Issue #10 May 2008

EAGLE RANCH MESSENGER

Eagle Ranch Property Owners Association

5000 Nolan Road., Box A-11

Pueblo, CO 81004

May 2008 —Issue 10

The Official Newsletter of the Eagle Ranch Property Owners Association

A Covenant Controlled Community

Dear Eagle Ranch Property Owners:

In accordance with our by-laws, this newsletter is the official notification of our annual meeting and picnic to be held on Saturday, June 14, 2008.The meeting will be held in the Scriven’s big red barn located at 4723 Burnt Mill Road. The meeting will begin at 11:00 AM sharp. It is recommended that you arrive in sufficient time to sign the register. Registration starts at 10:30.

The following should be noted:

1. Only members in good standing with the POA will be allowed to vote. All dues must be paid up to date. Delinquent payments will be accepted at the meeting via cash or cashier’s check.

2. The meeting will follow a strict agenda. Only the subjects that are listed will be discussed. If you have an item or question you feel should be included, it must be sent to the board in writing by June 1st. It will be reviewed by the board and either answered individually or added to the agenda. (Note: Space provided on ballot)

3. All proxies must be registered with the secretary prior to the start of the meeting.

Proxy votes should be considered very carefully. If you would like the board to represent your vote, please sign the appropriate statement. If you would prefer someone else to represent your proxy, please sign that statement and furnish his or her name and address. Whether you plan to attend or not, please return the form with your correct address and phone number so that we can maintain our mailing list. Mail all responses to Eagle Ranch Property Owners Association in the self-addressed envelope provided for your convenience.

PICNIC: The picnic will be held from 1PM to 4PM. Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert of your choice. The P.O.A will supply bottled water, hamburgers and hot dogs, buns and condiments. Please bring your own beverage. Tables and chairs are being rented and a porta-potty will be available.

Please use the enclosed form for proposed budget approval, RSVP and/or proxies. Be sure to indicate the number attending so that we can plan accordingly.

ELECTION:

Since this is a term expiration year, all five positions will be open. You will be provided with a paper ballot which will state the name of the current Board Members running for reelection and blank lines to record any floor nominations. All current board members are residents on Eagle Ranch. It is highly desirable that board members live in the Pueblo area. Therefore, we appeal especially to local property owners, who are interested in becoming a board member. If you would like to be considered for a role on the board, please indicate on the form attached. Please keep in mind, in accordance to the By-laws (Article 5, Section 2), members are only voting for members of the board, not offices. At the conclusion of the annual meeting, the new board members will decide who will hold each respective office.

Ken Simpson

President ERPOA

Presidents Message – by Ken Simpson

Forgive me if I editorialize.

Elsewhere in this newsletter is a frank discussion of the resources necessary to address problems – current and potential – in our road and bridge systems. These problems are not going away and to continue them or effect nickel and dime / quick fix solutions only serve to delay the inevitable, and at a cost. Meanwhile, the problems become larger and no doubt, more expensive. All this is to say that we pay now or really pay later.

Part of my “job” as a Board member is to promote financial stability. To achieve such we need to start now by recognizing the issues we have laid out and providing resources to resolve them on a timely basis. We, in my opinion, cannot do this at our current Common Assessment level. (I have belonged to, or am personally aware of, seven other property owner associations; the average of their common Assessment is $270 – and they don’t have bridges to contend with.)

In 2006 the Board proposed an increase to $250.00 from $200.00 in the Common Assessment. This proposal failed. Please give the current proposal serious thought. As for me, I’ll continue to put a dollar a day in my assessment fee bank.

Table Tennis Players

A couple of Ranch residents are avid table tennis (a.k.a. Ping Pong) players. They are interested in organizing a friendly competition among Ranch residents. If interested, please contact Tom Ossner at 676-3117.

