Coto De Caza

VOTE NO ON ALL DSAs!

Apr 21, 2004

COTOBUZZ NEWSLETTER MAY 2004? 
VOTE NO ON ALL DSAs!
Candidates Night May 13 @ Country Club!



TABLE OF CONTENTS:

California Assembly panel endorsed legalizing gay marriages
CZ Board candidates update and recommendations? 
Candidates Stand on Principles For Homeowners, Community Leaders and DSAs
CZ Board Candidate Update
Ask Coto Lady - How does a leader tackle apathy?
The most expensive ZIP codes in America
Cotobuzz CZ Board Recommendations
An Argument for HOA Board of Directors Certification
How is my CZ Board Driving?
CotoLady Strip
California Legislative Committee Contacts
California Assembly Housing Committee And Community Development
The CZ House of Waffles: The Adventures of Sir Reginald
Deaf ears and the FCC
2004 CZ Election Results: Transparency and Accountability:
Field of Screams - Los Verdes Maintenance Debacle
Debate on HOA bills? 
HOA Fraudit Standards
Simplifying The HOA Numbers
HOA CYA (Cover Your Assets)
Legislature looks to improve resident associations- Naples Daily News
What is a Homeowner Association?
Discussion Forums - Which one to use?
Property Managers and Lawyers Can Charge Outrageous Copying Costs
The Dalai Lama In Orange County - As reported by the LA Times



CZ BOARD CANDIDATES UPDATE

Given the current board credibility crisis, CotoBuzz is proposing that the new board, delegates and board candidates adopt the Principles for Homeowners and Community Leaders found in the in the CotoBuzz website. We are also recommending the formation of various committees, including Audit Committee, a Communications Committee (alternative to current board's actions to fight apathy) and a CZ Board Governance Committee responsible for developing a training program for new board candidates (for a copy of our proposed certification process - click here Send your comments to cotobuzz@yahoo.com.? ) and an Arbitration Committee with its first goal to have all sub-associations agree to mandatory arbitration when in conflict with CZ Master, rather than taking the issues to court.

Curious Coto homeowners might have seen pathetic attempts to communicate with delegates and homeowners on the part of the management property company/CZ Board with regards to this year's elections: First, the board president admits to a mistake and promises to withdraw the amendments, through a non-homeowner. Then in attempts to "set the record straight, the same non-title holder states "I firmly believe that matters of this importance should be widely discussed in an open manner so that concerned residents have an opportunity for input before they are asked to vote", then turns around and calls for a meting April 1, 2004 : " TONIGHT - district delegate election and ballot measures. 6 p.m. Coto Golf and Racquet Club"
then issues a report with " results of the reconvening of the District Delegates and Alternates election for 37 districts" April 14 Keystone staff and legal council were there ".... all but two districts achieved quorum. Next Thursday (a week from tomorrow) at 1 p.m. at Keystone?’s office we will reconvene to accomplish the election of Delegate and Alternate in the two remaining districts. I verified the vote counts" In our minds, this raises a lot of red flags. (1) This is a member of the D&O selection committee that gave us the current board (2) Where is the property management/board in communicating schedule of meetings, and verifying results? This sounds very much like a fox taking care of the hen house, especially when another selection committee member is running for a board seat. (3) Why are the meetings set for the middle of the day when residents are not around?
Another important meeting for candidates running for a board seat is the CZ Masters Candidate's Night. Does anyone know that it is scheduled to be held May 13th at the Country Club?

Finally, candidates should know that there are a lot of maneuvers used during election night. Groups can either distribute votes, or aggregate them. Unless a candidate is versed in this type of maneuvering, they will receive a very unpleasant surprise: They will lose.

Cotobuzz CZ Board Recommendations
Note that current CC&Rs allow for vote manipulation by delegates by splitting the vote or bundling it - based on a single delegate's motion. Based on this archaic process, we are projecting that the two new board members will be George Thagard, and Sean Larkin - both associated with the current board.

