coosaw creek owners’ association fall newsletter · there is a very positive trend of new...

Coosaw Creek Owners’ Association

September 2015

Fall Newsletter

Board of DirectorsJohn Bennett President [email protected] Noren Vice President [email protected] Schultz Treasurer [email protected] Weise Secretary [email protected] Ferrara Director [email protected] Prindle Director [email protected] Bush Property Manager [email protected] Wilson Office Manager [email protected]

Coosaw Creek Owners’ Association 2

Message from the Board of Directors

Our homeowner’s association, CCOA, continues to make progress toward insuring Coosaw Creek is a premiere community to live in. We have seen a large resident turnover during the past three to four years. We are seeing an increase in property values, new builds, and a quick response from the real estate market improving our values from the lows of a few years ago.

The CCOA has been making the adjustments to keep the positive trend moving forward. During 2015 we have been able to stay on budget thanks to cost saving activities as a whole. We have refinanced the property mortgage and reduced the security guard cost. We have also done a complete insurance review and reduced our risks. The Board is going to take advantage of the lower oil prices to bring forward the road resurfacing that was planned for 2016 into this year. This will not affect the 16 year reserve funding program that has been put into place. Please see the finance report in this newsletter for an update.

The new Gatehouse should be finished in September. The project is running over budget but the above mentioned savings we have made has been able to cover this. Construction quote far exceeded Architect’s projected cost. The resulting contracted cost was much closer to the estimate. Future reduced operating costs will also help offset the overage. The savings has also allowed us to put two new street lights in place on Club Course Drive near the Club House. This area has been a safety concern for many of us. We have recently acquired the ability to accept credit cards at the Gatehouse and in the Owners’ Office, which has given flexibility for our contractors and residents.

Budgeted money spent on drainage maintenance is paying off. We will never be able to get rid of all the water issues but recent rains have shown a better improvement concerning drainage in several areas. We will continue to address those areas where additional improvement is needed. The Board is developing a preventive maintenance plan in our budgets going forward.

The 2014 Financial Audit has been completed and there are no recommendations for improvements. All issues were addressed from previous audits.

Perimeter security continues to be an area of major concern and required us to hire off duty police to patrol the community once again. These patrols have also been needed to control speeding and other traffic violations that continue to plague the community. Arrests have been made where appropriate. Not all violators were outside Coosaw Creek Community. The BOD will treat all violators equally. Your Board of Directors considers safety a top priority. The Safety and Security Committee has put out a “Request For Proposal (RFP) to various companies to help in the perimeter security study effort.

As promised at last year’s Annual Meeting the BOD established a committee to review the Rules and Regulations to reflect Coosaw Creek as it is today. They are in the final stage of approval by the BOD and will be published soon. Thank you all for your suggestions. Similar reviews of other issues will be made going forward and we will look forward to your input.

There is a very positive trend of new volunteers for the various committees. The ARB, Landscape, Financial Advisory, and Safety and Security all have new members. This is great as new ideas and fresh input better the BOD’s recommendations to the community. Please think about joining one of these committees.

Thank you for your continued support of the Board of Directors.John Bennett


2015 SECOND QUARTER UPDATE

Budget Actual Result

Operation Results YTD

Total Income $ 311,914 $327,831 $ 15,917

Total Expenses $ 304,437 $287,894 $ 16,543

2015 Results YTD $ 7,477 $ 39,937 $ 32,460

Where the improvements are coming from YTD

Improvement in Allied Barton Security contract $ 8,479 Annualized saving is approx. $27,000

Interest expense improvement on property loan $ 1,195 Annualized saving is approx. $3,000

Annual Contractor gate passes $ 11,345

This will be reduces trough the rest of the year reduced through the rest of the year

One time payment from Lennar for fencing $ 15,000

Total reported for this report only $ 36,019

Areas where the Expense/Revenue are worse then Budget

Insurance addition to coverage. $ 2,426

Addition of street lighting on Club Course Drive. $ 6,889

Accelerated Mail Box Maintenance $ 3,799

Increase in Electricity $ 1,349

Computer operations/ maintenances $ 1,353

Lower daily Gate Passes $ 6,184

Totals reported for this report only $ 22,000

There has been a significant reduction in accounts receivable due to an aggressive collection program that has been implemented

Accounts not noted in this report are either close to target or better then budget

Current Cash positions as of July 31 2015

Operating Funds $ 357,219 Includes prepayment to Allied Barton $29,866.63 for third quarter

