The Vuecrest View February 2020 In This Issue: 2019 Annual Meeting Wrap Up 2020 HOA Directors Meet Your 2020 HOA Officers, Committee Chairs, and Volunteers With Gratitude… Perfect Dog Walking Neighborhood Thank YOU, Way to Be a Great Neighbor! Vuecrest East Entrance Closing Vuecrest Under Construction Bellevue City Service App Keep Your Contact Information Current Calendar Items: Vuecrest Book Club Vuecrest Monthly Board Meeting Thursday, February 6th Bellevue Library at 7:00P 2019 Annual Meeting Wrap Up Letter from HOA President, Chris Bodiford Dear Neighbors, The Board was impressed with the turnout at our Annual Meeting in November. There were 22 member families represented and filled the room at City Hall. The discussions were thoughtful and lively. Thank you for your support! Thank you to Rebecca von der Burg for arranging the facility and to Mara and David Pitkethly for the providing the refreshments. Briefly, the agenda included: - Welcoming Committee Chair Mara announced that Vuecrest had 7 new member families join us last year. She also remembered the passing of longtime resident Ken Flyum, retired Navy and past HOA President. - As President I announced City of Bellevue plans to replace some of our sewer lines, paving of the entire neighborhood and the construction of a mini roundabout outside the east entrance, in early 2020. I also declared a goal to improve our admin processes and HOA enforcements in the new year. - Vice President Jonathan Kagle encouraged neighbors to host monthly Board meetings and Nancy and Peter Pitarys responded immediately with an open invitation. Thank you!! - Secretary David Pitkethly reminded folks of the importance of keeping contact details updated and that this can be done through our website at www.vuecrest.net <http://www.vuecrest.net/>. - Treasurer Barbara Cosgriff shared the proposed budget for 2020 and noted that the Board has approved funds for a landscape redesign for the common areas. It was also announced that our outside bookkeeper was retiring and the Board would be looking for new resources to support that function. I plan to include capabilities to improve our processes in the selection criteria. - Safety was presented by Jonathan and he reminded neighbors that the MyBellevue app is very easy to use and helpful in alerting the City to a lot of issues they address quickly such as potholes, water leaks, parking violations, and suspicious behavior. I have personally used it a few times and have been impressed with the City response. - Architecture Chair Mark von der Burg announced his retirement from the Board and that important role. The Board is very grateful for Mark’s hard work over the past 3 years! He will be replaced by Rob DeRider. Mark discussed the story poles review process that is ongoing for the many redevelopments in the neighborhood. o The Board was also asked to announce each time the Building Guide was updated via the newsletter in addition to listing it on our website. o There was a discussion about how the CC&Rs can be changed and the suggestion that neighbors facilitate a forum to add their input to them. - Landscape Chair Rick Adell noted that resident Tim Myre has been maintaining the common areas for over 20 years. - Good Neighbor Chair Jonathan encouraged neighbor to neighbor contact as the most expeditious way to resolve issues. The good neighbor committee is the next step escalation and Bellevue provides mediation service if necessary. - Social Chair Mara covered the Easter Egg Hunt, the Vuecrest 70th Birthday Party and the Book Club. She also noted that we are always looking for new social ideas and people willing to get involved. - Newsletter Chair Rebecca von der Burg invited folks to submit ideas and content for this monthly publication. - Website Chair V Hsiao confirmed that renters are welcome to receive the newsletter and other Vuecrest communications. Neighbors may unsubscribe as well. - Unfinished business included an update on our attempt to rollout electronic voting and assessment mailing. We will be attempting to improve these admin processes this year. - New business included a discussion around the hedge height restrictions and how the Board enforces this due to its inclusion in the Protective Restrictions. These restrictions can be modified with a 2/3 vote by the membership. o David let the audience know that he is leading a search into a formal process to inform homeowners selling their homes of noncompliance issues and the process by which the Board can enforce compliance. o There was a discussion about how the Board makes view blockage decisions during the redevelopment process and the suggestion that neighbors facilitate a forum to add their input to the published View Criteria. o An attendee was concerned about the appearance of the cell tower to the south of our neighborhood and wondered if we could oppose the renewal of its lease. o Parking problems within Vuecrest caused by people moving into new nearby apartments was discussed along with the pros and cons of zoned parking. On behalf of the entire board, I’d like to thank you for your support. We’re always doing our best to move Vuecrest forward in a positive direction. Sincerely, Chris Bodiford Vuecrest HOA President 2020 HOA Directors Your elected HOA Directors are as follows, they can be reached at directors@vuecrest.net <mailto:directors@vuecrest.net>: Chris Bodiford, Jonathan Kagle, David Pitkethly, V Hsaio, Barbara Cosgriff, and Rob DeRider. Meet your 2020 HOA Officers, Committee Chairs, and Volunteers President-Director Chris Bodiford Vice President-Director Jonathan Kagle Secretary-Director David Pitkethly Treasurer-Homeowner Lea Sorgen treasurer@vuecrest.net <mailto:treasurer@vuecrest.net> Landscape Chair-Homeowner Paul Joos landscape@vuecrest.net <mailto:landscape@vuecrest.net>, Rick Adell Architectural Chair-Director Rob DeRider architecture@vuecrest.net <mailto:architecture@vuecrest.net> Architectural Volunteers-Stevie Bathiche, Bob London, Director Barbara Cosgriff Welcome Chairs-Mara Pitkethly and Director David Pitkethly Newsletter Chair-Rebecca von der Burg Social Chairs-Mara Pitkethly and Director David Pitkethly social@vuecrest.net <mailto:social@vuecrest.net> (Summer Social), Eileen Foley (Easter Egg Hunt) Website & IT Chair-Director V Hsiao Good Neighbor Chair-Director Jonathan Kagle Christmas Lighting Chair-Rob DeRider Public Utilities Control