Pay Your Assessment Online

Dear Homeowner – in an effort to offer additional options for payment of assessments, a Payment Only website has been created for your Association. Homeowners now have the ability to pay Association assessments, special assessments and other fees via credit card as well as eCheck and recurring ACH (automatic payment) processing. While eChecks and ACH processing continue to be a no cost option, the convenience of credit cards is an added payment option that will carry a 3% convenience fee that will be added to the amount of your online payment.

To get started, please follow these easy steps:

Get online, and go to ams-nw.com or Click the Pay Assessment button on the home page.

Click on Sign In at the top right hand corner, and follow the prompts to create a log in, all you will need is the name on the title, and the address of your home.

Once you have registered and signed in, you will have access to your account information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are all major credit cards accepted?
A: Yes. All major credit cards are accepted including VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and AMEX.

2. Will details be displayed on my credit card or bank statement?
A: Yes. You will see the name of your Association and a contact phone number for The Management Group for inquiries. Note: the total charge will be the sum of the assessment plus the convenience fee on your credit card statement.

3. Does my community earn the convenience fee charged when I use this service?
A: No. The convenience fee is retained by a 3rd party company who processes the credit card transactions.

4. On what day will my online credit card payment be credited to my account?
A: The Management Group will receive notification daily of credit card transactions processed through your community website. Updates to your account will be made within 24 hours, however, they will be applied as of the date payment was made online.

If you have any questions, you may contact us at 503-858-1222.
Thank you,
The Management Group

This December the Arbor Ridge Board would like to celebrate the Holidays by having our Annual Holiday Light Contest. Put up your best holiday lights on your house and between December 15th and the 21st houses will be selected and then prizes will be awarded on or after December 21st.  Judging will be on creativity and overall attractiveness of the lights.

Please make sure all lights and decorations are taken down by February 1st, 2014.

Arbor Ridge Home Owner Meeting for September 24th, 2013

Homeowner Input

• None

I. Meeting Called to Order

• 6:35 pm

II. Meeting Minutes

• May 21, 2013 Minutes were motioned for approval; Board passed the minutes unanimously.
• Special Board Meeting Minutes for the meeting held on September 17, 2013, are still under review by the
  Board and pending approval.

III. Treasure’s Report

• Mike Farris, Treasurer, and Lynda DuLong (TMG) gave an overview and review of 2014 preliminary budgets for the Masters and The Cottages. We then move forward with discussing a plan of our organizational goals in terms of specific financial and operating objectives.  Please see VI. New Business 1. 2014 Reserve Study and 2. 2014 Budget below.

IV. Committee Report

• Social Events/Neighborhood Watch/Newsletter – Lisa Walker reported:
  • The Neighborhood Watch is still going strong with special current focus on providing continued crime alerts and educational materials from the Washington CountySherriff’s Department.
  • The Social Committee: The last event of the year is going to be The Holiday Lighting Contest in the month of Dec.2013.
  • Newsletter: A newsletter will be prepared to be sent out in the month of October, prior to the Annual Meeting, October 22, 2013.
  • Aditya Kapoor reported that the Arbor Ridge Facebook is now open to the public.
• Landscape – Tom Wilkinson reported:
  • Tom Wilkinson, reported the first phase of the tree removal project is complete. It was a clean job, and walk through and defining of the replanting of trees identified and confirmed. At least 10 sites where a tree need a replacement. A discussion took place on the operating replacement of monies needed. There are 17 triangle spaces that will require ground cover. Please note: a review of for Arbor Ridge Tree Replacement Options/City of Portland Tree list can be reviewed at: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/224835

  • It was also reported that the general landscaping, the tree lines on Laidlaw are hanging low, and need to be pruned to the compliance of hanging 8 feet up. Lynda DuLong reported that funds are available to manage the pruning by Showplace Landscaping.

• Architectural – Board reported:
  • It was noted that the ARC Committee is being managed by the Board for current and future reviews, and no other updates made at the meeting.
• Ad-Hoc Beaver Committee – Zen Dunaj:
  • A follow-up review on status can be reviewed from the meeting on September 24, 2013 unapproved meeting notes. Things still pending in communications to Clean Water Services and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

V. Management Report

Administration

• Homeowner Correspondence (please see management report on file, for additional information).  Homeowner correspondences were discussed regarding waived yard maintenance reminders, and overdue dues.  It was discussed, that homeowners that wish to have a fine waived are asked to present themselves in front of the board in person to discuss further.
  • a. Owner present at meeting, and asked for a review to violation for yard maintenance and is requesting the fine in the amount of $75.00 be waived. Board Motioned to have the situation corrected, and a one-time waiver to occur. Motioned and seconded. Motion Carried.
  • b. Make noted, owner not present. Written request – Board Motioned denied. Motioned and seconded. Motion Carried.
  • c. Owner present at meeting, Owner submitted a response to a violation for landscape maintenance. Board Motioned a one-time removal of fine. Motioned and seconded. Motion Carried.
  • d. Make noted, owner not present. Owner submitted for a response to a violation of a garage door and storm door improvement with no ARC approval. Board Motioned by email, an approval. Motioned and seconded. Motion Carried.
  • e. Owner present at meeting, and asked the fine be waived. Mail was not being received, and discussion took place of the importance of notifying TMG of mailing address when tenants are residing. Board Motioned soft cost charge to be waived. Motioned and seconded. Motion Carried.
  • f. Owner present at meeting. Board asked for additional history on file.
  • g. Owner present at meeting: Owner asked that fines be reversed for Hose and garbage receptacle been left out. Board Motioned that the fine be waived for the Hose only. Motioned and seconded. Motion Carried.

Financial

• Delinquency report discussed in detail and recommended advisement of protocol in maintaining collections took place.
  • A Motion to transfer bad debt and sharing the cottage collection (amount on record: $ 2,854.50) to main account. Motioned and seconded. Motion Carried.
• 2. 2012 Financial Statement – IHDE CPA performed the 2012 Financial Statement.  This report is an overview of the financial statements.  Association events and transactions for recognition and disclosure through June 2013.

Repairs and Maintenance

• N/A

VI. New Business

• Reserve Study 2014:  Reserve studies Funding prepared the 2014 Reserve Study.  The Cottage collection expenditures for 2014 include:  bark dusting, tree pruning, and tree removal.  The annual contribution for the Cottage Collection (Arbor No. 2) is $15,402.00.  This is an increase of $435.00.  The Master Expenditures for 2014 include:  concrete/curb work, landscaping, tree renovations, and retaining walls.  The annual contribution amount for the Master is $30,438.00.  This is an increase of $2,118.00.
• 2014 Budget – Board reviewed and finalized the 2014 “Draft” Budget.  Board discussed an increase in the 2014 main Association assessments to increase to $260.00 to cover operating expenses. ** Motion made, and seconded.  Motion Carried.
  • Discussion of the following took place:  $3,500.00 for contingency, $1,500.00 for Social Committee events, $22,000.00 for Water expenditures and $5,000.00 for office supplies, inclusive of stamps.  Balance Budget will be in place for the Main Collection.
• Discussion on if the Cottage collection assessments to stay the same?  To be proactive in managing operational expenses in the future.  It was motioned a need to increase the assessment by $10.00 annually to cover an offset of expenditures for the Tree Removal Project.  Motion made, and seconded.  Motion Carried.

VII. Unfinished Business

• Cottage Collection Tree Plan Update – Clay Erway, Arborist with Davey Tree Company, will be completed with the tree removal by the end of week.  Over all, Management received no complaints.  The Board and Landscape Committee Members may want to discuss setting up a landscape walk to review areas for tree replacement, pruning, and enhancements in the Cottage Collection.
• Beaver Response/Charter Steps – As stated above, Board met with the Ad-Hoc Committee Members on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 to discuss an outline for the Beaver Response Ad-Hoc Committee, along with the Charter and next steps.  There is an information gathering taking place on the easement for CWS, and Tract “T” information and updates will be forwarded to the Board as received for review.

VIII. Adjournment

• Call for adjournment was at 8:59 pm

Approved Arbor Ridge Home Owners Association Annual Meeting October 23rd 2012

Arbor Ridge Home Owner Meeting for October 17th, 2013

I. Meeting Called to Order

• 6:33 pm
• Attendees: Mike Foster, Mike Farris, Todd Behunin, Ken Walker, Lisa Walker, Lynda DuLong, Zen Dunaj, Ela Dunaj, Kim Loeffler

II. Arbor Ridge ad hoc Beaver Committee Informational Report and Recommendations

• Execution Session took place: Kim Loeffler was asked to give a 10 minute review of the Recommendations, as documented in the informational report, dated, October 8, 2013.

III. Question Session

• The Board began a discussion on the contents and proposed recommendations of the ad hoc Beaver committee.
• Beaver Dam removal by a 3rd party contractor to reduce water volume.
• To have a Geo Engineering firm inspect the walls on the Arbor Ridge Properties to clarify the structural integrity of the wall as well as its purpose to sustain standing water against them.

