Newsletter

New Board Members Elected
The owners have elected two new Board members, Dr. Mary Jane Burns for a one-year term and Jack Daliere for a three-year term. Mary Jane Burns is a recently retired Political Science professor with expertise in American government, State & Local government and Women’s Studies. Jack Daliere divides his time between Elkhorn and Paradise Valley, Arizona. He is active in various Idaho and Arizona investments and holds active real estate licenses in both states.

Proposed Bylaw Amendments
SVEA attorney, Ed Lawson, presented suggestions at the Annual meeting for revising the Association's Bylaws, which haven't been modified since the Master Declaration for Elkhorn was filed over 35 years ago. Lawson indicated these amendments are needed for more effective and efficient administration, and to comply with changes that have occurred in the laws since they were developed. One of the proposed amendments allows the Board to make further changes to the Bylaws by a vote of 2/3 of the Board. While this is a normal provision in similar bylaws, in the past only the owners have had the ability to change the Bylaws. This is an expensive process when needed changes are necessary. To offset potential owner concern, the Board incorporated an additional provision allowing the owners to either overturn Board changes or make their own changes, by only a 51% vote. The original Elkhorn developer incorporated a requirement that changes to certain provisions of the Bylaws can only be made by a vote of 80% of the owners. These provisions were initially inserted to protect the developer and are no longer necessary or functional. Over 70% of the owners present voted for the changes; however, the consent of an additional 100+ owners is necessary for the Bylaw amendments to become effective. Additional efforts will be made by SVEA staff to obtain those votes.

Annual Meeting Minutes and Remodel FAQ’s
Minutes of the meeting and additional information on the proposed Harker Center remodel are available on the SVEA website and will be sent out hard copy upon request. Lists of the 2007 Board, Committee Members and ADC Members are also posted on the website.

Thank You
The Board and staff would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for returning your proxies and/or attending the Annual meeting. Your participation is important and greatly appreciated.

Cross Country Ski Course Set at Elkhorn Golf Club
Good news! Elkhorn Golf Club has finalized plans for cross country skiing and snowshoeing on the Elkhorn Golf Course. The Club has purchased basic ski track grooming equipment and hopes to have the classic and skate ski course (almost a full 10-k length through varied terrain) and snowshoe trail set as early as Monday, January 15th, 2007, thanks to the latest snowfalls. For the first winter season, the Golf Club suggests a donation of $10 per skier use.

The Elkhorn Golf Course is privately owned by CG-Elkhorn Golf LLC, and managed by Troon Golf. Management is excited to offer this winter experience as part of its mission to "be a Golf Club of unequal quality in beautiful Sun Valley" by providing first-class, year-round amenities.

We want to be good stewards of this new addition to our winter playground, and ensure its success, by following some simple rules respecting the private nature of the Golf Course. The course will be set on the fairways, away from all greens and tee blocks in order to protect the fragile, shallow grass and root systems under those areas. According to Club Manager Don Shirey, sleds, snowshoes, skis, boots, or other disturbances pack down the snow, creating an ice barrier which limits oxygen to the tender grass underneath. The grass and root systems cannot survive a winter without oxygen and would require extensive treatment and expense to revive for the summer golf season.

Groomers will lay out the ski course in three sections, and road crossings will be minimal. One lengthy section, heading toward Dollar Mountain, will be open to skiers with dogs. Dogs will not be allowed on the other two sections. A snowshoe course will be laid out as well, clearly marked by stakes.

The cross country ski tracks and snowshoe trails will be accessed at the new Clubhouse, where participants will find a handy and secure donation box for their use. The Club will provide trail maps, as well as a comment and suggestion box to assist the Golf Club Manager for future planning. There will be no rental equipment, food, beverage or other amenities offered at the Clubhouse during this inaugural season, so come prepared to enjoy the skiing and snowshoeing!

Board Member Applications
There are three Board Member terms that will expire in December 2007. If any of you are at a point in your lives where you would like to volunteer and contribute to the direction of our wonderful community, we are always accepting applications for Board Members. You can fill out an application online or receive one via mail by calling SVEA at 208-622-7420.

Winter Spa & Hot Tub Operations
Once again, the Village Bathhouse facility, including sauna, steam room, showers, and outdoor spa, are in full operation from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm daily. This popular winter facility will remain open through the ski season and may be accessed with a valid amenity card. You may arrange for guest cards or validate owner cards, if necessary, by contacting the office at 208-622-7420 or email to svea@cox-internet.com  .

After minor repairs to the heating system and the steam room during the busy holidays, all is well at the Bathhouse. We apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced during these repairs.

