<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">On Sun, Mar 29, 2026 at 6:40 PM R.C. Rodman <<a href="mailto:rcr1026@gmail.com" target="_blank">rcr1026@gmail.com</a>> wrote:</div><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:garamond,serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">We write to express our dismay over the manner in which the
issue having to do with the retaining wall for units 400, 402, 404, and 406 is
being handled.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">The work Ron has undertaken was in fact begun several days
ago. Only today after Rosamond expressed concern about and a desire to access
our downstairs has communication about this matter been initiated.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">We take issue not only with the way matter has been handled
by Ron but also with Dave’s response.</p></div></div></blockquote><div><font size="4">And I take issue with the tone of your email Rosamond. This was not a vast conspiracy. Ron had indeed mentioned the retaining wall at our previous meeting. Since then, the only additional information I received was what Ron reported in his initial email. And what, exactly, was wrong with the way I handled this, Rosamond? Please be specific. Perhaps asking some questions first before sending an angry email would have been a more appropriate response.</font></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:garamond,serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">First, respect, courtesy, and neighborliness should have
prompted Ron to communicate with immediate neighbors and then also the whole</p></div></div></blockquote><div><font size="4">Like the respect and courtesy that you're showing in this email? Would not respect and courtesy entail asking questions before sending an email such as this one?</font></div><div> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:garamond,serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> of
the HOA about his observations and recommendations. There was no consultation,
no communication—at least not with us—about the matter. The time to consult is
at the beginning, not when one owner decides to proceed. If the Baggetts wish
to undertake this work limited to their own property, they should
communicate directly how it will affect the rest of us.</p></div></div></blockquote><div><font size="4">Again, please tell us exactly how this was handled incorrectly. The collapsing retaining wall threatened to damage Ron and Kathy's (the Baggett's) HVAC unit, so Ron investigated the problem to determine if the danger was imminent. He then reported his findings to his neighbors. I see nothing indicating that Ron made any repairs. Ron then offered his informed opinion on the retaining wall's issue, the likelihood of additional retaining walls having the same issue, and possible solutions. How, exactly, did Ron handle this incorrectly?</font></div><div> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:garamond,serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;color:teal"><ins datetime="2026-03-29T18:25"> </ins></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Second, the HOA—the collective--should make the decision
about what should be done and who should do it. Professionals—licensed and</p></div></div></blockquote><div><font size="4">Please point out where I or anyone else made a unilateral decision, or where the HOA should not make the decision if the expenditure exceeds the discretionary amount the Board is authorized to use, per the decision voted on and approved by a majority of the residents?</font></div><div> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:garamond,serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">
insured, etc—should be consulted and hired by the HOA to do the work. The
possibility of problems arising from such work is high. We should make of the
job a contractual arrangement, with all the usual expectations in re: due diligence, responsibilities, and liabilities.</p></div></div></blockquote><div><font size="4">Shouldn't the HOA make that decision? The by-laws do not require the HOA to do that. But if you wish to use that standard, has anyone verified that Mr. Jimmy Ringer is licensed and insured? </font> <font size="4">Why are we allowing residents to do landscaping when we should only use licensed and insured professionals as you suggest?</font></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:garamond,serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">It makes little sense to have matter like this be done by
one unit. There has been in our view too little collective planning at Chelsea
Place.</p></div></div></blockquote><div><font size="4">Again, please explain where a single unit took any action to mitigate the issue. If Ron and Kathy were going to deal with this on their own, why did Ron send that email instead of starting the work himself? If Ron has the skill set to evaluate what is causing the retaining wall to fail, and he's willing to do it, why shouldn't he conduct the initial investigation instead of spending money on an outside company to evaluate it? For that matter, why do we ask our three attorney owners legal questions when none of them are currently practicing? Shouldn't we go directly to a law firm to ask our questions?</font></div><div> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:garamond,serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> We still seem to think allowing any owner to go his or her own way is
smart. It is not—not for an HOA. But if even CP can handle the</p></div></div></blockquote><div><font size="4">At the risk of repeating myself, please explain how you reached this conclusion. In my 16 years of living here, any issue that concerns our common areas has been discussed by all the owners (or their proxies) before any decision was made.</font></div><div> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:garamond,serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> challenge of
carpenter bees and a few other issues jointly we do not understand why a matter
like the retaining wall would not also be</p></div></div></blockquote><div><font size="4">The HOA has never performed the carpenter bee treatment, occasional window and skylight washing services, etc. A resident organized these; they kindly thought of their neighbors, inquired about a bulk discount and then notified us. The HOA's only involvement was providing the email list for discussion.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:garamond,serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> handled smartly and collectively and
with professionals who are liable to us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">We appreciate Ron’s notice of the problem. And we respect
his taking initiative to address the problem (at least as it presses upon his
home). But we find in this problem another instance of the failure of CP owners
to operate by procedure and policy and normal courtesies.</p></div></div></blockquote><div><font size="4">I very strongly disagree with you. I believe Ron handled this appropriately. He saw a problem, used his expertise to determine its cause, notified his fellow owners, and suggested solutions. Where, exactly, was the failure?</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4">David</font></div><div> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:garamond,serif;font-size:large">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Rosamond & Vincent</p></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Mar 29, 2026 at 3:50 PM David Weiner via Everyone <<a href="mailto:everyone@chelseaplacedecatur.com" target="_blank">everyone@chelseaplacedecatur.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">Ron,<br>
<br>
Thanks for the run down. Considering what you’ve said about the one wall, I’m surprised that it’s last this long. I suspect that it dates from the original construction, which puts it a little over 40 years old.<br>
<br>
If you’re willing to do the work, would you put together an estimate of the cost of materials to rebuild/replace that retaining wall, and do it correctly?<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
<br>
Dave<br>
<br>
> On Mar 29, 2026, at 15:44, Ronald Baggett via Everyone <<a href="mailto:everyone@chelseaplacedecatur.com" target="_blank">everyone@chelseaplacedecatur.com</a>> wrote:<br>
> <br>
> Hi Everyone,<br>
> As we discussed previously at the HOA meeting the wood timber retaining wall at the street facing corner of our building had started to fail. After the last heavy rains the top of the wall had shifted about 3 inches forward. <br>
> As our HVAC unit was in the path of the wall should it fall forward, I dug out behind the wall to see if it could be positioned back in place and reinforced. What I found was the wall had no drainage system as it should have had to prevent water damage to the timbers. There was also only one token dead head support instead of the 3 or 4 a wall that size should have. The bottom two layers of the wall were water logged, rotted and not usable. <br>
> I have built many retaining walls and expect it would take me 2-3 weeks to complete. Half of that time would be preparing the area and half building the wall. <br>
> A thin dry stack stone wall like Sara has beside her home would make the most sense. The cost is similar to the treated timbers or tacky cement blocks the big box stores carry ( around $200 more). The big difference is the dry stack wall is much more labor intensive. With a proper drainage and water mitigation system a dry stack wall will last indefinitely. <br>
> I think a more important issue is if the other timber retaining walls were installed the same way we can expect them to fail sooner than later. With a proper drainage system you can get 50 or more years out of treated timber retaining walls. Without a drainage system you can see failure as soon as 5 years. After taking a closer look at the other retaining walls you can already see several areas where the walls have already failed and are getting shoved out of position. I know there are companies that repair and restore timber retaining walls. I don’t know how the cost compares to replacement or if these retaining walls can be saved with the way they were originally installed. <br>
> One step we can take to relieve pressure on the walls is run drainage pipes from our downspouts over the top of the walls so that water has somewhere to go other than behind the walls. <br>
> Ron<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Sent from my iPhone<br>
> <br>
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