Annual Newsletter

PHEASANT RIDGE ASSOCIATION OF NORMAL, INC.
P.O. Box 1044
Normal IL  61761

May 22, 2022

Summer seems to be here already. We finally have more than 2 days of sunshine before another day of rain!

The number of houses selling in our neighborhood has slowed down in recent months meaning that many of our neighbors are still our friends we wave to everyday. Our subdivision is still growing, with homes being built to connect Bobwhite Way along with new duplexes on Wild Turkey Lane.

Association Board Members (Note – term dates apply to the person not the office):

• Justin Wolf – President (term ending 2022)
• Eric Minster – Vice President (term ending 2023)
• Shelly Kerr – Secretary (term ending 2023)
• Ray McCormick – Treasurer (term ending 2022)
• Gary Ferguson – Board member (term ending 2022)
• Mary Walker – Board member (term ending 2022)
• Vicki Bennett– Board member (term ending 2023)

Eric and Vicki were appointed to the Board to fill the vacancies of the recently resigned President Dino Carlito and Vice President Dave King. Eric was voted to be the Vice President to fill the open position and I was voted to become the President. I would like to thank Dino and Dave for all their hard work and contributions they made over the past few years. Although all positions will take nominations to vote on, we have a confirmed need to fill at least one board vacancies this year. Please reach out to the Board prior to the meeting if you are interested in serving a two-year term or have any questions about doing so.

Annual Meeting: The 2022 Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 28th at 7:00 pm at the Heartland Community Church located at 1811 North Linden Street. Reminder information will be listed on Nextdoor and signs will be posted at our entrances the weekend prior. Among other items, the Annual Assessment fee will be a topic of discussion. In addition, Officer Brad Park from the Normal Police Department will be in attendance to speak and answer any questions.

Annual Garage Sale: The annual Pheasant Ridge subdivision-wide garage sale will be back on this year! The sale dates have been set for Friday, June 10th from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Saturday, June 11th from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. As in the past, Corinne Brand will coordinate the event.

If interested in participating, please send your name, address, and a description of the items in your sale to [email protected] by June 7^th for inclusion in the listing. Corinne will compile a list of the sales which will be posted on Nextdoor and Facebook closer to the sale dates. Signs will be posted at our entrances advertising the sale, but you are encouraged to put up signs within the subdivision advertising/guiding to your sale.

Key Points of Contact:

• Pheasant Ridge Association of Normal: By e-mail at [email protected], or view information on our website at pheasantridgehoa.net – Our website has information about our neighborhood and community, allows you to view and/or download the association covenants, bylaws, architectural review form (used to submit for approval of certain construction projects), etc. Please e-mail us with any questions you may have.

• Nextdoor Community Website: https://nextdoor.com or on the app – Log into this neighborhood social media site to connect with your fellow neighbors to ask questions and post about current area events, services, etc. Free downloadable app for smart phones is available. The Board will post messages from time to time if they are of importance and/or urgent to our neighborhood.

Operational Budget: Following is the approved 2022-2023 operating budget (effective for July 1^st, 2022 through June 30^th, 2023). This looks a little different than the 2021 Treasurer’s Report and 2022 Budget as listed on your billing statement. We use this format to best show how your funds are being utilized during our normal fiscal year based on when we receive income (your Annual Assessment payments):

LIENS  

• Currently, there are 2 liens on file for failure to pay their assessment:
• One from 2016 and one from 2017

Annual Assessment (dues): Included with this letter is the Annual Assessment of $40.00. This is due on July 31^st and covers the period July 1^st, 2022, through June 30^th, 2023. This assessment is truly minimal, but covers the needed functions for our home association, most of which fall under maintenance of our surrounding berms and entrance ways.

Due to issues with PayPal changing hidden fees and taxes resulting in multiple homeowners either being double charged and having a different fee than what was stated causing the homeowners association to either pay over charges to the homeowners or forcing the board to simply cover the difference, this service has been suspended indefinitely.

Payment can be made by check and sent to the Association PO Box.

