CC&R ARTICLE VII: Association Powers and Responsibilities

7.1. Acceptance and Control of Association Property.

The Association, through action of its Board, may acquire, hold, and dispose of tangible and intangible personal property and real property. Declarant and Declarant's designees may convey to the Association personal property and fee title, leasehold or other property interests in any real property. The Association shall accept and maintain such property at its expense for the benefit of its Members, subject to any restrictions set forth in the deed or other instrument transferring such property to the Association and any obligations or conditions appurtenant to such property. Upon a Declarant's written request, the Association shall reconvey to Declarant any unimproved portions of the Properties originally conveyed by a Declarant to the Association for no consideration, to the extent conveyed by a Declarant in error or needed by a Declarant to make minor adjustments in property lines.

7.2. Maintenance of Areas of Common Responsibility.

The Association shall maintain, in accordance with the Community-Wide Standard and the Permits, the Areas of Common Responsibility, which shall include, but need not be limited to:

the Common Area and the Community Area, which includes the entry features, landscaping, private parks within the Properties, alleys serving all or any of the Units, private trails, recreational amenities and the community center, open spaces, wetlands, natural preserve areas and conservation areas, sensitive areas, and buffers;
supplemental landscaping, maintenance, and repairs to property dedicated or conveyed to the Local Jurisdiction or other public entities (to the extent permitted by and consistent with any conditions imposed by such entities) and which may include public rights-of-way within or abutting the Properties, public parks and play areas, public trails, drainage areas, and storm water facilities;
irrigation facilities, park and pool/ride lots, and transit shelters that are not maintained by the Local Jurisdiction;
planter strips, medians, and central planting areas within cul-de-sacs, if located within the public right of way, unless the local jurisdiction maintains such areas by ordinance;
mailbox and mailbox shelters (which may not be moved or physically altered without approval of the PIC, the U.S. Postal Service and the Local Jurisdiction);
such portions of any additional property included within the Areas of Common Responsibility as may be dictated by this Declaration or any contract or agreement for maintenance thereof entered into by the Association, including landscaping and other flora, view sheds, parks, lakes, utility areas or improvements, structures, improvements, streets, alleyways, and bike/pedestrian pathways and trails;
any ponds, streams and/or wetlands located within the Properties which serve as part of the storm water drainage system for the Properties, including improvements and equipment installed therein or used in connection therewith; and
any property and facilities owned by Declarant and made available, on a temporary or permanent basis, for the primary use and enjoyment of the Association and its Members, such property and facilities to be identified by written notice from Declarant to the Association and to remain a part of the Areas of Common Responsibility and be maintained by the Association until such time as Declarant revokes such privilege of use and enjoyment by written notice to the Association.

The Association may maintain other property which it does not own, including, without limitation, Units, property dedicated to the public, if the Board of Directors determines that such maintenance is necessary or desirable to maintain the Community-Wide Standard. The Association shall not be liable for any damage or injury occurring on, or arising out of the condition of, property which it does not own except to the extent that it has been negligent in the performance of its maintenance responsibilities.

The Association shall maintain the facilities and equipment within the Areas of Common Responsibility in continuous operation, except for any periods necessary, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board, to perform required maintenance or repairs, unless Members representing 67% of the Class "A" votes in the Association and the Class "B" Members, if any, agree in writing to discontinue such operation.

Except as provided above, the Areas of Common Responsibility shall not be reduced by amendment of this Declaration or any other means except with Declarant's prior written approval as long as Declarant owns any property described in Exhibit "A" of this Declaration.

The costs associated with maintenance, repair, monitoring, and replacement of the Areas of Common Responsibility shall be a Common Expense; provided, the Association may seek reimbursement from the owner(s) of, or other Persons responsible for, certain portions of the Areas of Common Responsibility pursuant to this Declaration, the Covenant to Share Costs, other Recorded covenants, or agreements with the owner(s) thereof.

