News

A message from Spur Ranch Road Association:

Good Day Neighbors:

Thankfully we are getting much needed rain.  It is lovely to see the resultant green from these rains.

The rains however do have an effect on the road.  Largely the road is performing as expected in the rain and the ditches are carrying the water off of the road.  The area of new base course that was placed last grading also encouragingly is holding up well.  This furthers the plan to replace poor sections of Spur Ranch as funds and the opportunity present themselves improving the quality of the road.

If you live along Spur Ranch Road, please inspect your culverts to ensure that they are not plugged.  If you do not have a culvert, please install one at any crossings.  Plugged or lacking culverts cause the road surface to wash away, and erode into the road surface.

The back half of the road has experienced some damage in the recent rains.  The ditches have carried the majority of the water off the road, but due to the fine nature of the road material (i.e. lack of base course) has plugged the ditches.  There are approximately four areas where water has run across the road, damaging the driving surface.

Over the next several days, heavy equipment will be out, and "repull" the ditches, reestablishing the road drainage.  This work will largely occur from Calleja Junipero to the South.   As always, please yield the right of way to the heavy equipment as they have reduced visibility.  Prior to this work, please reduce speed in these areas to ensure your safety, especially when meeting oncoming traffic.  The road in these areas is not only rough, but the width of the road surface is reduced.

Thank you again if you have made your annual donation to Spur Ranch Road Association.  These donations allow us to maintain safe access to the road.  If you have not made your donation, or wish to make an additional donation (we are always willing to accept these!) please send in your check.

Regards,

Michael X. Schlumpberger

Spur Ranch Road Association 

Hi neighbors!

I wanted to update you on a meeting that took place with presidents of the various Home Owners’ Associations along Spur Ranch Road, regarding paving the road.   As you are likely aware, there has been a concerted effort to get the county interested in paving Spur Ranch Road, eliminating the horrible conditions in which the road often finds itself.  The county has been reluctant, it seems, to take on this added responsibility.  They are short on funding for all road projects, and 4-7 years behind on road projects they have already agreed to.  Nonetheless, if enough people voice who use the road are committed, they will do it—for a fee. 

The county estimates that the road will cost around $2,500,000 to complete, running from Highway 285 all the way to Avenida de Compadres. 

They will set up a bond—a special assessment—to be paid along with property taxes each year by all residents using the road, until the road is paid for. 

There are many things that are unknown at this point as to how much each property would have to pay for the road, should it be paved. 

• 1)     Would each property pay an equal amount, or would each property pay a percentage, based on the property tax assessment values?  If each property pays an equal amount, it would be around $16,800 per home, but that’s without interest.  With interest over 10 years, it would be significantly more.  If it is based on the property tax assessment value of the home, the cost would range (with interest, over ten a ten year ‘loan’) from $1,625 to $5,417 per year, depending on the valuation of your home/property.  For example, if your home is valued at 500,000 dollars (in terms of property tax), then your annual special assessment would be $2,708.  You can see these figures, and how they were determined, by looking at the attached PDF at the bottom of this message (poorly titled: Scan_0006).  It was given to me by the treasurer of the Spur Ranch Road Association and shows how she figured out the valuation.
• 2)     Would the bond be for ten years, or more or less?  If it is for more years, the annual cost would decrease.  But if the bond is for less, the amount per home could increase significantly.
• 3)     What interest rate would be used to calculate annual cost?  3% is what is shown in the estimate here, but it might be more or less.  However, once it is set, and the bond is issued, the cost to us cannot change.

I am interested in your thoughts.  Please post below with questions you have, thoughts you’re thinking, and tell me how excited or horrified you are by this.  I am to meet with SRRA again in August, and would like to take your reflections back with me so that I can better represent your take on this to them.  If you can share with me your thoughts, I would be most grateful.

In addition, please click on this link and take a short survey about the road indicating how likely you are to vote for the road to be paved.  I’ve limited the options to get a more ‘black and white’ view of whether this would even ever happen.  The vote to the county is based partly on home value…  it is estimated that homes that use this road (around 150 homes) cost around $60,000,000 total.  For this to be considered by the county, 75% of that cost, or 45,000,000 worth of properties would have to agree that they are ‘in’.

Scan_0006.pdf

Referenced subdivision should be “Tierra Bello”. My apologies. Stu

Tierra Colinas HOA Board Meeting Minutes Thursday , July 14, 2022:

In attendance: Olivia Carril, President, Adam Quinn, VP, Katherine Tvarones, Treasurer, Stuart Jaffe, Secretary. Ginny Aromando, Board Member and Architecture Committee, Sharon Peterson, Board Member, 3 residents Jeremy, Marie, and Irina

At @ 6:30 P.M. Olivia called meeting to order via a Zoom meeting.  Olivia welcomed all to the meeting.