Landscaping and Trees:

Last year the Board selected VIP Lawn Service to manage our mowing and landscape needs. We had been satisfied with their work this past season, so the Board negotiated a two-year contract to continue their services through March 2023. Additionally, after receiving several bids last fall for weed control and fertilizer, the Board selected Spring-Green to perform two treatments this season. We will evaluate their services at the end of 2021 season.

At this time, the board has been torn between planting new trees or leaving the berms as they are now. While some are for the addition of trees to the berm again to give an appealing look for our subdivision, others have raised concerns as to the amount of money that it would cost the association to procure, plant, and maintain trees until they are self-sufficient, then the cost of maintaining the trees, removing of dead trees, and the insurance liability should a tree fall on a property or onto a road. We hope that you will come and give your opinion at the annual meeting so that we can better gauge the wishes of the community.

Home Sales: When selling your home, please contact the Board at least two weeks prior to your closing. You will need to provide a letter from the Association showing that your Annual Assessment (dues) payments are current, and no liens are placed on your property. Knowing your closing date and buyer’s information will also allow us to promptly make changes to the property billing information for you and provide the new homeowners with an informational welcome packet. Please remember, if your home for sale has not yet closed when you receive your notice that the annual assessment is due, it is YOUR responsibility to pay and NOT the person purchasing your home.

Construction Update:  The 12^th and final addition of Pheasant Ridge is well underway and will connect the east and west sections of the subdivision.  One home is currently being built on the east end Bobwhite Way as well as a duplex on the east end of Wild Turkey Lane.  Streetlamps have been installed in the central area (previously farmland).

General Notes:

• For shed, fence, deck/patio, and other building requests, please use the Architectural Request Form (ARF) that can be downloaded and/or printed from our website. We will need to know building materials used, colors, and dimensions with a basic but clearly drawn-out plan showing the specific location to be installed in relation to the home, other structures, and property lines. This does not have to be an “architectural grade” or to-scale drawing, but it does have to be legible and include the necessary information needed so that the architectural review committee can make a decision. Turn-around time is very quick with our review committee. Although the standard is 30 days (from receipt of your request to receive a personal response,), we reply as soon as possible. If you are unsure whether HOA approval is required, please do not hesitate to ask; we take a personal stand to treat everyone’s requests respectfully, professionally, and will offer suggestions if needed to assist with completion of your project while both ensuring neighbors’ rights are not infringed and compliance with HOA requirements are met.
• The installation of solar panels is becoming more prominent. If the solar panels are only placed on your roof, no approval from the board or Architectural Request Form is necessary.
• Please maintain your property’s lawn. The Board has been involved with a few homeowners that have not been cutting their lawn regularly and/or allowing excess weeds to grow at the same rate. Not only does this look bad for our neighborhood (and possibly effecting home sales) but allowing excess/overgrown weeds effects all your neighbors as they can spread and germinate and harbor pests. If you are in a situation affecting your ability to maintain your lawn, please look to one of our entrepreneurial neighborhood kids who are mowing lawns this summer, other professional lawn services, or ask a neighbor for assistance if it is not a regular occurrence. Homeowners that are neglecting their properties will be reported to the Town for enforcement and possible fines.
• No dumping of grass clippings, mulch, or other yard debris is allowed on the HOA berms off Raab Road and Linden Street. Not only does this cause a problem for our mowers to do their job, but excess lawn waste can cause drainage problems and harbor rodents and other pests. If you are found to be doing this, you will be first asked to remove the debris. If not rectified, the Town will be notified for enforcement and possible fines and/or you may have to pay the cost of our mowers to do the work at a current rate of $50/hour.
• Please note that per our Covenants, residents are not allowed to post signs on either property lawns or HOA areas by the entrances. This includes signs in yards advertising businesses, political campaigns, religious activities, etc. Exceptions are home “For Sale” signs on properties while being listed for sale, and open house and garage sale notifications at the entrance ways up to the day prior of the showing or sale but must be promptly removed afterward. Please be respectful of our Covenants and your neighbors by complying with this requirement.
• Per our Covenants, travel trailers, RVs or mobile homes, boats and boat trailers, etc. may only be stored within your garage. No permanent parking or storing of these types of vehicles, either on the street or in a driveway, is allowed (the Town of Normal allows temporary parking on the street).
• Solicitation hours are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Each person must apply to solicit in the Town of Normal, and each solicitor must have, in view, on their person a copy of the Registration Certificate. If you ask, they must show this certificate (some solicitors will tell you the “business” has a permit, which is not true). Also, if you have a notice which states “NO SOLICITORS INVITED”, then the solicitor shall immediately and peacefully depart from the premises. If a solicitor is in violation of the Town of Normal ordinances above, you can call the Normal Police Department’s non-emergency number at 309-888-5030 to make a report.
• During snow days, please be mindful of not parking on the street so the Town plows can clear our streets. Cars may be ticketed. Also, please be attentive and courteous by keeping your sidewalks shoveled. Some streets only have one sidewalk, so keeping this clear allows our kids and neighbors safe travels and off the street when the weather is bad. If you have a neighbor that for whatever reason may be having troubles shoveling their sidewalks or property, be a good neighbor and offer to lend a shoveling hand!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact the Board by e-mail or send a letter to the P.O. Box address shown above.