IV. Board Response

• The Board of Directors gave a response of the recommendations of the Beaver ad hoc committee that the documented report does not reflect the tasks initially assigned to them to define the purpose, problem, factual analyze, and action plan of short term and long term actions.  The Board will review/evaluate and report back their decision.
• The Board asked a closing of the session.
• Motion to end session, and motion seconded and carried.

V. Board Decision

• Short term decision will be: Beaver Dam removal by a 3rd party contractor to reduce water volume –a motion was made to approve $5,000 budget allocation; the motion was seconded and carried.
• Board will look to have trees replanted by an organization that will provide the trees for free that beavers will not like to help deter beavers from the area.

VI. Adjournment

• Call for adjournment was at 7:37 pm

Home owners this is just a reminder that the Annual Meeting is this coming Tuesday Oct 22nd 2013 @ 6:30 pm at Bethany Elementary School, 3305 Northwest 174th Avenue, Portland, OR 97229.

Please arrive early to sign in so the meeting can start on time, registration will begin at 6:00 pm.

Home Owners will receive a letter from our Management Company containing a proxy form and information on the upcoming Annual Meeting on October 22nd, 2013.  It is really important that if you can not attend the Annual Meeting that you send the proxy form back in the postage paid envelope.  A quorum of Home Owners in order to move forward with day to day business.  Extra mailing cost you as a Home Owners $700 per a mailing and continue until we reach the quorum.

We would really like to see the Home Owners attend the Annual Meeting so that you can have input on the members of the Board, find out what is occurring in your neighborhood and provide feedback as an Arbor Ridge Home Owner.

If you are interested in running for a Board Position please contact Lynda Dulong at The Management Group (see the contacts page) .  We are also looking for people to be involved with the Social Committee, Neighborhood Watch Committee, Architectural Review Committee, Newsletter Committee and Landscape Committee.  Please let us know by emailing us, contacting Lynda Dulong or attending the Annual Meeting.

The Annual meeting is a great opportunity to meet the Board of Directors and the Management company that help manage the community.  If you are interested in a Board Position or would like to be a member on one of the committees this is a great place to get involved.

If you need a copy of the letter and/or proxy form please see this link.

ARHA Annual Meeting Mailing 092713

Arbor Ridge Home Owner Meeting for July 30th 2013

Homeowner Input

**An in-depth discussion took place regarding the Natural Habitat and the Beaver/Fish and Wildlife & Clean Water Services/ management of the Beaver Dams and water flow

I. Meeting Called to Order

• 7:00 pm

II. Meeting Minutes

• May 21, 2013 Minutes were motioned for approval; Board passed the minutes unanimously.

III. President’s Report

• None

IV. Treasure’s Report

• Mike Farris, Treasurer, was absent, but Lynda DuLong (TMG) gave us a brief update:
  2014 preliminary budgets for the Masters and The Cottages are being put together and reviewed. We then can plan our organizational goals in terms of specific financial and operating objectives.

V. Committee Report

• Social Events/Neighborhood Watch/Newsletter – Lisa Walker reported:
  • The Neighborhood Watch program is still going strong with special current focus on providing continued crime alerts and educational materials from the Washington County Sheriffs Department. Ken Walker completed his attendance of the Washington County Sheriffs Department’s Citizen’s Academy in the month of June. He reported that it was very interesting, and he learned about all the different department’s functions. In support of the Neighborhood Watch Program we discussed further defining the project of incorporating a Disaster Recovery program. Mike Foster suggested we engage with Michele Grote of Thrive Life. Michele has confirmed she will be attending our HOA Annual meeting on October 22, 2013 to do a presentation and over view of her product and services.
  • The Social Committee: Our July 4th Arbor Ridge and CWN social event went very well.   Arbor Ridge hosted the hot dog stand, and gave out over 500 hot dogs.  We had 31 volunteers from Arbor Ridge, which was so much appreciated.   The next scheduled event is August 6th (The National Night Out Event, which is also a CWN joint event in support of the Neighborhood Watch Program) and the last event of the year is going to be The Holiday Lighting Contest in the month of Dec.2013
• Landscape – Discussion:
  • Tom Wilkinson, reported he worked with ShowPlace Landscaping to define certain sprinklers to be shut off (also to fix broken sprinters) and to change the watering schedule where needed to cut down on the water expenditures.
  • In the common area there was a dead tree, ShowPlace managed the removal.
  • A tree was topped off (broke off) and may have been a potential vandalism.
  • There will be new Arborvitae planted in needed area.  It was motion, and motioned second to approve $505.00 for this project to be implemented.
  • The Biggest project is still being managed forward, The Davey Tree Project. An oversight was made, but amended to report correctly on the report by Ruth. There will be a spread sheet available to defineeach tree’s physical address. There are 78 trees for removal this year. 28 are located on Arizona Drive, and 13 located on Desert Canyon. We discussed the importance of the impact of the appearance of these areas, to be discussed and reviewed carefully. Also, a discussion took place on marking/tagging the trees or curbs with paint. For accuracy there will be a GPS locater for the tree removal project. Trees are scheduled (and home owners will be notified) that August 2013 will be the beginning of the tree removal, and planting to occur in Sept. 2013 and October 2013.
  • Lynda DuLong (TMG) brought up the importance of the Landscape budget for 2014 and the review of it.
• Architectural – Mike Farris reported:
  • One pending ARC board review, and no other updates made at the meeting.

