HOA Elections

It's that time of the year when HOA elections at BLMH occur. Our HOA has 336 owners. But we have some difficulty filling seven board positions. However, we recently had a full board of seven.

In a few days we'll have our annual meeting and owners will elect several board positions. Our president, after several years has decided this is to be his last term on the board. We have several incumbents who I understand are running for another term.

Will other owners be sufficiently motivated and concerned to step up to fill a board position? I certainly hope so. I've been asked me opinion of the lack of owner involvement and I has consistently stated that it is the issue of greatest concern to me at this Home Owners Association. Governance is an important component of a HOA. It it is lacking, then it really isn't a "Home Owners" association is it?

When asked why they don't participate many owners will say they are "too busy." Some see the board as an authoritarian body whose primary task is the unpleasant one of enforcing rules. Rules such as paying one's fees. In the past a few have taken the position that paying monthly fees should be strictly voluntary and so too for any other rules that are not convenient. Everyone seems to agree that the HOA should be maintained, but there is some disagreement about who should pay what. A few years ago, it seemed a board took the position "pay if you can." That was unworkable of course because money is necessary to pay everyone from the City of Wheaton water department, to our snow plowing service to the landscaper.

There are differences of opinion about what constitutes the proper maintaining of the property.  As a fiduciary, it is a board member's duty to uphold the bylaws and the rules, and maintain the property within reason and impartially.

Impartiality is one of the tripping points for owners. Everyone agrees we should be treated fairly and equally. In other words no special favors, everyone is to uphold the rules and pay their fees. However, these are generalities. When the rules apply to each of us is when they become unpopular.

This confusion about board duties and responsibilities led to some serious disagreements a few years ago and two board turnovers. This confusion lingers even today. Some would prefer that the HOA take on the maintenance of their units. Beginning with fire places, and as long as we are at it, why not the furnace, air conditioner and hot water heater, too?

These are "manor style homes." Forty-four of them on a property of about 40 acres with 15 acres of turf, hundreds of trees, three streams and waterfalls, perhaps a half-mile of walks and so on. Operating and maintaining the common element aspects requires ALL of the fees. There is no money remaining to assume the responsibilities of individual owners.

However, some owners want to live in a home like environment with private walking paths, etc. but would prefer the costs of an apartment. Some see the bank balance for the HOA and are of the opinion this is a lot of money. Yes, it is. However, this HOA has taken ten years and nearly $2 million dollars for a roofing project. That's about $200,000 per year and it took far longer than ten years to accumulate this. The project is not yet complete and may require another 2 or 3 years.

Street and water mains are another infrastructure area which has required large sums of money. Taking care of about 100 dead and dying trees has also been expensive.

The street project will continue with work on cul-de-sacs for another few years.

All of these projects and other day to day maintenance will take every dollar that our owners contribute to the HOA via their fees. Most do this without complaint or incident.

Not all are happy. But then, making people happy is not one of the duties and responsibilities of a HOA board. Will the coming election be a popularity contest? We'll see. This election will be important, as are all elections at BLMH. I've been in a race against time since 2007. There remains much to do to build an organization.

Community College of DuPage Student Run Restaurants

One might think that with the closure of the Waterleaf that visitors to the community college will now have to dine on cafeteria fare. That was never the case.  There are a variety of opportunities for good dining on fare prepared by students.  In other words, we  taxpayers are no longer supporting a fine dining professional restaurant at the college which will compete with students in the Culinary Program.

With the closure of the infamous Waterleaf Restaurant at the College of DuPage, one might assume there is a lack of suitable fare at the community college. Not so. Former president Robert Breuder once told nearby residents who expressed concern about the financial losses at the Waterleaf that this tre' restaurant was a "lab" and as such it did not have to make money. I know, because I was sitting about 15 feet from him when he pronounced those words. If I were cynical, I would say that this "laboratory" was for the personal aggrandizement of the former president, members of the board of trustees, and to impress cronies.

COD Restaurant facilities which provide good eating (including fine dining) AND support student endeavors

Here are the cafe's and venues which are managed by college faculty with dinners prepared by culinary students. Note: The dates, times and locations may change with the announcement of the closure of the Waterleaf Restaurant. Readers should check with the Community College for current schedules.

Welcome to Wheat Café/Culinary Market
"Wheat Café is our 60-seat, casual dining room specializing in contemporary American cuisine. Students use fresh seasonal ingredients to create a culinary experience that is both memorable and educational. Culinary and Hospitality program Knowledgeable College of DuPage faculty teaching in state-of-the-art facilities prepare you to manage hotels or restaurants, become a chef, run a catering business or start your own business."

Capstone Dinners Classical Cuisine
"Culinary Class Dinners Enjoy an evening of fine food and wines prepared and served by advanced culinary students. Fresh flowers and elegant, welcoming service will delight your senses at the Classical Dinners. The multi-course dinner, in the Waterleaf dining room, is a contemporary expression of classical French cuisine served with appropriate wines.

The total cost of each evening of gourmet dining is $60 per person. (Includes 8.25% tax). Seatings are at 6, 6:15 and 6:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays this Fall beginning Sept. 8.