Reserve Funds $ 827,108

$ 1,184,327


Disaster Preparedness – Have a Plan for Your Family!!Residents of Coosaw Creek have an advantage over the surrounding communities in the event of a natural disaster such as a hurricane or an earthquake impacting the area. That advantage is in the multi-year effort of many Coosaw volunteers in developing detailed plans on how to manage the community before, during, and after a significant natural event.The recent path of Tropical Storm Ana just off our shore should remind all of us to be prepared as we proceed thru hurricane season. In Coosaw we have obtained the support of many residents to serve as Block Captains; their primary role is to coordinate communications and preparations in advance of an event, and assist in the post-event communications and management in the case where a hurricane or earthquake has actually impacted our community. We need one more Block Captain for Coosaw, so if you are interested please contact Jim Petros for details at [email protected] .In addition to the roles of Block Captains, we have nearly 30 residents who have been trained through Tri-County Emergency programs as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members. These residents have received specialized training in first aid, light search and rescue, home utilities shut off, incident command, and other topics important for first responders.Residents recently received e-mail communications from their Block Captains to assist them in planning for the hurricane season. You are urged to pay attention to these messages as they can help ensure you and your family are ready to respond as needed to an emergency, whether it involves having an adequate food and water supply, or a mandatory evacuation of the area if ordered by the SC Governor.You are encouraged to review the SC Hurricane Guide at this link http://www.coosawcreek.com/golf/emailer2020/img/coosawcreek/SC_Hurricane_Guide_2015.pdf , which contains useful information and recommendations to help assist you and your family in the event of a hurricane impacting this area. A Red Cross Hurricane Checklist is also available at http://www.coosawcreek.com/golf/emailer2020/img/coosawcreek/Red%20Cross%20Hurricane%20Information.pdf .Members of the Disaster Preparedness team annually participate in a Hurricane Expo at Lowe’s, sponsored by Dorchester County Emergency Services. Coosaw Creek is often the only community asked to participate. We also recently sponsored a training session for Block Captains and CERT members to enhance our disaster readiness. Coosaw resident, Jim Petros, and Tri-County Emergency Management staff provided excellent presentations, discussions, and updates.

Coosaw Creek Disaster Preparedness team members and our Response Trailer at

annual HurricaneExpo at Lowe’s

Be Prepared – Have a Plan


Landscape Committee

As the community prepares to welcome the arrival of Spring, the Landscape Committee has planned a comprehensive upgrade for the front entrance area between Patriot’s Blvd and the W. Fairway Woods/Arthur Hills Circle corner. Many of those landscape elements have been in place for several years and are diseased and unsightly. Most of the larger ones are overgrown and/or poorly shaped.

The end plan for the Flagpole Island will result in fewer trees and shrubs, smaller mulch beds and expanded areas of sod. This should increase sight lines, simplify routine maintenance and reduce overall costs. Our plan also includes cleaning and painting of the three inbound monuments as well as cleaning and/or shaping of the tree lines on both the inbound and outbound sides. We ask for your help to avoid driving on the landscaped areas at our entrance so our community presents its best image at all times


Architectural Review BoardThe Coosaw Creek Architectural Review Board (CCARB) consists of nine members (volunteers), who come from various backgrounds and professions. We administer the policies under the Declaration of Covenants, Restrictions and Limitations and ARB Guidelines on all matters relating to any changes ascetically on the exterior of your home and yard.

These changes include painting, roof replacements, pools, decks, screen rooms, driveways, landscape modifications, removal and replacement of trees, fencing, arbors, outdoor kitchens, and HVAC pads, screening,lot line setbacks, lot drainage plans ( French drains ), easements, construction materials, color, and specifications. Other areas of consideration are encroachment on Club property, neighboring lots, street and right-of- ways. The CCARB works in conjunction with the City of North Charleston on all of these pertinent elements and we are a resource for our

community to provide guidance on your projects and plans.

Any Homeowner wishing to make such a change to their property should contact the Owners’ Association Office Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 4:30 pm with any questions. Their contact number is (843) 767-9000. The ARB meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Any application must be completed and submitted 48 hours prior to our meeting dates. Emergencies will be addressed within a 24 hour notification period.

The Owners’ Association and your neighbors appreciate your cooperation

with the CCARB.

North Charleston Police DepartmentNon-Emergency Number

(843) 743-7200


Safety and Security CommitteeThe Safety and Security Committee had a busy quarter. We have managed fence repairs on East Fairway Woods. The committee also purchased two cameras to help identify trespassers in this area.

We have also discussed having a Request For Proposal (RFP) to various companies to help in the perimeter security study effort.

We are reviewing security measures regarding access to the community. The Committee is in the process of planning our IT responsibilities for the new gatehouse and offering input during construction so that the transition will be a smooth one. This will result in more efficient operations at the front gate.

As a community we ask that everyone be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the NCPD. Their Non – Emergency Number is(843) 743-7200. It is important to remember to please have a Police report filed if any claims are to be made to your insurance company.


DUMPING/ YARD DEBRIS

No trash, landscaping debris or personal items may be placed on drain covers, street, Club property, common areas, lots, construction sites or dumpsters that belong to others. All yard debris and trash intended for pickup and disposal by North Charleston services must be placed upon the individual owner’s property, not on the street where it presents a traffic hazard.Dumping or blowing cut grass into the storm drains or wetlands is prohibited.

FRIENDLY REMINDERAs of July 1, 2015 the City of North Charleston now requires paper bagging for curbside pickup of landscaping debris. Please switch to paper or composting bags. PLASTIC WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

The Coosaw Creek Owners’ Association would like to thank the many volunteers that helped us achieve the Keep Dorchester County Beautiful Award. As a community we cleared out 3,475lbs of Litter.

Way To Go Coosaw Creek!

coosaw creek owners’ association fall newsletter · there is a very positive trend of new...

Documents