Scuttlebutt March 2016 By Jim Combs Spring is finally upon us and it's in full force. The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, the trees and grass are coming back to life. Spring is a very special time of the year and I can't think of another place that I had rather be than right here in Yacht Cove. There are a lot of activities going on in Yacht Cove. The roofers are working on the Villas on Cove Court, we have our tree company trimming trees behind Schooner and Leeward and Scott is putting the finishing touches on a couple of buildings with drainage problems on Shoreline . The work on the pool has been completed and I must say that Splash has done an outstanding job at getting the pool ready. I would like take this time to address an issue that has come up several times in years past and continues to be an ongoing problem in the community: Please Pick Up After Your Pet It doesn't take much to remember that we have pets in our community. In fact, if you don't watch your step, you’re liable to step in one such reminder! Besides being unsightly and smelly, animal waste can be hazardous to the health of our children who play in the community and other pets. One of the most common forms of disease transmission between dogs is through fecal matter. When walking your dog in our community, remember that it should be leashed. Also, it is important to remember to immediately clean up after your pet. Take a baggie with you to pick up waste with and then dispose of it properly. Also for your convenience there are pet waste stations located throughout Yacht Cove with doggie waste bags. By taking a few simple steps to clean up after your pet, you can contribute not only to the beautification of our community, but also towards the elimination of one of the most irritating nuisances in our community. This is a major problem in Yacht Cove with way too many dog owners not cleaning up after their pets. Individual pet owners are responsible for cleaning up feces from their pets on all Yacht Cove property. Thank you for your cooperation!
Transcript
Scuttlebutt March 2016
By Jim Combs
Spring is finally upon us and it's in full force. The flowers are blooming, the birds are
chirping, the trees and grass are coming back to life. Spring is a very special time of the year and I
can't think of another place that I had rather be than right here in Yacht Cove.
There are a lot of activities going on in Yacht Cove. The roofers are working on the Villas on
Cove Court, we have our tree company trimming trees behind Schooner and Leeward and Scott is
putting the finishing touches on a couple of buildings with drainage problems on Shoreline . The
work on the pool has been completed and I must say that Splash has done an outstanding job at
getting the pool ready.
I would like take this time to address an issue that has come up several times in years past
and continues to be an ongoing problem in the community:
Please Pick Up After Your Pet It doesn't take much to remember that we have pets in our community. In fact, if you
don't watch your step, you’re liable to step in one such reminder! Besides being unsightly and
smelly, animal waste can be hazardous to the health of our children who play in the community and
other pets. One of the most common forms of disease transmission between dogs is through fecal
matter. When walking your dog in our community, remember that it should be leashed. Also, it is
important to remember to immediately clean up after your pet. Take a baggie with you to pick up
waste with and then dispose of it properly. Also for your convenience there are pet waste stations
located throughout Yacht Cove with doggie waste bags. By taking a few simple steps to clean up
after your pet, you can contribute not only to the beautification of our community, but also
towards the elimination of one of the most irritating nuisances in our community. This is a major
problem in Yacht Cove with way too many dog owners not cleaning up after their pets. Individual
pet owners are responsible for cleaning up feces from their pets on all Yacht Cove property. Thank
you for your cooperation!
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Hello Yacht Cove Residents:
Yacht Cove Board of Directors Your new Board of Directors is excited about making Yacht Cove the best community for
lake living. Please thank your board for serving as volunteers to better our community! Consider joining a committee and be engaged with making Yacht Cove a GREAT place to live! Jim Combs Chuck Hudson Warren Hoffman Maria DeHart Robert Ready President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Director 803-622-6242 803-413-2383 803-530-8367 803-730-9310 803-665-2895
Activities Committee- “The Party Girls” By Cindy Hudson
Lastly, New for 2016! "Life is Good at The Cove" Tees & Sweats!
Last summer, Gail Massaro took some beautiful pictures of sunsets on the lake. She &
Donna Kirkguard thought one would look great on a shirt. Donna talked with some printers and we
chose the best quality for the best price from a company in Newberry. We plan to order twice per
month- on the 15th & 30th. It takes 2 weeks to get them. We need payment before they come in,
but best if you pay when you order. There are 2 styles: #1 is a "Transfer" a copy of the photo itself.
