Lawsuit update

We have just learned that the Gila County judge has approved our motion to dismiss the Jack Burns lawsuit against the HOA. An appeal is possible -- we will continue to keep you posted.

Annual HOA meeting

An early reminder that our annual meeting for the HCR HOA will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2008. The meeting will start at 1:00pm and will be held at the Christopher Creek firehouse. Election of three Board members will occur at this meeting. A written notice of this meeting will also be sent to all members with the upcoming dues notice.

Meeting Notice

The next meeting of the HCR HOA Board will be on Saturday, December 8th. The meeting will start at 1:00pm and will be at Karl Mann's home (Lot 109). All members are invited.

One of the important topics for this meeting is a proposed increase in the HOA dues by 5%. Here is a memo from Treasurer George Miller regarding the reasons for the proposed increase:

New Business Item for December 2007 Board Meeting

The Board has the authority to approve a 5% increase over the previous year without a vote of the general membership. –CC&R 6.2.3.

Current Annual Assessment $728.00/Year
5% Increase= 36.00/Year

Total increase if 5% increase approved:
$36 X 165 memberships = $5,940.00/Year

Reasons to Support 5% Increase:

1. The assessments have not been increased in the past 3 years.
2. Expenses have increased and will continue to increase next year.
3. Our infrastructure is getting old and general maintenance has not
kept up with the needs. Our water and waste water facilities are in
need of paint and some roof repair. Estimate of these items range
from $5,000 to $10,000.

This increase is necessary even though we have retained earnings of approximately $200,000, because those funds are set aside for future updates and enlargements to our waste water system.




George F. Miller
Treasurer

Minutes for Sep 15th BD meeting

I have posted the minutes from the Board meeting on Sept. 15th, along with the financial statements that were reviewed at that meeting. I have also updated the two HOA member lists to reflect changes during the year.

Document posting

Sorry folks -- please bear with me. I am trying to catch up with how Google is now handling documents posted to our website. I will re-post the minutes and financial statements in the next day or two.

Board minutes posted

The minutes from the 9/15/2007 Board meeting have been posted to the website, along with copies of the financial statements as of 9/8/2007 which were reviewed at that meeting.

Policy on ATV and UTV usage in HCR

As you know, the Board has been reviewing the policy on ATV and UTV usage within HCR. At the last Board meeting on September 15th, the Board officially approved the proposed policy which had been previously posted on the website, and discussed at two Board meetings. The gist of the policy, as now clarified, is that ATV usage remains completely prohibited within HCR, while licensed UTV's and golf carts may be used, but only if properly registered with the Architectural Committee, and subject to a number of rules regarding safe and responsible usage. A mailing to all members will be made shortly, which will include the specific definitions of an ATV and a UTV for this purpose, the operating rules for UTV's and golf carts, and the registration requirements. We will also include the registration form that must be completed.

Over Labor Day there were instances of irresponsible use of ATV's and UTV's. Our new policy is intended to protect the best interests of all HOA members, and to accomplish this we intend to enforce our policy carefully. Violations should be promptly reported to the Board, or the AC, and fines will be imposed. Let's all pull together to make this work.

BD Meeting Notice 9.15.2007

The next regular Board meeting will be this Saturday, September 15th. The meeting will begin at 9am, and will be held at Karl Mann's home (Lot 109). Members are invited to attend.

Opening documents on the website

If you try to open one of the documents posted on the website, and get a message that the file cannot be found, try then hitting your enter key -- hopefully the document will then open. (Not sure yet why this step is needed for certain users, but it seemed to solve the problem with some.)

Proposed ATV policy

One of the main issues discussed at the last Board meeting was the policy on ATV usage within HCR. The consensus of those attending the meeting was that primary concerns are with safety and noise issues. The Board has drafted a proposed clarification of the prohibition on ATV use which is in our CCR's. The proposed language has been posted on the website. The main points covered are: (1) An ATV is defined as "an unlicensed three or four wheeled all terrain vehicle, intended for off road use, which is ridden straddled and is steered by a handlebar." Per existing CCR's, no ATV may be ridden on HCR roads or common property under any circumstance. (2) Other vehicles, such as UTV's (e.g. Polaris Ranger, Yamaha Mule or similar)or golf carts, may be utilized, but are subject to restrictions as enumerated in the proposed policy.

