Thanks

I want to Thank whoever snow blowed out my driveway on Saturday- I very much appreciate you, Zak was out of town, and I really didn't want to shovel it out- so THANK YOU!!!!

Also because of Leslie's last post- I also have my little business- it is call Lemon Drop Boutique, I have a blog- www.lemondropboutique.blogspot.com, also an Etsy- www.lemondropboutique1.etsy.com
You can also find my bows and headbands at Shirley Whitman's beauty salon.

Selfish Blogging

Hello Neighbors,

Yes, this is sort of selfish blogging because I want to let you all know I opened two little craft businesses, FairyBerry Tutus and Mandarin Boards and I'm doing a giveaway and wanted to let you know so you can enter if you are interested. You can click on those links to check out those blogs.

I'm so glad our streets are getting plowed and I've enjoyed seeing all of your Christmas lights! Merry Christmas!

Leslie

ps I know there are some other crafty people in our neighborhood...does anyone else want to toot their own horn so that we all know where to go when we need something crafty?

Baby Sorenson

Arrived on Saturday!

Harristone Stillwater Guillotine

If anybody knows anybody who would like half a box of free rock (okay, fake rock), please feel free to take it! We put the box just outside our garage and would really like to share. I think we'll leave it there through Thanksgiving weekend and then whatever is left is going in the trash.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Grill Cover

I know this is totally random, but a grill cover flew into our backyard awhile ago and while we have asked around about who it belongs to, we cannot find the owner. Jon is getting attached to it (since ours ripped last winter) so if anyone knows who it belongs to, we'd like to give it back...you know...before we forget that it wasn't ours in the first place.

Thanks!

Including Neighbors

Several people in our subdivision have not commented on the blog and so obviously have not left their email addresses. I would really like to turn the blog private so that we can post events and other information that maybe we don't want the world to know. Please, again, check with your neighbors and make sure they know about the blog and let them know we want them to be a part of it.
THANKS everyone!

Snow plows this winter?

Another quick update.  I spoke with Marlow, the city manager, the other day.  He told me that he had spoken with Sadler the day before.  Marlow said that he did not believe there would be any problem with getting our roads plowed this winter.  I haven't seen street signs yet but Marlow seems to be confident that they will be taken care of shortly.  I also called Rocky Mountain Power last week.  From what they told me it sounds like several of you have spoken with them as well.  They said that they do have a work order to turn on the lights, which usually is scheduled 6 weeks out.  I explained the situation with the roads and plowing but that didn't seem to matter to them.  They told me the job is scheduled to happen the first week of December.  Let's hope this is all resolved soon!

Another update

We collected signatures from 18 households in the neighborhood yesterday and sent the letter to Sadler via certified mail. It was delivered this morning at 11 am. Thanks to all who signed. I apologize to those of you who weren't home when I came by to collect signatures that I mailed it so quickly. We know he is meeting with the city manager about the whole thing tomorrow and wanted him to receive our letter before then.

Hopefully, a little pressure will help things move along and snow removal will be taken care of in the meantime.

Trick-or-Treat

I would like to keep the tradition of Trick-or-treating door to door. I know the ward does the candy give away at the end of the ward party but I still think it is fun to go from house to house. I love having kids come to my door too! We only got about two trick-or-treaters last year:( I hope you will stop by our house for some candy. We will be home right after the ward party or you can come before the party too. If anyone else likes trick-or treaters remember to turn on your front porch light as the "welcome signal" and we will stop by:)

Update

I spoke with Marlow, the city manager, last Friday.  He said that there are now some city ordinances to prevent these kinds of problems in the future, but the ordinances were not in place at the time the city began working with Sadler.  In fact, they were passed because of the situation surrounding our neighborhood.  Nevertheless, they are not binding on Sadler.  So, strangely enough the city really has no leverage to hurry Sadler along.  They are apparently holding the line because as soon as they touch a plow to our streets they are basically assuming responsibility of the roads, which created major financial problems for the city several years ago in a neighborhood on the north end of town.  Anyway, Marlow seems hopeful that progress is being made, having spoken to Sadler last week.  Evidently there has also been unseen progress by Sadler sending the "as-builts" to the city, which had been a requirement we weren't aware of.

I spoke with Sadler on the phone directly today.  He says that he has ordered street signs and is just waiting to receive them.  Furthermore, he says it is now in Rocky Mountain Power's court to turn on the street lights, as he has done all he can do.  Finally, there is still the dispute about the sidewalks but he is supposed to be meeting with Marlow on Friday to sort that out.  He was also hopeful that all would be resolved soon.  

