The Minutes
SLE HOA BOARD MEETING
Date: January 14, 2026
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: 6:02pm
Minutes from the last meeting: Accepted (Motioned by: Tisha Dore, Seconded by: Gus Ferguson)
Treasurer’s Report
Current in checking account: $ 42,611.74
Current in savings account: $ 21,913.38
Current in petty cash account: $ 201.00
Total in bank accounts: $ 64,726.12
Intermax renewed its newsletter & social media advertising and has paid in full ($1,100).
TWO PROPERTY OWNERS ARE DELINQUENT ON THEIR 2025 DUES (TOTALING OVER $600):
That’s $633.10 in unpaid dues from last year. If dues from 2025 are still owed once 2026 bills are officially late on March 1st, we’ll move ahead with a small claims filing because both those owing already have liens.
PayPal Is Now Retired...
The PayPal payment option was removed end-of-business, Dec 31, 2025. As of Jan 1, 2026, we've switched to a new service where members may pay dues online, but only in the first quarter of each year...
New Credit Card Payment Option NOW LIVE, Jan-March 2026 Only...
With this new service, payers using credit (standalone credit cards not attached to their bank accounts) will be automatically charged the 3% convenience fee. If payers use a debit card connected to their bank, they will still need to add the 3% just like they have always done.
SO, CREDIT CARD = THE CONVENIENCE FEE WILL BE AUTOMATIC. DEBIT = YOU STILL NEED TO ADD 3%.
If paying by debit card, you’ll see the payment page calculates what the total should be with the 3% added, so you don’t even have to do the math. Just simply update your total with that number prior to paying. Credit card payers will see their total already includes the 3%.
The new online payment platform will remain live from Jan to Mar 2026. That way, the HOA pays the subscription for three months only, which also incentivizes prompt payment. The two residents still owing for 2025 can pay by card both 2025 + 2026 dues by Mar 31st. Then the service will be turned off.
******************** REMINDER: The 2026 dues are $273.17 (22.76/mo) ********************
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.
Motion to accept Treasurer Report by: James Stover
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
Roads Report: From Jon Dore (Road Chair): More warm, rainy weather alternating with minimal snow has resulted in continued slush and challenging conditions. For newer residents, our roads should have a substantial ice pack covered in snow right now. Instead, what we’re experiencing is more like spring breakup when the roads come apart and potholes form.
Reminder (and as noted in an earlier report) I don’t specify road work days in advance because we’re at the mercy of changing weather and often have to reschedule work. I’d rather report work once done. For example, we booked grading on Tues, 12/16. But it was still too wet, so we pushed it to Fri, 12/19, which was then wet from more rain + snow. New folks, if we grade when it’s too wet, roads turn to mud.
We finally had better conditions on Sun, 12/21, so the crew graded as many in-need areas as possible. We then skipped Mon, 12/22 due to additional rain and snow. We were then able to move forward with our rock project and more grading on Tues, 12/23.
Two trucks brought in 16 loads on 12/23 and the crew graded as many in-need spots as they could on CDA, St. Joe, South Kelso, South Hayden, and both exits to Treeport. I was hoping to hit Liberty as well. But, as noted in my report that same day, we need to wait for the next time conditions again cooperate.
Thanks for your patience and understanding.
The Road Crew sanded on Mon, 1/5, and plowed on Wed, 1/7, in between snow storms so we’d have a good base for the next round. The Road Crew then sanded in-need spots again on Sun, 1/11. Also, our Road Crew only plows and/or sands early in the morning or late at night to avoid dangerous conditions. In peak traffic, drivers pass our equipment before getting signaled + operators have to pull off the road.
As mentioned previously, the new chains have been put on the grader so we’re ready for rougher cleanup. 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 (this time) using the loader. So, we’ll keep them on for now until we’re in the clear.
As noted in the Dec 2025 minutes, one plow truck required repairs after plowing on 12/7. I went on to say that’s typical noting how we’re budgeted for regular maintenance + repairs. I also said work on that plow would be “happening shortly” and it did—been repaired for weeks—nothing more to report on that.