Message from the Board of Directors

The spring of 2006 and 2007 newsletters went into some detail concerning projected extraordinary road expense. With regard to the proposed budget, it appears timely to now revisit and/or update the critical items, which follow:

1. The depth (1” to 2”) of road surface (it is not true road base) on Madison, Abbey, Jessie and a portion of Shadow Lane is woefully inadequate for anticipated residential and construction traffic. At today’s prices, the total cost of materials, delivery and grading is estimated at $29,000.00. (The closest gravel pit where we obtained the material in the past has shut down. This has substantially affected the cost of materials and delivery.) There are currently no existing homes or homes in-process or traffic on these roads, so it would appear prudent to address this situation before there is, otherwise we may be put in the position of replacing those roads at more substantial cost.

2. The road base on the Reba Court Bridge was replaced. Also, road base was applied west of the bridge. (As in 1 above, the original surface could not be considered road base.) The total cost was $3,860.00.

3. The budgeted amount for general spot application of additional road base to replace that normally lost should be at least doubled to $6,000.

4. The Contingency Reserve should include provision for bridge maintenance and repair.

5. We have a serious erosion problem under the bridge on Reba Court that needs to be repaired now. A preliminary estimate of the cost is $2,500.00.

6. The bridges on Nolan Road and Kaitlyn Drive need some repair. These bridges consist of railroad cars placed on top of concrete supports. They do have a shelf life and at some point major modification will need to be made to these structures to reduce the possibility of a catastrophic failure. The stability of the three bridges has recently been examined by an engineer. The Board is awaiting the associated report.

7. From 2001 to date we have incurred expense of approximately $18,000.00 in unanticipated road repair. This, obviously, has had an adverse effect on our contingency reserve.

With regard to the roads and bridges – and we are the only association in this area that has bridges to maintain – a Contingency Reserve of at least $60,000.00 would appear realistic at this time to address a worst case scenario. (For example, in the case of major bridge modification or failure, we are looking at a sizeable expense. As a point of illustration, we have been told that it cost between $30,000.00 and $40,000.00 per bridge when originally constructed by Red Creek Ranch about ten years ago.)

Message from the Board of Directors - Continued

As indicated, Items 1 and 5 above require prompt attention. But, at this time, we do not have sufficient Contingency Reserve to fully implement this year. Considering all of the above the Board of Director’s, in consensus, are taking the following actions:

• Barring any near-term significant bridge expense, the Shadow Lane road complex project will be addressed in two phases. Phase One will be put to bid and completed this year at an estimated minimal cost of $16,000.00. Phase Two will be completed during 2009 at an estimated minimal cost of $13,000.00.

• In order to cover the expenses noted above and make sufficient contribution to the Contingency Reserve to provide for future unanticipated expenses Special Assessments (as provided for in Section 8.8 of the Covenants) will be levied as follows:

 For the current year (2008): $100.00 to be billed on or about July 1, 2008 and due on or before November 1, 2008.

 For years 2009 and 2010: $100.00 if increase in common assessment included in the 2009 proposed budget is approved, or $200.00 if the budget is not approved.

These Special Assessments will be in addition to the Common Assessment.

• Propose an increase in the Common Assessment to $300.00. This will allow a more realistic addition to the Contingency Reserve on a continuing basis. It is also noted that the current common assessment ($200.00) is barely adequate to address our normal recurring expenses.

Provided the proposed budget is approved, and no material unexpected expenses incurred, and no delinquency, these actions should allow for an estimated Contingency Reserve Balance, as follows:

At 12/31/2008 $16,000.00

At 12/31/2009 $25,000.00

At 12/31/2010 $46,000.00

Please be aware that under current Colorado statute, the total of the Common Assessment and Special Assessment cannot exceed $400.00 in any budget year. We note that the combined special and common assessments are about $1.00 a day and that dollar should be considered well spent considering the investment you have at Eagle Ranch.

We ask that you provide the needed resources on a current and ongoing basis by approving the proposed $300.00 common assessment and related budget.