Thank You,

Justin Wolf

President

Pheasant Ridge Association of Normal, Inc.

PHEASANT RIDGE ASSOCIATION OF NORMAL, INC.
P.O. Box 1044
Normal IL  61761

May 24th, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Summer is almost here, or at least it feels that way.  As I write this, the temperature is 84 degrees, yet it was in the 50s and 60s just a week ago!  As they say in Illinois… If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes.

With some neighbors moving out and new neighbors moving in (continuing the trend of being a sellers’ market), we also have new homes being sold on the west side of Bobwhite Way (more below).  As we have these new neighbors to welcome, I would like to take this one last time to introduce myself, current members of your home association board, and provide some updates for our neighborhood.

Association Board Members:

• Dino Carlino – President (term ending 2021)
• Dave King – Vice President (term ending 2021)
• Shelly Kerr – Secretary (term ending 2021)
• Ray McCormick – Treasurer (term ending 2020)
• Gary Ferguson – Board member (term ending 2020)
• Mary Walker – Board member (term ending 2020)
• Justin Wolf – Board member (term ending 2020)

Due to the COVID-19 situation, an Annual Meeting was not conducted in 2020.  Because of this and in accordance with Article IV, Section 2 of our bylaws, all elected board members with terms ending in 2020 have remained until this year’s Annual Meeting is held (more on that below).  Justin Wolf was appointed to the Board to fill the vacancy of recently resigned Vice President Ken Endrizzi, and board Member Dave King was then voted into the Vice President position.  I would like to thank Ken for all his hard work and contributions he made over the past few years.  Although all positions will take nominations to vote on, we have a confirmed need to fill two board vacancies this year.  Please reach out to the Board prior to the meeting if you are interested in serving a two-year term or have any questions about doing so.

Annual Meeting:  The 2021 Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 29th at 7:00 pm at the Heartland Community Church located at 1811 North Linden Street.  Reminder information will be listed on Nextdoor and signs will be posted at our entrances the weekend prior.  Appropriate actions will be taken to comply with State and local guidelines for the COVID-19 situation current at that time and I encourage your attendance and participation.  Among other items, the Annual Assessment fee will be a topic of discussion.  In addition, Officer Brad Park from the Normal Police Department will be in attendance to speak and answer any questions.

Annual Garage Sale:  The (almost) annual Pheasant Ridge subdivision-wide garage sale will be back on this year!  The sale dates have been set for Friday, June 11th from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, and on Saturday, June 12th from 8:00 am – 2:00pm. As in the past, Corinne Brand will coordinate the event.

