed bump to the top of the cluster – that was one of the reasons we got the moveable bump.  

Board Decision: 

Board agreed to move the speed bump at the cluster clean up. We’ll assess its position at the new spot with community feedback and will reconsider purchasing another down the line.

  1. Landscaping
  • Wood chips for bus path will be delivered 2 or so days before cleanup. Chris will drop at the entrance to the bus path. Joy will put cones up so there is space to deliver the mulch. 

Mulch for homeowners

  • Home Depot has the highest delivery price but good flexibility on the minimum number of bags. We should also look at Lumber Jake and Virginia Groundcovers. The timing for delivery should be the  week after cluster cleanup around 5/6.   
  • Joy will send price to Kelly and she’ll weigh in on the recommended price/bag for homeowners.  
  • Hopefully we can get a mulch order form on the email so homeowners can have several days.  Deadline will be 4/23.
  • After Action: Email for Cluster Residents regarding hazardous waste pickup.

Stump Removal (Chris) 

  • No date yet as needs equipment, but should be during spring

Individual HomeOwner Yard landscaping through Chris

  • He’ll offer a 2 day window . We need to put out a notice about what services he’ll offer. We will put a note in the newsletter about this. 
  • After Action:  First week in May – Joy will confirm with Chris how this will work. 

Hazardous waste pickup will be on  4/15 between 9am and 10:30. 

7. Reserve Study

  • Kelly submitted an email giving them our final corrections and we’ll wait to hear back about their final study

Reminders:

  • Agreed that parking lot should be done in 2024 the latest due to its deteriorating condition; initial assessment seems to have been done based on standard usage versus our actual usage. 
  • Storm water drainage allowance should be kept in the study – allocating funds to this is more like an insurance policy; backup of storm water can create huge financial burdens such as damage to parking lots and erosion of homeowner land
  1. Trees
  • Homeowner at 2272 was concerned about Hemlock tree to the front of their house. Sandy met with Brian from Reston Trees and Kevin from TreeSmithUSA. Kevin looked at the tree and said it is actually in really good health and could use some nutrients and needs a bit of a topping. 
  • Brian wants to come back and do another walkthrough once the trees have gained full leaf cover in late-Spring/early-Summer. 
  • Kevin and Sandy walked around for a full hour and she had a really good meeting with him and liked his approach to the trees.  Sandy will submit the bids to the board once received.
  • There was concern regarding the elm tree on the peninsula in front of 2248. Both tree companies said it is way too big for the peninsula as it can get up to 100 feet tall. It will likely be more money for the cluster to maintain that tree than to take it down, but no decision has been finalized.

8. Cluster Clean Up Updates and Other Important Dates

  • Saturday, April 15th – hazardous waste pickup.
  • Saturday, April 22nd, Green Drop Donation Van – Cyndi – Cody/Peter to help?
  • Cluster Cleanup and cookout will be Saturday, April 29th
  • Rollaway dumpster – submitted request through Bates delivered Friday 4/28, picked up Monday 5/1, requested voucher through FC

Food for cookout – Kristina

  • Cyndi will update Kristina on what we still have

Materials for projects

  • Sandy will get couple extra bags of mulch for the slope by 2231

Projects for Cluster Clean Up: 

  • Wood chip the bus path and tot lot, as well as small path to compost bin
  • Wood borders around the Little Free Library will require one or two more lengths of boards. We need to get that area trenched. 
  • Kristina will go around the neighborhood with Joy and figure out which plants are aggressive and invasive.  Kristina will put together a pamphlet for cluster clean up. 
  • Spraying weeds island in lower cluster
  • Benches
  • Clear seal stairs
  • Painting trash bin enclosure – oxford brown 

8. Newsletter

  • Hard copy to go out next week but will send an email blast about the hazardous  waste pickup this weekend
  • Important dates

9. Garbage

  • Issues? No discussion and no updates

Ad Hoc Discussion Items: 

  • Joy had suggested sending out a follow-up email about the  recent break-in to reassure residents that those responsible were children, who are now being held accountable for their actions, in coordination with the impacted homeowner and the children’s families. 
  • Dan asked about individual lawn grass maintenance. Is seeding and aeration with weeding treatment a service that is offered in the fall? Yes.

