hendersona
Posts:395
 | | 05/14/2008 4:24 PM |
 Alert | I see a notice was sent out regarding an HOA meeting at the school the end of this mounth. What topics should we have ready for the ladies. I for one would like us to have a united frount so that we can get some answers and not waste all of our time | | | |
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love@hm
Posts:486
| | 05/14/2008 4:43 PM |
Alert | Grass issues
*weeds in common areas
*Lack of grass in tot lot of Savano
*Dead-looking grass
Office supplies expendatures
*inventory audit - what is being purchased and at what price
Fees
*Cost went up to cover Tortosa South, but now it is halted - what now.
Property inspections
*I think it fair they do them 2x a week, which would get every 'neighborhood' done every every 5 weeks. Give them an extra week to 'catch up' and call every one inspected once every 6 weeks. Offer them a few plat maps for easy reference  | | | |
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maricopamoon
Posts:44
| | 05/14/2008 6:00 PM |
Alert | I definitely second the issue regarding the grass. With as much as we pay, why doesn't our community look like the retirement community along smith-enke...their grass is lush and dark green! There is NO excuse for the way our grass looks. How much do we pay the landscaping company? Why don't we hire a different company if they cannot keep our community looking the way we pay for it to look!!! Half of the "grass" is really just crab grass and low lying weeds! By now, with the fertilization process that they should have performed, we should have green grass. Not to mention all of the bare, dirt spots all over, especially near the school. Are they going to fix those spots? Also, what about all of the homes that are still vacant, but builder owned? The weeds are RIDICULOUS! | | | |
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Karen
Posts:38
| | 05/14/2008 6:31 PM |
Alert | Hmm I haven't gotten any notice... when is this meeting?
how about the broken curbing at the roundabout from the accident AGES ago. why hasn't that been fixed?
Is there a light in the fountain (I seem to remember that it was (unless i've gone absolutely bonkers, which is definitely a possibility LOL), and that they said it would be turned on when the tower was done and the fountain was on regularly) and why isn't it on? A light there would help with the # of people running over the roundabout in the middle of the night there I would think... (although that hasn't happened for a while as far as I can tell, but still)
Definitely look into a new landscaping company. This one is a joke.
And not only an office supply expenditure audit, an entire office audit. They said that moving the office from the trailer would be cheaper... is it really? Are we gonna see that?
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hendersona
Posts:395
| | 05/15/2008 7:27 AM |
Alert | | they did do an audit for last year I think we should see that as for this year the audit will not be till the year has ended | | | |
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Chistoso
Posts:36
| | 05/15/2008 12:13 PM |
Alert | Ok I have a good topic for you,
Why are the annual board meets held in “ALANTA GEORGIA”, when you HOA is here in “MARICOPA”?
I understand that this is where the main office is located, and even though we can attend the board meetings (in GA) it would be a financial burden to some of us. These ladies have no real power to make change; they are the middle men. We can voice our complaints but I believe that we need to put pressure on the HOA to hold the annual board meeting here, or get a couple of the board member to come out to us so we can voice our complaints in there management.
Someone else mentioned the curd that is broken on the round about, that is another issue. That eye sore has been there for well over a year now, and when are they going to go through and inspect the rest of the concrete through the Tortosa?
I also believe that we should get a rep from all these home build out here too, to explain what they are doing (if anything). And why are they not maintaining there properties that have not been sold.
Weed, and dead grass, need I say more? WHY?!?!
Also covers over the play areas. I have a 5 five year old daughter who loves to play on the play ground but because of the heat I will not take here out during the day. Its to darn hot… (I Know I live in AZ)
And since we are paying out the wazoo, think we can’t get a few more goodies put in?
Just a thought
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WAgirl33
Posts:13
| | 05/16/2008 3:24 PM |
Alert | The meeting is on Wed. May 28th at Santa Cruz Elem. from 6-8pm. The first hour is scheduled with speakers on different topics for communities. The last hour is 'open forum' for questions/concerns. This is going to be the time where people really open about the way things look in Tortosa, the HOA fees, the weeds, the parks, etc.
