January 2008 Newsletter
Topics Discussed
Finances
As most of you already know, finances have been the main topic at our committee meetings for months. As a committee we are examining each of Garden Park's expenses individually. We have discovered several things. For the past seven years the monthly cost per unit has been an average of $130. We have lots of bills and have spent hours going through each one and trying to lower each bill. We have been getting new bids for each service and calling on and researching information about our utilities to make sure we have the lowest possible payment for the services we need. By examining our bills we were able to lower our landscaping cost by 35%. We lowered our insurance bill 16%. We are still looking at more of our expenses to lower them also.
After examining our expenses, lowering some, and finding that we are spending more than we are bringing in, we know we are on the right track. All of our efforts are to lower our expenses under our in take so we can avoid raising the fees. I write this knowing what it means. I hate that sentence just as much as you do.
We are focusing our efforts on lowering our bills. We are hoping that this will be enough. The last several committee meetings have been on this subject.
With all the lowered bills we still have more repairs and maintenance that need to be addressed. Some of the maintenance are things like the asphalt; it was neglected for a long time and cost more later to fix than the continual upkeep. Other repairs could be a liability if they are neglected. We are doing our best to fix things and make them work as they are now.
Committees for the Community
We have a lot of things to do as a committee, such as forming smaller committees to help with certain projects. Other areas where we need help:
"Lower our bills committee" - Most of us on the management committee are not available when businesses are open. We need people with available schedules to call and help get bids to help us lower our bills.
"Internet committee" - We are looking for people to help write a short history of Garden Park for the "About Us" page. If you have been a resident for a long time and have pictures or know the history, we would like your help writing the page.
If you are available to help in these areas or others, please contact a committee member and you will be put to good use.
By-Law Committee
As a committee we feel that the bylaws are ready for review, like our expenses. The management committee has already started a committee to help out with this big task. Doris Ellenburg has been asked to head a bylaw revision committee. They will be reviewing and making changes where needed.
Swimming Pool Improvements
Improvements have been made in the pool area, as some of you may have already noticed. This looks great and helps our community look good, it was something that was required. Many parts of our sidewalks are uneven and need to be fixed. Fixing the cement in the pool area is the beginning of our uneven cement repair. In the spring, we will be doing some required repair on the pool tile. We are doing this before major damage occurs to the pool.
Building Representatives
Each building has a building representative. They are volunteers that act as a liaison between their building and the management committee. Some of the ways they help are: Introducing themselves to, and getting information to new residents; reporting any building problems to the committee; helping during an emergency - they can help with gas and water shut-off. Here is a list of building representatives.
BUILDINGS REPRESENTATIVES UNIT#
1 Geneo & Patti Olson 277
2 Will & Melissa Johnston 263
3 & 4 Jennifer Carter 223
5 & 6 Schie Bogar 193
7 Pat Goff 167
8 Reed & Jyll Roberts 155
9 & 10 (needed)
11 & 12 Karma Gean Hyde 178
Linda Russell 170
Myrna Fietkau 184
13 & 14 Keri & Steve Heisa 186
15 & 16 Wally Saling 226
Thelma Baker 230
17 Anna Marie Nilsen 268
18 Steve & Jolynn Hickman 282
Hot Line
Previous Garden Park documents have mentioned a hotline, however it is no longer in service. To replace the hotline, contact Total Property Management at (801) 375-6719 or contact your building representative.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be at 6:30pm on January 9, 2008.