Proposed Budget 2009

Eagle Ranch Property Owners Association

January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009

INCOME

Projected Annual Special & Common Assessments 2009 * 42,800

Interest - Contingency Reserve Savings Account 800

Newsletter Advertisements 150

Total Income $43,750

EXPENSES

Road Maintenance

Add additional road base - Madison Lane and .2 miles of Shadow Lane 13,000

Routine Grading 13,500

Spraying 1,100

Snow Removal 1,500

Road Base for Spot Repair 4,000

Total Road Maintenance 33,100

Administration 900

Newsletters 400

Insurance 1,000

Total Expenses 35,400

Addition to Contingency Reserve 8,350

Total Expenses and Contingency Reserve $43,750

* Does not include $3,850.00 in unpaid Common Assessments and delinquency fees from

2007 and 2008, as of April 21, 2008.

The 2009 proposed budget is based upon an increase in the common assessment to $300.00 per parcel. This increase requires the approval of 62% of those submitting a ballot.

Eagle Ranch P.O.A. 2007 Financial Report

1-1-07 - 12-31-07 by Cathi Scriven, Treasurer

Income

Dues and fees: $22,109.58

2005 Dues collected (none still outstanding) $36.58

2006 Dues collected (none still outstanding) $450.00

2007 Dues collected (2 lots still outstanding) $20,850.00

2008 Dues collected $200.00

Late fees collected (2005, 2006, and 2007) $490.00

Lien fees collected (2005, 2006 and 2007) $83.00

Bank Interest $555.45

Savings $107.73

CD $447.72

Newsletter Ads $230.00 $230.00

Total income $22,895.03

Expenses

Roads $20,396.30

Grading and repair $13,751.30

Snow removal $1,430.00

Weed control $1,355.00

Reba Ct. repair $3,860.00

Association $1,675.03

Expenses Bank fee - returned check $4.00

Newsletters-printing and postage $280.57

Treasurer - postage, envelopes $107.03

Annual meeting $282.50

Website domain name registration $15.68

Website upgrade $300.00

Liability insurance (includes $13.75 refund) $611.25

IRS taxes on 2006 savings interest $17.00

Lien and R.O.L.filing fees $57.00

Total expenses $22,071.33

Net gain for 2007 $823.70

Bank Balances

1/1/2007

Checking $1,758.79

Savings $22,975.21

Total $24,734.00

12/31/2007 Checking $2,462.13

Savings $10,647.85

CD $12,447.72

Total $25,557.70

Net gain for 2007 $823.70

ERPOA Treasurer’s Report

March 31, 2008

Cathi Scriven, Treasurer

Beginning Balance Dec. 17, 2007

US Bank CD $12,447.72

Pueblo Bank & Trust

Checking 3,199.24

Savings 10,636.53

Total $ 26,283.49

Income: Dec. 17, 2007 - Mar. 31, 2008

PB & T Savings interest $ 31.34

2008 ERPOA Dues and late fees * 17,525.00

Newsletter Ads 30.00

Total income $ 17,586.34

Expenses:

Roads

Snow removal (3) $ 1125.00

Newsletter & postage 206.25

CO Association registration 10.00

Website Upgrade 300.00

Website domain name registration 15.00

Treasurer – dues postage, envelopes, 500 “forever” stamps 261.11

Pueblo County Clerk – R.O.L. 6.00

IRS tax on 2007 bank interest 134.00

Total expenses paid $ 2057.36

Ending Balance March 31, 2008

US Bank CD $ 12,447.72

PB & T Checking 7,356.88

PB & T Savings 22,007.87

Total $ 41,812.47

$26,283.49 + $17,586.34 - $2057.36 = $ 41,812.47

* 93 lots have paid 2008 dues. Five checks (dues and late fees = $1125.00) have been received since March 31, and are not counted in the above income figures. One early payment was included in the December Treasurer’s report. 14 lots have not paid ($2800 dues payable plus late fees, and lien fees if necessary). Also, 2 lots still owe dues, late fees and lien fees for 2007.

