Meeting Time:  7:00 pm

Attendees:

Liberty Square Board of Directors:  Tony Weatherington, Bill Jury, and Vicky Loy

Property Manager:  Chardon Wyatt

Homeowners

Dave Gamble, Mike Loy, Dan & Eileen Regelski, Chad & Beth Whiteside, Amanda & Pete Douglas,Jack Sorrells,Flora Odom, Lena Grace Tagoe, Lester Dunaway, Deshawn Bullock, Benny Hamby,Peyman Khan, Cyrilla Smith, Joseph Pitts,Matt & Sarah Pitts

Minutes:

The meeting was called to order at 19:07. HOA Board update:

• Two board members; Carl Sulzer and Marty Marks have both sold their homes and will be moving out of Liberty Square. We wish them both luck with their new homes.The board appointed Bill Jury and Vicky Loy as replacements for these two positions.
• A quorum was confirmed based on attendees and proxy votes submitted.
• One resident was nominated and Tony volunteered to run for another term.
• Tony Weatherington won the election and will retain his position as HOA president.

Financial:

• The operating account currently has a balance of approximately $42,500 and the reserve account has a balance of $26,800.

A couple of notable projects are upcoming that will affect the budget (increased) has been updated accordingly under maintenance to include

1)pool repairs that will include leak detection as we continue to have some leaks. These are not unusual repairs and should be expected due to the age of the pool.  2) Team management is currently obtaining bids for the tennis court to repair the new cracks in the foundation. ** It was noted that the lifetime of resurfacing tennis courts is 5 year. **

Neighborhood Update

A neighborhood update was given on the current status of the neighborhood and recent activities being undertaken on behalf of the residents.

• Team management is currently obtaining bids for the corners as you enter the subdivision (commons areas) to beautify these corners due to loss of trees and bushes.
• Several projects completed recently 1) the playground has been recently painted and stained. 2) All bricks in the commons areas (park, playground, entrances) have been pressure washed. 3)Several diseased bushes around the playground /gazebo area had to be removed. Removal necessary to prevent any further contamination.
• The board is currently checking on an alternative for umbrellas for the pool for the upcoming summer as we continue to purchase umbrellas and because residents do not close them back up when they leave they always get destroyed which is a waste of the homeowners money. There is an alternative the board is looking into that will be a more permanent fix that will provide shade.
• Residents complained about non residents entering the pool. Several comments and suggestions were made which included: 1) check into purchasing a higher gate for entrance 2) pool rules need to be on the outside of the entrance gate 3) Bracelets or pins should be required if you are at the pool. For this to be effective residents will have to be involved to challenge anyone that does not have one of these. Concern noted that most residents are hesitant to speak up and get involved. Unfortunately we do not have the funds to have someone on sight at the pool to enforce our rules.
• Board will reinstate having residents sign a document that has the pool rules listed before they will be given a key to the pool.
• Past due HOA dues list was discussed in general regarding the current status. As of the meeting on the 18^th the past due amount was $11,924.54. Appropriate measures and follow ups have been taken by the board and Team Management. Resident requested that Team Management review the # of renters that are on this list and also asked about limiting the number of renters that we currently have. As for the covenants specifying a cap on the number of renters allowed there is not one. In order to change the covenants 75 % of residents will have to agree to do so. In addition there are huge legal fees involved when attempting to change any covenants Resident asked about the necessity of the pool phone which is $750 annually. Chardon noted that the pool will not pass inspection if we don’t have an emergency phone on the premises by the pool. Unfortunately this amount reflects a corporate rate and is the cheapest rate available.
• Resident stated that the landscapers are spraying weed killer instead of edging the weeds. Some of his plants around his home were killed. Chardon to get Gold Touch in touch with the resident and to correct this issue.

Open Discussion

The floor was opened for discussion regarding any topics

• Bill Jury is now a member of the board which means he cannot chair the architectural committee. Floor was opened for volunteers and asked attendees to spread the word that another board member is needed.
• Residents commented again about cars parking illegally outside of marked spaces on the street. The board has followed up with both the county and city and neither are claiming ownership of painting new markers for parking. As one last attempt a letter will be sent to our mayor asking him for his guidance.

• Residents brought up the number of cars that are parking on the streets. A reminder that the covenants are very clear and straight forward. If you own 2 cars they must be parked in your garage. If you own more than 2 cars those should be parked in your driveway. A letter of several concerns will be sent to all owners and this will be one of the issues.
• Owners continue to be irresponsible and not clean up after their dogs.

