Personal Notes, HOA Meeting 07-07-2022

HOA Meeting Notes 07-07-2022 2:30pm

Meeting conducted via teleconference (WebEx)

<2:34 pm>

<Note: The directors have a packet for the meeting. Frequently, the information was cited rapidly, and the audio was inconsistent, so there might be inaccuracies. Generally, if the information is not reasonably clear it is excluded from these notes. Sometimes the official minutes have more information. In this meeting the discussions blurred between topics making it difficult to follow. The property manager was citing agenda items by letter, while the distributed agenda listed the items by number. Some expenses were approved, but the costs were not stated.>

Directors Present: Chris Andre, Dave Quinsey, Ed Wenz

Directors Absent: Scott Kiefner, Tom Wright

FirstService Residential

Nadine Bell - Community Manager

Ian Navarro, Regional Director

REPORTS

Work Order Report on page 12 if questions - per Bell

Landscape Walkthrough/Punchlist

Storm Water Inspection Reports

Nadine mentioned committee meeting notes for the board.

HOMEOWNER FORUM

#1 The July 4th closure of the mountain again seemed to limit the trouble makers who used to come here and throw debris and ignite fireworks on the holiday.

People should know that directors on this board worked to remove the prior directors, and they kicked volunteers off committees once the board was removed. The people they targeted promptly reviewed homeowner plans, and one tried to draw attention to poorly managed landscape.

There is minimal oversight of contractors. The board chooses to pay for only one DRIVE-THROUGH inspection by FirstService per month. You can’t manage the landscape from a car. The landscape contract is inadequate, yet the board fails to ensure that even the work paid for by contract is completed.

In response to my request for the legal costs and attorney fees for the Ballo pool slide case, FirstService sent me an email on April 29, 2022, stating, “The associations counsel will be preparing a disclosure for distribution to the membership.” It has been over two months. What is causing the delay? <No comment from the HOA>

The Sky Ranch Community Association is a corporation with fiduciary responsibilities to the homeowners. We are entitled to know how our money is spent, even if it embarrasses the directors. You will provide the information, or you will incur further legal costs and provide the information. You repeatedly lied when you said you would inform the community of the settlement of the Lennar case that you lost. We won’t tolerate it again regarding information that we are entitled to.

The HOA, under pressure from the City, spent tens of thousands of dollars on hydroseeding to restore large areas of landscape that the HOA neglected. However, the HOA has failed to irrigate it properly and most of it appears dead or dying. Where the irrigation operates, it hasn’t run sufficiently. This photo shows hydroseed being sprayed in October 2021.

This photo of the same area was taken July 3, 2022, shortly after the irrigation ran. Notice the large area where the irrigation doesn’t reach.

#2 Claret hill and where it wraps around Dracena should be included in the new landscape. Ed described what it covers which includes part of Dracena. (Directors allowed the homeowner to comment at the end of the meeting due to technical difficulties she encoutered earlier)

END HOMEOWNER FORUM

CONSENT CALENDAR

Approval of Minutes May 2022

Financial Statement May 2022

Investment Recommendations

Association Reserves - Reserve Study

Chris Andre abstained from Investment Recommendations so there wasn’t quorum <note: Three directors are required, but only two were present and willing to vote on this topic.> Nadine said the financial instrument was maturing. Ian asked about whether they want to reinvest. Nadine says that it doesn’t say on the document that she has. Ian told her to call “them.” Ian asked when it matures, Nadine said, today.

Chris commented about tabling the item.

The other items were approved without discussion.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Tree trimming proposals.

$15,352 O’Connell, 431 trees

$20,530 A+, 174 trees

$32,000, Atlas, 281 trees

$39,000, Harvest, 430 trees

Ed said NorthStar had good results for less cost. Their contractor provided a map of the work/trees. Ed asked if O’Connell provided a map of the trees and the schedule of which trees need to be trimmed.

Ed said the proposals aren’t clear. Chris said the proposals aren’t in the board packet. Nadine said that she excluded the proposals because they were too large. Wenz questioned the details about the work to be performed e.g. multi-year, how many times per year etc.

Nadine said that tree trimming isn’t in the budget and will have to wait. Wenz volunteered to work on the plan for the contractors. He said there isn’t enough information to make a decision and they aren’t bidding “apples to apples.” He said he has experience dealing with contractors. Ian Navarro said that the vendors should come to the site. Nadine will provide further information for the directions to use. Ed said they should break it down by type of tree and size, does it need to be maintained annually, every two years etc.

Item tabled.

O’Connell Controller Upgrade Proposal:

$9k to update to 4G equipment of irrigation “smart” controllers. Dave said we never got what was promised when they were first installed. He asked if this will this provide detailed information about weather, humidity etc. Ian said that O’Connell did it in another community and it only updated the communication equipment.

Dave wants assurance that the system functions as promised. Ian said it will be the same system, with upgraded communications. Chris said that we never received real-time information. People have reported leaks and the system is supposed to shut it down, but it doesn’t. Dave said, that’s what we were promised, but it has never done it. Chris said, based on water bills, that it waters even more than it did in the past with the old system. Chris reiterated, to the effect “Why should we spend nine thousand dollars more for a system that doesn’t work.” Wenz asked Ian if the other community had the same system as Sky Ranch. Ian said he’ll need to find what kind of system we have.

