November  1999

On The Way

A newly revised rules manual will be in your hands in the near future. Please do review it with some care as there are a number of changes that may well apply to you. Note that the manual will become effective thirty days after it has been received by HOA homeowners. Copies should be made available by owners to their tenants. Call Curtis Management if you desire additional copies. The opening paragraph of the introduction sets the scene: "Living in a planned community such as Villa Monterey provides many benefits and pleasures...However, because each of us shares an equal responsibility in maintaining the attractiveness of our community, we must all observe a set of rules established by our Association to govern the use and preservation of the common areas."

Clogged Dryer Vents

Along with having air vents cleaned, another aspect of home maintenance that needs to be addressed by the homeowner is dryer vent cleaning. When it's running, the dryer consumes 50% of the energy used in a household, generating heat which needs to be dissipated, and lint which needs to be removed. This lint buildup in the dryer vent is the source of many problems to the homeowner and the renter alike. The results of improper vent maintenance range from increased energy consumption, dryer damage, and the inconvenience of longer drying time, to the worst case of excessive heat buildup and fires.

Please Read Me!

A resident recently called your editor to report a problem with the operation of her garage door. She had wanted to call Curtis but it was a Saturday and she feared they were closed. Knowing that the doors came from Home Base, she called them. Unfortunately, the Base did not refer her to Golden State Garage Doors, the initial installer, but sent out another company. The homeowner concerned had tried to locate Golden State in the SD phone book but was unsuccessful-they're office is outside the city. In the course of the conversation, I asked if she read the MONTEREY MESSAGE. She said she never did. I then called her attention to a piece titled "GARAGE DOORS" in the July and November, 98 issue of the MESSAGE. It gives the Golden State number. Reading and retaining this publication might have saved the individual concerned time, frustration, and money. Oh yes, Curtis has an emergency answering service that is in operation 24 hours a day. The operator on duty will make the contacts needed toward resolving your problem.

Dogs You'll Meet

Bentley is a three-year-old Jack Russell Terrier owned by George and Joan. A very jaunty little dog-he weighs seventeen pounds-Bentley likes to play ball, chew on bones, and sit in his owners' laps. P.S. he barks very seldom.

Landscape Picture

During the next few weeks, there will continue to be extensive landscape activity throughout the HOA. The primary focus is on the upgrading and replacing existing shrubbery and plantings with items requiring less water and labor intensive care. Although many of the replacements will be small, they will be healthy and should grow quickly into mature plants. We appreciate your tolerance of any inconvenience caused by the project.

Reserve Funds

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? The current replacement cost of all Association assets for which we keep a reserve fund is $787,933.00. 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 "our 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.

Remembering When

In conversations with original owners in Villa Monterey, your editor was struck by the changes that have taken place over the years. Those who moved into their units in the winter of '73 or spring of '74 recall the mud that seemed to be everywhere, and, how difficult it was too get into and out of Tierrasanta. For instance, Clairemont Mesa Blvd. was one-way going west, while access was via Tierrasanta Blvd. Accidents could tie traffic up literally for hours. And, there were no grocery stores, banks, or churches. Shopping for food stuff had to be done in Clairemont or Mission Gorge. Clearly, living took some doing. To accommodate the new homeowners, early Association meetings were held in a hotel meeting room and then in a school auditorium. The clubhouse was in place but it was not considered large enough to hold all those wishing to attend. Incidentally, this area was open many evenings for general use and the pool remained opened 24 hours a day. Abuse and vandalism caused the changes now in place. Those who lived through the early days recall a sense of community that led to potluck dinners and Christmas parties sponsored by and open to all in the Association. They think back a bit wistfully to the VM monthly fees-then only $28 and they call to mind that the homes on the canyon and on the clubhouse green belt cost an additional $1,500. Your editor would welcome hearing from early residents-just what do you recall of our "pioneer" days? Will made a good copy for a future MESSAGE.