The Minutes
SLE HOA BOARD MEETING
Date: December 10, 2025
Location: Cup of Grace
Board Members Attending: David Petersen (President), Gus Ferguson (VP, by phone) Brendan Mills (Treasurer) and Bryan Pettit, James Stover (Members at Large), and Tisha Dore (Secretary)
Quorum: YES
Call to Order: 6:33pm
Minutes from the last meeting: Accepted (Motioned by: Tisha Dore, Seconded by: James Stover)
Treasurer’s Report
Current in checking account: $ 9,601.22
Current in savings account: $ 21,875.05
Current in petty cash account: $ 201.00
Total in bank accounts: $ 31,677.27
Intermax renewed its newsletter & social media advertising, so we’re looking forward to that too ($1,100). Reminder sent to accounting on 12/8 and they confirmed after this meeting check processed + mailed.
4 PROPERTY OWNERS ARE DELINQUENT ON THEIR DUES (TOTALING OVER $700):
That’s $710.22 in unpaid dues that still needs to be settled-up before 2026 bills go out. If dues from 2025 are still owed once 2026 bills are officially late on March 1st, those owing both will have liens filed. If they already have liens and aren’t on an agreed-upon payment plan we’ll move ahead with a small claims filing.
Reminder: PayPal, by unanimous agreement is being removed, end of Dec. We're switching to a new system where members can pay by credit card + the service fee will be automatically added to the charge. So, your HOA dues plus the 3% service fee for credit card payment will be charged to you. The cost of the service to the HOA is $15/mo. So, credit card payments will only be possible Jan. 1st until end of March.
Dues invoices will go out on 12/15/25 and are due on 1/1/26. Tisha is in touch with First Interstate about adding a link for credit card payment to go live on 1/1/26 and be removed at 11:59pm on 3/31/26.
The board alone can vote annually to increase dues 3%. The current dues are $265.21 (22.10/mo). With a 3% increase, the dues for 2026 would be increased to $273.17 (22.76/mo). Can we get a vote? David asked for a motion. James Stover motioned, Tisha Dore, seconded, and the vote was unanimous.
******************** The 2026 dues will be $273.17 (22.76/mo) ********************
Also, given the dues were not increased for many years in a row after the SBA loan was implemented, we are far behind the times and inflation. At this rate, SLE will continue to struggle to cover basic costs including insurance and road equipment, maintenance, fuel etc., all of which are increasing at a rate higher and faster than our ability to incrementally raise dues by 3%.
This poses a risk to the stability and future of our community. It would be prudent to consider a community vote on an overall increase in dues, possibly to take place at the semi-annual meeting in May. However, we are a tight-knit community, and welcome feedback and involvement. So first, David would like to propose that we poll the community to gather their input first on potential support of an overall increase.
To take advantage of the dues invoice mailing already going out this month, so we don’t pay anything extra for postage, Tisha suggests we include the poll with dues invoices. For those paying by credit card, the poll can be mailed solo or completed online with link added below the credit card payment button on the website. We can also share the poll link on social media (FB + NextDoor) to maximize participation.
Per David, below are the four dues options that he’d like to gather input on in such a poll. If we see there’s support around a certain amount for increase, we’d put it to a community-wide vote at the May 2026 semi-annual meeting. If a vote then passes, the increase would be for 2027 dues, and on.
Proposed poll numbers (to learn if we have support around voting or not), let’s discuss these amounts:
$273.17 (no increase beyond the possibility of the usual 3% board vote to increase annually)
$400 (+130 increase) – highlights of what to expect from such an increase would also be outlined in poll.
$550 (+280 increase) – highlights of what to expect from such an increase would also be outlined in poll.
$675 (+400 increase) – highlights of what to expect from such an increase would also be outlined in poll.
The board agreed on including the poll in with the dues mailing. David put together an initial draft for our review at the meeting. He’ll now firm that up. Tisha will help to edit, as needed. Brendan will produce the copies and work with Bryan and others to stuff the envelopes with the dues invoices and poll.
Behind on your dues? Send payment ASAP or contact Brendan Mills, at treasurer@spiritlakeeast.org. For more info on payments + donations (mailing address): www.spiritlakeeast.org/payordonate. To view Financial Reports, visit www.spiritlakeeast.org/financial-reports, and click Receipts for receipts by year.
