October 2001
When walking your pets in the common area, please keep them on the turf and walkway areas and not in the shrubs and bushes. Not only is it more difficult to clean up after your pet, but it encroaches on residents' privacy near their homes.
Most homeowners know that when they "hurt," a call to Preferred Property Managers can clarify the lines of responsibility. As well, the property management company can be very helpful in recommending service-type individuals when the problem appears to be a homeowner responsibility. But homeowners need to keep in mind that Preferred Property Managers acts in response to the direction of your elected Board of Directors. Thus, when frustration mounts, your most effective course of action will be to approach the Board directly, during the homeowner input time. The latter is a feature of every scheduled monthly meeting and is held at 7:00 p.m.
We've recently had complaints of an increase in our rodent population. As a caution, don't leave animal feeding dishes out overnight. And remember that if you have a bird feeder, our feathered friends are messy eaters, that rodents are attracted as a consequence. If you are concerned, contact Tracie Sabala at Preferred Property Managers.
Homeowners, your home is your castle. However, in a Planned Unit Development (PUD) - and that's what we are - your association assumes the responsibility for the exterior of the unit in which you live. Accordingly, you should not be surprised when Top Notch Construction, or another workman, replaces rotted wood or patches cracked cement. He is only doing what the Board has directed. Please do not find fault with him. Rather, call Tracie Sabala at Preferred Property Managers.
At its September meeting, your Board authorized the construction of 30 additional patio fences. Again, two directors will select those which seem to them the ''neediest'' of replacement. The work will begin on or about October 1st. Those concerned, of course, will be notified in advance. As well, your Board has approved an Ornamental Thumb Latch (black metal) for your gate. It is a Hager product (C173065 USIB) and can be secured from Dixieline of a cost in the vicinity of $10. Homeowners can install it themselves or have us do the at installation at a cost to be determined.
In another action, your Board has decided to contract with Barta Roofing to ''walk'' all of our roofs. They will replace broken tiles, blow off leaf build-up and paint metal vents as needed. The work will be scheduled prior to San Diego's rainy season.
Each month, the Landscape Committee, including a representative from Weststar Landscape and the property manager from Preferred Property Managers, walk through the community to identify areas that need special attention. ''That looks dry, it needs an additional sprinkler head. Remove that dead bush. That area looks very wet, do we have a broken line? Looks like a path is developing across that corner, please put up tape to prevent further damage.''
Over the year, every nook and cranny of the common area landscaping is reviewed. One sporadic problem we find is plantings and potted plants placed in the common area by individual homeowners. When we see this on a walk through, we send a letter(s), asking that the material be removed. The only places that the Board has allowed homeowners to place material in the common area is their window ledges, (of course with a drip pan underneath to prevent wood damage), and on the cement walk blocks close to their front doors.
If a homeowner wishes a deviation from standard policy, there is a form to request a change which is submitted to the Board. One example of such a request approved by the Board are the lovely roses planted and maintained by Peggy Brooks on Pine Knoll Lane. The request form is in Appendix C(2 pages) in the Rules Manual.
The earliest minutes of the Villa Monterey H.O.A., Board of Directors. are dated April 16, 1974, and note the election of Frank Fogelman as our President. It was at this time that a non-reproducible key-lock system was adopted for what was then called the Recreation Center. A lock that could be opened by a homeowner key was installed on the center's front door, on one of the three back doors, on the door to the sauna and bathrooms, on the pool gated (there were two), and on the jacuzzi gate. One homeowner key was to be provided for free of charge to each homeowner. A 2nd key could be purchased for $10.00. Additional keys for $25.00 each. How times have changed Particular challenges in 1974 concerned the noise resulting from the pool's remaining open throughout the night. However, as a result of a citation from the Noise Abatement Council, the Directors voted on October 2nd to close the pool area at 10 p.m. and to reopen it the following morning at 8 mm. Another challenge arose when one or another of the taxis provided daily by Ponderosa to transport elementary students failed repeatedly to arrive. This vexing situation continued throughout much of the year - until Ponderosa agreed to provide a school bus. On a lighter note, Dick McIntyre won the contest to provide a logo for the Association's newsletter. In appreciation, the Directors agreed to present him with a magnum of champagne. Happy days, indeed!
Please note that our homes were built when aluminum wiring was "code." But the latter material, in time, tends to oxidize at the terminals in the breaker box. You would be advised to have a professional electrician tighten these very terminals to preclude the possibility of fire.
The next monthly Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. at the clubhouse located in the community.
© Copyright 2001 Villa Monterey HOA
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