7.3. Insurance.

Required Coverages. After the conclusion of the Class B Control Period, or sooner if elected by the Declarant, the Association, acting through its Board or its duly authorized agent, shall obtain and continue in effect the following types of insurance, if reasonably available, or if not reasonably available, the most nearly equivalent coverages as are reasonably available:
1. Blanket property insurance covering the full replacement cost all insurable improvements under current building ordinances and codes on the Common Area and within the Areas of Common Responsibility to the extent that Association has assumed responsibility in the event of a casualty, regardless of ownership;
2. Commercial general liability insurance on the Areas of Common Responsibility, insuring the Association and its Members with limits of (if generally available at reasonable cost, including primary and any umbrella coverage) at least $1,000,000.00 per occurrence with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage, or such additional coverage and higher limits which a reasonably prudent person would obtain;
3. Workers compensation insurance and employers liability insurance, if and to the extent required by law;
4. Directors and officers liability coverage;
5. Commercial crime insurance, including fidelity insurance covering all Persons responsible for handling Association funds in an amount determined in the Board's best business judgment but not less than an amount equal to one-sixth of the annual Base Assessments on all Units plus reserves on hand. Fidelity insurance policies shall contain a waiver of all defenses based upon the exclusion of Persons serving without compensation; and
6. Such additional insurance as the Board, in its best business judgment, determines advisable.
  
  In addition, the Association may, on request of a Neighborhood Association, and shall, if so specified in a Supplemental Declaration applicable to any Neighborhood, obtain and maintain property insurance on the insurable improvements within such Neighborhood which insurance shall comply with the requirements of Section 7.3(a)(i). Any such policies shall provide for a certificate of insurance to be furnished upon request to the Owner of each Unit insured.
  
  Premiums for all insurance on the Areas of Common Responsibility shall be Common Expenses, unless the Board reasonably determines that other treatment of the premiums is more appropriate.
Policy Requirements.
The Association shall arrange for an annual review of the sufficiency of its insurance coverage by one or more qualified Persons, at least one of whom must be familiar with insurable replacement costs in Western Washington. All Association policies shall provide for a certificate of insurance to be furnished to the Association and, upon request, to each Member insured.

The policies may contain a reasonable deductible and the amount thereof shall not be subtracted from the face amount of the policy in determining whether the policy limits satisfy the requirements of Section 7.3(a). In the event of an insured loss, the deductible shall be treated as a Common Expense in the same manner as the premiums for the applicable insurance coverage. However, if the Board reasonably determines, after notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the By-Laws, that the loss is the result of the negligence or willful misconduct of one or more Owners, their guests, invitees, or lessees, then the Board may assess the full amount of such deductible against such Owner(s) and their Units as a Specific Assessment.

All insurance coverage obtained by the Board shall:
1. be written with a company authorized to do business in Washington which satisfies the requirements of the Federal National Mortgage Association, or such other secondary mortgage market agencies or federal agencies as the Board deems appropriate;
2. be written in the name of the Association as trustee for the benefited parties. Policies on the Common Areas shall be for the benefit of the Association and its Members. Policies secured on behalf of a Neighborhood shall be for the benefit of the Owners within the Neighborhood and their Mortgagees, as their interests may appear;

not be brought into contribution with insurance purchased by Owners, occupants, or their Mortgagees individually;

1. contain an inflation guard endorsement;
2. include an agreed amount endorsement, if the policy contains a co-insurance clause;
3. provide that each Owner is an insured person under the policy with respect to liability arising out of such Owner's interest in the Common Area as a Member in the Association (provided, this provision shall not be construed as giving an Owner any interest in the Common Area other than that of a Member);
4. provide a waiver of subrogation under the policy against any Owner or household member of an Owner;
5. include an endorsement precluding cancellation, invalidation, suspension, or non-renewal by the insurer on account of any one or more individual Owners, or on account of any curable defect or violation without prior written demand to the Association to cure the defect or violation and allowance of a reasonable time to cure; and
6. include an endorsement precluding cancellation, invalidation, or condition to recovery under the policy on account of any act or omission of any one or more individual Owners, unless such Owner is acting within the scope of its authority on behalf of the Association.

In addition, the Board shall use reasonable efforts to secure insurance policies which provide:

1. a waiver of subrogation as to any claims against the Association's Board, officers, employees, and its manager, the Owners and their tenants, servants, agents, and guests;
2. a waiver of the insurer's rights to repair and reconstruct instead of paying cash;
3. an endorsement requiring at least 30 days' prior written notice to the Association of any cancellation, substantial modification, or non-renewal; and
4. a cross liability provision.

Restoring Damaged Improvements.
In the event of damage to or destruction of Common Area or other property which the Association is obligated to insure, the Board or its duly authorized agent shall file and adjust all insurance claims and obtain reliable and detailed estimates of the cost of repairing or restoring the property to substantially the condition in which it existed prior to the damage, allowing for changes or improvements necessitated by changes in applicable building codes.