This problem will be included in the letter of concerns.

Neighborhood communications

• A resident set up a Facebook Group for the neighborhood.This will allow us all to communicate, share ideas and hopefully bring the neighborhood closer together.

Here’s the link – www.facebook.com/groups/libertysquareacw…

• nextdoor.com is another source of communication which includes not just our neighborhood but surrounding Acworth neighborhoods as well.
• https://www.libertysquareacworth.com/ you will find all sorts of information on this website that includes copies of HOA minutes, Architectural Control Requests, and Covenants and By- Laws.
• The bulletin board will have notices or reminders plus contact information.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.

Minutes – Vicky Loy & Bill Jury

Meeting Time:  19:00

Attendees:

Liberty Square Board of Directors:  Tony Weatherington, Carl Sulzer

Property Manager:  Chardon Wyatt

Homeowners & Residents:  Dennis & Suzanne Willis, Dave Gamble, Mike Loy, Lisa Slaten, Bill Jury & Randy Chancey, Dan & Eileen Regelski, Chad & Beth Whiteside, Robert F Smith Jr., Katie Garcia, Sandy & Karlene Hinton

Minutes:

The meeting was called to order at 19:07

Neighborhood Update

A brief neighborhood update was given on the currents status of the neighborhood and recent activities being undertaken on behalf of the residents

Financial:

• The operating account currently has a balance of approximately $34,000, and the reserve account has a balance of $25,500. The operating account had a huge boost last month from second quarter dues, which is why the amount is so much higher than at the March meeting.

General:

• The pool will be opening on May 14^th. Tiles have again been replaced around the top edges of the pool and all seems to be in good working order at the moment.
  • A new resident, Katie Boschert, has volunteered to organize a small event for pool opening day. From about 11:30-1, there will be snacks and small activities by the pool.  More information will be sent about this next week and posted to the bulletin board. Thanks to Katie and Beth for volunteering to organize social events for the community.
  • Another new resident, Beth Whiteside has volunteered to help with planning any neighborhood events as well
  • Umbrellas will be provided at the pool this year. Residents are asked to please put the umbrellas down when leaving the pool, as wind is the number one destroyer of umbrellas and the reason they do not usually last more than a year.
  • Pool keys are to be handed out after the meeting as well as on May 9^th and 14^th. Notices have been sent to residents with dates and times for the distribution.  Residents must exchange last year’s key for a new key or pay $10 for a new key with a check only.
• A vendor has been selected to trim up the trees on the roadside. 171 trees will be trimmed up so that delivery vans and school buses no longer hit them and people aren’t smacked in the face while walking.
  • A resident asked about having nuisance trees removed from the street by the HOA. Following last year’s tree removal activities, the community spoke up quite loudly about their want to retain as many trees as possible, and even voted to allow the city to make the call for tree removal.  Therefore, residents wishing to have trees removed on the street side of the sidewalk should contact the city of Acworth to petition for their removal.
• A neighborhood yard sale will be held on May 14^th from 8AM-5PM. Anyone wishing to participate should let Bill Jury know that they are going to have items for sale and he will make sure there are arrows pointing to the individual houses.  Bill and Randy have a huge sign indicating “Neighborhood Yard Sale” that they will be putting up at the entryway.  Thanks to Bill and Randy for arranging this.
• The entry monument has been repainted, and repairs are underway at the playground.

Open Discussion

The floor was opened for discussion regarding any topics

• Sandy Hinton is moving away from the neighborhood and Bill Jury will now chair the Architectural Review Committee.
  • The committee has only three members after Sandy leaves, so additional volunteers are needed to the group is at least 5 people.
    • Mike Loy and Lisa Slaten volunteered to join the committee
  • A resident commented on cars parking illegally outside of marked spaces on the street. Many of the street markings are faded and Team Management will contact the City of Acworth to request re-striping of the markings.
  • A discussion was held on the merits of sending out violation letters for visible trash cans. The point of these letters is generally to ensure that trash cans are not left in the street and alleys after trash day, but are wheeled up closer to the homes.
  • A question was asked about the number of yard sales each year – generally it is done once a year but can be done more often if there is interest.
  • A resident mentioned the homeless camp near the I-75 Southbound exit ramp, saying residents of the camp have been seen rifling through trash in the neighborhood.
    • The association discussed this issue at the last meeting, and we do not have much legal recourse. The owner of the property must file trespassing charges against them for living on the land
    • Residents were advised to continue calling Bartow County code enforcement to make formal complaints and see if they would once again send police out to the area
      • Bartow County Code Enforcement
      • Deputy James Lowry
      • 770-383-7405

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The meeting was ended at 19:45.

