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oops...

Hi love@hm...  Following the meeting there was discussion with Kris about changing from paper newsletters to an e-newsletter. I definitely think this is a great idea and would cut down on costs. Ideally, if we had a website, people could just got there and read it on-line. However, having a website has costs involved too...I suggested that we find someone in our community that does this type of stuff for a living to see if we can get a deal. Obviously, having a website maintained would have to be cheaper than the mailing and production of the paper newsletter for it to make sense. I have no clue about all the technical stuff that is involved with website creation and maintenance.

I think we all have our complaints here and there but they didn't answer the main question:  why do we pay the most for HOA fees but have the least amount of amenities?  There has been no justification for our 85 bucks a month.

Weeds and neighbors can't be helped, but unjust fees are just plain stupid!

Here is the e-mail we received(those of us who wrote down oure-mail addresses) from the HOA on the meeting.....

On May 28^th, we had our first Town Hall Meeting.  In case you were not able to attend, below are some “highlights”.

(This email contains information in highlighted form from the Town Hall Meeting.  Under no circumstance is this email intended to duplicate the Meeting in its entirety.)  If you have questions regarding the below listed material or a question in particular, please contact the Association Management office. 

Guest Speakers:

 – Tami Schuler of Pinal County was present and provided plenty of good information regarding mosquitoes & “green pools”. 

·         “Fight the Bite” – mosquito repellants need to have 20 – 30 % active ingredient to work.

·         Pinal County will only “fog” for mosquitoes if West Nile Virus is found.

·         Nuisance mosquitoes are the “day time” pests, while evening mosquitoes are the ones that can carry the virus.

·         If you live near or know of a home that is not occupied with a pool in the back, call the county at 520-866-6200 and leave your name, number and the complete street address of the home with the pool that needs to be checked on.  They need your contact information for follow up and she stated you will be kept anonymous.

·         For complete details, contact Tami or Gary Bouquet (Maricopa’s area representative) at 520-866-6200 or 866-287-0209 ext. 6200 or go to their website www.pinalcounty.org/envhealth/wnv.

-          Maricopa Police Department – Spoke on the importance of a Community Block Watch program.  These “official” programs allow better communication between the residents and police department in joining forces to help prevent crimes in our neighborhoods.  6 residents signed up to start a Tortosa Block Watch – they need your support, so please join your neighbors in this worthwhile project.  Call or email the Association Office to add your name to the list.  Also, the first Organization meeting, when scheduled, will be noticed via the Community Blast emails.

A power point presentation followed the guest speakers and touched on the basic operations of the Association, the budget, common area landscaping and weed control that is needed throughout the Community. 

Open Forum Question & Answer Period – (synopsis)

Q: The park in parcel 10  (Savano) that is not completed, when will it be completed?

A: Landscaping cannot be installed until the irrigation lines are installed, which are part of the final phase development plan.  However, the developer is looking into various options as the economy has affected the development time frame greatly.  As of now, they are working to have the landscaping/irrigation installed when the infrastructure for the South Phase is completed.  The infrastructure is scheduled for completion by the end of summer. 

Q:  When will the curbing by the roundabout fountain be fixed?

A:  The City of Maricopa has informed us that the repairs are scheduled for the first two weeks of June (curbing falls under the City jurisdiction –not the Association)

Q:  Why is our grass at the parks not as green as other’s?

A:  The turf is Bermuda, a “summer” grass and is coming out of the winter dormancy period (when it was brown).  The other areas with green grass had been over seeded with Rye, a “winter” grass.  Rye grass dies off as the weather and ground temperatures rise and the Bermuda grass begins to grow and green up as the weather and ground temperatures rise.  As these things are happening simultaneously, the transition from one grass to the other is not as apparent keeping a “year round” green appearance.

Q:  Why did we not over seed with Rye?

A:  All the turf was initially done via hydro seed of “common” Bermuda.  It is recommended that the first year after hydro seeding that you do not over seed to allow the root system to get established.  However, the first season, over seeding was done.  Therefore, last fall, the decision was made not to over seed to give the Bermuda root system the time that it needed.  Additionally, we met with Kai Umeda of The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Turfgrass Science Agent to review the current condition of Tortosa’s turf and the treatment plan in place.  We met with Mr. Umeda on site at the “main” park.  He reviewed the current soil sample reports as well as the existing landscape treatment plan provided by NatureScape.  In his opinion, the current plan is on target for this time of year and current weather conditions.  Based on the soil test results, he recommend adding a gypsum treatment to the fertilizer and an additional core aeration cycle as the root system needed the extra push of oxygen.  Note:  For further information regarding recommended turf care from U of A, please go to www.azrangelands.org/turf/tips999.htm  or, contact the management office.

