Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 03-27-2025

March 27, 2025 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 03-27-2025 5:05 pm

Meeting conducted via video conference (Microsoft Teams)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, Mita Schumacher, Ed Wenz

Directors Absent: David Samo

FirstService Residential

Tiffani Rivers - Community Manager

Carrie Heieck, General Counsel, Tinnely Law

Note: Other homeowners and I were not able to log in via Microsoft Teams. At least two other homeowners using the link in the email were able to log in. I attempted it via the website agenda and the email agenda, though I don’t think I tried the link directly in the email. I had to listen via telephone. It was very difficult to hear. Sometimes I couldn't tell who was speaking, nor what was being said.

III. HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1

He cited the problem and error message attempting to log in to video, and therefore was using the telephone audio only.

During his comments he asked questions. Tiffani said the time was for making statements recommending that items be placed on agendas, not asking questions of the board. He told her to stop interrupting him.

Has the HOA supplied the Landscape Plans to the Landscape Committee, yet?

The HOA did not respond. He said the committee can’t do the work properly without the plans.

The large areas of prohibited plants are still present. The contractors should be taking action.

Have bids been requested for a property manager?

The HOA did not respond.

How much are we paying to have the lawyer attend Home Owner Forum?

The HOA did not respond.

Carrie, what is the hourly rate you're charging?

The HOA did not respond.

It is a waste of money to have an attorney attend to just perform public relations. Having her simply state that you are following her advice and complying with Governing Documents isn't helpful. It also isn't true.

Remember when you sued a homeowner after the statute of limitations expired, so the HOA lost?

Remember when you said that you aren't maintaining Lot L, the lot behind my house, on the advice of your attorney, even though you already signed a settlement to do it. Then you had to walk it back.

On February 6, last year, I reported a broken and rusted fence over the ravine along the sidewalk at Sevilla and Calico Street. On October 7, I notified the HOA that the poor repair had failed creating a hazard. I included photos and videos.

The HOA failed to take action. On October 17, the City stated that they "secured the fence as a minimum level of correction necessary to eliminate the immediacy of the hazard. You must immediately permanently secure the fence or replace the fence if necessary." The City issued a Notice of Violation to the HOA under the Santee City Code, "Actions or conditions of property which threaten the public health, safety or welfare..."

You don't answer questions:

Requested bids for a property manager?

Supplying the landscape plans?

How much we pay the attorney to attend Homeowner Forum?

Under these circumstances, anyone who believes you is foolish.

After the homeowner finished Chris said the attorney is attending because of litigation.

Chris said they fixed the fence and cautioned the homeowner about saying something that isn't true.

This is the Notice of Violation.pdf sent to the HOA by the City of Santee documenting the failure to promptly fix the fence to eliminate the hazard.

Homeowner #2

She said she was able to log into the meeting via the link in the email.

The City hasn't come up here to review signs. HOA says the City installed "No Outlet" signs.

She said they haven't replaced "No Parking Signs."

Ensure the person responsible for the accident pays for the repairs, fence and plant replacements. The driver was attempting to repair it himself. It should be fixed within 30 days.

She saw O'Connell moving the fence, she said they should wait until the insurance companies inspect it. HOA Response: They are using insurance.

Homeowner #3

She had problems logging in and had to use the telephone audio.

She asked for an update on landscape wall

HOA responded that they accepted a bid for a contractor for the landscape wall

The contractor will have a meeting on April 1, starting the work no later than April 21, but hopefully a week early.

IV. COMMITTEE UPDATE & INVITED GUESTS

A. SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Easter Egg Hunt April 5, 10 am.

B. FINANCE COMMITTEE

C. LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE

Brenna D. from the committee provided information. They will be providing information and photos on Facebook.

Scheduled meetings with O'Connell

Mark met with Fire Chief, possible future meeting on May 3.

Now the fire department says it is not a shelter in place community. Committee wants further confirmation.

Roads have been cleared of brush. They will post photos.

She asked for today's proposal by O'Connell to be delayed by the board until the committee can review them.

D. WELCOMING COMMITTEE

No new homeowners

V. REPORTS

A. MANAGEMENT REPORT

Light at monument to be fixed

July 24, Annual Meeting. Two board members Quinsey & Wenz up for election.

2025 -2026 budget to be worked on by board to be approved in July

B. WORK ORDER REPORT

8 open orders

9 closed

Ethical bee removal. <Note: This was difficult to hear. They have a contractor to relocate bee hives. If homeowners find that bees are being killed they should contact the HOA.>

C. LANDSCAPE WALKTHROUGH/PUNCHLIST

Dead Oak was killed by gophers.

Agave growing over sidewalk, cut back, (Mirador at Calico)

Add ground cover

Spray cactus that has mealy bugs.

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

A. OPEN SESSION MEETING MINUTES - FEBRUARY 2025

B. FINANCIAL STATEMENT - JANUARY 2025

Approved unanimously

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. RETAINING WALL UPDATE

See Homeowner Forum

Homeowner #4 interjected his request that the Landscape Committee photos and information be published on the HOA portal since some homeowners avoid Facebook.

B. NEW GARBAGE RECEPTACLE LOCATIONS

Tabled

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. LANDSCAPING PROPOSALS

Planting on Mirador and Iris, and others.

Dead Oak, etc.

Mita suggested that it be tabled.

Tabled.

Sevilla monument two options for seasonal flowers $420 or $260. "Rabbits went after seasonals." Also consider mulch.

Chris said that the irrigation needs to be upgraded at the monument. If ground cover is planted they will need to irrigate which is expensive. Myoporum didn't survive and had to be removed. It needs water. Chris suggested maybe using just rock and avoiding the irrigation expense. Mita prefers rock. Ed had no opinion, but he thinks it looks fine as is.

Approved $260

Monticello Street: adding top soil because of erosion.

Tabled

B. RESERVE STUDY PROPOSAL

2025-2026 Proposal for reserve analyst. $1610 to continue the contract.

Approved unanimously

C. COMMUNITY NOTICES

Another reminder for the social committee was sent this week. May/June newsletter needs to be sent to the newsletter department. Val B. submitted, but the board needs to approve it.

Approved unanimously.

IX. NEXT BOARD MEETING

The next Open Session Meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2025 at 5:00 pm via Teams.

X. ADJOURN

6:09 pm

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 02-27-2025

February 27, 2025 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 02-27-2025 5:04 pm

Meeting conducted via video conference (Microsoft Teams)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Mita Schumacher, Ed Wenz

Directors Absent:

FirstService Residential

Tiffani Rivers - Community Manager

Carrie Heieck, General Counsel, Tinnely Law

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. EXECUTIVE SESSION ACKNOWLEDGMENT/ANNOUNCEMENT

III. HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1

Brenna D spoke on behalf of the landscape committee.

Brenna D (Chairperson) <info cross checked with Facebook post>

Mita S (Board Representative)

Jeanette A (Secretary)

Mark C (Member)

Cathy J (Member)>

Areas (emergency access) previously in question are maintained by O'Connell. Specific details including addresses and photos will be provided. They will also be distributed via Facebook. A walk through with the Fire Chief is scheduled for May. <Note: Previous demand by the City for maintenance along the Emergency Access Roads.>

Homeowner #2

Requested update about the retaining wall.

Samo and Wenz met with four contractors last Friday. They are acquiring the bids. Three are already pre-approved as contractors via FirstService. Tiffani said that the prior contractor does not perform work for HOAs.

Ed said it is a landscape wall, not a retaining wall, given the low height.

Teresa said a neighbor is an engineer and he said it needs to be at least three feet high. Straw wattle is not tall enough and debris goes over it.

Homeowner #3

Request the link for the meeting be sent via email given the complexity of accessing and using pdf files on the FirstService web site. Rivers said she tried to send it via email but it didn't work, and she will check with their IT department.

Homeowner #4

Have bids been requested for a property manager?

HOA responded that it is contract related and therefore don’t have to disclose.

Homeowner said that contract negotiations may be private. Taking action to request bids is not a contract negotiation.

Putting items on the agenda when they have nothing to discuss defeats the purpose of agendas. And the HOA is again putting “Personnel Matters” on agendas when they have no personnel i.e. employees. Both violate the Open Meeting Act and can be rectified by simply posting accurate and specific agendas. The insurance ratification at the last meeting was merely theater, when they had approved it outside of a meeting as an emergency. They should simply be open and explain it from the beginning when it happens.

The landscape contractor should recognize prohibited plants. But the contractor has previously proposed planting hundreds of prohibited plants, so it is likely the large areas of prohibited plants were planted by the HOA.

Topsoil continues to erode and expose tree roots on the slope by his house. A branch has remained on the ground since January. A photo was displayed. <Note: How closely are they inspecting?>

The HOA should ensure that bills are sent to homeowners on time.

Did you provide the landscape plans to the newly formed landscape committee? The HOA did not respond. The homeowner said that means they didn’t. (See Homeowner #6 below).

The HOA did not tell the truth about the drought. The landscape degraded before the drought, and water restrictions did not impact the HOA.

You said that I’m the only one who complained about the landscape, but at the last meeting you mentioned work orders that resulted from numerous requests/complaints about the need for brush clearing.

Homeowner #5

Mark landscape committee: He is arranging a meeting in the park with the fire department.

Homeowner #6

Cathy J. said they, the Landscape Committee, did not receive information about the plantings i.e. Landscape plans. She never heard of plants that can't be planted. (No Plant List) She will discuss street signage with the City. She thinks homeless and kids are walking around/through, a gate at the bottom (Brockway St), then up to Monticello. She said the road was cleared 12 feet on each side.

Homeowner #7

So happy to live here. Very Grateful. Everything looks great. We’d like to have HOA fees lowered. We could live without a security service driving around, and he could use the money to put up his own security camera.

Homeowner #8

Two beehives in the irrigation system were killed by poison. Broke her heart. She asked about policy, but she said Mita wasn't aware of such a policy.

Tiffani--"We save bees" was hired to remove the bees, so she didn't expect them to be killed.

Homeowner said it is possible that there were additional hives that might not have been those handled by the contractor. The homeowner said the destruction she saw was poison as the combs and dead bees were there. She said it would look different if the hives were removed. She said she has photos.

Homeowner #9

Welcomed another new neighbor on Sevilla ST, sweet family, 5 year old, another baby coming. 5228 Bella Vista up for sale, as well as another soon.

IV. COMMITTEE UPDATE & INVITED GUESTS

A. SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Appoint Val Labore to draft newsletter.

B. FINANCE COMMITTEE

Biggest expenses landscape contract and irrigation, property management, security.

C. LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE

Heard during Homeowner Forum

D. WELCOMING COMMITTEE

Heard during Homeowner Forum

V. REPORTS

A. MANAGEMENT REPORT

Parking issues: angle parking

Holiday lights

Most of those reported have been taken care of, though feel free to continue reporting if violations remain.

Ed said she should drive the area at night to see the lights.

Chris said the contractor had lights that had electrical shorts so the contractor kept the holiday lights up longer.

B. WORK ORDER REPORT

5 open orders

2 closed orders

A couple irrigation leaks.

C. LANDSCAPE WALKTHROUGH/PUNCHLIST

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

A. OPEN SESSION MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 2025

B. FINANCIAL STATEMENT - DECEMBER 2024

Both items approved unanimously

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. RETAINING WALL UPDATE

Discussed during Homeowner Forum

B. NEW GARBAGE RECEPTACLE LOCATIONS

Tabled again

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. LANDSCAPING PROPOSALS

Landscape committee started yesterday or the day before, per Rivers. They will review the proposals.

Rivers said O'Connell still has not submitted a map for the landscape proposals. The HOA will now consider it mandatory for the contractor to submit maps with proposals.

Tabled.

B. INSURANCE RENEWAL

At last meeting board did an emergency approval. Umbrella, DNO, and others.

Again, another contractor provided the proposal within 24hours of deadline, so it was considered an emergency and approved.

General Liability policy previously approved, ratified unanimously by directors in this meeting.

C. WATER BASIN MAINTENANCE

6 CDS (S) units of storm drains are full. Chris said one of those is in NorthStar.

Maintenance unanimously approved--approximately $1000 each.

<Note: When CDS units are full they are in bypass mode. Therefore, the debris that they are supposed to collect is being sent into the storm water system. The City has issued notices to the HOA in the past for this. For example, September 28, 2021.>

D. COMMUNITY NOTICES

Kept on the agenda at the request of the board.

Chris suggested a notice about the 48-hour limit for RVs.

IX. NEXT BOARD MEETING

The next Open Session Meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2025 at 5:00pm via Teams.

Adjourned 5:58 pm.

Fact Check HOA Meeting 01-23-2025

February 05, 2025 by Sky Ranch Santee

Our climate is not the same as the Arizona desert.

The HOA landscape was neglected before the drought (see Google map photos). Additionally, HOA land has irrigation.