Agenda Items: 

1. Lien letters: Five families remain past due on HOA DUES. IN 2005, an Amendment to Bylaws added 2% late charge. Timely filing of liens is important. Liens will be placed on property for these 5 homeowners.
2. Cierra Belo: Filing for 2-year extension requires compliance with HOA guidelines, enforced by Santa Fe County. 70 homes remain to be built. Must comply with HOA guidelines. No modular, earth tones. Affordable housing complete.
3. Spur Ranch update:  County will consider paving road. Cost estimate $3.25 million including interest costs. . @ cost per $500,000 assessed home will run $2,700 per year for 10-year period. Olivia will share information with residents via website, and email and Board.
4. Mailbox update: New boxes expected soon. About one week mail will be down during new box installation. Need to pickup mail at Pacheco. Olivia assisted by Board will make keys available for new boxes from Laura Stern installer with Wiregrass. When obtaining new key, mailbox holders will be asked to sign for key receipt.
5. Saturday late September 17 barbecue. Similar to last year’s gathering.
6. August 17 5:30 PM, DINNER MEETING RE: online voting. Comparison with nearby HOA’s that Adam put together will be helpful. 2/3/22 email input on voting from Adam Quinn. “Hi All,

In answer to your questions:

1)  Did we have enough votes, based on the quorum present last Tuesday, to move to online voting right away?  

Were enough people present that we can consider that particular issue done?  If so, that will make the second issue (changing what constitutes a majority) considerably easier.

If not, we should send out a mailer, make calls, go door to door etc. right away to get that passed.

I don't think we can move to online voting just yet. Online voting will involve an amendment to the covenants, and this cannot take place unless we have 2/3 of all members sign off on it.

2)  I think we need to have another HOA meeting open to the whole community to vote on which ballot/majority issue to put in place.

We could state as the goal coming up with three options for what constitutes a majority for the community to vote on.  We could present Adam's research, have a discussion, and do an initial vote from that meeting.  

If online voting is in place, we can follow up with asking for those that didn't vote in the meeting to vote online.  

And we could send out mailers as a final way to get people to vote.

In conjunction with this, I think another call out to the lawyer is needed:  I am disappointed that he didn't consider the quorum issue in the language he wrote.  With online voting, the need for a quorum goes away, and we need to have that figured out.

This is a great idea but first the Board should be in agreement to present a united front. It would be fantastic to receive input from Katherine if there are further concerns...

Once we have come to a consensus we could prep for a big vote via a special community meeting, mailers, door to door, etc. Unfortunately since the ballot will include online voting we will not be able to utilize it this go round.

I do not see any value in contacting the attorney again. Our covenant language states that we require 25% of members for a quorum which is the strictest minimum when compared to surrounding HOA's. I think this is good and no changes are needed.”

Further input from Adam on 1/26/22 via email on HOA guidelines near TC HOA.

“Hi All,

Congratulations to El Presidente Olivia for a great job last night!

I want to follow up regarding the concerns raised last night. I think Katherine has a great point regarding the need for a quorum for voting. 

I did some digging from surrounding HOA's that have the governing documents available. Here is what I found (least restrictive to most restrictive) about the numbers of eligible members to make a quorum, and what is required to pass a vote:

1. Tano Rd HOA = 10% members for a quorum, with a simple majority vote.

2. Eldorado ECIA = 10% members for a quorum, with a 60% majority vote.

3. SRRA = 20% members for a quorum, with a 2/3 majority vote.

4. Aldea = 25% members for a quorum, with a 2/3 majority vote.

Reviewing our bylaws it states that TCHOA requires 25% of members for a quorum. This is in line with the strictest HOA bylaws that I could find. Additionally, our proposal is for a 2/3 majority vote - which is also the same as the strictest bylaws.

Personally, I feel the proposal is very reasonable and I think modifying our voting requirements in line with the strictest bylaws illustrates our desire to address the concerns of the membership. 

What are your thoughts and concerns so we can talk them through?”

Respectfully submitted, Stu Jaffe, Board Secretary 

I am out of town at the moment, so don’t get to see it for myself, but have heard that the roads are goopy again, like last week.  Ernst let me know last week that going around and out through Compadres is much better than down Spur Ranch to 285.  Just thought I’d pass that on in case it helps anyone!

Olivia

Tierra Colinas HOA Board Meeting Minutes Thursday , April 7, 2022:

In attendance: Olivia Carril, President, Adam Quinn, VP, Katherine Tvarones, Treasurer, Stuart Jaffe, Secretary. Ginny Aromando, Board Member and Architecture Committee, Sharon Peterson, other residents and members.

