Another 1 to 2 inches of Rainfall today

We are in a severe thunderstorm with one to two inches of rainfall predicted........It has been a wet spring......From NWS "One Hour Precipitation" radar image:

Failing trees - the board decides to let the "firs and pines" die.

Our board stated in the most recent newsletter "All of our firs and pines are dying.....and must come down."

That's a sad position to take and an excuse to stop spraying and caring for the many conifers and related species on the property. In fact, back in 2008 I was told the same thing about our trees by the Landscaping Director at the time.  Boards may change, but doing as little as possible is not an excuse.

I'll remind the reader that the current board raised fees and is now reducing landscaping care.  I was angry in November when the  board decided to raise fees, even though there was a projected, substantial budget surplus for 2018.

Now, that same board wants to cut expenditures for tree maintenance.  When people ask my why I am no longer is on the board, this is one example.

Meanwhile, other trees are nearing end of life, really!  Back in 2008 when I expressed concern to the board I was addressing our many ornamental trees, which have a normal lifespan of 25-35 years. This association is now 50 years of age. While some trees are doing well with annual care, others are obviously in trouble.

More nature.....Ducklings on parade

Temperatures are slowly becoming more spring like.. The streams are running and that means geese, ducks and ducklings.

Many of the adult ducks are tame, probably because some of the humans feed them. However, the hens are wary when tending the ducklings. Feeding birds and other animals is against the rules in the HOA. Doing so attracts all kinds of wildlife. Occasionally the tame wildlife gets into difficulty. Then maintenance has to intervene.

We've also had fox on the property attacking the ducks and ducklings......"the circle of life"....

Meeting Agenda - May 9, 2019

I did receive a response from management pertaining to my emailed request to have the May 9 meeting agenda posted on the official HOA website. The agenda was posted a few minutes ago. Here's a copy:

BRIARCLIFFE LAKES MANOR HOMES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING AGENDA

May 9, 2019

Wheaton Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard

7:00 pm

I. Approval of the April 11, 2019 Meeting Minutes

II. Treasurer's Report 

III. Work Orders

IV. Sales Report

V. Correspondence

        a. 4 items, from owners concerning landscaping

VI. Old Business

        a. Fireplace legal lawsuit (email from Former President to HO)

        b. Comcast inspection (in packet)

        c. Truss updates (pending)

VII. New Business (action items)

        a. 2019 carpet cleaning proposals

        b. Tenant (renter resolution) 

VIII. Committee Reports

        a. Rules & Regulations 

        b. Architectural & Maintenance

        c. Newsletter

        d. Landscaping 

        e. Welcome

IX. Homeowners' Comments

X. Executive Session

XI. Adjournment

We need a Meeting Agenda

The association has not provided the owners with a meeting agenda for Thursday's open meeting.  Currently the April, 2019 meeting agenda is posted on the association website.

Owners are to be notified of the meeting in accordance with the Illinois Condominium Act.  Such notice must be posted at least 48 hours prior to the meeting as follows. Note that the Association has decided to post the notice of the meeting via the monthly assessment bill to each owner. However, that doesn't provide owners with an agenda, and it has been the method of the association to post the agenda at the association website.

http://www.blmh.org/

Here is the pertinent text of the (765 ILCS 605/) Condominium Property Act:

(765 ILCS 605/18) (from Ch. 30, par. 318) 
    Sec. 18 (a)(9)(B)

"(E) that notice of every meeting of the board of

managers shall be posted in entranceways, elevators, or other conspicuous places in the condominium at least 48 hours prior to the meeting of the board of managers except where there is no common entranceway for 7 or more units, the board of managers may designate one or more locations in the proximity of these units where the notices of meetings shall be posted; that notice of every meeting of the board of managers shall also be given at least 48 hours prior to the meeting, or such longer notice as this Act may separately require, to: (i) each unit owner who has provided the association with written authorization to conduct business by acceptable technological means, and (ii) to the extent that the condominium instruments of an association require, to each other unit owner, as required by subsection (f) of Section 18.8, by mail or delivery, and that no other notice of a meeting of the board of managers need be given to any unit owner......"

I've alerted management to this via email.  Apparently no one on the current board is monitoring this situation.....

Here's the image of the beginning of the currently posted agenda on the official association website. The agenda is for April 11:

BRIARCLIFFE LAKES MANOR HOMES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING AGENDA

April 11, 2019

Wheaton Community Center 1777 S. Blanchard

7:00 pm

Animals advance as cold weather recedes

Now that cold weather has been replaced by cool spring weather we have the animals re-organizing.  Some of this occurs because a few residents treat them as pets, feeding them and so on.

Here's an example of a newly created "nest":

I've emailed management.......