I propose that we still send the letter to keep pressure on and have record of making a formal complaint just in case no progress is made.  Marlow encouraged this as well.  The letter will be circulated around the neighborhood tomorrow.  I doubt we will be able to get signatures from both spouses with differing schedules so just sign for you and your spouse if only one of you is home.  Hopefully, we can send it out tomorrow afternoon.  If you know that you will not be home in early to late afternoon please stop by our house to sign it.  Tania will be home by noon tomorrow.

Thanks,

C.J.

Draft Letter

Neighbors-

I haven't seen any progress on Sadler's part, so I think it is time for the next step.  I have contacted city council members and am now waiting to hear back from them.  Kim is right, snow will be flying soon, maybe as soon as next week.  What follows is a draft letter that I would like feedback on.  Please everyone take a look and make comments.  Also, everyone who is interested in signing the letter please post a comment indicating your willingness - the more the better.  I hope to have a final draft to bring around to everyone to sign by early next week.  Please talk to neighbors and friends and direct them to the blog to take a look.  I don't have as much time as I would like so if anyone will volunteer to take the letter door to door for signatures when it is ready it would be appreciated!  Does anyone know the mailing address for Sadler?

- C.J.

Dear Mr. Sadler,

We, the undersigned, comprise a group of owners and residents of the Richmond Meadows Estates subdivision.  We have all purchased property from you and built homes on those lots.  We believe we have acted in good faith to carry out our obligations in our transactions with you, both directly and indirectly.  We have built homes and developed lots according to the covenants of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions.

We unitedly express our concern and disappointment that certain obligations on your part have not been fulfilled, which has prevented the city of Richmond from taking over full ownership and oversight of the streets of the subdivision.  This fact has resulted in streets that have gone unplowed for 2 consecutive winters, causing significant inconvenience and potential hazard to the residents and other users of the streets.  We believe there has been ample time to complete the necessary projects.  In a recent council meeting of the city of Richmond you provided a report of progress, which led our representatives to believe that you would be quickly making advances, but instead we have not seen any movement or progress in the 3 weeks following that meeting.

It is our understanding that the following requirements must be completed in order for transfer of obligations to the city to occur:

1)    Install working street lights/lamps.  Lamps are currently in place but do not work.

2)    Install street signs.  No such signs are in place.

3)    Pour a sidewalk along the section of 300 South that runs along 2 lots of the subdivision.  Again, no work has been observed toward this requirement.

Failure to complete these obligations, thus preventing needed city services from reaching the residents, is a direct violation of Article III, section I of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions of Richmond Meadows Estates as well as (I will insert here city/county code and/or zoning laws once I get them figured out).

We intend no ill will and do not desire to pursue legal action.  We only intend to resolve this matter in an appropriate, ethical, and timely fashion.  However, if no progress is observed we will consider legal recourse.  We submit this letter as a formal complaint and respectfully request the completion of the necessary obligations as outlined above and any other task that may be pertinent to transfer ownership, oversight, and maintenance of roads, etc. to the city.  We ask that these be completed in no more than 2 weeks time (November 4, 2009).  We further request in the interim time period – until transfer of roads to the city occurs – that you arrange and finance any necessary snow removal. 

  

Plan B

CJ~ I think that we maybe need to start thinking about having a plan B. It's getting colder and snow will be right around the corner. I dont think that it's to unreasonable to maybe write a letter to Saddler, stating that: If the subdivision isn't turned over to the city and a plow is needed that: A) he either provide snow removal services of his choosing, or B) we will provide them of our choosing. Saddler will pay for it either way until the city can take over full responsibilities, since our property taxes have been paying for these services already. For some this will be their 3rd winter without a plow. Idk if making a petition will help, but if it will I'll sign it! :) Some times motivation is a great cure for flakiness. I also recommend sending the letter certified mail! I hate causeing rippels but we need to have a back bone as a group or we will all go through another winter having a hard time just getting out of our own driveways.

On a lighter note :) we have a little giant ladder if anyone needs to borrow it to help winterize or put up lights. Also our snow blower is open to the neighborhood, just return it like you found it :)

More Water Share Stuff...

So I am not in the same boat as many of you with the water shares, as my connection fee was paid by the previous owner, but I thought I'd add my two cents. I spent a good 45 minutes talking to Kip Painter(secretary on the irrigation board) tonight about the water shares. I think that what has happened is a mis-communication between Saddler and the lot owners with water shares in the subdivision. Having a water share makes a lot worth more money, or having access to water makes a lot worth more. On the open market if you were to take two almost identical lots, the only difference being that one had a share of water and the other didn't, the one with water would be naturally worth more money. I think this is why you paid $2000.00 more for the lots with water. Now whether or not this was communicated by Saddler, the irrigation company doesn't care, as their fees are separate from those associated with the purchase of your lot.

I have a hunch that many of you feel misled... the creation of this blog is proof that things havent gone as promised. So I think that if you were promised water for $2000.00 more then you should pursue Saddler footing the bill, you never know it could be worth a try.