Eagle Ranch Directory of Owners / Residents

As previously noted, it has been requested that we prepare a directory of property owners, so that current residents can properly direct deliveries or visitors to the correct location. Some have also indicated that they would like to know who owns their neighboring lots.

The record of lot ownership is a matter of public record with the Pueblo County Clerk. Phone numbers are not always known if not published in the Rye Telephone directory, but are always appreciated when provided with your correspondence.

We want to respect your privacy. Please indicate your approval to have contact information included in a directory, by circling YES on your ballot response.

Note: This directory is intended for the sole use of residents and will not be sold or used for solicitations of non ERPOA business.

House Numbers

Post your house number so that it is visible from the road. A missing or badly displayed number hinders the police, ambulance, and fire department in the event of an emergency.

Please ask your contractors to respect the 25 mph speed limit.

If you have an inquiry concerning activity at Eagle Ranch, please contact any member of the Board of Directors, or through The Eagle Ranch Property Owners Association Website at: http://erhoa.org.

Board of Directors

Correspondence to board members, annual dues payments and change of address notices should be addressed to:

Eagle Ranch POA Ken Simpson, President

5000 Nolan Road, Box A-11 719-676-2964 or pres@erhoa.org

Pueblo, CO 81004

Tom Ossner, Vice President Theresa Ager, Secretary

719-568-3107 or vp@erhoa.org 719-676-4044 or secretary@erhoa.org

Cathi Scriven, Treasurer Nicole Swartwood, Member-at-Large

719-676-3199 or cathi@erhoa.org 719-676-2583 or mal@erhoa.org

Newsletter Editor: Debby Graham

719-676-2964 or news@erhoa.org

PAID ADVERTISEMENTS

Sedona Fine Homebuilders Sedonahomespueblo.com

Tim Hill

(719) 542-3591

Paid advertisements accepted to offset the cost of newsletter production and should not be construed as endorsements. The mention of a product or service herein is solely for information to our readers.

ADVERTISMENTS: The Board of Director’s approved the use of Business card size advertisements, in order to supplement the cost of publication of this newsletter. A business card size ad will be $15 per issue or $40 per year (3 issues). Please have any interested business contact the Newsletter Editor, Debby Graham at (719) 676-2964 or news@erhoa.org.

Profile of known Candidates:

To help you get to know those running for the Eagle Ranch Board of Directors, we will provide a brief profile of the known candidates. Hopefully this will make you feel more comfortable when making your vote decision and when bringing concerns, or compliments, to their attention.

Profile of Horst Armbrust:

Horst came to the United States from Germany in 1955 as 12-year old, learning English on the streets of New York City while playing stickball. He started his career in 1963, working for IBM in data processing. He joined the Air Force in 1964, and spent his four years of military service working in hospitals, including one year in Vietnam. After he completed his military service, Horst returned to IBM. When he and his wife Betty were ready to start their family, they moved from the Bronx to a suburb of Detroit, where Betty had grown up, accepting a transfer with IBM. When IBM moved their programming operations out of Detroit, Horst decided to stay; working with computers for a local bank, then 17 years at Kmart Headquarters, then EDS and finally working as a contractor programmer/analyst for Chrysler.

Horst and Betty have a son in California, a daughter in Michigan and a daughter close-by in Colorado Springs. Horst retired the first of the year and was able to become a full time resident on Eagle Ranch. Betty is in Michigan finishing her final year of teaching. Once their personal business there is concluded, she is looking forward to joining Horst in retirement at Eagle Ranch. Horst is a ranked table tennis player, having played weekly with the German/American Club near Troy, MI since 1974 and with a group of co-workers during lunch breaks, during his eight years at Chrysler. He has not found a club here in Pueblo, but would like to establish a table tennis group here at Eagle Ranch.