I think people should be prepared when asking questions and not just having "rants". I know that if the HOA reps. get backed into the corner they will begin to get defensive and that does not lead to good communication. I am glad that they are having a "town hall" style meeting but I don't want it to end up being so negative that it ends up being the first & last one of its kind.
Some of us have met with each other in small groups, attended former meetings, talked amongst ourselves and with neighbors, but this is a chance for the HOA reps. to see that people are passionate about this community and willing to help make a positive change. I know they are going to be asking for volunteer help and if those of us that really do care about the way our neighborhood looks I hope you sign up to volunteer some of your time like I am going to do. I just don't want to be one of those people who can talk about the things I don't like but am not willing to help make a change.
We do pay a lot of money monthly for things that should be taked care of, but there are problems here in Tortosa like bank-owned-forclosed-abandoned homes with weeds, that the HOA cannot collect the back owed fees to clean them up and they may need help. I want people to come to the meeting and voice their opinions but I would also like to hear them bring some positive solutions along with the concerns.
This is something our community needs before it gets to the 'pitch forks & torches' point of no return... | |
~Don't make someone a priority if they only make you an option...~ | |
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maricopamoon
Posts:44
| | 05/16/2008 3:34 PM |
Alert | I agree WAgirl, well put! Check out this post that I found on the Desert Cedars Community forum. Why can't we change companies? I would much prefer to support a local business! I bet we would get a better deal than the crappy corporate company that's "servicing" (use the term lightly) our community now? It is SO obvious that our community looks like crap and that we need a change. Posted By h&n on 05/12/2008 10:36 PM
We would like to thank the board members of Desert Cedars for allowing us to become your next landscape company. We are excited about the community and what we can do to ensure that Desert Cedars gets back to it's original beauty. We would also like to say thank you for using a local company, where your money will most definitely be put back into Maricopas economy. Many people often talk about how important it is to keep the business here, but they don't seem to follow through. Thank you for having the courage to use a local company. You as well as Maricopa Meadows help keep our business running. Which in turn means more money for Maricopa. Hopefully the savings that you are getting will help you in the tough market that we are all in. Most HOA's will have to raise their due's in order to not dig into their reserves. If you all ever need anything we are here to help. Even something as small as emptying a garbage can out at the tot lot. We are a local company that will be out in a flash. Again, thank you for your support in H&N Landscape and our local businesses. Hopefully others will follow suit in the near future so they too can start saving money and supporting the local economy. Thank you, Tim Hassert - Vice President - H&N Landscape Inc. 480-612-4131 or email: hn_tim@cox.net ps. It was nice meeting many of you at the community cleanup on Saturday. If you ever need our help again, please don't hesitate to ask. | | | |
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maricopamoon
Posts:44
| | 05/16/2008 3:44 PM |
Alert | I also e-mailed the owner..I'll let you know what I get back as a response! I look forward to meeting people at the meeting on the 28th!  I'm leaving work early to be there, I don't want to miss it! | | | |
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tf9805
Posts:0
| | 05/16/2008 4:20 PM |
Alert | | Are children allowed at the meeting? | | | |
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garden glow
Posts:698
| | 05/16/2008 7:45 PM |
Alert | Before we tar and feather our existing landscaper... keep in mind 2 winters ago Gothic Landscape was maintaining Tortosa..they in turn left a challenge for Nature Scape to pick up..
I stopped and spoke to a rep. from Nature Scape yesterday and asked him about the condition of the grass....he spent aprox. 30 mins. explaining to me WHY the bermuda grass hasn't yet greened up...his explanation was sincere honest and forthright. He didn't bother to lay blame..but took the time to explain.
They will be fertilizing the grass come Monday...the fertilizers the builders insisted upon was way below par..they (D/S) had the soil tested and there is literally no nitrogen in the soil...
Where you see lush green lawns right now are the developments that actually seeded a winter (rye) lawn..i.e...Province...Alterra...Senita...parts of RED and Villages..etc...
As far as weeds in "common areas"...I don't see the problem...there are other developments with far more serious "common area" issues.. And NO I am in no way connected with D/S..I just have the opportunity to see all of Maricopas other developments on a daily basis.....and happen to be a Tortosa Resident.... | |
ANYONE HOME?
