Las Palomas

Jan/Feb 05 Comments

Mar 14, 2005

Las Palomas H.O.A.


Las Palomas ?“President?’s Perspective?”

To: Homeowners of Las Palomas
From: Ken Dry
Date: 3/14/2005
Re: Summary of January and February Meetings
For the minutes of the January and February meetings, please log on to our website at: www.neighborhoodlink.com/scottsdale/palomas/. Copies of the minutes will be available at the Las Palomas office for homeowners still in Las Palomas for the summer months. We have enclosed copies to out of town owners without e-mail access.
The follow information is a summery of my observations from the last meetings and only my personal opinion on topics covered in these meetings. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the position of the other Board members or Previous Board members. I will be happy to discuss any questions that may come up from this correspondence.
We are holding the next meetings in facilities that can accommodate more attendees. We are hoping that this will entice more homeowners to join in the governing process of Las Palomas. The Board would rather have knowledge of your positions on the decisions we have to make before we proceed on the management of Las Palomas.
The current Board 2005 is: Ken Dry, President (one year term), David Kelsey, Vice President (two year term), Paul ?“Jerry?” Ahler, Treasurer (two year term), Sherry Mischel, Secretary (one year term) and Mike Frain, Director (one year term).
Six homeowners, the Board and Bob Wallace, were the only attendants at the January meeting. The February ?“Annual?” meeting had 32 members in attendance and only 75 ballots were presented for counting. This barely provided the required quorum for voting new Board members.
The minutes of the two meetings should be reviewed for what was discussed on these occasions. I will discuss what the Board will be looking at over the next year.
The Board hopes to get a number of association members to join advisory Boards to help in decisions related toe Rules and regulations, Grounds and Landscaping and Architectural Decisions. Each Board will have three to four members. Each Board should meet at least once a month and submit any written recommendations to the LPHOA Board prior to the board?’s monthly meeting. Advisory Board members will not have any formal voting power. Their findings and suggestions will be considered by the LPHOA Board in their decisions, but are not binding on the Board.
Rules and regulations have been given to all buyers of lots in Las Palomas. The purchase of the lots are an acceptance of a contract between the buyer and all the members of the Las Palomas Homeowners Association that the buyer will honor the terms as set forth in the CC&R?’s of which the rules and regulations are a part. There are a few members who continually disregard some of these rules. Parking cars on driveways or streets and parking commercial vehicles overnight, not picking up after their dogs, and not properly registering guests and contractors with the gate attendants are the most common repeated offenses. Speeding is probably the next most violated rule.
The Board will review the procedures to enforce the rules and regulations. As with any activities within a closed community, the Board needs everyone?’s support and cooperation. We hope that there will be enough concerned members to form the Rules Committee.
At issue at almost every meeting are individuals who have comments and ideas, not always in agreement with the Board, as to how the complex should look. There are four or five people who have approached me with planting suggestions. I would like to see these people form the Grounds Advisory Committee. All they have to do is get together, respect each other?’s ideas and present their written recommendations to the Board at the meetings. Because major plantings are done only twice a year, they should be available for at least two Board meetings within a time frame to allow the Board to implement their suggestions. This Board could help inspect the grounds on a weekly basis for minor items missed by Bob Wallace or me on our daily tours. If no Board is formed and you want us to consider your ideas, PUT THEM IN WRITING, and give it to Bob Wallace or Ken Dry.
The Architectural Committee would be responsible for reviewing all applications for new structures or remodeling of existing buildings. This committee would also be a key contributor to decisions pertaining to the painting of homes and the common area structures. Who is interested?
Please submit your names to Bob Wallace or Ken Dry. We will let those interested know whom to contact. Please lets get involved.
As you may know, we ended up picking the citrus in the common areas and front yards with the Las Palomas Staff. The organization that offered to do this was unable to get anyone to accommodate our needs. If you still want the citrus picked in your front or back yards, contact ?“the Mesa Regal Fruit Pickers Club, at 480-926-4897, extension 218. Ask for Kim Brooks. In any case the fruits should be cleared off to avoid the ?“Roof Rat?” problem.
The South tennis court has been patched. The cost was $1300. We know this is a temporary thing. However, we are reevaluating our thinking on how to proceed with the north court. Because the subsurface is in good condition, and even though the cracks are numerous and large, they are not deep and there are no pockets caused by erosion under the surface, we may be able to fill the cracks and seal the court for considerably less cost than tearing up the entire surface. For those interested, see information at www.tennisuniversal.com.
The Board will be concentrating on establishing asset evaluations of the complex for reserve fund requirements. We have to make these determinations to comply with state laws and requirements for our insurance carrier. Our premium next will be adjusted by these evaluations. The Board will be reviewing how and when we paint homes, tree maintenance, repair and replacement of common assets, current and future staffing of Las Palomas personnel, procedures for having contractors perform and complete projects in a correct and timely manner, rules and regulation compliance as a part of the CC&Rs and evaluating of procedures and operations of the Board as they pertain to changes in the laws of Arizona.
I want to thank everyone for his or her support or at least lack of criticism over the past year. I think we have a great Board who will be acting in the best interests of Las Palomas. With the help of Advisors we will be even better.
I also want to thank Art Messinger and Russ Marohnic for their help over the past year. Thank you.
Ken Dry
President
Las Palomas Homeowners Association