***** PLEASE WORK WITH US TO PAY YOUR DUES NOW, IN FULL OR ON APPROVED PLAN *****
WE ALL AGREED TO PAY DUES WHEN PURCHASING HERE, SO ALL MUST PAY OR FACE LEGAL ACTION.
Motion to accept Treasurer Report by: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
Roads Report: From Jon Dore (Road Chair): Unseasonably warm, rainy weather alternating with heavy snow in early Dec. resulted in a lot of slush, and difficult conditions. Clean-up went fine on Friday, Dec 5th, when our crew was out for seven hours, 2-9pm, plowing + sanding after heavy snow.
However, with changing conditions that brought rain + melting all night and Saturday 12/6, we held on further plowing while that warming trend continued. There were also too many vehicles on the road on Saturday to safely plow, so we kept the community updated, advised them to drive slowly + with caution, and noted that more impactful plowing would take place very early on Sunday morning, 12/7.
Despite the roads being softer on Sunday, conditions were still difficult, resulting in the cutting-edge hydraulic ram connection and spring breaking on one of our plows. Repairs will be happening shortly.
While annual repairs (especially to our plows) are expected and part of our budget, we’ve also now pulled the trigger on the grader chain package. So, we’ll have that as an option for grading slush, if/when needed.
Please keep in mind that it takes two guys approx. 6hrs to get those chains on and another 2-3hrs to get them back off (ideally with a small boom crane or the loader). Putting them on costs money too, even with volunteer hours donated, so we had hoped to do without them. However, it’s unfortunately looking like we’ll be seeing more mixed weather this season, so it’s time now to have the grader chains on-hand.
Reminder that we’d planned to order the chain package last year. But as noted in our previous reports, the weather didn’t call for it. So, we instead invested in our successful asphalt distribution experiment, which we’ll be doing more of this coming spring. Keep you posted on all of the above.
This spring, I want the asphalt grindings from Highway 54 contractor, Scarsella. I want the entire pile, whatever we can get from them, and we’ll—at that point—rent a roller (if we can’t find one by then that’s a good enough deal for purchase). Currently, the grindings are approximately $3/ton, which would be a great opportunity for Spirit Lake East to capture, and we can run up to four trucks when ready.
Please continue to drive slowly and with caution to keep everyone safe this winter season. While we don’t have snow now, for our newer residents and anyone else looking for recommendations, winter tires even on lower profile vehicles can make all the difference. True winter tires have the snowflake logo.
Email: roads@spiritlakeeast.org. For the roads form (to report issues): www.spiritlakeeast.org/roads
Motion to Accept the Roads Report: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
ARC Report: James says, no new builds to report. Since last month—at the November meeting—we just had one question from a homeowner about another resident’s build. He confirmed that it was approved. If you are building, there’s a form on the site, fill it out, and we’ll approve provided that it’s legal.
Do you have building plans (or Q’s to prep) for 2026? Contact James at arc@spiritlakeeast.org. For more info on building in SLE and to access form (for review/approvals): www.spiritlakeeast.org/building-info.
Motion to accept ARC Report by: Gus Ferguson
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
Timber Report: With earlier snow but now rain and winds, we’re seeing trees falling in the community, some blocking the roads or creating hazards that need navigating around. Reminder it’s each homeowner’s responsibility to manage their timber, especially trees lining (or in) the roads. With the warm weather and rains, there’s still time to clean up around your property—especially along our roads—which need to be free of all branches, trees that may impeding or could be, especially with more rain, wind and later, snow. Please remove them before the weather closes out to protect drivers, plows, crews.
If you have questions about Timber Management, contact Timber Chair, Gus Ferguson. Logging + Timber Exemption Forms can be found here: www.spiritlakeeast.org/timber. Email: timber@spiritlakeeast.org.
Motion to accept Timber Report by: Bryan Pettit Motion Seconded by: Tisha Dore
Welcome Report: Tisha welcomed new resident in attendance. He didn’t have any questions, just wants to introduce himself, listen in, and learn about what we’re doing with the roads, and volunteer, if needed. He also has a Commercial Driver’s License, if we need additional Road Crew members. Jon took his info.
