2026 August Meeting Minutes

PINE ISLAND RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
AUGUST 17, 2026
ATTENDANCE: Yolla Blair, Kurt Krueger, Joshua Lawrence, Shaun Taber,
Bryan Schuch, Melanie Christy, John Brock, and Jim Onik.
HOMEOWNER: D’ Ann Habas
Kelly Carrington has resigned from the board.
Mr. Lawrence asked the board to continue with having homeowners speak during the open forum at the end of the meeting and Mr. Taber stated he preferred having them speak at the beginning of the meeting. Mr. Brock thought it should be considered on a case by case basis.
Mrs. Habas is in need of ARC approval for her shed to obtain a zoning permit. She has said that a wooden structure will be placed on the outside of the metal shed. The board has requested that she resubmit the dimensions, product and construction details.
MONTHLY BOARD MINUTES FROM JULY 20, 2026
● Mr. Lawrence did not state a set price for consideration of selling common area property and requested the correction of 30% of the budget’s operating cost.
● Mr. Krueger made a motion to accept the monthly minutes and Mr. Brock seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT FOR AUGUST 2026
● The following bills have been paid: NIPSCO $831.43, Google $8.40, Recycled Rubber $5,388.52, Mr. Onik $24.60 (postage), Beary Landscaping $3,550.28 (August), Austgen Kuiper $146.65, Austgen Kuiper $100.00 (to be reimbursed to PIRCA), Austgen Kuiper $2,493.54 (filing fees), Aquatic Weed Control $1,685.25 (second half payment of contract).
● Mr. Lawrence has submitted receipts from Mrs. Carrington totaling $120.40 for certified mailings. Mrs. Blair made a motion to approve the payment and Ms. Christy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
● More rubber mulch is needed to complete the project around the signage and flower beds. Funds will need to be transferred to complete the project.
PONDS
● The electrical box by Timber Leaf pond has been underwater at least twice this year and has not been operating properly. It has been suggested to either move it more inland or place it up higher on its stand. According to the Schererville Public Works Dept. The nearby culvert has collapsed and needs to be repaired. This may be a reason for the flooding in Timber Leaf pond.
● Mr. Taber stated he knows an electrician who may be able to look at the electrical issues with the fountain at Timber Leaf pond.
COMMON AREAS AND LANDSCAPING
● There are several downed trees and limbs in the common areas. It has been decided to wait to contact tree services at this time due to cost and will resume discussion at next month’s meeting. This may be a project that can be completed during the winter season when the ground is harder and machinery will not tear up the ground.
● Mr. Brock suggested obtaining bids for the tree and limb removals and depending on the price may have to have a special assessment.
● Mr. Taber stated he had sent an email with a quote from a company that would complete trimming and removal of trees for $8,500.00/day.
● The lighting at the Twin Lakes sign are not working and Mr. Onik will purchase new ones.
● The south commons playground has graffiti and Mr. Lawrence will follow up with some type of vandalism remediation.
● Mr. Taber is interested in cleaning up and removing broken limbs on Pine Island Dr., W. 85th, and Hanley Ln. He stated he would do this for $250.00. His offer was appreciated but there may be a liability issue and Mr. Lawrence would like to consult with our attorney. Mr. Onik stated he has a contract liability waiver and Mr. Lawrence stated he would prefer to have our attorney draft one. Mr. Lawrence made a motion to have our attorney review our covenants and draft a contract liability waiver. Mr. Brock seconded the motion and it passed with Mr. Onik opposed.
COMPLIANCE
● Mr. Taber wanted to plead his case for why he placed a fire pit, solar lights and seating in the common area by his house. He stated that he has maintained this area since August 2023. He joined the PIRCA board at the end of 2024 and states he notified the board about occupying the common area. There is no record of him notifying the board. Mr. Taber was contacted by board member Kelly Carrington to remove his personal belongings from the common area and
has not complied. Mr. Taber requested for the board to obtain information on the area being deemed a common area utility.
● Ms. Christy raised the question of if someone were to be injured in the common area then who is the responsible party. Mr. Lawrence stated there was no excuse or justification for having the fire pit in the common area.
● Mr. Taber asked the board to come up with recommendations to rectify the issue. Mr. Lawrence made a motion for Mr. Taber to remove his personal items from the common area and Mr. Krueger seconded the motion. Mrs. Blair and Ms. Christy voted yes. Mr. Onik, Mr. Schuch and Mr. Brock voted no. Motion passed.
● Mr. Brock made a motion to address this issue with our attorney and Mr. Lawrence seconded the motion. Motion passed with Mr. Onik voting no. Mr. Taber would like to submit his evidence to the attorney.
● Mr. Taber requested an exact number for others who have encroached in the common areas and Mr. Lawrence stated there were none.
● If there is a compliance complaint then the board has agreed that the first plan of action is to visually look at the issue, take photographs and if it is an offense then send a certified warning letter. If not remediated then a fine schedule will be imposed and our attorney will be contacted.
● Since Mrs. Carrington has resigned, Mr. Lawrence, Ms. Christy and Mr. Krueger will work together with compliance issues.
● Mr. Lawrence made a motion that prior to a warning letter being mailed the issue will be presented to the board and voted upon if one should be sent. Mr. Krueger seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
● Mr. Taber mentioned that according to our bylaws/covenants there is supposed to be a nominating committee for future board members. Mr. Lawrence made a motion that present board members be on the nominating committee and Mr. Krueger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS
● The May and June minutes need to be amended and posted on the website.
● It has been requested that the start time of the meetings be included.
OLD BUSINESS
● Mr. Taber states he will remove the graffiti in the playgrounds and install more mats.
● Mr. Taber received submission for dredging and riprap around Tree Branch pond for $60,000.00. He will get a price for dredging only and present it to the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
● D’Ann Habas has asked to be a board member. Mr. Taber made a motion to accept and Mr. Lawrence seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN
● Mr. Brock made a motion to adjourn and Mr. Lawrence seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:48pm
● The next monthly meeting is September 21, 2026- 7:00pm at Rosati’s.