Apologies to all who have followed this blog regularly and faithfully. For multiple reasons, we have not been updating it as regularly as we once have. Enough new information has come to light, and a much-overdue update is necessary.
Cedar Run HOC Management
On 12/14/2016, the board of directors for the Cedar Run Homoewoners' Corp. (aka Master Board) elected to choose Associa Chicagoland as its new management company, effective March 1st, 2017. Beginning on March 1st, they will take over all management responsibilities for the HOC. All concerns previously handled by HHSG will then be the responsibility of Associa.
Cedar Run Phase Management
The phase association were a major consideration in the HOC's management search and selection of a management company. Associa has provided proposals and contracts to all phase boards, and each of the eleven boards must decide whether to sign with them. If your phase board decides to pursue this, they will need to conduct a meeting, which would be open to all homeowners in each respective phase. Please be on the lookout for a mailed meeting announcement.
It is also understood that both the HOC and phase associations will receive a substantial discount on their management fees if they are all managed by Associa. That said, it is still an individual choice that each board must make. Nothing can be mandated by the HOC or any other party.
Summary of 2/8/17 Meeting
Representatives from Associa Chicagoland attended the HOC board meeting on 2/8. They introduced themselves to the board and homeowners and spoke about the management transition process. The property manager that Associa has assigned to Cedar Run was present at this meeting, and she spoke to many homeowners. She is bilingual (English-Spanish), and she spoke to owners in both languages.
Future Updates
While this blog may not be updated as regularly as before, there are other information sources that Cedar Run owners are encourage to use.
Cedar Reader
This is a concise , one-page newsletter produced by an HOC board member that is generally sent out monthly. Topics usually include updates and announcements, a breakdown of how your assessment dollars are spent, and a friendly reminder of certain rules. You will often find it as an attachment to your monthly HOC statement. Be sure to open the envelope with your monthly statement, and you may find the Cedar Reader, which will be printed in both English and Spanish.
Meeting Minutes
Any Cedar Run homeowner has the right to view meeting minutes from past board meeting. These minutes are very concise, but contain all the pertinent information on any decision the board makes. They are a quick, easy read, and probably the best way to be fully informed about HOC activity and rules. Requests for the minutes can be made to management. Given that we are now in a management transition, owners may consider waiting until after March 1st before requesting minutes.
Do also understand that the latest minutes you receive will be from the past month. This is because the minutes must be approved by the board at the following board meeting.
Coming soon - Cedar Run Official Website
Part of the Associa management agreement includes the creation and management of an official Cedar Run HOC website. This may take a few months before going online, but it will be a great resource for official announcements that are approved by the board. This blog has no official affiliation to the HOC or any other board. The board may choose to make meeting minutes and other documents readily available for homeowners to view.
Also Coming Soon - Volo Village Alerting Service
Associa will be providing an alerting service that can push email announcements, robocalls, and text messages to Cedar Run owners for instant announcements. This service will be especially useful in announcing emergencies or important information with short notice. It will be up to the HOC board to decide what types of alerts or announcements will use this service. Homeowner feedback will be welcome, and anyone can choose to opt out.
Cedar Run HOC Management
On 12/14/2016, the board of directors for the Cedar Run Homoewoners' Corp. (aka Master Board) elected to choose Associa Chicagoland as its new management company, effective March 1st, 2017. Beginning on March 1st, they will take over all management responsibilities for the HOC. All concerns previously handled by HHSG will then be the responsibility of Associa.
Cedar Run Phase Management
The phase association were a major consideration in the HOC's management search and selection of a management company. Associa has provided proposals and contracts to all phase boards, and each of the eleven boards must decide whether to sign with them. If your phase board decides to pursue this, they will need to conduct a meeting, which would be open to all homeowners in each respective phase. Please be on the lookout for a mailed meeting announcement.
It is also understood that both the HOC and phase associations will receive a substantial discount on their management fees if they are all managed by Associa. That said, it is still an individual choice that each board must make. Nothing can be mandated by the HOC or any other party.
Summary of 2/8/17 Meeting
Representatives from Associa Chicagoland attended the HOC board meeting on 2/8. They introduced themselves to the board and homeowners and spoke about the management transition process. The property manager that Associa has assigned to Cedar Run was present at this meeting, and she spoke to many homeowners. She is bilingual (English-Spanish), and she spoke to owners in both languages.
Future Updates
While this blog may not be updated as regularly as before, there are other information sources that Cedar Run owners are encourage to use.
Cedar Reader
This is a concise , one-page newsletter produced by an HOC board member that is generally sent out monthly. Topics usually include updates and announcements, a breakdown of how your assessment dollars are spent, and a friendly reminder of certain rules. You will often find it as an attachment to your monthly HOC statement. Be sure to open the envelope with your monthly statement, and you may find the Cedar Reader, which will be printed in both English and Spanish.
Meeting Minutes
Any Cedar Run homeowner has the right to view meeting minutes from past board meeting. These minutes are very concise, but contain all the pertinent information on any decision the board makes. They are a quick, easy read, and probably the best way to be fully informed about HOC activity and rules. Requests for the minutes can be made to management. Given that we are now in a management transition, owners may consider waiting until after March 1st before requesting minutes.
Do also understand that the latest minutes you receive will be from the past month. This is because the minutes must be approved by the board at the following board meeting.
Coming soon - Cedar Run Official Website
Part of the Associa management agreement includes the creation and management of an official Cedar Run HOC website. This may take a few months before going online, but it will be a great resource for official announcements that are approved by the board. This blog has no official affiliation to the HOC or any other board. The board may choose to make meeting minutes and other documents readily available for homeowners to view.
Also Coming Soon - Volo Village Alerting Service
Associa will be providing an alerting service that can push email announcements, robocalls, and text messages to Cedar Run owners for instant announcements. This service will be especially useful in announcing emergencies or important information with short notice. It will be up to the HOC board to decide what types of alerts or announcements will use this service. Homeowner feedback will be welcome, and anyone can choose to opt out.
As always, Thanks for reading the Blog!
Feel free to address any questions, comments or concerns to the blog admin at restorecr@gmail.com.
Is there a way to increase the water pressure in our units?
ReplyDeleteThe short answer is NO. Water pressure is regulated by the Village of Wheeling. If you are experiencing unusually low water pressure or water flow (there is a difference), there may be a plumbing issue in your unit or in the building.
Deletehome owners be on alert ?gun shots in cedar run last sunday and a month ago on spruce ct its in the cardinal news what is masterboard doing about this ?yes its a police matter but the board has to take action . unless we screen and do a back ground check on future owners or renters this complex is becoming an eye sore again I suggest hiring a security company who will monitor complex and installing camera's in erea's also cedar run complex needs more street lights on all the phases I suggest spending money for security monitoring .
ReplyDeleteThe board has indicated that they intend to address the issue of background checks on renters. However they have limited authority regarding owners.
DeleteThey are also getting bids to upgrade some of the security cameras. Wheeling Police has met with the new property manager and identified areas where more cameras or improved lighting are are advisable. This was discussed at the March 8th board meeting, but there were very few homeowners present.
Concerned homeowners should mark their calendars for HOC board meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, or provide their email and cell number to Associa for electronic reminders. In the next few months, the board will begin using an alerting service to push out notifications.
...And just to clarify, the shooting about 1 month ago actually took place on Quincy Ct despite what the record shows. It allegedly involved a Cedar Run owner (not a renter), who also sustained a gunshot injury.
DeleteThe more recent incident (3/19) has a recorded location of the 800 block of McHenry Rd, which is just outside of Cedar Run. Police data classifies it as "Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm". Details are unclear at this point.
I want to let everyone know, we have a real problem...The SDG'S ( gang ) is becoming a problem here in Cedar Run. If you see or hear anything unusual call 911..Do not make any contact with them! They have threatened The new Property Manager a week ago and numerous Residents! Again...call 911
ReplyDeleteIndeed gang activity has been and continues to be a serious issue in Cedar Run.
DeleteAlso, please note that the incident you mentioned resulted from a case of mistaken identity, where certain individuals had thought the property manager's vehicle was that of a rival gang. Once they learned of the mistake, they immediately dispersed and did nothing further. Even so, at least one individual was arrested for disorderly conduct.
The reason for making this distinction is to point out that the property manager was not targeted. The actions of these individuals were still wrong and illegal, but (as always) there is more to the story.
Wheeling police have expressed their concern that Cedar Run residents rarely ever call the police when they witness suspicious activity. This has been an ongoing issue, and the HOC board plans to work with police to encourage residents to participate more.
Where do we send our Phase Assessment? I know the Phases have been working on signing the new Management as the Phases Management
ReplyDeleteGood (and important) question.
DeleteFirst and foremost, continue paying as you have previously until you receive a welcome letter from Associa and a second, separate letter with the new payment instructions.