At @ 6:00 P.M. Olivia called meeting to order. Olivia enabled a Zoom meeting for individuals unable to attend in person. Olivia welcomed all to meeting including Sharon Peterson as a Board member once again.

Agenda Items: 

1. TC HOA DUES PAYMENTS: Katherine provided an update on payments. Two previously delinquent members sold their home and outstanding HOA dues were paid. Some have not paid current year and a reminder letter or email will be sent to late payers. Reminder dues are due April 1 of each year.

2. Update on mailbox replacement proposal:

Many hands of Board involved in considering replacing our mailboxes on Avenida de La Paz. A quote of @ $11,526.69 has been received from Laura Steen of Wolfgrass Installs LLC FOR THE FOUR NEW BOXES INCLUDING TAX. The 5-new boxes will provides 80-individual mailboxes and more room for packages. Wolf Grass Install provided a rough cost estimate of $3,000 to install and facilitate mail transition.

The Board requested that we move forward On April 8, on behalf of the Board, I, Stu Jaffe, asked Laura of Wolfgrass to move forward. Requested Katherine prepare check for the boxes and tax, and that Ginny and Architecture Committee decide on best color choice for new boxes. 

3.  Follow up to Annual Meeting regarding current ByLaws and the need for updating: 

At Annual Meeting, well favored by all in attendance that we broaden channels to facilitate enhanced resident engagement and voting participation within TC HOA.

Our HOA attorney assisted in updating our well-dated voting parameters.

A MEETING WAS SCHEDULED BY Olivia for April 27 at 6:00 PM at the Eldorado library, supplemented by Zoom call. 

Proposed changes will be offered at this April meeting regarding ByLaw modification addressing quorum and majority to effect change in future ByLaw changes as may arise.

Respectfully submitted, Stu Jaffe, Board Secretary 

For those interested in attending, we will be having a board meeting tomorrow evening at the railroad room at the Eldorado Community Center at 6pm.  Join if you’re interested!

On the agenda so far:

1). An update on architecture issues in the neighborhood

2). Making a decision on when to install mailboxes

3).  Scheduling a date for a group discussion on how to initiate online voting and updating covenants.

Please contact Olivia Carril if you have any questions:  435-770-9441

Tierra Colinas Annual Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 25, 2022:

In attendance: Olivia Carril, President, Adam Quinn, VP, Katherine Tvarones, Treasurer, Holden McCurry, Board member and Architecture Committee, Stuart Jaffe, Secretary. Ginny Aromando, Board Member and Architecture Committee, other residents and members.

At @ 6:00 P.M. Olivia called meeting to order. Olivia recorded and will post to TC HOS website record of meeting.

Agenda Items: 

1. Spur Ranch Road Association Update from Spur Ranch Board Members:

Michael and Carole of SRRA attended our Annual Meeting and provided helpful updates on the status of Spur Ranch Road. Michael is new President of SRRA. SRRA is seeking a new Board Member and hopes someone from TC will consider the role. Carole shared progress in her/their efforts to use County Improvement District process to pave SRRA. Carole shared insight of the work in process and past history. SRRA is first entity to try and use CID to pave a private road. Two-thirds of assessed value of homeowners are required along with County approval. 2/3’s of homeowners have offered preliminary approval. Initial cost estimate is 3-years old. More detailed engineering work will refine construction cost element. Ongoing maintenance will be addressed. 

Road paving might be another 3-years in process.

2. Approval of TC HOA Budget: 

Katherine presented the 2022  budget with total expenses of $15,922 which was approved. Mailbox capital improvement is not included in this 2022 Operating Budget. 

Our biggest cost component is the $8,320 contributed to SRRA for road maintenance. 

Katherine shared that our Checking Account balance is $48,762, and MMF balance $15,118. 

Many thanks to Katherine for her caring work and support.

The work that Ron and Jerry do and have done, helps enable our budgets to effectively balance. 

3. Update on mailbox replacement proposal:

Many hands of Board involved in considering replacing our mailboxes on Avenida de La Paz. A quote of $9,300 has beef received on 5-new mailboxes that provides for 80-individual mailboxes and more room for packages. Wolf Grass Install provided a rough cost estimate of $3,000 to install and facilitate mail transition.

Olivia called for a vote which was passed by those in attendance. 

4. Consideration of the addition of online voting:

Well favored by all in attendance as a helpful additional channel to maximize homeowner engagement and voting.

Our HOA attorney assisted in updating our well-dated voting parameters.

4a. Reconsideration of voting parameters:

Our attorney assisted in language updating related to redefining what constitutes a valid vote of all participating homeowners. More work is needed in this arena as concerns for adequate participation were expressed by multiple participants. Proposed amendment will be reworked, reviewed with attorney, before presentation for a vote. 

