SURPRISE VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD E SUMMARY OF HOA ACTIVITIES CY2017 2018 ANNUAL MEETING JANUARY 23, 2018
Termination of AMI Contract On December 31, 2017, the service contract with AMI was terminated. All operating and administrative functions are now being managed by the SVHOA Board and Surprise Valley neighborhood manager, John Kirkpatrick. The new self-managed HOA operating structure is expected to reduce operating costs by $8,000 to $12,000 annually and improve service to homeowners. New Surprise Valley web site launched In November, the Board authorized the design and construction of a proprietary Surprise Valley web site - the web site launched in mid-november. Surprise Valley homeowners will no longer need to go through the AMI website to get to the Surprise Valley web page. The new web site has greater functionality and includes the ability to reserve the Farmhouse online, communicate directly with the neighborhood manager or the members of the SVHOA board, arrange payment of HOA fees online and most importantly, it captures and displays the beauty and uniqueness of our community.
New Neighborhood Manager - In 2017, the SVHOA Board of Directors hired a new Neighborhood Manager who is also a resident of Surprise Valley. John Kirkpatrick, a longtime resident of SV, is our new manager. John has been very active in the neighborhood for many years and has previously served as president of the SVHOA Board of Directors. Cedar Plank Fence Repairs The SVHOA has responsibility for the Cedar plank fence that parallels Surprise Way and the many side entrances to the parks and common areas of the neighborhood. The Cedar plank fence is over 15,000 linear feet long and is on a five-year schedule for cleaning and staining. In 2017, the fences were cleaned and restained and over 100 damaged posts were replaced.
Farmhouse Improvements During 2017, the original water heater and furnaces were replaced with energy efficient appliances. Structural improvements were made in the basement to reduce to the possibility and impact of flooding in the basement and the Fitness Center. The benches on the Farmhouse patio area were replaced with Redwood benches with backs for more comfort and safety. The parking lot at the Farmhouse was seal coated and striped. Energy efficient LED lighting was installed in the Farmhouse, Fitness Center and pool equipment room. The sun shade pergola at the Satellite pool, damaged by last winter s heavy snow, was repaired.
Swimming Pools - New pool heaters were installed at both pools. New more efficient chemical treatment and injection equipment installed at the Farmhouse pool. Tennis Courts - Cracks in the playing area of the tennis courts were repaired. The courts were then sealed, resurfaced and painted. Pickle ball court lines were painted on the south court. Marmot Control - In 2017, the SVHOA continued the Marmot control program in the east end of the neighborhood common areas and parks - in an effort to keep Marmots out of common areas and homeowners property.
Landscape Activities - Installed over 200 cubic yards of bark in planting beds throughout SV. Cleaned, cleared and recut many of the walking/hiking paths and trails in SV and laid new gravel. Recut and expanded community garden parking lot to accommodate additional parking and eliminated previously muddy areas. Engaged with Boise City Forestry to bring out Tree Stewards to trim up trees along Surprise Way. Engaged with Boise City ACHD to remove and replace six areas of broken or elevated parts of the Boise City Greenbelt along Surprise Way. Expanded relationships with Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Department of Agriculture, Boise Fire, Boise Fire Rehab and the BLM, all of whom have been helpful in our firebreak efforts.
Continuation of the Wildfire Risk Reduction Projects North Rim & Canyon Point The SVHOA Board of Directors continued its collaboration with the City of Boise, the BLM and the Southwest Idaho Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) and their efforts to reduce wildfire risk in the open and occluded spaces around Surprise Valley, particularly in the natural area that borders the North Rim. The initial SVHOA fire fuels reduction project included the construction of a 20-foot-wide firebreak along the entire length of the North Rim of Surprise Valley (about 6,000 feet in length), this initial effort was completed this past fall. This firebreak stretches from Farmhouse Place east to Survival Place. This was followed by weed whacking and the application of an approved herbicide to control noxious weed growth.