If interested in participating, please send your name, address, and a description of the items in your sale to [email protected] by June 7th for inclusion in the listing.  Corinne will compile a list of the sales which will be posted on Nextdoor and Facebook closer to the sale dates.  Signs will be posted at our entrances advertising the sale, but you are encouraged to put up signs within the subdivision advertising/guiding to your sale

Key Points of Contact:

• Pheasant Ridge Association of Normal: By e-mail at [email protected], or view information on our website at www.pheasantridgehoa.net – Our website has information about our neighborhood and community, allows you to pay your Annual Assessment fee online through PayPal (more below), view and/or download the Association Covenants, Bylaws, Architectural Review Form (used to submit for approval of certain constructio projects), etc.  Please e-mail us with any questions you may have.
• Nextdoor Community Website: https://nextdoor.com or on the app – Log into this neighborhood social media site to connect with your fellow neighbors to ask questions and post about current area events, services, etc.  Free downloadable app for smart phones is available.  The Board will post messages from time to time if they are of importance and/or urgent to our neighborhood.

Operational Budget:  Following is the approved 2021-2022 operating budget (effective for July 1st, 2021 through June 30th, 2022).  This looks a little different than the 2020 Treasurer’s Report and 2021 Budget as listed on your billing statement.  We use this format to best show how your funds are being utilized during our normal fiscal year based on when we receive income (your Annual Assessment payments):

Pheasant Ridge Operational Budget July 1st, 2021 – June 30th, 2022

Income
Totals $14,880.00
Assessments (372 Lots) $14,880.00

Expenditures
Totals $14,880.00

Administration/General $500.00 3.36%

Audit $350.00 2.35%

Insurance $1,450.00 9.74%

Landscape/Maintenance $500.00 3.36%

Mowing $6,000.00 40.32%

Weed Control/Fertilizer $1,250.00 8.40%

Postage $250.00 1.68%

Professional Fees $400.00 2.69%

Supplies $300.00 2.02%

Trees (removal/replacement) $3,635.00 24.43%

Tree Watering Credit $40.00 0.27%

Website – Hostgator (3 yrs-S/U) $50.00 0.34%

Unallocated $155.00 1.04%

Net Income
Totals $0.00 100.00%

Annual Assessment (dues):  Included with this letter is the Annual Assessment of $40.00.  This is due on July 31st and covers the period July 1st, 2021 through June 30th, 2022.  This assessment is truly minimal, but covers the needed functions for our home association, most of which fall under maintenance of our surrounding berms and entrance ways. As mentioned above, residents can now use PayPal to pay your annual assessment through our website.  Members choosing to pay in this option will incur a small PayPal usage fee of $1.50, so the total charge would be $41.50 ($40.00 Annual Assessment + $1.50 PayPal fee).  Please note that if paying by PayPal, the transaction can only be done through the link on our website.  Also, paying in this method can only be used for the current year assessment; if a resident is delinquent in previous payments and has a property lien in place, all payments must be paid directly to the Association’s attorney in accordance with the attorney’s instructions on satisfying payment to remove a lien. As in the past, the $40.00 payment can also be made by check to “Pheasant Ridge Association of Normal” and mailed directly to the Association.

Landscaping and Trees

Last year the Board selected VIP Lawn Service to manage our mowing and landscape needs.  We had been satisfied wit their work this past season, so the Board negotiated a two-year contract to continue their services through March 2023. Additionally, after receiving several bids last fall for weed control and fertilizer, the Board selected Spring-Green to perform two treatments this season.  We will evaluate their services at the end of 2021 season.

Now that the dead trees have been removed along our berms, we are continuing to slowly build back our savings.  Based on projected annual savings, it will still be several years away before being able to afford planting new trees on both berms.  At this time, the board is moving forward in this direction and will re-evaluate the overall landscaping design within the next two years.

Last year I mentioned in the newsletter about soliciting ideas and thoughts from homeowners regarding this as we wanted your input on how best to apply your funds.  Unfortunately, only one homeowner came forward with an idea, which was to purchase trees on their own and donate to the Association.  We did allow this based upon our selection of approved planting trees and agreed on providing a two-year watering credit (where the homeowner is exempt from paying the Annual Assessment for the next two years in exchange for watering and fertilizing the trees during this time).  The Board has published guidance regarding this; the document titled “Tree Planting Guidance for Common Areas” is listed on our website under the “Documents” tab and is applicable for any homeowner who lives adjacent to either the Raab Road or Linden Street berms and agrees to both the tree purchase and watering agreement.  Additionally, homeowners throughout the subdivision may donate funds to add to the HOA’s tree planting savings

Home Sales:  When selling your home, please contact the Board at least two weeks prior to your closing.  You will need to provide a letter from the Association showing that your Annual Assessment (dues) payments are current, and no liens are placed on your property.  Knowing your closing date and buyer’s information will also allow us to promptly make changes to the property billing information for you and provide the new homeowners with an informational welcome packet.  Please remember, if your home for sale has not yet closed when you receive your notice that the annual assessment is due, it is YOUR responsibility to pay and NOT the person purchasing your home.