Candidate
Recommendation
Comment
George Thagard? 
NO
In current board. Did not want CotoBuzz to quote him for fear his record would be distorted. His record is public. Any questions?? ? 
Steve Zipperman
NO
Position unknown. Did not respond to CotoBuzz questions or unable to locate.
John Webb
NO
Position unknown. Did not respond to CotoBuzz questions or unable to locate.
Jeffrey S. Dawson
NO
Position unknown. Did not respond to CotoBuzz questions or unable to locate.
Justo Frias
NO
Position unknown. Did not respond to CotoBuzz questions or unable to locate.
Sean Larkin
NO
Did not respond to CotoBuzz questions. Member of selection committee that gave us the current board. Did not bother to fill in qualifications form. Perhaps because he expects to be a sho-in?
ANDY HOLZMANN
YES
See his position below
MIKE CHANNING
YES
Featured in previous Cotobuzz issue
PATRICK TAYLOR
YES
Featured in previous Cotobuzz issue

CotoBuzz asked the various candidates whether they would be willing to sign the Principles of Homeowners and Community Leaders. To date, only Mr. Holzmann has responded:
STAND ON PRINCIPLES FOR HOMEOWNERS & COMMUNITY LEADERS & DSAs: -- ANDY HOLZMANN
Thanks for the opportunity to respond. I would be happy to sign some sort of "Principles for Homeowners and Community Leaders" document. I am opposed to any changes in our structure that consolidate the decision making process to just a few people. I think that any of the major issues that effect the homeowners should be placed? on? a ballot before the ? homeowners, ie. placing a school within the gates. To the maximum extent allowable by law, I think that board minutes, documents etc should be available to the homeowners.
CZ BOARD CANDIDATES UPDATE -- MIKE CHANNING
Coto delegates working together as a group:? 
When deliberative bodies fragment into cliques it creates conditions that complicate the decision-making process. ? Gossip, mis-information, hidden agendas have a greater likelihood of arising among the cliques, so it does seem to me a good idea to encourage a closer working together among all the delegates as a group. On the other hand, the reality is that trying to prevent the existence of cliques is futile because they simply will form.
Probably the best that can be done, given the past history of decision-making in Coto, is to encourage a closer inter-working among groups through an increased emphasis on the importance of open exchange of views and arguments in the largest possible deliberative body. ? If cliques are dominating decision-making behind the scenes, such manipulation can be minimized if important stages of a discussion take place openly in the full representative body, with input freely given to the Coto public.

Security, maintenance and cost containment: ? 
The two main reasons people live in Coto are in fact security and the maintenance of the environment. ? I think most Coto residents recognize, treasure, and agree on issues of landscape maintenance, although there are always issues having to do with individual homeowner's desires. ? Diseased or dying California oaks in the community may be the most pressing issue in maintenance, and of all plantings in Coto they should receive the highest priority attention.

Security should be handled in a way that will maximize efficiency and convenience. I know that they are controversial, but I support the January 5, 2004 security changes. ? It is unrealistic to expect the gate personnel to make an individual call every time a visitor entry has not been confirmed. It should be the responsibility of the resident to accurately make arrangements allowing a visitor entry into the community. ? It amazes me that people will seek out a gate secured community like Coto, only to interfere with the operation of that security. ? The ability of the gate guards to do their job is only hindered when they are required to make concessions to the carelessness of residents who have failed to call in visitors by calling from the gate to confirm an entry. ? When residents understand their responsibility through trial and error security will be maximized and the realistic convenience of the gate personnel will be insured. ? The answer is not to lower the expectations regarding security by responding to a practice that forgives carelessness and demoralizes the security officers. ? 

Another important aspect concerning security is insuring a correlation of transponders and residents. My understanding from anecdote is that people have and use transponders who do not live in Coto. ? The improper passing off of transponders or the retention of transponders by previous residents is an issue to which some attention needs to be paid.

Well, Buzz, those are my thoughts about these two issues. ? I don't know whether you or your readers will agree with them, but thank you for giving me the opportunity anyway of expressing them.

