Filed under: Title Issues
I have stated at prior annual Association general membership meetings that the Board has an obligation to update the Association Codes, Covenents and Restrictions when they are effectively altered by Board decisions, and to distribute new CC&R’s to the membership reflecting said changes. Said changes need to be amended to the titles of all property owners. I could be wrong, but I don’t think that simply sending meeting minutes to the membership is sufficient to sustain the viability of the Associations right to govern and/or administer the rules of the CC&R’s. For example, the homeowner that refuses to pay their annual fee may be justified by virtue of the fact that the Board and Association is not following its own rules e.g., the stop signs that were installed at the direction of the Board, then disappeared. If the Board does not replace them OR adopt a resolution that they will not be replaced, the Board is not governing, thus why should anyone pay their dues?
In my case, there is nothing on my title that requires that I pay dues, and the existing CC&R’s have never been recorded. Conversely, the CC&R’s do not reflect the resolution to add my property to the association. If I sell my property, how is the Board going to justify collection of dues from the new owner? I have paid my dues faithfully, but am legally not bound to do so. This should be changed.
I do not know the best way to go about reconciling these discrepencies, but it needs to be addressed. Until it is rectified, I don’t know if anyone is really obligated to pay dues, or if the Assocaiation is justified in collecting them. More importantly, I suspect that the Board’s capacity to govern is diminished in light of its inconsistencies.
Filed under: 256th/52nd Intersection
I just noticed the other day that the stop signs, and posts, have been removed from the intersection at 256th Ave NE and NE 52nd St. These signs were installed with the approval, and at the direction of the Patterson Creek Association Board. It is incumbant upon the board to report the theft to the King County Sheriff and replace the signs. Failure to do so may be perceived as neglect in the event of an injury at the intersection. I don’t know if the Association insurance policy would protect Board Members in that event. This seems like an unecessary risk for the Association and Board members to endure.
Looks like our neighborhood has been subjected to a theft of one of our three stop signs, and likely the most important one. If one of our members took it upon themselves to remove it, they should replace it, no questions asked. I can understand some folks feeling a bit imposed upon when the signs were installed, but I think those are the same folks that didn’t attend the meetings and/or failed to vote when given the opportunity.
It is a sad commentary on the state of our little neighborhood, if not on society, that for some folks the democratic process simply isn’t good enough. They must win every time, regardless of majority welfare or sentiment. Have we become so selfish that the safety of children and pets at a dangerous intersection takes a back seat to a neighbor’s sense of self-righteousness? I sure hope not.
When the sign goes back up we’ll know we’re safe. Until then we’ll have to wonder if someone outside just needed a sign, or someone inside is really that weird.
Filed under: Mailboxes
Over a year ago Bill started a project to obtain free mail boxes from the Post Office. This was authorized by positive vote of the assoc. At that time Postmaster John Snyder from the Post Office, indicated he had put us on a list for free MBs but they where running about 2 years behind for installation. Because everyone was concerned about our mail, it was decided at the annual meeting to have a vote if we wanted to pay for locking MBs which would improve the installation time. The proposition requiring all of us to pay for the locking MBs was overwhelmingly turned town.
Because we did have a previous vote authorizing the installation of the free boxes from the PO we are continuing down that path.
Contact with John from the PO has indicated that we have moved up on the list and FREE locking MBs should be available within a few weeks.
We will be getting a total of 3 standards, two standards with 13 boxes and one with 12. Today we have four MB locations. We have attached a drawing that shows where the Post Office has agreed to locate the new Standards. We have also attached a list of which addresses will be in which standard. It is my hope that this does not cause a hardship for anyone.
If you have comments please call or E-Mail me. Please NO Anonymous postings.
To see the map for the mailbox locations, click here.
To see which mailbox has been assigned to your property, click here.
ned booth
425 241 7400
nabooth@verizon.net
Filed under: Safety
It has been brought to my attention that traffic is getting a little congested around the intersection in the morning when parents are dropping kids off to catch the school bus. A suggestion is that kids be dropped off about 1/2 block South of Union Hill Rd so those that are exiting the neighborhood have a clear view of Union Hill Rd in both directions. Thank you.
This car has been seen attempting land speed records on 256th with a running start from 52nd, never mind the STOP signs. If you are the owner, or you know the owner of this vehicle, it is important to acknowledge the neighborhood speed limit of 25 MPH. Thank you.
I’ve received some impassioned emails over the last few days. I guess I should have expected it. I‘ve posted sort of a general response to those emails.
