This is the second AGM of the Sunset Dunes PEI Homeowners Association. Prior to the first AGM, the HOA Board had taken the approach of not making any major community changes until an elected Board was put in place. Instead, the Board focused on dealing with the issues that required immediate action – e.g., establishing a budget, hiring contracted services, seeking input from members on key concerns, and setting up a review process for member proposals for construction and renovation. At last year’s AGM, a number of proposals were put to the membership for approval [see Minutes of AGM 2021]. The Board, with input sought from HOA members, began to more actively manage the affairs of the HOA.
Since last August’s AGM, the Board has led what we think are several significant initiatives on behalf of the HOA and our community. These include:
- installation of metal stairs for beach access at the Sunset Walk common area, replacing the old wooden stairs which had become a safety concern
- based on a community survey, installation of new signage at the subdivision entrance and also at the beach access points along with the removal of all the old Developer signage
- new speed control signage along Campbells Way — going up next week — which was also based on a survey of our HOA members
- a 50% reduction in street lighting costs ($2000 per year), while achieving increased lighting at 11 locations by replacing the original 5 light standards
- successfully issuing the 2022 HOA fee invoices in January 2022 – work previously done by the Developer — and the 100% collection of fees by early April
- completion of a study of the options for future upgrades and maintenance of Lila’s Boardwalk, which is the topic of a proposal for the membership at today’s meeting. (Note: the proposal passed with 85% approval).
- successful transition out of the HOA managing vacant lot grass cutting, with maintenance now the responsibility of each individual lot owner
- commencement of a coastal study including completion of a Coastal Hazard Assessment by the Province [at no cost to the HOA]
As we move into the third year of our HOA, I would like to offer several general observations that arise from the experiences of the last two years.
The first observation is that the HOA Board is not the “owner” of Sunset Dunes. Rather the Board manages the common property assets of the community, oversees the maintenance of those assets, and attempts to ensure compliance with the Restrictive Covenants under which Sunset Dunes operates. The HOA membership owns Sunset Dunes and provides the mandate to the Board to engage in those activities that will sustain and improve the community in which we live. The Board cannot function without that mandate. It is for that reason that the Board has sought input from the membership on a number of the initiatives listed above.
The second observation is that it is inevitable that there will be disagreements among owners about the relative importance of proposed courses of action by the Board. Open discussion and debate about what the Board should do is a sign of health in the community rather than an indication of a serious problem to be avoided or a weakness to be abhorred. As long as we engage in respectful dialogue, disagreements will only serve to improve the Sunset Dunes community. The HOA website, town hall meetings, and occasional email “blasts” are the way the Board has attempted to be transparent about what we are doing and engaged in communication with HOA members.
Finally, I have been privileged to work with a group of people who have been as diligent and thoughtful as the people on the outgoing Board. In under two years, we have gone from a volunteer group chosen by the Developer with no background in running an owner representative Board to an elected Board that has collectively accomplished a great deal for Sunset Dunes. The members of that elected Board — Shane and Susan Stark, Kristin Arnold, the late Joe Sherren, and Joe’s replacement Maurice Roy — deserve your appreciation for the time and effort they have put into making this a community in which we can all be proud.
I offer my support and best wishes for a successful year to the incoming Board: Kristin Arnold, Tammy Rayner, Maurice Roy, Shane Stark, and Cheryl Tanton.
And a HUGE thank you to Tim and Susan for all their hard work, massive efforts, and thoughtful contributions to the Board over the last two years!!! We, as a Board, have gone from literally nothing to a well-functioning Board serving our community because of you! THANK YOU!