Also of note, final development of Bobwhite Way and to the north at Wild Turkey Lane connecting the east and west ends of the subdivision is underway.  There are currently homes being built and for sale on the west end of Bobwhite Way, and the central area (previously farmland) is having the underground utilities installed now.  The Town should have the final zoning plan from the developer approved by next month, so lots will be platted soon afterward.

General Notes:

• For shed, fence, decks/patios, and other building requests, please use the Architectural Request Form that can be downloaded and/or printed from our website.  We will need to know building materials used, colors, and dimensions with a basic but clearly drawn-out plan showing the specific location to be installed in relation to the home, other structures, and property lines.  This does not have to be an “architectural grade” or to-scale drawing, but it does have to be legible and include the necessary information needed so that the architectural review committee can make a decision.  Turn-around time is very quick with our review committee; although the standard is 30 days, it typically only takes a few days from receipt of your request to receive a personal response. If in doubt if HOA approval is required, please do not hesitate to ask; we take a personal stand to treat everyone’s requests respectfully, professionally, and will offer suggestions if needed to assist with completion of your project while both ensuring neighbors’ rights are not infringed and compliance with HOA requirements are met.
• Please maintain your property’s lawn. The Board has been involved with a few homeowners that have not been cutting their lawn regularly and/or allowing excess weeds to grow at the same rate.  Not only does this look bad for our neighborhood (and possibly effecting home sales) but allowing excess/overgrown weeds effects all your neighbors as they can spread and germinate and harbor pests.  If you are in a situation affecting your ability to maintain your lawn, please look to one of our entrepreneurial neighborhood kids who are mowing lawns this summer, other professional lawn services, or ask a neighbor for assistance if it is not a regular occurrence. Homeowners that are neglecting their properties will be reported to the Town for enforcement and possible fines.
• No dumping of grass clippings, mulch, or other yard debris is allowed on the HOA berms off Raab Road and Linden street.  Not only does this cause a problem for our mowers to do their job, but excess lawn waste can cause drainage problems and harbor rodents and other pests.  If you are found to be doing this, you will be first asked to remove the debris. If not rectified, the Town will be notified for enforcement and possible fines and/or you may have to pay the cost of our mowers to do the work at a current rate of $50/hour.
• Last summer many of the street signs within the neighborhood changed from yield to stop. This was done after an extensive survey performed by the Town at our request to assist residents who have had valid complaints about cars speeding and not paying attention to residents walking throughout the neighborhood.  Police have monitored our streets in the past by request to discourage speeding and disobeying of the posted street signs.  Please be mindful when driving as we have many children and fellow neighbors out and about
• Please note that per/our Covenants, residents are not allowed to post signs on either property lawns or HOA areas by the entrances.  This includes signs in yards advertising businesses, political campaigns, religious activities, etc. Exceptions are home “For Sale” signs on properties while being listed for sale, and open house and garage sale notifications at the entrance ways up to the day prior of the showing or sale but must be promptly removed afterward.  I recently posted on Nextdoor about the neighbor’s sign that flew away in the wind and became lodged in another neighbor’s shrubs by their front window (luckily no damage).  Please be respectful of our Covenants and your neighbors by complying with this requirement
• Per/our Covenants, travel trailers, RVs or mobile homes, boats and boat trailers, etc. may only be stored within your garage.  No permanent parking or storing of these types of vehicles, either on the street or in a driveway, is allowed (the Town of Normal allows temporary parking on the street).
• Solicitation hours are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Each person must apply to solicit in the Town of Normal, and each solicitor must have, in view, on their person a copy of the Registration Certificate.  If you ask, they must show this certificate (some solicitors will tell you the “business” has a permit, which is not true).  Also, if you have a notice which states “NO SOLICITORS INVITED”, then the solicitor shall immediately and peacefully depart from the premises.  If a solicitor is in violation of the Town of Normal’s ordinances above, you can call the Normal Police Department’s non-emergency number at 309-888-5030 to make a report.
• During snow days, please be mindful of not parking on the street so the Town plows can clear our streets. Cars may be ticketed.  Also, please be attentive and courteous by keeping your sidewalks shoveled.  Some streets only have one sidewalk, so keeping this clear allows our kids and neighbors safe travels and off the street when the weather is bad.  If you have a neighbor that for whatever reason may be having troubles shoveling their sidewalks or property, be a good neighbor and offer to lend a shoveling hand!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact the Board by e-mail or send a letter to the P.O. Box address shown above.  Although I will not be actively serving on the Board, I will continue to help with some maintenance of our berms’ trees whenever possible.  I would like to thank the current Board for donating their time, effort, and individual skill sets to serve the Association on behalf of the neighborhood.  If I am not working on my own landscape (or planning the next project), there is a good chance I am smoking some BBQ that needs my attention; I am always available to chat on either topic.