With all due respect, there is no lawsuit. I believe it to be within the Winter’s right to explore the possibilities of what they may or may not do to insure the safe use of the road. No need for pitchforks and torches 
What they’ve stated should help others understand there is a problem, not inspire anyone to get ready for a fight. If you saw the emails and phone calls I’ve received over the last year it would curl your hair. Believe me, this is nothing.
There is a serious erosion issue that threatens the road at the middle of NE 52nd Pl. There is a clogged culvert. If the road washes out will 60% of the members be affected? Not likely, but I think 100% would be willing to spend association money to help. I’m not an “old timer” here and neither are the Winters or the Mossmans, Venters, Watts, etc. But I think everyone would agree that the road they never drive on should be protected. If that’s the case then why is it that the “old timers” don’t think speeding on 256th is a problem? Because they don’t see it? I sure don’t see that culvert, but I accept the responsibility. Why do I care? Because it’s the right thing to do. It affects my neighbors and they need help with a serious issue. Why is the threat to life and limb from speeders on 256th any different? You’re all my neighbors, and I need your help. Will you help, or will you site the fact that you’ve been here longer, don’t live on 256th, and I should have known before I built my house that the neighborhood really starts at 52nd?
I’ve done what I can to contribute, paid my $2500 and annual dues, etc. Yet I have nothing to document my membership in the association aside from some meeting minutes somewhere. I don’t have an easement for my use of the road. I’ve embraced an association that laughs at my efforts to improve matters, and scoffs at the idea that 256th is dangerous.
I hold that it doesn’t matter if the easement has been in use for 25 years. If someone gets killed on it due to the association’s refusal to ackowledge that there is, and has been, an ongoing problem, who is the victim going to go after? I kind of think the Winter’s might have a greater liability as the owner than the association has as a manager. There are self-professed legal minds here. What do they think? So about the pitchforks and torches, perhaps the Winter’s need to at least assert and document their position in order to protect them from liability.
I have advised the Winter’s that they need to thoroughly research their title, the easements, the legal precedents, etc. I think if we just relax a bit things will work out. As has been pointed out, nothing is supposed to happen without a 60% super-majority.
I am going to play this down as much as I can at the meeting, and just get through it. We’ll get some new officers elected and move on. If someone wants to bring up gates or speedbumps, my personal opinion is that we need to give the signs more time to work. That, and a concerted effort to communicate with one another about the problem speeders. Talk to them and see if they can’t be coerced into changing their ways. But first we need to know who they are.
The “been here for 25 years” thing is getting old. There are new neighbors. The association wants their money but seemingly wants to keep them in a secondary class of homeowners. That way of thinking needs to change.
Filed under: Safety
Here is a link to an introductory letter about CERT, Community Emergency Response Teams. It describes the classes that are given by the Redmond Fire Department in downtown Redmond next to the Post Office. It is 2.5 hours every Wednesday evening over an 8 week period. We are fortunate to have in our midst 2 neighbors that completed this course: Nancy Kaplan and Patty Booth. Credit Patty for sending this to me to post on our site.
Filed under: Gates
The following links will take you to a bid/proposal from Automated Equipment, Inc. for a gate system for our neighborhood:
Drawing (excluding the masonry pillars)
Filed under: Mailboxes
At the suggestion of Julia Acheson, I contacted Scott Bennett from Security Safe and Lock in Bellevue. Scott was good enough to provide 4 different proposals for the replacement of mailboxes. Use the following links to view the actual bids from Scott. I have listed them from least expensive to most expensive. Where I speak of “clusters” it means the CBU official post office type structures you see in The Reserve next door. Please note that 1, 3, and 4 are 2 page documents showing the type of structure on the second page.
It is important that everyone review this carefully as alternatives to waiting for the Postmaster (John Snyder: 206-849-4482) to bless us with a secure sytem. Call him. He’ll be glad to tell you that you should feel blessed that he’s talking to you. Print this out and share it with neighbors. Talk it over and bring your ideas, thoughts and concerns to the upcoming annual meeting. Thank you.
1. 2 clusters [CBU's] of 16 boxes each, all in one location, installed: $4,515.20
3. 4 clusters [CBU's] of 8 boxes each, 4 separate locations, installed: $8,268.80
OR
We can gate the neighborhood for about $20,000 and avoid the mailbox expense altogather, with the added benefit of increasing our property values: EXAMPLE