VI. Management Report

Administration

• Homeowner Correspondence (please see management report on file, for additional information).  Homeowner correspondences were discussed regarding waived yard maintenance reminders, and overdue dues.  It was discussed, that homeowners that wish to have a fine waived are asked to present themselves in front of the board in person to discuss further.

Financial

• Delinquency report discussed in detail and recommended advisement of protocol in maintaining collections took place.

Repairs and Maintenance

• N/A

VII. New Business

• Reserve Study 2014
• Showplace Landscaping Budget 2014
• Social Media/Facebook
• Landscape Replacement
• Beaver/Fish Wildlife:  **An Ad Hoc committee was formed (and motioned once and then second) to be formed to address the concerns of the home owners and to define a plan to be presented to the Board in the near future to review and possibly approve given the restrictions and the compliancy that must be met by set legal guidelines.

VIII. Unfinished Business

• Davey Tree Plan and Project Management.

IX. Adjournment

• Call for adjournment was at 8:10 pm

Arbor Ridge Home Owner Meeting for September 17th 2013

I. CALL TO ORDER

6:35 pm

Attendees: Mike Foster, Mike Farris, Todd Behunin, Aditya Kapoor, Ken Walker, Lisa Walker, Lynda DuLong, Mary Davidson, Tom Wilkinson, Carolyn Benedict, Zen Dunaj, Kim Loeffler, Jeff and Emily Whiting.

II. BEAVER RESPONSE AD-HOC COMMITTEE REPORT
Charter and next steps – Overview presentation Kim Loeffler
Committee members: Zen Dunaj, Ella Dunaj, Anand Rajan, Meghana Rajan, Josh Eisenberg, Cathy Parson, Kim Loeffler, Jeff Whiting, Emily Whiting, and Ken Walker.
Beaver Response Ad-hoc Committee (CHARTER & NEXT-STEPS)

Purpose

• Maintain home value and healthy natural environment by minimizing impact of “standing water” in wetlands and on retaining walls (Note: Impact on environment documented over past 13 years via attached homeowner photos.)

Scope

• Committee seeks to discover facts, implement appropriate solutions, and strive for resolution of “standing water” issue in Arbor Ridge neighborhood.
• Committee will have 1 email rep (Kim Loeffler), who will serve as the Point of Contact (PoC) for all email communication between this committee and the HOA Board of Directors (BoD).
• Committee to exist as an ongoing entity to monitor the green space area and communicate with the BoD in order to manage potential future problems.

Goals

• Assess impact of “standing water” on the structural integrity of retaining walls with the objective of maintaining health, safety, and value of personal property at Arbor Ridge. Our concern about community health extends to the health of humans, habitat wildlife, as well as neighborhood pets.
• Submit proposals to HOA BoD requesting appropriate actions based on the above assessment.
• Monitor the green space area on a regular basis and provide half-yearly updates to the BoD in order to pro-actively manager potential future problems.

Problem Definition

• We are seriously concerned because we do NOT understand the long-term impact of “standing water” on the community green space, against home retaining walls, and the health of the inhabitants (since stagnant water can be a breeding ground for disease carrying mosquitoes).

Proposed Actions

• Short-Term (Fact Finding): The ad-hoc committee will work with HOA BoD to organize meetings with reputable and qualified 3rd party experts from the following list. (Note: We propose that at least 1 member of the ad-hoc committee and 1 HOA Bod member attend each of these expert meetings.)
• Structural Engineer
• Determine capacity of retaining walls (i.e. what were the walls built to withstand).
• Determine current status of the retaining walls (i.e. are the walls structurally sound today).
• Clean Water Services (CWS)
• Mike Foster to share notes from his 8/14 meeting with Jared Kinner (CWS).
• Additional Recommended Experts and other resources
• Mid-Term/Long-Term: TBD after successful execution for fact-finding stage.

