Community

Sea Links HOA 1st Quarterly Meeting Minutes 1.13.24

Start – 8:00 am 1.13.24

Board Members in Attendance / Quorum Established: Myra Whiting (President), Darrel Hildebrand (Vice President), Donna Chavarro (Secretary), Pat Achey (Treasurer) DIana Fisher (Member at Large)

Proof of Notice of Meeting

• Initial notice of meeting posted on Sea Links website January 6, 2023. 

Board Expectations and Responsibilities:

1. Look over and read the Board of Directors Operating Principles (revised Oct 2016) for next meeting.
2. Be kind. Respectful. Timely. (try to reply to emails within 72 hours)
3. Will discuss at next meeting the management duties by month (from 1999)

Committee Assignment: 

(should send out an email to see if any of the residents would like to serve on one of the three committees)

1. Design / Control: (new roofs, lawnscaping, new paint colors)
   1. Pat – lead, Darrel, Diana
2. Maintenance: (gates, lawns, empty lots, contracts)
   1. Darrel – lead, Pat, Diana
3. Covenants: (appearance of lawns, weeds, need to drive around the neighborhood, any infractions – go as 2 Board Members together)
   1. Pat – lead, Diana, Darrel 

Treasurer Report (Pat) : 

1. CD was renewed at 5 ¼ % for 14 months.
2. Money is coming in as dues are being paid. Notices were sent out in January.
3. Board approved to pay Pat the mileage from St Joseph’s hospital in Bellingham to Sea Links – when he drove here to open the gates due to inclement weather and ice. Paid him from the petty fund a total of $25.46 ( $0.67 / mile) leaving $164.77 in petty cash.

Secretary Report (Donna)

1. Went over the emails received to the SeaLinksBoard@gmail and what to do with them and how to respond to them. Forward to the group those that need to be voted on or discussed at the next meeting.
2. I will have the contact list. Asked where to find an official contact list for Sea Links – will it need to be updated?

Bank Signing:

1. Myra and Donna will need to go to Banner Bank in Blaine to sign as the new Board President and Secretary (they emailed their paperwork to Nancy Stall)

Mailbox and Storage Change 

1. Pat will need to update the names at the storage/mailbox to Myra’s and Donna’s names (and remove Karla’s and Tamara’s namesMyra will check and pick up the mail when she heads home.

Flag Update: 

1. We will continue with the rule that we only fly the US flag in Sea Links. If we open it to other countries – it will be too hard to control or police and that is not our job. 
2. Myra checked with Birch Bay Village on their stand on flying flags.
3. Myra is going to investigate further with Semiahmoo and the new development on H Street in Blaine to see what their positions (policies) are as well.
4. Regarding the flag rule – the attorney sent out the latest legal opinion letter in November.
5. Also discussed fines – past and present with homeowners.

AUD Rental Update:

1. It is out of our hands. It is in our attorney’s hands and they are handling it.

Front Gate Flagpole Light

1. There is a camera on the flag pole – would like to look into putting a new camera with an app for surveillance and security. What would the costs be? 
2. Need to get an electrician out to disconnect the light on the flagpole.
3. Keys to the front and lower gates will be with Darrel and Pat.

Mowing Contract:

1. We use Birch Bay Lawns right now – but the contract is up in March. We need to see what our contract covers right now: $485 / mo. for 12 mos. Coming bi-weekly?
2. We may need to add to the contract – the trees at the front gate – they have a lot of brown on them – they need to be trimmed and the brown cut out.
3. We may need an arborist to come out to check if they have a fungus – and if they all need to be removed.

Design Request – Drainage

1. Discussed Joel’s drainage request. Donna will email him.
2. Darrel will look into the drain cleaning and flushing. $$ We need to pump/clean out our drains in the neighborhood.
3. Need to see where water goes on West GC as there is only 1 drain there.

Quarterly Newsletter:

1. We can add it to the website
2. It can let residents know what was addressed at the meetings
3. It can also be a great reminder for residents

Miscellaneous:

1. Snow plowing:
   1.  need to get some quotes from companies that can come to service Sea Links. They need to be reminded that we have speed bumps also.
   2. Myra had the names of a couple of plow companies that we can check with for quotes
   3. Need to also decide where they can dump the snow…if they do not have a place.
2. We do have some office supplies: stamps, envelopes, etc.
3. Who will have the gate remotes –  they are $50 each. Once a resident returns them – they get their $50 refunded. Need to check with the Accountant. Does the Maintenance Committee take care of them?
4. Reminders – friendly reminders go out this Spring.

Next Meeting:

1. Can we stop entrance gate codes? ALL CABLE van put marks on ground and there was digging at 7929 address 
2. Pat – investigate with Whatcom. He will check on the golf course property – if Whatcom takes off the taxes (it is taxable right now) – basically does not charge us for the property taxes – we could buy and take over that portion of the land. Cannot build on that land as it is an animal sanctuary – mostly wetlands. We could have a community garden? Common area? 
3. Changes to bi-laws and Covenants.
4. Next meeting will be at Myra’s house on Monday March 4th at 5:30 pm.

