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20 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MARCH 2016 Architectural review Committee In response to the threat of light pollution, the city of Beaumont adopted an outdoor lighting ordinance in 2005 which controls the type and quantity of lighting we can use. We at Four Seasons are required to conform to this ordinance, and the architectural guidelines, exhibit G, give the main requirements of the Ordinance. Some of the requirements are: 1. No outdoor lighting fixture is exempt from conforming to the Guidelines. 2. Except for low voltage lighting, all lighting fixtures must be shielded. This is a fixture having a housing or optics that prevents a direct view of the light source from normal viewing angles. 3. Expressly prohibited are mercury vapor lights, flashing lights (except small holiday decorations), low pressure sodium lights, fixtures mounted to illuminate a wall, building, façade, roof or awning, and fixtures aimed toward a property line. 4. Other than certain exceptions such as flag and motion detector lighting, incandescent lamps are not permitted. 13 watt compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and 8 watt light emitting diodes (LEDs) will normally be below the 825 lumen maximum allowed. All proposed outdoor lighting, including low voltage lighting, must be shown on exhibit A when you submit plans for ARC review and approval. You should also provide a spec sheet or brochure photo of the type of lighting fixture you want approved. Please cooperate with us in the matter of controlling outdoor lighting. We have a precious and unique natural resource to protect, that of a dark sky at night, and the ability to see the stars without light pollution. One might think that their yard and lifestyle merits more light than others, and that their bit of extra light won't matter much, but if we add all the light that is spilled from all the special yards, we soon will pollute our night sky with enough glare to diminish and possibly eliminate our unobstructed view of the night sky. The Architectural Review Committee meets at 9 am every first and third Wednesday. Homeowners are welcome to attend. ~ Carl Buschmann The Finance Committee held its regular meeting in January. The Financial Statements for December 2015 were reviewed and reflected the following significant items: Net loss for the month was $62,075 and total reserves were $5,134,042. The accounts receivable (delinquencies) was $45,804. Our total HOA expenses for December (excluding reserve allocations) were $313,801. This was over budget by $37,161. The front yard cost center expenses for December 2015 were over the monthly budget by $2,167. The Springdale cost center expenses for December 2015 were under the monthly budget by $2,399. The Finance Committee made the following recommendations regarding maturing CDs: (a) From HOA Operating, reinvest one $100K Capital One CD, one $200K BMO Harris CD, and one $200K Winter Hill CD with Morgan Stanley. (b) From HOA Operating, close a Comerica money market account valued at $396,147, invest $300K of that amount in CDs with Morgan Stanley and place the remainder in a Morgan Stanley money market account. (c) From Springdale reserves, close a Comerica money market account valued at $148,898 and reinvest in a FirstService Financial money market account. (d) From Springdale Reserves, combine and reinvest one $150K Bank of Baroda and one $40K Farmers & Merchants Bank CD with Morgan Stanley. (e) From HOA Reserves, close a Comerica money market account valued at $1,529,951 and reinvest $1 million of that amount in CD's service by Morgan Stanley, transfer $500K of the total amount to two First Service Financial money market accounts and transfer the remaining $29,951 to a Morgan Stanley money market account. (f ) From HOA Reserves, reinvest one $248K S & T Bank CD, one $200K First Niagara CD, and one $200K Texana CD with Morgan Stanley. All CDs to be invested at the best prevailing rate for a period not to exceed six months. There were six vendor proposals presented and recommendations forwarded to the board. A report on the accounts receivable was given by Wayne Staples indicating that one account valued at over $12K is headed for foreclosure with little likelihood of recovery of the amount owed; however, there are only eight accounts in arrears, a very small .6 percent of the current number of homes. Jeri Mupo reviewed deficit accounts and extraordinary costs on the December financials with no actions required. Our next meeting will is March 29, at 1 pm in the Lodge Conference Room. ~ Noel Myers Finance Committee

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