Author: Washington Square

Response to Dianne Kostur

The budget sent out with the assessment is the proposed budget for 2020.  This budget was adopted by the 2019 board for presentation at the annual meeting and for use by the new Board.  All financial statements (balance sheets, budget expenditures against budget, etc. are posted on this web or you can get them from our HOA treasurer MacKenzie Hart.  All HOA homeowners are more than welcome to attend any board meeting where the latest budget reports are presented.

As to the dead trees:  The City of Tigard (COT) has clear ordinances about what must me done about hazardous trees before they are taking down and after.  Clean Water Services (CWS) enters the picture when the trees are on property falling inside the defined area of Ash Creek.  I published, on this web site, a clear statement of who is financially and legally responsible for trees within Washington Square Estates.  I can share those rules, ordinances, guidelines and requirements with anyone who wished to see them.  To reiterate in answer to Dianne:  there are presently two hazardous dead trees the Board is looking at for removal.  They are clearly in the CWS area.  It is not decisively clear whether they are on the property of lot #43 or in HOA “common area”.  Once their placement is definitively clear (soon), the Board will act as is appropriate.  If they are within lot #43 boundaries, the home owner of that owns taking those trees down, legally and financially.  If they are on HOA common property, WSEHOA is responsible for them.  These expenses are in the approved budget the Board works within.  The policy re tree removal has been adopted by the Board and was published on this web-site recently.

I assure everyone that this present Board is exercising all due caution, fiduciary responsibility, and legal action re the budget in general and re the trees in particular.  If anyone has questions or concerns, please contact one of us WSEHOA Inc. Board members:  Marilyn Wieneke-Chair, Joan Morley–Secretary, MacKenzie Hart–Treasurer, or me.

Thank you,

Terry Crawford

Vice-Chair

 

 

Questions for the WSE HOA, Inc. Board

While reading the letter and budget sent out I am confused.  I understand that it is the proposed budget but I would like to see a balance statement also.  How was the money spent this year, on what and is there any carry over money.

The proxy vote does not have a place for the date and does not state what exactly you are providing your vote to cover.  If you send it in, I think that you need to state on it what you want it to cover.

It has been brought to my attention that there is a possibility that there are trees on individual owned land that may be considered to be taken down by the board.  This is not okay with me.  I am aware of several trees on community property that should be removed that are dead and could fall on homes in the immediate area.  Please clarify this item.

I also have a question on the request for payment.  It does not indicate that I  am current with the dues.  Was my check not processed?  I never received a second notice.  I am just asking.

Thanks for listening to my concerns,   Dianne Kostur.

 

 

Tree Removal

The responsibility for tree removal within Washington Square Estates is dependent on the location of the tree(s) in question.  The process and responsibilities are as follows:

1. “Street Trees” are tree located from the curb to the property line of the individual property are (“public right of way”).  To remove these trees requires a permit from the City of Tigard and replacement by a tree(s) allowed by the City of Tigard (see Tigard ordinance 18.03.s.).  The expense of the tree(s) removal, disposal, and tree(s) replacement are at the cost of the homeowner whose property abuts this right of way.

2.  Tree on the property of the homeowner are the sole responsibility of the homeowner.  A City of Tigard permit is required to remove such trees.  The individual homeowner is responsible for all costs for permits, removal and disposal.

3.  Trees that are in the Washington Square Estates “common areas” are the responsibility of the Homeowner’s Association.  The HOA is responsible for obtaining Tigard City permits, removal and disposal of these trees.  These costs will be paid from the HOA funds as funds are available and as approved by the Board.

4.  All removals must meet the requirements of the Tigard City ordinances applicable.

5.  All trees in the Ash Creek Clean Water Services area (50 feet on either side of Ash Creek) require a City of Tigard permit and Clean Water Services approval.  Clean Water services does not allow removal of downed trees; they are considered habitat.  Contact Clean Water Services for all requirements and approvals.

Reference:  Tigard City ordinance 18.03.s. and City of Tigard Urban Forestry Manual, May 2019.

 

 

 

CCR and By-law Enforcement Procedures

This policy was approved by the 2018 Board of Directors.  Reference:  NWHOA Lawcenter “The Official HOA Handbook”, and relevant Tigard City ordinances.

The steps for dealing with violations of the CCR’s and/or By-laws are as follows:

  1.  Homeowners in Washington Square Estates are first urged to deal with violations on a neighbor to neighbor basis to seek resolution.  The goal is to resolve any issues amicably at this level.  We ask that the parties involved address specific points in the CCR’s or by-laws when working for resolution in a timely manner.
  2. If the infraction is not resolvable at the neighbor to neighbor level, the complaining party should then bring the issue, in writing, to the Washington Square Estates Board.  The Board will then contact the neighbor in violation, in writing, asking for resolution of the issue within 30 days.
  3. If the violations is still unresolved, the Board will contact the City of Tigard, citing the specific Tigard ordinance applicable, seeking the City’s action for achieving resolution.

Submitted by Terry Crawford, Vice-chair of the Board and legal committee chair.

Speeding follow up with COT

I did a follow up with the City of Tigard re the continuing speeding problem in the neighborhood.  I greatly appreciate the support of Christie at the COT for her sharing of information and support.  The latest is this:

  1.  there is no specification for speed humps with the COT.  They contract out the installation and the contractor builds to their spec.  The COT then inspects the final work for approval.
  2. The COT is working on a better solution to “calm” traffic than humps.  They don’t work, as the continuing issue in our neighborhood attests.
  3. In survey after survey, people don’t like them (they don’t like speed limits, not using cell phones while driving, etc.) and are greater in number than those who do.  Thus, COT isn’t installing them anymore (our personal inconvenience overrides the safety issue).
  4. Emergency vehicle people (ambulances, fire trucks) don’t like them even with the spacing for their vehicle wheelbase in them.  The spaces force them out into the center of the road and when other vehicles don’t pull over or vehicles parked in the street impinge, they can’t get through at the speeds they need to.
  5. Drivers speed with speed humps in place.  They speed up to the hump, slow down to go over it, and then immediately speed up again (studies show they go faster after the hump than before!).
  6. COT will  schedule us in for the cart display that shows speeds.  This is put in place on a priority basis to COT will look at our speed study and schedule us in as is appropriate.  This cart just shows speed; it doesn’t show a count like the original study did.

The take away from all this is that we still have a speeding problem in Washington Square Estates despite the speed humps, that problem will only be resolved by each of us as neighbors.  We need to ask and answer this question of ourselves:  do I care more about me and my need to speed or is the welfare of the neighborhood (people and property) my priority?  What’s your answer and action?

Respectfully,

Terry Crawford

Vice-chair, WSEHOA Inc. and neighbor