Spur Ranch Road
Association
Minutes of
Annual Meeting, November 27, 2016
Directors
present: Jim
Garland, Jake Green, Mary
Ann Stickler, Al Webster
Director
absent: Henry
McCormick
The
meeting was called to order by President Jim Garland at 3:15 pm. In addition to
the directors, nine residents attended.
Al
Webster reminded the Members that the purpose of the Spur Ranch Road
Association is to provide a safe and reliable road for various emergency and
service vehicles and for residents’ daily use. Resources are concentrated on
the portion of the road east of the railroad tracks.
Jim
Garland explained that Spur Ranch
Road is a private road with a public easement
which ensures access to all. It is extremely unlikely that the County would
take over road maintenance; the road would first have to be paved to bring it
up to County standards, at a cost of approximately $1 million.
Treasurer
Al Webster then provided an update of current road condtions. In 2016, the
entire road was graded lightly three times. There was also a major grade of the
mile between 285 and the railroad tracks, during which the road surface was
ripped, crowned and rolled. One “Blind Curve” sign was installed.
SRRA
receives in-kind services. Commonweal Conservancy donates water used when the road
is graded. Two residents donate their time and equipment to do light grading of
the washboarding on the portion of the road west of the railroad tracks.
Another resident donates use of his ATV for targeted spraying of Russian
Thistle (tumbleweed). Yet another resident donates his time and equipment for
snowplowing; SRRA pays for his gasoline, Several residents participated in
picking up roadside trash on Earth Day. All of these contributions are deeply
appreciated.
Next,
Jim Garland distributed a 2017 budget
summary [(A) below]. The Board has recommended a proposed budget for 2017 which
raises assessments for the first time since SRRA was formed in 2011 [(B) below]:
(A)
Proposed 2017 Budget (approved by SRRA directors 11-09-16)
|
Snow
Removal
|
500
|
|
Road
Maintenance (3000/ea x4)
|
12000
|
|
Road
Improvements (basecourse)
|
3000
|
|
Emergencies,
Reserve
|
3000
|
|
Administrative,
Insurance
|
1600
|
|
Signage,
Weed Control, Misc
|
300
|
|
Total
|
20,500
|
(B) Proposed 2017 Dues
|
|
2011-16
|
2017
|
|
Residence
E. of RR Tracks
|
200
|
220
|
|
Lot E. of RR Tracks
|
100
|
110
|
|
Residence
W. of RR Tracks
|
275
|
300
|
|
Lot W. of RR Tracks
|
100
|
110
|
After
explanation of the budget summary and a group discussion, Roberta Armstrong
moved that the proposed 2017 budget approved by the SRRA directors be approved.
Daniel Bethune seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously.
Debbie Brient then moved that the dues increase should be
accepted. Vincent Mariano seconded
the motion, which passed unanimously.
The
next order of business was to elect two
board members. There were no nominations from the floor. Two people have
volunteered to serve if elected. Mary Ann Stickler was unanimously
approved to serve a second term. Jacquie
Hollister was unanimously approved for a first term. We are grateful to these
individuals for their willingness to serve. We also want to thank Jake Green,
outgoing board member, for his work.
The
last item was an open discussion of various road issues including the budget
shortfall in Tierra Colinas, and possible ways to increase participation and
revenues. Among other issues discussed were the following:
-Residents
were reminded that the best way to preserve the road is to drive carefully.
Drive no more than 30 mph. Please remember that the clouds of dust produced by
speeders are really our road surface blowing away in the wind, which increases
washboarding and results in greater maintenance expenses. It’s dangerous to speed over washboards
because the faster one drives, the less contact tires have with the road
surface. It’s a lot like driving on ice.
-Avoid
driving down the center of the road because doing so quickly degrades the
crown. If the crown is lost, water will pool on the road instead of draining
off, creating potholes.
-Delivery
and construction vehicles are a particular concern because their size and
weight damage the road more than passenger cars.
-It
is important to observe the stop signs at the railroad track. Although no
trains currently use the tracks, many walkers and cyclists use the rail trail,
and we want to keep them safe.
There
being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully
submitted,
Carole Garland
Secretary