Always Onward and Upward,

Dino Carlino
President
Pheasant Ridge Association of Normal, Inc.

July 7^th, 2020

Dear Neighbor,

Hello!  I hope this letter finds you safe and well.  There are a lot of changes going on in our neighborhood and would like to tell you about them all.  That being said, I made a personal promise to keep this letter as short and to-the-point as possible; I will do my best to do so while providing all pertinent information.

As in the past, we continue to have neighbors moving out and new neighbors moving in (currently a sellers’ market), so this information is also useful as we welcome those new to our neighborhood.  As we have these new neighbors to welcome, I would like to take this time to introduce myself, current members of your home association board, and to let everyone know about things going on in our neighborhood.

Association Board Members:

• Dino Carlino – President (term ending 2021)
• Ken Endrizzi – Vice President (term ending 2020)
• Ray McCormick – Treasurer (term ending 2020)
• Shelly Kerr – Secretary (term ending 2021)
• Dave King – Board member (term ending 2021)
• Mary Walker – Board member (term ending 2020)
• Gary Ferguson – Board member (term ending 2020)

In accordance with Article IV, Section 2 of our bylaws, all currently elected board members with terms ending in 2020 are remaining until the next Annual Meeting is held (more on that below).  Gary Ferguson was appointed to the Board to fill the vacancy of recently resigned board member Wendy Anderson, who was filling the position of Treasurer this past year.  We would like to thank Wendy for stepping in and helping when it was needed.  Board Member Ray McCormick has now been appointed as the new Treasurer.

In addition to conducting the normal business of the Association, your Board has been working to ensure we are good stewards of the limited resources we have available.  Whenever possible, we try to have a “hands on” approach by volunteering our time and skills, either directly or in coordinating with other members, in the completion of projects and tasks to limit additional expenses.  Some of these areas include tree pruning and maintenance on our Raab Road and Linden Street berms, careful monitoring of the mowing of these areas, working with the Town for reviewing traffic plans to help keep our neighborhood safe, and repainting and special displays at our entrance signs.

Annual Meeting:  Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the 2020 annual meeting (normally held at the end of May at the Heartland Community Church) is being rescheduled for a future date yet to be determined.  The Board is reviewing the situation with both state and local guidance and is considering alternative options, such as a virtual (online) meeting.  Once new information is available, we will post it on both our website and on the neighborhood social media site Nextdoor (more information below).

Annual Garage Sale:  As with the Annual Meeting, we decided to postpone our annual subdivision-wide garage sale due to the COVID-19 situation and State guidelines and restrictions.  The Board felt this was the best decision at this time.  The Board will reevaluate the situation later in the year to consider hosting the sale (at a future date to be determined) in accordance with state and local guidance.  More information will be provided as the situation changes.  Please note, there are no restrictions on individual homeowners to conduct a sale on your own with appropriate precautions.