Residential Yard Clean-ups and Maintenance
for more info go to the
Business Section under Landscaping-Maintenance
Click Here for our website. | |
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TortosaGuy
Posts:690
| | 05/18/2008 6:22 AM |
Alert | | well said WA and Garden =) | |
*formerly known as inyrfce2*
Senior Member
Posts: 797
Joined: Dec 2006 | |
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TortosaGuy
Posts:690
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| 05/18/2008 6:24 AM |
Alert | i unfortunately will not be able to attend as my wife is working and i will not burden myself nor everyone else with a four year old girl and 2 month old boy....but please fill those of us in that are not able to attend
thanks! | |
*formerly known as inyrfce2*
Senior Member
Posts: 797
Joined: Dec 2006 | |
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caveman
Posts:1074
| | 05/18/2008 11:06 AM |
Alert | | I don't see a problem with our landscapers just the people in charge of them (the HOA). | | | |
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darin45
Posts:146
| | 05/19/2008 6:28 AM |
Alert | I agree with some of the other comments stated above...I think we need to be civil at this event. At the last "tar and feather" event, we were all upset (and of course, we still are!) but it was so unorganized on our behalf. There were side conversations so loud, you couldnt even hear what the HOA gals were even saying! Not to mention questions being raised that were asked like 10 minutes before...
That being said, I'm hoping we have a good response to what has and hasnt been kept up in Tortosa. We do pay the higher HOA in Maricopa so it rightful that we deserve to have a nicer community respectfully. | |
"...you knew that before you came here"- The 85239.com's stupid answer to every comment" | |
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Pizzaking
Posts:230
| | 05/19/2008 8:34 PM |
Alert | | Wasnt there a reseeding dollar amount on the funds that the HOA sent to us as being spent on? I could be wrong but... | |
Pizzaking
Wasnt a member
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ladyNcopa
Posts:40
| | 05/19/2008 10:04 PM |
Alert | | What I want to know is how much this meeting is going to cost Us | | | |
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ladyNcopa
Posts:40
| | 05/19/2008 10:06 PM |
Alert | | Garden Glow you seem to be on every forum.You rent right? | | | |
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Tio Junior
Posts:172
| | 05/20/2008 10:37 PM |
Alert | Hello Tortosa folk, don't yell at me - I'm only making an observation / offering advice. I don't live in Tortosa, but watch the forums pretty closely to see what is going on. It sounds like your HOA fee's have gone up, yet you see no additional benefit. Your HOA is still managed by a company the builders hired? Lots of you have questions - which is good.
You all need to get a copy of the financials for your HOA. You as residents are allowed to request this information. Get an entire year's worth (2007) so you can see the big picture of where your money is being spent. Once you see where your money is being spent, start asking questions and see if there are any areas where money can be saved.
I drove through your neighborhood this weekend and your grass definitely needs to be addressed. I would find out how much you are paying your landscaper and why haven't they started greening up that grass? I see that some of you have contacted H&N. H&N maintains Maricopa Meadows, so drive through that neighborhood to see what summer grass can look like at this time of year. Your landscaping vendor is probably the biggest cost for an HOA, so make sure you are getting your money's worth.
What is the delinquency rate of Tortosa when it comes to monthly dues? That will tell you how many people don't pay and why the HOA company needs to be tight with your money because lots of your neighbor's probably aren't paying - which is underfunding your HOA and screwing the budget.
Find out how much money is in your HOA's reserves and is it getting bigger or smaller each month. Smaller is bad.
How much money are they spending on legal fee's trying to collect dues on houses that are in foreclosure?
Does Tortosa have a contract with Orbitel and Waste Management? When do they end? Your HOA pays for ALL houses - usually even empty ones which is wasting money.
Go to your HOA meeting and ask lots of questions. You pay the management company to look after your best interests - make sure they are doing it.
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hendersona
Posts:395
| | 05/21/2008 8:52 AM |
Alert | | thanks Tio we know the answers to most of your questions our problem is when we raise the fact that they are spending to much on something ie landscaping they just don't listion to us | | | |
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