#2 is a "Screenprint" with a drawing of the picture. #1 costs a bit more than #2. Shirts can be navy
blue or white. We wanted to offer a choice. The Pool Committee will make $2 to $6 on the each
sale with the proceeds going toward pool furniture and accessories. Any unused proceeds will be
put towards the children's playground. Place orders by sending an email to Chris or Gail Massaro at
[email protected]. Please include name & phone number with a style number, color, & size! (Sizes
run pretty close; if in doubt go up one size) Thanks in advance for all your support!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Yacht Cove Homeowners Association Needs YOU! Consider being a volunteer for your community by serving on one of the volunteer
committees. It doesn’t require much time and you will be making a difference where you choose to live. We need volunteers for committees because your Yacht Cove Board of Directors cannot do it alone! We need involvement by residents. If interested in any volunteering opportunities please contact Chuck Hudson at 803-413-2383. Committees: Activities Committee; Boating Committee; Neighborhood Watch; Clubhouse; Pool; Voting and Architectural.
Calendar of Events
April 10, 2016 Last Day to Pay April’s HOA Dues w/o Late Fee.
April 11, 2016 BOD Monthly Meeting- Clubhouse, 7:00 PM
April 12, 13, & 19, 2016 Mandatory New Gate Card & Pool FOB/Bands
Pick-Up & Registration- Clubhouse, 5 PM- 7:30 PM
April 30, 2016 Mandatory Boat Inspections @ YC Marina
TOTAL $103,541.00 $187,074.67 ($83,533.60) $(161,395.00
) $312,792.00 $474,187.0
0
Net Gain / Loss $(23,307.05)
Net Gain / Loss $44,479.98
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Bank Balances
Operating $95,681.26 Prepaids: $39,448.58
Insurance $132,313.45 Insurance Repairs
Reserves MM $260,070.86 Unbudgeted Expenses
Banco Pop $105,767.87 Security for Siding Loan
TOTAL $593,833.44 Notes:
* For pool resurfacing, $6,175 due in March to
complete contract. $24,700 will be taken
from Capital Improvements to cover
Work Orders
Completed 68
Closed Out 48
Roof / Ceiling 28
Misc. 19 4 Rebuilt Steps 1
Collections
$1-$172 Past Due
39
Units @
$4,121.00
$173-$999 Past Due
38
Units @
$15,058.00
$1,000+ Past Due
12
Units @
$80,220.93
TOTAL PAST DUE $99,399.93
From the Treasurer By Warren Hoffman, Treasurer
Yacht Cove Owners Association Payment Policy Adopted 2-8-16
Yacht Cove Owners Association is on a monthly payment schedule, with payments due from unit owners on the first day of the month and delinquent after the 10th day of the month, for all items on your account on the first of the month.
Payments can be made by check or money order delivered to the Association office during office hours, placed in the clubhouse office drop box, or mailed to the clubhouse office addressed to Yacht Cove Owners Association, 109 Shoreline Dr., Columbia South Carolina, 29212. You may also drop it off at Property Management Solutions, 201 Main St, Suite D, Lexington, SC 29072; or mail it to Property Management Solutions, PO Box 2014, Lexington, SC 29071. Please write your Yacht Cove address in the memo line of your check to be certain it is credited correctly. Do not mail in cash or drop off cash in the clubhouse drop box. Please call Property Management Solutions at (803)-996-4846 or email them at office @pmsolutionssc.com regarding any questions about your account. All payments should be made payable to Yacht Cove Owners Association.
Our auditors have advised us to discontinue handling cash as a method of payment for security reasons and because it does not allow for a good paper trail for record keeping. Cash should be converted to a money order to make a payment.
Electronic payment is also an option and may be set up by contacting the Property Management Solutions office. There is a $2.95 charge per transaction for bank drafts and there is percentage charge for using credit or debit cards. This is a small fee to pay for the amount of
Scuttlebutt March 2016
convenience and worry free payment options the service provides. We encourage anyone worried about getting regime fees paid on time to make use of this service. If you are not interested in paying for the transaction fee, most major banks will set up an automatically recurring check that is mailed directly to the HOA or property management company the same time each month free of charge.
Unit owners are obligated by the Association Rules, Regulations, Bylaws, and Master Deed to make all payments due and keep their accounts current. It is the unit owner’s responsibility to take the initiative and contact the Association office to determine the status of their account. Payments on delinquent accounts will be applied to the oldest item first and progressing to the most recent item; for example, oldest Regime Fee due first, the late fee related to that oldest Regime Fee next, oldest Special Assessments due next, and the late fee related to that oldest Special Assessment next, other fees due (wet slips, dry storage, other use fees) and then fines. This process of applying payments will continue until the full amount of the payment is exhausted. Unit owners choosing to allow someone else, or some other entity, to make their payments, are still responsible for any adverse results to their accounts due to those third parties nonperformance.
