August 2024 Newsletter

Greetings Richland Residents!

Welcome to the August edition of the Richland HOA Newsletter. As we enter the "dog days of summer," you might wonder why it feels like we're living inside a hairdryer. Well, blame the ancient Romans, who named this sweltering period after the Dog Star, Sirius, rising alongside the sun. Back then, they believed Sirius brought the heat, and judging by our current temps, they weren't far off!

With the sun's rays transforming Atlanta into a hot, muggy, mess, it feels like we're prepping for a visit from our reptilian overlords. So, let's skip the chit-chat and slither straight into the updates and events that will help you stay, if not cool, at least mildly entertained!

 

Electronic Voting Update and First Raffle Drawing

As many of you know, we've been working hard to modernize our voting process, and we need your help! We’ve initiated a ballot to allow for electronic voting, which will make our elections quicker, cheaper, easier, and much more efficient. Let’s face it, our current mail-in system could really use an upgrade!

To make this change happen, we need enough signatures—and we’re counting on you to help us avoid the dreaded door-to-door campaign (we know how much everyone loves that!). To show our appreciation for your participation, we’re hosting a raffle with three fantastic prizes: $500 gift cards! Here’s how it works:

• First Raffle Draw: Includes residents who voted up to the 221st vote .
• Second Raffle Draw: For those casting the 222nd to 442nd votes.
• Final Raffle Draw: For votes 443 to 664—the total number we need to approve this change.

We held our first drawing after the July 4th celebration! Congratulations to

David Hall! He was randomly selected from the first 221 votes cast to receive the first of 3 $500 gift cards (Picture to the right is David and Tyler Hall).

You can find the Ballot for Electronic Voting in PDF format here. Simply fill it in and drop it off at the new drop box located at the clubhouse, by the community library. Alternatively, you can email or fax a picture of your completed and signed document to:

Richland Homeowners Association, Inc.
C/O ShaBen & Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 3189
Suwanee, GA 30024-0989
EMAIL: admin@shabenandassociates.com
FAX: (770) 271-8433

Budget Note on Raffle vs. Mailing Costs

For those concerned about the $1,500 raffle cost, consider this: Our current mail-out voting process costs about $1,500 per mailing (single sheet, 2 envelopes, and postage), yet our last vote attracted less than 100 responses. We send out multiple mailings a year, every year. Transitioning to electronic voting with this raffle incentive is an investment in a more cost-effective and engaging voting system for the future of Richland HOA. 🌱💸

Richland HOA Announcements

Clubhouse Rental Cost Increased: Please note that all reservations now cost $300. This adjustment was made due to the increasing use of the clubhouse and the fact that the current rental fee barely covers cleaning costs and other expenses. Additionally, we have recently updated the appliances in the kitchen, including the ice machine, double oven, microwave, and fridge, to enhance your experience.

Pickleball and Tennis Court Reservations:  Attention all pickleball and tennis enthusiasts! As our community continues to embrace the joys of these sports, we’ve seen a significant increase in court usage. To ensure everyone has a fair chance to play, please remember to use the ReserveMyCourt system for all court reservations, especially for pickleball.

Why Reserve?

• Fair Access: Reserving courts helps manage the growing popularity of pickleball and tennis among residents of all ages.
• Avoid Conflicts: Prevents double-booking and ensures your court is ready when you arrive.
• Community Harmony: Allows everyone to enjoy our facilities without disputes over court availability.

How to Reserve

1. Visit the ReserveMyCourt website: Go to ReserveMyCourt.com.
2. Create an Account: If you haven’t already,  you can get our community facility code on NABR Network (https://engage.goenumerate.com/site/4604/reservations.php) 
3. Book Your Court: Select the date, time, and court you wish to reserve.

Reminder: Only one account per address and only one court can be reserved at a time. This ensures that all residents get a chance to enjoy the facilities.

Thank you for your cooperation in using ReserveMyCourt and for helping to make our community’s recreational activities enjoyable for everyone. Happy playing

Upcoming Events:

• August 20th @ 6 PM, Richland Clubhouse
  Public Meeting - Y-16 Richland Lake Dams Project

• August 27th @ 7 PM, Richland Clubhouse
  Richland Book Club

• September 7th @ 12:30 PM, Richland Pool and Clubhouse
  Pig Roast and End of Summer Luau

 

 

 Meeting with Gwinnett County Officials: Lake Draining Project

Attention lakefront homeowners and residents on Taylor Lake (this is lake on Taylor Road across from the Clubhouse)! On August 20th at 6 PM at the Richland Clubhouse, Gwinnett County officials will discuss the upcoming project to repair the outlet control structure. This repair will require the county to completely drain the lake.