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE REFERENCES
The California Legislative Action Committee (CLAC) is a committee of the Community Associations Institute (CAI). It is the largest advocacy organization in America dedicated to monitoring legislation, educating elected state lawmakers, and protecting the interests of those living in community associations in California. It claims not to be a PAC (Political Action Committee), and to make no financial contributions. However, it does depend solely on the donations of the community associations it represents. It follows that as Coto homeowners, we are responsible for covering any shortfalls due to mismanagement or embezzlement and penalties, sanctions or judgments incurred by the board. Therefore, we have a duty to know what is going on.

Following information is available from the CLAC website, or click on the links below:

California Civil Code
Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (?§1350-1374 C.C.)
Disclosure requirements on transfer of real estate (?§1102-1102.5 and ?§1104-1134)
California Corporations Code - Non-profit Mutual Benefit Corporations
Purposes (?§7110-7111 Corp C.)
Articles, requirements (?§7130-7135 Corp C.)
Powers (?§7140-7142 Corp C.)
Bylaws (?§7150-7153 Corp C.)
Location and Inspection of Articles and Bylaws:?  ? ? (?§7160 Corp C.)
Corporate Duties and Responsibilities under the California Nonprofit Corporation Law (?§7210-7215 Corp? 
Selection, Removal, and Resignation of Directors (?§7220-7225 Corp C.)C.)
Standards of Conduct (?§7230-7238 Corp C.)
Meetings and Voting (?§7510-7516 Corp C.)
Additional Provisions Relating to Election of Directors (?§7520-7527 Corp C.)
Records, Reports, and Rights of Inspection (?§8310-8313 Corp C.)
Required Records, Reports to Directors and Members (?§8320 Corp C.)
For additional links, refer to the CotoBuzz website at http://www.cotobuzz.com or directly to the CLAC website:
CLAC Coto de Caza Representatives (92679 zip code):
Senators
Member District Number and Office Capitol Office
Ackerman, Dick 33 17821 East 17th Street, State Capitol,? ? 
Suite 180, Room 4066
Tustin, CA 92780 Sacramento, CA 95814
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? (714) 573-1853 (916) 445-4264
Assembly Members
Member District Number and Office Capitol Office
Spitzer, Todd 71 1940 North T ustin Street State Capitol
Suite 102 Room 2111
Orange, CA 92865 Sacramento, CA 94249-0071
(916) 319-2071

Campbell, John 70 18952 MacArthur Blvd. State Capitol
Suite 220 Room 4102
Irvine, CA 92612 Sacramento, CA 94249-0070
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  (916) 319-2070 ? 


California Assembly Housing Committee And Community Development (CAHCCD)
click here to go to
Alan Lowenthal, Chair D-54: (916) 319-2054 Alan.Lowenthal@assembly.ca.gov ? ? 
Dennis Mountjoy, Vice Chair R--59: 916) 319-2059 Assemblymember.Mountjoy@assembly.ca.gov
Dave Cogdill R-25 (916) 319-2025 Assemblymember.Cogdill@assembly.ca.gov ? 
Sharon Runner R-36 (916) 319-2036 Assemblywoman.Runner@assembly.ca.gov? 
John A. Dutra D-20 (916) 319-2020 Assemblymember.dutra@assembly.ca.gov? 
Simon Salinas D-28 (916) 319-2028 Assemblymember.Salinas@assembly.ca.gov? 
Gene Mullin D-19 (916) 319-2019 Assemblymember.mullin@assembly.ca.gov? 
Darrell Steinberg D-9 (916) 319-2009 Assemblymember.Steinberg@assembly.ca.gov? 
Christine Kehoe D-76 (916) 319-2076 Assemblymember.Kehoe@assembly.ca.gov? 

