The Minutes
SLE HOA BOARD MEETING
Date: March 11, 2026
Location: Cup of Grace
Board Members Attending: David Petersen (President), Gus Ferguson (VP, by phone) and Bryan Pettit, James Stover (Members at Large, James by phone), and Tisha Dore (Secretary)
Quorum: YES
Call to Order: 6:04pm
Minutes from the last meeting: Accepted (Motioned by: Tisha Dore, Seconded by: Bryan Pettit)
Treasurer’s Report
Current in checking account: $41,561.61
Current in savings account: $21,978.89
Current in petty cash account: $ 201.00
Total in bank accounts: $63,741.50
Total owed by the community is: $14,625.87
Reminder: New Credit Card Payment Option NOW LIVE, BUT ONLY THROUGH THIS MONTH, March 2026...
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 CARDS = 3% CONVENIENCE FEE IS AUTOMATIC. DEBIT CARDS = YOU STILL NEED TO ADD 3%.
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, so we pay the subscription for three months only, which incentivizes prompt payment.
******************** 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 and donations (address, credit card link): 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: Gus Ferguson
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
Roads Report (Jon Dore, Road Chair): As I’m sure most of you know by now, our Road Crew has been busy at work, grading as well (and quickly) as they can but ever-changing weather continues to cause delays. When we can grade, roads are prioritized by need, traffic volume + readiness of roads based on conditions.
For example, some areas are still frozen, have needed a few passes, which isn’t a good use of limited time when the goal is to get as much done as possible each day weather is with us. Other roads with hills and shaded spots (and as a result, frozen sections + water pumping under weight of vehicles in other areas) need more time to warm and dry-up before work can be done. Now we’re having a serious wind storm that’ll also require clean-up [by owners of trees fallen in roads lining their properties]. More snow + rain will be next. So, we’ll need to wait on additional grading until we get through all of it. Work done so far:
Fri, Feb 27th:
- St. Joe (partial)
- Newman (St. Joe to Tahoe)
Sat, Feb 28th:
- CDA (entrance back to Hayden)
- Liberty (from CDA to just past Priest)
Sun, Mar 1st:
- All of Kelso, beginning to end
- Finished the rest of St. Joe
- Hayden and Liberty intersection
Sun, Mar 8th:
- All of Hayden, beginning to end
*This needed to wait due to all the hills and water + temp changes that come with them (see below).
If we have not yet gotten to your road, know we will soon. For now, we hope you enjoy an easier ride in. If your road is already done but still rough in remaining frozen areas (even after multiple passes), we’ll continue to revisit these areas as we can. But please note additional grading is on hold for the moment as snow, rain is expected. I’ll continue to keep you posted. Thanks again for your patience and understanding.
This is a process and it’s a part of living here in a rustic, rural community with unpaved roads. It’s the price we pay for living in such a beautiful wooded place with large lots and low HOA fees. That said…
Also, I want to go on record in support of raising dues, per the poll, to keep them low but have more to work with now and later. Reminder, I’m an unpaid volunteer, an increase doesn’t personally impact me. But it would help to ensure we have—for maintaining roads, especially—greater resources more on par with the times/inflation after many years of no increases. It’s caught up to SLE, and while many of us didn’t live here then, they had their reasons (for not raising dues) like the SBA loan. Knowing the history, I get it.
Bottom line, we need to deal with righting things in the present, especially for the future of the roads.
Moving on, the reclaimed asphalt project is progressing. I know many residents are excited about incorporating more of this material into our roads. We checked out the pile, and while some material is in bigger chunks as seen in areas from last year’s initial test, we’ll be using a roller now that we have access to more material at an even better price (after the free material we initially tested ran out) last year.
They’ve accepted our offer of $3K for the first pile, an estimated $3/ton vs. $11-12 for refined material, and say they can make more reclaimed asphalt available if we want it once the remaining highway near our entrances has been demo’d. If we’re happy with the results of the first phase, we can move onto a second phase to take advantage of the low price + proximity of material.
