Glenmore Woods - News

A Glenmore Woods Homeowners Meeting was held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 7:30 pm. The meeting was virtual over a conference bridge.These meeting minutes are in draft form, as the HOA has not yet approved them.

Glenmore Woods HOA Meeting, December 10, 2024 Agenda

• Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes from the April 09, 2024 Meeting
• Village of Green Oaks Update
• Native Restoration update
• Landscaping Committee update
• Landscaping service update
• Review budget for FY2025
• Financial Update
• Open Forum
• Setting the Date for the Next Meeting
• Adjournment

Board Members: Sue Ebert, J.V. Proesel, Justin Beger, Martin Caldwell, Joe Sturonas
Property Manager: Sarah McMaster
Homeowners: 7 present
The meeting commences at 7:30 pm

• Approval of Minutes from the April 09, 2024 Meeting

Motion By: J.V. to approve the meeting minutes
Seconded By: Justin
In Favor: 5, Opposed: 0; Abstain: 0;
Meeting Minutes Approved

• Village of Green Oaks Update
  • Accomplished "No Horns" from the EJ&E line.  It is a few trains a day. Small start, small win...
  • Rich Glogovsky met with the Illinois Train Safety Director at the IML meetings in September. He is aware of our request and continues to support our efforts.
  • Green Oaks has completed "Phase 1" in the Rt. 176 Study (design), Waiting on design approval from IDOT.  Phase 2 to start hopefully Q2 2025.  The quiet zone is included in this.
  • Rich Glogovsky continues to press the local and state representatives for support on this.

• Native Restoration update

• • 2024 Review
    • Completed one stewardship for areas 1, 2, 3, 4
    • Two stewardships for areas 5
    • Controlled burn for areas 1, 2, and 5
  • 2025 Proposed
    • One stewardship for all areas
      
      
• Landscaping Committee update
• • 2024 Activities Executive Overview
    • Landscape Committee Formed - Jennifer Koenig, Denise Beger, Michelle Manolovic, Sue Ebert, Martin Caldwell, Joe Sturonas (April)
    • Property walk completed and prioritized (May)
    • Deadwood clearing on east side of Ashford between entrance and Ashford Court (May)
    • RFP process started for landscape vendors for 2025 growing season (8 vendors participating) (September)
    • Presentation of Backfilling Curbs & Common Area Beautification to Village of Green Oaks grant (October)
    • Completion of Backfilling Curbs & Common Area Beautification (October)
    • Cheryl Soderstrom joins landscape committee (replacing Martin) (October)
    • Completion of RFP process and presentation to HOA board for vendor selection (November)
    • Contract negotiation (December)

• Landscaping service update
  • RFP process started for landscape vendors for 2025 growing season (8 vendors participating)
    • Kinnucan, Yellowstone, Manfredini, JMR, Guy Scopelliti, Dearborn, Paluga, Architerra
  • Narrowed this down to 3 Vendors - Kinnucan, Manfredini, Architerra
  • After reference calls, narrowed down to 2 - Kinnucan, Architerra
  • Met in person with Kinnucan and Architerra. Recommended Kinnucan
  • Completed contract negotiations and signed
  • Service Highlights of Kinnucan
    • Grass is bagged as part of mowing (Thursday, Friday as heavy rain alternate); several different sized mower decks used, based on need.  Mowers will change patterns.
    • Weeding, bed maintenance, and hand pruning to maintain shape will be performed on a separate day of the week (Monday), but by the same crew.
    • Edging is included as part of weekly bed care and will be performed rotational basis.
    • We can expect a 4-man crew, which includes an English-speaking foreman.  A supervisor will visit the site weekly, but is not part of the crew.
    • Mowing general starts on the first week of May.  We can expect about 27 weekly mows, but spring and fall cleanup will be additional visits.  
    • Fall Cleanup: Kinnucan plans to blow leaves each week, as necessary, and vacuum the leaves from the street.  Leaves will be collected from all grassed areas, including along the the sides of the Ashford Drive thoroughfare and back yards.
    • Service Exceptions are allowed.
    • Kinnucun focuses on residential landscaping and is also open to homeowner requests for additional services (at home owner's expense).
• Review budget for FY2025
  • From 2022 to 2023, inflation was significant, reaching an average of 8.0% in 2022 due to post-pandemic disruptions. However, by 2023, inflation moderated to 4.1%, and the latest data for 2024 shows an annual inflation rate of around 3.0% so far.
  • Assessments need to be increased from $255 (2022) to $265 (2025), reflecting a 3.9% rise.
    • By adjusting assessments regularly to reflect inflation, the HOA ensures it can maintain services and infrastructure effectively without placing sudden financial burdens on residents.
    • It also allows Glenmore Woods to promote value by enhancing the aesthetics of the neighborhood and investing in infrastructure.
  • Included in Budget:
    • Woody’s Common Area Tree Pruning and Clearing
      • Objective will be to lift tree canopies to allow better grass growth and avoid damage from trucks as well as remove downed trees, large downed branches, smaller dead trees.
      • Homeowners can contract with Woody’s for any tree removal or tree trimming to be conducted during the same week.
      • Mulch in common areas
      • $10,000 for available for continued improvements
        
        
• Financial Update
  • Reviewed 2024 financials YTD

• Open Forum
  • Jerry expressed concern about the delay in unblocking the drainage system, which led to flooding in his backyard and the death of grass around the pond. Sarah explained that the usual vendor was no longer available, delaying finding a replacement. She suggested using pellet mulch with seeds to help the grass recover. Joe agreed to look into the plot survey to determine the extent of the common area from the pond's edge. Jerry and J.V. discussed the removal of cinder blocks and branches that had been causing the clogging issue, hoping this would prevent future flooding.
  • Jerry discussed the issue of algae in a pond and the need for aeration to alleviate the problem. The Landscape Committee is considering the possibility of the village assisting with the project, which would improve the pond's appearance and help keep it clear of algae. Sarah suggested using a water mover to add oxygen to the pond and possibly using electricity for aeration rather than solar. The landscape committee will explore these options and consider them for future projects.
  • James, Joe, Justin, and Michael discussed the timeline and potential impact of the train horn quiet zone project. Joe agreed to consult with Rich for more clarity on the project's phases and potential delays. Justin and Michael suggested that the quiet zone might be delayed due to the road widening project on Route 176, which could restart the process. The team decided to invite Rich to their next meeting to discuss these issues further.

• Setting the Date for the Next Meeting
  • The next meeting will be before the growing season, and invite Brandon from Kinnucan to address homeowners. 
    
    
• Adjournment

Motion By: J.V. to adjourn the meeting
Seconded By: Justin
In Favor: 5, Opposed: 0; Abstain: 0;
Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm