President’s Report
Janice Cournoyer
One of the duties of the President is giving a report at the annual meeting that summarizes the activities of the association for the previous 12 months. It’s Sun Lakes Country Club’s State of the Community address. The report I give will include the accomplishments of the board as a whole, the management team and the community.
The year began with four open seats on the board, and those seats were filled by two incumbents and two new faces. This board has worked well as a team throughout the year, and I am pleased that the same seven directors will serve together for another 12 months and keep the momentum going.
The past 12 months have seen the continued growth in our restricted funds. The Reserve Fund, used to repair or replace the assets of the community, grew by 8%, and the BCI Fund, used for improvements to our community, among other things, grew by 35%. The Operating Fund is maintaining the required 30 days cash on hand to cover day-to-day operating expenses, and expenses were under budget for the year. Membership dues were increased by $45 for the year in 2018, the first increase since 2015, and this was done primarily to cover costs the association cannot control, such as the requirements of Prop 206, which includes a minimum wage increase and paid time off for part-time employees.
Forty-five motions were presented to the board for approval by management over the year. Forty-four passed and one was tabled for further discussion. As I said last year, having so few motions tabled is a testament to the diligence of our management team, only presenting motions to the board that have been thoroughly researched with ample information supplied so we can make informed decisions and spend the association’s money wisely.
A few of the larger projects completed were the remodel of the Oasis bathrooms and Ramada, the leveling of the back 9 tees boxes and the repair of the beam by the shuffleboard courts. The long-awaited remodel of the men’s and women’s fitness center was approved in June and will begin shortly once the permits are received from Maricopa County. And, at no cost to the association, we now have solar covered parking in the west parking lot, the first in Sun Lakes! In addition to projects, the board approved a revised reciprocal agreement with Cottonwood Palo Verde and numerous new policies including committee guidelines, updates to the Policies & Rules manual and updates to the financial, enforcement and code of conduct policies. We’ve made some technology upgrades, and golfers are now enjoying scheduling tee times online, thanks to the Chelsea scheduling system, and members may buy event tickets online.
In early March of 2017, a mailing went out to all members seeking their consent to approve the restated Bylaws and CC&R’s. With a lot of hard work from a group of dedicated volunteers, on June 16, the required numbers of consents were obtained. I had the honor of signing the new documents, and they were filed with Maricopa County on June 20, 2017. This project was six years in the making, and completing it was a tremendous accomplishment and one we can most certainly be proud of.
Every year, the Arizona State Legislature passes bills that dictate how HOAs are required to operate. This year, their focus was on transparency and I am pleased to say we were already doing most of what is now required by law. Only one minor change was required to be in compliance. In addition to the Legislative changes, a court ruling in late 2017 now requires HOAs to have a published Schedule of Fines, and the board approved that document at the February 6 meeting. All of our board and committee meetings continue to be held in accordance with the Arizona Open Meeting Statute 33-1804.
In September of 2017, the community celebrated its 45th anniversary with a very well attended party. Pictures of the past 45 years were on display, and it’s amazing to see how far our community has come since 1973.
I would like to thank my fellow directors, General Manager Kelly Haynes and her management team and the volunteers who serve on our committees for accomplishing so much in the past year. Once again, it has been an honor to serve as your President, and I look forward to another great year. v
April Happenings at the Sun Lakes Country Club Library
Sharon Lavender
WOW! Where did the winter go? Did we even have a winter? Yes and no. Now many residents are getting ready to head to other locations for the summer. It is shocking to think we were just welcoming friends and neighbors back to Sun Lakes a few months ago.
Before you leave, please take the time to return all the books you have borrowed from our library. Those who stay here in Sun Lakes year-round will want to read those books too. Also, remember your donations are always welcome. They help us add many new books to our library collection.
Here is a partial list of some of the most recent additions to our library: End Game, by David Baldacci; Power and Empire, by Tom Clancy; Death at Nuremberg, by W.E.B. Griffin; Hard Core Twenty-Four, by Janet Evanovich; Unbound, by Stuart Woods; Midnight Run, by Lee Child; Origin, by Dan Brown; Map of the Heart, by Susan Wiggs; Year One, by Nora Roberts; The Devils Triangle, by Catherine Coulter; The Great Alone, by Kristin Hannah; Past Perfect, by Danielle Steel; Look for Me, by Lisa Gardner; and Secrets in Death, by J.D. Robb. We have also added six new large print books to our collection.
