Autumn Lakes
Recent News
and
Upcoming Events
Recent News
and
Upcoming Events
Trustee Elections
Two Trustee positions were decided in May 2022. Here are the new officers for the Association:
Richard Ornberg -- President
Laura Farkas -- Vice President
Jennifer Morgan -- Secretary
Shah Smith -- Trustee
Retta Morcom -- Trustee
Two Trustee positions were decided in May 2022. Here are the new officers for the Association:
Richard Ornberg -- President
Laura Farkas -- Vice President
Jennifer Morgan -- Secretary
Shah Smith -- Trustee
Retta Morcom -- Trustee
Smith Management Group Gets a New System Platform and Web Access
In early June, SMG started the process to convert to a new app platform to replace their accounting system, work order management,
and website support. The new app is called TownSq.
The week of 6/13/22 they were validating every Autumn Lakes owner account to ensure accuracy of the conversion.
They will be sending out letters/coupons with new account numbers that need to be used to access the app to send in payments or submit work orders. You can also call SMG Customer Service or email service@smithmgmt.com to request your new account number
so you can setup your SMG online access.
Anyone using their bank to send automated payments to SMG will have to update the account number so their payment will process correctly.
SMG will have to re-load all of the Autumn Lakes forms, rules, newsletters and other documents to the new app
before owners can see them on the new SMG site.
All of their subdivisions will have to go through the same validation and reload process so they have a lot of work to do.
In early June, SMG started the process to convert to a new app platform to replace their accounting system, work order management,
and website support. The new app is called TownSq.
The week of 6/13/22 they were validating every Autumn Lakes owner account to ensure accuracy of the conversion.
They will be sending out letters/coupons with new account numbers that need to be used to access the app to send in payments or submit work orders. You can also call SMG Customer Service or email service@smithmgmt.com to request your new account number
so you can setup your SMG online access.
Anyone using their bank to send automated payments to SMG will have to update the account number so their payment will process correctly.
SMG will have to re-load all of the Autumn Lakes forms, rules, newsletters and other documents to the new app
before owners can see them on the new SMG site.
All of their subdivisions will have to go through the same validation and reload process so they have a lot of work to do.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED!
The Social Committee is planning a summer Pool/Potluck Party on Sunday, July 24th.
They need help to get ready for the event and they will need help for setup/cleanup the day of the party.
If you or anyone you know would like to help, please contact Shah Smith or Laura Farkas.
The Social Committee is planning a summer Pool/Potluck Party on Sunday, July 24th.
They need help to get ready for the event and they will need help for setup/cleanup the day of the party.
If you or anyone you know would like to help, please contact Shah Smith or Laura Farkas.
Change of Management Company
Beginning on January 1, 2022, the management of Autumn Lakes will move from Association Management Company (AMC) to Smith Management Group (SMG). A letter from the Board was sent out in November to highlight why the change is being made and how this new approach will best serve Autumn Lakes. Residents will soon receive a letter from SMG introducing some of the changes in communication as well as where to send Association fees for 2022.
Some of the changes this brings include online tracking of work orders for all residents, moving the maintenance of the lakes, pool and landscaping to licensed professional vendors. The board also took a look at the current work order system to determine how the current groundsmen are spending their time and to evaluate the need to have two full time workers. With the structure of the new management company’s maintenance program, it was determined that Autumn Lakes would move to a part-time worker on property three times a week, with many work orders being handled by the SMG Maintenance/Repair team. The Board will continue to re-evaluate work orders to determine if more or less onsite assistance is needed.
The website for SMG is smithmgmt.com. Once you setup your account you can see your account, work orders and find forms.
The phone number for SMG is 314-394-4200. Hit 0 to get to Customer Service. Their office hours are 9 am - 5 pm Monday through Friday.
Beginning on January 1, 2022, the management of Autumn Lakes will move from Association Management Company (AMC) to Smith Management Group (SMG). A letter from the Board was sent out in November to highlight why the change is being made and how this new approach will best serve Autumn Lakes. Residents will soon receive a letter from SMG introducing some of the changes in communication as well as where to send Association fees for 2022.
Some of the changes this brings include online tracking of work orders for all residents, moving the maintenance of the lakes, pool and landscaping to licensed professional vendors. The board also took a look at the current work order system to determine how the current groundsmen are spending their time and to evaluate the need to have two full time workers. With the structure of the new management company’s maintenance program, it was determined that Autumn Lakes would move to a part-time worker on property three times a week, with many work orders being handled by the SMG Maintenance/Repair team. The Board will continue to re-evaluate work orders to determine if more or less onsite assistance is needed.
The website for SMG is smithmgmt.com. Once you setup your account you can see your account, work orders and find forms.
The phone number for SMG is 314-394-4200. Hit 0 to get to Customer Service. Their office hours are 9 am - 5 pm Monday through Friday.
Autumn Lakes Master Policy Changes
The insurance coverage for Autumn Lakes Master Policy renewed in November.
The premium has gone up about $24,000 for the year. This has nothing to do with the change in property management company.
We will re-visit insurance coverage in early 2022 to see if we can improve the situation.
There is a change that will affect all condominium owners is the deductible for activating the Master Policy coverage.
Effective immediately the deductible is now $15,000, this is an increase from the previous $10,000 amount.
You will need to contact your insurance company to increase your Loss Assessment coverage to $15,000.
You should also provide these two documents to you insurance company in case your other coverage needs to be updated.
Autumn Lakes Clubhouse Rentals
The Club House is open for rental reservations.
There will be a small sanitizing fee that will be added to the contract.
Renters will still need to be responsible for cleaning up the space when they are completed.
Club house capacity is 70 people.