Damaged improvements on the Common Area shall be repaired or reconstructed in a timely manner unless Members representing at least 75% of the total Class "A" votes in the Association, and the Class "B" Members, if any, decide not to repair or reconstruct. No Mortgagee shall have the right to participate in the determination of whether the damage or destruction to the Common Area shall be repaired or reconstructed. If a decision is made not to restore the damaged improvements, and no alternative improvements are authorized, the affected property shall be cleared of all debris and ruins and thereafter shall be maintained by the Association in a neat and attractive, landscaped condition consistent with the Community-Wide Standard.

Any insurance proceeds remaining after paying the costs of repair or reconstruction, or after such settlement as is necessary and appropriate, shall be retained by the Association for the benefit of its Members or the Persons entitled to use the damaged or destroyed property, as appropriate, and placed in a capital improvements account. This is a covenant for the benefit of Mortgagees and may be enforced by the Mortgagee of any affected Unit.

if insurance proceeds are insufficient to cover the costs of repair or reconstruction, the Board may, without a vote of the Members, levy Special Assessments to cover the shortfall against those Owners responsible for the premiums for the applicable insurance coverage under Section 7.3(a).

7.4. Compliance and Enforcement.
Every Owner and occupant of a Unit shall comply with the Governing Documents. The Board may impose sanctions for violation of the Governing Documents after notice and a hearing in accordance with the procedures set forth in the By-Laws. Such sanctions may include, without limitation:

imposing reasonable monetary fines which shall constitute a lien upon the violator's Unit. (In the event that any occupant, guest or invitee of a Unit violates the Governing Documents and a fine is imposed, the fine shall first be assessed against the violator; provided, if the fine is not paid by the violator within the time period set by the Board, the Owner shall pay the fine upon notice from the Board);
suspending an Owner's right to vote;
suspending any Person's right to use any recreational facilities within the Common Area; provided, nothing herein shall authorize the Board to limit ingress or egress to or from a Unit;
suspending any services provided by the Association to an Owner or the Owner's Unit if the Owner is more than 30 days delinquent in paying any assessment or other charge owed to the Association;
exercising self-help or taking action to abate any violation of the Governing Documents in a non-emergency situation;
requiring an Owner, at its own expense, to remove any structure or improvement on such Owner's Unit in violation of Article IV and to restore the Unit to its previous condition and, upon failure of the Owner to do so, the Board or its designee shall have the right to enter the property, remove the violation and restore the property to substantially the same condition as previously existed and any such action shall not be deemed a trespass;
without liability to any Person, precluding any contractor, subcontractor, agent, employee or other invitee of an Owner who fails to comply with the terms and provisions of Article IV and the Residential Design Guidelines from continuing or performing any further activities in the Properties; and
levying Specific Assessments to cover costs incurred by the Association to bring a Unit into compliance with the Governing Documents.

In addition, the Board may take the following enforcement procedures to ensure compliance with the Governing Documents without the necessity of compliance with the procedures set forth in the By-Laws:

exercising self-help in any emergency situation (specifically including, but not limited to, the towing of vehicles that are in violation of parking Rules and Regulations)
bringing suit at law or in equity to enjoin any violation or to recover monetary damages or both.

In addition to any other enforcement rights, if an Owner fails properly to perform his or her maintenance responsibility, the Association may Record a notice of violation or perform such maintenance responsibilities and assess all costs incurred by the Association against the Unit and the Owner as a Specific Assessment. Except in an emergency situation, the Association shall provide the Owner reasonable notice and an opportunity to cure the problem prior to taking such enforcement action.

All remedies set forth in the Governing Documents shall be cumulative of any remedies available at law or in equity. In any action to enforce the Governing Documents, if the Association prevails, it shall be entitled to recover all costs, including, without limitation, attorneys fees and court costs, reasonably incurred in such action.

The Association shall not be obligated to take any action if the Board reasonably determines that the Association's position is not strong enough to justify taking such action that the covenant, Use Restriction, or Rule and Regulation being enforced is, or is likely to be construed as, inconsistent with applicable law; or that it is not in the Association's interest, based upon hardship, expenses, or other reasonable criteria to pursue enforcement action. Such a decision shall not be construed a waiver of the right of the Association to enforce such provision at a later time under other circumstances or estop the Association from enforcing any other covenant, Use Restriction, or Rule and Regulation.

The Association, by contract or other agreement, may enforce applicable Local Jurisdiction ordinances, if applicable, and permit the Local Jurisdiction to enforce ordinances within the Properties for the benefit of the Association and its Members.

