Highland Ranches Property Owners Association

P.O. Box 1039 Virginia City, Nevada 89440 

June 14, 2003  Annual Property Owners Meeting & Elections

Please note:  Approved at June 24, 2003 meeting

 1.     Established Quorum of the members.  (127 or 25% needed per bylaws)

Proxies (114)  + Lot Owners attending (60)  = 174

 2.      Meeting called to order by Gary Brownwell, President at 10:10 AM     Board Members Present:  Gary Brownwell, Kelly Brownwell, Lou Tassone, Jay Campbell , Kay Dean.

                   Review and approve Agenda for June 14, 2003 Annual meeting & elections. 

                          Kelly amended by adding 9A -SCA Fire Education Corps to agenda

M – Lou           S – Kay         V – Unanimous

3.    Board of Directors welcome to all property owners made by President Gary Brownwell. Thanks to our great help in putting this meeting together- Lydia, Angie, Sherry, Nicole, Maggie and all the folks who brought goodies.

4.     Lydia Hammack gave a brief explanation about N.R.S. 116 guidelines and the election process. With a quorum of members present by proxy and in person, the election committee was instructed to count the ballots received.  

5.     Bob Kershaw, Storey County Commissioner spoke first -A.) Talked about the Petroglyphs and that more people are getting aware of the location & potential problems. He wanted input from the homeowners. B.) Contacted UNR extension and asked them to come up and do some studies on the ground water situation and pass on ideas for conservation. Also asked for a study of the aquifers. 

         Iris Campbell stated concern for so many non-residents coming into the Highlands and increasing traffic.

       John Flanagan, Storey County Commissioner, talked about the last Planning Commission meeting where discussions about water raised the issue of an ordinance to use of graywater. The District Attorney wrote a letter stating we have Nevada State law in place to allow this use now. Information sheets on the regulations were passed out.

                                                                         Page 1

6.      Sheriff Pat Whitten said that by July 1st  a concentrated effort would be made to get a part time animal control position that can address animal issues. About Dirt bikes and speeding: said if you see a dirt bike twice, once by and then back, it isn't the problem but the constant riding and harassment of certain areas is.  Increased traffic from Reno is a problem with off road groups and will start noticing a friendly reminder that this is private community. Jim Jones is now resident deputy along with volunteer Iris Campbell.  The sheriff also reminded all property owners about having a property owner sticker and green reflective sign in order to aid in emergency situations. Also discussed Geiger Grade and increased traffic and that it is a State Hwy and there isn't much the county can do about speeding and lane crossing. The emergency number to call for dispatch from a cell phone is 847-0950. All landlines in the County continue to call 911.

7.        Phil McKenna gave both the County and Highlands Fire Department report. County has full time ambulance and full time staffing to man the Highlands Station. Phil talked about the increase in accidents, ATV's in the Highlands, cars and bikes on Geiger Grade.

8.              Phil gave slide presentation on Fire Safe Highlands. Evacuation Plan: Colored maps w/4 zones posted at Fire Station and entrance. Maps and copies in barrels at entrances that is locked by statewide key. Siren at station for evac warning. Larger animal evacuation area available. Again asked residents to have a green address sign. Brush cleared from property can be brought to the clearing on school property for disposal. Please no construction items -brush only. Trailer is available for loan to haul brush. Clean up lottery will be repeated again this summer. Water tank project , 16 tanks buried around the Highlands. Upcoming projects : IPS beetle project and Street sign upgrade.

9.      Sherry O'Mahoney gave the VRWPA presentation. They are working on range management, horse birth control and care for the horses. Storey County is trying to get the agreement back with the State to allow adoptions again. The state is giving the group a 2500 gal water truck to help with water for the wildlife and horses. The VRWPA is attempting to reintroduce some wild turkey and sage grouse that have disappeared from the area. They have not been able to attend to the white top because of lack of funds, however, property owners can get the chemicals for a $25 donation. Everyone was urged to attend the meetings the last Monday of the Month at 7 PM.

9. A.       SCA Fire Education Corps. This is the 3rd year giving evaluations for fire safety. Sign up sheet for those interested.

10.       Lou Tassone, Board Treasurer & Secretary, reviewed current financial reports and informed us we are in very good shape with collections. As of May-Savings balance is $77,567.55; Checking is $15,442.88 and CD reserve fund is $32,082.74.

11.       Gary Brownwell, President, gave road report.  Cleaning, repairing and extending culverts and grading roads on an as needed basis.  Placed road base on a portion of Yellow Jacket, Globe, Hamilton and bullion. Also placed more road base on Frying Pan and Stovepipe as they are heavily traveled. Removed old tires form the maintenance yard and cut up and removed old culverts.

                                                                             Page 2

12.       Jay Campbell, Architectural Committee Advisor, gave a recap of the years activity, which included the approval of 11 plans.  Variance requests take endless hours of volunteer work. Help still needed on the revised CCnR's. The Highlands has 91 homes now with 431 homes in the whole area of the 1's, 10's & 40's combined.

13.       Kay Dean, Architectural Committee Advisor, talked about the needed changes for the old outdated and not fire safe materials in the current building guidelines. Kay went thru the changes being considered. Input was taken from the property owners in attendance. Property owners discussed the dues structure and how much is needed to do more roads per year.  Everyone was encouraged to get involved with making the changes. The final document will be mailed to all property owners by the end of September. A 50 % response is need to pass. Lots of volunteers will be needed to man the phones to get that high of a response.

14.      Lydia Hammack, Storey County Planning Commissioner rep for the Highlands, explained the county is revising the master plan. The process will take 2 years. Passed out survey asking what people in the Highlands want and don't want included in the County Master Plan. Return now or mail later. She encouraged folks to attend the public meetings the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. 

15.      Owners comments suggestions and questions. Concerns were covered during the meeting.

16.       Election results:  

                        126     Votes for Kelly Brownwell 

                        118     Votes for Kay Dean

                          48     Votes for Michael McDonough   

                          64     Votes for Victoria Nichols 

Two positions were open, thus Kelly Brownwell and Kay Dean  were elected to another 2 year term (sentence as volunteers).

17.      Meeting adjourned at 12:25 PM.            

                                                                          Page 3