April 20, 2021 @ 7 pm at Trinity Methodist church
Present:
Kevin Abel, Tami Rupe, Ryan Hamilton, Richard Becker, Kris Deffenbaugh, Jim Green, Brandi Chandler, Tom Becker, Brandi Chandler, and Deb Yeutter were all present. The meeting started at 7:00 pm.
Introductions of the current board members:
Kevin led the meeting and introduced the board members to the rest of the residents.
Accomplishments:
- Escalating pond weed situation: The board secured a new vendor to control the weeds. We negotiated with the vendor and changed the focus of chemical treatments.
- We have had a full year of running aerators at both the north and south ponds. This system is helping to maintain our fish populations.
- Established a tree-pruning fund to maintain the wetlands behind Upton Grey Blvd. We have secured some new vendors and have a multiple year project planned to clean up this area.
- Park tree clean up and care: New seeding will be done in the areas that had extensive shade cover.
- The board has selected a new lawn care vendor that will be performing a dandy lion treatment.
- Full year with new trash service, pond management vendor, and lawn care company. All of the new vendors have been successful and seem to be performing the responsibilities they were chosen for.
- Cut back several weeds and trees on the south of Thompson Creek Boulevard by the pond.
Question:
What are you doing to control the algae?
Answer from Kevin:
We are doing what our pond chemical vendor has recommended. Duck weed is present there and has been brought in by ducks/geese. It is actively being treated. We have added 150% from last year’s budget. Rain makes the chemicals run away so timing is key during the spring rain season.
Question:
Have you requested any suggestions from other vendors?
Answer from Kevin:
We have contacted game and parks, multiple vendors, and other HOA’s who have control of ponds. Chemicals are the only means to control the duck weed.
Question:
Have you contacting anyone about grudging the pond?
Answer from Deb:
We have reached out to another HOA about grudging the south pond, but it will be about $10,000. The typography of the pond has changed, but it is not a sizeable change. We have only received data for the south pond and not the north one.
Question:
What are the north pond neighbors doing?
Answer:
Our Thompson Creek HOA president has had multiple conversations with the Village Gardens HOA president, but they are using the same vendor and also doing chemical treatments. That is why we chose the same vendor. We have control of the north pond up to the Becker’s property. Controlling chemicals on a waterway is very tricky because of the movement of the water.
Question:
What has our research shown to control the pond and make sure it is not a swamp?
Answer from Kevin:
You have to have a certain depth to create photosynthesis for the fish. We have discussed stocking for fish. The aerators increase oxygen flow for the fish. We do have an emergency fund to use if we decide to drudge the south pond in the future. Of course, it would need to come up for a note by board members.
Question:
Do the landscape resources include spraying for weeds along the common sidewalks?
Answer from Kevin:
Yes
Question:
Can you nominate neighbors for the new Good Neighbor award?
Answer from Kevin:
The Yard of the Month award has turned into the Good Neighbor award. We have two new yard signs. Reach out to us on the website or Facebook with nominations. We would love to hear of good deeds happening in our neighborhood. Let us know your stories.
Question:
How do we plan for drudging in the future?
Answer from Kevin:
If you have good contacts with vendors, let us know. There is not a whole lot of effort on the board for this project.
Could this benefit from a task force?
Answer from Kevin:
Yes. The minimum for a wet-drudge was about $10,000 for the south pond. Then you have to have somewhere to put the grudge that is pulled out. The north pond is half owned by Village Gardens. We would love to get more information.
A resident said that another homeowner has spent hours and hours in a small boat on the south pond removing grudge by hand.
Question:
What work is included in the tree budget?
Answer from Kevin:
Maintenance of all the trees in the common areas that are owned by Thompson Creek HOA.
Financials:
2021 Budget Planning:
- The budget has been approved by the board for 2021.
We are seeking new board member volunteers:
- The responsibilities of board members include attending 2-hour meetings every other month, plus volunteering for some extra projects when they come up.
- All agreed to the three members for the board.
- Anita Hains has been nominated and accepted as a regular board member.
- Kevin Abel volunteered for another term as president.
- Ryan volunteered again to be a general member.
If you want to volunteer for any extra projects, reach out and let us know. We are always in need of people to pick up trash for community service in the ponds and streams. Let us know if you have any additional questions.
Garage sales have been scheduled for June 3-5:
- We have planned on doing a better job of advertising this year.
- May do some gathering of addresses to create a map for customers. Reach out on the Facebook page and print so maps can be handed out at the sales.
Adjourn Annual Meeting at 7.34 pm
Thompson Creek 