Emerson Master HOA Notes 1/27/14 (and 2014 Calendar)

(Updated Calendar Dates on 6/15/14)

From the Emerson Board Meeting on 1/27/14:

• Removal of walking paths near schools
• Financial issues - HOA debt restructured, reduced
• Significant costs at community events (RSVP no-shows, lack of volunteers)
• Security cameras
• Clubhouse renovation survey results
• Miscellaneous Items
• 2014 Emerson HOA Event Calendar

Details:

1. Removal of walking path near schools
1. The Board voted in November to remove a walking path near the schools because of safety issues
2. Studying removal of second path
2. HOA debt reduced
1. HOA transferred back two stormwater management parcels to Developer (needed in order to develop adjacent commercial lots)
2. In exchange, Developer reduced debt (loan) principal, interest rate, and extended balloon term by 2 years
3. Finance committee meets in Clubhouse
1. March 10 (6:30-7:30 pm) - walkthrough of budget
2. March 31 (6:30-7:30 pm) - consideration of possible changes 
3. Cost of community events
1. No-shows who have RSVPed causes HOA to over-provision food, supplies (e.g., Holiday Open House gifts for kids), and staffing
2. Also, due to lack of volunteers must hire staff
3. Considering ways to reduce these costs
4. Security cameras
1. Cameras being investigated by Safety Committee to deter crime 
2. Also looking to set up new communications channels (e.g., text and Twitter) to help spread info quickly
3. On-site security force has helped
4. Please report any suspicious activity or incidents to police immediately
5. Clubhouse renovation survey - 312 responses
1. Top request is for a gym (74%)
2. Second highest is for fitness/dance classes (68%)
3. Other interests in senior events, movie nights, arts & crafts for kids
4. Many want expansion (larger Clubhouse) but very expensive
5. At very early stage, just surveying possibilities
6. Miscellaneous:
1. HOA in process of getting bids to repair all playgrounds
2. Request to look at fencing stormwater ponds, but not required by County. Very expensive (would require new fees).
3. Wincopia Farms: new tunnel to school would not affect Emerson patterns
4. Delinquency rates of HOA fees are greatly improved
5. New Emerson map completed, copy on display in Clubhouse
6. Howard County Exec Ken Ulman having public feedback sessions for 2015 budget; initial session had requests for bike paths and bike lanes, and specific neighborhood requests
7. Maryland Legislature has two bills in consideration that would make owners versus HOAs responsible for pit bull bites on HOA property
8. Minor repairs approved for pool
9. Looking at whether bylaws allow for electronic voting and proxies - solve quorum problem for HOA Annual Meetings

EMERSON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 2014  CALENDAR OF EVENTS
(as of 6/16/14 - please check Emerson web site for changes)

BOARD MEETINGS

January 27, 2014 – Board Meeting

March 24, 2014 – Board Meeting

May 28, 2014 – (changed because of Memorial
Day- Wednesday)

July 28, 2014 – Board Meeting

September 23, 2014 – Board Meeting

November 24, 2014 – Annual Meeting 

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Safety Committee – January 14^th, April 8^th, July 8^th, October 14^th

Activities Committee – TBD

Nominations Committee – Nov TBD
Finance Committee – March 10^th, March 31^st, April 28^th, June 23^rd, August 25^th, October 27^th

ACTIVITIES/EVENTS

Clean-Up Day – Saturday, April 5, 2014

Egg Hunt Saturday – Saturday, April 19, 2014

Emerson Yard Sale – Saturday, May 3, 2014

Pool/Picnic Party – Saturday, June 14, 2014

Movie Night – Friday, July 18, 2014

National Night Out - Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Movie Night – Friday, August 15, 2014

Children’s Fall Costume Event – Saturday, October 25, 2014 (rain date 10/26)

Holiday Open House – Saturday, December 6, 2014