2021 August Meeting Minutes
PINE ISLAND RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
AUGUST 16, 2021
ATTENDANCE: Yolla Blair, Joshua Lawrence, Thomas Wolfe, Bob Smith, Cornelius Kostelyk, Eric Waligora and Jim Onik.
HOMEOWNERS: Paul Hilbrich and Melanie Christy
NO TOWN VISITORS
MONTHLY BOARD MINUTES FROM JULY 19, 2021
Mr. Onik approved the minutes with the amendments and Mr. Waligora seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT AUGUST 2021
The following bills were paid: NIPSCO $294.36, Google $6.00, Season’s Landscaping $3,742.00, Austgen, Kuiper $62.50 and EMCOR Electric $230.00.
Mr. Wolfe made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report and Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Onik will provide the board with a copy of the proposed budget for 2022 at next month’s meeting.
PONDS
The timer for the fountains is set for 4:00pm- 11:00pm Monday- Friday and 9:00am- 11:00pm on the weekends. The lights run from 8:30pm- 11:00pm.
Many compliments have been received with regards to the fountains.
Resident Derek Brownewell has volunteered to restock Twin Lakes pond and has asked for the Board to cover the cost which is approximately $995.00. Mr. Waligora expressed concern for stocking at this time because if riprap is applied in the fall time then it might cloud up the water and affect the fish. Mr. Lawrence made a motion to cover the cost provided we check with the appropriate individuals on the safety of stocking the pond this fall and Mr. Kostelyk seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMON AREAS AND LANDSCAPING
Schererville Public Works Department has completed removing debris from the waterway in the north common area.
Wilson Property Maintenance has trimmed trees and grinded stumps in the south common area. This was a 3 day job and Mr. Waligora will give a check to the company in the amount of $4,755.00.
Work still needs to be completed in the north common area and by Tree Branch pond. Mr. Waligora made a motion to hire them for 4 more days to address these areas and Mr. Lawrence seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Onik stated that he will be sending an email to homeowners informing them to not dump their branches and grass clippings into the waterway at the north common area.
Mr. Kostelyk reported that the dead ash tree in the north common area is going to be removed.
A post on one of the split rail fence to an entrance was damaged by a homeowner. A police report has been filed and it will be repaired.
Mr. Kostelyk reported that the bridge between Clark Pl. and Porter Pl. appears to be sinking and may need to be upgraded or repaired next year.
COMPLIANCE
Mr. Lawrence has contacted Schererville Code Enforcement on several occasions with regards to violations in the subdivision and they have not been fully resolved. Town Manager Volkmann will be invited to our next meeting so that we can express our concerns.
Mr. Lawrence motioned that we have a committee with individuals who will make a concerted effort to identify code violations and send a notice to the homeowners and if it is not remedied then have our attorney send a notice. Mr. Waligora seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The residence at 5016 W. 86th Pl. is still a hazardous situation and
Mr. Lawrence has asked Town of Schererville to keep him updated on the status of the residence. Mr. Onik will try to obtain the name of the current homeowner so that we can send any necessary notices to that individual.
COMMUNICATIONS
No new business.
ARC
No new business.
OLD BUSINESS
No discussions.
NEW BUSINESS
In order to cover the cost for the riprap on Twin lakes pond, a special assessment may need to be added to the proposed budget of 2022.
Some individuals on the board had received an email from a solar company asking if the subdivision had a provision for solar panels. The company is attending Schererville’s Zone and Ordinance Meeting with the intention of asking for a variance for solar panels. The concern is that they may be asking for permission to set the panels on the ground in backyards as opposed to placement on the roof. The meeting is August 23rd at 6:00pm and Mr. Onik stated he would attend the meeting to get clarification.
Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Lawrence stated that they would attempt to attend the meeting as well.
There is the possibility of a development in Merrillville that would have an entrance by our subdivision. The concern is of residents using our subdivision as a thruway to get to the new development. Town Councilman Caleb Johnson denied knowing any information on the project. If Town Manager Volkmann is at the next meeting then he will be asked to keep the board apprised of any information.
OPEN DISCUSSION
Mr. Hilbrich is concerned for the flightless ducks in Timber leaf pond and was informed that a homeowner volunteered to capture the ducks and take them to a rescue farm. Ms. Christy is aware of the rescue farm in Hobart and will contact them.
Ms. Christy expressed her concern about the town clearing the waterway area and removing all the greenery in the area.
Mr. Onik asked the 2 attending homeowners on their opinion of the possibility of a special assessment and they were both agreeable to it.
ADJOURN
Mr. Kostelyk made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Onik seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:34pm
The next monthly board meeting is September 20, 2021- 7:00pm at Rosati’s.