The drought water restrictions had no impact. The HOA has no ornamental lawns. The HOA has no land that gets irrigated so frequently that it had to be restricted. There were exemptions to the water restrictions.

Chris Andre motioned to ratify the insurance renewal after some discussion. It became apparent that it was theater for the homeowners in attendance because the board had already approved it via email. The property manager only explained the prior approval when Dave Quinsey asked the difference between approval and ratification, which was the motion by Chris Andre. A better approach would have been to explain it at the outset.

Personal Notes HOA Meeting 01-23-2025

February 05, 2025 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 01-23-2025 5:11 pm

Meeting conducted via video conference (Microsoft Teams)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Mita Schumacher, Ed Wenz

FirstService Residential

Ian Navarro - Regional Director

Tiffani Rivers - Community Manager

Carrie Heieck, General Counsel, Tinnely Law

III. HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1

Said that she submitted architectural plans.

Homeowner #2

There are too many steps to get the agenda. Include a link in email rather than requiring so many steps.

Homeowner #3

<Note: During this discussion the HOA directors interrupted. At one point Ian Navarro said the time was up because three minutes had passed. The homeowner reminded that they said 5 minutes would be allowed. All of the other discussions were very short so time was not an issue. The homeowner reminded Chris Andre that at previous meetings he said the presentations didn’t need to be rushed. The homeowner said that the interruptions and the early cutoff are the very reason he quickly plows through his statements.>

What steps have you taken to find a new management company?

HOA response: They have informed FirstService that they want to get bids for a new management company. FirstService can also submit a bid.

Fires are burning in the area today. Do not attempt to use the northern emergency exit if you can't see clearly that there is no smoke or fire.

In this photo see the brush growing into the street, and a small dead staked tree. It is supposed to be cleared 50ft on each side. I took this photo from my house today. The rest of the road will be worse. Firefighters may not be able to come up the road to save our homes if it's burning before they get here.

Northern Emergency Access Road. Vegetation protruding into the road.

HOA response: We’ll check to see if the HOA is responsible. Chris said the fires prompted him to advise O’Connell to perform brush maintenance. Homeowner #3 said it is too late when the fires start.

Similarly, don't count on the eastern road on Ocotillo, unless you can clearly see it is safe. The last time I saw it brush was growing over the road.

It's shocking how the main access road off Monticello was overgrown for years. You can't count on the City or this frivolous HOA. I had to go to City Council to get them to order the fire department to force the HOA to take care of it.

There are a lot of prohibited plants along Sevilla, as well as the lower end of Mariposa. Don't assume we are safe in this supposedly "shelter in place" community.

HOA response: Inform us about the prohibited plants.

Speaking of frivolous.

At the last meeting the board delayed the replacement of an Oak tree by my house, and some other plants.

In the photo you can see how small it is because they have had to replace it before because of apparent neglect. At the same time they approved seasonal Poinsettias at the entrance for a similar cost. I understand Chris tabling the issue pending more information about the location, though they should wonder why the landscaper doesn't automatically provide that. But Dave Samo openly opposed the Oak and other plants, in part, because they weren't as visible as the entrance.

In other words, those homeowners with slopes facing their homes shouldn't expect proper landscaping. It's a thoughtless and neglectful position taken by directors and other homeowners who aren't concerned because the land slopes down away from their homes and is out of their sight and out of their minds.

Mita Schumacher took photos by my house and described the landscape as lush. These photos show lots of bare ground, erosion, exposed tree roots. And again, there is the dead Oak. This is also where the HOA paid for restoration a year ago. It won't work if you don't maintain it.

What Mita Schumacher calls lush, as viewed from inside my house.

Erosion and exposed tree roots on the slope by my house.

The landscape is neglected but there is always money for Tacos in the Park and other social events.

HOA response: They complained about the cost of irrigation.

It appears they continue to turn off the irrigation and intentionally allow much of it to go to cactus.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

The directors said that they did not need the lawyer any longer since Homeowner Forum was over, so she left the meeting.

IV. COMMITTEE UPDATE & INVITED GUESTS

Discussed requirements/charters for committees. E.g. positions (board liaison, secretary, chair), 1 year repeatable term, etc.

Board Liaison is a director who advises the committee

A. SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Ryan, Mita <Note: tech failed so I missed the details.>

B. FINANCE COMMITTEE

Assist with budget

Need to be a higher standard because they will have access to confidential information.

Amber H., Julie B., Karen, Mita S, Shannon Q.

C. LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE

Walk-throughs with O’Connell, make recommendations to the board.

Cathy J said that she thought the committee would do it independently versus doing it with O’Connell.

HOA responded that it can be done either way.

Cathy J, Brenna D, Jeannette A., Mark C., Mita S.

Chris said it is a desert climate like Arizona, and there were drought restrictions. He said cactus grows well.

D. WELCOMING COMMITTEE

Jeannette A., Mita S., Teresa G.

V. REPORTS

A. MANAGEMENT REPORT

Meeting dates edited.

The property manager she said she has been getting requests from homeowners for brush clearance.

B. WORK ORDER REPORT

Four are open.

Closed one.

Combined some work orders for landscape, particularly the requests for brush clearing.

She’s asked them to check the irrigation lines because there have been leaks lately, especially on the weekends. Chris Andre speculated that they are being vandalized or stepped on or something else.

C. LANDSCAPE WALKTHROUGH/PUNCHLIST

No discussion

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

A. OPEN SESSION MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 2024

B. FINANCIAL STATEMENT - NOVEMBER 2024

Summary read aloud

Approved unanimously

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. RETAINING WALL UPDATE

Retaining Wall Update: The contractor had to go through the vendor approval process (certification, insurance) with FirstService. The contractor got frustrated with the FirstService app to submit their information. The HOA may have to put it out for bid again.

They installed more straw wattle and caps as a short-term fix. Chris said the vendor provided certificates of insurance.

B. NEW GARBAGE RECEPTACLE LOCATIONS

Tabled last time. Tabled again.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. LANDSCAPING PROPOSALS

Mirador and Iris

Landscaper did not provide the maps that the HOA requested.

Plants were removed for irrigation repair, and some were dead and due for replacement. $826

12 Rock Cotton Easter 1 gal. 1 Rock Rose 2 Myoporum, 1 Coast live Oak

Samo asked why it should be planted, wanted to table it. Mita said they aren’t in any hurry,

Chris then noted that the landscaper sent a photo of what needed to be placed.

B. INSURANCE RENEWAL

The general liability has not been provided, others were provided on the last day e.g DNO.

Chris motioned for it to be ratified. Dave Q asked the difference between approval and ratification. Tiffani then said it was previously approved by the board as an emergency via email. She said the board already approved it but it needs to be voted on during the meeting.

Approved unanimously

C. COMMUNITY NOTICES

Nothing

Tiffani said that the board wants this item on the agenda in case there is something to discuss.

D. FLOCK CAMERA REVIEW

They were installed along with signs.

They discussed installing additional cameras. They speculated about putting one at the Castilla cul-de-sac. Sheriff could get a live feed if homeowners reported criminal activity.

E. NEWSLETTER

Val Labore will be handling it.

IX. NEXT BOARD MEETING

The next Open Session Meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2025 at 5:00pm via Teams, Executive Session at 4pm

X. ADJOURN

6:30 pm

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 11-26-2024

December 21, 2024 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 11-26-2024 6pm

Meeting conducted via video conference (Microsoft Teams)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, David Samo, Mita Schumacher

Directors Absent: David Quinsey, Ed Wenz,

FirstService Residential

Ian Navarro - Regional Director

Tiffani Rivers - Community Manager

Carrie Heieck, General Counsel, Tinnely Law

III. HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1

Garbage receptacles, what is the plan for the overlook on Sevilla? Last time discussed there was a plan to put a bin on the doggie dispenser. His concern with a trash can is it already appears to be a community space and he already deals with kids there.

Homeowner #2

It took weeks to repair that fence railing over the ravine at the intersection of Calico and Sevilla. That failure exposed the HOA to potential negligence litigation, not to mention the human cost. “I saw kids climbing on it the other day.”

Julie and anyone else who agreed to delay the recall of the board of directors, you were played by the HOA. I understand. You want to trust your HOA. I'll have more information later. I don't think you'll be proud of your HOA.

If the community wants to pursue the recall, I suggest you submit a new petition with the required 11 signatures. Do not rely on one person who is connected to the board, whether they be friends of directors, on a committee, or influenced by the board.

When a director or attorney speaks to you alone ask yourself why they aren't informing the entire community. Are they afraid the information will be challenged? I suggest that you assume they are misleading you or flat lying.

Chris Andre replied and said the homeowners decided not to submit the petition.

Homeowner #3

We still don't know how much we paid the Ballos and our attorneys (Note: HOA lawsuit over roof height commercial grade slide). The last time I was told we would have to get the information from the attorney. I've been asking for two years. Do I have to sue to find out? I will if I have to. My patience is wearing thin. The board members should know the amount paid, except Mita, who wasn’t on the board at the time.

Chris said he recused himself. He said Mita wasn't there, neither was David Samo.

He said it's with the Epsten law firm. (Note: Epsten was the HOA counsel that handled the lawsuit).

Carrie Heieck responded and said she downloaded a judgement dated Dec 10, 2021, zero punitive damages, attorney fees, $1605. First Service can pull the payments to Epsten if they don't respond.

Homeowner #3 said she did not find a motion for attorney fees and doubts the Ballos walked away without seeking attorney fees. It is likely that a settlement was entered. The snow job that we keep getting isn't acceptable. The board had to approve a settlement. She speculated perhaps $100,000. She said if she agreed to a settlement, I would remember an amount of something like $100,000. I'm getting tired of waiting.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

IV. COMMITTEE UPDATE & INVITED GUESTS

A. SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Shannon Q. Concerned that they don't have their funding, though she has attended meetings. Their card is wiped out, though they have submitted receipts so it can be replenished. Treasurer is also frustrated. She doesn't know what to do. She's been asking for 6 months. They've been chasing funds which is absurd. If we don't have the funding by tomorrow at closing we may cancel the event.

Ian Navarro apologized and said they are dealing with it. He said the transfer should be completed by tomorrow.

Shanon asked how much. Ian said, fully. $2400-$2500.

Shannon explained how they use larger amounts of money for big events, but don't have sufficient funding because it is only replenished after larger amounts of money are spent, though most expenses throughout the year are small, so when larger expenditures are necessary there isn't enough money available.

A discussion ensued about increasing the amount of petty cash on the card used by the social committee. Ian said the board could make the decision and FirstService could adjust it as they fix the other "snafus." Ian noted that the social committee has handled the receipts and documents well.

Motion: Petty cash for Social Committee increased to $4,000, approved unanimously.

Ian said something is getting lost in the communication between two departments at FirstService.

Rivers asked for the flyer that is to be distributed. Shannon said she'd send it. Ian said that their offices close at 3pm tomorrow.

Shannon asked if the sponsoring homeowner wanted her name on the flyer, or just the name of her law firm. She replied that she did not need the recognition.

B. FINANACE COMMITTEE

No additional names have been submitted.

Ian suggested that they use committee charters and reaffirm members each year. Rivers said charters will be included in the next board packet.

C. LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE

No new names have been submitted. She said Mita has spoken to some people.

Mita said there is a welcome committee that has a budget, though they haven't used anything in the last two years.

V. REPORTS

A. MANAGEMENT REPORT

B. WORK ORDER REPORT

C. LANDSCAPE WALKTHROUGH/PUNCHLIST

Chris asked if everything was done. Rivers said yes.

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

Motion to roll over CD approved unanimously.

A. OPEN SESSION MEETING MINUTES - OCTOBER 2024

B. FINANCIAL STATEMENT - OCTOBER 2024

Chris paused to read the financial statement. He read it out loud.

Everything approved with no additional discussion.

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. RETAINING WALL UPDATE

They have a contractor and have approved him to do the work. The contractor needs to upload documents. Hopefully, the work will be done in December. It will take approximately three weeks to complete once started.

B. FLOCK SECURITY CAMERAS

December 4 site evaluation. December 12 installation. LPR (License Plate Reader) near the monument will capture cars going up and down the mountain. The information will only be accessible by the Sheriff, i.e. no board members.

Flock is in the process of uploading documents to the HOA.

This is informational. CC&Rs specify that the HOA is not responsible for security.

C. NEW GARBAGE RECEPTACLE LOCATIONS

Tabled. They need to consider the cost of three additional trash cans given the budget.

D. STREET SIGN LOCATION RECOMMENDATIONS

The proposal was already submitted to the City. The City confirmed receipt and they will review.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. LANDSCAPING PROPOSALS

Sevilla Monument, seasonal Poinsettias $30 for each plant, $28 for planting each: total $840

David S. says it is a highly visible area so he supports it.

Approved unanimously.

Mirador and Iris plantings. $826

Iris Rock Cotton Easter Horizon Tails (?), 12, $220

Mirador

Orchid Rock rose $48, Myoporium 2 - $38,

Lot I Coast live Oak $480

Dave S. says no to Iris and Mirador plantings given the budget constraints.

Tabled. Chris asked for more specific information regarding placement.

B. COMMUNITY NOTICES

C. TOWN HALL SCHEDULING

January 2025, definitive date not chosen.

IX. NEXT BOARD MEETING

The next Open Session Meeting is scheduled for January 23, 2025 at 5:00pm via Teams

X. ADJOURN 7:09pm

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting September 26, 2024

September 27, 2024 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 09-26-2024 5:04 pm

Meeting conducted via video conference (Microsoft Teams)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Mita Schumacher, Ed Wenz

Directors Absent: N/A

FirstService Residential

Ian Navarro - Regional Director

Tiffani Rivers - Community Manager

III. HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner 1A 1B

1A: Retaining wall. In August we were told they were waiting on the landscape company. What is the possible start date? Ed Wenz said they may need to change contractors. The contractor said the scope of work and price has doubled. He asks the homeowners to be patient.

1B Asked further, then David Samo said the contractor keeps raising the costs. Homeowner said every homeowner who installs a pool deals with this, that is, you don't know everything until it is started. Homeowner said it has taken 14 years. Chris Andre said they approved two separate increases, now the latest cost is double. Homeowner asked if they are going to do bids again. Chris Andre said yes, bids must be done again.

1A Said the spikes in the new straw waddle might hurt someone.

Homeowner 2

She and her neighbor live on Ocotillo. The new waddles block irrigation on Mariposa. In addition to a new landscape contractor, she thinks brush management is a huge concern. She just got canceled by State Farm. She said she was told that the brush clearing is on the schedule, but it needs to be done more than once per year. She asked about the security camera installation. Chris Andre said it is being discussed with the contractor.

Homeowner 3

She spoke with the City about replacing the no parking signs. They will do it. Regarding speed limit signs the City didn't observe much speeding, but she will check with the City.

She thinks the landscape contract should be put up for bid.

Homeowner 4

She said that over a year ago homeowners asked for the managers to be changed. Our service is no better than before. Her remodel was completely messed up by them. She said we didn’t get the July 4 passes on time. She said she didn’t want to hear again that a new person will solve the problems. The FirstService fees go up but the service doesn't improve. She asked why they aren't taking it seriously and why can't we discuss it.

Chris Andre said there has been turnover. She replied that is the same thing they said the last time. It's the same old tired rhetoric. If you don't do anything year after year then the homeowners aren't going to want you on the board. Why don't you look for a new company? Chris said they are in lawsuits. She said it looks like they will always be in a lawsuit. So, they can't ever change property managers? Chris said that the board has decided to stay with FirstService. She said that there is no real discussion.

Homeowner 5

Lived here 15 years. She said she never sees anything accomplished. She said she meant no disrespect to Tiffani. There is a lot of disdain for the company. Communication, follow-up isn't done. I know it's a voluntary position, but when you hear all of the voices you need to take action. She doesn't understand why they don't make a change. Samo asked for itemized list of the issues with FirstService. She said, we aren't being heard. Landscape, abatement, communication etc. She said meetings were canceled at the last minute and she mentioned how that impacted her. The board has had meetings at inconvenient times. It seems like things are glossed over but they don't follow through, then you don't want to do anything because it doesn't seem to matter.

Homeowner 6

Thank you Mita for having your camera on. She noted that the other directors did not have their cameras turned on. It is disrespectful to hide behind the empty screen. Homeowners have been asking for erosion control for 10 years.

She said the HOA sued Ballos for the slide. It was filed late. The Ballos filed a motion for summary judgement, then they filed a cost bill that so that they can recover costs. The next step was to file for attorney fees, but they didn't. That makes it appear that the HOA worked out a deal to pay the attorney fees. How much of our money was spent on our attorneys for the lawsuit, and how much did we pay to the Ballos?

Years ago, we didn't switch property managers because the property hadn't been fully turned over from Lennar.

Meetings at the last minute are time consuming.

She said that if the property manager made a mistake why didn't the HOA file a cross complaint against the property manager to recover costs?

I really want to know how much of our money was spent on attorney fees. We <Note: former HOA director> worked on that slide by the Ballos for a long time so there was no reason for filing late. Insurance won't cover that lawsuit since the HOA sued the homeowner.

She said the HOA should've filed against Chris as well for moving his fence, which he moved days after the recall of the board. Chris said it was reviewed by Legal.

Homeowner 7

A later meeting would be more helpful. More of us are going to get involved because we need fresh blood. I know it is a thankless job that isn't easy.

Homeowner 8

First timer that figured it's time to get involved. I own a property in AZ and my HOA fee hasn't gone up a penny in 14(?) years. July 4th passes were sent late.

I pay a lot for beautiful slopes and I don't know what is happening.

Homeowner 9

Tiffani, you have nothing to do with it. As long as the attorney is the same they can change property managers. It's not true that we can't change

We have too many lawsuits. I don't know all the details, but it appears the HOA will lose that too. There are other homeowners with the same situation that they don't go after, not that we should. It's a waste of our money. The board recently sought to do work by the park. That's not our property and we shouldn't be paying for something like that. We didn't spend that money but they should have simply called the City, who did work on it.

The budget wasn't sent out on time. I’m a property manager. If the budget didn't go out on time I'd have to pay for it. There was a whole year without meetings, yet my community had meetings. A whole year without meetings is ridiculous <Note: being litigated>. On the social committee we try to get the card funded, but we are having to ask at the last minute for that and for checks. I spent $2000 of my own money to prevent an event from being canceled. It took a month for the HOA to reimburse me. They approved a budget in an emergency session <Note: being litigated>. A budget is never an emergency as we know when it is. I send a draft report of budgets a month in advance to my community. $114,000 line item for legal is crazy. I have a community with elevators, roofs, pools, etc and have a legal budget of $5000. We need a small management company who cares. Someone who would be impacted if fired. A small company would need us.

Chris Andre said that they have two new directors. We are listening. This is the most homeowners that we've had attend. He said that the City failed to take care of the slopes by the park. There was not the best of communication regarding the budget. It did get approved on time to be sent. Their legal review concluded that proper notification was given. The assessment will stay the same i.e. not increase.

Chris and Samo discussed the legal expenses. Julie said the insurance should handle it. Chris and Samo said that they need additional representation.

Homeowner 10

She noted a lack of communication, lack of follow-up, fence maintenance not addressed etc. We should have a smaller management company. The social committee budget increase was approved but it didn't make it to the budget; FirstService didn't get it in the budget. We need committees who can assist. I would run for the board, but I'm afraid of lawsuits given the lack of management support.

Homeowner 11 <out of sequence>

Tiffani this does not apply to you. FirstService and the landscape contractor should be removed. The other homeowner complained about brush clearing <Note: brush clearing is being litigated>. Our contract includes regular brush clearing, not annual clearing.

Director Samo asked the previous homeowner for a list of the problems with the property manager. Here you go:

Failed to send notice of a recent meeting.

Failed to create minutes and/or failed to post and provide the minutes upon request <Note: being litigated>.

Poor oversight of the landscape contractor. They simply trust them.

The website has been a long flakey rollout.

Remember when all of the Notices of Completion were lost? That was FirstService too as I recall. Neither the directors nor FirstService ever gave us an accounting of what was lost and what was recovered.

There has been a lack of response, and insufficient responses to homeowners at times.

When the open meetings were held in person, one FirstService manager, Richard Ford, used to whisper in the ears of board members, like an attorney advising a client.

Ian Navarro of FirstService make sarcastic comments to homeowners (Specific example provided—When the budget document wasn’t available on the website). At a recent meeting I complained that I missed the May meeting because they didn’t send a notice. Ian said I’d get the next one. They have yet to provide an explanation. I asked about it at the last meeting, and the directors and FirstService were silent.

Ian is the regional director, the manager of our manager. If he behaves this way, there is no hope.

Rather than send the agenda and meeting link via email, the management company makes it easy for themselves and post it to a website. We homeowners must log into the site and get the agenda. They mail a hard copy of each board packet to director Quinsy, but every other homeowner has to log onto the site and find the agenda.

They cooperated, or at least didn’t openly oppose secret meetings. As professionals they should not only have discouraged the practice, they should have failed to act on anything done in secret. Instead, they forwarded the email about one such meeting to the City where I was able to obtain it <Note: being litigated>.

When my wall was damaged due to malfunctioning irrigation <Note: being litigated> neither FirstService nor the directors would say what caused the malfunction, nor would they say what, if anything, was done to prevent it from happening again.

They failed to follow the Governing Documents.

For years they didn’t even have the landscape plans for the development.

The board approved plans for the HOA to plant prohibited plants under the watchful eye of their manager <Note: being litigated> .

I think the company is too big and bureaucratic for our community, and I think that their employees are too overburdened to give us the attention that we need.

Ultimately, the board is responsible. However, we need another management company to provide better service, and provide better advice to the directors.

My fear is that the board will not remove FirstService because they need a complacent manager, not someone who will guide them properly and refuse to take part in activities that violate the law and Governing Documents.

IV. COMMITTEE UPDATE & INVITED GUESTS

A. SOCIAL COMMITTEE

New members to be approved. Their names are in the board packet. Shannon said there are 15 names, plus Mita as the board representative. She said they will tighten their belts since their budget now won’t be increased.

October 20, flyers on doorstep in the next few days, plus email

then an event in December following the Fall Festival. The debit card doesn't get funded properly typically, so <Note: unable to capture something said.>

All 15 people were approved unanimously. The names were not revealed to those in attendance.

V. REPORTS

A. MANAGEMENT REPORT

B. WORK ORDER REPORT

C. LANDSCAPE WALKTHROUGH/PUNCHLIST (It wasn't sent on time to be included in the board packed for the meeting.)

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

A. OPEN SESSION MEETING MINUTES - AUGUST 2024

Approved unanimously without discussion. Chris abstained.

B. FINANCIAL STATEMENT - AUGUST 2024

Approved unanimously without discussion.

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. BUDGET AND ANNUAL DISCLOSURE UPDATE

Legal review determined they met the legal requirement for notification, but they are not going to raise the assessment. Rivers said the company is addressing the issues with the disclosure so it doesn't happen again.

B. RETAINING WALL UPDATE

They said it was discussed during Homeowner Forum

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. LANDSCAPING PROPOSALS

Tiffani Rivers said that the landscape company did not provide them on time to include for the meeting.

IX. NEXT BOARD MEETING - OCTOBER 24, 2024

A couple of board members (Samo, Chris) expressed an interest in Zoom. Mita and Ed were OK with Teams. Ian said that the HOA can get an account for Zoom, but FirstService is using Teams. Directors said that they were muted at times today. Ian said they'll work on it.

Samo said that it sounds like homeowners are asking for better service but lower costs. Homeowners interjected disagreement with that characterization. Homeowner #11 interjected that the HOA pays to pick up trash on Graves Avenue (in front of the apartments at the bottom of the hill).

X. ADJOURN

6:33 pm

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting August 22, 2024

August 22, 2024 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 08-22-2024 5:03 pm

Meeting conducted via video conference (Microsoft Teams)

Directors Present: Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Mita Schumacher, Ed Wenz

Directors Absent: Chris Andre

FirstService Residential

Ian Navarro - Regional Director

Tiffani Rivers - Community Manager

III. HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1

She said that she went to City to ask about the absence of speed limit signs. They will get back to her. She said the Sheriff told her that most of the streets are private and wondered how to correct the Sheriff’s understanding. She will take photos of dilapidated “no parking” signs. Ice cream social went very well.

Homeowner #2

Homeowner asked if the board or FirstService had determined why they failed to email the notice for the May 23, 2024 meeting. No one responded to his question.

He said he sent an email requesting minutes for nine meetings for which the minutes hadn’t been posted. He said he received no response, and they were not posted to the web site in timely response. He reminded that the HOA is a non-profit corporation that must follow the CC&Rs and the law which require them to make minutes available.

On July 25, 2024, he sent a follow-up email to Ian Navarro. He said Navarro said no meetings were held on the following dates. He noted that he took notes at each of the meetings, posted them online, and posted links via Twitter and Facebook so he could not alter the dates.

October 12, 2023 – November minutes note approval of these minutes.

October 14, 2021—They counted ballots for the election.

September 23, 2021—November minutes note approval of these minutes

August 30, 2021—They approved a budget with an assessment increase. Navarro attended.

Meeting dates for which Navarro provided no information include February 9, 2023, October 13, 2022, and August 31, 2022 (approved budget).

He recommends that the HOA find another property management company. He said Ian Navarro supervises our property manager, yet this is the level of service provided.

Navarro said that the homeowner got responses. The homeowner said meaningless or incorrect responses aren’t helpful.

Homeowner #3

She welcomed the new property manager.

She brought up the wall that’s supposed to be built at Claret/Dracena.

She said that she understood that Padre Damn signed off, SDGE signed off, and it is with the City of Santee.

Rivers responded that the contractor needed more information, and they are reviewing it. The homeowner asked what they needed. Ian Navarro said it is a topic in Executive Session. Navarro said it is not a permit issue. Homeowner #3a said it has taken 14 years. Ian said they will discuss it further in executive session as they didn't finish the executive session prior to the meeting. The homeowner asked if they could be sent information following the executive session and the response was affirmative.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

IV. COMMITTEE UPDATE & INVITED GUESTS

A. SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Shannon Q.

Ice cream social yesterday.

October 20, Fall Festival $1500 budget.

$7000 budget for next fiscal year, an increase of $1000. She wants to ensure the budget is approved and the event is funded. She wants to coordinate with Rivers regarding the email announcement about the event.

V. REPORTS

A. MANAGEMENT REPORT

B. WORK ORDER REPORT

C. LANDSCAPE WALKTHROUGH/PUNCHLIST

No discussion

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

A. OPEN SESSION MEETING MINUTES - JULY 2024

Approved without discussion

B. FINANCIAL STATEMENT - JUNE 2024

Approved without discussion

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. MAILBOX CLUSTER NUMBERING UPDATE

It will be treated as a general maintenance since only a few need labels replaced: Cala Lily, Triana, Mirador.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. 2024-2025 RESERVE STUDY

Approved unanimously

Will result in $7050 per month to reserves.

B. 2024-2025 PROPOSED BUDGET

Assessment increase of $42.11 per month per unit. It is a 14.17% increase. Monthly assessment will be $339.31 effective October 1.

Samo asked if it could be discussed in Executive Session. Ian Navarro said it must be discussed in Open Session.

Approved

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting July 18, 2024

July 21, 2024 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 07-18-2024 3:00 pm

Meeting conducted via video conference (WebEx)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Mita Schumacher, Ed Wenz

FirstService Residential

Ian Navarro - Regional Director

III. COMMITTEE UPDATE & INVITED GUESTS

IV. REPORTS

A. MANAGEMENT REPORT/S

B. WORK ORDER REPORT

C. LANDSCAPE WALKTHROUGH/PUNCHLIST

O'Connell proposals

Tree Removal--though the tree may not need to be removed upon further information

City Park cleanup and dump fees

Plantings throughout the community--list of plants and quantities $2484

$4884 for City park cleanup and plantings.

They acknowledged it is City responsibility. Near the holidays O'Connell cleaned up the area.

Motion to approve $2484 for plants. Dave S. asked how they determine that the prices are reasonable. Approved.

V. HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1, said that the slope behind Calico needs to be addressed for safety. He understands it is responsibility of the condos. Is there a schedule? Ian said that they were notified and should be starting. The schedule is up to the NorthStar HOA.

Homeowner #2, no specific statement, but in support of complaints regarding illegal fireworks set off in the community on July 4.

Homeowner #3 complained of dead and dying ground cover, waist high grasses, and weeds, one of which is higher than his fence. Chris told him to contact them. Homeowner explained it is a continual longstanding issue.

He said that the HOA should address the illegal fireworks in Sky Ranch to avoid the risk of liability. Dave Q. said that it is a law enforcement matter. The homeowner said that there are provisions in the Governing Documents, particularly nuisance provisions dealing with such noise and safety issues. He said that he would send them citations.

Excerpt from Sky Ranch Community Guidelines

He said that he was not informed of a meeting that the board held on May 23, 2024. He said that they again failed to post the agenda per the bylaws. Ian responded that it needs to be posted in a prominent place, and the FirstService website is a prominent place. The homeowner quoted from the bylaws that it has to be posted “in the Association property.”

The homeowner then said that he did not get an email about the May 23 meeting. Ian asked if he got the notice for the present meeting. When the homeowner said yes, Ian said that he’d get the next one. By the end of the meeting five people said that they didn’t receive notice of the May meeting. The homeowner said that the meeting was invalid. <Note: posting per the Bylaws is a fiduciary duty of the directors, and holding the meeting while failing to send the email notice was another violation of the Open Meeting Act.>

He added that the land behind Calico also includes a Pepper Tree that is prohibited. He said they should include that in their communication to the NorthStar HOA.

Santee City Law Prohibiting Pepper Trees in Wildland Urban Interface Areas (WUI), in addition to the prohibition in Sky Ranch Governing Documents

Homeowner #4 said she did not receive the notice for the May meeting. She requested that they hold the meetings later in the day so more people can attend.

She asked about the developments for the retaining wall at Dracena/Claret. The HOA did not have an update and will discuss it more in Executive Session. She complained about how long it has taken, approximately 14 years. She said that the last time it was approved it took so long that the cost increased. Chris Andre said that lately they are going back and forth over the permit. Ed said that the City told them that it needs to be approved by Padre Dam.

Homeowner #5 asked why the meetings aren’t held in person. She said too many people can't attend during the day. People drive "Like a bat out of hell," on Cala Lily. She said it isn't just young people. It includes parents. She said that she spoke to a deputy about enforcing the speed limit on Calico, but he said the streets are private. Dave Q. said that he’s in error. She noted that there are no speed bumps. She recommends that signs be posted. Dave Q. said that the drivers will ignore the signs. Chris said that more people attend the meetings since they've been held virtually.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

Shannon Q addressed the meeting. August 21st is the Ice cream social. She asked that a mass email be sent to save money on flyers. She confirmed with the board that the budget increase for the social committee will go forward as previously discussed. Ian said that they'll send an email. Chris asked her to inquire who would be willing to be the lead of the newsletter. Ian said that FirstService has a newsletter department, so the community only needs to provide content, and FirstService will format it.

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MAY 23, 2024

B. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MAY 2024

Approved unanimously

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. O'CONNELL ANNUAL TREE MAINTENANCE

Approved unanimously.

B. SPRINT POSTAL PROPOSAL

Decal replacement on mailboxes. $2134.15

Mita said that only 2-3 of the receptacles have numbers that aren't visible.

Motion to decline--unanimous

C. SKY RANCH SIGNAGE DISCUSSION

Chris suggested that they table the topic because for possible speed limit signs.

Ed and Mita suggested further discussion of speed bumps.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

A. MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE

Tiffany Rivers will be the next Community Manager. She starts next Friday. She will be supervised by Ian. Ian says that he will send the community an email.

IX. NEXT BOARD MEETING

August 22, 2024

Chris asked about Executive Meeting at 4p, Open Meeting at 5p. Three homeowners said it would be helpful. He told Ian Navarro to check into what happened with the May meeting notifications.

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 04-25-2024

May 31, 2024 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 04-25-2024 3:06pm

Meeting conducted via teleconference (Zoom)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Mita Schumacher, Ed Wenz

FirstService Residential

Nadine Bell - Community Manager

Organizational Meeting

There was a discussion about the officers, then a vote.

ORGANIZATION OF OFFICERS

PRESIDENT: Chris Andre

VICE PRESIDENT: David Samo

TREASURER: Dave Quinsey

SECRETARY: Mita Schumacher

MEMBER AT LARGE: Ed Wenz

Above officers approved unanimously

Adjourn 3:21pm

Open Session Meeting 3:26pm

EXECUTIVE SESSION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/ANNOUNCEMENT

III. COMMITTEE UPDATE & INVITED GUESTS

1. SOCIAL COMMITTEE REPORT JANUARY 2022

2. SOCIAL COMMITTEE BUDGET INCREASE REQUEST

3. SOCIAL COMMITTEE UPCOMING EVENT/S CHECK REQUEST

4. SOCIAL COMMITTEE CARD INCREASE REQUEST

Representatives from the Social Committee attended and spoke to their requests.

Budget increase: $5000 to $6000 for next fiscal year.

Checks to vendors: Tacos in the Park $1475.21; $1050 ice cream social

They requested $1000 increase for the year, increasing the limit on the debit card to $5000. The card doesn't allow them to load enough to pay with the budget allocated. Costs have increased. They want to do some additional entertainment e.g. photo booth for Fall Festival.

There was a discussion about the costs/convenience related to the card vs cashier check.

Ed asked about participation and how outsiders are screened.

The events are announced as "Sky Ranch only." The committee does its best to monitor and they have asked some people to leave but they have not had a problem. Tacos in the Park had 120 RSVP, and attendance at other events is increasing.

Directors unanimously approved the checks and the $5000 limit of the debit card. The budget increase will be considered when the annual budget is completed.

IV. REPORTS

1. MANAGEMENT REPORT/S

2. WORK ORDER REPORT

3. LANDSCAPE WALKTHROUGH/PUNCHLIST

4. STORM WATER INSPECTION REPORTS

5. RESIDENT SUPPORT SERVICES REPORT

Mita asked about a report that irrigation is spraying on fence on Triana. Nadine said that the landscaper will check it. Mita asked about converting it to drip. She said replacing fences would be expensive. Chris said it was discussed previously and shields were mentioned. Nadine will discuss it with the contractor. Ed suggested that she ask the contractor for a recommendation. Ed asked that they look at the sprinkler behind his property to ensure that he didn't damage it while performing maintenance. He said he'll pay for any damage.

V. HOMEOWNER FORUM

No speakers.

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FEBRUARY 2024

Approved unanimously except Mita who abstained because she was not a director at that time.

2. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. MERRILL LYNCH RECOMMENDATION

Approved unanimously except Chris who abstained.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

1. O'CONNELL PROPOSAL PLANT INSTALLATION

Behind home on Cala Lily, Yucca and Cactus for erosion, $270. They asked if the boards were going to be removed. Directors said that the homeowner installed the boards and they should be removed. Ed commented that the area is FMZ, so the plants would establish roots without using irrigation. Chris said that the root establishment sounds appropriate, but the area may need to be rebuilt. Ed commented that the erosion might continue. Chris said it needs a bigger plan and the homeowner should be involved. Chris said they'd need to remove the homeowner's boards and gravel that was installed. Chris said the drainage isn't adequate. Mita said it's going to need more than Yucca and Cactus, something that's going to grow and spread. Ed said they need more investigation. Ed talked about other slope issues. Chris said the HOA and homeowners need to do their part to prevent erosion.

Nadine will inform the homeowner that they need to install plants on their slope, and discuss with the landscaper what the HOA will do. Ed and Chris said rocks and debris will come down if the boards are removed.

They will ask the contractor further information, and discuss plant installation with the homeowner, and the homeowner will be invited to discuss it with the board when they have a plan. At the next meeting they plan to review what the landscaper proposes, then move forward.

2. O'CONNELL ANNUAL TREE MAINTENANCE

Board previously approved a three year plan. Now considering $15,352 for 2024, which is the second year. Ed said that none of the trees were topped, but it might not be allowed. Nadine said that they aren't supposed to top the trees, and it makes them unhealthy. Nadine said some homeowners have topped trees because she knows that the HOA didn't pay for it. It is apparent that some people are cutting HOA trees to improve the view which is not allowed. Nadine said that the trees belong to everyone in the community. Chris said the root structure is needed.

Tabled

3. O'CONNELL COMMON AREA MULCH INSTALLATION

$2100 Focal areas Monticello, Triana, and Mariposa.

Yes: Dave Q, David Samo, Chris, Ed

No: Mita

4. O'CONNELL IRRIGATION REPAIRS

$6094.20

Fire exit from Monticello to the bottom of the hill.

Nadine said that she and Ed met with the Fire Marshal.

Nadine said that she will send the proposal to the Fire Marshal for confirmation that it is supposed to be irrigated.

5. O'CONNELL IRRIGATION REPAIR

Proposal to backfill the dirt to cover mainline irrigation PVC $740, which is part of the project discussed under item #1.

Tabled

6. O'CONNELL REPLACE COMMON AREA LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION

$608 Remove struggling Lantana on Mirador, replace with White Rock Rose and another. David Samo asked about the location but couldn't review the photo because he was driving. Dave Quinsey and Mita asked if the irrigation was operating.

Approved unanimously. Nadine will ask the contractor to check the irrigation.

7. HOMEOWNER/S CORRESPONDENCE

Request for considering installation of speed limit signs.

Directors were skeptical that it would deter speeders. Mita considered painted signs on the street surface. The City would have to take the action. Nadine asked if the HOA would contact the City. Ed and David Samo suggested homeowners can contact the City. Chris raised the issue of aesthetics of adding signs and other warnings.

Nadine will tell the homeowner to contact the City. A director said that she can request speed bumps. Chris said that homeowners were unhappy with previous speed bumps and in response Lennar cut them back.

8. BUILDING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PET WASTE STATIONS

$776. Replace existing with a pet station with a small trash can. The original doesn't have a trash can.