Key Points of Contact:

• Pheasant Ridge Association of Normal: By e-mail at [email protected], or view information on our NEW WEBSITE at pheasantridgehoa.net (currently under construction but will be up and running either by the time you receive this letter or shortly afterward) – I encourage you to please check it out for information about our neighborhood and community, to view and/or download the Association Covenants, Bylaws, and Architectural Review Form (used to submit for approval of certain construction projects, more information below), and now with an option to pay your annual assessment online with PayPal (also see below for specific information)!  Please e-mail us with any questions you may have.
• Nextdoor Community Website: https://nextdoor.com or on the app – Log into this neighborhood social media site to connect with your fellow neighbors to ask questions and post about current events, services, etc.  Free downloadable app for smart phones is available.  The Board will post messages from time to time if they are of importance and/or urgent.

Operational Budget:  Following is the approved 2020-2021 operating budget (effective for July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.

(Note: for viewing on a phone, the following table will scroll horizontally)

Annual Assessment (dues):  Included with this letter is the annual assessment of $40.00.  This is due on July 31^st and covers the period July 1^st, 2020 through June 30^th, 2021.  This assessment is truly minimal, but covers the needed functions for our home association, most of which fall under maintenance of our surrounding berms and entrance ways (see attached budget).

As mentioned above, residents can now use PayPal to pay your annual assessment through our new website.  Members choosing to pay in this option will incur a small PayPal usage fee of $1.50, so the total charge would be $41.50 ($40.00 Annual Assessment + $1.50 PayPal fee).  Please note that if paying by PayPal, the transaction can only be done through the link on our website.  Also, paying in this method can only be used for the current year assessment; if a resident is delinquent in previous payments and has a property lien in place, all payments must be paid directly to the Association’s attorney in accordance with the attorney’s instructions on satisfying payment to remove a lien.  As in the past, the $40.00 payment can also be made by check and mailed directly to the Association.

Landscaping and Trees:  We have continued to work hard in this area to improve the quality of our landscaping while maintaining or lowering costs when possible.  Board members volunteered time and expertise this past year substantially pruning all the trees on the Linden Street and Raab Road berms, which had not been performed for many years.  Damage to the brick pavers and retaining wall blocks on the White Chapel Way median were contracted for repair by Stolfa Landscaping, and damaged areas to our Raab Road berm’s retaining wall made by our previous mowing company (LKM) were repaired by them at the end of the season (after extensive follow-up by the Board).

As our mowing and landscape contract expired, the Board solicited bids for this service.  After a thorough review of all companies that submitted bids, the Board selected VIP Lawn Service to begin this season.  We have been satisfied with the service, communication, and responsiveness so far, but will reevaluate all aspects of the service at the end of this season to determine whether to negotiate additional years in contract or to solicit additional bids at that time.

We completed the final phase of removing the dead or dying Ash trees (due to the Emerald Ash Bore), at the end of last summer.  We would like to thank Bierbaum Tree Service for working with us and continuing to be flexible in working with our limited budget to complete this.  Although needing to be done, this took a toll on our finances.  A review of our operating budget above will clearly show what limited income we have to work with.

Simply put, we currently do not have the income source to fund a full re-landscaping plan for the berms at this time.  Even if we implement this in phases, it may still be cost prohibitive and definitely not time effective.  There are many aspects to this proposal as well – planting just trees, shrubs or ornamentals, focus on the entrance areas only, ease of establishing and maintaining, etc.  Additionally, any planting on the berms will have to have the full support of homeowners that live behind these berms to help with the watering.  Bottom line is that we have to take the many facets of this project into consideration to use our financial resources wisely and implement the plan smartly.

So how do we move forward?  Some neighbors have come to me asking about donating money to buy trees.  Some have suggested soliciting businesses for donations.  Others have stated the question about raising the annual assessment (which has not been done since 2003) or implementing a one-time special assessment (both of which would require a quorum of all voting members to do and then must pass with the appropriate majority).  If every property owner paid an extra $50 per/property once, and that money was specifically identified for use with this project only, we would have enough money to fully fund a complete landscape project of both berms (based on some initial project estimates).