In addition to $3K for the initial pile (about 36 loads), trucking + roller rental will be other costs involved, and grading will be free. With the reclaimed asphalt just down the street, we’ll never be closer for pickup of so much material. Approx. cost of the asphalt, trucking, roller: $10-12K (depends on final # of loads).
David motions, Bryan seconds to approve proposed budget. The rest of the board in attendance supports.
Ok, last thing is the missing SLE sign at the CDA entrance. I’ve gotten some messages about this, and as I’ve said previously, Scarscella (the contractor heading up the Highway 54 project) asked us to remove it. Work ran longer followed by a strike, and while we’ve not had control over these things, the fact is that the sign has been missing for longer than we would like. With spring almost here (but snow, rain coming), I say we put it back up as soon as we can while we wait for the project to continue. The sign needs repair. That and the weather are why I wouldn’t have proposed to reinstall it sooner. I’d donate work on repairs, so we can put it back up while we wait for work to continue if all are in support of that (board supports).
BTW: We are already seeing speeds picking up now as grading is being done. This is dangerous for our operators plus damages our roads and costs us more money. Please drive slowly to preserve our roads.
Email: roads@spiritlakeeast.org. For the roads form (to report issues): www.spiritlakeeast.org/roads
Motion to Accept the Roads Report: Tisha Dore
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
ARC Report: James fielded emails about building as well as our CC&Rs + single-family home policy. REMINDER: One home per lot. No granny flats, apartments, rental or live-in RVs or guest houses. Outbuildings such as shops can have man caves, gaming/hobby/craft rooms, etc. But no one can reside in these outbuildings. If you’re building and have questions, contact James at arc@spiritlakeeast.org. For more on building in SLE + access to form (for review/approvals): www.spiritlakeeast.org/building-info.
Motion to accept ARC Report by: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: Tisha Dore
Timber Report: Gus approved application for clearing dead trees and fire suppression for lot 111. 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: Tisha Dore
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
Welcome Report: New to Spirit Lake East? Welcome to our beautiful community. If you've 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 send the newsletter, reminders and/or reach out if there's an issue or emergency: www.spiritlakeeast.org/new-residents + welcome@spiritlakeeast.org.
Motion to Accept Welcome Report: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: David Petersen
OLD BUSINESS
No Soliciting Signs – Per the request of a resident at the last May semi-annual meeting, we’ll put-up the bus signs at the Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe entrances once entrance construction is complete.
Last snow storm, sign at CDA + Spokane Circle was knocked down. Brendan stored and will reinstall soon. Per the Jan 2026 meeting, one is missing from Sandpoint. Brendan is ordering a new one for that as well.
Installation will take place soon. 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.
Spring Newsletter: Latest edition is now underway. Articles include: May Semi-Annual Meeting Invite, Dues Poll Results, Possible Election Information (if the poll results determine there is need for a vote).
REMINDER: Given how many options there are now for online posting of the newsletter (Facebook, NextDoor, website + email to all who have provided one), we will no longer be mailing newsletters to those who have not provided an email and can find it on our website. If you want to provide an email address, please send it along with newsletter entries for consideration: newsletter@spiritlakeeast.org.
Newsletters & Ad Info: www.spiritlakeeast.org/newsletters
Motion to Accept Old Business: Gus Ferguson
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. Brendan will handle this along with the other signs mentioned in Old Business.
Intermax – Spring is here and lines can be more easily installed without need for temporary lines as were required during winter time. Our fiber internet company is still doing set-up largely financed by a grant, 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.
Most everyone knows already that we’ve distributed a poll to gauge interest in voting to increase dues. David is keeping a tally of the online + hardcopy poll responses. Tisha is also tracking as a second pair of eyes and recording all written feedback submitted by residents. All will be shared with the community.
THIS IS THE LAST CALL, IF YOU WANT YOUR VOICE HEARD:https://tinyurl.com/SLEPoll
One poll response per property. If you submit more than one, the first received will be counted and included in final results, which (again) will be shared with the community shortly.
Motion to Accept New Business: James Stover
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
- Motion to adjourn by: Tisha Dore
Motion Seconded by: Bryan Pettit
- Meeting was adjourned at: 7:14pm