Second, the HOC (master) payment must be paid to the Associa address in Arizona. If your unit is in either phase 3 or 5, your phase payment would also go to the same address (keeping in mind that each payment has a different account number)
Other phase associations are in various stages of transition. Many will begin with Associa on May 1st, others on June 1st. Some have signed the management agreement; others are still having the agreements reviewed by an attorney.
If you have a specific question about a specific phase, feel free to email restorecr@gmail.com, and we will give you a more specific answer.
all I no is when Al from HHSG he had the wheeling police basically living in here that's a fact ! now your lucky if a cop drives in here also those camera's at club house or when your enter work ? we need to stop allowing units to be rented also home owners kids get caught gang banging should be arrested and evicted!!!
Deletehome owners this masterboard is raising assesments just as the phase did Alaine S on masterboard hired this company they are expensive and nothing will be different just because the masterboard is ''NOT'' qualified home owners now is the time to sell !!!
ReplyDeletemaster board ''why'' no cedar run sign ? THIS PARKING PROGRAM IS A JOKE I SUGGEST PUTTING IT BACK THE WAY IT WAS BEFORE ,not CHARGE US HOME OWNERS TO PARK YOU PAYING YOUR KIDS COLLAGE OR APARTMENT WITH OUR MONEY NOT TO MENTION PAYING YOUR SELFS .
ReplyDeleteApparently, Cedar Run still has no Bilaws. The Bilaws I received when I purchased my unit over 30 years ago. Stated no homeowner could be a employee of The Cedar Run Management. Seeing signs on the side of certain Club house employees vehicles. Some residents were upset before when certain board members were being payed(2 I know of). Now we are paying for at least 4 or 5. Why? And are they even qualified?
ReplyDeleteThe same bylaws you mention are still in effect. They need to be updated to reflect changes in the law that have occurred over the last 40 years, but they are still in full effect otherwise. If you'll recall, the Sher/Shaw group did attempt to invalidate the bylaws and replace them, but it was done illegally and the court declared them as such.
DeleteThere is nothing in the bylaws that forbids a homeowner to be an employee of the association or management, so long as they are not a board member. NO BOARD MEMBERS ARE BEING PAID!!
That said, three homeowners (who are not board members) are working part-time for the association. Two of them pick up trash and do grounds-keeping chores. The third works out of the clubhouse and does property inspections. There are two additional part-time employees that are adult children of two different Cedar Run homeowners.
The signs you see on vehicles are a safety measure in response to an incident that occurred about one month ago. These signs are designed to identify the vehicle as an employee, contractor or manager, so people don't become alarmed when they see a vehicle driving slowly through the neighborhood.
All of these employees have worked for the HOC before and during receivership. They are all being given new tasks by the new management, and their performance will be evaluated over time. The board decided to retain them through the management transition to avoid a disruption in services, since many homeowners are accustomed to having on-site staff.
Again I ask, what qualifications do the clubhouse employees have?( Educational and professional experience) Especially, the one that does property inspections? And, do homeowners have asscess to this information?
ReplyDeleteFrom what we know, most of their education and experience has been strictly on the job. When the receiver took over in March of 2015, he decided to retain the clubhouse staff as a cost-saving method instead of sending his own employees and billing them at a much higher rate.
DeleteThe receiver re-trained most employees for new tasks because much of their previous responsibilities were taken away by court order. Two or three employees that worked under the receiver have since left, and there have been no plans to replace them.
The individual who is doing the inspections is strictly looking to see that dumpsters are clean, and checking to the common element to look for damage and/or vandalism/graffiti. He is not doing anything that requires the qualifications of a licensed association manager.
Please contact management or the board if you would like to see a sample of his inspection report.
Needless to say, I was a little miffed when these people were retained by the receiver, given their history as minions of Sher and given that a few of them were the children of a man who served on Sher's board and spewed Sher's bogus propaganda on the Spanish-speaking people.
DeleteI was surprised that the new board kept them given that we went almost 40 years without onsite staff and did just fine. But they must have seen some value in them, or they would have certainly let them go.
In the last six months, I have visited the clubhouse on occasion, and I have observed two things. #1 A lot of homeowners seem to stop in with questions on a regular basis (especially Spanish-speakers). #2 the kids working there seem to have pretty decent customer service skills.
As for qualifications, I'd say the fact that they are bilingual is a big plus.
Though I am usually a curmudgeon, I'll say I am cautiously optimistic about the employees we have. There are a few members of the board who will definitely keep an eye on them and take necessary action if something isn't right.
If you see or hear something about the staff that you don't like, go to a board meeting and tell someone. Be another set of eyes and ears to help keep everyone honest.