The Board agreed the earliest any project would possibly begin is Spring 2021.  We plan to revisit this issue by the September board meeting.  I am open for suggestions and recommendations from members on both what they would like to see done and possible ways to fund them.  If you have any input, please contact us at [email protected].

Home Sales:  When selling your home, please contact the Board at least two weeks prior to your closing.  You will need to provide a letter from the Association showing that your Annual Assessment (dues) payments are current and no liens are placed on your property.  Knowing your closing date and buyer’s information will also allow us to promptly make changes to the property billing information for you and provide the new homeowners with an informational welcome packet.  Please remember, if your home for sale has not yet closed when you receive your notice that the annual assessment is due, it is YOUR responsibility to pay and NOT the person purchasing your home.

Also of note, final development of Bobwhite Way on the Northwest end of the subdivision is underway.  There are currently some homes built and for sale, and all the lots have been zoned and are up for sale.  Additionally, the farmland located in between the current east and west streets of Bobwhite Way and to the north at Wild Turkey Lane is being rezoned with plans to begin development at the end of the year.  This will allow Bobwhite Way to now connect from the east to the west while adding a new road (Silver Drive) going north to Wild Turkey Lane.

Solicitors:  Solicitation hours are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.  Each person must apply to solicit in the Town of Normal, and each solicitor must have, in view, on their person a copy of the Registration Certificate.  If asked, they must show certificate (some solicitors will tell you the “business” has a permit, which is not true).  If you have a notice which states “NO SOLICITORS INVITED”, then the solicitor shall immediately and peacefully depart from the premises.  If a solicitor is in violation of the Town of Normal’s ordinances above, you can call the Normal Police Department’s non-emergency number at 309-888-5030 to make a report.

General Notes:  Following are a few general items worth noting:

• For shed, fence, and other building requests, please use the attached Architectural Request Form (instructions listed on the back). We will need to know building materials used, colors, and dimensions with a basic but clearly drawn-out plan showing the specific location to be installed in relation to the home, other structures, and property lines.  This does not have to be an “architectural grade” or to-scale drawing, but it does have to be legible and include the necessary information needed so that the architectural committee can make a decision.  Turnaround time is very quick with our review committee; although the standard is 30 days, it typically only takes a few days from receipt of your request to receive a personal response.  If in doubt if HOA approval is required, please do not hesitate to ask; we take a personal stand to treat everyone’s requests respectfully, professionally, and will offer suggestions if needed to assist with completion of your project while both ensuring neighbors’ rights are not infringed and compliance with HOA requirements.
• Please note that per/our Covenants, signs are not allowed to be posted on properties and on the common ground areas by the entrances. This includes signs in front yards advertising businesses, political campaigns, religious activities, etc.  Exceptions are home “For Sale” signs on properties (while being listed for sale), and open house and garage sale notifications at the entrance ways (starting the day prior of the showing or sale and must be promptly removed afterward).  The Board had relaxed on enforcement of this in the early spring due to the COVID-19 situation, but we please ask that all members be respectful of both our Covenants and neighbors by complying with this requirement.
• Per/our Covenants, travel trailers, RVs or mobile homes, boats and boat trailers, etc. may only be stored within your garage. No permanent parking or storing of these types of vehicles, either on the street or in a driveway, is allowed (the Town of Normal allows temporary parking on the street).
• During snow days, please be mindful of not parking on the street as cars will be ticketed. Also, please be attentive and courteous by keeping your sidewalks shoveled.  Some blocks only have one sidewalk on a side of the street, so keeping this clear allows our kids and neighbors safe travels and off the street when the weather is bad.  If you have a neighbor that for whatever reason may be having troubles shoveling their sidewalks or property, offer to lend a shoveling hand

Please feel free to contact us at [email protected], or at the P.O. Box address shown above if you have any questions.  Again, all current information will be posted on our new website (www.pheasantridgehoa.net), with supplementation of important and/or timely messages for our neighborhood being posted on Nextdoor (viewable at https://nextdoor.com or on the Nextdoor app).  I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer – see you around the neighborhood!

Regards,

Dino Carlino
President
Pheasant Ridge Association of Normal, Inc.