The Board will consider comments on this proposed policy, either in writing or at our next general Board meeting on September 15th. The policy will then be finalized.

Propane tank enclosures

Some of you may have recently received a notice from the Architectural Committee regarding your existing propane tank enclosure. Our rules require that tanks be fully shielded from neighboring lots and streets. If your enclosure does not comply, you will need to complete the enclosure to meet this standard. If you have any questions, please contact Rod Aschbrenner.

Minutes for July 7th BD meeting

We have posted the the following documents on our website:

1.) The minutes from the July 7th Board meeting.
2.) The Audit Committee report, which was reviewed at the July 7th meeting.
3.) The financial statements for the HOA through June of 2007.

Some of you have indicated to me that you are not able to open the documents posted on the website -- the problem is spotty, and I am still trying to track down the source of the problem. I am using a different file naming convention now, which may (or may not...) solve the problem. Please email me (at rmd-external@mindspring.com )if you are unable to open the documents, and in your email let me know what operating system you use (e.g. Windows XP, Windows Vista, MacOS, etc.) and what browser program you use. All the posted files are in a "pdf" format, so you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to open them (this program is available as a free download). Thanks for your help (and your patience).

Melodrama

Don't forget the Christopher Creek annual melodrama, which will be performed next week on 6/28, 6/29 and 6/30. See the poster at the gate for details. Our own Karl & Cindy Mann and Lorna Aschbrenner appear in starring roles! Should be a blast.

Picnic

In our April newsletter we had indicated that Saturday, June 16th would be the date for the HCR clean-up day and HOA picnic. The clean-up day was later switched to Memorial week-end, to co-ordinate with the fire break fundraising activities -- but we probably were not clear that the picnic for June 16th has also been cancelled. The Board will be considering alternative dates, and we will keep you posted.

You should receive your semi-annual dues notice very shortly, as well as a newsletter.

Memorial weekend

The weather will be spectacular in the mountains this weekend -- sunny, highs in the mid-80's and cool nights. There is much to do, as well.

Saturday is clean-up day at HCR. We have a large dumpster available for any "forest waste" that you may want to remove from your lot. The dumpster will be located on the common property near the water treatment plant, and will remain there until next Thursday 5/31. It is very important that ONLY forest waste goes into the dumpster (branches, logs, brush, leaves, pine needles). No construction debris, no lumber, no plastic bags, no garbage. The county is providing this for free, but if we abuse the rules, we will be fined and lose future rights to this service.

Work crews will be doing some painting on HCR properties and the entry gate area. Volunteers are needed. Meet at the front gate at 8am, and bring brushes/rollers if you have them. Work will wrap up by noon, so the crews can get over to Christopher Creek for burgers and brats.

The Creek will have a variety of activities during the weekend to raise more funds for the firebreak project. From noon to 5pm on Saturday there will be burgers and brats at the firehouse. At the same time there will be a silent auction and a baked goods sale (if you can donate baked goods, please try to bring them by 10am). Raffle tickets will also be sold for five items: a rifle, a shotgun, two quilts, and a guitar.

On Sunday from 2pm to 4pm is a concert by the group Mogollon (they are really good -- from Heber/Overgard, but they play all around the southwest). The concert will be on the grounds beside Creekside Restaurant. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids, or $30 for the full family. The raffle winners will be drawn during the concert.

Come on up for a fun weekend!

Update - Promontory Fire

This update is as of Friday morning. Yesterday was a good day, with no erratic winds to disturb the firefighting efforts. The fire has burned 2,700 acres, and has been declared 40% contained. Working the fire are 667 firefighters, 5 helicopters, 17 firetrucks and 4 bulldozers. The fire remains a "ground fire", meaning there is no crowning activity. Lines will continue to be secured today, and more burnout activity is planned. The biggest risk, as always, is with the weather -- T-storms are possible later today, which could create gusting winds. For HCR the highway remains as a significant break between the fire location and our homes. And absent storm-related winds, the direction of the burn is generally away from HCR. Best wishes and thanks to all those involved with fighting the fire.