Q:  Are the tot lots every going to be covered?

A:  No.  The existing tot lots will not be covered by the developer/builders.  However, the parks in the final two phases will have covers in accordance with the current City Code requirements.   If in the future the Association would like to consider covering the Phase I tot lots, it is a project that can certainly be researched. 

Q:  Is it true that our fees are going up to $100 a month next year?

A:  The 2009 fee has not been established at this point.  Budget preparations begin in late August, early September.  The fees are based on the expected expenses for the upcoming year.  The initial Tortosa budget created was a “zero-based” budget – which means there was no history of actual expenses to utilize at that time. The 2008 budget had actual expenses to plan with.  Not all income, nor all expenses have come to be as planned.  In planning for future budgets, those items that did not come to pass previously, will be evaluated to see if they need to be included or removed for the next years’ budget.  Sales, subsidy funding, existing contracts, etc are all part of the planning.   Note: A hand out showing a comparison between the approved 2008 budget and what it would have looked like without the South Phase income/expenses was presented.  We also requested volunteers for a budget committee to be a part of the budget process for 2009.  If you are interested please let us know.

Q:  What is being done about the weed situation?

A:  Each month we do inspections and for May, we have over 30 homes on the Self-Help list.  Self-Help is the term used in your documents when the Association goes on a vacant home and cleans up the yard after the required notification.  These 30 homes are different than the group from previous month.  With each new month, more and more homes are being abandoned and left unattended.  In order to avoid having to go back and notify the same houses each month, NatureScape has just informed us that once they perform the initial clean up on these yards, they will put them on a monthly weed treatment program to help stop the regrowth until the homes are occupied again at no additional charge.  They have already gone back and re-cleaned, then sprayed 14 of the previous months Self Help properties last week.   This is a huge help as if there were any additional charges for the monthly treatment, we are required to wait until the proper notification has been given (again) to the owner of record.  Although the Association puts the cost of clean up on each owners home, the Association has to pay for the service and wait to be reimbursed by the owner.  Unfortunately in these times and with so many bankruptcies and foreclosures, reimbursement is not guaranteed. 

17. What if we don’t want cable from Maricopa Broadband?

A:   At the onset of Tortosa a contract was entered into, providing the community with a basic package of cable television service for a reduced rate to a Homeowner within an Association.  Without the availability of a cable provider, the television viewing in Maricopa was at a bare minimum.   The contract Tortosa has in place is exclusive with Maricopa Broadband and is for a term of 15 years.  We are in year three of that contract.  The fee/charge for the basic package of cable is included into your Association Dues as a result of this contract.  According to the Association documents, this contract is part of the HOA assessment and is therefore not an optional service with billing depending on use.  Unless MBB fails to meet the requirements of contract, the contract, its stipulations and fees remain in your Association assessment.

Life is good!  Even with all of the people that had things less than positive to say, I see so much opportunity.  We have homes in a desert/farm area and can expect snakes and weeds and dust and less than perfect conditions during rains, etc.  In the early stages (yes 2-3 years is "young" of developement, there are growing pains and learning curves to be expected.  If we are like understanding parents to our "new" area, we can grow it into a wonderful place to live....If we have to occasionally "take it on the chin" and figure out another way to get things done, we can do that, too. 

It was nice seeing so many people with pride in the area showing up to a meeting.  When I was in Dobson Ranch, I saw a lot of similarities. 

One gentleman was pretty disgruntled about the landscape company.  I was left wondering if he was planning to bid the next contract and use his expertise to make the improvements he thought necessary. 

I heard another person trying to understand why a diesel generator was being used when the high cost of diesel is prohibitive, and didn't seem to understand that diesel was not in the same situation when the need was planned.  Also, diesel generators are pretty efficient.

The grass, tot lots, weeds and renters were common areas of interest.  In truth, you usually can't force people have pride in their abode.    Like one gentleman said, it has to be learned and the best way is to teach it, by example.  Even then, it isn't always going to work....therefore, our load is increased.  The gentleman who was interested in doing whatever it takes until he gets another job is a fine example of doing just that....take the load.

Awesome!  Growing pains mean that we are at least growing.  I am anxious to grow here.  Thanks for teaching the "newbie" to the area so much of what is happening.  It's exciting!

they are relying on our complacency.  i have a feeling it'll go up.  they're doing the dance.  ugh.