Dave asked about in-person meetings.

Ed said the in-person meetings had better communication, though video conference is more convenient, provided we can access NorthStar.

There is apparently an issue with shared costs with NorthStar which might impact the availability, though Nadine said they have access. They mentioned that Jeff Barnes is no longer president of the NorthStar HOA

Ed said he is OK with either type of meeting. Dave said that he prefers in-person meetings.

Irrigation controller item tabled until the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Architectural Review / Variance Request:

5174 Iris

Nadine said it is on page 53-54. Patio slab, variance for less than 10 ft setback. New aluminum pergola patio cover. The plan doesn’t discern between the slab, posts, and pergola. Need a plot for the lot. Wenz asked if it went through the architect yet. Nadine said, no. Ed said that the architect would review and request documents if necessary, which would be available to the board. Item tabled.

6000 Cala Lily, page 58-59, patio support posts within the 10ft setback. Ed asked, and Nadine responded, that it was not submitted to the architect. Ed said, the architect will provide documentation. Solar is the only exception, otherwise every thing goes through the architect. He said solar conduit must match the color of the house. Chris said that the drawings on this set of plans have more detail than the above proposal. Ed reiterated and Chris agreed that the plans need to go through the process and go through the architect. Item tabled.

Ed said pavers going to the slope line is very different than a structure going to a slope line, while explaining the need to detailed plans.

Chris said that the plans should be reviewed by the Design Review Committee before it goes to the board.

Acme Safety & Supply Signage:

Approved to pay $250 for July 4th closure signage.

Bravo 3 Patrol Service for July 4th closure: Approved $2160. Ed said that since we already received the service we should approve to pay.

Ballot Box - Inspector of Elections.

Dave asked for what? Nadie said the annual meeting? Ian said it would be a good time to involve community input, if desired, if no election is being held at the annual meeting of membership.

Approved. <The cost wasn’t stated.>

Patrol Company Proposals:

Security First: intermittent patrols and dedicated patrols. $4k month with annual plan, $4290 per month on a monthly basis, three month trial $4389 per month, including $99 phone service.

San Diego Patrol: $2152 dedicated patrol, $1895 intermittent patrol, $4247 total. <The information was stated quickly and the total doesn’t match the sum of the two. The error could be from the source or the note taker>.

Bravo Three: Chris noted that the cost is much higher. <There was cross talk and it was too fast to take notes, and the numbers I noted aren’t reliable.>

Ed asked if any of them identify illegal parking e.g. campers.

Chris responded, Bravo 3 yes, Security First, yes, San Diego patrol unknown

Ed said that he sees more Sheriff’s vehicles than security patrols. He is concerned that all streets are patrolled. Ed said he hopes that patrolling each street is already in the current scope of work. A brief discussion ensued about tracking service. Ed said somebody “monkeyed” with the photos and it caused him to lose trust with the contractor.

Nadine asked if any of the contractors should attend the meeting. Ed asked Chris for input. Chris said he likes the Security First proposal which is more formal. The San Diego Patrol proposal was one page. Chris favored Security First and their ability to track RV parking. Travel time to the community for each company was discussed. Ed noted the advantage of a three month trial which sets the precedent for the service provided. A 30 day notice would be required to end the current service.

The board opened the discussion for non-director participant ideas/experience.

Homeowner #1: Can’t keep up with the details of the costs in this meeting to comment on specifics. Directors asked questions. Yes, homeowner in favor of patrol. No, don’t recall seeing them on our street, though they might patrol at later hours. When calling the contractor about incidents the homeowner generally didn’t observe the contractor driving by to deal with the miscreants.

Homeowner #2: Yes, in favor of patrol and cameras, but not fully confident in the current contractor. Directors commented that they weren’t addressing cameras at the moment.

Chris motion to try Security First $4389 per month, 3 month trial. Ed 2nd, then approved.

A 30 day notice will be required for the current contractor. Chris wants to end the contract on a positive note. Ed and Dave thanked Chris for all the work on this.

O’Connell Bella Vista at Iris Landscape Enhancement Proposal:

Planting Red Carpet Rose and Myoporum

Approved <No cost stated>

O’Connell Ruocco at Mirador Plant Replenishment:

10 Myoporum and mulch. Nadine said that Google photos show that it used to appear more lush. Ed asked if there is irrigation there. Nadine said yes, and that a controller leak was repaired. Approved. <No cost stated>

O’Connell Replenish Bougainvillea Bella Vista

2- Bougainvillea replacement $292, Bella Vista, approved.

O’Connell Landscape Proposal Plant Installation Cul-De-Sac, Claret St:

Claret cul-de-sac, plants and irrigation repair. Ed noted that there are a lot of tentacles involved with the issue. Tabled.

O’Connell fuel surcharge. No action required, for awareness only.

Claret Street Retaining Wall Proposals:

The contractor couldn’t get access to the matching material. Prior approval from the City of Santee will be required. Ed said that they need images of the two possible replacements, Country Manor (500 pieces, unknown cost) and Keystone (800 pieces $8900). He said he is willing to go to RCP to look at samples. <Bid costs not stated.>

Nadine will get photos and cost.

Chris noted level 2 drought restrictions. Water will be reduced to 3 days per week from 4 to 5 days. The number of minutes will be increased.

Next meeting mentioned, but a date and time were not stated.

Adjourned 4:08 pm