While conducting the Association's business affairs, the Board shall act within the scope of the Governing Documents and in good faith to further the legitimate interests of the Association and its Members. In fulfilling its governance responsibilities, the Board's actions shall be governed and tested by the rule of reasonableness. The Board shall exercise its power in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner and shall adhere to the procedures established in the Governing Documents.

7.5. Implied Rights; Board Authority.
The Association may exercise any right or privilege given to it expressly by the Governing Documents, or reasonably implied from or reasonably necessary to effectuate any such right or privilege. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Governing Documents, or by law, all rights and powers of the Association may be exercised by the Board without a vote of the membership.

The Board may institute, defend, settle, or intervene on behalf of the Association in mediation, binding or non-binding arbitration, litigation, or administrative proceedings in matters pertaining to the Area of Common Responsibility, enforcement of the Governing Documents, or any other civil claim or action. However, the Governing Documents shall not be construed as creating any independent legal duty to institute litigation on behalf of or in the name of the Association or its members.

In exercising the rights and powers of the Association, making decisions on behalf of the Association, and conducting the Association's affairs, Board members shall be subject to, and their actions shall be judged in accordance with, the standards set forth in the By-Laws.

7.6.Indemnification of Officers, Directors, and Others.
To the fullest extent permitted by Washington law, the Association shall indemnify every officer, director, volunteer and committee member of the Association against all damages and expenses, including counsel fees, reasonably incurred in connection with any action, suit, or other proceeding (including settlement of any suit or proceeding, if approved by the then Board of Directors) to which he or she may be a party by reason of being or having been an officer, director, or committee member.

The officers, directors, and committee members shall not be liable for any mistake of judgment, negligent or otherwise, except for their own individual willful misfeasance, malfeasance, misconduct, or bad faith. The officers and directors shall have no personal liability with respect to any contract or other commitment made or action taken in good faith on behalf of the Association (except to the extent that such officers or directors may also be Members of the Association). The Association shall indemnify and forever hold each such officer, director, and committee member harmless from any and all liability to others on account of any such contract, commitment, or action. This right to indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any present or former officer, director, or committee member may be entitled. The Association shall, as a Common Expense, maintain adequate general liability and officers' and directors' liability insurance to fund this obligation, if such insurance is reasonably available.

7.7.Security.

The Association may, but shall not be obligated to, maintain or support certain activities within the Properties designed to make the Properties safer than they otherwise might be. Neither the Association nor Declarant shall in any way be considered insurers or guarantors of security within the Properties, nor shall either be held liable for any loss or damage by reason of failure to provide adequate security or ineffectiveness of security measures undertaken. No representation or warranty is made that any systems or measures, including any mechanism or system for limiting access to the Properties, cannot be compromised or circumvented, nor that any such systems or security measures undertaken will in all cases prevent loss or provide the detection or protection for which the system is designed or intended. Each Owner acknowledges, understands, and covenants to inform its tenants and all occupants of its Unit that the Association, its Board and committees, and Declarant are not insurers and that each Person using the Properties assumes all risks of personal injury and loss or damage to property, including Units and the contents of Units, resulting from acts of third parties.

7.8 Effect of Dissolution of Association.

In the event that the Association is dissolved and is no longer licensed as a non-profit corporation, the rights and duties of the Association (including, but not limited to, all ownership interest in the Common Areas) shall vest in the Owners, as an unincorporated association. Any Owner or any Mortgagee may reinstate the Association's corporate status, or create a successor entity as a successor to the Association, at any time by filing with the State of Washington such documents as required by law to reinstate the Association or create its successor; and upon such reinstatement, the Owners' rights and duties, as described in this Declaration, shall re-vest in the reinstated or successor Association, and at owners shall be members thereof with all rights to vote provided by law and the organizational documents of the entity. To the greatest extent possible, any successor entity shall be governed by the Articles and Bylaws of the Association as if they had been made to constitute the governing documents of the successor entity.

7.9. Provision of Services.

The Association may provide or provide for services and facilities for the Members, their guests, lessees, and invitees, and shall be authorized to enter into and terminate contracts or agreements with other entities, including Declarant, to provide such services and facilities. The Board may charge use and consumption fees for such services and facilities. By way of example, some services and facilities which might be offered include landscape maintenance, pest control service, cable television service, Internet service, security, caretaker, transportation, fire protection, utilities, and similar services and facilities. Nothing herein shall be construed as a representation by Declarant or the Association as to what, if any, services shall be provided. In addition, the Board shalt be permitted to modify or cancel existing services provided, in its discretion, unless otherwise required by the Governing Documents. No Owner shall be exempt from the obligation to pay for such services, if provided to all Owners as a Common Expense, based upon non-use or any other reason.

