Owen Carter

P.O.Box 11494

Zephyr Cove, NV 89448

President’s Letter - Lake Village Homeowners Association

November 23, 2011

Lake Village Homeowners

The Lake Village Homeowners Association Board of Directors held its fourth of six regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings on Saturday November 19. This is an informal update of some of the happenings at the meeting and in our community. You will receive official minutes of the meeting within the next thirty days.

This meeting, like many of our meetings, had a large number of items brought forward from the Architectural Committee (ACC). Fully forty percent of the items presented were from homeowners seeking approval for a change which had already been accomplished (“after the fact approval”). These items frequently present problems and create hard feelings. The C,C, & R’s approved approximately ten years ago determined that only the membership of the Association was authorized to approve colors and materials to be used on structures in Lake Village. The Board of Directors was charged with implementing this directive from the membership, and could approve deviations from or additions to approved colors or materials only when the new proposed item was deemed “similar to” the approved item. The Board also has a fiduciary duty for the protection of the membership to ensure that owner initiated changes are code compliant and meet appropriate safety and insurability standards. In general, this means that changes which are structural in nature, or which involve new plumbing, electrical, or gas service, where Douglas County permits are required, must be completed only after the appropriate regulatory permits or exemptions have been obtained. The Board, ACC, and the requesting owners, generally find it is much easier to deal with these owner requests when the proper approval process is followed prior to accomplishment of the desired changes. The owners present at the Board meeting expressed the strong desire that this requirement be periodically communicated to the membership as a reminder. Please remember that any change to the external appearance of your residence requires an application first be submitted.

Our General Manager reported that KGID has indicated they have completed work on all the follow up repairs needed after their water meter installation project. Art reminded owners that they should check their water lines, particularly where heat tapes have been installed to ensure that everything is operating properly. On another subject, Art advised that the snow melt/storm water conveyance project authorized at the September meeting has been completed under the guidance of Telesto Nevada. Work was accomplished in-house, and completed prior to the mid-October deadline for earth movement in the Tahoe Basin. Hopefully we have eliminated the significant water pooling experienced last spring behind Lake Village Drive and Tahoma Court. Douglas County has also completed the second phase of their storm water drainage improvement on lower Lake Village Drive. We understand that additional work remains to be accomplished in the area of the professional building. Finally, Art provided an update on the initial phase of a project authorized by the Board in September. We contracted with Design Workshop, a local Tahoe firm, to provide us recommendations for a possible re-work of our pool and spa area. They have completed an initial survey, and will likely have ideas to present to the Board and membership at the January meeting.

The Board received and opened bids for the 2012 Painting Program, and the 2012 Seal Coating Program. Staff will analyze the bids, and make recommendations to the Board at the January meeting. An unsolicited services proposal for the 2012 Financial Audit was received from our present audit firm, and after discussion the Board elected to continue that firm as our auditor for 2012.

The Architectural Committee reviewed requests from 13 Owners to upgrade or make changes to their residences. Five of these requests were made “after the fact”. The Board considered and accepted the recommendations of the Architectural Committee.

At his request, Andy Chisari appeared before the Board and made a presentation relating to bringing the sides of the “stilted” Dillingham buildings down to ground level. If accomplished, this action would provide improved fire protection, as well as greater resistance to freezing water pipes. Owners who have attempted to do this in the past have met resistance from the TRPA. Andy would like the Board to authorize him to go before TRPA as a representative of Lake Village Homeowners Association to attempt to get TRPA to agree to a standard which they could approve for bringing the sides of these buildings down to ground level. The Board was generally supportive of Andy’s concept, but indicated they would like him to return in January with the exact presentation he would propose to make to TRPA.

We have had our first snows, and are on the threshold of winter. Heavenly is open, and the first skiers and boarders have arrived. If you have not done so, complete and submit your winterization check-list. If your unit is not occupied, make sure your heat is on and maintained at a level which will prevent pipes freezing. Arrange to have the unit checked periodically. It is in all of our best interests to avoid costly insurance claims.

Lights and decorated trees are beginning to appear, signaling the start of the Holiday Season. Have a Happy and safe Holiday Season, and if you can do so, join us at our next Board Meeting on January 21, 2012 at 9 AM in the Clubhouse.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Owen Carter

P.S. To stay current on weather, roads, and happenings in and around Lake Village, check our web site often ….. www.LakeVillage.com