In an effort to save expenses, the Association does not, as a standard process, send billing statements to unit owners. Additionally, the Association does not, as a standard process, send delinquent statements to those unit owners whose accounts are delinquent. Unit owners are responsible for making sure their account is current and are encouraged to take the initiative in confirming their account status with Property Management Solutions.
If a unit owner does not agree with the Association's accounting regarding their account, the unit owner may provide Property Management Solutions or the Yacht Cove Board Treasurer written records disputing the accounting and request a meeting to resolve the discrepancy.
On the 11th of each month a $10 late fee will be applied / added to delinquent account for each late Regime Fee and/or Special Assessment each month they remain unpaid. For example:
For January fees that remain unpaid on January 11th, a $10 late fee will be added for the delinquent Regime Fee and an additional $10 late fee will be added for the delinquent Special Assessment. On February 11th, if the January and February fees remain unpaid, a $10 late fee will be added to the account for the unpaid January Regime Fee and a $10 late fee will be added for the unpaid February Regime Fee. Additionally, a $10 late fee would be charged for the unpaid January Special Assessment and another $10 fee would be added for the unpaid February Special Assessment. In this example the total late fees charged in January would be $20 and the additional late fees charged in February would be $40. Note that each month these fees remain unpaid, the additional late charges added to the account will be last month plus additional late fees for the current month.
It is important to understand that the late fees added each month can become greater than your monthly regime fee, so we strongly encourage you to keep your account current.
If Regime Fees and or Special Assessments remain delinquent for two months or more the Association will initiate the process to place a lien on the delinquent unit. The owners of the delinquent unit will be notified of the pending lien filing and provided 10 days to pay their account
Scuttlebutt March 2016
in full. This notification will be provided by certified mail going to the most recent address the unit owner provided the Association office. It is the unit owner’s responsibility to make certain the Association office has their up to date contact information (snail mail address, email address, & phone number) on file. All administration and legal costs incurred by the Association related to the lien process will be added to the delinquent units account.
The Treasurer of the Board of Directors or the Property Management Solutions is authorized to initiate the lien process.
If the account remains delinquent for 30 days after the lien has been filed, the Association may, with the approval of the Board of Directors initiate foreclosure proceedings on the delinquent unit. The unit owner will be notified in the same manner as when the lien was filed of the foreclosure proceedings. All administrative and legal costs related to the foreclosure process incurred by the Association will be added to the delinquent unit's account.
Any account that is delinquent $50 or more for two consecutive months or more will forfeit the use of the amenities (pool, tennis courts, clubhouse rental, dry storage, and wet slips etc).
Any questions relating to this process may be directed to the Property Management
Solutions or the Treasurer, unless the matter has been turned over to the Association's attorney, in
which case, question should be directed to the attorney's office.
Yacht Cove Block Captains Committee
The purpose of the Block Captains Committee is to generate better communications among
the residents of Yacht Cove; help us develop a strong sense of community; serve as a safety net for
our elderly or single residents by checking on them and act as a communications conduit between
residents and the YCHOA Board which has been elected to serve the whole community.
In 2004, there were 16 Block Captains who were responsible for the communications of five
or six buildings or two waterfront villas. We are looking for 16 or more volunteers again. Ideally,
there would be two volunteers for each Block so there is back up for each other.
This is going to be FUN! Please join us and help your community. Block Captains will be having a
meeting in early March. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Maria DeHart at 803-730-
9310.
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April 5th, 2016
BOD $150 One Time Special Assessment 2016
Dear Yacht Cove Homeowners: In November 2015, the BOD asked for a 5% increase in regimes fees to cover anticipated
budgeted expense in 2016. This increase did not pass in the December budget vote and as a result left a significant budgetary shortfall in our ability to provide the needed services our community has come to expect. In accordance with Article V, Paragraph E, of Yacht Cove’s By Laws which states “Notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein, the Board of Directors, without the vote of the owners, may impose special assessments for maintenance, repairs, and extraordinary common expense not to exceed $150.00 for any one unit in any one year.”. In 2016 we will require additional income in all three of these areas, the dollar amount of which are expected to exceed what this one-time special assessment allows for.