Expect potential inconveniences such as bad smells and dead fish due to lake not having ANY water. And for any residents who may have buried bodies or treasure—consider this your heads-up to relocate them before everyone knows your secrets!  This meeting is your chance to ask questions and address concerns. Lakefront property owners and interested residents are encouraged to attend and learn more about the project. Don't miss this important update!

Richland Trails Rules

To ensure our nature trails remain a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone, please adhere to the following rules:

1. Members Only: The trail is exclusively for Richland members. No trespassing!
2. Pets Must Be Leashed: For the safety of all trail users, pets must be on a leash at all times.
3. Clean Up After Pets: Members must clean up after their pets. Let’s keep our trails clean and pleasant.
4. No Littering: Please take all trash with you. Do not leave any litter behind.
5. No Loud Music: Enjoy the natural sounds of the trail. Loud music is not permitted.
6. Trail Hours: The trails are open from dawn to dusk. No access outside these hours.

Violators will be fined and/or have their privileges suspended. Let’s all work together to preserve the beauty and tranquility of our nature trails.

Annual End of Summer Pig Roast and Luau

Mark your calendars for one of our most anticipated events of the year! The Annual Pig Roast and End of Summer Pool Party is scheduled for September 7th. Join us at the swimming pool and clubhouse for a day filled with delicious food, fun, and swimming.

Event Details:

• Date: September 7th
  
• Time: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
• Location: Swimming Pool and Clubhouse

We are always looking for volunteers to help with the preparations and would like to lend a hand, we would greatly appreciate your help!

Calling All Volunteers:

• Smokers Needed: Help us with the main event—smoking the pork butts. If you’re experienced or simply enthusiastic, we welcome your support.
• Vegetarian/Vegan Options: We also want to cater to our vegetarian and vegan residents. If you’re interested in coordinating and preparing these options, please reach out to us.
• Social Committee Support: We need volunteers to assist with setup, decorating, serving, and cleanup. Your efforts ensure that the event runs smoothly and is enjoyable for everyone.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to gather as a community, enjoy the end of summer, and celebrate the season’s close. Whether you're there for the food, the company, or the chance to volunteer, we look forward to seeing you there!  If you’d like to volunteer, please email us at social@richlander.com and let us know how you’d like to contribute. Your participation helps make this event a success!

Seeking Volunteer for ACC

The HOA is looking for volunteers to fill two available spots on the Architectural Committee (ACC). The committee reviews modification requests submitted by homeowners, evaluating them based on neighborhood design guidelines. Responsibilities include assessing and voting on proposals for exterior changes, such as new paint colors or fence installations. If you're interested in contributing to the community and have a keen eye for design, we encourage you to volunteer!  If you have interest in serving on this committee please reach out to justin@shabenandassociates.com

📚Community Amenities

Richland Sharing Library
Just a reminder – we have small community library at the clubhouse. Feel free to pick up or drop off a book. If you do want to donate a book for others to enjoy, please place them on the shelves. The library is located on the pool side of the clubhouse. There is a wide variety including romance, self help, historical fiction and science fiction.

The Richland Book Club
The Richland Book Clubs meets the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7pm at the Clubhouse. If you aren't sure which one that is, the Book Club usually puts out signs in front of the clubhouse leading up to the meeting! Please contact Ingrid Shell directly at ingrid.r.shell@gmail.com for more details.

Richland Fire-pit
Just a reminder, Richland has 1 community fire pit. It's located behind the tennis courts closest to the clubhouse. There are also two park style grills as well as 4 built in benches around the pit. Fire-pit and grills are first come first serve. You can reserve the pavilions on either side using reservemycourt.com. Please plan to bring your own wood, and please be sure to completely put out the fire when you are finished. There is a creek right behind the fire-pit - use as much water as you need - we'll make more!

Richland Trails
We have two inviting gravel trails in our community ready for your exploration. The first trail is accessible behind the lower tennis courts on Quinton Rd. Just follow the concrete sidewalk until you reach the gravel path. The second trail, part of Phase 2 expansion, can be accessed by walking the sidewalk to Hunt River Way - this trail follows alongside the creek opposite the current trail. Happy exploring!

Tennis and Pickleball Courts!

