Livingston Trace Subdivision

I found this on the RealManage site.  I’m assuming it’s accurate this time, but who knows?

Updated Budget (PDF)

Monica, the HOA Vice President, has informed me that we have an upcoming townhall meeting. The next townhall meeting will be held July 24th from 10:00-12:00 at the Denham Springs Library.

Edit:  Here’s the agenda that was passed out:

1. Landscaper
   • Progress of finding a new landscaper.
2. Management Company
3. Mo-Dad Smell
   • The company has asked us to let you know to dispose of grease and cleaning wipes in the trash rather than the sewer. We are to report alarm lights immediately. This will greatly improve the sewerage flow and treatment, making less odor.
4. Welcoming and Social Committee
   • Setting a date for the fall Neighborhood Yard Sale.
   • Establish rules for the yard of the season.
5. Open Question Time

Subdivision Information:

• Our subdivision still owes $24,235 in dues as of July 6, 2010.
• If these are not collected all homeowners will have to pay a special assessment.
• A lien will be files on your home if you have no paid your dues, adding around $500 to your bill.

Lights on the fountains:

• None were seen on inspection and there are no records in the database for payment to vendors or invoices for lights.

Trash Removal:

• We were told that all construction debris has been removed.

October Meeting:

• We will be voting on the following items.
  • Add two officers to the HOA board.
  • Change the wording on the length of terms.
  • Add to our bylaws that if a car is blocking a driveway the homeowner may have it towed.

I don’t know how accurate this is, but it’s available on the RealManage site.

2010 HOA Budget – PDF

EDIT: According to the Vice President of the HOA, this budget is inaccurate. She is working to provide me/us with an updated copy, which I will post as soon as I receive. Thanks, Monica.

Attending Directors

• Andre Sylvester – President
• Monica Minton – Vice President

Agenda

• Neighborhood Budget
• Architectural Control Committee
• Welcoming and Social Committee
  • Get to know your neighbor day
  • Neighborhood Yard Sale Day
• Neighborhood Watch
  • Vandalism
  • Vehicles parking on the street
• Landscaping
• Gated Community
• Open Questions

Issues Addressed

• Neighborhood budget
  • Residents do not seem happy that the dues are $360. We did not establish what we would consider a reasonable amount.
  • Most seemed to agree that we should explore new options for our management company to replace RealManage. They seem overly espensive.
  • Pursuing homeowners who are delinquent on their dues is problematic and expensive.
  • Some residents would like to start paying quarterly, but the directors feel that could increase costs.
  • Some residents expressed an interest in having the due date changed from January 1st. They feel that is a bad time as it is right after Christmas and other holidays.
• Architectural Control Committee
  • Several residents expressed an interest in volunteering for this.
• Welcoming and Social Committee
  • Some residents expressed an interest in holding an annual or semi-annual neighborhood party. Cost could be prohibitive, but people were confident that we could pull such a party off with voluntary contributions.
• Neighborhood Watch
  • People are concerned about young vandals.
  • The neighborhood sign has been vandalized twice so far. Funds from the budget are required each time to make repairs.
  • There has apparently been a problem with people swimming in the ponds, and even skinny dipping.
  • We were encouraged to report crimes or suspicious activity to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. We are not in the jurisdiction of the Denham Springs Police Department.
• Landscaping
  • No one seems happy about the landscaping or the high cost associated with it.
  • Residents suggested the the flower beds along Caddo are a waste of money, and often suffer from a lack of upkeep.
  • Residents complained the the ditches behind their houses are not being maintained. The directors informed us that ditch maintenance is not in the landscaping contract.
• Gated Community
  • Some feel that gating the community is a waste of money and does little to increase security.
  • Gating the entrance may make us responsible for our own road maintenance, which would require additional money to be collected from homeowners.