1. How is Autumn Lakes managed?
Since Autumn Lakes has both condominiums and single family homes it actually has the Autumn Lakes Association which is over both the condos and the single family homes and the Autumn Lakes Condominium Association which governs only the condominiums. The two associations have separate budgets and responsibilities. Autumn Lakes Association is responsible for any common ground including the clubhouse, pool, tennis/pickleball courts, basketball court, and lakes. The Autumn Lakes Condominium Association is responsible for maintaining the condominiums.
There are five trustees that make up the Board for both associations. Three trustees are elected for three-year terms, with one position expiring each year. Two trustees are elected for two-year terms, with one position expiring each year. As a result, two trustee positions are elected each year at the May meeting.
The trustees are responsible for management of Autumn Lakes. The trustees hired a management company to assist them. The management company, Smith Management Group (SMG), collects the condominium and association fees, pays bills, handles work orders, gets bids from contractors and manages the contractors.
See #30 for more information about the trustee organization, responsibilities and activities.
2. Who are the Board members?
The current trustees or Board members are listed on the Contact Us page of this website and on the front page of the Autumn Lakes Gazette. Any resident who is current with their fees is eligible to be a trustee.
3. How would I become a trustee?
At the March Association meeting each year interested residents are asked to contact the management company to get their names on the ballots. Interested residents can contact any trustee with questions about what is involved in the position. Potential candidates have to be current on their fees and complete an information form (name, address, how long a resident, and why they want to be a trustee). Ballots (with information forms for the candidates) are mailed out early in May and are due back by the May Association meeting. The ballots will be counted during the May meeting. The elected trustees will be announced during the May meeting.
4. How do I find out what is happening in Autumn Lakes?
There are bi-monthly Association meetings open to all residents in January, March, May, July, September and November. Meetings are always held on the third Wednesday of these months at 7 pm at the Clubhouse. A reminder sign will be put up at the bulletin board at the entrance a few days before the meeting. Residents are encouraged to attend the meetings.
Also the Autumn Lakes Gazette is published bi-monthly to report on the Association meeting. The gazette can be emailed or a paper copy will be sent to each home. The gazette is also available on this website.
There may be special mailings from the trustees or the management company on specific topics. Sometimes the Social Committee sends out mailings about an upcoming event.
5. How can I get more involved?
Autumn Lakes has three standing committees on which residents can participate. As needed, temporary committees may be established for a specific purpose.
The Architecture committee reviews resident requests to change or replace windows, decks, patios, garage doors, front or storm doors, lights, awnings or other changes outside their condominium. These types of changes need to be approved by the committee to ensure the on-going high standards for Autumn Lakes. One of the trustees will lead the committee and explain the rules involved in these types of changes. Interested residents can contact a trustee or the management company to be included on the committee.
The Landscape committee reviews resident requests to change the landscaping around their condominiums. Approval is required if residents want to plant bushes or trees. Residents need to understand that they will be responsible for what they plant as will the future owners of their condominium. There are also concerns about the types and location of plantings to ensure they will not cause future problems, such as planting a tree too close to a building. One of the trustees will lead the committee and explain the rules involved in these types of requests. Interested residents can contact a trustee or the management company to be included on the committee. The Landscape committee is also actively working to manage the designation and treatment of the ash trees in Autumn Lakes for emerald ash borer infestation.
The Social committee plans several social events for the residents throughout the year. The committee has an annual budget to help cover expenses. There are some favorite events like pool parties and the AutumnFest in the fall. And there are various other events through the year. The committee is always looking for new ideas and help to plan and setup the events. There is a chairperson, not necessarily a trustee, who schedules meetings and manages the budget. Interested residents can be put on the distribution list and participate when they are available. Interested residents can contact a trustee or the management company to be included on the committee.
6. How do I get things fixed around my condominium that are the Association's responsibility?
Residents should contact the management company to initiate a work order. The work order will be assigned to management company staff or a contractor as appropriate. Residents can also use the Contact Us form on this website to submit a work order.
