Briarwood HOA meeting
September 10, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm
The meeting was held on-line via Microsoft Teams.
2. ROLL CALL
Board Members
o Present: Pat Daniels, Kayla Daniels, Mike Karagoulis, Jim Rypkema, Lynne Page,
Chrislyn Particka, George Plastis, Jean Zwier
Absent: Kristen Leary
Quorum met.
o Guests: David Austen, Melissa Itsell, Sai Valisetty
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE 8/13/2024
MEETING
Chrislyn noted that she had circulated the draft minutes prior to the meeting.
Pat moved to approve the minutes. Jim seconded.
o Yes: Pat, Jim, Kayla, Lynne, Chrislyn, George, Jean
o Abstain: Mike
o Motion carried
4. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jim provided an update on the pond. The ICDC determined that the size of the
circulation pump needed to be increased so it is taking longer to replace the old pump
than previously thought. The work should be completed by the end of the month.
Lynne noted that High Caliber Carting at the Meridian Mall may allow us to use their
meeting room at no charge for the October meeting.
Jean provided an update on the community garden. The Greater Lansing Garden project
is most likely going to give us a grant to help pay for the water bills. The amount is not
specified, but will be at least one water bill.
5. OFFICER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
President’s Report
No report; everything will be covered under New Business.
Vice President’s Report
No report; everything will be covered under New Business.
Treasurer’s Report
Lynne submitted the treasurer’s report via email prior to the meeting. There was
nothing unexpected, just regular administrative expenses.
There was discussion about dues receivable and the situation with Quickbooks and work
that needs to be done to make sure files have complete information.
o Lynne is working to retrieve all necessary information from Quickbooks to move
forward with discontinuing the service.
There was discussion of updating the signers for the safety deposit box.
There was discussion of unpaid dues, and discussion about if it had anything to do with
many people no longer using checks.
o Other banking and online payment options were discussed, including MSUFCU,
Flagstar, Paypal, Venmo. The options will evaluated.
There was discussion about what caused the current issues with past due dues, missing
information, and confusing or incomplete financial records.
o George made a motion that the treasurer should direct the work that needs
to be done; if she proposes an action to find data, we have to listen to her.
Seconded by Jim.
Vote was unanimous, motion carried.
Secretary’s Report
No report.
Nominations/Elections Committee
Jim requested that all current board members whose terms will be up let him know if
they are planning to run again.
Jean asked if there was a committee email address. She also noted that there is a
candidate application form on the website, and that the board should look back at the
list of people who received write-in votes last year.
Lynne asked for clarification related to terms and stated that typically, three board
positions turn over each year. With the shortage of board members in recent years, this
is not happening. She asked if the term length will be on the ballot.
[Guest Melissa Itsell asked to make a quick comment, thanking Kayla for previously serving as
treasurer.]
Welcoming Committee
Jean reported that she had contacted Tim Schmidt at Meridian Township about the
rental houses in Briarwood; there are currently two.
o Jean requested that if other board members think homes might be rentals to
contact her.
o Jean noted that Air BNB’s, etc., do have to be registered as rentals with Meridian
Township.
Jean also noted that the new welcoming handout is ready and that there had been
some discussion about adding an ACCE request form in the welcoming packet, but the
majority of the committee was not in favor of doing so in order to not appear overly
regulatory.
o Jim asked to see a copy of the new welcoming handout, and Jean said that she
would circulate it.
ACCE Committee
Kayla reported that there had been four new ACCE requests since the August meeting.
2187 Heritage – driveway expansion. On hold because they need to resubmit in order to
address township regulations.
2163 Donovan Place – standing seam metal roof
o There was discussion about the need to submit request forms for roofs since
they are considered repairs/replacements and weren’t typically approved in the
past.
o One of the proposed colors was red, and there was discussion about asking the
homeowner to amend the proposal so that the roof would be grey or black
(closer to the current color).
o There was discussion about whether or not all committee and board members
were receiving and/or reading requests.
3832 Crooked Creek – fence
o There was discussion about the current application being incomplete and some
board members not being able to see the whole application.
o Lynne noted that she appreciated the homeowner attended the meeting and
that additional work needed to be done on the application.
o Kayla proposed tabling the request as the homeowner is willing to meet and
compromise.
[Guest David Austin commended that the best case scenario for new homeowners is for them
to understand quickly that fences, sheds, etc. must be approved by the board.]
o There was more discussion about the potential fence, its proximity to the pond,
the deadline for the request, and some discussion about voting by email
between meetings.
3831 Roxbury – replacement fence.
o Lynne noted that she had questions about it and asked if once all of the
information had been gathered if the board could vote via email or have a
special meeting.
o Jim noted that there has been a lot of discussion about ACCE requests and that
they should only go to the entire board when the committee is not in
agreement.
[Pat was away from the meeting from 7:58 – 8:25 pm.]
o Jean commented that she had also thought that if the ACCE was in agreement
there was no need to bring it to the entire board.
[Guest Melissa Itsell commented that she was the listing agent for the house at 3832 Crooked
Creek, and that people who visit the Briarwood Pond are often going across the property, as it
is a double lot, and that the ACCE needs to recognize that.]
o There was additional discussion about replacement fences and whether or not
they require board approval.
Kayla said she would request more information on the driveway and the metal roof.
Chrislyn asked if any ACCE requests needed to be voted on, and there were not any.
Audit Chair
No report
Communications Committee
Chrislyn reported that the surveys were printed, and materials purchased. Pat stated
that costs were under budget.
Newsletter will be started soon. Potential topics include a safety notice from Meridian
Township Police Department, ACCE application information, an article from Mike about
maintenance.
Events Committee
They plan to discuss an activity for October.
Maintenance Committee
Mike reported that there are three trees that are unhealthy and leaning towards homes
and need to come down. He obtained two quotes, one for $4700 and one for $3200.
Mike made a motion to go forward with the $3200 bid. The company is licensed and
insured.
o Kayla seconded.
o The vote was unanimous, and the motion carried.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting ended at 9:02 pm without an official motion or vote to adjourn.
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