New to Spirit Lake East? Welcome to our beautiful community. If you're new or been living in SLE for years, but have changed emails or phone numbers, please go to our website, click on “New” and register your latest contact info with us. This is how we can reach you and can send dues bills and other important notices like invites to meetings and/or contact you if there's an issue or emergency: www.spiritlakeeast.org/new-residents + welcome@spiritlakeeast.org.
Motion to Accept Welcome Report: James Stover
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
OLD BUSINESS
No Soliciting Signs (Brendan) – At the May semi-annual meeting, a resident asked that we put bus signs at the Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe entrances, deep enough to where people can see them on approach and watch out for the kids waiting for the bus for pickup or being delivered back to the community end of day.
We’ll be doing this once the work is complete on the entrances. Brendan will be consolidating the signage as well to create a better visual because, currently, there is a lot of different signage on/around SLE signs.
Winter Newsletter in the works. Topics: Plowing & Roads Reports, 10 Road Seasons of SLE, 2026 Dues Billing + New Payment Option, LIVE Jan-Mar 2026 ONLY, Promo of Poll for Dues Increase. Email entries for consideration: newsletter@spiritlakeeast.org. Newsletters & Ad Info: www.spiritlakeeast.org/newsletters
Motion to Accept Old Business: Gus Ferguson
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
NEW BUSINESS
No Soliciting Signs – David: From previous meetings, we want to have No Soliciting signs at the entrances. While the “private community” and “no trespassing” notices on the entrance signs should be enough, they apparently are not. So, we’ll be fixing that too, once the SLE signs go back up.
Intermax – Our fiber internet company is still doing set-up, including trenching up our very long driveways at no charge. We’ve never had this option before and it’s a great added value to any home. Get it done while the grant is still in place, Spirit Lake East Homeowners. Tiered services offered: $80, $100, $130/mo. Call 208-676-0471 or visit intermaxnetworks.com/fiber.
Lawsuit – Reminder from the Nov. semi-annual meeting, our HOA is being sued. Long-time resident, “Benjamin” Frank Shupp, filed a small claims lawsuit against our association in the amount of $5,069.00. Claims: 1. Theft of private property 2. Destruction of private property 3. Quality of life interruption and 4. Not enforcing the CC&R's.
So, again, the roots of this go back to March 2024 when we now know from this filing that Mr. Shupp illegally blocked the end of Priest River Dr. with two concrete barriers, a chain and a padlock. He had no authority or permission to do so. That's public access, public utility, fire exit, and so on.
Our VP, Gus Ferguson, contacted every utility, every public agency to find out if the barriers had been placed by them for good reason. They all said, no, please remove them. So, on April 2, 2024, a work crew was formed, the barriers were removed and placed in storage, once again opening up public access.
This is all public record including Mr. Shupp’s court filing + address for those who have asked.
Benjamin Frank Shupp doesn’t want any traffic on the road way in front of his house, and this is the section from Coeur d’Alene out Priest River Dr. He’s taken drastic measures by doing this. There have been some incidents where he has also illegally tried to physically prevent motorcycles and ATVs on the road-way.
We do have Sheriff’s reports on this.
When we did the barrier removal, it was fairly public. We posted on NextDoor. It was a community effort. There were pictures posted (the same pictures used by Mr. Shupp in his filing, so we know he saw it).
There was a member of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Dept. (off-duty) present when it happened as well as the Chairman of the Spirit Lake Fire Protection District’s Board of Commissioners, so this wasn’t a theft.
When Mr. Shupp filed his lawsuit, he made a sworn statement to the court the facts that he presented were true and correct, upon penalty of perjury. It appears as though there is a problem with his statement, and that’s going to be brought to the attention of the court.
We have investigated this matter thoroughly.
We’ve taken the statements, we’ve got the Sheriff’s Reports, other documentation, and we are vigorously defending the lawsuit. We’ve also filed a countersuit as many community members have suggested.
We’re about to begin court-appointed mediation on Mr. Shupp’s filing, and our countersuit. The countersuit is for crane removal + storage of the barriers from April 2024 to present (12/25) for $4,600. That’s less than a tenth of what our HOA’s contracted towing company quoted for removal + storage ($46,657.00). Mediation will be held virtually on 12/18/25 and we’ll continue to update the community.
Motion to Accept New Business: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: Bryan Pettit
- Motion to adjourn by: David Petersen
Motion Seconded by: Tisha Dore
- Meeting was adjourned at: 7:18pm
Printable PDF
