Thornbrook Homeowners Association

Over the past few years, we've spent a significant amount of association funds on lake/dam repairs, clubhouse foundation repairs, landscaping and entrance updates, tennis court resurfacing and playground replacement. In that time, we've maintained the same level of dues, however, with the cost of goods and services increasing significantly, we are using the dues to pay for those increases without being able to replenish the funds reserved for large, capital expenditures. The Board is making efforts to lower expenses by exploring changes to seasonal color, irrigation water usage and mowing of non-irrigated common areas. Even with those efforts to save, the association will still struggle to keep up with updating, maintenance and improvements to our common areas, while maintaining a healthy reserve to protect the community from emergency special assessments.

After careful consideration and significant discussion, the Board voted to adopt the attached 2024 budget resulting in a dues increase to $450.00 per lot effective with the July 1, 2024 billing.

Included with this newsletter is a list of Non-Operating/Reserve Expenditures from 2017-2024 to share information that was used when considering a dues increase.

The 2024 Annual Membership Meeting will be held on April 18, 2024, at the Thornbrook Clubhouse beginning at 6 pm. The association meets once per year to review the state of the association, accomplishments, challenges and future plans. We look forward to sharing that information with you and hearing your feedback.

If you are unable to attend that meeting for any reason, we strongly encourage you to consider submitting your proxy so we can be sure a quorum is represented to conduct the routine business of the association. A digital proxy can be completed using this link: https://forms.office.com/r/kYsEfutCE4

The 2023 annual meeting minutes are attached below. Any unfinished business items from that meeting will be discussed at the upcoming meeting.

• The pool tile has been removed and replaced in both the main and baby pools! We are excited to have this project completed and cannot wait to share it with you for the 2024 season. While we cannot announce a firm opening date, the pool will be open by Memorial Day Weekend. If we are able to have it ready and pass inspection earlier than the holiday weekend, we will announce an earlier opening via email and Facebook.

• The Clubhouse is due for interior painting after foundation piering and as a result of normal wear and tear. The association obtained three bids to compare, and approved the work to be completed at their recent board meeting. This refreshed look will add to last year's couch replacements to enhance the highly popular common space.

• In an effort to save money and improve our internet service, the Association changed service providers from Mediacom to Socket recently. The TV service through Mediacom is no longer available, however, we added a Roku to the TV for homeowners to sign into their service(s) of choice when using the clubhouse.

The Spring garage sale will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 beginning at 8 AM. The Association will place advertising and signage for the event. As always, we will compile a list/map of participating households to be distributed online and at the entrance to the neighborhood. If you wish to be included on the map/list, please complete the sign-up using the link below. The deadline to sign-up to be included on the map/list is Monday, April 22 at 11:59 pm.

https://forms.office.com/r/h0nFziFcP8

We had 30 people come to our clubhouse training session and learn how they can increase the safety of their homes, record information on their household items and start a neighborhood watch group for their block. Two police officers were there to answer all questions and make suggestions on increasing safety in Thornbrook.

I encourage residents from every household to attend a Columbia Neighborhood Watch Training session.

Larry Kirschner

CNW Captain & Co-Captain Liason

Thornbrook HOA Board Member

At the 2023 annual membership meeting, the association discussed creating or adding to the following committees:

Dog Park Committee

Pool Committee

Lake Committee

If you are interested in serving on one or more committees, please contact Community Association Management at info@camcolumbia.com or 573-499-4445.

We are excited to announce that we are rolling out a new procedure for submitting and accepting Clubhouse reservations effective immediately. Reservations will now be requested through the homeowner portal. This can be accessed/set-up as follows:

1. Visit www.camcolumbia.com.

• You can also find the Homeowner Portal link by visiting www.thornbrookcolumbia.com, clicking on the "Clubhouse" drop down list and choosing "Make a Reservation". If you gain access using this link, please skip to step 3.

2. In the top right, you’ll click on the “Homeowner Portal Link” button.

3. If you do not already have an account, you will need to set one up using your unique account number. You can obtain your account number through CAM.

4. Once in the portal, click on the “Amenity Reservations” tab.

In the Amenity Reservation tab you can view the clubhouse availability at the bottom of the page, as well as the reservations terms and conditions. You may start a reservation request by clicking on “Request a Reservation”. Here you will select your requested date and times, you will agree to the terms and conditions, and you can include any notes that might be helpful for management in reviewing your request.

Requests will be approved on a first come, first served basis, so we encourage you not to send out event invitations until you have received an email confirming approval of your reservation. CAM will approve reservation requests on a daily basis during business hours (M-F 9 am-5 pm). Requests made during evenings, weekends or holidays will be reviewed/approved on the following business day. Reservation requests will be denied for anyone not in good standing with the Association.

When mowing and trimming your lawn, please do not leave the sidewalks and streets covered in grass clippings. Not only does it leave the property and neighborhood looking untidy, the grass clippings wash onto other properties and eventually into the storm water system. Please help us keep Thornbrook looking beautiful!

Please beware of companies that are not locally licensed, don't provide full contact information, customer reviews and/or references.

Scammers are getting good! Despite the security questions we have in place for the Facebook group, a scammer did a great job of providing answers to gain approval. It was later brought to our attention that the individual was advertising air duct cleaning that was strongly believed to be a scam. The person has been removed and blocked from the group, and the questions have been updated to increase security.

While CAM and the Board members drive and walk through the subdivision, we are not always aware of items that need to be addressed. We encourage you to report lights out, common area sprinkler heads that are not aimed properly, suspected water leaks on common areas, malfunctioning locks on the Clubhouse, pool or tennis court or other items in the common spaces that do not seem to be operating properly.

Reports can be made to CAM by phone at (573) 499-4445, via email at info@camcolumbia.com or by visiting the "Contact CAM" page on the community website. Items involving the irrigation and/or water leaks are time sensitive to avoid unnecessarily high water charges.

WEBSITE

Find Thornbrook online at www.thornbrookcolumbia.com! The Covenants, Architectural Control Application Form, and calendar are all available. Please take a few moments to “Register” with the website (top right-hand corner of the Home page) to get updated emailed information from the association.

Sidewalk Maintenance

We have many people that utilize the sidewalks throughout our community. Please be reminded that you are responsible for the sidewalks that run along your lot. City Ordinance requires that homeowners clear sidewalks of snow and ice during the winter months. Additionally, we recommending evaluating your sidewalks for sinking/raising areas that may create a tripping hazard, landscaping that may be encroaching on the sidewalks and low hanging limbs.

ACC Reminder

The Covenants require the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) to review and give their written approval for homeowner’s planned exterior projects before any work is started.

Failure to get approval prior to commencing a project could result in removal of such at the expense of the owner and/or legal action. Please help avoid this possibility; if in doubt, contact CAM for the required ACC form and procedure before beginning any exterior projects, including roof replacements.

Be safe rather than sorry; if you are ever unsure whether a project you are planning requires ACC approval, just ask!

Pam Socha, President

Mike Dianics

Larry Kirschner