Click Here for COD wheat cafe classical cuisine

International Cuisine Class Dinners
Experience the enjoyment of a wonderful and relaxing evening by taking a gastronomic tour of the world from the comfort of the enchanting Waterleaf Dining Room at the College of DuPage. Regional cuisines will feature recipes celebrating the seasons and utilizing the freshest ingredients. Guests will also appreciate attentive service as they enjoy a carefully chosen wine or beer to compliment the menu. The total cost of each evening of gourmet dining is $45 per person. (Includes 8.25% tax). Dinner is served at 7 p.m. on select Mondays this Fall."

Click Here for COD International Cuisine


Culinary Market 
"The Culinary Market features baked goods, soups, salads, sides and other items created by students in the Culinary program. Pre-orders are welcome but subject to item availability. Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover), personal checks (payable to College Of DuPage) and cash are accepted. The market is open Tuesdays to Thursdays, noon to 2:30 p.m. during each term. 15 minute parking is available outside the Culinary & Hospitality Center. Call (630) 942-3809 for more information."

Waterleaf Restaurant at College of DuPage to Close

Updated

According to the community college "Warmth and elegance surround you at Waterleaf. " Well, not for much longer. 

The Waterleaf restaurant at the Community College of DuPage will close its doors. According to a Daily Herald article dated May 2, 2015 this restaurant has lost $1.8 million since its 2011 opening. The building also cost many more $millions to construct.

According to the community college, this restaurant it "has earned OpenTable Diner’s Choice awards as well as the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for a wine program well matched to our concept, menu and price point."

The decision to close was made by the board of trustees.

In an article dated August 13, 2015 the Edgar County Watchdogs said it this way "College of DuPage voted to end era of the Waterleaf wateringhole" Here is the post:

"College of DuPage (ECWd) – The College of DuPage Board of Trustees voted to close the Waterleaf. The vote was 5 – 1, Wazniak voted no, with Birt absent. The building will be converted to an educational purpose. Closing date is Aug 31, 2015."

http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com


Notes:
I'm posting the following reviews or headlines about this restaurant. In the future some may wonder what the uproar was about. The restaurant was controversial because it was a money loser at the community college, and possibly lost $500,000 in one year if one ignores the $200,000 the board of trustees spent there, largely via funds provided by the college or related organizations. It is unclear how much the restaurant actually lost, if one removes the college and related funds spent for President Breuder and the Board of Trustees to wine and dine there. We have no idea how much the PR spin machine of the college spent to promote this restaurant, but my guess is it was probably $hundreds of thousands if one considers the cost of the communications staffers that Breuder and the board put in place in recent years.

Here's a summary of reviews from the Community College of DuPage website for this restaurant:

Chicago Tribune's Phil Vettel gives Waterleaf a 3-star Review 
There are hidden gems, and then there are hidden gems. Waterleaf restaurant, for instance, isn’t a good restaurant where one wouldn’t expect to find it; it’s a good restaurant tucked away where you’d never think to look for it. it. 

Inn at Water's Edge and Waterleaf Restaurant on 190 North. 
The award-winning "190 North" showcases the hippest,trendiest lifestyles and entertainment stories around! You never know what to expect from multi-talented host Janet Davies. Janet takes viewers on a tour of the Inn at Water’s Edge and talks with guests about their experience. She also give viewers a behind the scenes look at the Waterleaf Restaurant. The episode aired on ABC channel 7.

Waterleaf is an Open Table Diner's Choice winner! 

Waterleaf earns a second Wine Spectator Award For the second consecutive year, 
Waterleaf received a prestigious “2013 Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator’s comprehensive World’s Best Wine Lists has been compiled annually by the magazine since 1981.

Crain’s Chicago Business gives Waterleaf 3 Stars! 

Waterleaf earns a Reader's Choice Award in Glancer Magazine for best "Restaurant for Dinner"

Naperville Magazine Yelp Elite Gives Waterleaf 5 Stars!

Culinary luminaries lend their light to fine dining at Waterleaf in Glen Ellyn

Opentable.com "Best Overall" designation.
Waterleaf has the “Best Overall” designation from Opentable.com for restaurants in the west suburbs. In addition, the new fine-dining establishment received “Best Ambience” and “Best Service” recognition by the dining and foodie website.

Sun-Times Declares Waterleaf “Hidden Gem”
Waterleaf garnered a three-star “Excellent” rating in a recent Chicago Sun-Times restaurant review.

[Here's an excerpt from the article: "COD’s fine-dining establishment is described as a “culinary treasure” and “a classy newcomer” to the western suburbs, featuring high-quality fare, top-notch service and a plush ambiance.  A shakedown period is inevitable with new restaurants, and diners usually must make allowances as the kitchen tweaks its menu and management smooths out the rough spots in service. But that’s not part of the drill at the well-tuned Waterleaf Restaurant, a classy newcomer in Glen Ellyn. The 150-seat restaurant, housed in the new Culinary and Hospitality Center of the College of DuPage, has enjoyed smooth sailing since its October 2011 debut........Waterleaf’s ambience is plush. The main dining room has an understated decor and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows. Its walls display a collection of black-and-white lithographs by renowned American artist Richard Serra."]