Safe travels to those who are leaving; you will be missed. If you plan to remain in Sun Lakes over the summer, visit our library frequently. Our volunteers are here for you all year long. v
Upcoming April events
The ImproVables Dinner and Improv Show
Date: Saturday, April 7
Time: 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Arizona Room
Cost: $10.00
Sun Lakes Community Theatre presents The ImproVables! A funny group of local talent performing a live show of improv! Dinner includes baked potato bar and salad bar. Cash bar available. Tickets available beginning February 26. Last day to purchase tickets is Tuesday, April 3, 2018. Tickets available at the SLCC Administrative Services desk or online at www.ticketsource.us/SLHOA1.
Cinco de Mayo Dance Party
Date: Saturday, May 5
Time: Doors open at 5:00 p.m., Dinner at 5:30 p.m., Show at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Arizona Room
Cost: $14.00
Enjoy Mexican appetizers, a cash bar including Margaritas and Coronas and a night filled with fun dancing! Soul Impression Band will be playing Cinco de Mayo-themed songs as well as all the fun dancing songs from the 1960s to the present! There will be Mexican-inspired bites to eat: Chips and salsa, taquitos, tostada bites and mini churros. Last day to purchase tickets is Tuesday, May 1, 2018. Tickets available at the SLCC Administrative Services desk or online at www.ticketsource.us/SLHOA1.
Diamondbacks Baseball Trips
Dates: April 22, May 13, June 13, July 31, August 25 and September 17
Time: April 22 game departs SLCC at 11:45 a.m.
Location: SLCC Parking Lot/Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: $45
Enjoy suite-level seats, round-trip bus transportation and all-you-can-eat food at Chase Field! Tickets will go on sale for each game after the previous game has concluded. April 22 game tickets go on sale for SLHOA#1 homeowners only on March 30, and tickets become available to the public from March 31 to April 15. Handicap seating is available with a timely request. Please note there is a fair distance to walk, and some stair climbing may be required. Wheelchair assistance is available upon request. SLCC and the Diamondbacks will do everything they can to assist you, with proper notice. Purchase your tickets at the Administrative Services desk or online at www.ticketsource.us/SLHOA1.
Tequila Tuesdays
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 3:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: North Patio
Tuesdays, on the North Patio, enjoy complimentary chips and salsa and purchase $3.00 well Margaritas and $5.00 premium Margaritas.
Happy Hour
Date: Monday through Friday
Time: 3:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: North Patio
Join us on at the North Patio Bar for specialty drinks! Enjoy the misting and fan system when it’s warm, cozy fire pits when it’s cool and our relaxing furniture. We have live entertainment every Friday night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.! Drink specials: $3.25 well drinks, $2.50 cans of domestic beer, $3.00 cans of import beer, $3.25 glass of wine, $3.00 draught 24-oz. beer
UpTown Art Painting Class and Wine
Date: Friday, April 20
Time: 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Location: Navajo Room
Cost: $23 per person
Join us for an afternoon of painting and wine with your friends! UpTown Art brings painting to you with an all-inclusive class that will allow you to leave with your very own masterpiece. The cost of the event includes all the materials you will need, personalized instruction and a complimentary glass of wine. Follow along as an UpTown Artist leads the entire class through painting the selected event picture.
Not an artist? That’s okay! The instructors are there to make it easy for you to follow along and will help individuals as needed. Advanced tickets are necessary and must be purchased by April 19. Purchase yours online at www.ticketsource.us/SLHOA1 or at the SLCC Administrative Services desk.
Sunday Omelet Station at the Sunset Grill
Date: First Sunday of each month – Canceled on April 1 due to Easter
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Arizona Room
Cost: $7.95 per person
Join us on the first Sunday of each month for our featured omelet station! Includes a made-to-order omelet served with a featured side item.
Sunset Grill Dinner Service
Date: Thursday and Friday
Time: 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Arizona Room
Join us for full service dinner provided from your very own Association restaurant! Thursday night is our featured prime rib special! House Cut is only $16.00, and our King Cut is $19.00. Every Friday is our traditional all-you-can-eat fish fry for only $13.00! Beginning January, 2018, our Executive Chef will present a new dinner menu the first Thursday of each month. We hope to see you soon!
Team Trivia
Date: Every Monday
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Arizona Room
Team Trivia is a live hosted trivia game. Play as a solo player or bring your friends to lend a helping mind. Compete against other teams for prizes! Our categories include everything from history, TV, sports, geography, music and just about anything else you can think of. There is no cost or obligation to play, and all materials will be provided free of charge. Just bring yourself and a desire to have some fun! There will be a cash bar available and a chance to win prizes. *NEW* Purchase dinner at Sunset Grill’s buffet from 5:00-6:00 p.m. – $7.50 food only, or $9.00 for food and drink! (Outside food is not permitted in the Arizona Room.)
BINGO
Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Arizona Room
Join us for a night of fun, friends and maybe even a cash prize! Hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars