Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 02-15-2017, Sky Ranch Community Association
Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 02-15-2017
Present: Chris Andre, Scott Kiefner, Dave Quinsey, Ed Wenz, Tom Wright
Sandra Sandoval FirstService Residential
Referred to reports, but no information relayed to the audience.
HOMEOWNER FORUM
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Claret slope landscape dying.
Lennar was supposed to build a wall, but didn't. Consider it for punch list.
Request a fence be painted.
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Suggest that in the future HOA should announce changes to property manager contacts. <note: I didn’t understand the response.>
A staked tree fell during a storm in the 3rd week of January. It is now u-shaped, top of tree on the ground. Notified HOA Jan 29. It remains on the ground. TVRI only routinely inspects high visibility areas.
Who decided the Lot L issue stays with legal? (HOA response: Scott said that the board voted on it in executive session under legal item.) So, you avoid giving even descriptive information in agendas.
Board fails to ensure compliance with CC&Rs yet is working to change them. When they make exceptions to everything there are no rules, at least for those who are favored. The board is attempting to water down the rules and place more items under their control. If only 25% +1 homeowners decline to turn in a ballot, it will send a message. Homeowners should look at the RV in the Cala Lily cul-de-sac. One is periodically on Bella Vista, another on Mariposa for excessive time periods. Another at the top of Mariposa was there for years. That is your future. Are you OK with that? Board will tell you that prior boards are responsible for uneven enforcement. You could ask about the giant slide, commercial vehicle parking, unfinished or abandoned landscape, or any number of things, but ask them three questions:
In violation of the CC&Rs a board member moved a fence over two years ago, why is it still there?
In violation of the CC&Rs, a board member has cypress in his front yard while homeowners were told to remove theirs, why are they still their? (Ed Wenz interjected that it is Juniper <also prohibited>)
If inspections are done on a monthly basis how can they establish a violation of the 48 hour limit for RV loading?
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A homeowner made presentation, including handouts and photos, regarding an RV being parked by a neighbor on a property in the Cala Lily cul-de-sac. While parking the RV it made gouge marks on a neighbor’s property. The large RV is not screened from view and can’t be screened from view. Neighbors have approached the homeowner, but he doesn’t care. He is also thumbing his nose at the HOA as reportedly the HOA approached him about it. The front fence height was increased beyond the permitted level in violation of community rules and City code. He installed a slab to park the RV despite neighbors complaining it is an eyesore. Homeowner requests that the HOA levy fines and collect those fines in court. She explained additional violations that show the RV owner is not cooperating. The HOA was notified in September 2014 and January 2015 about soft top patio covers which are still there despite being against the rules and a fire hazard, particularly since it is a perimeter lot. He operates a business out of the house, and now every day employees park two vehicles in the street. The homeowner parks in the driveway because his garage is filled, leaving the employees to park in the street. <Someone said that cars parked on other streets have been the subject of discussion. Those cars belong to the employees of this homeowner.> The HOA has no bite behind the bark. She used the big slide as an example. She said she and other neighbors reluctantly accepted that he was going to have a small boat on the lot that would not be visible from the street. She said they did not agree to this RV. She told the board that she needs their help.
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Homeowner immediately next door to the homeowner with the RV on Cala Lily, spoke. She showed additional photos. She had a photo of him sweeping her driveway because he can’t avoid driving across her driveway when he parks it. She said he apparently moves it at hours where he thinks they won’t observe it. She has numerous windows at the front of the house that face the RV given the unique layout of their properties. The front of her house faces the RV. She said that they have no privacy anymore. They are uncomfortable in their own house. Given its size there is no way to avoid looking at it. The RV owner planted a palm tree but it won’t help. They understood that a small boat would be there, not this RV. She is expecting, and her doctor told her that the stress of this isn’t good for her. She said that they follow the rules. She asked the board how they would feel if their neighbor did something like this. She said they have sought legal counsel. She told the board that they need their help.
HOA response: Tom said that he would not be happy if his neighbor did this. Scott said the HOA is aware. Dave said that they can educate about the complaint process.
Brief discussion followed. Board said that confidentiality rules prevent discussion of specifics. They said enforcement takes years and they can’t control the courts. Homeowner said that online records show no cases have been filed by the HOA, though previously there was a small claims suit, likely initiated by a former board member <who was recalled>.
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Is the HOA doing something about rats? HOA response: No.
A neighbor’s un-landscaped yard causes drainage and debris issues when it rains.
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END HOMEOWNER FORUM
Consent calendar including lien approval. No details given to the audience. Approved unanimously.
Table the issue of "No outlet" type signs. Most directors suggested fewer signs better than more signs.
Proposed Bylaw Amendment: tabled
Lighting proposal for Sky Ranch Monument. No new bid.
CC&R Amendment
Chris handed pages to the directors regarding the fence movement proposal. He doesn't agree with the proposal submitted last month which limits the movement of fences to 5ft and he cited a number of reasons, apparently written in the handout.
The election is in August. Scott says the board needs to agree by April or May to go through the process of cleaning the language and going through legal.
Tom suggested the fence issue might be too complicated to consider at this time, Dave concurred. Ed suggested the proposal might be a can of worms if it is too subjective as discussed today.
The board agreed that cumulative voting should be eliminated. No vote taken regarding the proposal.
Tom said we shouldn't complicate the rules if enforcement is complicated.
Scott suggested that if they don't have consensus about fence movement proposal by the next meeting they should drop it.
Lennar Turn Over Walk--street sealing not finished
Mailboxes--remove from agenda for now. A new proposal will be submitted.
Blue Skies tree planting proposal. Table again, confirm whether property belongs to HOA.
Fence painting on Mariposa and Castilla: $755 estimate. Further clarify the bid.
Design Guidelines Revision discussed.
Social Committee Debit card: $1800 limit. Approved unanimously.
Checking account associated with debit card--Chris Andre oversight; approved unanimously.
Booster pump seal $1115. Tom suggested it is happening because of insufficient pressure. Approved unanimously.
Building Resource Management raising rates (likely to comply with minimum wage increase).
$45 per hour, 16 hours
Civil Code Change sec 4041. Board said it put the responsibility on the homeowners to notify HOA regarding contact address, whether the property is rented etc.
Next meeting, Thursday March 16th