Newsletter – July 2022

While we have not yet set a firm date, the HOA Annual Meeting will be held in September at the Riceville Fire House, 2251 Riceville Rd. Here are a few details.

• The meeting will be held in the early evening as last year. Tentatively 6 p.m. sign-in and 6:30 start.

• While we have met in the outdoor pavilion the past two years, we are hopeful we can move the meeting indoors this year if the fire department allows indoor gatherings. That may change by September, so we should be prepared to hold the meeting outdoors, as we did last year, if need be.

• While we will provide a ZOOM link for out-of-town lot owners to view and listen in, voting will only be either in-person or by proxy, so plan ahead.

• The proposed 2023 HOA Budget which will be voted on at the meeting will be sent out in late August along with more details on the meeting. 

• One Board term is expiring this year. Voting for this Board positions will be by written ballot, with nominations submitted prior to the meeting. Nominations from the floor will also be allowed during the meeting.  HOA members interested in running for a Board seat, or wanting more information, should get in touch with any current Board member or write to the board at board@sovereignoakshoa.com. Board meetings are held once a month. While the meetings are currently held the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., the board will set at a time a place convenient to all board member schedules, so it may change.  

• Watch for more information.

HOA BOD Meeting Schedule Change

Meetings are now scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month, beginning at 7 p.m.  Non-Board HOA members are welcome to attend, observe and participate in the monthly board meetings. Any HOA member who wishes to be placed on the agenda to discuss a topic must inform the Board at least 10 (ten) days prior to the meeting by sending an email to board@sovereignoakshoa.com or speaking with a sitting board member. stating the topic(s) that they wish to discuss and the names of those individuals planning on attending. Any HOA member wishing to attend as an observer without presenting to the board, should also inform the board ahead of time as a courtesy to ensure adequate seating is available and to confirm date, time and place.

Neighbor to Neighbor Dialogue

A group of HOA members has been working independently for several months on ideas about neighbor-to-neighbor dispute resolution and initiatives for deepening community engagement through areas of shared interest. In addition to suggesting several tools they think could be useful in building durable solutions to disputes through a process of dialogue, the group is exploring ideas for building on community member interests in areas such as gardening and horticulture, recreational activities, communication initiatives, and educational initiatives. They recently presented a summary of their work to the HOA Board. The Board encouraged them to open a dialogue with other HOA members to further develop their ideas and to invite suggestions from the wider community. Interested HOA members can reach out to Harry Koolen, (hfkvermont@yahoo.com ), Artie Miller (aeeamiller@yahoo.com ), or Tim Owings (tlowings@gmail.com) for more information. They would like to hear from interested community members by the end of July, in order to put some of the ideas in motion before the end of the summer.

Bookkeeper Updates the Books and the Board

Sovereign Oaks new bookkeeper, HOA member Kristen Eggen, attended the recent Board meeting to report that she has completed her clean-up of the QuickBooks HOA income statements and balance sheets. As a result, the Treasurer’s Reports posted on the HOA website (www.sovereignoakshoa.com) are now correct and current. We’re lucky to have a professional bookkeeper helping us keep the accounting up-to-date. Thanks, Kristen.  

HOA Member Directory is Coming!

HOA members Rebekah Owings, Amanda Galvin and Art Mandler continue to revamp different aspects of neighbor communication, including an upcoming current member directory and an improved website. Many HOA members have asked for a directory as an easy-to-access way to get in touch with neighbors. HOA members can also elect what personal contact information is shared publicly. Watch for details in next month’s newsletter. Thanks Rebekah, Amanda and Art!

Maintenance of Undeveloped Lots

An HOA member recently asked what is required for the maintenance of undeveloped lots. While the HOA landscape contractor mows the frontage of lots not yet under construction, owners of undeveloped lots in the Meadows or with extensive brush growth are required to arrange for bush hogging once a year, optimally in late fall after the growing season ends. At the same time, it should go without saying that undeveloped lots are NOT the place for neighbors to their dump yard waste. 

Speaking of Bush Hogs…What About Bush Goats?

If you see some goats hanging around Catherine and Joe Stepflug’s house on Trail Top Drive this week, the goats are hard at work clearing the brambled slope adjacent to their home. While raising livestock is not permissible in Sovereign Oaks, the temporary feeding of goats is a creative solution that Catherine and Joe have come up with to address their landscape maintenance needs. A temporary electronic fence will keep the goats on task and on property. Dog walkers take note! Keep your pet on leash when passing by the bearded work crew.

One Man, One Tree

Neighborhood hikers on the trail leading onto the Warren Wilson trail system last month may have encountered a very large tree blocking the trail, forcing two-footed hikers taller than 24” to scramble over it. Unfortunately, as recent rain weakened its foundation the tree’s roots along the creek bank gave way. The tree, nearly two feet in circumference at the base, was cut and cleared from the path by HOA member Mike Newton on his own. Several times Mike and his chainsaw have, without fanfare or being asked, voluntarily cleared trees that have blocked the trails in and around Sovereign Oaks. This was a big one. Thanks, Mike!

See Something? Say Something

If a neighborhood trail looks like it needs some maintenance, whether downed trees, weed growth, erosion, or unsafe trail conditions, HOA members can inform the Trails & Landscape Committee by contacting Mark Jordan at mejscuba@icloud.com

Batter Up! Play Ball!

Interested in forming a Sovereign Oaks co-ed, non-competitive softball team to participate in the Asheville City League this fall? Several of you have responded but we still need more players. Sign-up starts in July, the Season begins in September. We would need to field a team of at least 10 people in order to register. Cost per person is approximately $60. This pays for field rental including equipment (other than gloves), umpires and Tee-shirts. 

If interested, contact:

Jack Klippel  (email): jackklippel1944@gmail.com  (cell phone/text): (404) 692-9059. 

Brad Allen  (email): bdallen2007@gmail.com  (cell phone/text): (612) 386-3415.