Close Meeting – Motion to adjourn made by Myra Whiting, 2nd by Pat Achey at 10:30 am

Annual General Meeting for the Sea Links Community 12.16.2023

Call to Order/Roll Call

The Annual General meeting for the Sea Links Community Association was called to order at 9:15am. The meeting was held at North Bay Christ the King Community Church, 4895 Birch Bay Lynden Rd, Blaine, WA 98230. 

Board Members Present: Karla Savage (President), Tamara Addis (Secretary), Pat Achey (Treasurer), and Shannon Dunn (Member at Large). 

Quorum established: 29 in person, 11 proxies = 40 total 

Proof of Notice of Meeting

Initial proof of notice posted on website November 27, 2023. Packets were mailed out November 22, 2023. 

Agenda Approval

Karla Savage (President) makes motion to approve agenda. Motion seconded by Shirley Sell and Pat Achey.

Approve: 28

Review and approval for 2022 Annual General Meeting Minutes

Motion made by Tamara Addis (Secretary) to approve 2022 AGM Meeting minutes; motion was seconded unanimously. 

Presidents Welcome

Karla Savage (President) welcomes all homeowners to the 2023 Annual General Meeting. Thanks them for attending and stresses that the community is in need for volunteers to step up and volunteer for the board. Also gives a slight overview of what it would mean if the association should need to hire a management company. 

Board of Director Reports

Presidents Report

Overview of tasks accomplished in 2023, speed bump painting, front gate side fencing replaced, Reserve Study Completed in February 2023. Continued communications and conversations with RHINO Development, golf course owners regarding use and Mt. Baker Blues Festival that was a success and didn’t negatively impact our community. The importance of volunteering to support our community by serving on the board. And the potential cost of hiring a property management company and what that would mean to homeowner’s dues. 

Treasurers Report

Review of all financial reports for 2022-2023 for both main account and reserve accounts.  Reviewed the projected 2023-2024 Annual Operating budget. Discussed the big boost received from putting our money into larger interest-bearing CD, we earned 4% in 2023. We have the option to roll the money over for another 14 months and ear 5 1/3% interest for 2024-2025 and discussed the penalty should it need to be taken out early. 

Budget Ratification

Pat Achey (Treasurer) made motion to approve the budget, it was approved unanimously. A motion was also made to waive the audit and that was also waived unanimously.

Committee Reports 

Grounds & Maintenance- well maintained by Birch Bay Lawn Care, speed bump painting was completed and are more visible. 

Design Control – had dozens of improvement request from new roofs & fencing to yard and property beautifications. Some tree removal and community care of the drains. 

Election of Directors

We had one homeowner volunteer for a board position prior to the meeting, LaVonne Kranz. However, this homeowner was not in attendance at the meeting. We had 4 homeowners volunteer for the board. We took individual votes, and they were all voted in unanimously. 

They will fill the following positions:

Myra Whiting – Position 2 (two-year term)

Donna Chavarro – Position 4 (two-year term)

Diana Fisher – Position 3 (1 year term)

Darrel Hildebrand – Position 5 (1 year term)

Pat Achey will remain in Position 1 and complete his term in December 2024. 

New Business/Open Forum

Get an electrician out to remove the power from the light pole at the main gate. Concerns of storm drains throughout community, conversations about the size of the drainpipes, if they are large enough and potential solutions to be explored with new board. 

The topic of flags was discussed because there have been a handful of homeowners flying flags other than the US Flag. The verbiage of the Flag Rule under Rules & Regulations was changed by the board for clarification which was their right to do pursuant to RCW 64.38.025(1) it provides in part that except as providing in governing documents, the board of directors shall act in all instances on behalf of the association.  The Amended and Restated Bylaws, at Section 4.4(a), specifies that the Association may, through its Board of Director: “(a) Adopt and Amend the Rules and Regulations (which is where the flag rule is posted) and, subject to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, adopt and amend Bylaws for the Association. 

Thus, per RCW 64.38.025(1) and Section 4.4(a) of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Board has the unilateral authority to act on behalf of the Association in adopting and changing Rules and Regulation. Nothing in the governing documents or the statute provide otherwise. 

This was all clarified by the Sea Links Association Attorney, Greg Thulin. 

This information was read at the meeting for clarification to homeowners who disputed the rule and were fined for flying something other than the American flag. 

The empty lots on East Golf Course Drive are up for auction. 

Adjournment

With no further business to discuss a motion to adjourn, seconded and carried to adjourn the meeting at 10:35am.  

