The purposes of the Covenants & other governing documents of Seminole Lakes or any homeowners’ association are to enhance and protect property values and to ensure the attractiveness and enjoyment of our individual residences and the community as a whole.

With that in mind, our Covenants are only as valuable as their pertinence to the needs and goals of the community they serve and their adherence to current law. In my last annual report, I informed you that the task of updating and revising our documents was in progress. Under the leadership of chairperson Linda Huber, and with the assistance of Nick Cole and Sherri Danko, members of the Covenants Committee subsequently completed that project. The review was extensive, all proposed changes were documented, and the work was submitted to our attorney for his review and input. At that point, our attorney reminded us that we would need a 2/3 vote to amend our documents and each and every signature would have to be notarized. This requirement, which is not unique to Seminole Lakes, is contained in the Sec. 3 Amendments sections of our General Provisions Article XI. It states, and I quote, "Covenants and restrictions of this Declaration may be amended by duly recording an instrument executed and acknowledged by two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members." Based on that information, the decision was made to table the issue due to the expense and difficulties in procuring the 2/3 vote. However, everything is certainly in place to revisit the work at any time.

Additionally, the Covenants Committee recommended that a resolution re-defining fences and drawing a "line in the sand" position on the construction of fences in the community be adopted. That resolution was passed at the December POA meeting. Complete details of that resolution are contained in the minutes for that meeting.

Finally, our Covenants & governing documents are only effective if enforced on a firm, fair and consistent basis. Therefore, it is the ongoing responsibility of the Committee, via the regular inspection process or in response to requests to investigate possible violations, to provide information to the Board which will allow them, in accordance with the Covenants that legally govern our community, to address those violations which occur.

Since the March 2009 annual meeting, 323 first notice violations letters were sent. Approximately eighty-five percent of the indicated problems were resolved immediately, with the balance requiring a second or third letter. In some instances a phone call to the resident was made in lieu of a letter. Close to 250 tube letters reminding residents to remove weeds or clean their post lights and/or mailboxes were also distributed during that time frame. I would especially like to thank Sherry Danko for her assistance in preparing the letters, in keeping related data for us, for fielding calls from sometimes less-than-happy residents, and for providing expert opinions when we have questions.

As true with most committees here in Seminole Lakes, the Covenants Committee would welcome new members. Anyone interested in helping us may contact either me, Kathy Feister, or our oversight director, Linda Huber. Our contact information can be found in our directory, on the web site or in any issue of the Grapevine.

Kathy Feister,

Committee Chair