Unanimously approved

9. BUILDING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FENCE REPAIR

Remove and replace (2) 2x6 Morella Street (Woodcrete fence) <Approx $1000>

Unanimously approved

10. SPRINT POSTAL PROPOSAL

Decals on mailboxes are faded. Brushed black foil decals $2115. Dave Quinsey said the cost is exorbitant. Nadine said the cost is primarily labor. Ed questioned whether the decals would hold on oxidized metal. Nadine recommended that Ed contact Sprint Postal, if they are going to table the issue. Ed suggested that the mailboxes might need to be repainted first. David Samo said he looked and found that some do not need to be replaced.

Tabled.

11. SKY RANCH SIGNAGE DISCUSSION

Chris wants to ask the City to the install "No Outlet,""Dead End" signs:

No Outlet--near Graves at the bend; another midway up the hill; another by Northstar; East side of Calico near the mailboxes; Lower end of Mariposa, going up Mariposa; Cala Lily at Monticello.

Dead End: Morella near the trail; top before Baja Ocotillo.

Ed suggested the sign at Graves be at the bus turnaround, and perhaps at Calico, to avoid encouraging u-turns in the middle of the road. He asked Chris if he thought all the signs would make a difference. The aesthetic issue was raised again.

Directors will review the location and number of signs to be requested.

Ed suggested that perhaps other signage should be considered e.g. "No parking on street corners" at Calico/Sevilla, and perhaps some additional red curbs.

12. SECURITY FIRST PATROL HOURS DISCUSSION

Change in patrol hours from 8pm-4am to 7pm-3:30am. Friday, Saturday, Sunday--dedicated. Other nights five visits.

Approved unanimously

13. NEXT BOARD MEETING: May 23, 2024

14. ADJOURN: 5:51pm

Personal Notes, HOA Meetings 02-22-2024

February 23, 2024 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 02-22-2024 3:00pm

Meeting conducted via teleconference (Zoom)

Reconvened Annual Meeting

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Ed Wenz

FirstService Residential

Nadine Bell - Community Manager

Inspector of Elections-Jennifer

25% ballot return required for quorum, which wasn’t met.

58 ballots were needed, but only 55 ballots were returned. No ballots have been received for the last two weeks.

The meeting will be reconvened on March 14th. The requirement for 58 ballots will not be lowered.

Jennifer said a law was recently passed that lowers it to 20% in the future.

ADJOURN 3:13pm

OPEN SESSION MEETING 3:13pm

<Note: One of the costs is missing and others might be slightly inaccurate, so check official minutes when available. They read rapidly from a packet that is not available to the audience. Landscape proposals during this meeting were not discussed in detail e.g types of plants. The directors have the proposals in their packets to review.>

II. EXECUTIVE SESSION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/ANNOUNCEMENT

Executive session was held prior to the open meeting.

III. COMMITTEE UPDATE & INVITED GUESTS

No updates so nothing was discussed

IV. REPORTS

1. MANAGEMENT REPORT/S

2. WORK ORDER REPORT

3. LANDSCAPE WALKTHROUGH/PUNCHLIST

4. STORM WATER INSPECTION REPORTS

No discussion

V. HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1: <This homeowner couldn’t be heard. It seemed they communicated via chat, or perhaps the HOA addressed her comment based on a previous email.> Water running. Nadine said, that all the HOA water is turned off, maybe a homeowner’s water is responsible for the issue.

Homeowner #2:

The executive session agenda again lists “Personnel Matters.” He wondered who they were talking about since the HOA has no employees/personnel. The agenda is inaccurate.

“Please post the minutes from the last meeting ASAP, so we don’t have to exchange email to get them.”

He showed a photo of a tree trimming that he described as a butchering. Nadine said that the HOA didn’t do that.

At the April 27, 2023, meeting he explained the fire hazard conditions (fuel modification zones) and showed pictures of the south emergency access road, and a diagram from the CC&Rs showing the HOA’s responsibility. He didn’t understand why they didn’t take action. It is clearly documented in the CC&Rs. “I’m suing you” and yet you ignored this.

After ten months of inaction there appears to be some brush clearing, and the debris has been left in the street, including entire trees. There are filled trash bags thrown to the side of the road. It’s unsafe, it’s negligent, and the brush clearing is already included in the landscape so there is no additional cost or excuse. He showed a series of photos taken the day of the meeting which are difficult to present in a Zoom meeting, but he said they would be available online. Wenz commented on the irrigation equipment in the photo and that it was temporary. Homeowner referred him to the CC&Rs (FMZ) and City code (FMZ, Fire Apparatus Road). He said there are staked trees that are dead. It has not been cleared in years. He said all of the emergency access roads and the main entrance are compromised.

Emergency Access Road, debris left in the street.

Trash bags with debris along the emergency access road.

Irrigation equipment by the emergency access road.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES JANUARY 2024

Approved unanimously

2. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The statements were not available when the packet was created, they will be added to the March packet.

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. ADDITIONAL TRASH RECEPTACLE LOCATIONS

BRM says that they took a financial loss the last time. Samo asked them to break down labor and parts. Nadine will resubmit to the contractor, therefore tabled for now. Wenz said there should always be such a breakdown.

2. COST SHARE DISCUSSION

No new information to discuss.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

1. NEWMAN CPA, PC 2023 REPRESENTATION REVIEW AND TAXES

$1700 for the 2023 review.

Approved unanimously.

2. O'CONNELL COMMON AREA STRAW WADDLE INSTALLATION

Directors reviewed a map of areas to install straw wattle.

Approved unanimously.

3. O'CONNELL CALA LILY SLOPE BEAUTIFICATION PROPOSAL

$6410 Approved unanimously.

Samo asked if it has straw there now.

Wenz said the open space and the area maintained by the HOA is clearly defined.

4. O'CONNELL MARIPOSA STREET FOCAL AREA BEAUTIFICATION PROPOSAL

$2103

Additional plantings at corner of Mariposa and Mara Villa

Samo wanted to avoid a situation like where poles were pulled by someone who owns the property. Ed said that this is not Morella.

Quinsey said that he did not have access to it. <Note: We saw the map as Nadine put it on the screen.> Apparently, hyperlinks weren’t working on the document. Quinsey said that he can’t get past page 8. Nadine sent it to him via email, then she sent it to him via Drop Box

Approved unanimously except Quinsey abstained as he couldn’t review it.

5. O'CONNELL OCOTILLO STREET SLOPE BEAUTIFICATION PROPOSAL

$774

Plantings on Ocotillo slope.

Samo asked who could see it. Nadine said it can be seen from Ocotillo. Chris said it was a minimal cost and shouldn’t leave out homeowners. Wenz said that it is very visible from the street below. He said it is referred to as Baja Ocotillo.

Approved unanimously except for Dave Quinsey who couldn’t review it in the packet.

6. O'CONNELL COMMON AREA MULCH INSTALLATION

4 proposals, total $9525

Mirador and Sevilla

Bella Vista

Monticello

Triana

Wenz said they need it for erosion control

Approved unanimously except for Dave Quinsey who couldn’t review it in the packet.

Wenz offered to go to his house and check his settings.

7. HOMEOWNER/S CORRESPONDENCE

None received.

8. NEWSLETTER APPROVAL AND DISCUSSION

$105.80

Single page or front/back, every other month.

Approved unanimously except for Dave Quinsey who abstained.

9. POSTCARD REMINDER PROPOSAL

4x6, two-sided, $330

Reminder regarding violations of community rules, specifically commercial vehicles.

Photo and verbiage not determined yet. “The white magnetic signs don’t work anymore.”

Approved unanimously except for Dave Quinsey who abstained.

IX. NEXT BOARD MEETING March 28, reconvened on March 14.

X. ADJOURNED 3:59pm

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 01/25/2024

January 25, 2024 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 01-25-2024 3:10pm

Meeting conducted via teleconference (Zoom)

Annual Meeting lacked quorum.

Needed 118 ballots

49 ballots returned

Annual meeting to be reconvened February 22nd

<3:11 pm>

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Ed Wenz

FirstService Residential

Nadine Bell - Community Manager

Executive Meeting was held prior to this meeting.

IV. REPORTS

A. MANAGEMENT REPORT/S

B. WORK ORDER REPORT

C. LANDSCAPE WALKTHROUGH/PUNCHLIST STORM WATER INSPECTION REPORTS

D. STORM WATER INSPECTION REPORTS

HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1

Decide the method of delivering the electronic agenda and use it consistently. It has been sent a numbe of ways: Email with download link; email with attachment; email with the agenda in the body of the email; This time we received an email simply stating that the agenda is on the FirstService website.

The phone number for the meeting doesn’t work. The message said, “It isn’t supported.” Nadine said she would remove the number. The homeowner said that they test the numbers that they use.

He recommended against funding the agenda item Graves Avenue Trash Pickup. He noted the number of other activities that should be the priority for the landscapers. E.g. Weeding; Removing the large number of prohibited plants that pose a fire danger; Checking the irrigation; Maintaining the landscape along the emergency access roads. He said brush is protruding into the roads. He said that homeowners will not be able to use those roads if there is nearby fire. Fire and life saving equipment won’t be able to enter.

Homeowner #2: He said that he agreed with Homeowner #1 in that the electronic invite is not consistent. He said that there are a lot of hoops to jump through.

Chris asked him how he joined the meeting. He said the email was a notification and he logged onto the website to get the agenda.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES NOVEMBER 2023

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DECEMBER 2023

C. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Approved unanimously without discussion

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. O'CONNELL GRAVES AVENUE TRASH PICK UP

David Samo said the City has other priorities. He said they do it quarterly, but it isn’t enough. It approves the attractiveness coming into the community.

Wenz asked about quotes. Nadine said $150 per week.

Chris Andre suggested every two weeks. It is outside of the contract. The HOA could do a work order for additional collections. Chris said it will improve the appearance.

Chris said it is the entire west side of Graves up to the condos. He said it is the right-of-way along the road.

Samo made the motion for bi-weekly (every two weeks). Wenz 2nd. Approved unanimously.

B. ADDITIONAL TRASH RECEPTACLE LOCATIONS

Nadine said that the installation cost by BRM has increased to $4069.10 for three new receptacles.

Chris mentioned two locations halfway up Sevilla, and near Sevilla/Calico near the mailbox.

Samo suggested one near the entrance.

Motion to approve up to $4069.10, but a discount will be requested.

Tabled to determine the location and request discount.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. COST SHARE DISCUSSION

Nadine repeatedly said that this was item C under unfinished business, but in the agenda it is item A under New Business.

Annual cost share with NorthStar

$3969.80

$5241.57

$3678.85 (owed)

Approved unanimously

B. SAN DIEGO STORMWATER SOLUTIONS PROPOSAL

Need to clean 6 CDS units $7104.

Approved unanimously

C. HOMEOWNER/S CORRESPONDENCE

Remove one of two trees behind her home. She said that she is willing to pay the expense. Management does not recommend removal of common areas trees unless causing damage. The discussion was that it would open a can of worms to remove trees to protect views.

D. O'CONNELL COMMON AREA PLANT INSTALLATION

$500 Rock Rose, Sevilla “Area 5” near first home on the right coming up the hill.

Approved unanimously

<Note: Never heard of property identified as “Area 5.” In the Governing Documents the land is identified by lot number/letter.>

E. O'CONNELL MONUMENT PLANT INSTALLATION

$570 Birds of Paradise, 15 - 5 gallon. Rabbits ate the recent plantings.

Chris suggested they would be placed on Sevilla, going up the hill, between the Bougainvillea, to add color. From monument to the block wall.

Approved unanimously

F. O'CONNELL COMMON AREA MULCH INSTALLATION

Nadine said that she doesn’t have the map, yet.

Quinsey says he’d like to know the cost per foot. He noted the total is $11,980.

The wrong item was attached to the packet.

The landscapers ran out of mulch before completing the job along the entrance.

Tabled.

IX. NEXT BOARD MEETING

The Associations next regularly scheduled Open Session Meeting is to be held on February 22, 2024. (Per the agenda, but not discussed, though the annual meeting will be reconvened on that day.)

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 12-18-2023

December 19, 2023 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 12-18-2023 1:16pm

Meeting conducted via teleconference (Zoom)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Ed Wenz

FirstService Residential

Nadine Bell - Community Manager

No executive session held prior to the meeting.

HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1:

She requested a member list for screening people wanting access to an unofficial online group.

Nadine said that homeowners can opt out of such lists using the web site.

Homeowner #2a:

He asked about the kind of plants that will be used on HOA property next to his lot. Will they meet fire guidelines. He said that the HOA uses Bougainvillea which is not ideal.

Directors responded that the landscaper proposed Bougainvillea that will be low lying, Orchid Rock Rose, plants that are not on the Do Not Plant list.

He asked, can I push back on Bougainvillea being planted so close to the house?

Homeowner #2b: She said, please don’t plant Bougainvillea. The flowers are flammable. They are prohibited in other communities.