Mike Foster, President began the meeting by defining the process. He asked that there be 1 speaker at a time. Questions regarding the Beaver Ad-hoc Committee proposal (Charter & Next Steps), and how we want to follow specific set guidelines.

Board may motion for an approval of the charter or disapproval.

Initial purpose/defined in email sent on record: August 01, 2013 at 4:46 pm.

Next email sent and reviewed on record: August 15, 2013

On August 30th, 2013 the ad-hoc Beaver Response Committee sent by email their charter & proposed steps of action to be reviewed by the Board of Directors.
Board of Director’s floor was opened to define moving forward an open discussion.

Mike Farris, stated “do we approve the draft charter for the Ad-Hoc committee, recommendations not to approve, or to amend the charter proposal?”

Aditya Kapoor made it noted: “should we lower the dams and how?”

Todd Behunin: stated that he was in agreement with the charter.

Mike Farris: stated “agreement good, starting point”.

Todd Behunin: asked “is the Ad-Hoc committee going to be in place for an indefinite time?”

Mike Foster: stated “no easement on property (track T) but signage everywhere.”

Concerns: Legal review needed to define issues and action steps.
CCRs , Track T (not provided with an easement in place?)
What are the long term recommendations?

Mike Farris: stated “need to assess and understand, the habitat and how it is going to be affected to create a balance. (make it noted: Goal #1 has this stated).

Motion was made by Mike Farris and second by Todd Behunin.

It was discussed who services us or Clean Water Services. Giving up the rights to the land?

Recommendations:

HOA need to vote?
Legal opinion needed?
Time and effort discussed.
Move to formal meeting?

Motion: Legal opinion and tracks, and seconded. (Defined to be new business for the next board meeting.)

Mike Foster asked “approval to amend charter to reflect a clarification on Goal 1 and amend Goal 3 to reflect a monitoring of the green space on a minimum Quarterly basis.”

None appose, and Mike Foster past to have it on the record as amended.

Mike Farris stated that we will need 3 bids from contractors to define the Cost and Implementation of placing an industrial pipe at the largest damn byMain bridge to bring down the water by an estimated 50% (to manage and Monitor until water level is away from the main affected rock wall).

Jeff Whiting discussed a Title company assessment and inspection he could Coordinate with to define track “T”.

Mike Foster discussed, Clean Water Services (Jared Kinnear, PWS, CPESC with Water Resources Project Management/Clean Water Services) the 3 main things to be considered:

The HOA can hire a private contractor to install the deceiver pipe, or
The HOA can call the Oregon Wildlife Services Department to trap the beaver to relive concern for this winter, or
The HOA can sign over an easement to CWS giving permission to implement a Temperature Management Project (plantings), which would allow us to install the pipe, manage the area, and increase the number of plantings
This will take some time, and will not allow enough time to install pipe before the rains
This can be done as a volunteer campaign through Friends of Trees, funded by CWS
FOT would train volunteers from the HOA to help manage volunteer planting events
This would allow CWS to support FOT with funding to install the plants, CWS would manage the area in order to keep plants alive and beaver activity controlled.
Zen Dunaj: expressed his concern for the level of water and how it will be maintained over time so it will not be considered (legally, if defined to beliability by a Geo Tech Engineering firm?)

Kim Loeffler: discussed an overview of the Ad-Hoc committee views and how she felt the importance of all of the residents of the Arbor Ridge community, to always be listen too in a proactive manner. Also, offered thanks and appreciation of the Board of Directors for their time and volunteering efforts.

II. ADJOURNMENT

7:45 pm

Arbor Ridge Homeowners Association
“Special” Board Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 6:30 p.m
Avamere at Bethany Retirement Center (Craft Room ♦ 3rd Floor)

16360 NW Avamere Court ♦ Portland OR 97229
www.ArborRidgeOnline.com

I.  CALL TO ORDER

II.  Beaver Response Ad-Hoc Committee Report

• Charter and next steps –Overview presentation Kim Loeffler

III.  ADJOURNMENT

As announced earlier in the year a project is under way to start removal of trees causing damage to infrastructure in the Cottage Home area with replacements to occur in areas more friendly to the infrastructure.  This Project is set to start removal on September 9th through September 20th for the first phase.

See the document ( ARCC Tree Removal Notice Mailing 083013 ) that addresses the current phase.

You can also read more about the project in the dedicated section for the Cottage Tree Replacement Project