As a result, the BOD passed a special assessment of $150.00 for each individual unit to be due in full on or before May 1st, 2016. If not paid by May 10th, 2016, the penalty fees outlined in Article V, Paragraph H will aplly. This special assessment may be paid in full by May 10th or in three equal installments of $50.00 in April, May, & June respectively paid along with your other monthly HOA fees. The collection of this special assessment will be tracked under the category SA3 on future financial reports.
Best regards,
Yacht Cove Board of Directors
Under the Management of:
Property Management Solutions
Scuttlebutt March 2016
Maintenance & Repair Update: PMSoutions Update
2015 was certainly a busy year for us. We received over 1500 job and maintenance
requests, We installed 27 new roofs, replaced 10 chimney caps, removed 40 plus trees that were
dead, diseased, or dying, ground over 100 stumps, completed foundation repairs at the villas, and
began to deal with all the damage caused by the historic flooding event in October.
In 2016 we began January with 177 jobs and maintenance requests. February & most of March
we were consumed with securing and scheduling flood damage related repair bids for more than
36 units with major claimable water damage, properly allocating insurance proceeds for each unit
affected, & calculating reimbursement checks for owners wishing to perform their own flood
related repairs. Listed below are major projects and maintenance items that have been completed
and closed out over the course of February and March of 2016:
16 Basement & foundation repairs due to flood damage.
Major grading and addition of swales around the foundations on 4 buildings affected by the
Date _____________________________________________
______________________________________Office Only _____________________________________________
Date Received_____________________ By_____________________________
Updated In system by_________________________ Date _______________
Scuttlebutt March 2016
Marina News By: Mike Dehart, Boating Chairman
Frequently Asked Questions
1- Are Units assigned specific Wet Slips?
No - Units are NOT assigned to specific Wet Slips and are not deeded to any Unit. The Marina Dock area has a limited number of slips - assignments are on a first come, first served basis. This is normal operation, but occasionally a special circumstance such as a larger than average boat may require that applicant to jump spots on the Waiting List if an appropriate slip becomes available. The Marina/Boating Committee will make every effort to accommodate applicants in order of date applied
2 - Why have I been assigned a Wet Slip, but have Not been assigned a Dry Slip. Where do I park my boat trailer?
Dry Storage slots are also assigned on a first come, first served basis. There will be times when a boat can be placed in a Wet Slip, but there is no room in Dry Storage for a trailer. In that case, the trailer will have to be stored at the Owner's expense off site until a Dry Storage space becomes available.
3 - I have been on the Waiting List for a long time. I would like to use the Launch Ramp until I obtain a Wet Slip?
The only circumstance in which you may use the Launch Ramp is if your boat is located in Dry Storage. The Rules and Regulations disallow any boat or trailer on the property that has not been properly registered with the Yacht Cove office and Marina/Boating Committee. The Marina/Boating Committee regrets this circumstance, but we cannot disregard our own Rules and Regulations. We can assist in finding an appropriate marina or storage space for you to use until you are assigned a Wet Slip and Dry Storage.
There are occasions in which a Wet Slip becomes available, but there is no Dry Storage slot for your trailer. In this case, you will have to use a public launch and bring your boat into our Marina/Docks by water. It is unfortunate, but those are the rules we have to live with.
The only exceptions to Launch Ramp use are (1) if you do not own a trailer and have to have your boat removed from the property for service. (2) Your boat is being delivered after service (3) you purchased a new boat and are having it delivered. A loaner key to the launch ramp is available at the Yacht Cove Office. If necessary, contact one of the Boating Committee Members for access.
4 - How do I pay for my slip? Can I pay for my slip a year in advance? How do I pay for Dry Storage? If you are a Unit Owner with Wet Slip, you add your slip fee to your Regime Fee and submit that to the Office as normal. If you pay your Regime Fee in advance, then you add your Slip Fee to the total for the period you pay in advance. The current Wet Slip fee is $30/month. Dry Storage fees are billed once per year on January 1, at $150.00/yr. If you obtain a Dry Storage slot at or near the half year point, your fee will be reduced to $75.00 for half year or you will be reimbursed $75.00. The Marina/Boating Committee Chairman has some discretion as to what is charged in Dry Storage on a case-by-case basis when limited time is involved. Dry Storage fees are not pro-rated by the
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month. 5 - My friend wants to visit me by boat. Can I obtain a temporary slip or use the Courtesy Dock at the launch ramp?
