October Meeting Minutes

Communication Committee Minutes

October 10th 2013

7:00

Woodland Park Clubhouse

In Attendance: Ellen Crownover, Paul Maleki, Jon Van MeterMeeting called to order at 7:00, We began with a recap of the chairman's meeting with management on September 27th, regarding resident rule violations, including:

1.  Dogs being off leash when outside the home, as residents, and committee members have reported loose dogs challenging leashed dogs out for exercise. Also reported that not all dog owners are cleaning up after their animals as specified in the rules. 
2. Reported drug use in playground areas, was brought to management's attention. Residents are reminded to report serious activity to the authorities to discourage repeat occurrences. This particular incident was handled by a Sun employee who witnessed the incident. Chairman suggested use of Neighborhood Watch signs in playground areas and various other areas of the park.
3. Noise violations are to be reported to the authorities as well, so that management can maintain a proper paper trail of repeated violations by the same residents.
4. Management was informed of other "appearance" issues and is aware of the residence in question.
5. Management was informed of "RV space facility" roofing in need of repair.

Subsequent to discussion of these issues, Paul suggested that the committee contact the MH/OSTA and Activity committees to inquire about participation in the Neighborhood Watch Program, and the possibility of a "window sticker" fund raising effort.

The committee discussed other obvious rule violations to be brought to the attention of management. 

The issue of trees growing over sidewalks and property lines need some definition from management, since the current park rules do not address these specific areas.

We discussed with a resident in the clubhouse, the recent outage of the Spa heating element and the continuing problems with the main gate.

A resident provided the committee with a complaint form regarding the use of "Round Up" weed killer and their dislike of the product. This will be forwarded to management/maintenance for follow up. It was suggested that the resident post a "no spray" sign on their property.

It was agreed to contact management as soon as possible for a follow up meeting and contact the other committees regarding Neighborhood Watch.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm

Jon Van Meter, Chairman 

   

What Does Community Mean to You?

We are interested in finding out what residents want to be, do and have in our community. Please post your ideas and suggestions here where your opinion counts. Thank you. Woodland Park Communications. 

Water Bills

Did Your Water Bill go up this month?

We have heard from multiple residents that their monthly water bills have increased.

The question has been raised about that rate increase. 

Please comment if you have noticed an increase

or

if you have an explanation of the rate increase.

Update 9/10/13
Chairman has determined that the read for August was done late causing the read to be for six weeks usage rather than four. This affected the water and sewer charges. The correction should appear on next month's bill as a lower usage. 

Pool Resurfacing and Gym Equipment

 

Meeting with Manager

April 5th 2013
     The Communication Committee, Jon Van Meter, Paul Maleki and Ellen Crownover met with Lisa Saber, Sun Homes Woodland Park Manager to discuss items from our residents' meeting as well as our letter from March 10th regarding lighting concerns around the park.

     Lisa began by stating that her focus is curb appeal and that notices were sent out in January for corrections that residents need to make on their properties. She said that she tries to take a fair and reasonable approach to the resident situations. The main areas of improvement for this year are the pool resurfacing project, exercise equipment purchase, road repair and striping.

     Committee members raised questions regarding lighting in the basketball hoop area, and the situation that the "children's play area" was being occupied by teens before and after dark discouraging children from playing on the equipment. Lisa acknowledges the situation and is working on programs to engage the youth of the park in constructive activities, to encourage individuals to "make good choices" and suggested that the Activities and Communication Committees do more to involve the younger residents as well, to increase the feeling of community among park residents.

     Paul spoke up as a member of the OSTA Committee and encouraged participation in OSTA and that, by the residents knowing their rights, that management and residents would have clearer knowledge of their respective rights and responsibilities. He also stated that OSTA Statewide encourages cross-chapter communication to better learn what other chapters are doing in similar situations.

     Everyone discussed the points we had covered and compromises of signage in the basketball court area, encouraging people to pick up after their pets, Ellen could report back to management as to results. The lighting project would probably have to wait until next year's budget cycle, tree trimming will be done around some lights that are currently blocked. We discussed the need to update the welcome package for new residents. the Neighborhood Watch Program needs volunteers. We will purchase a Community Resource Guide for the library. (Courtesy of Paul Maleki).

Meeting adjourned at 11:15
Jon Van Meter, Chairman
     

Follow up on Residents' Meeting

Lisa and fellow Communications Committee members:

I just wanted to say that the Residents meeting was a well put together and informational program by all involved. However ,I have some concerns regarding your statements about Woodland Park being family oriented. Lisa your outlined the plans for the future of the park very well in some areas and others I found confusing as it seemed to carry mixed message regarding the parks  young children and teen population.

