Oct. 8, 2025 - Meeting Minutes

Board Member Attendance: Terry H, Steve D, Victoria F, John C, Sue G, Terese M | Neighborhood Attendance: Binny H

Meeting: 7 – 8: 15 pm

Meeting Minutes from September were read and approved

AGENDA ITEM 1 – Board Updates

JOHN: He’ll mow the common areas one more time. He mowed a path along the south fence which was appreciated. Again, if neighbors jump in that’s fine but it should not be assumed it will happen.

Next year: We may want a more formal process to ask if neighbors are interested in this work.

VICTORIA: Requested a budget increase for the annual picnic which was approved. The budget for 2026 will be $2K vs $1K. The cost of the 2023 picnic was $1200 and the cost of the 2024 picnic was $1800; the increase was mostly due to food and beverage costs.

AGENDA ITEM 2 - Neighborhood clean-up remaining tasks

There were fewer people to help in the fall than in the spring, which is the same as in past years. Victoria posted a note on the website and the FB page; after the cleanup she posted a thank you note along with a picture of the cleanup crew.

TERRY, ACTION: Brenda requested that a no Trespassing sign be posted on the fence line between The Trails and the new trail that’s on the South side of the neighborhood. Brenda may have some extra signs or Terry will have them made.

The South fences still needs to repaired, and the West end also needs work (about 30 posts). We need to wait until the area is cleared, and it could be a spring project. We would need a skid steer with an auger.

Noted that a creek cleanup is difficult in the fall because of the huge amount of tall grasses.  

STEVE, ACTION: He’s preparing a notice to ask for a volunteer task force to keep the stream clear and accessible as well as improve the aesthetics while still keeping it wild. This work would happen on a more regular basis than just during the spring and fall clean-up times.

AGENDA ITEM 3 - Neighborhood Entrances

The neighborhood entrance project does not include updating the signs at this time.

Steve and Victoria got quotes from two landscapers to freshen up the look and add some dimension with another type of rock as well as a few boulders. Both landscapers quoted a price of around $8-14K.

VICTORIA, ACTION: Will set up in-person meetings with Terry, Steve, Sue, Victoria and the landscapers to get some final ideas and drawings. She will then create and implement a communication plan for the neighborhood.

AGENDA ITEM 4 - Additional Items

Note: The land that’s East of the powerlines and across from the canal by the firehouse is owned by the HOA. We can put in a bridge and note that it’s private property for The Trails. Maybe this information could be added to the spring flyer.

VICTORIA, ACTION: To update the Covenant that mentions the Architectural Control Committee. This committee was heavily used in the past, but we only have occasional requests for major changes that the board can approve.

Discussion of a possible Dec. Holiday Party/Pot Luck.