Profile of Alan Lucas:

Alan and his wife Andrae were early residents here at Eagle Ranch. They have a daughter in first grade and a son in pre-school. Alan built their home on Reba Court, which he says is still a work-in-progress. He is a local contractor, familiar with the trades. Alan is interested in sharing ideas and working with people here at Eagle Ranch.

Profile of Tom Ossner:

Tom was elected to the ERPOA Board of Directors in 2006 and has served as Vice President for his term, which includes road responsibility. Tom and his wife Charlotte moved to Eagle Ranch in the fall of 2007. They were very involved in the construction of their home and Tom frequently worked along side his contractors. Tom is a sheet metal journeyman by trade and also has an avid interest in gardening and landscaping. He has built decks and koi ponds when living in New Jersey and North Carolina. Tom is currently taking blacksmithing classes and plans to make some ornamental iron pieces for their own use.

Profile of Cathi Scriven:

Cathi was elected to the ERPOA Board of Directors in 2004 and again in 2006 and has served as treasurer for those two terms. She has done a commendable job following for dues assessments and maintaining records of ownership changes. She also works with her son to maintain our POA website (http://erhoa.org) and keep relevant information posted. Cathi retired in 2003 after 22 years as a Faculty Assistant with the Thompson Public Schools in Loveland. She and her husband Ed moved to Pueblo in the spring of 2004. Cathi and Ed have a son in Colorado, a son with three grandsons in Nevada, and a daughter in Wyoming.

If you have visited Eagle Ranch, you may recall their big Red Barn, which has become somewhat of a local landmark when giving directions in this area. (The annual meeting is being held in their barn again this year.) They now have horses grazing and enjoy take trail rides with friends.

After being very involved in the construction of their log home, Cathi suggests that you check with the county inspectors prior to completing work yourself. She and Ed found the various Pueblo County departments to be very cooperative in providing information about current building code requirements.

Profile of Kenneth Simpson:

Ken Simpson was elected to the ERPOA Board of Directors in 2004 and again in 2006 and has served as president for those two terms. Ken and his wife Debby moved to Eagle Ranch April 1, 2004. Ken has five daughters, one son and three grandchildren. The kids and grandkids are scattered across the country in New Jersey, Tennessee, Michigan and Colorado.

Ken retired from General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) in 1994, after 34 years of service. He started with GMAC in Baltimore, MD, with much of his time spent working in the corporate office Comptroller’s Staff in New York City and Detroit, Michigan. He traveled from 1988 until retirement in the “Wild West” as a Regional Audit Manager.

Ken has always been an avid hunter and fisherman with a love for the great outdoors. He especially enjoys viewing area wildlife throughout the year here at Eagle Ranch. Ken and Debby’s house is located on Kaitlyn Drive, just three miles west of I-25.

Want to contribute an article to the newsletter? Please email your suggestions to news@erhoa.org

Eagle Ranch Property Owners Association

5000 Nolan Drive Box A-11 Pueblo, CO 81004

A Covenant Restricted Community

www.erhoa.org

Ballot and RSVP

READ FIRST

SIGNATURE REQUIRED:

PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHOICES, SIGN AND RETURN by June 1, 2008

_______ I will attend the June 14, 2008 annual meeting

Number of Adults________________

Number of Children________________

________ I will NOT attend OR

_______ I will NOT attend and DO hereby give my proxy to the President of the Eagle Ranch Property Owner’s Association

________ I will NOT attend and do hereby give my proxy to:

Name: ________________________________

Address: _______________________________

________________________________

_____________________________________

I approve the 2009 budget with the annual assessment at $300.

________Yes _____No

(Requires approval of 62% of those submitting a ballot.)

Additional comments or items for consideration:

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________________

Your PRINTED Name: _______________________________________________________

Phone: (_____) ________-__________

E-Mail ___________________________________________

Eagle Ranch Directory of Owners: (Please circle one)

YES or DO NOT include my information in the directory.