May be a good idea to keep up with the "Hot Legislature" listed at the CLAC website and CAHCCD and let your representative know how you feel?
The Dalai Lama In Orange County - LA Times article
The April 17, 2004 issue of the LA Times featured the Dalai Lama visiting UCI and "a morning appearance before 4.500 middle school, high school and college students, some as far away as the Bay Area..." The Times reporter goes on to say that the Dalai Lama "..laughed when he told the students that he was a lazy pupil who sometimes cheated and he enjoyed fixing clocks".
Apparently the fact that the Dalai Lama admits to cheating in the presence of impressionable children is to make fun of, especially and is of no concern to the LA Times or those attending the event. But when Alabama Judge Moore wants to display the Ten Commandments, there is an uproar in the Liberal Media. Then we ask, how can Enron, WorldComm and other such debacles happen?
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY - VOTING RESULTS
CotoBuzz's main premise is that unless titleholders optimize that have a vested interest in their properties and their personal bank accounts, understand the level of CZ Board transparency and accountability, along with election reform, the traditional Coto tribal warfare where we all try to protect our fiefdoms will never change. The proposed amendments not only guarantee the status quo but perpetuates the tribal warfare.

Elections are indicators of a free society, they are held because we value Democracy. An autocracy will do everything to thwart an election. Autocrats and their aiders and abettors make sure elections are "off the record" held several times over until the desired result is achieved, and engage in variations of election tampering to ensure the autocrats remain in charge of the checkbooks. Perhaps the motivation is different in this case, and simply a mistake, as the Board's President has admitted, or as the April 9, 2004 issue of CanyonLife has characterized it: "...an oversight". However, shortly after the CZ Board president went on record admitting to a mistake with regards to these amendments, he vowed to proceed without them: "....We are not perfect. We shall move forward and these items will be no longer on the ballot.". Then elections are held and a DODO leader files this report:? ?  "....It appears that we will not have anywhere near a quorum to pass any of the ballot issues that would not even be presented if time and money were no object. We simply must go through the voting cycle to dispose of the amendments. I believe that is the opinion of the majority of the Delegates. It certainly is the opinion of at least two who have spoken strongly out on this matter. So the flawed logic appears to be that "...as long as we have at least two DODO representatives who have spoken strongly out on this matter.." that represents the majority of Delegates!
Of course the board can claim it is not perfect, once. But twice, thrice, or again, and again and....??  We KNOW they "are not perfect." But being perfect is NOT PART OF THEIR FIDUCIARY DUTY. Being honest, loyal, transparent and truthful, ARE.
We continue to maintain that the issue is a leadership vacuum, and unless we are ready to bring the issue to court, we want to try it in a court of public opinion. On the other hand, there are other sub-association presidents who have made the decision that this is a legal issue and are proceeding as such.?  However, initiating arguably legal tactics, at the expense of all the other homeowners, and ensuring homeowners remain in tribal warfare only diverts attention from those in power and their miscalculations. They are then, able to remain in power. Those same individuals in the "real world" may have been labeled misfits, or worse, go-alongs, followers. Which is why we are now proposing that the new board adopts regulations to make sure that potential board candidates successful complete and pass a Candidate Certification Process. The same process has been submitted to Assemblyman Tod Spitzen for his consideration and perhaps writing it into law.
? 
Clearly this boards flip-flops are counterproductive to a culture of transparency and accountability and borders on irresponsibility. Therefore, CotoBuzz plan to publish election results by district is as follows:

Direct Route:
We have requested this information from the property management company (PMC) and the board. The message we got back from the PMC is that the Board denied our request, without an explanation. Is this because the board is not perfect, or...?
? 
Appeal to pity
We have contacted our senator and assemblymen representatives with the California Legislative Action Committee (CLAC) to see if they can intervene. We have received preliminary response and will be following up with them.
? 
Process of elimination
In case the CLAC is not able to help us, we plan to send a request to all delegates to see if they can volunteer to provide us with details on how they voted. For obvious reasons, we are expecting some delegates may not want to participate, so we will use a process of elimination. ? 