The fund-raising effort to support the Forest Service plans to construct a firebreak around HCR and the Christopher Creek area is also progressing. Donations from HCR members have now passed $10,000. Thanks to all who have contributed. If you haven't yet contributed, we still need money -- the overall Christoher Creek community target of at least $50,000 (to secure all of the available matching funds) has not yet been met.

Update - Burns lawsuit

The Board, and our attorneys, will participate in a mediation hearing on Monday May 21st regarding the lawsuit against the HOA filed by Jack Burns. The Board met in executive session on Friday May 18th to review the issues in this legal matter. Next week we will update members on progress, if any, that resulted from this hearing.

Fire News

Most of you are probably aware that a wildfire is burning in the area just north of Christopher Creek. The human-caused fire started late last Sunday and has burned over 1,100 acres as of yesterday. At this time (noon on Wednesday, 5/16) I have been informed that the fire is buring only on "the mountain" (rim) and there is no fire actually burning within the local fire district. TV news coverage may emphasize the amount of smoke, etc. but there is certainly no panic at all within the local community. To keep yourself posted, you can consult the Payson Round-Up website and the Tonto NF website -- the links to these are included on the local links section of this website.

This is another reminder of the importance to HCR of fire safety. You have recently received a mailing with details of the pending fire break work -- and our need to raise funds to make it successful. Since the mailing, the response has been great. Funds raised in the Christpher Creek "metro area" are over $35,000, and so far this includes over $8,000 from HCR members. If you have already contributed, thank-you very much. If you have not yet contributed, please consider writing a tax-deductible check ($350 suggested) to "CK Firebelles/Firebreak" and send it to the HCR mailing address at the top of this website.

Newsletter and Minutes

A newsletter will be mailed to all members in the next few days. An advance copy has been posted on the website.

Also, the minutes for the March 24th Board meeting have been posted to the website.

Fire Safety Project

Fire season is not too far away. At the last Board meeting we got two very good pieces of news. First, the Forest Service has selected the Christopher Creek area as its next priority for a significant fire safety project. Second, Gila County has $50,000 available as matching funds for any money that is raised by the local community. BUT...nothing will happen (or at least happen very soon) unless the local community provides funds by June 30th. The Forest Service will hire and supervise the contractor, but they have no funds in their own budget to get things going this year. WE NEED YOUR HELP. The project will thin 329 acres (see the Fire Safety Project document posted on this website for more details and a map), and the cost is about $700 per acre. We are suggesting a donation of $350 from each HCR member. This amount, when matched by county funds, would clear one acre. The Board is working with the Christopher Creek HOA and the See Canyon HOA on additional fundraising projects, such as raffles and a silent auction. After the June 30th cut-off date, the Forest Service is likely to find other matching funds available. This is probably the best "insurance" money we could be spending. Please help. Your contribution will be tax deductible. Checks should be made to "CK Firebelles/Fire Break" and mailed to Karl Mann at HC2 Box 261K, Payson, AZ 85541. Thanks in advance to all who contribute.

Annual Christopher Creek Melodrama

The annual Christopher Creek Melodrama (this year a one act play) kicks off with a casting call for all interested persons. We have need of actors/actresses (4-5 males & 4-5 females), stage crew, lighting and sound personnel, scenery constructors/painters, and various other "behind the scenes" persons.

The first casting call will be held on Tuesday, April 10th and Wednesday, April 11th at 7:00pm at he Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints in Christoher Creek. The first rehearsal will be Thursday, April 12th. Subsequent rehearsals will be held 2-3 times weekly, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 7pm until 9pm.

The performances will be Thursday, June 28th, Friday June 29th and Saturday June 30th.

For information contact Karl Mann, Producer (478-4008) or Pamela Steven, Director (468-6372).

BD meeting notice 3.24.2007

There will be a meeting of the HCR Board on Saturday, March 24th. The meeting will be at 9:00am at Karl Mann's home (Lot 109). All members are welcome to attend and participate.

Also, the minutes for the last few meetings have been posted on the HCR website.