Chris: They will proceed without Bougainvillea and reassess; he apologized about it and will proceed with something else. He said that the landscapers said Bougainvillea will be kept low lying.

Homeowner #3:

The meeting wasn’t posted as required by the Governing Documents nor as the email stated.

He said that the HOA needs ground cover growing. Straw wattle should be a temporary measure. Mulch is needed in many areas in the community.

He said Nadine came to his lot about a year ago and said it would take time to fix the landscape. He said he appreciates what was done, but it is still very bad. He said it seems that talking to the HOA simply doesn’t work. He then showed three photos, two of which he previously sent to the HOA at their request.

He said much of the slope above his house remains barren. He said the ground is eroding and exposing the roots of a tree. He said this condition has only worsened since he first sent the photo.

Erosion exposing tree roots. Barren ground.

He then showed a photo of a Pepper Tree, that he previously sent to the HOA. He said it is prohibited by City code because we are in a wildland urban interface.

Prohibited Pepper Tree that should be removed.

He then showed a photo of how the HOA addressed the tree. Rather than cutting it down, most of the upper branches were chopped off and a few sprigs of leaves left.

What the HOA did rather than remove the prohibited tree.

Chris asked why the posting of the agendas is an issue if he knows when the meeting is held. He said that they addressed the posting issue. He also complained about the cost of litigation.

The homeowner responded that they addressed the law regarding the posting requirement, but are ignoring the requirement in the Governing Documents e.g. bylaws. He said all of their issues are the result of failing to follow the Governing Documents, and that they should abide by the documents that they are also required to enforce.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

New Business

O’Connell Mulch Installation

Monument to Calico/Sevilla

$2600

Approved unanimously

Chris said they met with O’Connell and this is some of the results.

O’Connell Sevilla Street Plant Installations

5 planting quotes, each side of Sevilla, and at Calico/Sevilla

1-4 proposals approved unanimously

#5 not approved to reconsider bougainvillea. Ed said bougainvillea is not a fire risk to their knowledge.

$1788

Next Meeting, January 25, 2024

Adjourned 1:43pm

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 11-30-2023

December 02, 2023 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 11-30-2023 3:42pm

Meeting conducted via teleconference (Zoom)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, Ed Wenz

Directors Absent: David Samo

FirstService Residential

Nadine Bell - Community Manager

REPORTS

Management Reports

Work Order Report

Landscape Walkthrough/Punchlist

Storm Water Inspection Reports

Resident Support Services Report

V-Ditch Inspection Report

-No discussion

HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #2

She noted that she’s observed screens broken out, lawns with weeds, etc. She asked if they have homeowners on the landscape committee to send letters to the homeowners.

Nadine: She said that there is no landscape committee, She drives the community with O’Connell.

Homeowner #2 said that complaints requires two people to complain.

She’s not talking about little weeds. She said that they aren’t pleasing yards to look at. So many slopes are dirt covered or weeds. Nadine said she knows about the slopes and is following up on the slopes

Ed said they need more eyes and ears and know when issues aren’t resolved.

She said it is important to recognize homeowners who have great landscape and make the community look good.

Homeowner #1

He said, I have the impression that the employees of FirstService are over worked. I have no idea how many communities each of these employees must service. We should be making their job easier by simply following the rules and enforcing the rules.

He asked if there any reason you think you don’t have to follow the Governing Documents, specifically, the Bylaws which state, “Notice of all regular meetings shall be posted in a prominent place in the Association Property…not less than four (4) days prior to the meeting.” He asked, is there something I’m missing?

Excerpt from bylaws, part of the governing documents.

He asked, one day did directors just decide it’s too much effort to post the agenda, without any notice to the community?

Who made the decision to not post the agenda for today’s meetings?

Was it another secret meeting? Why not simply discuss it in a meeting.

He said, that despite your attorney stating that you are following the Governing Documents, I have two new examples to the contrary this past week. First, failing to post the agendas. Second, taking 2 months to supply a budget document that the CC&Rs require to be available within 10 days.

He said to make it easier to manage. If you were more open, and hadn’t purged your knowledgeable volunteers, it would be easier to manage. And maybe walk the half block to the park to post the agenda. Maybe look at the landscape.

Discussion:

Nadine said that legal counsel said that they comply with the law, by posting the policy about where the agenda can be found.

Homeowner #1 said that the governing documents are additional requirements.

Nadine said that they put their policy in the budget document.

Homeowner #1 said the governing documents take precedence. He said he will pursue it. Chris Andre said they would research it further.

Chris Andre asked the homeowner if he was in litigation with the HOA.

Homeowner #1 said yes, and asked what that had to do with it.

He said it has been nine years since the HOA purged the volunteers. He said there was an election and the homeowners made a decision. Homeowner #1 said that the homeowners elected a board of directors, then the board of directors purged the volunteers. He said the HOA got rid of knowledgeable volunteers who are still in the community, who clearly are needed, and the HOA never repaired the damage and doesn’t have a large pool of volunteers from which to choose.

Chris Andre asked if Nadine had visited the site by his home. Homeowner #1 responded that she had, and she saw the issues, and there has been improvement, but there are still problems. He said at a prior meeting the board acknowledged the terrible condition of the property at Sevilla and Calico, but they never did anything about it. Chris said to send more information.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

CONSENT CALENDAR

Approval of Minutes October 2023

Financial Statements

-Approved with no discussion

NEW BUSINESS

CDS Unit Cleaning

Building Resources Management Notice

Effective November 1, $61.05 per hour and $22.50 for <something else—too fast to type>

O’Connell Graves Avenue Trash Pick Up <Proposal to pick up trash on Graves Avenue>

Corner of Graves, $150 per week.

As you turn left onto Graves from Prospect. No vegetation on left side, right of way. Chris said they spoke to the City, but they don’t keep up the area.

Ed said that he wished the slope by the park was included for $150

Chris said the City is not taking care of the property by the park with the proper cadence.

Nadine asked if $150 per work order would be better, but Chris said it needs to be done regularly.

Ed asked if this is “before the area we are required to maintain.” Chris said ‘Yes”

Chris said it is on the west side of Graves across from the apartments.

Chris said is the whole length of Graves, but not right at Prospect.

Chris said it is a 4-5ft area with just mulch. He said he asked the City to install plants, but there is no water.

Ed suggested that they table it.

Chris said Samo is in favor.

Chris said that Nadine has had it cleaned periodically. Nadine handled it informally, paying them with donuts, though it wasn’t clear if they meant donuts literally.

Homeowner #2 asked if the NorthStar condo would contribute to the cost.

O’Connell Straw Waddle [sic] Replacement

$11,980 proposal to replace all straw wattle.

Dave Q asked for it to be tabled for a map. Ed agreed.

Chris said the map is on page 75.

3550 feet straw wattle, plus stakes.

Chris said it shows on the bottom of Triana, Sevilla north side of road from Cala Lily to Calico, then down Mirador.

Ed said it didn’t need to be near the sidewalk. He said they over-installed during the storm water issue. He said it isn’t needed where it is flat dirt next to the sidewalk. Ed said he hadn’t seen this map and would like time to review it.

Ed, Chris, Nadine, and Homeowner #2 will meet to review/discuss.

Item tabled.

O’Connell Brow Ditch Estimate

Location/mapping was discussed.

Ed said the intent is to repair as needed. He said it might be better to work on it every two weeks rather than spend $10,000 to fix. Nadine said it involved repairs, and then Ed said it might be beyond cleanup every two weeks.

This is related to repairs paid from the Lennar settlement.

Nadine said the link in the board’s packet wasn’t working, so she was working on it.

Nadine displayed a map with locations.

They didn’t state the cost, presumably it was written in the board packet, but Nadine said the cost was only for the report, not the repairs.

Item tabled.

Settlement Project Discussion

Nadine said they have a laundry list of items that they can fix using the settlement funds $315,000.

The settlement funds are in a separate fund from the reserve funds.

Examples of work is slopes, slopes too steep leading to erosion, lack of grommets and paint to prevent rust where cable meets fence posts which can be a liability because some of the cables have broken.

Chris said they need to get bids for safety fencing issues.

Ed said that it sounds like they didn’t use galvanized cable and posts.

Chris suggested that it needs to be strong enough to support a person that falls against it.

Nadine said this agenda topic was to review the report.

Ed said he can make a list of priorities, with safety the most important.

Additional Trash Receptacle Locations

It is expected to be a little more expensive, perhaps 5%, than those approved in May.

Homeowner #2 mentioned that she sees some people aren’t picking up after their dogs. They briefly discussed existing bag stations. She said she’s seen some people putting their home trash in the HOA trash cans.

Chris said they’ve heard good feedback about the trash cans. He suggested Nadine get bids for another three.

Ed asked how much they are being used. Dave Q said some people still throw trash by the cans. Homeowner #2 said the can at Triana has been used by homeowners for home trash. Chris explained those were original cans installed by the developer. Chris said the HOA installed cans at Castilla, Sevilla near Calico, and halfway up Mariposa. Chris said he’s seen trash in the Castilla and Sevilla cans.

Chris suggested that Nadine also get quotes for dog bag/trash can stations. Chris asked the homeowners for feedback on locations.

Community Newsletter

Chris would like to resume the newsletter that was discontinued when they lacked content. Persons that may contribute: Mita S., Teresa G., and Shanon O., Homeowner #2 said she had suggested content to one of the potential contributors. Chris said the Social Committee will work on it. It could include events e.g. Tacos in the Park, Christmas lights awards. Homeowner #2 said Mita was in this meeting but got bounced off and they were texting. Nadine said she would send her a link. Chris will be the committee chair.

Chris motion to start the newsletter, Ed second, unanimous approval.

Cost Share Discussion

Nadine has been unable to get a meeting with the accounting department.

Ed asked if the total is $3021.38

Chris said this issue can’t be tabled, and that they need to deal with it now.

Nadine said Northstar had a question which she referred to accounting, but she hasn’t received a response.

They reviewed some of the correspondence between Nadine and Northstar.

Chris motion to reimburse Northstar for FY 2020 $3090.56

Ed asked if it can be broken down, itemized, to avoid run-on sentences with numbers. He said it would be easier with columns, subtotals etc.

Motion approved unanimously

FY 2021: $419.88

Chris said that it appears she (Northstar) notes discrepancies. He asked Nadine who works on it, the accounting department? Nadine said, yes. Chris said it appears Northstar is mixing years. He said they invited her to attend this call and the previous call, but she hasn’t participated.

The correspondence included various places where Northstar says they were erroneously invoiced by Sky Ranch.

Nadine recommended more research as she pulled up a spreadsheet that is completely different than what is in the email. She said she will pursue it with accounting. Chris said they really needed to have accounting prepared for this.

Chris recommended that they approve $419.88 as requested by Northstar, and they can resolve it later if the accounting department finds an error.

Ed reiterated the need for a spreadsheet that has columns, totals, etc.

Nadine said $2117 is owed by Northstar according to a spreadsheet, but Northstar says there are discrepancies.

Unanimously approved $419.88 reimbursement to Northstar.

Chris said accounting needs to review, they can do a quick meeting to review/approve.

Chris asked Nadine if the 2023-2024 cost share budget had been sent to Northstar. Nadine said if she hasn’t, she will.

Chris and Ed will work on it. Nadine will pursue it with the accounting department.

Landscape Improvement

Chris said he has been concerned that they have been upping their game for the service contract. More work is performed when the HOA interacts with them. He pointed out that there is mulch lacking near the monument. HOA only recently learned that the 4G controllers had been received. Chris said they need to be more proactive. Chris said greenscape is dying due to malfunctioning irrigation, and shouldn’t the 4G controllers should provide insight. Chris said the irrigation should be getting tested.

Chris mentioned the West side of Graves, City could care less [sic], and it has boiled over to the park. He said he doesn’t think they service the side slopes at all.

Ed would like the landscapers to blow the sidewalks by the park. He noted that the City is responsible, but it looks bad.

Next Board Meeting not set

Adjourned 6:13pm

The Meetings Will Be Held Tomorrow

November 29, 2023 by Sky Ranch Santee

It appears that they plan to go forward with the meetings. The property manager states, “I have confirmed with the association’s legal counsel that the notice of meeting falls within Civil Code guidelines as the notice was posted to the Sky Ranch Resident Portal and sent via mass communication via email to the membership on 11/26.”

It may be an interesting meeting. I’ll tell them what appears to be their oversight and look forward to their explanation.

The reason these notifications are important is that the board isn’t allowed to discuss or act on non-emergency items without proper notice.

Agendas for HOA Meetings Tomorrow Still Not Posted

November 29, 2023 by Sky Ranch Santee

While the HOA board executive and open meetings are scheduled for tomorrow, no agendas have been posted on the bulletin board as required. I have sent two emails to the property manager, but received no response. The open meeting should have been canceled already for improper notice, and now the executive session will need to be canceled. On several occasions in the past, the HOA has waited until the day of the meeting, sometimes minutes before, to issue the cancellations. This is the same HOA board of directors that tells homeowners they value their attendance at meetings. I will make time to attend the meeting to hold them accountable.

Anticipate Meeting Cancellation, Agendas Not Posted.

November 27, 2023 by Sky Ranch Santee

Agendas for November 30 open and executive HOA meetings were sent via email. As of today, November 27, the agendas have not been posted, so it is safe to anticipate a cancellation. If you are new to the community, this happens periodically.

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 10-12-2023

October 14, 2023 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 10-12-2023 3:03pm

Meeting conducted via teleconference (WebEx)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Ed Wenz

FirstService Residential

Nadine Bell - Community Manager

HOA Lawyer: Carrie Heieck, Tinnelly Law

REPORTS

Management Reports

Work Order Report

Landscape Walkthrough/Punchlist

Storm Water Inspection Reports

Resident Support Services Report

-FirstService Customer Service line with same day turn around

V-Ditch Inspection Report

No discussion

HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1

At the last meeting the board needed to vote yes or no on the budget. Dave Samo hijacked that discussion to discuss rebidding/reviewing the cost of landscape. It wasted everyone’s time. If you want to do that then put that item on the agenda, make a motion. Better yet, drive around and observe what was neglected e.g. Mirador, Dracena, Cala Lily. His focus seems solely on cost, not work accomplished or quality. He could focus on work in our contract that isn’t being done. He pursues improvements in his area e.g. security, trash cans. Directors are supposed to work for the benefit of the whole community. Governing Documents require you to maintain the landscape, not these other issues.

After speaking at the last meeting your lawyer commented that the HOA is complying with the Governing Documents. To the extent that they have violated the Open Meetings Act, and failed to maintain the landscape, they are not complying. Homeowners should understand that the lawyer may be ignorant of what’s happened, or just fulfilling her role as a mouthpiece for the HOA.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

CONSENT CALENDAR

Approval of Minutes August 2023

Financial Statements

Approved without discussion

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Block Wall Project Update

Ed Wenz: They didn’t have the sufficient quantity for Dracena and Claret.

They don’t need 3ft high walls. The average height will be 24” plus 3” cap, total 27” to keep dirt from falling on the sidewalk. Need to discuss with City to determine how far back the wall should be.

There are three options. Ed read the dollar amount from option #3. The other options weren’t discussed in the meeting.

Ed said, it is less a retaining wall, than to keep debris from going on the sidewalk. Debris can cause a trip hazard.

Discussed funding: Lennar settlement vs Reserve. They seemed to agree that funding from the settlement would be appropriate.

Ed didn’t think the original design would be approved by the City if it were proposed today.

Motion to approve option #3: $61,917 includes 10% cushion that doesn’t have to be spent.

Approved

Homeowner #2 asked the location of the wall.

Location of wall: Claret, past the 2nd house on the right, around the corner to Dracena, follows up to existing granite stone homeowner retaining wall

Reserve Study Draft Approval

Ed asked about draft. Given the dates on the document it isn’t clear that this is the current document i.e. representing current conditions. Ed wants to ensure that the provider didn’t just simply copy the document from last year.

Tabled until the next meeting so the document can be reviewed.

NEW BUSINESS

Merrill Lynch Recommendation

9 month CD $100k 4.9% to 5.3% APY

Dave Quinsey asked about the page number of the item being discussed.

Nadine said that she had the Executive Packet mailed to Dave Quinsey because he prefers hard copy.

Chris abstain; Ed, DQ and DS yes. Approved

CDS Unit Cleaning

$1150 each $6900 total

Approved unanimously

Illuminate - Holiday Lighting Installation

Installation planned November 22, $1831.50

Approved unanimously

Date Next Board Meeting: To be determined, will be announced.

Adjourned 3:39 pm

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 08-24-2023

August 25, 2023 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 08-24-2023 3:06pm

Meeting conducted via teleconference (WebEx)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, David Samo, Ed Wenz

Directors Absent: Dave Quinsey

FirstService Residential

Nadine Bell - Community Manager

HOA Lawyer: Carrie Heieck, Tinnelly Law

REPORTS

Management Reports

Work Order Report

Landscape Walkthrough/Punchlist

Storm Water Inspection Reports

No discussion

HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1

She said it looks like the border wall is being discussed, and she asked when it will be completed. Ed responded, eight weeks.

She said that she understands that you are volunteers and that the current time works for you. Perhaps we could compromise and start meetings at 4:30pm. She has talked to some neighbors who agree.

Homeowner #2

He said three trees (Mirador) that failed years ago were recently replaced. He thanked Nadine for taking action that prior managers did not.

He said that two and a half months ago the board acknowledged the abysmal HOA landscape just off the intersection of Calico and Sevilla. It looks the same, but now weeds are growing. The board suggested that something be proposed to address it. Has anything been done? It is FMZ.

He said that given the length of time to approve tree trimmers (one year) and build the block wall on Claret, the board should focus on landscape, especially fire related issues. The CC&Rs mandate landscape maintenance, especially the FMZs for fire prevention, but there is no requirement for security. If you don’t have time to address the landscape, you don’t have time for other things. He said that FMZ, including an emergency access road, has not been maintained properly.

He said he has no strong opinion about security cameras, but homeowners should be aware that video might be sought in subpoenas.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

Attorney: HOA can’t comment on the allegations of Homeowner #2 because of litigation except to say that the HOA is complying with the Governing Documents.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Approval of Minutes July 2023

Financial Statements

Approved without discussion

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Block Wall Project Update

Ed presented.

Ed had met with Jack Rush, proposal dated 7-19-2023, $47,863.50 $2000 less than the 2nd bidder. Single source responsibility e.g. dirt removal, irrigation, vegetation setup. The proposal includes rock removal if necessary. Modifications caused delays. Motion to approve O’Connell proposal.

Unanimously approved

Flock Camera Discussion

Chris presented.

Entry/exit cameras near Sky Ranch monument LPR license plate readers with signage for deterrence. Cameras would record plates entering and exiting. Only the Sheriff would access the cameras for crime. Flock has arrangements with law enforcement agencies. It would not be for homeowners or directors to access. It doesn’t take away responsibility for homeowners for their own lots, as stated in the CC&Rs. He then talked about the role of the security patrol. He opened the discussion up for homeowner feedback.

Homeowner #3: It would be helpful for capture of catalytic converter thieves. She is in favor.

Homeowner #1: Speaking for herself and her husband, definitely in favor.

Homeowner #2: Maybe they’ll leave the H alone and not camp at the monument. The flourish on the H is gone.

Dave Samo asked about other locations for cameras, though not directed at homes. For example, on Mariposa. Ed suggested one year trial and see how two cameras work. Chris said the contract is for two years but can be ended early.

Paige Hawk from Flock Safety attended. She provided an overview of their services. The HOA would own the footage, but allow law enforcement to access after an incident. Inbound and outbound will be recorded as someone might walk in and drive out. Data is retained 30 days. They handle cleaning and maintenance. They rarely have vandalism on cameras at this height. She said that if they don’t follow through during the 24 months then they take care of you. Chris said a prior representative told them they could cancel the contract after 12 months. Chris asked about the impact on insurance. He asked if homeowners ever litigated that security wasn’t effective. She said they haven’t had any such lawsuits or insurance issues.

Directors offered homeowners a chance to ask questions.

Homeowner #2: Clarify, can the HOA cancel? She said that the contract can be terminated by the HOA. She said it hasn’t happened.

Homeowner #2: Will the Sheriff have ongoing access or with permission after an incident? She said that the HOA determines that. Chris said their method will be to allow only the Sheriff to have access.

Chris asked about newer cameras that may become available. She said that during the contract the cameras will be upgraded.

Dave Samo asked if they work as well at night. She said yes, including bumper stickers, window stickers etc.

$4750 sparrow bundle with discount for having both cameras at one location. $6050 installation

$10,800 total for two years.

Equivalent to $2.15 per house per month.

If approved today, it could be installed in six weeks. After September it will be six to ten weeks due to increased business at that time.

Chris motion to approve the Flock Safety contract and installation for two years $10,800, plus tax. No special assessment is necessary. $6050 paid initially which includes installation and service, the rest due later. A security policy and notification will be sent to homeowners.

Approved unanimously.

There was additional brief discussion about the placement of signs. For example, placement on No Parking signs probably needs City approval.

NEW BUSINESS

2023-2024 Annual Budget Approval

Assessment increase 9.03% to 297.20 per month.

Chris cited inflation including contract fees e.g. landscape, legal, property management. Nadine added storm drain maintenance. Water use increased. He hopes that the new 4G controllers might help with the cost. Nadine cited the annual tree maintenance. Chris added social committee increase.

Samo said the landscape is a large portion of the fees. Have we checked to compare if the price we’re paying is appropriate. He said O’Connell is doing a great job and the community hasn’t looked any better, but we should compare prices. Ed said, if we use a subcontractor to get a bid, we might not get another bid. Ed said that if this were a consideration, we needed to do this earlier in the process, not when approving the budget. Chris said that O’Connell noticed an increase. Samo said they should have O’Connell provide a statement of work to compare to other contractors. Chris said that we already have a contract and scope of work. Nadine shared her experiences with other communities and vendors, and none of the outside vendors provided a better deal than the current contractor. Samo asked how it could possibly hurt us to get another quote. Nadine reiterated what Ed said. Nadine said her other concern might be an underbid, but then charge for extras.

Ed said that they have compared prices in the past, and he isn’t opposed to do it, but not while approving the budget. Ed suggested that Samo might want to take on the project if he wants to do another comparison. He said that he and others have spent a lot of time on the HOA projects. He said Dave Samo and others could get on the landscape committee and work on it. Samo repeated that over time prices should be compared. Ed said that he supports his efforts. Ed said he has a limited amount of time. He said that getting the entire project specified for bids is a lot of work.

Nadine said we are at 2 hours and 23 minutes of meetings. <4:23 pm>

Approved unanimously. Samo paused to respond. He said, he didn’t want his comments neglected. Chris described the reason that they switched to O’Connell. He said that he didn’t disagree with Samo.

Nadine said that she has a big network of landscapers to pull bids from.

Budget is effective October 1.

Merrill Lynch Recommendation (for CDs)

Two CDs expiring soon.

Chris abstained. Dave Quinsey wasn’t present so they didn’t have enough directors to vote, so it was tabled unless he returns. <It was unclear what they meant by “return” as he wasn’t at this meeting.>

O’Connell Brow Ditch Quote

$2200 to make a report.

Ed said that he had asked for safety items to be included but they are unclear <Location I believe>.

Approved unanimously.

Reserve Study Draft Approval

Ed pointed out that they didn’t have a copy, and neither did Nadine. Ed said that if they get the document earlier the directors can read it before the meeting.

Nadine asked for additional items for the next agenda.

Next Board Meeting 09-28-2023

Annual Meeting still in the process, perhaps early December.

Samo asked Chris if they could meet about the trash cans. Chris agreed. He said that based on his conversation with the contractor they could simply provide a photo of the locations.

Adjourned 4:39,

The executive session will resume.

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 07-13-2023

July 25, 2023 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Open Meeting 07-13-2023 3:00pm

Meeting conducted via teleconference (WebEx)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Ed Wenz

FirstService Residential

Nadine Bell - Community Manager

HOA Lawyer, Carrie Heieck (Tinnelly Law)

Shannon Q, Social Commitee, 2nd Annual Ice Cream Social August 23, 2023. Vendors charge 3.75% fee to pay via the debit card. Can they pay with check? Nadine said to submit the information to her. Generally, it takes two weeks to issue a check.

2023/2024 Social Committee budget: She asked for a $1500 increase to $6000. Seven events next year. Vendors are now charging a service fee, and there has been an increase in food costs. They would like to rely less on sponsors, and this year they stayed within budget. Pacific Steel and Kyle Whissel sponsored them this year. They would like to add a Summer Movies in the Park next year.

Ed asked about attendance. She provided some numbers and said the events have been popular.

Shannon asked for the budget to be front loaded at the beginning of the year so that Social Committee members don’t have to use their own cards.

Nadine says the budget will be reviewed/approved at the August meeting.

Shannon would like to organize a neighborhood wide garage sale, at no cost to the HOA. It would be marketed through a real estate company, likely Kyle Whissel. She asked if garage sales were prohibited by the CC&Rs. Nadine said that in other communities it increases traffic and some of the people are a concern to other neighbors.

Ed asked if it is permissible. Ed said it was reviewed before and they were told it was not permissible. Ed doesn’t like the idea of it personally. Dave Q. said he couldn’t cite the exact rule but they aren’t permitted per the Governing Documents.

Ed reiterated the question, is it permissible, and do we want to do it? Shannon said they are only asking whether it’s allowed, and she asked for the citation.