7. How and when may I contact the management company?
The management company, Smith Management Group (SMG), can be contacted at 314-394-4200 on Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Their phone number and address are located on the Contact Us page of this website and on the front page of the Autumn Lakes Gazette. In case of an after-hours emergency, call 314-968-7850. After hours emergencies are only situations that cannot wait until normal office hours, such as a water leak.
8. What if the management company is not responding to my request or work order, or it is not done to my satisfaction?
Since the management company reports to the Board, contact a trustee to explain your problem. The trustee can look into the situation and hopefully get it resolved. If problems persist, the Board will address issues with the management company. The Board can replace the management company if appropriate.
9. Is the clubhouse available for rental?
The clubhouse is available for rental by residents. A deposit and a rental fee are required. Pre- and Post- inspections are required and are conducted by a resident appointed by the Board. Contact the management company with questions and to determine available dates.
10. Is the pool available for rental?
Yes. The pool can be included in the clubhouse rental. The renter is required to assume liability for the safety of the guests. Contact the management company for arrangements and restrictions.
11. How do I obtain a pool key card?
Pool cards are available from the management company. A refundable deposit is required for each card. Residents must be current on payment of their association fees or the cards will be de-activated until the problem is corrected.
12. How many guests may I invite to the pool?
You may invite six guests per home/unit, and you must be in attendance with your guest(s). If you wish to invite more guests, contact the management company in advance for clearance.
13. How do I obtain a tennis court key?
Tennis court keys are available from the management company. A refundable deposit is required for each key.
14. Who is the current trash collection company?
Maryland Heights has contracted Allied Waste (dba Republic Services) to collect trash, recyclables and yard waste for every Autumn Lakes condo and home. You can contact Allied Waste at 636-947-5959.
15. When is trash collected?
Trash is collected on Tuesday. If Monday or Tuesday is a legal holiday, trash will be picked up a day later. Trash must be at the curb by 6:30 am on collection day. Please note that trash should not be put out more than 12 hours before pickup is expected. Trash containers need to be covered in accordance with Maryland Heights regulations. Trash containers need to be put away by the end of the day of pickup.
16. When is yard waste collected?
Yard waste is collected on Monday. If Monday is a legal holiday, yard waste will be picked up a day later. Yard waste must be at the curb by 6:30 am on collection day. Yard waste must be in yard waste paper bags or in a container labeled 'YARD WASTE ONLY'.
17. How is recycling handled?
Allied Waste will pick up recyclables the same day they pick up trash. Recyclables can be 'single streamed' (mixed together) in a recyclables tote provided by Allied Waste. Recyclables should also be at the curb by 6:30 am on collection day. No trash should be put in the recyclable container.
18. May condo owners do individual landscaping?
You are permitted and encouraged to plant flowers around your condo. Do not plant anything beyond 10 feet from your building. Owners need to contact the management company if they are planning to change their landscaping or plant any shrubs or trees. This requires approval. Residents also need to know that if they put in landscaping they will be responsible for maintaining it, as will future owners of that unit. Residents need to contact the management company if they do not want their bushes trimmed or flower beds mulched. Mulching is not done every year; mulching times will be announced in the Gazette. Contact the Landscape committee or the management company if you have any questions. Contact the management company if you plan to change your landscaping.
19. Who is responsible for bush trimming and leaf removal?
Leaf removal is conducted three times each year by the management company. Bush trimming of bushes planted by the Association will also be done by the management company unless you want to trim your own bushes. Residents are responsible for trimming any bushes they (or previous owners) have planted. See Question and Answer #18.
20. Who is responsible for repair of my condominium deck?
Decks are the responsibility of the owner. Deck style and colors must conform to other decks on the building. Staining the deck and painting the rails are the owner’s responsibility. Any changes or replacement of decks need to be approved by the Board. Contact the management company if you are thinking about changing or replacing your deck. Please see the Association vs Owner Responsibilities list under Rules and Regulations on this website.
21. Who cleans condo unit gutters?
Gutter cleaning for condo units is done at least twice a year by management company personnel. During the freezing and thawing season, ice will form in the gutters causing water overflow from the gutters. This situation often occurs at the entrance to the condo units, leading owners to believe that the gutters are clogged with leaves. Gutters will not be cleaned during the winter. Contact the management company if gutters are clogged at other times of the year.
