The Minutes
SLE HOA BOARD MEETING
Date: Oct. 8, 2025
Location: Cup of Grace
Members in Attendance: David Petersen (President), Gus Ferguson (Vice Pres.), Brendan Mills (Treasurer), Bryan Pettit + James Stover, (Members at Large, James by phone), Tisha Dore (Secretary, by phone)
Call to Order: 6:30pm
Minutes from the last meeting: Accepted (Motioned by: Gus Ferguson, Seconded by: Bryan Pettit)
Treasurer’s Report Current in checking account: $ 15,654.37
Current in savings account: $ 21,802.04
Current in petty cash account: $ 201.00
Total in bank accounts: $ 37,657.41
6 PROPERTY OWNERS ARE DELINQUENT ON THEIR DUES (TOTALING OVER $1,000).
That’s $1,318.02 to be exact that we have outstanding.
1 lot owes on multiple years – demand letter sent certified mail on 5/10/24, lien placed June 2024. It used to be four. However, after notice posted about small claims court as next step in Aug 2025, three have now paid in full, the fourth is making payments, and will need to make all payments on time without skipping or full payment will be immediately required or small claims court will be the next step.
Five lot owners owe dues for this year only. Three are making monthly payments. If they miss a payment, the full amount will immediately become due or a lien will be placed. The other two that have not responded or setup an *approved* payment plan had liens placed on their properties on 8/20/25.
Final discussion on removal of PayPal with unanimous agreement to remove it as a payment option end of December 2025. We are switching to a new service where members may pay dues by credit card.
With this new service, payers will be automatically charged the bank’s convenience fee on their end rather than having to remind homeowners to add it onto their PayPal payment, which has created issues and additional follow up, administrative updates to bills, etc. This will be easier and only cost the HOA $15/mo.
Unanimously agreed as first test of the service that it will be turned on only from January to March 2026. This is to incentivize prompt payment for 2026. If anyone still owes for 2025, they can pay by credit card both 2025 and 2026 dues, during the months of Jan-March 2026 only, then the service will be turned off.
***** 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.
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
Motion to accept Treasurer Report by: James Stover
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
Roads Report
Jon Dore (Road Chair), said with more rain coming, grading will begin this weekend. He reminds that we need enough moisture for impactful work to take place (minor rain a day or two before was not enough).
- WINTER PREP BEGINS THIS WEEKEND: First season grading, Sunday, October 12th.
- VEHICLE MAINTENANCE UNDER WAY: Jon coordinated with Gus + Lead Operator, Joe Sandbank, to maintain and/or repair plow trucks + other equipment in prep for winter. Work started on Sunday, Oct. 12th, and should be complete by end of the following week before the temp drops.
- SPEEDING ON ROADS: Vehicles continue to be traveling at a high rate of speed in SLE. This is a danger to safety, property, and our roads, and threatens our budget for road maintenance. We live in a rural community with unpaved roads. SPEED LIMIT = 15MPH. PLEASE SLOW DOWN. We see the same vehicles speeding over and over. Repeat offenders will get a bill for repairs.
- TESTING WITH CAMERAS: We continue to monitor footage from cameras that have been placed on private property in key areas of concern. Video we’ve collected so far confirms a higher than previously known volume of traffic moving through our community on a daily basis. Again, while it’s mostly residents, there’s heavy use, and not just vehicles but daily towing of trailers, boats, lumber, work trucks (again, something we need to take into consideration for budget planning).
- MAILBOXES, HAYDEN & LIBERTY: Friend of the Road Crew, John Bartholomew, is heading this up, and coordinating with me directly. I have met with him to go over the plan approved by our mailperson. I will meet him to purchase materials soon (tentatively scheduled for next week) using any funds raised ($50 so far from a proactive neighbor). THANKS! This first cluster is a test.
- IF YOU WANT TO PITCH IN FOR MATERIALS FOR THE MAILBOX CLUSTER RENOVATION PROJECT: Please send donations to Spirit Lake East HOA, P.O. Box 217, Spirit Lake, ID 83869. THANK YOU!
PLEASE SLOW DOWN. It protects the roads and preserves your investment in them. THANKS! Questions? Email: roads@spiritlakeeast.org. For the roads form (to report issues): www.spiritlakeeast.org/roads
Motion to Accept the Roads Report: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
Architecture Report
Homeowners had some questions and then submitted for review of their application and simple plans, and James approved. James said he’d like to update the Google form with a few clarifying points following contractor feedback. Tisha said that she’d implement any changes James emails to her. Do you have building plans (or Q’s to prep)? 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: Tisha Dore
Timber Report
Gus Ferguson said burn season is not yet open. Even with more rain that came the weekend after the October meeting, per the Idaho Dept. of Lands (IDL) website, burn permits are still required until Oct 20th, but be sure to check the website first before you burn, just in case: https://burnpermits.idaho.gov
Last month, the board discussed ways to streamline collaboration with owners on logging operations. Given new challenges with loggers, the board also talked in September re: possible need for legal counsel (for when homeowners and/or loggers don’t comply with CC&Rs on application + cutting restrictions). We’ll continue to consider our options. But, for now, the online application is now more user-friendly.
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: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
Welcome Report
Tisha could use help with this program. She said she’d do the gifts, if Bryan could deliver to the mailboxes. No other updates. Just please keep updating your info so we can reach you. Newbies who’ve yet to register for HOA billing/mailings (or existing residents who have new email/phone #’s) please fill-out the new resident form (even if you’re a long-timer to update contact info): www.spiritlakeeast.org/new-residents.
Motion to Accept Welcome Report: James Stover
Motion Seconded by: Gus Ferguson
Old Business
We have in our shop old Bus Stop signs. An owner asked if they could be installed leading up to Bus Stops. Work must wait until after ITD’s Highway 54 project is done as it may impact where signs will be installed. Work on the entrances should be starting week of October 13th, so we can add the signs once it is done.
Fall Newsletter – Latest Issue is in the works. Topics: ITD 54 Project Update, Timber Update, Roads Update, Winter Prep, November Semi-Annual Meeting Invite. New advertising booked with Real Life Ministries (Fall Newsletter + Nov/Dec FB) + renewed with Intermax (12 mo’s, Newsletter + FB). Send entries for consideration: newsletter@spiritlakeeast.org. Newsletter & Ad Info: www.spiritlakeeast.org/newsletters
Motion to Accept Old Business: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: Bryan Pettit
New Business
No Soliciting Signs – While the main entrance signs temporarily removed from CDA and St. Joe don’t say, No Soliciting, they do say, Private Community, which implies no trespassing or soliciting. However, we want to make it clearer given the increase in door-to-door salespeople entering, and ignoring individual homeowner No Trespassingsigns posted. David Petersen has researched and priced options, shared with team members, and will be ordering week of October 13th. The new signs will be posted once the work on our entrances to tie-into the 54 Highway project is completed, also in mid October.
Intermax [fiber] Internet – They're still trenching at no charge. Our driveways are LONG. This offer will eventually leave the table. Given the cost of trenching and value-add to your property and quality of the service, we highly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity while it’s still available to us here. Tiered services: $80, $100 and $130/month. Call 208-676-0471 or visit intermaxnetworks.com/fiber.
Motion to Accept New Business: Tisha Dore
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
- Motion to adjourn at 7:08pm by: David Petersen
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
- Meeting was adjourned at: 7:08pm
