Ask any Raintree resident about our neighborhood and the response is usually favorable. This is sometimes followed by one or more things they would like to see added to our amenities, along with increased attention to maintenance. Many surveys have been taken over the years to gather input from residents, and the boards have responded as well as our budget allows. Items on the list include: boat parking; completing Raintree View, walking trails, and the list goes on. The majority of our dues are used for maintaining what we have. Finding dollars to make capital improvements is difficult and makes for lengthy completion times. Most projects never materialize.
From most any method of comparison, Raintree ranks at or near the bottom in terms of amenities vs size/value of neighborhood in this metropolitan area. It is not imperative that this be our guide as it is our neighborhood and we will do things our way. However, it is very important to those shopping for a home in Raintree. Amenities are a factor in home values and time on the resale market. Amenities are for us to enjoy while we are here.
A committee was formed to explore the option of presenting a capital improvement project, funded by a special assessment, to be voted on at the annual meeting. Our committee reviewed the responses from surveys, board priorities etc. one challenge was which project should we focus on?
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How the Special Assessment works on the ballot.
The first hurdle of a special assessment is reaching the required quorum. We need your VOTE!
Per our By-Laws:
“Section 6. Quorum for any Action Authorized under Sections 2 and 4. At a first meeting called, as provided in Sections 2 (c) and 4 (b) hereof, the presence at the meeting of Members or of proxies entitled to cast sixty per cent (60%) of all votes of each class of membership shall constitute a quorum. If the required quorum is not forthcoming at any meeting, another meeting may be called, subject to the notice requirement set forth in Section 2 and 4, and the required quorum at any such subsequent meeting shall be one-half (1/2) of the required quorum at the preceding meeting. No such subsequent meeting shall be held more than 60 days following the preceding meeting.”
The advantage of adding the Special Assessment question on the electronic ballot is the ease of voting. If we do not reach the required 60% needed, the Board of Directors will have to call another meeting to attempt to reach 30% of quorum as referenced above. If this was to fail again, the next meeting would require 15% of residents of each class voting. This can go on until a manageable number is achieved.
So what does that mean regarding the vote already cast? All votes on proposal 4 are not counted until we reach the quorum required. For or Against votes do not hold any weight unless quorum is met.
When we achieve the required quorum, and votes are counted, then we need 2/3rds of each class (Class A single-family and Class B multi-family/commercial) to vote in the affirmative for the special assessment to pass. If it is voted down, then it concludes the meeting and no special assessment would be levied.
Over the course of the past year, the Special Assessment Committee has met to discuss, and research future amenities requested by our community that would provide the most benefits for enjoyment and increased property values. Going forward with an amount that is affordable, the Board of Directors has elected to place this proposal on the ballot at the 2019 annual meeting:
Shall a special assessment paid over a 3-year period in the amount of $1,500,000 be levied on the residents of RLPOA for the following projects:
Splash Park located at Raintree View
Restrooms and shelter at Raintree View
Walking trail with exercise stations at Raintree View
Boat/trailer parking on Raintree Parkway across from boat ramp
Pavilion at the clubhouse
Examples and information about these projects can be found below:
Splash Park example (no design plan)
THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT WAS PROPOSED AND DID NOT PASS
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Pavilion example (no design plan)
Proposed site for boat parking :
Existing Walking Trails – Green
Proposed Walking Trails – Red