Appeal to the stakeholders
We are asking CotoBuzz readers to contact their delegates and the Board to make sure election results, by district, are made available, to prove there is nothing to hide
? 
Other Thoughts
It has been suggested that we emulate the Governor and take it directly to the titleholders and or to get the Attorney General or the BBB involved. As a last resort, we may consider the many other available avenues still unexplored.
An Argument for HOA Board of Directors Certification
The 2003-2004 CZ Board makes the perfect argument that future board members must be qualified to run. CotoBuzz has developed a certification process that has been forwarded to members of the?  California Legislative Action Committee (CLAC) for review. The CLAC is a committee of the Community Associations Institute (CAI). We are also circulating this proposal among various affinity groups. The feedback we have received so far has been very encouraging. Obviously our main focus is to eventually see the CZ CC&Rs amended to require future directors to be qualified to run a HOA board of directors.
If you are interested in reviewing this process, click here Send your comments to cotobuzz@yahoo.com.? 
THE CZ HOUSE OF WAFFLES
The Adventures of Sir Reginald - House of Waffles
In a previous episode of The Twilight CZone, we saw how Sir Reginald, the young, handsome, clouted clay-brained dewberry, hero of this series, successfully conceived of a plan to conquer CZoto, delighting the King of Zrancho. The plan, the Trojan House, was so meritorious, that it earned Sir Reginald, the King?’s daugther?’s hand. Before embarking in such a daring adventure, Sir Reginald decided to take some time off for himself and traveled through the Southern kingdom. Refreshed and ready to implement the Trojan House Plan, the thing he remembered most from his vacation was The Waffle House. ?“There's nothing extraordinary about this 24-hour diner chain except the fact that, well, it's a 24-hour diner chain and they're ubiquitous. Whether you're on the highway, in the city, or the suburbs, you're bound to see the bright yellow sign?”, he thought to himself. A Wheel within a Wheel, a House within a House.
Interestingly enough, one of the first battles he had to fight in the implementation of the Trojan House Plan was to reign in on the tribal council headed by Waffaloo. Sir Reginald had previously worked with CZoto village people to elect Waffaloo to as a chieftain. The problem Sir Reginald faced is that the chief constantly ?“flip-flapped in the winde?” Although this type of behavior supports the Trojan House Plan, at this time, Sir Reginald needs Waffallo to remain credible, at least until Sir Reginald is able to consolidate his power by having the village approve secretly conceived regulations. ? In the process, various committees are formed to help the tribal council and to lull some of its critics to sleep. Some of the skeptics want to make sure that there are no hidden agendas and ask the administrative group for specific requirements to join any of the committees and got the following response "In regards to the various committees there is no real requirements. All that needs to be done is the resident needs to send us their name, number and address along with what committee they are interested in and that information is? then forwarded to the chair person? of that particular committee to contact the homeowner and set up a? meeting for the individual homeowner to meet the committee. At that? point the committee chair contacts us to place on the agenda the recommendation to appoint said homeowner to that particular committee". However, as soon as the clarification is issued, a potential member is told by the tribal council that before he is considered for any post, he needs to go through an interview!
When Waffaloo encountered opposition to his administration?’s censorship initiative headed by Officials of the Information Office of the State Council of the League of Internal Goodness Generals in Information Technology (L.I.G.G.I.T), he backed off. Sir Reginald took a page from the book of Sir Kerry from the Land of the Free, and labeled it a nuance, rooted in the French, meaning a ''delicate shading of meaning.'' In Sir Kerry?’s case, he told a group of Jewish leaders that Israel's building a barrier of separation was legitimate self-defense, and later he told an Arab-American group that it was 'provocative and counterproductive' and a 'barrier to peace. A friend of Sir Kerry noted that ''Sir Kerry's fluidity is the mark of an intellectual who grasps the subtleties of issues, inhabits their nuances and revels in the deliberative process.'' Some time later, chief Waffaloo unveiled initiatives designed to crown Sir Reginald King of CZoto. The idea was that by now most villagers traded in Dodolars and trusted DODO to no end. Therefore, no one would questions the motive for such initiatives. Sir Reginald went on the offensive and had the Village Crier circulate a note from Waffaloo admitting to making a mistake and promising to kill such nefastuos initiatives. Shortly thereafter, Waffaloo called for a tribal meeting to approve them. At this point Waffaloo seems to the village people to change course with worrisomely little thought , and to feel just as sure of himself in his new position as he was in his old. In the style of CZoto slippery speech, to waffle,means ''to swing back and forth between opinions.?” So many waffles are being served by Chief Waffaloo, that it has prompted Sir Reginald to name this part of the Trojan House Plan, the CZ House of Waffles!
In the next episode, we shall look at the relationship between Sir Reginald and Chief Waffaloo. We will also see if Sir Reginald is able to consolidate his position during the administration of Chief Waffaloo.

