Bad Precedent? Board Considers License Agreement with Great Oaks HOA

Some aldermen think that a proposed license agreement between the city of Wentzville and the Great Oaks Homeowner's Association is setting a bad precedent—if the city agrees to pay the association for their services. 

Representatives from the HOA approached the board earlier this year about the upkeep of the city's right of way along Great Oaks Boulevard. The residents said that they were maintaining the trees and bushes and mowing the grass even though the city paid a company for that service.

The homeowners said that they were doing a better job than the contractor and asked the city to consider contracting with them instead.

Alderman Chris Gard said that the board should look at the proposed license agreement as an experiment. "We'd like to see how it goes before entering something long-term," he said, and suggested setting a time limit on the agreement.

Gard said that the HOA's expectation was that they were taking over the entire function of maintenance for the right of way on Great Oaks Boulevard. 

"Their expectation is that they'd be reimbursed at the same rate (the contractor) is reimbursed," Gard said.

"Our expectation is that they're doing it for free." 

Paying the HOA could be a bad precent, he said, as there are many HOAs in the city maintaining city right-of-ways.

The license agreement under consideration makes no mention of payment.

Alderman Cheryl Kross said that she would like to see more than one HOA member signing the document. 

"I would be more comfortable if the HOA attached a resolution or approved minutes showing that they approved the contract," Alderman Forrest Gossett said.

The agreement will come before the board at a future meeting for approval.