AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF DOGS

We recently received a number of emails concerning aggressive behavior of dogs while residents are walking in the neighborhoods of Stone Creek.

Since Stone Creek is located within the city limits of Urbana, the city's policy on dogs is controlling.

Please take a minute to read below, some of the city's rules regarding dogs.

Every owner of any dog kept in the city limits, or who harbors a dog on the premises owned or occupied by that person in the city limits, shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in compliance with the State Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/1 et seq.), and to keep the dog properly tagged showing continuing compliance with this section. If a vaccine capable of conferring immunity for more than one year is used, additional tags designating those years shall be obtained and displayed.

Every owner of a dog within the city limits of Urbana shall keep a collar or harness with the proper rabies tag on the dog. The identification tag shall contain the owner's name and address. Any dog or cat found within city limits without a required collar or harness and tag, or without required identification, shall be subject to impoundment.

No owner of any dog shall permit such animal to run at large or to be on any public right-of-way or property other than that of the owner or a dog-park designated by the park district without being securely restrained by a leash or other physical means.

Any dog running at large is hereby declared a nuisance and may be impounded as provided in this division.

If a dog is on the owner's property, it is at large if it is not contained on the property by means of a fence, chain, leash, competent supervision, or other visible means of restraint sufficient to protect persons or animals not on that property.



News from the Grounds Committee

Thank you to all of those who worked on our first Community Beautification Day. It was a great success and we are planning a repeat in the spring. It was so nice to meet new neighbors and see the grounds continue to improve.

At the Annual Meeting, Robert Taylor spoke briefly about two ongoing projects – the Tree Planting cooperative effort with the City of Urbana and the Stone Creek Adopt an Island/Garden initiative.

Residents who are interested in helping the HOA add 40 trees to the boulevard can contribute any amount of money towards the effort through our Stone Creek HOA “GoFundMe” page. Click on the following link --- https://www.gofundme.com/f/stone-creek-hoa-tree-planting-fund

For each $125 contributed, the City will provide one planted tree and a watering bag. A donation of $125 allows you to select the type of tree from an approved list and indicate a preferred planting location. Donations must be made by December 15 so that trees can be ordered for spring planting. For more details please contact Jessica LaRosa @  shawlarosa@gmail.com    Jessica will Chair the Grounds Committee for the next two years.

Our Adopt an Island/Garden initiative will launch after the first of the year, so look for volunteer opportunities at that time.

This fall we took down the last dead tree on the boulevard, laid sod at the High Cross Rd. entrance, and began seeding bare spots on the boulevard. Our watering crew is working hard and hoping for rain.


News from the Annual Meeting

Another special thank you goes out to the "Weeders" group who devoted countless hours throughout the spring and summer to planting, weeding, watering and fertilizing the flowers and plants along Stone Creek Blvd. The landscaping looked well-loved and added a welcoming touch to the community.

The Annual Meeting was held by Zoom on Tuesday, October 13. There were approximately 90 devices logged into the meeting. It is difficult to tell how many households were in attendance as two people from the same household may have been attending from different devices. Spencer suggested that he thought the turnout exceeded that of most meetings held in prior years. Copies of the agenda and the Treasurer's financial report for 2020 and budget for 2021 were emailed to all owners the day before the meeting.

After establishing that a quorum existed, Tom Roth called the meeting to order, highlighted the process of using Zoom technology for asking questions during the meeting and discussed the pending HOA election. (The election has since taken place electronically through Election Buddy technology on Wednesday and Thursday, October 14 and 15.)

Robert Taylor discussed Grounds maintenance as completed for 2020 and the plans for 2021. His report also included two new programs for additional median maintenance and tree planting. (Read more about these programs in the “News from the Grounds Committee” article above.) A special thank you to Robert who Chaired the Grounds Committee from May until the Annual Meeting. Robert decided not to seek re-election.

Mike Krickl presented the financial report for the 2020 operations of the HOA and the Board approved budget for 2021. The budget will set the dues assessment for 2021 at $125.00 per lot. The assessment for 2021 will be invoiced by email after the first of the year.

Jon Reichard followed with his report on Architectural matters. His report highlighted the need to review plans for landscape modifications and changes to existing homes in addition to the need to review for new homes to be built. Since the turnover at March 1, no new homes have been started which would require approval. All the Committee’s reviews to date have dealt with fences and other modifications. The Committee has handled all requests promptly and pledges to do the same going forward.

The U of I was represented by presentations from Cassie Arner (Sr. Associate Athletic Director) and Jackie Szymoniak (Assistant Athletic Director-Golf Operations & Director of Men's Golf Operations).

Cassie discussed the marketing plans for the lots donated by TAG and its initial offering of those lots to existing homeowners at discounted prices before opening them to the general public. This link will take you to the University website listing the lots for sale.
https://fightingillini.com/feature/buildatstonecreek

Jackie discussed the plans for the golf course, restaurant and facilities. From her presentation, it is safe to say much will be happening this fall, next spring and early summer as there will be a lot of redesign and reconstruction. Additionally, many resources will be allocated to the ponds on the course as well as the bunkers. The ponds will be dredged and treated. Bunkers will be added and relocated. The term "championship quality course" was repeatedly mentioned. A big take away is the course grounds will not be open for walkers after November 1, 2020. With all the planned construction, the safety of walkers is of utmost importance. Additionally, when the course is reopened in the late summer of next year, the use of the golf course grounds exclusively for golfing, will resume. Therefore, the HOA suggests that walkers change their walking patterns to the sidewalks and walkways on the medians of Stone Creek Blvd. as it winds its way from Windsor to High Cross.

An additional thank you to Chad Beckett who "hosted" the Zoom meeting and for handling the questions submitted electronically.

Tom Roth thanked all those who presented and those who participated. He adjourned the meeting at around 8:30.