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JeffW10 (Missouri)
Posts: 2
Posted:
Located in Missouri

We received notification that there was going to be a meeting to vote to reinstate the HOA and if that passed a vote would be taken on which route to take 1) self-managed or 2) company managed.

That was all the information that we received in the email that we got less than 7 days before the scheduled meeting. We were told that if we could not attend the meeting to respond to the email so that they had our vote in writing.

We were unable to attend the meeting and emailed out vote in as requested. We received an email after the vote and was told that the vote had passed to reinstate and that the HOA would be self-managed. There was a vote on the Board of Directors as well.

There have been some emails going back and forth between some of the homeowners about a fee that was decided on at this meeting (which was not provided in the email that we got stating the results of the vote). I note, there was no information provided in the email that fee amounts would be discussed, if there had been - we would have skipped our activity that prevented us from attending the meeting. In these emails there has been some questioning of the amount of votes that was received. When a question about the number of votes was brought to the person that ran the meeting that a particular number was not the 2/3's required, the number of for votes was changed. I have now heard 3 different numbers of what the outcome of the vote was. When this person was asked directly if the actual votes could be provided, the question was ignored (which I am not sure if that homeowners have the right to see the actual vote???).

But things seem very fishy to many of the homeowners (I will try to summarize the best I can):

Was this an actual legal vote?
1. Once the vote was made to reinstate the HOA
a) should the Board of Directors been voted on at that time (which it was done)?
b) should the the vote to go self-managed vs. managed with fee information been done? The fees were not included in the email for proxy vote.

Here is how I feel that it should have happened:
1. Vote to reinstate the HOA or not.
2. Vote Board of Directors.

File the needed paper work with the state to get the HOA reinstated
1. Have a vote to increase dues once the HOA has been reinstated.

Per the rules of the HOA and the State of Missouri, all homeowners must receive notice of a meeting to increase the dues with at least 30 days, but no more than 60 days notice. This did not actually happen.

Based on the meeting, the HOA dues are going from $100 to up over $300 and there is absolutely nothing. There is a meeting up the entrance that needs to be maintained, I know we must have insurance, and supposedly there is a walking trail.

From the sounds of people who made it to the meeting, they were told that the fees were going to be so high because of amenities that are so desperately needed (not sure what these are) and eventually getting a playground and pool.

Question about that....does the HOA have the right to store money away for that? Or is a pool/playground area being something that a special assessment be voted on?

It was stated in an email that everything was handled correctly and legally, which I question since there was a vote on increase in fees and 30 notice was not given. As a homeowner, do I have the right to request the contact information for the HOA's attorney?

Sorry for all lengthy post and all of the questions. Just list of compiled questions for several frustrated homeowners. I will note that if all of this was in fact done legally/following the rules, I have no issues with the results of the votes.

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239
Posted:
Yes, there should be enough emails or proxies to count and determine if your threshold was met. You might could fight the email vote if you wanted. Usually state laws offer broad guidance on election matters.
SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699
Posted:
If you are not "for" the new HOA, its higher dues and questionable paperwork, you are going to have to start your own group. Fieldstone Members or whatever. The purpose of the group is to keep the HOA in check and not steamroll over the members who do not want this. Send out a postcard to every person in the HOA announcing your meeting at such and such place, local library or whatever.
JeffW10 (Missouri)
Posts: 2
Posted:
It's not that I am for or against the new HOA. My concern is how the meeting and voting was handled. There are several homeowners that do not feel that the vote was done correctly and that not all home owners were notified.

If everything was handled correctly, then I am ok with the outcome of those votes.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JeffW10 on 04/24/2013 8:49 AM
It's not that I am for or against the new HOA. My concern is how the meeting and voting was handled.

Well then it's simple. Ask to review (not for copies) the following items:

Proof of notice
Membership list used at meeting
Sign-in sheet (for proof of quorum)
Poxies
Ballots
Tally sheet
Draft Minutes from the meeting

SharonH9 (Virginia)
Posts: 216
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 04/24/2013 8:57 AM
Posted By JeffW10 on 04/24/2013 8:49 AM
It's not that I am for or against the new HOA. My concern is how the meeting and voting was handled.


Well then it's simple. Ask to review (not for copies) the following items:

Proof of notice
Membership list used at meeting
Sign-in sheet (for proof of quorum)
Poxies
Ballots
Tally sheet
Draft Minutes from the meeting


Just curious Tim, why just review and not copies. If they don't get copies, can notes be taken? My old brain would not be able to remember all the information if I needed to recollect what I reviewed.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Typically members are given the right to inspect and copy (i.e. member makes the copies by hand or with a scanner/copier) the records of an Association. This is not the same as the Association having to make copies for the member.

Without knowing what the governing documents allowed and expecting that the Association was not yet incorporated, I had nothing to review to see what rights the OP had. Therefore, the best advice was to suggest the member request to inspect.

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