Spring Manager’s Report

Spring has SPRUNG and SUMMER will be here before you know it.

We are increasing our compliance inspections for the subdivision as we are seeing more weeds popping up all around the area. We know that it is spring time, and everyone is starting to get out to address the problem. THANK YOU!

Our compliance letters are done in three (3) phases:

Phase 1: Courtesy letter – this letter serves as a notice that a problem in your yard or around your home has been identified. There is no fine associated with this letter. You are given 21 days from the date of the letter to correct the problem (IN MOST CASES).

Phase 2: Violation letter 2 This letter has a $25.00 fine associated with it. This letter is a second notice that a covenant/rule violation has been found at your property and has not been corrected. You will have an additional 10 days to correct the problem.

Phase 3:  Violation Letter 3 – This violation letter carries a $50.00 fine for noncompliance with the subdivision covenants and rules. You now have one more 10-day period to correct the violation.

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Spring Landscape and Maintenance Committee Report

Landscape Contract
Our landscape maintenance contract with Yellowstone has been renewed. The contract has been revised to exclude Westside Boulevard. The city has assumed responsibility for Westside. All the HOA trees and plants have been, or will be, removed during the reconstruction of Westside Boulevard. The city will plant trees and other vegetation in the center median. The HOA was told that we would have input on what the city will plant.

The Yellowstone new work schedule will be as noted below:

Growing season
March through October three-week cycle.
Week 1   Both sides Seven Bar    
Week 2   Both sides Sierrita                       
Week 3   All the trails

Non-growing season
November through February four-week cycle.                       
Week 1   West side of Seven Bar to include the trails 
Week 2   East side of Seven Bar to include the trails                       
Week 3   West side of Sierrita to include the trails                       
Week 4   East Side of Sierrita to include the trail

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Spring Compliance Team Report

As usual, the majority of HOA covenant compliance issues involve weeds in homeowners’ yards. Isn’t it amazing how fast weeds reappear as soon as warm weather returns? Warm weather has returned, so please check your yard, including the space between the sidewalk and street for weeds. Thank you to most homeowners who do a great job controlling weeds. Not only does “going weedless” improve the appearance of our community, it also helps maintain property values.

There are several alternatives to controlling weeds.

  • Weed burning with a propane torch is fast, but may be fairly short-lived because burning does not prevent new weeds and then the burner will be needed again.
  • Weed killer chemicals can be used, but be careful handling them.
  • Lawn care companies offer weed prevention services at a reasonable price. The service I use sprays once in the spring and it lasts the whole year.
  • Finally, there is pulling weeds by hand using a variety of hand tools. When using this method, make sure to pull the root as well as the weed so the weed does not regrow.

Although weeds comprise the majority of covenant violations, the Compliance Team also monitors compliance with other HOA covenants. Issues include vehicles parked in yards, RVs parked at a house for extended periods of time, and stored vehicles – ones that have not left the HOA at least once every thirty (30) days. Please respect your neighbors and park your vehicles in accordance with HOA covenants: https://7barnorthhoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Seven-Bar-North-Covenants.pdf

If you are interested in participating in the compliance effort, please contact Corder and Company (505-896-7700) or submit a volunteer opportunity form: https://7barnorthhoa.com/hoa-committee-information/hoa-volunteer-opportunities/.

Seven Bar North HOA Seeks to Grow Homeowner Engagement

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Many of our Seven Bar North residents frequently express joy and satisfaction in having chosen to live in our great neighborhoods. Our reputation as “a desirable location” speaks for itself. We should celebrate our ongoing efforts to maintain and improve our homes and yards in an attractive and cohesive manner.  Our advantageous status is a testament to the covenants serving us well for 26 years. Perhaps now is the time to imagine how we can build on our success and strengthen resident engagement with the HOA and our community.

First and foremost, we would like to spark an interest in attendance at the annual meetings. It is important to have a quorum at these meetings. A voting quorum for our HOA is two thirds of our membership (648 homes). We need 435 votes to conduct official business. That’s why we would like to increase attendance at the meetings. We would also like to encourage more volunteerism by adding volunteer committees and by engaging with residents to support our existing committees.

One committee we would like to get off the ground is a Neighborhood Coordination Committee, comprised of one representative from each of our eight neighborhoods. Although Seven Bar North as a whole experiences common concerns, i.e., traffic, speeding, suspicious activity, etc., we recognize that each of our subdivisions may be grappling with their own unique circumstances. Establishing communication from each neighborhood via a representative familiar with their respective community would be invaluable in guiding HOA decisions. The chair of the committee would also serve on the Executive Council. Each area coordinator would also be asked to serve, or seek a volunteer to serve, on the Neighborhood Watch Committee for their area.

Resident turnover occurs in all communities. So far this year, we have gained seventeen new neighbors.  It is important that our new residents feel welcome.  We are proposing establishing a Welcome Committee to orient our new neighbors regarding the HOA, the neighborhood, and the community at large.

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