Next meeting:  

Tuesday, May 9th

March 2023 Wheelwright Cluster HOA Board Meeting Minutes

Virtual via Zoom

Attendees: 

  • HOA Board: Kristina Myers, Jade Perez, Kelly Fairbank, Joy Charles, Sandy Mohler, Cindi Hartman-Newland
  • Cluster Residents: Karen Reese (2207)
  1. Erosion/Drainage
  • Jose de la Cruz – waiting for proposal
  • Sunrise – received proposal
  • Additionally, met with Blue Sky Landscaping and Deco Footprint Design|Build
  • Fairfax County Soil and Conservation – offer a grant to HOA communities like ours called Virginia Conservation Assistance Program. Need to meet with Dan Schwartz, soil scientist to issue site evaluation.
  • The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) is an urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives and technical and educational assistance to property owners installing eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Virginia’s participating Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs).
  • These practices can be installed in areas of your yard where problems like erosion, poor drainage, or poor vegetation occur. Qualified sites shall be used for residential, commercial, or recreational purposes with a proposed practice that addresses a need. Up to $7500.
  • Had tree to the rear of 2260 looked at by the contractors who came to look at our areas of concern and they all agreed that the tree looks ok.
  • Sidewalk area in front of 2229 and 2231 – all contractors are issuing proposals for this area as well.

2. EV/Charging Stations

  • Jill Jenkins, Cory Meacham and Kristina will make up the EV charging committee.
  • Is a charter necessary? Board Decision: Yes
  • After Action: Kristina will work to write and get approval for EV Charging Station Charter
  • Will be meeting periodically via Zoom to discuss goals of committee

3. Parking/Towing

  • Parking space shuffle: Thanks again to Sandy who graciously volunteered her time to repaint all of these parking spaces:| 2227 | 2231 | 2221 | 2225 | 2229 | [UNRESERVED]
  • Last meeting’s discussion: Should there be an update to the guidelines recommended at the next annual meeting?
  • The goal would be to update the guidelines to clear up the language on notices and individual homeowner rights to request towing for cars in assigned spots, as well as avoiding a cumbersome process for the HOA board members. We would want to include language on how homeowners should address this in a courteous way. In addition, we should include language on parking during inclement weather (Ex. Reserved Numbers blocked by snow)
  • Board Decision: Hold until annual meeting for official revision of language, which has to be reviewed by legal, but in the meantime, include a note to ask for community input on how to re-write guidelines and to ask for feedback.
  • Kristina passing off of parking list to Jade.

4. Landscaping

  • New contract for 2023 – signed and sent
  • Joy’s meeting with Chris
  • Joy and Sandy will add an item to the Spring Cleaning list to include non-toxic weed killing around Cluster.

5. Reserve Study

  • Agreed that parking lot should be done in 2024 the latest due to its deteriorating condition; initial assessment seems to have been done based on standard usage versus our actual usage.
  • Storm water drainage allowance should be kept in the study; allocating funds to this is more like an insurance policy; backup of storm water can create huge financial burdens such as damage to parking lots and erosion of homeowner land.

6. Cluster Clean Up Notes and Other Important Dates

  • Saturday, April 15th – hazardous waste pickup.
  • Saturday, April 22nd, Green Drop Donation Van – Cyndi will need a helper
  • Cluster Cleanup and cookout will be Saturday, April 29th
  • Rollaway dumpster will need to be scheduled/voucher obtained
  • Food for cookout needs to be ordered.
  • Project and Materials:
  • Wood chips
  • Wood borders around LFL (Little Free Library)
  • Invasives removal
  • Spraying weeds
  • Benches
  • Clear seal stairs
  • Painting trash bin enclosure – oxford brown

7. Newsletter Notes

  • Add note to remind to residents to email board about any landscaping issues.
  • Important dates (Ex. Cluster clean up)
  • Add note to remind residents regarding: Taking trash cans in after pickup/putting out trash late in evening day before or early morning of pick up.

8. Garbage

  • No new issues or discussion

Ad-Hoc Agenda Items

Ad Hoc: Can we post the meeting dates on the website in advance? 

After Action: Jade will post the remainder of the year’s meeting dates posted on the website. (2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. )

February 2023 Wheelwright Cluster HOA Board Meeting Minutes

Virtual via Zoom

Attendees: 

  • HOA Members Board: Kristina Myers, Jade Perez, Kelly Fairbank, Joy Charles, Sandy Mohler, Cindi Hartman-Newland
  • Cluster Residents: Karen Reese (2207)  and Antonella Cordero (2261)
  1. Board responsibilities – assigning tasks for 2022 (leftover from Jan meeting)
  • Landscaping (Chris Hughes)-Joy Charles
  • Garbage Pickup (Theresa Cunningham)- Kristina
  • Parking – Jade
  • Tree Committee Liaison (Mike Pendleton-chair)-Joy Charles
  • Cluster Sign – Joy Charles

2. Reserve Study

  • Kelly and Kristina met with Jim from Mason and Mason on Monday, January 23rd
  • Revised starting number for reserve account and talked about adjusting the amount we currently allocate to the reserve fund every year.
  • Agreed to make adjustments to the reserve study in the final report rather than going back and redoing a draft version.
  • Present members agreed the parking lot should likely be done in 2024 at the latest due to its deteriorating condition; the initial assessment seems to have been done based on standard usage versus our actual usage was the consensus among the present members.
  • Present members agreed that storm water drainage allowance should be kept in the study as allocating funds to this is more like an insurance policy; backup of storm water can create huge financial burdens such as damage to parking lots and erosion of homeowner land and this helps keep the cluster financially secure.

3. Erosion/Drainage

  • Kristina reached out to Jose de la Cruz, who previously worked in Cluster, and Sunrise, who also completed work previously, to see if we can get a couple of bids on Erosion/Drainage work. Sunrise may be available next week and we’ve not heard back from Jose yet.
  • After Action: Kristina will reach out to our current landscaping team as well for another bid.
  • Previously, Kristina met with Fairfax County Soil and Conservation to ask for an erosion consultation and there may be some additional ideas we can put in place to help with erosion from that previous consultation.
  • We will need to taper erosion efforts due to cost.
  • Board Note for Joy: Joy brought up a concern raised regarding erosion that may impact trees behind 2258; Sandy recommended the tree committee take a look to see if something could be done. )
  • After Action: Kristina will look again at the areas near 2250-2256 to see which area needs to be addressed first for erosion.
  • Ad Hoc Issue:
  • Cyndi raised a concern about drainage issues in front of her home (2231) on the way to the Tot Lot. Water doesn’t seem to be draining and is potentially creating hazards during bad weather. Previously Jose recommended a French drain for this that would be on the side of Cyndi’s front yard.
  • After Action: Kristina will look into this with Jose and Sunrise to see what can be done to reroute drainage and see if there is something more that could be done there that would help.

4. EV Charging Stations

  • Homeowner at 2251 has offered to participate in the EV charging working group.
  • Recruit at least one more member.
  • After Action: Kristina will reach out to Jill and Mary, as EV owners, and Mike Pendleton was recommended by Sandy.
  • Next step would be to outline the charter and overall goals for the group.
  • Board Note for Kristina: Kristina will let us know about her communications to the other community members and will share next steps from there.

5. Parking/Towing

  • We have not yet reached out to Legal yet regarding towing, but we have confirmed Roadrunner is on the website as our towing company and we confirmed they are still operating.
  • Discussion of Current Parking Sign and Cluster Parking Guidelines Language (See Referenced Materials)-Should there be an update to the guidelines recommended at the next annual meeting?
  • The goal would be to update the guidelines to clear up the language on notices and individual homeowner rights to request towing for cars in assigned spots, as well as avoiding a cumbersome process for the HOA board members. We would want to include language on how homeowners should address this in a courteous way. In addition, we should include language on parking during inclement weather (Ex. Reserved Numbers blocked by snow)
  • Board Decision: We must be on hold with this until the annual meeting. Per Cluster guidelines, for official revision of language it must be reviewed by legal. In the meantime, let’s ask for community input on how to re-write guidelines and to ask for feedback.
  • After Action: Jade will follow up with the board to ask how best we can request feedback in advance.
  • Reassigning parking spaces
  • Cindi Hartman-Newland (2231) requested a review of her current assigned parking space for possible movement closer to her home.
  • After Action: Kristina will have a conversation with nearby homeowners to see how spaces could be shuffled to accommodate all parties.
  • Reference Materials from Board Meeting
  • Recent photo of current Parking Restriction Sign in Upper-Cluster
  • Current Cluster Guidelines regarding Parking 