We have 6 tennis courts (maintained to ALTA standards): 4 at the upper courts and 2 at the lower courts. The 6 pickleball courts are located on the lower courts. All of these courts can be reserved on reservemycourt.com. Please remember, no more than 3 guests per resident. 🏓🌟

Pavilion Rentals (Free)
We have three pavilions available to reserve through reservemycourt.com. Whether you're planning a party, gathering, or event, these pavilions are perfect for any occasion. There is no cost to reserve them.

Clubhouse Rentals
Our clubhouse is also available for rent at richlander.com. It’s an ideal location for hosting events, meetings, or celebrations. Please note that any reservations made after June 1st will see an increase from $225 to $300.

Playground

Don’t forget to visit our community playground, a perfect spot for kids to play and make new friends. It’s located behind the swimming pool and is open year round and offers a safe and fun environment for all children.  There are also several grills for your use.  Please clean up after grilling. 

Swimming Pools

We have two swimming pools: one lap pool and a mushroom feature pool with zero entry for kids and a deeper end for adults. These pools are heated during cooler months to ensure a comfortable swim. Lifeguards are on duty during certain hours; at all other times, swimming is at your own risk.

Richland HOA Minutes and Management Updates

🔧 Greetings, Richlanders! Get ready for an exciting update on the latest community projects your dedicated HOA is tackling. From clubhouse repairs to landscaping improvements, there's a lot happening in our neighborhood. We promise to make these updates as engaging as possible, so buckle up and join us on this thrilling journey through our recent accomplishments and ongoing efforts. Let's dive into the details and see what's new in Richland! 🎉🔦

The HOA Board met on July 9 at the clubhouse.  

• Jay Bulot – President
• Alan Meeks – VP
• Don Tam – Treasurer
• Sandra Hill – Secretary
• Ricky Fiorillo – Member at Large

Clubhouse 

• Thank you Don Tam for reupholstered sound boards. (three out of six soundboard was stained during clubhouse repaint and flooring) .

Landscaping/Grounds

• Brightmax - cleaned gutters at pavilions, and around lower pavilion.
• Repainted Marston Park Signage and Walnut Grove signage – Completed
• Wireless Card system was installed for the upper tennis courts 
• No Leasing signs installed at Collins Hill, L’ville Suwanee and Richland Pkwy entrances.
• Bridge was repaired from bike accident.

Pool 

• Pool company manually turns pool lights on at 7pm each day. Discuss if we want to put on a timer. No decision on it. 
• With temperatures rising, board considered and voted to install cooling fan for lifeguards outside the bathroom entrance.  

Tennis/Pickleball

• Practice Backboards for Pickle ball court and Tennis court  – installed down at lower courts. Old panels are by dumpster and need to be chopped up and placed in dumpster. Justin will talk to the handyman about the best way to dispose of the old practice board. 
• Pickle ball courts repainted back 3 areas that were shaded out and reinstalled pickleball net. There is some damage to the pickleball fencing from people running into it. Reaching out to fence company. There is a concern that the new paint does not match on the court. 
• Requested united sports to repair net on pickle ball court 5
• Two Upper tennis pavilions - Wood repair and Restained - $4,363.64 - tabled for further discussion.

Lakes

• Spoke with Nicko at Ray engineering about anyalazing dredging project – quote $6,500
• Quotes from Riversand - $831,745 10,000 cy
• Mceachern - Mobilization, water control- $15,000.00
• Permanent access road install- $15,000.00
• Dredging 9,000 cy from the lake- $340,000.00
• Hauling/ Dumping offsite- $245,000.00
• Total- $615,000.00
• Need to sign county right of entry form for OCS maintenance work.  The board agreed to sign the right of entry with clarification of the scope of the work and the county will restore the lake to its pre construction condition.
• County has requested public meeting at clubhouse to further discuss project. 
• Board discussed installing a bike rack for the pickleball court- source on estimate $800 for the bike rack with labor. Board will discuss further.  

This concludes the summary of the Richland HOA meeting held on May 15. Please contact the board for any further details or questions.

This Could Be You!

Not a fan of pool parties or big crowds, but still want to be part of the action? Introverts unite! This is your chance to shine—behind the smoker, that is. We're looking for volunteers to help with our upcoming community events, and you could be the next smoking legend! Whether you're a smoker novice or a seasoned pro, all you need is enthusiasm and a love for good food. Ready to smoker and chill without the small talk? Sign up today, and let's get cooking!