Chris said that he didn’t see anything specifically prohibited. Chris said the issue may be the people coming to the community. Chris suggested maybe the park would be a good location. Ed said an event at the park would be reviewed by the City, and it would be out of their hands. Shannon said the City isn’t taking reservations for the park.

Chris asked if the committee had contributions for a newsletter that will be discussed later in this meeting.

REPORTS

Management Reports

Work Order Report

Landscape Walkthrough/Punchlist

Storm Water Inspection Reports

No discussion.

HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner said that she attended a meeting last year where a vendor would install a camera at the gate that would capture license plates. Nadine said that the topic of cameras is on the agenda. Chris asked her opinion. She said that she is in favor of cameras.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

They asked Carrie her thoughts on cameras. She said members can legally install cameras. She said that the association installing cameras is a different topic that they might want to discuss privately. She said that the HOA is not responsible for security and they need to take care to avoid assuming responsibility, for example, using disclaimers.

Carrie said that she didn’t see anything in the rules prohibiting garage sales. Nadine asked if they would need additional insurance. They discussed the location. Chris interjected that it would be at the entrance, but he was talking about the security camera. Chris said that there is nothing that says they can’t provide security though the HOA isn’t required to maintain it. Carrie said they would need to discuss disclaimers and access to the footage. She mentioned liability if the cameras failed. She said normally homeowners would not get access to the video.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Approval of Minutes June 2023

Financial Statements

Approved unanimously without discussion.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

O’Connell Controller Upgrade Proposal

Dave Q. said the upgrade to 4G will make them function as originally promised. $8,930 (the cost was muffled so it might not be accurate. Dave later mentioned it costs $9000)

3G is obsolete, 5G is not available.

Approved unanimously.

Shared Use Area

Northstar HOA still owes $5241.57. The HOA will submit it to Northstar for their review and acceptance.

Approved unanimously to submit it.

Block Wall Project Update

Ed asked if they got a revised quote from O’Connell. Nadine said, no.

BRM reduced their quote $5000, total $49,000.

Nadine said that Jack said they could have a revised quote next Thursday.

Tabled.

Trash Pick Up & Additional Trash Containers Discussion

BRM said they have the containers. Nadine asked if they have the three locations identified.

Ed said at the Calico/Sevilla location, the HOA controlled portion of homeowner property, would be the appropriate spot. Nadine said that the homeowner opposes it. Ed said it is far from the house. The homeowner was present at the meeting. She said that given the size of the container, it would on her property. The discussion was about putting it by the dog waste bag dispenser. Chris mentioned a location further down the hill (50-75 ft) that might have space for a trash can.

Ed said that this was the result of a complaint, so he asked where the trash is accumulating. Ed said he doesn’t want to offend the homeowner opposed to the trash can. The homeowner said they are throwing it over the side of the hill. Ed said that the can might prevent them from throwing the trash. The homeowner said people already hang out on the rocks and she has found drug paraphernalia. She doesn’t want to make it look like more of a hangout by providing the can.

Chris said definitely off of Castilla, by the mailboxes, at the cul-de-sac. Dave S. agreed.

Nadine asked if any of the directors would meet with BRM. Ed asked if they could simply use a map. Nadine agreed, if someone makes a map. Dave S. said that he would meet with them.

Nadine asked about adding a container to the pet waste station. Chris said it would fill up quickly.

The homeowner asked if they could affix one to the Stop sign. Generally, the directors agreed that they could not. They talked about affixing one to the fence. Ed reminded them that BRM already purchased the trash cans.

Trash can on Mariposa: Dave S. asked if it would attract people. Ed said he thought trash in that area started this topic. Dave S. said that security has been cracking down. He then showed the locations where trash is dropped. Dave S. said it was difficult to identify the best location there. Ed said it should be put where most of the trash is dropped. Dave S. said he’d ask the landscapers where they are picking up trash in that area.

Ed said that the HOA will need estimates for the foundations, if that wasn’t included. Nadie said the proposal included installations on flat dirt.

Break starting at 4:02 pm

Meeting resumed at 4:07 pm

Dave S. and Chris will meet with BRM to finalize locations: approved unanimously.

Flock Camera Discussion

Chris explained: Sparrow bundle 2 LPR at entry/exit $4750 per year, two year agreement. The cameras are on opposite sides of the street to capture traffic entering and exiting. Total $10,800. These are rental cameras. It can be canceled. Solar powered. The service includes maintenance, and vandalism (repair?). They still need to write up some rules for their use e.g. only police get access.

Ed asked how the police would determine who lives up here. Chris said that they don’t need that information, though residency may help rule out some suspects. Only the police would have the access and passwords, and that way a rogue director couldn’t use access. Ed wants the HOA to have “hands off.” Chris agreed.

Ed asked about Neighborhood Watch. Chris gave a brief summary of the prior efforts that faded.

Dave Q. suggested a discussion with the Sheriff.

Nadine said they will need to talk with the lawyer about policies and insurance.

Chris said security service and cameras will increase property values. Dave S. said the more security the better. He said the recent increase in security has helped.

Nadine reiterated that the HOA should avoid the appearance that they will take care of homeowners, in terms of security.

NEW BUSINESS

O’Connell Controller A Valve Replacement

$4030

Approved unanimously without discussion.

Newman CPA, PC 2022 Review and Taxes

Approved unanimously

Newman CPA, PC 2023 Preparation & Review Engagement

$1700

Approved unanimously without discussion

Reserve Study Approval

No action needed

Member Correspondence

Homeowner requested update on block wall project. Nadine will get back to her.

Association Newsletter Discussion

Chris wants it to be done so it can be mailed with the next assessment letter.

Next Board Meeting August 24, 2023 (per agenda, but not stated in the meeting)

Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 06-08-2023

June 23, 2023 by Sky Ranch Santee

HOA Meeting Notes 06-08-2023 3:05pm

Meeting conducted via video conference (WebEx)

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, David Samo, Ed Wenz

FirstService Residential

Nadine Bell - Community Manager

REPORTS

Management Reports

Work Order Report

Landscape Walkthrough/Punchlist

Storm Water Inspection Reports

They discussed that someone complained about a Juniper tree off Brockway Street. The issue regarding the tree was unclear e.g. location, HOA responsibility, the problem.

HOMEOWNER FORUM

Homeowner #1:

RE: Juniper off Brockway. Junipers are prohibited. If the tree is on HOA maintained property, then simply remove it. If it’s not HOA property, then no action is required.

Dave Quinsey has repeatedly had issues with WebEx. Will one of you directors please help him out? Do a call and ensure that he knows how to operate it. Make some note cards for anything that appears to be difficult for him. Otherwise perhaps he should attend the meeting at the in-person meeting site at the FirstService office.

At the last meeting homeowner #1 suggested that you simply follow the CC&Rs, which is an obligation anyway. Shockingly, David Samo said that security is the most important thing, even more important than landscape. Samo went so far as to say the landscape budget should be cut to fund security if necessary. He made those comments while the landscape is still a mess and you are in litigation over it.

You may fund security if you wish, but landscape maintenance is a requirement. We all signed the contracts agreeing to this.

Samo and all of us homeowners have other options, such as calling the Sheriff for security. We have no one else to contact for help with the landscape. Your fiduciary duty requirement is the landscape. Homeowners shouldn’t be self serving and try to get on the board for their own pet concerns.

Suggestion Box:

Homeowners can make suggestions via email or phone, as well as meetings. How would you ensure that comments, including anonymous comments are those of homeowners? Don’t you have enough drama without inviting more?

HOA response: Dave Samo responded that landscape and security can be funded at the same time. Homeowner #1 replied that Samo had said the landscape budget should be cut, if necessary, to fund security. He said that Samo made this comment while landscape is a mess. The homeowner said he supports security. Samo replied that the landscape looks good. Homeowner #1 replied, “Come to my house.”

Homeowner #2: In September she asked for results of litigation. The board told her it had to go through attorneys. She asked in December, now 9 months later no answer.

Duct tape letter H on the monument at the entrance. Nadine: The purchase of the replacement H was approved. It should be in fabrication and installed in the next couple of weeks. Nadine has asked for the tape H to be removed.

Homeowner #2 asked if the board approval is necessary. Nadine said proposals should be approved in open meetings.

Homeowner #2 said the community is owed answers regarding litigation.

Nadine said that the disclosure was sent, October 2020. She doesn’t know if they will send another disclosure.

Homeowner #2 said that that isn’t what we were told in December. We were told it was with the attorney. Did the board change their mind? Homeowner #2 was primarily concerned with the Lennar lawsuit.

Chris said to Nadine that he thought this was about ready. He thought the cases including Ballo’s was prepared for release. Nadine said she thought it was public knowledge and didn’t require disclosure. Chris said it included the amount. Chris said that it was 100% with the attorney, but there was some question of what should be included. He thought it was approved, but they’ll check. He thanked Homeowner #2.

Homeowner #2 said that she has sent email but got no response.

$315k Lennar settlement. It will address deficiencies from the punch list.

Homeowner #2 said that previously homeowners over paid dues. She asked the status of that money.

Chris: It was not part of the settlement. That money remains. A decision has not been made. He asked Nadine to take it up with counsel.

They asked Homeowner #1 if he had a comment. He said that we didn’t receive any information about the Ballo lawsuit. Chris referred it to Nadine as well.

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

CONSENT CALENDAR

Approval of Minutes April 2023

Financial Statements

Lien Authorizations

Approved without discussion

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Security Hours Review & Discussion

Extend from 6 hours to 8, on Fri, Sat, & Sunday. Chris said they may be missing out on people hanging out at the trail head. Adjusting the start time to later.

$689 month increase. $3.30 per month per homeowner.

Approved unanimously

NEW BUSINESS

Inspector of Elections Proposals

HOA Election Professionals 2099.90 + $150 in person

The Ballot Box $2477 virtual, $2977 in person

The Secret Ballot $1990, though some expense such as postage was unclear. One adjourned meeting included.

There was discussion about costs of additional meetings when quorum wasn’t met. Dave Q, noted that there was never an election that met quorum the first time. Ed noted that sometimes quorum wasn’t met in two meetings. Chris said that the postage listed for the first two contractors is about $1000, which, if similar, would bump up the cost of The Secret Ballot.

The board discussed with Nadine her experience with each company. She said that she has not had any problems with any of them.

Unanimously approved, HOA Election Professionals.

4th of July Holiday Street Closure Patrol

2 guards at entry/exit $1272, Noon to midnight, July 4.

Approved unanimously.

Chris asked Nadine to send out the passes.

Acme Safety Supply Signage

Street signs, cones, & barriers

$2600

Approved unanimously

Building Resource Management Block Wall Adjustment

Change order for previously approved wall Claret/Dracena. Nadine said it is a big difference. Do you wish to move forward or hold back?

Ed said that he was disappointed that the price went up to $55k from $36K. He said that this is the first time he has seen the document. It seems to be a repair because the hill keeps coming down. They are a mess and hazard. Ed needs time to review. They may need to reconsider the other previous proposals.

Samo asked about the location: The area past the mailboxes on Claret going around to Dracena.

Issue tabled

4th of July Street Closure Permit $174. Last year it cost $160.

Unanimously approved.

O’Connell Common Area Slope Sevilla Street Landscape Modification:

By Calico coming up the hill. Slope adjacent to the first house <on left>. HOA common area.

Based off report by engineer that they met with. Ed asked, weren’t we going to send to legal. Nadine said they did. Nadine said that the homeowner will address their own area, this is the HOA area. $10 thousand and change per Ed. Ed asked what would happen if the homeowner addressed their property and the HOA didn’t perform this work. Chris said the homeowner needs to take care of their property first or the erosion will continue. Ed said counsel submitted findings to the homeowner after the engineer reviewed it.

Tabled.

O’Connell Common Area Mulch Installation

$1300, 20 cubic yards

Dave Q. asked if it is blown in mulch. Nadine said she didn’t know. Chris said it will be installed in the focal points of the community. Everbloom mulch. Chris said it is fine, ground, not big chunks.

Unanimously approved

O’Connell Common Area Tree Installation

2 purple leaf plum on Mirador to replace those installed by the developer, and one Holly Oak just off Mirador. $672.50

Unanimously approved.

Suggestion Box Discussion

Nadine has found them not very useful on two of her properties. Samo asked if they can send her mail. She said, yes.

Unanimously denied.

Member Correspondence

#1: Landscape scorched earth FMZ, look and feel. Chris suggested that O’Connell review the FMZ guidelines. He said it stands out as an eyesore. Dave Q. agreed that 5000 Sevilla area looks terrible. Chris said that O’Connell should review it and consider ways to improve it.

#2: <Note: Specific details are excluded because it seems apparent that part of the email that was discussed should not have been included in an open meeting.> There was discussion of regulations/rules regarding fire prevention. Ed said that the fire department has put the onus of enforcement of fire rules on the HOA. The issue will be reviewed.

Next Board Meeting July 13, 2023