During the Annual Meeting, a homeowner in the audience asked a question about the Reserve Fund. The essence of the question was that if we were fully funded why does the Association continue to deposit funds into the Reserve Account? All the assets are on a schedule, which anticipates their useful life. This schedule is the Reserve Study. An outside firm, to insure an independent professional opinion, provides this study to the Association. The Association deposits funds each month to repair or replace items in the Reserve Study. Therefore, as an example, when the pool needs to be replastered, money will be available. "Fully funded" means we are current with Hour payment plan to ourselves" to meet these future financial burdens-. It does not mean we have the entire replacement cost of all of our assets available. It means our deposits are consistent with future needs.
COMING TO A PATIO NEAR YOU
The work of replacing the gas lines to the end units goes on. Here's what it might be like when your turn comes. On Day One, Weststar folks will appear and dig a trench from the gas meter to your patio fence and then in your patio itself to the line into your home. Piles of dirt along your garage walk and in your patio make for hazardous walking. Then, on Day Two, the plumber appears and lays a new gas line in the trenches already dug. On Day Three, an inspector appears and approves the plumber's installation. Then on Day Four, Weststar returns and disposes of all that dirt. Incidentally, they do a very neat job. But if cement has been dug up on your patio, it may take a day or two longer to get back to square one. And should a weekend get in the way, that will prolong the process. Be patient please; it's a job that needs doing.
GATE CRASHERS
One afternoon early this month, just after the pool was drained and refilled, two Mallard ducks touched down and paddled about. They then climbed out and inspected the pool furniture. Thereafter, they flew out, landing, in the big greenbelt, where a young child was thrilled at the chance to feed them. Their parting words, "We'll be back."
POOL MONITOR
Our monitor for the 99 summer is a retired shoe company executive. His daughter and grandson are HOA residents. He will be on duty between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
GOING ONCE, TWICE ... ?
Your Directors have declared the following piece of furniture in the clubhouse to be "surplus": a sideboard with mirror, ca. 1920. Those interested in its purchase may submit a bid by June 15, 1999.
LANDSCAPE
As summer approaches, the beautiful shades of green along the canyon hillsides are starting their annual change to a golden brown. Unfortunately, it also signals the beginning of the fire season. Each year a special canyon clean-up is conducted to cut back the undergrowth and remove the dead trees and shrubbery. We also invite the fire department to join us on a walk-through and advise us on the things that we should be aware of and how to conform with the fire regulations. Our responsibility extends from the edge of the swale out to the stream that runs the, length of the canyon. Our maintenance contract does not include tree removal; therefore, a few stumps and/or fallen trees may be considered as priority selections for our normal budget planning. We do channel funds to comply with instruction received from the fire department during the walk-through.
KEEPING BATHING SAFE AT VILLA MONTEREY
Nationally, public concern about water-borne germs causing sickness and, in rare cases, death have been growing as a number of outbreaks rise across the country. News stories report that such factors as global warming and attacks by deadly microbes are responsible. Fortunately, in our community, there have been no known incidents of sickness resulting from contaminate water in the pool or spa. Indeed, the pool and spa have been meticulously maintained and protected against the threat of disease. Our pool/spa water is changed on schedule and frequently, and is generally checked every other day by our pool service man. New equipment - such as filters, pumps, and state-of-the-art chlorinators - work to keep the water clean and disinfected. However, given the changing situation, it seems prudent to focus on additional efforts to protect our residents and their guests exposure to the potential threat of disease-causing germs.
FECAL CONTAMINATION OF THE WATER
Your Board of Directors is sensitive to this potential threat and is taking responsible measures. For example, recent regulations published by the County Health Department are being careful followed. Residents using the pool/spa are asked to cooperate. Incidents of suspected fecal contamination should be reported immediately to Curtis Management, and a Pool Committee person notified immediately. Fecal contamination is an emergency situation. The pool will be closed and locked for 24 hours, "super-chlorinated" or "shocked" with strong chlorine treatments as required, and the equipment will be disassembled and decontaminated by the pool service organization as required by the County Health Department. Other measures to ensure pool safety will be instituted. One measure is to require all toddler-aged children to wear protective panties which are widely available at supermarkets. These inexpensive items will also be available when the Pool Monitor is on duty for toddlers
whose sitters may not be aware of the new policy or may have forgotten.