Final comment: "Smooth sailing"? Sounds like only something the shills for Illinois politicians Blagojevich, Madigan, and so on, could come up with.

Lakecliffe Street Repaving - Schedule Update

The board approved the repaving of Salisbury Court as part of the south Lakecliffe repaving project. This approval came during the HOA meeting last Thursday. Precise scheduling is to be determined, but the contractor has advised management that they can to this project in September.

Snagging a Drone

Saw a video of a fishman versus a drone over at ECN. It resulted in a tussle between a fisherman and a drone. I think it is time for something completely different.

First, this is what was being filmed:

Apparently the drone upset a fisherman and this is what happened:

That was an amazing cast!

Drainage Improvements and Landscaping - A Distinction

Continuing a recent series of posts. This one includes a series of photos with explanations and some history; "Why is it taking so long?" It's also useful to know the "how" and the "why."

Note: I edited this as it was too long, split it into two posts. The auto scheduler will post the second part in a few days.

To accomplish drainage improvements does require Architecture, Maintenance and Projects to take on some landscaping chores. However, that is not considered landscaping, which is another domain and other board member responsibility. The drainage work includes mechanical and concrete too, but because we can't lay pipe, or alter the flow of water through berms or trees without removing soil, adding retaining walls to protect trees,  etc. it does require that we sculpt these areas and then do landscaping to restore them. I'd like to point out that this HOA has 84 building entrances. That's a lot of work and a lot has been accomplished since the fall of 2010. It is also true that this HOA is aging and some problems have accelerated in recent years.  Boards have had real difficulty keeping up.

After several attempts at completing these drainage projects it was determined that the use of grass mat was labor intensive. Easy to put down, but difficult to grow and prone to lots of weeds. Watering of all of this is done using maintenance personnel and is generally charged to maintenance anyway. So if maintenance is going to take the hit to get this done, why not do it right the first time? That's an example of flipping the status quo.

One thing to bear in mind is that sod doesn't always take the first time. This is especially true if it is put down in the heat of summer. Some additional landscaping repairs will be required to deal with sod that doesn't take. However, our maintenance does water it regularly. The problem is the sod. It is force fed and watered at the farm to grow rapidly. The change to a permanent location can be a shock for the grass. As far as I am concerned, once the sod is in place, the maintenance falls to landscaping and is no longer the responsibility of A, P &M (Architecture, Projects and Maintenance). At that time it is for the rest of the board to step up to the plate.

This post is to point out some examples of maintenance chores versus landscaping chores, so the readers recognize the difference when they see it on the property. First I'll provide some photos of drainage improvements and then a few photos of areas undergoing landscaping. Different board members are involved in the decision making and the leadership of these two areas. In fact, each board member has a specific area of responsibilities. With each area come decision making, the requirement for action and the results.

Here are a few photos of recent drainage improvement areas which include berm modifications, drainage piping, retaining walls, creation of swales, new soil and laying sod. We have a range of solutions to choose from and because the driveway and front area of each entrance is different, we can't use the "cookie cutter" approach some board members have preferred. That approach simply won't work. These photos don't include work areas in 2010-2013 and only one area from 2014 is shown below. These photos are about this year's accomplishments and realities. We now have dozens of areas that have been improved and it's taken four long, uphill years to get to this point. All of this to get water to run downhill; how ironic!

The drainage project will take a few more years and should be completed a year or so after the last roof is upgraded.  I hope there is a board in place that will get the job done. Some owners have noticed how problems have been compounding. It will take some additional effort to set things right. Who will do it?:

A modified berm and drainage pipe addition

A modified berm and new walk to improve drainage to the street

A modified berm with new walk to direct flow from the building to the street

Another modified berm with new walk to direct water flow from the building to the street

A modified berm with retaining wall and new walk added to direct water to street 

Another view of the entrance above. We prefer not to install retaining walls, but sometimes there is no other solution if we want to keep the healthy trees

A reworked berm and new walk to direct water to the street

A reworked berm with new walk and retaining wall to direct water to the street

A large berm where two trees died was removed and new walks to direct water to the street

A reworked area after a water main-fire hydrant replacement - more for Landscaping to do

A reworked berm and new walk to direct water to street

A retaining wall to allow cutting a swale to direct water to the street

Another view of the retaining wall in the photo above -Save those trees!

The following are a few photos of areas that are strictly landscaping. A, P & M were not involved. I would also add that with the completion of drainage improvements that the maintaining of grass, planting new trees, remedial work, etc. is entirely the responsibility of landscaping at this HOA:

a dead tree was removed from this location and sodded. Many more to do!

This is lawn repair

Plantings where a tree died. Did residents do this? Yes, they did, according to Management.

More to do - Landscaping now has the responsibility to take over

Scars left by the removal of trees - Landscaping required

Typical scar left by the removal of a tree - Landscaping required

Etc., etc., etc.