What kind of community will we be?

We have the opportunity to influence both the social and structural environments of Red Mill One. For most of us, our home is our biggest investment. We want our home to hold value and be the kind of place where we feel welcome and safe. We are taking on some new initiatives.

Why is this happening, and why should I care?

Our homes are almost 30 years old. Home values and our personal security require investment in maintenance, but we can't do it all at once or wait till things fail. We want to make informed choices and be judicious with our finances.
Washington laws have changed to protect common interest communities from high-risk occurrences and costly litigation.
- Governing documents and practices must be updated to reflect modern technologies and challenges.
- Decisions need to be transparent and ensure community input.
- Regulations and practices must protect us from negligent maintenance by owners (picture the damage from an aging water heater leak) and HOA maintenance that is “kicked down the road” to keep monthly dues low.

What do residents care about? The Coffee with Corll sessions have been well-attended and informative. Here are a few headlines:

Residents report wishing they knew their neighbors. “How can we be a community without being intrusive?”
"I was so confused when I moved in; I didn't know how this community works."
There is confusion about who to contact when something happens or when they have a question or suggestion.
How do we know what the HOA is responsible for and what we need to maintain or update?
What kind of insurance do I need? What does the HOA insurance cover, and what is the homeowner responsible for?
What do I need to know to stay in my home as I age?
Where can guests park if spaces are filled? How do we communicate and enforce parking agreements?

Here's how we're responding: We heard LOTS of ideas to solve some of the challenges mentioned above, and to have fun along the way.

This community website will serve to announce upcoming events, provide contact information, FAQs, and provide ways to make suggestions and get involved.
Board meetings now begin with 15 minutes of public comment on the agenda items. The agenda will be posted here and on Macpherson's portal 2 weeks before the board meeting.
An imaginative Welcoming and Events team is scheduling info sessions and get-togethers. Watch the calendar and set your preferences to get notifications. Submit your ideas to [email protected].
Task committees are forming to review immediate needs, provide options for board decision, and develop a strategic plan. We are reaching out for expertise and interest in aspects of our community. Join us for as little or as much as you can. Contact the Board will get a prompt response.
We are working with our attorneys to update our governing documents, create a maintenance matrix defining personal and HOA responsibilities, and ensure our regulations align with safety codes and current technologies.

Imagine the kind of community we will be if we all do our bit!