The fee breakdown goes as follows, $300 hookup fee, $50 water stock transfer fee. (both of these are one time fees, that according to Kip need to be paid to bring your stock "current") then there is a yearly $50 water association fee, and a $10 per share fee (except there is a $20 min. fee for this, so if you have one share like we all do, then you have to pay $70 total a year.) So $420.00 is the sum of all these, next year if nothing is paid, then it will be $490.00, another years fees added to the original $420.00.

I feel like I have a pretty good understanding about the water shares and how they function, and would be happy to talk anyone through any questions they have. I couldn't stay at the meeting tonight but CJ was there, maybe the committee had some other things to say, so CJ if something different was said tonight please let us know...

I wasn't around when Saddler was selling lots, so I dont know what was said or promised. Unfortunately this might turn into a "he said she said" situation...

I don't intend to stir up any fires, this is just my two cents from an outside looking in point of view.

Randy

Proposal

Thank you to Kim and Tania for attending the city council meeting this past week.  It sounds like Sadler appeared before the council and reported that he was in the process of completing all the necessary requirements to transfer obligations over to the city in the near future.  From what I can gather second-hand, the remaining projects include the following:

1.  Get the street lamps working.

2.  Pouring sidewalk along the south side of 300 South.

3.  Placing street signs at corners.

4.  Transferring water share certificates to the residents.

Kim, if there is anything missing here, please add to the list.

There was evidently a minor dispute between the council and Sadler about sidewalks inside the neighborhood.  The council questioned Sadler about sidewalks being completed and Sadler indicated that this is the responsibility of the lot owners as described in the CC&R.  The council countered that they could not enforce the CC&R, only their requirements for him, which evidently include sidewalks.  He suggested the council require sidewalks prior to approval for move-in when they do their inspections.  They responded with the concern that some of the lots may sit vacant for some time.  Thus, "prior to move-in" could be years away on the remaining lots.  I'm not sure that there was any resolution here.

The council was also concerned about water shares being transferred into the names of property owners, instead they asked that Sadler transfer the shares to the individual property lots.  Their view is that the shares are then attached to the lot rather than the owners themselves and will automatically be sold with the property when a resident moves.

From all that I can gather, it seems that the situation is more about flakiness than it is about malicious or deceitful intent, though many of you know the situation better than I.  With that in mind, I propose the following, adding the caveat that I am open to other ideas, opinions, or leaders:

1.  Attend the irrigation company meeting this Thursday.  I will try and attend and would be glad to have people come along.  The whole irrigation thing is pretty new to me so if someone has more understanding and expertise please step up.

2.  I would like to contact our representative on the city council.  This problem appears to be not only an issue with Sadler but also with the city.  It would seem logical to me that the city has some teeth or leverage that can motivate Sadler along.  The subdivision will surely be a significant voting block, which will likely provide incentive for our council representative to work with us.

3.  I think we give Sadler the benefit of the doubt that he is completing his obligations in the near future as he detailed in the council meeting.  I propose that we give him 1-2 weeks to watch for any change or progress.  In the meantime I can draft a letter/petition cordially outlining our concerns that I will post here first and then all interested parties can sign.  We then send the letter via certified mail or hand delivery and send a copy to the city council as well.  As part of the letter I think we put a date by which we would like to see progress.  If by that date there is no significant response we send another letter, again outlining our concerns and citing violation of contract.  We may request an in-person meeting and also mention the potential for legal action at that time.  Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.

Please provide any feedback, ideas, opinions, or criticisms of the above proposals.  I would also be okay if someone else feels better equipped to take the lead here.  We will be more effective if we are all on the same page, united in a plan, and willing to participate when called upon.  If anyone has contact information for our city rep and/or Sadler that would also be helpful.  

Tania and I look forward to officially being part of the neighborhood within the next couple of weeks.

Thanks all!  

Water Shares

You might remember getting a "second notice that your payment is passed due" last year. But you never received a first notice right? And then never heard anything more about it. A few days ago I was told (through the grape vine) that our water shares were going to be sold if we didn't pay the $400 + fee immediately. I know a few others had heard similar stories. I've never had a water share before and I don't know much about them. Tonight I talked to Teri Spackman (Head of the Irrigation company) and this is what I found out...