In one area we have a playground that has lighting, benches, trash receptacle, no pet ordinance sign in place and set hours of operation, which is just awesome for the younger children of the park. But on the other side of that as a resident of the park since 2004, I have seen a  continuing trend of doing for the younger children, who  many are now teens in our park, and nothing  has been put in place for them as they grow out of the activities offered. This is not to say there have not been efforts to try to establish a program, just that the right niche has not been found for said activities.

Having said that I have noticed some lighting issues in our neighborhood that could be contributing to some of the streets and common areas being used by the teens as meeting areas. I live in space 296, just down from a light fixture located between spaces 386 & 387 that is blocked by a tree, when pruned properly would illuminate a trouble spot in our area of the park. The teens all seem to congregate in the street and in the lawn areas of the units at 387 and 291. And at times have caused some distracting behaviors while residents are driving to their homes.

It is my humble opinion, that these could all be taken care of with the tree being pruned properly pruned away from the fixture and notifying the parents regarding safety concerns that have been outlined here.

The other trouble spot is Basket Ball court area and its positives are there is a bench and a receptacle for pet waste there. But no trash receptacle, light fixture and last but not least no signage regarding the hours for use. What I am saying here is that if you do for one area I think it in the best interest of Sun Communities and the Residents that those things be put in place in this area as well .in order to have  available location in the park where the teens feel safe and welcome also.

My third observation is that there no diversity in our committees and the focus seems to be on one set of residents. We have a very diverse make up of residents in  Woodland Park now. I have seen signs in Spanish on the doors for our Hispanic community members but nothing in Spanish as far as the Newsletters. There also ideas that were suggested during  OSTA  chapter meeting regarding Food for Lane County, Meals on Wheels, Aging in Place etc.

These concerns that could easily worked through if basic communication skills were used and channels were opened up between "ALL" the resident committees, office staff and upper management. Thank you one and all  for allowing me this opportunity to voice my concerns regarding these issues. 

Respectfully, Ellen Crownover

March 2013 residents meeting

Woodland Park Communication Committee

March Residents Meeting

Meeting was called to order in the clubhouse at 10 am with nine residents in attendance. We began with introductions of the committee members; Chairman – Jon Van Meter, Vice-Chairman & Secretary, Paul Malecki and Ellen Crownover. Our speakers included Lisa Saber, Park manager and Charlie Ricker OSTA Regional representative.

The Chairman stated that this meeting was in recognition of the twelfth anniversary of the Communication Committee and the purpose of the committee was to establish communication between the residents and management.

Park Manager Lisa Saber spoke for almost an hour, outlining her management approach, always striving to be fair and reasonable. The current projects at the park include; road repair and striping, workout room equipment upgrades of a stationary bike and a new elliptical machine. Questions were raised about the young people in the park and if there were enough equipment for them and the teenagers, Lisa explained about her program to engage and involve the young people of the park in creative activities in an effort to encourage the young people of the park to “make good choices”.  Different ideas were discussed about how to involve the kids and teens of the park.

Lisa stated that the pool monitors make three “park checks” a day and she would work on a method to contact the pool monitors after office hours, when the facilities are open and encouraged residents to identify, report and document any nuisance activity and to call 911 if necessary.

Vice-Chairman Paul Maleki, who also serves on the OSTA Committee, introduced Charlie Ricker who spoke about the OSTA organization. OSTA informs residents of their rights, that residents are stronger together, that we have a good manager and that OSTA encourages cross chapter communication to learn what residents are doing in other parks.

Chairman Jon Van Meter thanked everyone for their participation and thanked the staff members for their good work. Two door prizes were awarded and the meeting was adjourned at noon.

We encourage all residents to participate and communicate with Management and the Communication and Activities committees, and to let your opinions and concerns be heard.

Sincerely,

Jon Van Meter, Chairman WPCC

Wpcc-comittee@hotmail.com

http://wppc2013.blogspot.com/

Originally organized in March of 2000 to communicate with facility managers and residents of Woodland Park. 

We are looking for volunteers interested in working with Park Management and other residents to serve on the residents’ committee to create better communication.

Forms are provided in the Clubhouse Library for any issues you would like assistance with.

If you are interested in being involved and sharing your thoughts and ideas Please contact us at WPCC-Comittee@hotmail.com

First Post

This is the web log for the Community Relations Committee of Woodland Park
The primary goal of the Committee is to improve communications between park management & residents.

We have regularly scheduled meetings either the first or second Thursday evenings in the clubhouse library, and forms are provided there for any resident concerns,
or we can be reached at Wpcc-comittee@hotmail.com