Las Palomas

October 04 Minutes

Nov 16, 2004

LAS PALOMAS HOA BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 20, 2004



All board members were present:

Ken Dry----President Mike Frain----Director
Sherry Mischel---Secretary Russ Marohnic---Director
Arthur Messinger---Vice President


Homeowners present:

Barbara Siegel Fern Marohnic Patty Wilson
Norm Cocanour Lara Schlesinger Gilles Paradis
Gloria Heeter Thomas Updike Lawrence Seidman
Pat Frain Bill/Marian Moore


***Ken Dry called the meeting to order. The minutes from the last meeting were reviewed?—one correction needed to be made. Under Financial, the last item about monthly dues needs to read, ?”the board will discuss monthly dues at the next open board meeting.?” The minutes were then approved.

MANAGEMENT REPORT BY BOB WALLACE

1. There are six homes for sale?—Lots 24, 41, 84, 108, 118, and l43.
2. Re-painting of the last 13 houses has been completed.
3. Fall planting of flowerbeds has been completed.
4. Lawns have been seeded with winter grass
5. Master insurance policy?—there are 5 companies working on bids. We expect answers by the November meeting. We need to clarify the insurance deductible on the master policy and what are the homeowners?’ responsibilities. Bob W. will send out notices, Ken will put in monthly newsletters.
6. Bob Wallace has requested a new phone system for the gate, himself, Javier, Esteban, Russ and at the pool. The Nextel system will save $940 the first year and $2400 per year thereafter.(See telephone analysis sheet for more detail). The board approved the request.
7. We are having a problem with workmen coming into the community on Sundays, which is not allowed. Bob says that the workmen are talking the guard into letting them come in. There are exceptions and Bob W. or a board member will decide this on a case-by-case basis.
8. Bob presented two charts on water usage in the community. This will be monitored on a continuous basis. (See charts for more info)





COMMITTEE REP0RTS

Architectural

1. Lot 133 has received formal approval and will start the project soon.
2. Lot 134 needs to get preliminary approval?—they wish to do a project similar to Lot 133.
3. The board would like to request a completion schedule from the Ross?’s on their construction project. Bob Wallace will follow up.
4. Larry Seidman would like to put up a shed in the corner of his lot.. The board will take this under advisement.

Landscaping

1. Ken researched HOA minutes back to l994 regarding tree removal.. The HOA boards have been pretty consistent on decisions regarding this issue. (See report for more details). There is definite criteria for tree removal. --Ms. Siegel?’s request for reimbursement at the last board meeting will not be granted, as it does not meet the standards.
2. Mr. Garino has requested that a tree on his property be removed because of safety issues. We will first find out the cost of trimming vs. removal, before a decision is made.
3. John Randolph has requested that a tree be taken out that is up against the house and is hitting the roof. The board made the decision that since Mr. Randolph planted that tree, he is responsible for its removal.
4. The olive trees are a real problem and they will be monitored continuously.
5. Irrigation for the community will be continuously monitored and adjusted as needed.

FINANCIAL

A draft of the 2005 budget was presented. It shows an increase in the monthly dues to $327. This is necessary for the adequate operation of Las Palomas, and to fund major future projects?—north tennis court, street repair, funding pensions, painting houses. The increase will help build up the reserves by putting funds in each month (See 2005 budget sheet) The budget must be finalized and presented no later than December 1. The board will discuss this at the November meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Art presented an article on HOA legislation?—It has been requested that each HOA contribute one dollar per household to fund a lobbyist to represent us in the legislature. That would amount to $143 for Las Palomas. The board felt is would be money well spent for representation. The request was unanimously approved.
2. Properties where the grass has a problem growing will be offered a different kind of landscaping?—some type of xeriscaping. A policy will be set up to do this.
3. Parking on the streets past 2 a.m. has become a serious problem. A policy needs to be established for the repeat offenders. Cars need to be parked in garages and if full, in drive ways.

HOMEOWNER REQUESTS/COMMENTS

1. Mr. Thomas of Lot 97 has requested help from the HOA for trash and re-cycle containers. It was felt that this is not a role for the HOA and that maybe a neighbor can be found to help him out. The gate attendants do help out when people are out of town, but not on a permanent basis. Ken Dry will talk with Mr. Thomas.
2. Ken Dry read comments written by Steve Stuhmer?—He has concerns on how we intend to pay for major projects?—painting houses, the north tennis court, etc. He is not opposed to these projects but is concerned with our reserves. Steve would like to know what the threshold for the reserves should be. He is definitely against desert landscaping or xeriscaping.
3. Ken Dry stated that if a homeowner wants a high maintenance front yard that is beyond what the HOA provides, the homeowner is responsible for the maintenance and if he or she ever sells, must tell prospective buyer.
4. Mr. Cocanour stated that a new homeowner should be made aware of the master insurance policy deductible as soon as possible.
5. We currently have $50,000 in reserves. Art said that we should have 25% of the annual revenue. This will be a continuing discussion.

HOMEOWNERS FORUM

Larry Seidman stated that the property behind him is for sale and he wants the gate closed off. He needs to discuss that with the homeowner.

***The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2004 at 7 pm at the Mustang Library.


Respectfully submitted,


Sherry Mischel
LPHOA Secretary