Thank you to everyone who attended the Stetson Hills HOA Board meeting last night, February 24. We had more than 40 homeowners in attendance again.

Overall, the meeting was disorganized, with unclear framing of several agenda items and a lot of time spent reacting in the moment instead of working through a clear, predictable process. That said, thank you to President Saigh for allowing homeowners to speak and for keeping the meeting open to member comments.

A special thank you as well to Board member and ARC Chair Bruce Hopkin for his overview of the proposed paint palette changes and for sharing his research and perspective on why the CC&Rs already allow permanent holiday eave lighting in our community. Bruce and the ARC members also referenced the SHCG paint survey results and used that homeowner input to make adjustments in the final paint rules. We strongly recommend the Board engage homeowners in this same way in the future, especially for major design changes, large financial purchases, and other significant community decisions, before final decisions are made.

Key takeaways from the Zoom meeting:

1. Tone and conduct

There were moments where the discussion became personal and unproductive. It is ethically wrong for any Board officer to disparage, ridicule, or intimidate homeowners for asking questions or raising legitimate concerns. Open meetings are for listening, transparency, and respectful dialogue, not personal attacks or attempts to silence participation.

One Board officer’s conduct toward a homeowner during the meeting crossed that line and appeared inconsistent with the standards set out in the Association’s own Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy. This matters because beyond being disrespectful, when Board officers use their position to intimidate or publicly shame homeowners, it discourages others from speaking up and undermines trust in the integrity of the Association’s governance. No homeowner should be pressured into silence simply for participating. This behavior should be corrected immediately.

2. “Voting” agenda item and “good standing” discussion

The Board discussed voting and “voting rights,” including concepts tied to violations. Homeowners raised concerns that any attempt to block members from voting, or to block homeowners from running for the Board, based on minor, disputed, or unresolved violations would be unfair, inconsistent with the governing documents, and could chill homeowner participation. This topic needs clarity, transparency, and due process, not broad discretion. This is a topic to watch very closely.

3. ARC related items, including paint palette changes

The ARC and Board discussed ongoing architectural and enforcement topics, including the continuing controversy around permanent lighting and the broader concern about “guidelines” being used or changed in ways that go beyond what is clearly written in the CC&Rs. Homeowners again asked for consistent and reasonable standards, predictable approvals, and transparent decision making.

A compliance freeze for permanent holiday eave lighting was approved pending a final outcome regarding the legalities surrounding this topic. The new paint rules were also modified to allow existing home colors to remain, and that change was driven directly by the volume and consistency of homeowner feedback, including the 137 SHCG paint survey responses.

4. Insurance renewal

The 2026 insurance policies were renewed at a cost of roughly $25,000. No alternative bids were received, and no details were shared with homeowners prior to the meeting.

5. Committee reappointments

The Board, once again, appointed community members to two Board committees, the Review Committee and Nominating Committee, without any community-wide notice or advertisement regarding vacancies.

6. Landscaper updates

Stillwater Landscaping was not in attendance and did not provide a monthly update again this month, which was also the case in January. President Saigh noted he reached out to the superintendent but did not get a response and that Stillwater may be busy with other clients.

7. Next steps and transparency

Homeowners asked for clearer agendas, advance posting of draft resolutions or policies before votes, and better documentation for major decisions. If the Board is considering policy changes that affect voting rights or eligibility, the community should see the exact language in advance, understand the authority being relied on, and have an opportunity to comment meaningfully.

SHCG is making a difference. And contrary to what some have tried to portray, SHCG is not a single-issue group of homeowners. We are focused on transparent governance, fair and reasonable rules, consistent enforcement, homeowner participation, financial accountability, and ensuring the Association follows Arizona law and our governing documents.

Recent examples of progress include the Board allowing homeowner input before voting, paint rules being adjusted to reflect homeowner feedback, and an abatement or hold being placed on fines related to permanent holiday eave lighting pending additional research on legalities. The Treasurer resigned and SHCG has endorsed an exceptionally qualified replacement (endorsement link). Homeowners are getting organized and are able to track HOA issues in one place, compare notes, and avoid being split apart by misinformation or pressure.

You can find copies of the new Amended & Restated Design Guidelines and the Paint Instructions & Colorization Schemes in the Document Library.

Showing up, asking questions, and insisting on fair, consistent governance is how we continue to improve Stetson Hills together. Please stay engaged!