7.10. Relations with Other Properties.

The Association may enter into contractual agreements or covenants to share costs with other associations, properties or facilities for maintaining and/or operating shared or mutually beneficial properties or facilities.

7.11. Facilities and Services Open to the Public.

Certain facilities and areas within the Properties may be open for use and enjoyment of the public. Such facilities and areas may include, by way of example: greenbelts, trails and paths, parks, and other neighborhood spots conducive to gathering and interaction, roads, sidewalks, and medians. Declarant may designate such facilities and areas as open to the public at the time Declarant makes such facilities and areas a part of the Areas of Common Responsibility or the Board may so designate at any time thereafter. Portions of the Common Area and/or Community Area which are not intended to be open to the public may be posted as private property.

7.12. Permit Matters.
The Properties are subject to a variety of permit restrictions and obligations which are contained in the Permits and other Local Jurisdiction Ordinances and are binding upon the Properties and run with the land. The Association and each Owner shall comply with the restrictions and requirements of the Permits, as applicable. During initial development of the Properties, Declarant shall implement, maintain, and enforce the programs and requirements of the Permits. Declarant shall have the right, but not the obligation, to delegate or assign certain responsibilities to the Association or any committee, and the Association or such committee shall have the obligation to accept and fulfill such delegation or assignment of such obligations. The cost of such activities shall be a Common Expense, if the activity is associated with the Community Area and for the general benefit of all of the community.

Examples of matters which Declarant may delegate or assign to the Association include, without limitation, preparing and implementing educational and environmental conservation programs and training materials with an emphasis on irrigation and landscape maintenance, preservation of groundwater, and wetland preserve areas. Declarant may assign water monitoring and reporting requirements to the Association. The Association may also assume responsibilities for implementation and operation of a transit program for the community, including staffing the position of a transportation coordinator, if such responsibilities are delegated by Declarant.

The Association may adopt "best management practices" ("BMP") with regard to water quality within the Properties, which BMP shall be reevaluated from time to time by the Association in consultation with the Local Jurisdiction. The Association, each Owner, and each occupant of a Unit shall abide by such BMP.

The Association may assist in the production and distribution of educational materials regarding, among other things, fertilizer and pesticide/herbicide application, including practices relating to the quantity, timing, and type of fertilizer which may be applied to lawns and gardens to protect water quality. Such educational materials may be made available to all Owners and residents. In addition, all landscape contracts entered into by the Association shall comply with such BMP.

In the performance of its responsibilities, the Association shall follow the standards and requirements of the Permits and the Local Jurisdiction's Ordinances. The Association shall comply with the design guidelines and maintenance standards referenced in the Permits, particularly in the use and preservation of native vegetation and landscaping, in the performance of its responsibilities under this Declaration.

7.13. Recycling Programs.

The Board may establish a recycling program and recycling center within the Properties, and, in such event, all Owners and occupants of Units shall support such program by recycling, to the extent reasonably practical, all materials which the Association's recycling program or center is' set up to accommodate. The Association may, but shall have no obligation to, purchase recyclable materials in order to encourage participation, and any income received by the Association as a result of such recycling efforts shall be used to offset Common Expenses.

7.14. Relationship with Tax-Exempt Organizations.

Declarant or the Association may create, enter into agreements or contracts with, or grant exclusive and/or non-exclusive easements over portions of the Common Area to non-profit, tax-exempt organizations, the operation of which confers some benefit upon the Properties, the Association, the Members, or residents. While such organization(s) may perform a variety of services and functions, it is anticipated that such activities will focus on environmental and conservation programs benefiting the community as a whole.

If established by Declarant or the Association, the Association shall be responsible to fund the minimum organization expenses of maintaining such entity and may contribute money, real or personal property, or services to such entity. Such expenses and any such contributions shall be a Common Expense. For the purposes of this Section, a "tax-exempt organization" shall mean an entity which is exempt from federal income taxes under the Internal Revenue Code ("Code"), such as, but not limited to, entities which are exempt from federal income taxes under Sections 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4), as the Code may be amended from time to time.

MyHOA-online.com LLC Located in Auburn, WA
[Login][Search]