Las Palomas

April 05 President letter

May 16, 2005

Las Palomas H.O.A.


Las Palomas ?“President?’s Perspective?”

To: Homeowners of Las Palomas
From: Ken Dry
Date: 5/16/2005
Re: Summary of April Meeting
For the minutes of the April 20, 2005 meeting, please log on to our website at: www.neighborhoodlink.com/scottsdale/palomas/. Copies of the minutes will be available at the Las Palomas office for homeowners still in Las Palomas for the summer months. We have enclosed copies to out of town owners without e-mail access.
The following information is a summery of my observations from the last meeting and only my personal opinion on topics covered in the April meeting and/or review or the minutes of the meetings from 1995 through April 2005. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the position of the other Board members or Previous Board members. I will be happy to discuss any questions that may come up from this correspondence.
For anyone wishing to participate in the monthly committee meetings please contact:
Rules and Regulations: David Kelsey, Vice President, and Board Chairperson ?–480-991-8974
Grounds- Landscaping: Mike Frain, Director, and Board Chairperson- 480-483-4743
Architectural: Jerry (Paul) Ahler, Treasurer, and Board Chairperson ?– 480-998-1414
Social Committee ?– Marian Cocanour, Chair Person, 480-956-6305
The committees will meet at least once a month. Their ideas will be presented to the Board, in written form, at the monthly meetings. Although it is preferable to have full time residents on these committees, everyone is invited to participate. The Board, when making any decisions pertinent to the committee will take these presentations into consideration. The Advisory Committees do not have a vote in the final decisions.
Even though you do not join a committee, your opinions are welcome. My e-mail address is totalexposure@msn.com. Let me know what you think (preferably in 100 words or less on any one issue) or come and talk to me. A very small percentage of the homeowners every let us know what they want us to think what you are thinking. The Board will take your silence as our approval to vote your proxy on our decisions. If you don?’t agree with us, let me know.
We reviewed reports from the Social committee and the Rules Committee. The party held on April 17th was a great success. We are sorry that more of you couldn?’t make it. The food was great and the conversation was pleasant, no shop talk. As part of the process for welcoming new residents, the social committee and other members will be formalizing an introductory letter and agenda to help new homeowners feel more comfortable with their new surroundings and be more aware of the rules, regulations and C.C. & R?’s. It is apparent that providing copies of all the available material is somewhat overwhelming and may not be read. It has been noted that even homeowners, who have been here for years, have not read all the information.
Refuse containers should not be put out before 7PM on the night before collection and must be removed by 7PM on day of collection. If you are going to be unable to meet this schedule, ask a neighbor to help. If the container is removed from the curb and placed out of direct sight near the garage door or in the front or back courtyard, this would be acceptable for a short period of time. The time has been changed from 6PM to 7Pm to accommodate some of the working homeowners.
This brings us to the Rule Committee report that noted that we are still having problems in the areas of parking cars improperly, not cleaning up after dogs (attributed more to visitors and renters), contractors not monitoring their work areas and refuse containers not being put out and removed in a timely manor. A new problem, regarding personal safety, was also presented; homeowners giving gate openers to unauthorized people. Anyone who has not been registered with the Association should not be given an opener for the front gate. Only owners and renters have a right to access the common areas of the Association. The gate attendants may give all others the right to be on the common property, only after confirmation by a homeowner, of the visitor?’s invitation to enter for some service or valid purpose. It has been proposed that if an unauthorized person enters the complex, using an opener, the opener will be deactivated. There will be an administrative fee imposed for reactivation.
By the next Board meeting in May, the Rules committee will be working on resolutions to be adapted covering these issues. We will be deciding on what procedure are expected to decide rules violations and appropriate fees to be charged for failure to comply with the rules.
I have asked the committees to start discussions on the following topic:
1. Gate openers ?–who can and cannot use them .
2. Prohibit parking of commercial vehicles on property between 6PM and 6AM, regardless of ownership. Must be in Garage or off property.
3. Establish fee schedules for violations of rules and regulations and establish guidelines to follow for implementation of fees when violations occur.
4. Emphasize a homeowner?’s responsibility to their neighbors and community to be sure their contractors and service employees do not damage or restrict the use of property and space around their work areas. The Association is compelled to restrict access to the common area if contractors do not abide by the rules and regulations of the association and show disregard to others property.
5. I am asking the Architectural committee to discuss possible changes to the CC&Rs to have homeowners be responsible for painting their own homes. This discussion will be ongoing over the next year. I expect imput from all homeowners as we plan to have a vote to change the CC&Rs. I am sure that any change will retain Board control on when a house needs painting and that the painting must conform to the standards set by the community.
Please contact the respective committee chairperson to find out when the next meetings will be held if you wish to give us your opinion on any issues. We want your participation. I will be available at most times to discuss any ideas. We prefer your ideas in writing or e-mail (mine is totalexposure@msn.com). If you want any issue discussed during a Board meeting, please submit it in writing a few days before the meeting. I will then schedule some time during the meeting to discuss the issue. I will also be available before each meeting to briefly go over any issues you may have, if time allows.
I look forward to seeing everyone in May.
Ken Dry