Chair-Bob London Safety Chair-OPEN for volunteers Flag Duty Chair-Naomi Wu Compliance Chair-OPEN for volunteers Bellevue Zoning Committee-OPEN for volunteers We’d love to see you more often…There's always room for your talents, skills, and creative input on the HOA. Whether you’d like to take on a specific once a year event, an ongoing committee position, or just stop in to say “hi” and get to know us better. Please join us at a monthly meeting! With Gratitude… The term of a Vuecrest Director is three years. During that period these dedicated individuals offer their time, attention and talents to our community. They are specifically charged with the duty of upholding the CC&R’s that keep our neighborhood valuable. We’d like to express our deep gratitude for the years of service offered by Mark von der Burg as a Director and Architectural Chair. He steps down after three years of service. Thank you. In addition, many committees and positions are guided by valued volunteers such as Kathleen McKenna. After her years on the HOA board as a Director and the President, she continued her service as the Safety Committee Chair volunteer. This year she will be stepping down for a well-deserved break. Thank you for your years of service. Barbara Cosgriff steps down from the Treasurer position, but continues as an elected Director. She has also expressed interest in volunteering on the Architectural, Landscape, and Social committees. Thank you for contributing your wonderful organizational skills to the HOA. The office of Treasurer has been accepted by homeowner and CPA Lea Sorgen. Thank you for stepping up to serve. Karen Ross of KR Billing, LLC has assisted our Treasurer for the last few years by handling the bookkeeping responsibilities. Her great attitude and smile will be greatly missed. Thank you for your service! Rick Adell has served as the Landscape Chair for ten years! He has always made room in his busy schedule to be sure the trees in the esplanade have remained healthy and the common grounds well maintained. Each year the board eagerly anticipated the July monthly meeting because Dana and Rick would open their home so we could enjoy their view and hospitality. Rick has made himself available to assist the incoming Landscape Chair. Plus, he will always be the HOA default counsel for landscape information and expertise. Thank you so much for all your years of service. We’d also like to extend our special gratitude to Cameron Bodiford who has loyally offered his service honoring the American Flag in our esplanade for many years. Thank you for your dedicated service. Stepping up to fill Cameron’s shoes, the flag duties will now be in the capable hands of Naomi Vu. Perfect Dog Walking Neighborhood Vuecrest is the perfect dog walking neighborhood. As Bellevue grows and when the sun returns, we’ll be seeing more walkers with their four legged friends. So, please remember and remind everyone to respect your neighbors by keeping dogs out of landscape and lawns and picking up your pup’s poop! Thank YOU for Trimming your Trees! It means so much when we work together for the benefit of our neighbors and our community. Recently, the Passmores, Teresa Wallace, the Kosters, and Bob London have trimmed and/or removed trees on their on property for the benefit of their neighbors to preserve views. Thank YOU!! Vuecrest East Entrance Closing Watch for the East Vuecrest entrance (10th Street and 100th) to be closing in the month of February by the City of Bellevue for storm sewer construction and the installation of a mini-round about. Vuecrest Under Construction Presently, there are eight Vuecrest lots under active construction. These properties are under the jurisdiction of your HOA and are being monitored. We look forward to watching these fresh new homes appear, but please let your HOA know if any violations of our CC&R’s take place by the many contractors and vendors working within our neighborhood. Usually, these will be related to parking, trash, and noise violations. If you need to make a report please contact architecture@vuecrest.net <mailto:architecture@vuecrest.net>. 9330 Sunset way, 9840 Belfair Rd, 9367 Sunset, 1004 Park Rd, 929 Evergreen Dr, 9861 Vineyard Crest, 9676 Hilltop, 9687 Evergreen Rd If you haven’t already noticed, the City of Bellevue is actively working on our sewer lines within the neighborhood. The sewer line rehabilitation is planned to be finished this summer. My Bellevue City Service App MyBellevue is a mobile app that makes it possible for people to request services and access city news, jobs and social media easily with their smart phones and other portable devices. Here’s a link to get you there… https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/finance/mybellevue <https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/finance/mybellevue> Keep your Vuecrest Contact Information UP TO DATE Please make sure that your homeowner contact information, tenant information, and/or property management information is always up to date. Your information is not shared or distributed to any third party and is only used for your informational and safety benefit. Here’s how to update your information…Go to http://www.vuecrest.net/communicate/update-us <http://www.vuecrest.net/communicate/update-us>, Input your information, and click Submit. CALENDAR ITEMS: Vuecrest Book Club Vuecrest has its own Book Club and all residents are welcome to attend. We meet once a month at 7PM, usually on the first Monday at various members’ homes. It is a very relaxed atmosphere with light refreshments served. Feel free to join us to chat, laugh, nibble and meet new friends. Newcomers are always welcome whether you had a chance to read the book or not! Email Mara Pitkethly dtpit@UW.edu <mailto:dtpit@UW.edu> or Melissa Hambleton mhambleton@comcast.net <mailto:mhambleton@comcast.net> for details. Vuecrest Board Meeting Thursday, February 6th at 7:00P The location for this meeting will be the Bellevue Public Library Room #1. Please be on time, we will need to conclude promptly at 9:00P. We hope to see you there! Everyone is welcome. The usual monthly Board Meeting is held on the first Thursday of each month, but may be changed for holidays or Director’s schedules. Please check www.vuecrest.net <http://www.vuecrest.net/> for updates and contact directors@vuecrest.net <mailto:directors@vuecrest.net> with your questions.