Annual Meeting

The 2008 Annual Meeting was held on December 30, 2008 with 882 (54%) of Elkhorn property owners attending by proxy or in person. Thanks to all of you who returned your proxies and/or attended.

Action taken during the annual meeting included:

The Bylaw Amendments as identified in Proposals 2 and 3 were an effort to bring the 36 year-old governing document up to date. Proposal 2 which is a housekeeping action to clarify language pertaining to director term limits, removal of directors for cause, director indemnification, and other updates, passed. Proposal 3 to change the voting requirements to amend the Association’s Bylaws did not pass.

The amended bylaws will be finalized, recorded, and posted on the website in the near future.

Message from the President

Three years ago, your board engaged in its first strategic planning session. We adopted a new vision to ‘..maintain and enhance the quality of life in Elkhorn’. Accompanying this vision was four key goals: providing excellent facilities and amenities; preserving the beauty of Elkhorn by guiding the design of residences & protecting our 1800 acres of open space; proactively communicating with members, and; prudently managing our finances.

I’m pleased to report we have accomplished much in the past 3 years. Among other things, we have initiated the Harker Center upgrades, begin open space fire mitigation and noxious weed eradication programs, adopted a new communications plan, improved our website, initiated an outreach program with sub-association presidents & with our new mayor and city council, amended our outdated bylaws, completed a new capital reserve study, and made all aspects of the association operations more transparent – all while conducting operations within, or under budget. Our finances are strong – we do not anticipate any dues increases in the foreseeable future!

We have just completed a board/staff workshop where we re-visited our long term strategic plan. Our objectives are to continue to improve, our facilities and open space, communication with and among members and the community we are part of, and transparency in operations. More information on this and other items is on our website: www.elkhorn-assoc.org.

The accomplishments of the past 3 years, and our objectives for the future could not have been achieved without your involvement. Although more than 70% of our members are ‘non-residents’, you have taken the time to give us your input, whether at our town meetings, our annual meeting, summer BBQ, by telephone calls or emails to the office, or by responding to our surveys. In fact over two thirds of you responded to our recent questionnaire – an amazing return! Thank you for your participation. Together we can achieve our vision of enhancing the quality of life in Elkhorn.
James Fletcher, President

Harker Center Upgrades 60% Complete

On Time, On Budget!!
Cris Thiessen, who chairs the Harker Upgrades Committee, reports great progress has been made with the Harker Center remodel. The structures are fully enclosed, and the insulation, plumbing, electrical, and drywall are completed. In some areas, code conformance issues were raised. By working closely with Sun Valley Building Inspector, Eric Adams, cost effective resolutions were found. “With Eric’s assistance, we have saved SVEA money while complying with the City of Sun Valley’s requirements,” Thiessen related. “If everything proceeds as planned, SVEA will be approximately $26,000 under the budget amount of $850,000.” The anticipated completion date is June 1, 2009.

Survey Responses are Still Coming In

66% Responded
An overwhelming 66% of Elkhorn property owners responded to the recent Amenities survey. The Board and Staff would like to thank those responding for taking the time to make their wishes known. The survey results will be acted upon by the various committees. Here are the results from the 1074 (66%) responses received as of December 18th, 2008.

SVEA Amenity Report

Harker Pool & Spa

Opens June 13th
The Harker Pool is scheduled to reopen June 13, 2009.

New Salt Water System
We are excited to announce that we are converting the existing pool water sanitation method from chemical to a salt water system. This process of purifying the water will be accomplished by extracting chlorine from the salt in the water. The amount of salt added to the water is comparable to a mild saline solution. Reports from owners who have experienced a salt water pool describe the water as less irritating to the skin and softer than standard chlorine sanitized water. The new outdoor hot tub and the existing wading pool will be salt water as well.

Village Pool & Spa

Open Until End of Ski Season
The Village Hot Tub will remain open from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. These hours will continue until Sun Valley Company closes down skiing operations for the season.

Reopens May 23
The Village Pool and hot tub will open Memorial Day Weekend, May 23, 2009. As in previous years, the Village Pool will not be staffed with lifeguards. Different shade structure options for the Village Pool area are being considered.

Common Areas

Computer Mapping
Computer mapping of the open space hiking trails has been initiated. The goal is to have computer mapping to identify noxious weed locations, hiking trails, bus stops, cross country ski trails, lot/parcel information and other points of interest for our Owners.

New Hiking Trails
A new hiking trail access at the top of Elkhorn hill, between the golf course greens, has been installed along with access signage by Elkhorn Springs. Hiking Trail access signage can also be found under the Elkhorn ski lift and along the old golf course driving range on Elkhorn Road near the Summit Condominiums.

Weed Control
Weed mapping has been completed and an annual report has been submitted to Blaine County Weed Management for grant funding in 2009. SVEA will initiate a very aggressive common area weed abatement program in 2009. Significant funds have been budgeted for willow thinning and removal in the common areas and around ponds.

Ponds
The Board of Directors has established a pond maintenance policy that includes algae removal, willow maintenance, head-gate maintenance and general trash cleanup.

Harker Park

Closed for Winter
The park will reopen as weather permits in the spring. Please come and enjoy the basketball court, horseshoe pits, volleyball court, play structures and picnic areas.