Meeting Time:  19:00

Attendees:

Liberty Square Board of Directors:  Tony Weatherington, Carl Sulzer

Property Manager:  Chardon Wyatt

Homeowners:  Sandy Hinton, Katie Boschert, Mike & Vickie Loy, Dan & Eileen Regelski, Marlene Nikoukary, Elaine Rojas, Mark Wilson, Spudabeh Akhbari, Gloria Dunaway, Flora Lynn Odom

Minutes:

The meeting was called to order at 19:05

Neighborhood Update

A brief neighborhood update was given on the currents status of the neighborhood and recent activities being undertaken on behalf of the residents

Financial:

• The operating account currently has a balance of approximately $20,000, and the reserve account has a balance of $25,000.  Several major projects were undertaken last year, some of which required reserve funds.  This year we hope not to touch the reserve account unless something unexpected occurs.

General:

• Gold Touch Landscaping has been through to sod over the areas in which trees were removed last year
• The board has requested proposals from several tree companies to trim up trees in the neighborhood this year.  We are awaiting responses
• The pool continues to have tiles falling off despite several repairs performed under warranty by Aquarama pools.  The board continues to discuss options with Aquarama and they will be out once again to repair the latest missing tiles.  We are not sure whether the repairs will be done before or after pool opening, but the missing tiles do not impact the usability of the pool.
• The pool will likely be opened by the 2nd week of May.  The board will make a final determination of pool opening date and announce key distribution times at a later date.
• For years, people have been complaining about a homeless encampment parallel to the entryway drive across the woods.  The HOA has been working with various entities over the past year to try and remedy the concerns.  Team Management have contacted Bartow County Code Enforcement and were able to get the county police to visit the site in February.  Three people were removed, with one arrested for outstanding warrants.
  • A landowner has been identified for that property and must press trespassing charges before the county can do much
  • The tents were meant to be removed after the initial visit, but are still there
  • Several residents expressed their concerns about the camp and expressed a desire to have it removed.
    • The prospect of a perimeter fence was discussed for the neighborhood – this would be prohibitively expensive for the HOA
    • The suggestion was made that the more calls the county receives about the camp, the more likely they would be to do something about it.  Interested residents may contact Bartow County Code Enforcement using the following information:
      • Bartow County Code Enforcement
        Deputy James Lowry
        770-383-7405

Open Discussion

The floor was opened for discussion regarding any topics

• A question was raised about whether any stipulation exists within the covenants to prevent the number of rental properties within the neighborhood.  There is a feeling that renters are not taking care of their homes and are not picking up after their dogs.
  • There is no restriction in the covenants to limit the number of rentals.  In order to change this, there must be a 75% yes vote on any amendment to the covenants.  Several years ago this change was proposed and the overall reaction of the community was to ignore the amendment or vote “no.”
  • The argument was made by other residents that there is no way to know who is not picking up after dogs
  • The concern was voiced that lenders would be less likely to offer mortgages to people buying homes in communities with many renters.  Other residents disagreed with this assertion and stated that a lender is not legally allowed to discriminate based upon number of renters
• A question was asked about the entry way – The right side driving in looks beautiful, while the left side is not as pretty.  Is there something we can do about this?
  • That land is owned and managed by Ingles, though the trees and a few feet of grass are maintained by Liberty Square.  Grass will not grow there due to heavy shade and roots of trees.
• A resident commented that the playground bridge is broken and is in need of mulch.  Team Management will have this repaired and will order mulch.
• A resident asked whether anything could be done socially when the pool is opened as has been done in the past.
  • The social committee is currently nonexistent
  • One resident in attendance informed the group that she is a professional event planner and offered to begin organizing events.  The board has allocated some funds each year for social events that could be used for a pool opening party.
• A resident inquired whether operating a daycare business out of a home was allowed.  There is one house in front of which cars are constantly improperly parking and blocking other traffic.
  • Having a home-based business is not necessarily prohibited, though the business operator should have registered the business and posted in front of the home that the business would be run from the home.
  • Team Management will send a letter to the homeowner regarding improperly parked cars.
• A resident indicated that a neighbor has two “junk” cars in their back yard that have not moved in some time and would like to know if the HOA can do anything about this.
  • The HOA can send a letter.  The best course of action may be to contact code enforcement from the city of Acworth to determine if having derelict vehicles in a residential neighborhood is prohibited.

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The meeting was ended at 19:55.