1. Our shares will not be sold without notice.
2. Kip Panter (irrigation board member) is in the process of making an itemized list of what is owed by each person. Everyone will receive that list by December 1st. (so you don't HAVE to make any payment until then)
3. There are three fees: 1-$350 water hook up fee. 2- $50 water stock transfer fee. Both of these are a one time payment. (The $400 bill you got last year) 3- Annual stock holders fee is usually between $30-$50 and is due annually (this bill can change and can go up a little every year). They send the bill out in June and it is due September 1st.
4. Even if you have never used your secondary water you still have to pay the Annual stock holders fee.
5. If you don't pay the Annual stock holders fee then your share will be sold. But they will notify you first and try to make payment arrangements.
6. You can pay the Annual stock holders fee without paying the other two fees ($400)first.
7. If you use the secondary water before you pay the $400 you will receive a citation from the sheriff.
8. (this is the frustrating part) Even though we paid $2000 more for our lots for one share of warer, we are not actually the owners of the water share. But we are in process of becoming the owners. (That's why we do not have a document or certificate saying we own a share) The reason we got the letter last year "Second notice" without ever having received a first notice is this... The irrigation company was sending the bill to Sadler and got no response. So they sent it to the title company and got no response. So they sent it to us. They got a response from some of us and realized what a mess it was and have been trying to sort it out ever since. So who has to pay the $350 hookup fee and $50 water stock transfer fee? We have to work this out between Sadler and us. (If you already paid it you maybe could get your money back from Sadler if he is the one that is supposed to pay it) Maybe he just forgot to pay it and he will pay it right away when we bring it to his attention :) or maybe not.
9. The second Thursday of every month (except December) the Irrigation company has a meeting at Richmond City Office building at 8:00 pm. It is an open meeting so anyone can come. If you have any questions that would be a good time to ask them.
This may have helped clear things up for you or maybe it just brought up more questions:)

City Council Meeting and Irrigation

Hi Neighbors,
There is a city council meeting tonight at 7pm which may shed light on some of our issues. Kim Joham is going to go and represent us (basically to take notes of what is said). If anyone else is able to go, it may be helpful.
Also...does anyone have any information about irrigation shares?
Also...please post your email or call me with your email address and tell your neighbors so that we can privatize.
Thanks,
Leslie

Street Lamps

Hi Neighbors,

Well, we have street lamps in the upright position. Nice to see some progress! Maybe it is really going to get done without our having to do much. Cross your fingers and say your prayers. I haven't heard back from the city yet on a 'punch list'; I'll still post when I get the info.

CJ Sorenson has offered to be our man in charge. So...we just need some of you folks who are in the know about all the issues to bring him up to speed on things he may not be aware of. Thanks a lot CJ!

One thought I had was that maybe some of us might want to attend the city council meeting this month (I suspect it is next week or the week after) if we are allowed. Kurt Sadler is supposed to be giving an update on our subdivision to the city and it would be great to hear first hand what is said....

Sadler Punch-list

I went to the city and asked Marlow for Sadler's 'to-do' list so that we could each of a copy of it. He'll have to get it from the city engineer and then he will pass it on to me in the next few days. I'll post it when I get it.

Also, as soon as everyone posts their email address, I think we should make the blog private-is everyone in agreement? So check with your neighbors to see if they posted.

Any volunteers for spear-headers?

FYI, in the event of emergency....

The Nagatas are our neighborhood block captains in the event of an emergency.

Neighborhood Playdate

Ashley Brown is having a playdate starting at 10:30am in their backyard. She wanted to make sure that everyone knew about it and all are welcome. Bring your kids, sunscreen, snacks and/or sack lunch. Thanks Ashley!

*Ashley and Spencer Brown live across from Heather Miller and Jenn Stewart.*

Larsen Family

Eric and Jessica Larsen's baby girl arrived last week, about a month early. Jessica needs some help with her little almost-two-year-old boy during the day so that she can rest and recover and go to the hospital to be with her baby in the preemie ward. Kim Joham is helping her arrange for some sitters and probably already talked to several of you, but if you are able to keep Preston for even just a couple of hours, please let Jessica or Kim know.

Jessica's email:
ericandjess623@gmail.com

Kim's email:
johamsctr@gmail.com

*The Larsens live next to the Millers and across the street from the Montgomerys and Hambys.*

Welcome

Hi Fellow Neighbors,

I've set up this blog so that we can have a forum to resolve issues with Sadler Construction and get our roads plowed this winter. I've spoken with the city council, who basically said their hands are tied because legally our subdivision is still Sadler's private property (funny, I know I paid a handsome sum for 'my' lot.....). The city suggested that we might band together as home owners to try and get something done.

I am not in a position to take charge so I propose that someone spearhead our efforts to put together a certifed document naming our issues with all of our signatures and then deliver that document to Sadler. If he does not comply or respond by a certain date then we could take legal action.

In the meantime, please post a comment with your name and email address and I will invite everyone to be contributors to this blog. We can post and comment and work together to get things happening.

And anyone who wants to volunteer as our representative, please do so.

Here's hoping-

Leslie

p.s. When we're done with this, we could use this blog for neighborhood parties or service projects, etc....