| Dear Neighbors, During last week’s HOA meeting, we discussed various community initiatives, financial updates, and the establishment of a board for better oversight. We also announced the reintroduction of the Garden Club, the introduction of a new service provider for landscaping, and ongoing improvements and activities within the community. Lastly, we addressed community standards, concerns about invasive species and property damage, and the need for increased awareness and engagement from all residents. If you are interested in any of the above, we hope you will read on. The need for greater awareness and engagement Although this was discussed toward the end of the meeting, we wanted to move it to the top of this update. A quick request: Most of you know your neighbor’s email address or phone/text. Please send them a note today asking if they are receiving this newsletter and, if not, have them visit myridgemont.com to sign up. We have more than 400 households, and only half will receive this update. Your help in spreading the word will be greatly appreciated. Ridgemont Community Development and Engagement We discussed the recent developments and plans for the Ridgemont community, highlighting the further expansion of a board to oversee the neighborhood with clearly defined roles and responsibilities to ensure better oversight and decision-making and to ensure its future success. If you are interested in learning more or know of someone you believe would be an excellent community liaison, please email [email protected] and share your thoughts with us. We also acknowledged the contributions of several community members who are helping with events, communications, upkeep, and more. A new website, Ridgemont.com, is also in the works (it is live and being worked on in real time) to better share information and engage with residents. Finances 2023 assessments included a mid-year increase due to higher landscaping and street light costs attributed primarily to inflation. A continued focus on cost management was discussed, including water management, general maintenance, and infrastructure improvements, such as a potential partnership with St. Louis County for LED streetlight upgrades and infrastructure improvements. The neighborhood’s balance remains healthy, allowing for capital expenditures. Neighborhood beautification efforts The Garden Club is being reintroduced, with Karen Young leading the effort. Thus far, the team has been small, and we need your help. If you are interested in being involved or learning more, please contact [email protected]. We also have a new service provider, Lawn Masters, who will handle landscaping and maintenance needs. This change was prompted by issues with the previous provider and the opportunity to work with a company that offers a one-stop solution for the neighborhood’s needs. The success of the deer control program was also mentioned, with generous donations of harvested meat to the community. Various other updates and improvements have been made throughout our community, including repairing and updating signage, installing new lighting, upgrading irrigation systems at both entrances and attempting to control erosion along Carmen Valley, especially with the recent installation of an irrigation system. We also discussed ongoing maintenance and repair needs for sidewalks and roads and potential future projects such as sidewalk replacement or mud jacking. We will continue to work with the County to resolve the issues they are responsible for and prioritize those that are ours. Finally, it was mentioned that the focus for the coming year will be on standardizing native plants in the neighborhood, with financial support and guidance available for those interested. Community Activities We will continue the recurring social activities, including the Easter egg hunt, Halloween block parties, and more. As mentioned, the more support we have, the more events we can hold. If you are interested in being involved, please email [email protected]. Q&A – Community Standards and Invasive Species We discussed community standards and the importance of maintaining them, especially regarding property upkeep. We also discussed stray animals and general wildlife in the neighborhood. Living in such a beautiful neighborhood flanked by woodlands and waterways brings with it a balance of nature. It was mentioned that sightings of certain wildlife indicate a well-balanced ecosystem. That being said, everyone is encouraged to not feed or house wildlife which could be detrimental to the neighborhood. If you witness something out of the ordinary, please let us know or contact St. Louis County Animal Control or local wildlife services such as the Wildlife Rescue Center. Concerns were also raised about the invasive Japanese Honeysuckle and other non-native and invasive species found around the neighborhood. We will further address this topic in the coming weeks and look forward to community feedback and engagement on the path forward. A final thought from the board First, we want to thank everyone who attended. We live busy lives and understand that even an hour away from family, friends, or the day’s needs is a significant commitment. It is also a significant investment in our neighborhood. Again, we are grateful and want to thank everyone who attended. In the coming weeks, you will receive a survey to gauge your interest in board meetings—how often to hold them, in person or virtual, and what topics to be discussed. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and adjusting our plans based on your input and needs. As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to email [email protected]. Thank you, Board of Trustees |
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One response to “April 4 HOA Update”
Thank you for taking on all of this work and responsibilities.