Renters will be responsible for maintaining a list of attendees and contacting attendees
if there is a COVID-19 exposure event.
The clubhouse will only be rented to Autumn Lakes owners who must be
present for the pre- and post- inspections and for the entire event.
You can request your date on the smithmgmt.com website.
See the Rules and Regulations page for the current rules and reservation form.
The Club House is open for rental reservations.
There will be a small sanitizing fee that will be added to the contract.
Renters will still need to be responsible for cleaning up the space when they are completed.
Club house capacity is 70 people.
Renters will be responsible for maintaining a list of attendees and contacting attendees
if there is a COVID-19 exposure event.
The clubhouse will only be rented to Autumn Lakes owners who must be
present for the pre- and post- inspections and for the entire event.
You can request your date on the smithmgmt.com website.
See the Rules and Regulations page for the current rules and reservation form.
Maryland Heights City Planner Letter About Deck Repairs/Replacements
The attached letter is from Michael Zeek, Director of Community Development/City Planner concerning the recent confusion
for some residents about letters coming from Maryland Heights requiring deck replacements.
The attached letter is from Michael Zeek, Director of Community Development/City Planner concerning the recent confusion
for some residents about letters coming from Maryland Heights requiring deck replacements.
| autumn_lakes_decks_mh_04-23-2021.pdf |
Permits – Heads Up
Maryland Heights requires a permit for many home projects (basements, bathrooms, kitchens, decks, HVACs, hot water heaters). During the sale of a house/condo or if an inspector sees a con-tractor truck in your drive, they are sometimes checking with Maryland Heights or St. Louis County permit departments to see if a permit was requested and the work was properly inspected. This can result in a fine and in some cases demolition of the job if there was no permit. Warning: It does not matter with an occupancy inspection whether a violation was missed on a previous sale, you can still be fined.
For general information about Maryland Heights permits go to: www.marylandheights.com/residents/index.php To be safe -- contact Maryland Heights Code Enforcement prior to planning or starting any work or appliance replacement.
The Maryland Heights’ Guide to Home Improvements booklet can be found on the Maryland Heights’ web-site at https://www.marylandheights.com/Document_Center/Department/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Code/HomeimprovementguideFINALc.pdf
Maryland Heights requires a permit for many home projects (basements, bathrooms, kitchens, decks, HVACs, hot water heaters). During the sale of a house/condo or if an inspector sees a con-tractor truck in your drive, they are sometimes checking with Maryland Heights or St. Louis County permit departments to see if a permit was requested and the work was properly inspected. This can result in a fine and in some cases demolition of the job if there was no permit. Warning: It does not matter with an occupancy inspection whether a violation was missed on a previous sale, you can still be fined.
For general information about Maryland Heights permits go to: www.marylandheights.com/residents/index.php To be safe -- contact Maryland Heights Code Enforcement prior to planning or starting any work or appliance replacement.
The Maryland Heights’ Guide to Home Improvements booklet can be found on the Maryland Heights’ web-site at https://www.marylandheights.com/Document_Center/Department/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Code/HomeimprovementguideFINALc.pdf
Condo Association/Owner Responsibilities
We have added a new document on the Rules and Regulations page - Condo Association/Owner Responsibilities.
This document lists many of the items around the condos that may need repairs or that owners may want to change.
The list identifies who is responsible for maintaining each item, when approval is needed to make changes, and whether permits are required.
If you have specific or detailed questions you should contact the SMG office at 314-394-4200
to find out which trustee could best answer your questions.
We have added a new document on the Rules and Regulations page - Condo Association/Owner Responsibilities.
This document lists many of the items around the condos that may need repairs or that owners may want to change.
The list identifies who is responsible for maintaining each item, when approval is needed to make changes, and whether permits are required.
If you have specific or detailed questions you should contact the SMG office at 314-394-4200
to find out which trustee could best answer your questions.
Rental Reminder
Autumn Lakes Condos is an owner occupied complex. This allows us to meet lending criteria when selling, and it keeps up our property values.
This means that unless you were grandfathered in (ownership prior to September 2009) you cannot rent your unit.
There is an exception if you are “renting” to your parents or your children, or if you are renting to a roommate while you are still living in the unit.
Just as all owners require an occupancy permit from Maryland Heights,
you are required to get a new occupancy permit each time the occupants change.
A copy of the lease (which can be open ended for family) needs to be on file in the SMG office as well.
Owners who do have rentals are responsible for the actions of their renters, and any fines levied go to the homeowner.
Just a reminder if you are renting - a legal bedroom requires access to the outside (walk out or egress window), a closet and a private door.
Non-walkout basements can not use the lower level as an extra bedroom.
Maryland Heights and Autumn Lakes do not allow Air BnB or VRBO type short term rentals.
Smoke Detector Reminder
Firemen from the Maryland Heights Fire Protection District visited with residents at the Maryland Heights' Nite Out. The officers encourage changing smoke detector batteries, including backup batteries, annually when we change our clocks. They also recommend replacing the entire detector every 10 years. If any resident needs help changing smoke detector batteries please call 314-298-4400 and the fire department will coordinate getting them replaced. If you need help installing new smoke detectors the firemen will also help with that. Their recommendation also applies to carbon monoxide detectors - replace them every 10 years.
Firemen from the Maryland Heights Fire Protection District visited with residents at the Maryland Heights' Nite Out. The officers encourage changing smoke detector batteries, including backup batteries, annually when we change our clocks. They also recommend replacing the entire detector every 10 years. If any resident needs help changing smoke detector batteries please call 314-298-4400 and the fire department will coordinate getting them replaced. If you need help installing new smoke detectors the firemen will also help with that. Their recommendation also applies to carbon monoxide detectors - replace them every 10 years.