Village Pool & Spa
The following projects were completed this fall: The Village pool was replastered and received a new winter cover, a leak in the snowmelt system under the pavers was repaired, and we added a rain gutter and drain to the pool side of the building to reduce a standing water/ice problem.

Pool Personnel: Thinking Ahead to Summer
It may seem premature to mention summer, but we will soon begin the hiring process for a Pool Manager. If you know someone who has excellent managerial and/or pool maintenance experience and would like to work for SVEA during our summer seasons, please encourage them to email a resume to svea@cox-internet.com  or snail mail to Sun Valley Elkhorn Association, P.O. Box 1708, Sun Valley, ID 83353.

We are also looking for certified Lifeguards, Pool Attendants and, new this year, Assistant Pool Managers, to fully staff the Harker Center and Village Pool facilities. Detailed job descriptions for all of these positions are available by calling our office at 208-622-7420, or by email.

SVEA 2006 Meeting Dates

Ponds & Thin Ice
Please note that during the winter season, fluctuating outside temperatures create dangerous conditions on and around Elkhorn’s many streams and ponds. Thin ice may be difficult to detect, so please supervise children and pets carefully, especially while near these areas.

War on Noxious Weeds
SVEA hosted a meeting on December 19th for Wood River Valley cities and agencies to share ideas and information about controlling noxious weeds in the Valley. We learned that there are state-wide grants available through Blaine County’s Cooperative Weed Management Area group, which monitors weed control in our four-watershed area. The CWMA submits proposals each year to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture for a grant to help fight the spread of noxious weeds. The grant monies are then used to provide financial assistance to agencies who have submitted project requests to the CWMA. Involved agencies match funding with in-kind donations.

SVEA will complete mapping of infested areas within Elkhorn, study appropriate control options, and team up with the City of Sun Valley to begin a serious eradication/control effort wherever possible, preferably in late spring of 2007. We will attend upcoming forums available through the CWMA in our area to learn more and share ideas with other forum attendees throughout the Valley.

Exterior Lighting
Your seasonal lighting is subject to the SVEA Exterior Lighting Guidelines. "Decorative holiday lighting used on the exterior of buildings and in plantings is permitted during the winter months from November 1st until March 15th, provided a timer is used to insure that the seasonal lighting is turned off by 11:00 p.m. each evening".

Elkhorn Springs
Phase I – CG Elkhorn will not have a sales office space as originally planned. They will be submitting a revised plan when it is determined what they plan to do with that area of the project. Buildings A-1 and D-3 are almost completed; Hillside Terrace North and South landscaping is to be completed as weather permits. The Country Store and the Restaurant are expected to open in late June.
Phase II – Buildings B2 and C2 and the paired homes are under construction.
Phase III – Plans are scheduled to be reviewed this winter.

Twin Creeks Ponds
We have now received the two permits required to proceed with the Twin Creeks Pond # 1 dredging project: one from the Idaho Department of Water Resources, and one from the United States Corps of Engineers. We have also received written approvals for access to Pond #1 from the neighboring owners (lots 34 and 35). The next steps are to obtain approval from Sun Valley Planning and Zoning, and finalize a project bid for the dredging. We hope to have all approvals in place to begin work by April, 2007.

Places to Go And Things To Do
Check out the Vuarnettes at the Boiler Room in Sun Valley Village for a Thursday Apres Ski from January 11, 2007 - March 29, 2007. The show starts at 6pm, admission is $15. Call 622-2148 for more info. Join a local Forest Service Ranger at 11am every Thursday until March 29, 2007 for a free snowshoe tour around the historic Galena Lodge trails. All levels and ages welcome. To find out more call 726-4010. Go see the Company of Fools production of K2 where two men are confronted with the decision to choose whether they will live or die and do so calmly and objectively, even under the most severe conditions. The play will run at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey from February 14 thru March 4th, 2007.Their phone number is 788-6520.

YOUR BOARD MEMBERS Names, contact information, and bios for all of our Board Members are posted on the SVEA website www.elkhorn-assoc.org. We would, however, like to also list them here, and encourage you to communicate your comments, concerns and questions to us.
Mr. Jim Fletcher, President 206-365-5931	Mrs. Peggy Tierney, Secretary 208-622-4924	Mrs. Marilyn Alcamo, Director 208-622-5270	Mr. Bill Voorhees, Director 650-856-7760	Mr. John (Jack) Daliere, Director 480-998-3229
Mr. Crispin Thiessen, VP 208-622-3899	Mrs. Patty Rosewater, Treasurer 650-949-4263	Mrs. Meredith Carnahan, Director 208-887-6897	Dr. Mary Jane Burns, Director 208-622-7098

Sun Valley Elkhorn Association
svea@cox-internet.com
208-622-7420

Telephone