Per the Rules and Regulations, boats not registered with the Yacht Cove Office are not allowed the use of the facilities. There are occasions in which this may be waived, on a case-by-case basis. It is entirely at the discretion of the Marina/Boating Committee Chairman or Co-Chairman to allow this temporary use. Owners and tenants are responsible for their visitors at all times. Visitors will be subject to the same Rules and Regulations as boat owners.
There are instances in which your friend can pick you up at the Launch Ramp Courtesy Dock, while this is not within the scope of the Rules and Regulations, this will be allowed as long as you and your friend DOES NOT occupy the Courtesy Dock for longer than 15 minutes. There is no need to contact the Marina/Boating committee Chairman or Co-Chairman as long as the 15-minute rule is observed
6 - Can I fuel my boat at the docks?
The Marina/Boating Committee discourages fueling while the boat is in its assigned slip. While there is not a specific Rule or Regulation that prohibits this, WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE boaters to use the Courtesy Dock for fueling. The potential for fueling mishaps on or around the docks is high and we would rather that you use the Courtesy Dock to limit exposure to the Marina and other boats.
7 - I'm taking my guests out for a ride on my boat. Can they park in the Cove Court area?
No. Cove Court is reserved for the use of boaters during boating season and certain handicapped residents. There are instances in which Cove Court is used for overflow if there is an event at the Clubhouse which requires extra parking, but this is not a common occurrence. The Board of Directors can approve the use of Cove Court for overflow parking.
8 - Can I beach my boat at the area next to the launch ramp?
No. That is Private Property and does not belong to Yacht Cove. The Owners of this property allow the use of the property as long as we maintain it, keep it neat and clean up any trash. Open fires, including grills or campfires, are not allowed. Vehicles are not allowed including golf carts. We want to be good neighbors - please help us keep the area clean.
9 - Can my children fish from the docks?
Strictly speaking, no. As a practical matter, as long as children have adult supervision, they can fish off the docks. There is a fishing platform located along the Boardwalk near the Clubhouse Pool which can be very productive in the Spring and Fall. We also have a Fish Cleaning Station that is sometimes used for fishing. Fishing is not allowed on the Courtesy Dock at any time.
10 - I am a tenant and I have been informed that my Unit Owner has sold the Unit. Can I keep my slip?
You may keep your slip ONLY if the new Unit owner does not want a slip. If your new Unit Owner applies for a Wet Slip, then you must immediately remove your boat from the Marina and find other accommodation
11 - My Unit Owner purchased a boat - do I have to give up my slip?
If your Unit Owner wants a slip in the Yacht Cove Marina, then yes. You must immediately remove your boat from the Marina and find other accommodations. The Yacht Cove Marina\Boating Committee can assist you in finding other accommodations if necessary.
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12 - I own two boats and would like to rotate them in and out of my assigned Wet Slip.
This is not allowed under the Rules and Regulations. The slip and boat are tied to your Unit - you cannot use the slip for any other boat than the one assigned to that slip.
13 -I plan on purchasing a boat in the near future. I want to be assured that I have a slip available. Can I apply for and be assigned a slip before I purchase a boat?
No.
Hints and Tips
1 - Always use a spring line to keep the bow from damaging the fascia board on the dock. If you don't know how to install a spring line, ask your Dock Captain or a Committee member to show you how.
2 - Placement of cleats on the dock can vary from boat to boat we do have the ability to change or add additional cleats on the docks to make your line handling easier. Contact your Dock Captain or a Committee member for assistance.
3 - Keep the slip fingers clear of toys, gear, lines, etc. Remember that you share that finger with another boater.
4 - Keep all electrical lines and water hoses properly stored. If you have to use electrical power for battery maintenance, bilge pumping or working on your boat, please keep the cords clear of the walking area on the dock. You may use the dock joints to accomplish this.
5 - If you see something on the dock or fingers that you believe is an issue, contact your Dock Captain or Committee member for assistance and/or evaluation.
6 - Maneuvering in our Marina can be difficult as space is limited and we are somewhat crowded. If you are new to boating, or have maneuvering issues, contact your Dock Captain or Committee member for assistance. Sometimes all it takes is a very simple questions and a demonstration to clear these issues up.
7 - Any and all questions concerning Marina/Docks operations, safety or other boating questions, please ask your Dock Captain and/or Committee member for help. For further information, please refer to the Yacht Cove Homeowner Page located on the front page