5. Proposal to change Annual Meeting Date: 

Well received move to more moderate time of year that might facilitate outdoor setting for Annual Meeting. 

Sincere thanks to the Architecture Committee, Holden, Ginny, and Lucy for their valued work with our homeowners.

Much appreciation to Adam for his work on By-Law changes.

Lastly, thank you Olivia for your caring work and support of TC HOA.

Respectfully submitted, Stu Jaffe, Board Secretary 

Dear neighbor,

Due to a rise in Omicron Covid cases in Santa Fe over the last week, and out of an abundance of caution for our community, the annual Tierra Colinas Homeowner's meeting will be held online this year on the Zoom platform.  

Please click on the following link at 6pm on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 to join the meeting.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86571548840?pwd=aWs2Rnk4OElONS9idjF4dUVNZFVCQT09

Meeting ID: 865 7154 8840

Passcode: tchoa

Our agenda this year will include:

1)  An update on Spur Ranch Road, led by the Spur Ranch Road Association.

2)  Approving the 2022 budget.

3)  An update on our mailboxes.

4)  A proposal to introduce online voting.

5)  A proposal to change the date of the annual meeting.

Please join us, and bring with you any issues you would like addressed as well.

Sincerely,

Olivia Carril and the TCHOA Board

Dear Neighbor,

I hope this finds you and your families well and excited for the holiday season!  Welcome to our newest residents, the Kingmans.  We are happy to have you here and look forward to getting to know you.  I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet many of you this last year.  Through phone calls, and at our barbecue in the late summer, I have become acquainted with many of our talented and delightful community members; I enjoy living among such excellent neighbors.  This letter is an end-of-year update on what all has been accomplished, and what goals we have for the next year.  

Ron and Jerry, thank you, for quietly and competently maintained our roads to excellent standards for this last year.  Thank you also for joining Adam and I at our meeting with Spur Ranch Road Association.  We appreciate your incredible store of knowledge on the subject, and your willingness to share what you know.

Thank you also to our Architectural Committee for their efforts in helping keep our community within the standards set out in our covenants.  You have all likely noticed the speed with which they respond to your questions about lights (point them down, please! We live in an area of low light pollution), house colors, and additions.  Our board is 100% volunteer, and I appreciate their personal investments.

The board continued to use covid-safe practices to manage the business of our homeowner’s association. For the first half of the year the Board met virtually, and after vaccines became available, we met in person.  One of our goals for the next year is to re-open board meetings to any who might want to attend, as they were prior to the start of Covid.

Tierra Colinas continues to be in good financial shape, and our annual expenses were low; it is good that they were low, because a number of people did not pay their dues this last year.  We have had to place liens on two household where dues are years behind and are hopeful that other members who did not pay will catch up in this next year, before interest accumulates significantly.  Your dues go to pay for the maintenance of our internal roads, grading Spur Ranch Road, and in the near future, we will be spending a substantial chunk on the mail boxes that were chosen by those who took the time to vote.  Each unit will hold 13 mail slots, plus a package slot.  This should keep our mail in better shape, and also provide more package slots for everyone. 

I would encourage all of you to take a moment and sign up for our new website, if you haven’t.  You can connect with neighbors there, vote on topics that interest you about the neighborhood, and get updates on when and where board meetings will be held.  What’s more, the website will allow us to eventually digitize our budget, and give you the option of paying your dues online.  Please see the attached sheet, which provides instructions on how to sign up!

Mark your calendars, the annual membership meeting will be held 6pm on January 25^th, 2022. The meeting will be at the Vista Grande Public Library’s community room , please be fully vaccinated and wear a mask. If you are unable to attend in person, we plan to stream the meeting remotely via Zoom. We will be emailing the Zoom link a few days beforehand. We encourage everyone to join the meeting. If anyone is having difficulty connecting, please contact Olivia at 435-770-9441.

The agenda for the meeting will include approving the 2021 budget, an update on our continued relationship with Spur Ranch Road Association and fees for maintaining the road, an update on the mail boxes, a proposal to introduce online voting, and any issues you would care to bring forward.

One of our biggest goals for this next year is updating the covenants, one item at a time, to better reflect the needs of our community members.  They were written when the HOA was formed in 1996, and updating them is immensely challenging; issues like Pods, Airbnbs, and whether we can have chickens are all things that we should be able to address, as our community changes and grows.  Through a small modification in the bylaws, we should be able to implement a new way of voting that would make updating the covenants easier.  In the future, we hope to have an online voting option, in addition to traditional ballot submittal, so that, should the community desire, the process of changing the covenants would be streamlined. 

Happy Holidays,

Olivia