Tennis Facilities

Welcome back Bill VanDeinse!!!
The tennis courts will reopen as weather permits. Tennis Pro Bill VanDeinse, will be returning on May 15th for the 2009 season. The Tennis Committee is committed to introducing new programs for beginning and intermediate players. The spring newsletter will contain program descriptions and pricing. Programs and clinic sizes may be limited, so be sure to sign up early.


Guest Fees Will Continue
Based on the amenity survey results the tennis guest fee and punch card programs will continue in 2009. Guest fees will remain $10 for non-resident guests. Twelve (12) free guest passes will be assigned to each property for open or doubles play. The new programs and event schedules will be reported in the SVEA spring newsletter (May).

Important Notices

Danger Thin Ice
Skating or playing on the frozen ponds and lakes is dangerous. Thin-ice accidents can easily be avoided if you use caution around ponds and waterways and carefully supervise your children and pets.
 

Elkhorn Wildlife
Cougars have recently been sighted in Elkhorn. An adult cougar can be a serious threat under certain circumstances. Idaho Fish & Game advises that children and dogs be closely supervised, particularly during hours of darkness. Answers to questions and additional information can be obtained from the Idaho Department of Fish & Game at (208) 324-4359.

Elkhorn Springs Restaurant – Now Open
Guest Chef Dinners Available
If we have your email address, you should have received our notices about the fun and delicious “Elkhorn Supper Club” guest-chef dinners. Elkhorn Springs Restaurant is now open for the weekends this winter and spring. We are hearing good reports and hope you can take advantage of a great dining experience without the need to drive to town! For more information please call (208) 726-3800.

Bus Service Expanded in Elkhorn
Our last newsletter outlined the new Mountain Rides expanded bus service to Elkhorn neighborhoods and the surrounding communities. The new buses are in full service and offer a convenient transportation option for owners and guests. Schedule information may be found on their website at http://www.mountainrides.org or by contacting Mountain Rides at 208-788-RIDE (7433).

Stay Informed on Local Area Enhancements
The “5B Bulletin” is available as a courtesy of the Economic Development Team of the Ketchum CDC [Community Development Corporation] whose vision is to create a vibrant, diverse and sustainable community. The online newsletter was created to engage second homeowners and anyone interested in knowing more about local area enhancement and development. More information and the current bulletin can be found at the following web address: http://www.ketchumcdc.org

X-C Skiing
Facility not being supported
Though SVEA does not own the golf course, we are very privileged to be able to enjoy the wonderful X-Country Ski and Snowshoe trails that are generously provided by CG-Elkhorn and the Elkhorn Golf Club.

In order for this amenity to continue we need to be respectful of the few rules regarding dogs and the rules for staying off the sensitive areas of the golf course. Also, sadly, we have been made aware that the donation boxes have received ONLY $90 this season!

Please, if you enjoy this activity and would like to see it continued for owners and guests, we need to be a bit more generous. Inform your family members and guests that donations are important to this service. A map of the trails may be found on the SVEA website www.elkhorn-assoc.org under ‘Amenities’.

Summer Jobs Available
SVEA is now accepting applications for Lifeguards and Pool Attendants to work at our two beautiful Elkhorn pools. If you seek summer employment in a great working environment with a very competitive wage, please submit your resume to chucksvea@cox-internet.com or fax to 208-622-3215. Please contact Chuck at 208-622-7420 for complete job descriptions.

Meet Staff Member – Jan Kaas
Architectural Design-Restriction Compliance

Jan arrived in the Wood River Valley from Seattle, in 1999. “After many vacation visits to friends in the Valley, years of paying high long-distance phone bills and depressing cloudy weather in Seattle, I was determined to try mountain living in a small community,” she said. “I enjoy the sun, the seasons, the people, working with Marlene, Darlene, and Chuck on a daily basis in the SVEA Office, the incredible Members of the Board, and the entire Elkhorn community,” she added.

As the Architectural Design Committee Manager, Jan coordinates the architectural design review process, monitors ongoing construction work in Elkhorn and inspects all projects to make sure they are completed according to the ADC approved plans.

There are currently 158 Elkhorn projects in varying stages of construction. Jan’s weekly property inspections ensures compliance with the “General Restrictions,” as found in the SVEA Master Declaration and helps protect each Elkhorn property owner’s investment.

Jan lives in Hailey and when not at work, may be found training and enjoying her new puppy, Bella, dining at Zou 75, volunteering at the Crisis Hotline, or relaxing with a good book.

Thank You to Outgoing Board Member,
Meredith Carnahan

Meredith served two, three-year terms (2002 to 2008) on the SVEA Board. She volunteered countless hours as vice-president, chair of the communication, nominating, and tennis committees and participating on the finance, architectural liaison and executive committees. Her wonderful way of bringing an accurate focus to discussions; her ability to paraphrase a multitude of comments into meaningful positive positions; and her willing smile throughout - will be missed. Meredith, the Board and Staff express our sincere gratitude, and we are delighted you will be adding your experience as an “outside property owner” on the Tennis Committee in 2009.

Thank you; you will be missed!

2009 SVEA Meeting Schedule Announced

Mark your calendars!!
Future SVEA Events, Board, Membership, and Sub-Association Presidents' Meetings
 

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