Also, I mentioned in a recent report that I drive the roads in two-wheel drive. I drive the roads in 2WD rather than 4WD to be sure they are safe for everyone, even if their vehicle might have lesser capabilities. I don’t want folks worrying the roads may only be safe in 4WD. This helps to avoid questions or concerns.
Regarding my recent mention of two vehicles coming out of the S curve near the CDA entrance spinning out in my driveway, that’s to encourage slower speeds. My report said, “speed was a factor” with both. I then cautioned residents to drive slowly in changing conditions to keep them + others around them safe.
Most community members want to know we’re doing all we can to care for the roads and warn of hazards. So, I’ll keep providing educational examples for those who want to see them in our reports.
On that note, please continue to drive safe + slow. It is a mixed bag and we’re working hard to respond to changing conditions like clearing slush, sanding as needed. Thanks to all who are doing their part as well. Appreciate you watching out + driving slow for each other. I’ll keep you posted as more work is done.
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 answered questions from one homeowner and coordinated with them on a retroactive submission of an ARC form which was approved. If you are building and have questions, 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: Tisha Dore
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
Timber Report: With the warm weather and rains, please clean up around your property—especially along our roads—which need to be free of all branches, trees that may impeding (or could be) to protect drivers, plows and crews. Planning on logging in spring? Reminder logging + timing needs approval (form below).
For questions about Timber Management, email Timber Chair, Gus Ferguson: timber@spiritlakeeast.org. Commercial Logging + Timber Exemption Forms can be found here: www.spiritlakeeast.org/timber.
Motion to accept Timber Report by: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
Welcome Report: 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: Bryan Pettit
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.
Last snow storm, sign at CDA + Spokane Circle was knocked down. Brendan stored and will reinstall soon. Gus reported that there is another one that’s now missing from Sandpoint. Brendan will order a new one.
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: Roads Reports, 2026 Dues Billing + New Payment Option, LIVE Jan-Mar 2026 ONLY, Promo of Poll for Dues Increase, 10 Road Seasons of SLE. Email entries for consideration: newsletter@spiritlakeeast.org. Newsletters & Ad Info: www.spiritlakeeast.org/newsletters
Lawsuit – Mediation was held virtually on 12/18/25 then rescheduled for 12/19/25 due to technical issues. Given the strong evidence provided, it was agreed that the case be dropped, with prejudice. In other words, if the agreed-upon terms are not honored, then we may pursue our case further.
Motion to Accept Old Business: James Stover
Motion Seconded by: Bryan Pettit
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 (David researching).
Intermax – Our fiber internet company is still doing set-up, including trenching up our very long driveways at no charge. We’ve never before had this option 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.
Poll – Given dues were not increased for many years (even by the 3% the board alone may vote to increase them each year), we are far behind the times + inflation. At this rate, SLE will continue to struggle to cover basic costs including insurance, equipment, maintenance, fuel, etc., all of which are increasing at a rate higher and faster than our ability to raise dues by 3%, even if done every single year moving forward.
Given the risk that poses to the stability and future of our community, the board distributed within the 2026 dues mailing a non-binding poll to gather feedback from the community regarding their interest in voting on an overall increase in dues, and if so, to which tiered amount as outlined in the poll starting from $0 increase to new annual dues amounts of $400, $550 or $675.
If, per the poll results, the majority desires a vote to increase the dues on any level, we’d vote on the amount with the greatest support in conjunction with the May 2026 semi-annual meeting. If then passed by a 2/3 majority, the increase would be implemented starting with the 2027 dues next year.
If you haven’t yet submitted your hardcopy poll (included in the envelope with your dues bill), please send that in with your payment (or alone if you’ve already paid your dues online). If you’d rather submit your poll response through our Google Form, here is the link: https://tinyurl.com/SLEPoll
REMINDER: One poll response per property. If you submit more than one, the first received will be counted and included in final results. Please submit your poll response by Jan 30th.
Motion to Accept New Business: Tisha Dore
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
- Motion to adjourn by: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
- Meeting was adjourned at: 6:56pm