6. Landscaping

  • New contract is confirmed for 2023 and Kelly is just waiting on an updated contract to sign.
  • Discussion of recent issues regarding pet waste in the cluster:
  • Should cluster guidelines need to be updated to improve language and designate more dog-appropriate areas?
  • Should we just get more signs to ask for respectful dog-walking habits?
  • Board Decision: We will send out a friendly Neighborhood notice similar to the parking notices recently sent asking residents to ensure they are picking up after their pets and we will revisit Cluster Guidelines to reflect reality and get those voted on at the annual meeting.
  • Ad-Hoc Discussion: Joy and Sandy will add a plan for the spring cleaning to tidy the lower cluster design to manage the amount of mulch, as well as adding 4 season friendly plants, and looking at the grading.
  • After Action: Joy Kristina recommended asking Chris for some intermediary ways to help keep the lower-cluster island tidy.
  • Ad-Hoc Discussion: How can we make sure residents know how to raise Landscaping issues to the board? We’ll remind them to do so via email and we will get those issues brought up to Chris and the landscaping team.
  • After Action: Kristina will include this note in the next newsletter.
  • Ad-Hoc Discussion: Joy and Sandy will add an item to the Spring Cleaning list to include non-toxic weed killing around Cluster.
  • After Action: Joy and Sandy to update Spring Cleaning list

7. Garbage

  • No new issues reported

Housekeeping Items

  • Next meeting date: March 14th
  • Approved Date for Spring Cluster Clean Up: Saturday, April 29th
  • Dates for Cluster Clean Up Items
  • 15th will be goal to have for Hazardous Waste pickup
  • 22nd will be goal for for Donation/Green Drop

Wheelwright Cluster Board Meeting Minutes January 2023

Agenda

  1. Board Decisions on Division of Labor for 2023
    Snow Removal (Mike Peyton)
    -Kelly will keep this for the coming year.
    Landscaping (Chris Hughes)
    -Sandy will keep this and will work on the DRB’s first before she dives into lower cluster redesign; she’s hoping to get others in the cluster included, particularly those who live near lower cluster.
    Garbage Pickup (Theresa Cunningham)
    -Jade or Joy-Decide who might like to pick this up at next meeting
    Concrete (Juan) –
    -Cindy will keep this.
    Dominion (watchlights)
    -Cindy will keep this, but is having trouble with hearing back from Dominion and may need a back up. (Note: Kristina followed up with Dominion on the lights that are out in front of 2220 and 2228; orders were put in and lights seem to be working now. Kristina will be backup in case Cindy needs help calling Dominion; Jade can backup)
    Legal (Chesapeake) – Kristina
    -Kristina holding on this one.
    Parking – keeping an eye on suspicious vehicles, trying to update cluster vehicle list
    -Jade will take this on.
    Tree Committee Liaison – contact with the tree committee (reports on tree trimming/removal updates
    -Jade or Joy can take on being the liaison
    Note: We need to be supportive of this group to ensure this group can move along at a steady pace.
    Community outreach
    -E-news
    -Facebook updates
    -Sign
    -Kristina will continue with this. (After Action: Request for Jade or Joy to help with bringing the sign for the neighborhood; Jade can help if shown where and what to do )
    Erosion
    -Kristina will continue with this.
    Parking Lot Repair/repaving
    -Shelve this one until we meet with Mason & Mason again
    House Exterior Redesign – Sandy
    -Sandy will hold onto this one, especially as we work through DRB’s.

2. Reserve Study
-Updates
Corrected numbers?
Waiting on updated numbers and Kelly is coordinating.
-Do we have a meeting date?
Not yet, TBD.