FCC & DEAF EARS
In previous issues, CotoBuzz published email addresses for FCC Chairman M. K. Powell and other commissioners, and urged that CotoBuzz readers write regarding the issue of indecency in the airwaves. We did, and this is what we got back:

Your message
To: Michael Powell
Cc: Kathleen Abernathy; Michael Copps; KJMWEB; Commissioner
Adelstein
Subject: INDECENCY IN THE AIR WAVES
Sent: Wed, 18 Feb 2004 18:08:39 -0500
was deleted without being read on Sun, 4 Apr 2004 01:22:31 -0500
On the other hand, whenever we try to communicate with elected officials, we get an immediate response. Accountability does make a difference! Hint, Hint!
California Assembly panel endorsed legalizing gay and lesbian marriages
The Assembly Judiciary Committee approved a bill to grant full marriage rights to same sex-couples - Read more ....
? 
Dr. Jim Dobson has created a nice tool one can use to find elected officials online- click here for details.
So we urge you write our elected officials regarding? 
Reign in on Indecency in the Airwaves
Support President Bush in Amendment to Define Marriage
Alternatively, you can start a Petition On Line


ASK COTO LADY:

QUESTION: Ask Coto Lady - How does a leader tackle apathy?

Coto Lady Answer:?  A leader develops a vision, prioritizes his actions, and without wasted energy, communicates effectively with stakeholders cost/benefit of their action or inaction. In return, he gets back a mandate and commitment to achieving clearly stated goals ending the process with a shared vision.


50 ways to fight apathy - an anti-leader's way

A non-leader may have Napoleonic delusions or temporary unconsciousness spells (read, you cannot enlighten the unconscious), conceives plans in secret perpetuating inbreeding, with disastrous consequences to the point that the populous wakes up, creates a revolt and voila - not more apathy. If in the process someone might ask why the plans were conceived in secret, there are a number of canned responses to choose from:
a. "We made a mistake, we are not perfect".
b. If this response does not play well, select one from .Vice President Dan Quayle repertoire:
1. to Sam Donaldson, 8/17/89 : ``I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.''? 
2. ``A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.''? 
3. ``We're all capable of mistakes, but I do not care to enlighten you on the mistakes we may or may not have made.''
4. ``What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.''
5. ``I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy--but that could change.'' 5/22/89
6. ``I have made good judgments in the Past. I have made good judgments in the Future.'' ? 
7. ``The future will be better tomorrow.''
8. ``People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history.''
9. ``The American people would not want to know of any misquotes that Dan Quayle may or may not make.''
10. ``If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.''

If you have questions or comments, send them to cotobuzz@yahoo.com, Attn: Ask Coto Lady

LOS VERDES, COTO's FIELD OF SCREAMS
We have previously covered how a prominent Coto area, such as Los Verdes, has been abandoned. Debris left from the maintenance crew six months ago or so was only picked up recently. Apparently the stench was emanating from this area was not enough to prompt anyone to do anything about it.? ? 
To make matters worse, the place where the debris was left from the last maintenance crew, it is now being used as a dump for garbage.
When the property management company was contacted recently, this was their response: "the Los Verdes area has been discussed at each board meeting for a period of time ...... There is a portion of perimeter landscape that Los Verdes and the CZ Master Association have been discussing and working out details regarding this specific property. In the past, Los Verdes provided maintenance however during discussions Los Verdes no longer performed maintenance on this area and CZ Master was not responsible for it either so it was not maintained for a period of time. Recently there has been some closure on this item so there will be clean up work done in this area. In the near future, there will be additional plantings along the perimeter so that the landscape on the property is similar to the surrounding areas"
This of course is not news to CotoBuzz readers, since we have been covering this issue for more than one year. So the remaining question is, how many HOAs does it take to build a Field of Screams?



