2026 May Meeting Minutes

PINE ISLAND RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
MAY 18, 2026
ATTENDANCE: Yolla Blair, Joshua Lawrence, Kelly Carrington, Jim Onik, Bryan Schuch, and Shaun Taber.
HOMEOWNERS: Bo DePaoli, John and Karen Brock.
MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES FROM MARCH 16, 2026 AND APRIL 20 ,2026 AND SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FROM MARCH 16, 2026
● Mr. Schuch made a motion to accept the minutes and Mr. Lawrence seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT FOR MAY 2026
● The following bills have been paid: Lake County Treasurer $403.92, Flanigan’s Bulk Mail Service $116.44 (56 late notices), NIPSCO $41.63 (4/30/2026), NIPSCO $43.02 (4/30/2026), NIPSCO $1,001.26 (5/11/2026), Google $8.40, Google renewal $119.99 (Mr. Lawrence paid), keys for pond control box $5.99 (Mr. Lawrence paid), pond timers/circuit breakers/batteries $190.31 (Mr. Onik paid), Austgen, Kuiper $162.50, Beary Landscaping $2,790.00 (April) and Beary Landscaping $3,787.50 (May).
● Mr. Onik will contact NIPSCO for an explanation of their charges which also includes the questionable increased wattage in December 2025.
● Mr. Taber suggested maybe going on the NIPSCO budget program.
● Mr. Schuch made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report and Mrs. Carrington seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
PONDS
● The lights on the fountain at Timber Leaf pond are not working. There may be a wiring issue.
● The wooden bench at Timber Leaf pond has been removed.
● Mr. Onik will contact Beary Landscaping with regards to weed growth in riprap areas.
● Beary Landscaping cleared out weeds in the south playground and needs to be done in the north playground.
● The grass area on 85th Ln across from Tree Branch pond needs to be mowed.
● There appears to be erosion and loss of riprap around Tree Branch pond. The company that did the Twin Lakes riprap job will be contacted for an estimate.
● There have been inquiries from some homeowners about a fountain at Tree Branch pond. This may possibly be a future project.
COMMON AREAS AND LANDSCAPING
● There is an overgrown area on Durbin Ln that will be cleared of trees and brush stumps by Mr. Taber. He has cleared fallen debris after storms.
● Mr. Onik reports 3 split rail fences have been damaged and were repaired.
● The split rail fence at W. 87th Ln which is the entrance to the south commons area needs to be repaired.
● The trash cans in the commons areas have been managed by residents. Our garbage company will be contacted to be responsible for their upkeep.
● No further information is available on the possibility of a public garden area. Mr. Lawrence will try to get further information.
● The wooden boards around the pea gravel area in the south commons area needs to be replaced. Considering placing a gazebo or pavilion in this area.
● The swing mats appear to be working well. Mr. Lawrence made a motion to purchase more of them for the south playground and Mr. Taber seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
● Mr. Taber has received a request from a homeowner to trim branches from a tree in commons area that is overhanging into their yard. Mrs. Carrington will look into a tree cutter.
● The fencing around the tennis court requires some attention.
● Mr. Taber made a motion to order barrier panels for the playgrounds and Mr. Lawrence seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
● Mr. Taber will look into purchasing products to remove graffiti from the playgrounds.
● There was a discussion with regards to use of natural mulch vs. rubber mulch in the flower beds. Mr. Onik, Mr. Schuch, Mrs. Blair and Mr. Taber voted in favor of having rubber mulch and Mr. Lawrence and Mrs. Carrington voted in favor of natural mulch.
● Comparable quotes to be received from Golden Trees Landscaping and A & M Landscaping for cleaning of debris, trimming of growth and spreading of mulch in the flower bed areas.
● The bridge at 86th Pl appears to be sinking and could become a safety issue. Mr. Schuch may know of an individual to make inquiries of repairing it.
COMPLIANCE
● Twenty-three violations have been mediated. Nine homeowners have been sent a second warning letter and there are five new violations.
● There is a residence with Halloween decorations on the front lawn and neighboring homes have complained. There is no town ordinance but may be a bylaw violation. Mrs. Carrington, Mr. Lawrence, and Mrs. Blair voted yes to pursue the issue and Mr. Schuch and Mr. Onik voted no. Mr.Taber abstained. Motion carries forward.
● Mrs. Carrington will speak with Code Enforcement Officer DeCero with regards to the home that is boarded up after a house fire.
● Homeowners at 8880 Clark Pl. has their deck and fencing encroaching on the commons area. This will be addressed by the board and code enforcement.
● Homeowners at 8711 Mathews Ln. will be moving their playground set to their backyard.
● Mr. Schuch made a motion to amend the bylaws for long term storage of recreation vehicles and Mrs. Carrington seconded the motion. Mrs. Blair, Mr. Schuch, Mr. Taber and Mrs. Carrington voted yes and Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Onik voted no. Motion passed.
ARC
● The homeowner at 8437 Pine Island Dr. has requested to build an accessory building but at this time the size exceeds what is permitted under the bylaws. He has been asked to amend his request and resubmit to ARC.
COMMUNICATION
● Mr. Onik will be putting together a spring newsletter which will include information on how to report violations and the reason why we did not move forward with a property management company.
OLD BUSINESS
● Mr. Taber and Mr. Onik stated the board should proceed with drafting a policy to proceed with selling a portion of the common area behind 4868 W. 84th Ct. The board is seeking further clarification from our attorney.
● Mr. Brock stated the covenants are the supreme document and describes the authority of the common areas to be conveyed.
NEW BUSINESS
● Mr. Brock has expressed interest in joining the board. Mr. Lawrence made a motion to accept him onto the board and Mr. Schuch seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
● Mr. Lawrence made a motion to have our attorney attend the next monthly meeting to speak of the specific process that is needed to sell any portion of common area and Mrs. Blair seconded the motion. Mr. Lawrence, Mrs. Blair, Mrs.
Carrington, Mr. Schuch, and Mr. Onik voted yes and Mr. Taber abstained. Motion carried.
OPEN FORUM
● Mr. DePaoli expressed his frustration with the process of approving the selling of the common area behind his home. He stated he will not be paying for any additional attorney fees.
ADJOURN
● Mr. Taber made a motion to adjourn and Mr. Schuch seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:01pm
● The next monthly meeting is June 15, 2026- 7:00pm at Rosati’s.