3. Next newsletter – to go out late this week or early next week
-Results of the annual meeting survey
-Electric vehicles charging stations
-Statistics
-Recruit for EVCS working group


4. Parking
-Reminders: Be a good neighbor and remember that we have limited parking; following the parking rules is a simple way to be respectful and considerate of all Cluster residents. We want to keep this simple and would like to avoid parking passes or towing unnecessarily.
-Park in your reserved space first, additional vehicles can go in any unreserved spot.
-Additional vehicles beyond 2:
-Lower cluster can park 1 or 2 additional vehicles by the Little Free Library, any more need to go on Olde Crafts.
-Upper cluster can park additional vehicles on Olde Crafts.


5. Garbage/recycling
-Reminders:
Include the garbage and recycling pickup schedule as well as yard waste pickup.
Glass cannot be recycled by Bates. Glass either needs to go in regular trash or Purple bins at the South Reston Park and Ride
Recycling cannot be put inside plastic bags and plastic bags need to be recycled at the grocery store.
Bulky, large items that cannot fit in your trash can should be reserved for Thursdays pick up. If you are unsure if your Bulky item (Ex. Mattress) can be picked up, please call Bates in advance to confirm their ability.

6. Design updates
-Stairs are COMPLETED! Huge, huge shout out to Sandy for organizing and constructing these stairs with the help of community members.
-Next design updates on the docket?
Upcoming next is finalizing the door DRB with Reston. Sandy is working to layer our DRB improvement requests to ensure we get all of the smaller (Ex. House Numbers) approvals finished before the larger, more complex redesign of the garbage bin enclosure.

7. Landscaping
-Issues?
No known issues at this time, per Sandy.
-Design plan for lower cluster island?
Sandy is hoping to do this in tandem with some lower cluster residents later this year.

8. Erosion
-Contact a few companies about erosion work behind 2250-2254, possibly 2258-2262
After Action: Kristina will be following up with a few companies to look at this. (Note: She would like to be able to potentially apply for the Fairfax Water Grant to help with this cost, if our grant is accepted. Application due date is around May 15th. )
-EV charging stations
Received legal advice from Chesapeake Law Group
-The important points were:
Right to charge act of 2020 does not mean that Wheelwright cluster has to approve individual chargers for reserved parking spaces since these spaces are not owned by the homeowner but rather the cluster
The articles of incorporation in our bylaws would need to be modified before we could install common use chargers on our common property

Discussion– Any objections to amending our by-laws for this?
Sandy- Until we know specifically what we, as a cluster, know what we want to do with EV charging stations, I think we should hold on amending by-laws.
Cindy-Do we understand what an individual homeowner putting in their own charging station would mean for the community? We should make sure we know how to write that up in the by-laws.
Kristina- Agreed, the by-laws need to be updated, but let’s reach back out to the Chesapeake Law group to be sure we understand how to actually modify our articles of incorporation and what this means long term.
Sandy- Maybe it’s not the worst thing to hear what is happening in other clusters and understand how other clusters are making these changes over time. In order to create more ironclad and intentional rules in our by-laws, maybe we learn from other clusters’ mistakes and hold for now? We have a lot we’re working on now in the cluster and this doesn’t seem to be the most pressing item we’re facing.
Kristina-Agreed, let’s see what happens with the other clusters who go forward.
Sandy-Agreed, let’s see what happens and how the Reston Association is handling this. We can benefit and save some money for our cluster this way.
Cindy-Agreed, let’s enjoy the benefit of the cumulative knowledge that Reston Association is getting on EV Charging Stations as other clusters are working on.
Decision– We will hold on amending by-laws for now while we watch for additional progress on this from Reston Association and other clusters.

9. Treasurer Laptop and QuickBooks Need
-We need to appropriate money for a new Wheelwright Cluster Laptop, at minimum, as the previous one has died, and ideally a new cloud-based Quickbooks annual subscription for treasurer’s use. If we update to the new Quickbooks, Kelly has agreed to transition previous Quickbook information and will manage this transition for the Cluster.

Decision: Board members agreed to move forward with the laptop now and get remaining board member approval on QuickBooks subscription via email before the next board meeting.
After Action: Kelly will order new laptop
After Action: Jade and Joy will provide feedback on Quickbooks Annual Subscription via email.
AdHoc Agenda Item
After Action: Kristina will follow up with our Legal Council and Reston Association to confirm what specifically we need to put on our towing enforcement signs should we need to resume towing regularly.