If you missed I Pagliacci and Carmina Burana, you will not want to miss next year's program!
NOTE: You can download Carmina Burana by clicking on link above.

HOA CYA (Cover Your Assets)

From time to time, a story is run about a homeowner association that has had thousands of dollars embezzled by a trusted manager or board member. More times than not, the story is never told. Read more.
Simplifying The HOA Numbers

When it comes to interpreting financial statements, the Board is responsible for the HOA's financial stability. It is a fiduciary duty to understand them. Some questions the Board should ask: Read more

HOA Fraudit Standards

Homeowners associations use CPAs to conduct audits of the HOA's financial statements. Audit procedures have changed dramatically as a result of many highly publicized accounting scandals in the past few years. Read more...

The most expensive ZIP codes in America
We have bad news for Coto de Caza homeowners: You do not live in the most expensive zip code in America. For details, click here

Debate on HOA bills? 
GREEN VALLEY--Across the nation individuals and their homeowners' associations are involved in a power struggle over who ultimately controls the organizations' property.

Locally, the HOA is often the only "government" individuals live under, as Green Valley is an unincorporated area, so the debate here is one of daily importance. Read more
Legislature looks to improve resident associations- Naples Daily News
TALLAHASSEE ?— Their condominium cousins seem to get all the bad press, but homeowners living in planned communities also have their share of harrowing neighbor-against-neighbor spats.From flags and paint color to lawn ornaments and kids, homeowner associations from Pensacola to Naples have been at times battle grounds for the serious and not-so-serious wars that develop among homeowners who have chosen to live next to one another in paradise and have discovered the meaning of the adage "Be careful what you wish for."
Read more....
What is a Homeowner Association?
A homeowner association (HOA) can have many forms and functions.? ? Basically, a homeowner association is comprised of two or more homeowners that belong to a mandatory membership organization for the maintenance of commonly owned real estate and improvements. Read more....
Discussion Forums - Which one to use?
Very often we hear from Coto de Caza Home Owners that that we really need is an interactive website with a discussion forum.. If we have a discussion forum, we can then do away with mass emails that are sent on a regular basis.
The idea sounds good on the surface. So we created a couple of discussion forums at http://www.cotobuzz.com. The forums were used for a while, then activity decreased.
Since we continue to heard the need for a discussion forum, we figured that as typical Coto residents, we are suspicious of anything and anybody, so perhaps the CotoBuzz discussion forums are not appropriate for some residents, so we went searching for other alternatives and found that the Orange County Register has a Discussion Forum?  in their ECommunities section. A third option is the Neighborhood Page Discussion Forum. So, which discussion forum is right for you?
Property Managers and Lawyers Can Charge Outrageous Copying Costs AB 2718 Contains Loophole To Gouge Homeowners

Is it "reasonable" for the management company of a homeowner association to charge $550 to simply change in a computer the name of the seller to that of the buyer? Is it "reasonable" to charge a homeowner several dollars a page to copy a document? Of course it is not, but that is what is happening across the length and breadth of California - and the nation. Read More....
AOL FILTERS
Because AOL has changed some of its spam filters, AOL may be inadvertently preventing the delivery of CotoBuzz to some of its readers. Please forward this newsletter to your AOL friends and ask them to check their spam filters and contact AOL if necessary.

COTOBUZZ VISION
COTOBUZZ is a change agent to transform the historically confrontational, antagonistic Coto culture by maximizing resident involvement and facilitating communication between the board, residents and service providers, and eventually develop a sense of community and civic pride while maintaining the Coto Life Style we all have come to love.