 Annual General Meeting for the Sea Links Community – December 16, 2023 

Where: North Bay Christ the King 
4895 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd, Blaine, WA 98230

Call to Order/Roll Call

The Annual General meeting for the Sea Links Community Association was called to order at 9:15am. The meeting was held at North Bay Christ the King Community Church, 4895 Birch Bay Lynden Rd, Blaine, WA 98230. 

Board Members Present: Karla Savage (President), Tamara Addis (Secretary), Pat Achey (Treasurer), and Shannon Dunn (Member at Large). 

Quorum established: 29 in person, 11 proxies = 40 total 

Proof of Notice of Meeting

Initial proof of notice posted on website November 27, 2023. Packets were mailed out November 22, 2023. 

Agenda Approval

Karla Savage (President) makes motion to approve agenda. Motion seconded by Shirley Sell and Pat Achey.

Approve: 28

Review and approval for 2022 Annual General Meeting Minutes

Motion made by Tamara Addis (Secretary) to approve 2022 AGM Meeting minutes; motion was seconded unanimously. 

Presidents Welcome

Karla Savage (President) welcomes all homeowners to the 2023 Annual General Meeting. Thanks them for attending and stresses that the community is in need for volunteers to step up and volunteer for the board. Also gives a slight overview of what it would mean if the association should need to hire a management company. 

Board of Director Reports

Presidents Report

Overview of tasks accomplished in 2023, speed bump painting, front gate side fencing replaced, Reserve Study Completed in February 2023. Continued communications and conversations with RHINO Development, golf course owners regarding use and Mt. Baker Blues Festival that was a success and didn’t negatively impact our community. The importance of volunteering to support our community by serving on the board. And the potential cost of hiring a property management company and what that would mean to homeowner’s dues. 

Treasurers Report

Review of all financial reports for 2022-2023 for both main account and reserve accounts.  Reviewed the projected 2023-2024 Annual Operating budget. Discussed the big boost received from putting our money into larger interest-bearing CD, we earned 4% in 2023. We have the option to roll the money over for another 14 months and ear 5 1/3% interest for 2024-2025 and discussed the penalty should it need to be taken out early. 

Budget Ratification

Pat Achey (Treasurer) made motion to approve the budget, it was approved unanimously. A motion was also made to wave the audit and that was also waved unanimously.

Committee Reports 

Grounds & Maintenance- well maintained by Birch Bay Lawn Care, speed bump painting was completed and are more visible. 

Design Control – had dozens of improvement request from new roofs & fencing to yard and property beautifications. Some tree removal and community care of the drains. 

Election of Directors

We had one homeowner volunteer for a board position prior to the meeting, LaVonne Kranz. However, this homeowner was not in attendance at the meeting. We had 4 homeowners volunteer for the board. We took individual votes, and they were all voted in unanimously. 

They will fill the following positions:

Myra Whiting – Position 2 (two-year term)

Donna Chavarro – Position 4 (two-year term)

Diana Fisher – Position 3 (1 year term)

Darrel Hildebrand – Position 5 (1 year term)

Pat Achey will remain in Position 1 and complete his term in December 2024. 

New Business/Open Forum

Get an electrician out to remove the power from the light pole at the main gate. Concerns of storm drains throughout community, conversations about the size of the drainpipes, if they are large enough and potential solutions to be explored with new board. 

The topic of flags was discussed because there have been a handful of homeowners flying flags other than the US Flag. The verbiage of the Flag Rule under Rules & Regulations was changed by the board for clarification which was their right to do pursuant to RCW 64.38.025(1) it provides in part that except as providing in governing documents, the board of directors shall act in all instances on behalf of the association.  The Amended and Restated Bylaws, at Section 4.4(a), specifies that the Association may, through its Board of Director: “(a) Adopt and Amend the Rules and Regulations (which is where the flag rule is posted) and, subject to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, adopt and amend Bylaws for the Association. 

Thus, per RCW 64.38.025(1) and Section 4.4(a) of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Board has the unilateral authority to act on behalf of the Association in adopting and changing Rules and Regulation. Nothing in the governing documents or the statute provide otherwise. 

This was all clarified by the Sea Links Association Attorney, Greg Thulin. 

This information was read at the meeting for clarification to homeowners who disputed the rule and were fined for flying something other than the American flag. 

The empty lots on East Golf Course Drive are up for auction. 

Adjournment

With no further business to discuss a motion to adjourn, seconded and carried to adjourn the meeting at 10:35am. 

We are having a Board Meeting to get official approval for the cost to repair the gates. It will be this Monday night, January 29th, 2024 at 6:00 pm at the home of HOA President Myra Whiting, 7961 W Golf Course Dr.

First Quarterly Meeting for the Sea Links Community.

The first Quarterly Board Meeting of 2024 will be on Saturday, January 13th, 2024 at 8:00 am at the home of Myra Whiting, 7961 W Golf Course Dr