22. Who is responsible for painting condo exteriors and siding/roofing repairs?
Condo exteriors are painted about every 7 years and are the responsibility of the condominium Association. Siding and roofing are repaired as required and are also the responsibility of the condominium association. The management company contracts to have this work done. Please see the Association vs Owner Responsibilities list under Rules and Regulations on this website.
23. Who is responsible for window repair and replacement?
The owner. Replacement windows and patio doors should conform to the current window style and outside trim and must be approved. Contact the management company when planning to replace windows or patio doors. Please see the Association vs Owner Responsibilities list under Rules and Regulations on this website.
24. Who is responsible for storm door repair and replacement?
The owner. Any new storm door should be a full-view door and must be approved. Contact the management company when planning to install or replace a storm door. Please see the Association vs Owner Responsibilities list under Rules and Regulations on this website.
25. Who is responsible for garage door repair and replacement?
The owner. Replacement garage doors should conform to the current style and must be approved. Contact the management company when planning to replace a garage door. Please see the Association vs Owner Responsibilities list under Rules and Regulations on this website.
26. Who is responsible for front door repair and replacement?
The owner. Replacement front doors should conform to the current style and must be approved. Contact the management company when planning to replace a front door on your condominium. Please see the Association vs Owner Responsibilities list under Rules and Regulations on this website.
27. If I have a boat or other recreational vehicle, may I park it in my driveway or on the street?
No. We have a recreational vehicle lot for boats, trailers and other recreational vehicles. Spaces are assigned to residents on a space available basis. Larger boats and vehicles may not fit in the spaces provided. In such circumstances you will have to make other arrangements. Contact the management company for the procedures and forms to get a space and a key for the RV lot. There is a refundable deposit for the RV lot key.
28. How are subdivision garage sales handled?
Two major subdivision garage sales are conducted each year, spring and fall. Individual garage sales may also be held throughout the year.
29. How do we get burnt out street lights replaced?
If you find a street light that is burnt out, call Ameren UE at 314-342-1000 and give them the location and tag number of the street light.
30. What are the trustees' responsibilities and activities?
BOARD OFFICERS
After each Association meeting the trustees stay for an executive session. In the executive sessions following the Association meetings the trustees review the delinquencies, approve/question bids, cover any other agenda items like lake cleanup, identify priorities for Smith Management Group (SMG), decide on rule changes, review resident requests, and cover any other items that come up. In the executive session of the May meeting they decide among themselves who will be President, Vice President and Secretary. The other two trustees are just trustees. They also decide who will be reviewing the landscaping requests, the building requests, etc.
- The President collects topics for each meeting's agenda, calls special meetings for specific topics like reviewing rules, or planning parking changes, leads the Association meetings, signs checks each week, and generally leads the Board.
- The Vice President backs-up the president but doesn't have specific responsibilities.
- The Secretary writes the minutes for the meetings and provides them to whoever is doing the Gazette.
TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES/ACTIVITIES
- The Board is responsible for setting rules, determining if an amendment change is needed, setting the homeowner and condo fees, deciding to use a management company, working with the management company, maintaining Autumn Lakes property, setting the budget, maintaining reserve funds, and representing the residents in making these decisions.
- Board members receive comments and complaints from the residents. The board members communicate mainly by email. As questions, concerns, or complaints are received, the board member in receipt of an issue emails all board members and solicits input. There is also on-going email communications between board members and SMG.
- In October there is at least one budget meeting to review the budget suggested by the SMG property manager and decide on fee increases.
- Usually in October the trustees and the SMG property manager take parts of 2 days and walk around every condo building looking for rule infractions, maintenance issues or other problems.
- The trustees are expected to participate in most of the social events. The available trustees meet quarterly with the Maryland Heights Mayor and other subdivisions' trustees to discuss problems and current items of interest. Some of the trustees attend the Ward 4 meetings. The trustees have been very involved in Bridgeton and Maryland Heights zoning meetings for changes near Autumn Lakes. Some of the trustees have been involved in the Bridgeton Landfill meetings. These activities are to represent Autumn Lakes' interests and to be able to report to the Board and residents about what is happening that may impact Autumn Lakes.