Thank you, Stetson Hills neighbors, the response to the Paint Palette Survey was outstanding. Homeowners showed up in a big way, offering thoughtful feedback on the HOA’s proposed exterior paint palette and related ARC approval process changes.

The final survey results are posted below, and they have been provided to the HOA Board and ARC ahead of the February 24 HOA Board meeting. This feedback represents real homeowner priorities and practical concerns, and it deserves serious attention before any decisions are finalized by the HOA.

Follow links below to view the full final report and new paint schemes:

Final Survey Results

Paint Instructions & Colorization Schemes 2/2026 Document

City Property circulated a posting seeking an Owner to fill the Treasurer position “on the Board of Directors,” stating the person would be appointed to serve the remainder of the term ending May 21, 2027 (see link below). If you’re interested, please apply. We need more reasonable, community minded homeowners stepping into leadership roles, and strong applicants help break the “same small circle” pattern.

This posting also didn’t happen in a vacuum. SHCG and many engaged homeowners have been applying steady pressure for transparency, accountability, and lawful process. Increased homeowner scrutiny drives change, and it’s why we need to stay engaged now and make sure this doesn’t quietly revert to a closed, insider appointment. It’s also a shift in approach: since last May, this Board has appointed two directors without advertising or publicly announcing those vacancies. While the current posting is confusing as written, it is at least a step toward openness and giving homeowners a chance to raise their hand.

The concern is that the notice blends different concepts and creates avoidable confusion. Treasurer is an officer position (like President, Vice President, and Secretary), and officer roles are selected by the Board. If the intent is to appoint a new director to fill a vacant board seat, the Board should say that plainly. If the intent is to appoint a director and then designate that person as Treasurer, that is two separate actions: filling a director vacancy and then electing officers. The May 21, 2027 “term” language also reads more like a director seat timeline than an officer appointment.

If the Board is filling a director vacancy and or selecting an officer, homeowners deserve clarity on exactly what action is being taken, a clearly stated agenda item in advance, and a transparent vote in an open meeting.

If you decide to apply, please follow the application method in the posting. And if you’re comfortable doing so, feel free to copy us or simply let us know you applied (info@stetsonhillscommongood.com). When we know who the homeowner applicants are, we can help elevate strong candidates, share information with neighbors, and build broader community awareness and support behind them.

Homeowners interested in applying for the Treasurer position should email a 100-150 word statement about their qualifications to Community Manager, Toby Metzger: toby.metzger@cityproperty.com

Links: 

• SHCG Endorses Melissa Bowman for HOA Treasurer Position

• HOA Treasurer Position Announcement 

• www.cityproperty.com

Last night’s Special Stetson Hills HOA Board Meeting (Zoom) was scheduled to address the proposed short-term Ad Hoc Committee that many homeowners supported as a constructive way to tackle ongoing community concerns (governance, ARC processes, design guideline issues, paint palette concerns, and more).

More than 40 homeowners joined on short notice, and several neighbors spoke respectfully and clearly about the need for transparency, consistency, and genuine homeowner input. Unfortunately, the meeting itself was disorganized and, in our view, the discussion reflected a lack of interest from much of the Board in meaningful homeowner participation. Rather than embracing a short-term committee as a practical pressure-release valve and collaborative path forward, the Board chose not to move forward with the committee as proposed.

The good news is that last night also demonstrated something important: when neighbors show up together, the conversation changes. Momentum is building, and more homeowners are paying attention.

What’s Next!

SHCG is holding in-person organizational meetings with neighbors who selected “I want to help / volunteer” on the SHCG Info Form. We are outlining the key HOA issues, listening to homeowner feedback, aligning on options, and collectively deciding our next moves. Meeting details are sent by email with the next meeting currently scheduled for March 12, 2026 at 6 pm.

If you’re not on the email list yet, or you want to update your selection to “I want to help,” please complete the SHCG Info Form here: https://forms.gle/DdzhWgLdC3bpsZY59

This HOA Board obviously wants homeowners discouraged and quiet. That’s not happening. We hope you’ll agree: we need to keep this movement growing, neighbor by neighbor, until we have the HOA leadership this community deserves.

Links:

SHCG Info Form 

SHCG Ad Hoc Committee Proposal Letter (January 28, 2026)

Draft Charter: Governance & Architectural Standards Review Ad Hoc Committee (60-Day)