SUNSET GREENS NEWSLETTER Volume 24 Dec. 2011 | ||
New News Source Comes to Mesquite July 1, 2011 Sunset Greens resident Barbara Ellestad has started a news web site that is similar to the old Mesquite Local News (MLN) site. Under the new publisher, (Morris Workman is out of it) There news site will not carry current news. As most of you remember, the old MLN has stories up the day after things happened and sometimes even on the same day. Well that will not be the case anymore as stories will appear in print first. With only printing one day a week, things get old before they reach the paper. But with the internet things can be different. Even if we're a small town, we can have news like the big guys. Ms Ellestad used to work for the old MLN but she saw a different future and decided to become a Publisher herself. The future she sees is where we can have access to the news within hours not days. The name of this new venture is Mesquite Citizens Journal and it will be only available through the web site. Although she has started this venture by self-financing she hopes to draw advertising income. This can be very beneficial for businesses as their ad is not thrown out with the trash and the cost is lower than conventional paper ads. Click on the link above and take a look. This is also great for out-of-towners to stay informed.
Landscaping at the adult Pool Many people have noticed the work being done at pool #1. It part of a project to save money by cutting water use, but somehow it doesn't seem to pencil out. The work costs over $ In any event, If the decomposed granite is used the payback might be 33 years, (saving $1,500 per year, cost of redoing path $2,000 every 3 years, net after 3 years = $1,500 and that doesn't count the cost of money) That's only if the saving reaches 50%. If not that much saving maybe never, most likely never. Oh by the way, we didn't see the three bids required by Nevada law to protect homeowners. Oh who cares anyway. New R.V. Lot Manager Bill Brewer has been new R.V. lot manager. Jim Clark after serving many years as retired. A new Manager will be hired. I'm sure there are many people who might like a little extra money and could handle the job. New Customer Care Representative Appointed Jan 19 Did you know that Larry Knapp is no longer with us. What happened. We have heard that it was a termination but all the facts are not in the open, so we will just have to wait. However the word is that a Taylor manager from another project in Mesquite has taken over. I thought we had a full time manager but maybe this is just in the in-term. Also Taylor Management has offered to continue our contract for one more year with no increase and then at 5% increase in 2012. but then no increase for 2013 and 2014. It is a three year proposal beginning in 2012. How many of us got a 5% raise in Social Security or 5% increase at work. I think 0% is more like or maybe 1% but 5%? Bye the way, when was the last time we went out for bid on our management contract.? Good Idea Jan 6 Landscape watering is one of our biggest expenses. Walking down the streets we have all seen water being wasted. But what to do? Learn from the big boys and girls by seeing what others do. At the last Board meeting Arlis in his report from the Landscaping Committee brought forth the idea of using wetness sensors to find out when the soil moisture content is low and water is needed. These sensors will also tell when there is enough water in the soil and water is not needed. Problem is they cost a lot and so you can't put them at every house. The good news is that we could select one of the common areas with a large grass area. Sounds like a great idea let's try it out. Fall is coming, but what's happening? Sept. 2 With fall approaching, it would be nice if people could find out what is going on in our community. The bulletin boards are still turned the wrong way for homeowners use but the steel back of the boards look nice and shiny as people drive by. What a valuable thing the HOA board is doing for the community, where the paper in the bulletin boards used to yellow and need to be replaced, now it doesn't, and think how much paper has been saved (Sunset Greens is going green). Unfortunately I can't see our crowning achievement, because I can't see it. This is a total disregard for the people, the Board is supposed to serve. Why not move the boards to the family pool area where some people might see them? Getting out of my car and climbing through the landscaping I saw the HOA board. A few good ads on the community board but move it so somebody can see them. Too bad for us.
What's the deal with turning around the Bulletin Board? June 2010 Have you noticed the time, effort and expense some people have gone too to turn around the bulletin board? What is the idea? Keeping more secrets? Now only people walking along the sidewalk can see the postings. If your driving by how do you find out what is happing? That has got to be the worst location for a community Bulletin board ever thought up. Any guesses who picked the location? Only the few people who walk up that section of street can see it. And now the drivers can't even see it with out parking their cars and getting out. You might think that it would be better placed by the family pool or even the rock pool as centered in our community. But no, lets even hide it behind some trees so maybe those drivers don't see something different and stop. Or don't even see it to remind them to stop and check it.
What is with the Board? Ever wonder what happened to good honest discussions at the board meetings? Don't you wonder why All decisions are unanimous? How is that possible? Does anyone think the decisions have already been made? Note at the last meeting, April only 28 homeowners were represented. This year the board seems to be keeping secret the date of the next Board meeting until the legal deadline (10 days) for notifying Homeowners. This makes it very difficult to plan to attend the meetings. With only about 28 Homes represented at the last meeting it seems to be working. Also at the last meeting it was requested that the agenda include more information on the items listed. The suggestion was met with "It's too much work". Is it too much work to let the homeowners know what is being proposed? This seems important when homeowners can only speak about agenda items before the meeting, how do you know what to speak about? It seems easy to add a few words describing what the item is. Friends of the Founding Fathers Visit their new web site fotff.com - updated May 2010 Recently a new group was formed with the long name above. They are non-partisan but support more limited government. They have a well developed web site. They have had several Candidate forums in Mesquite. At one of the first meetings they had a video of the differences in government and it was something that was not taught in school. You will find it very interesting and informative. Just click the link below. http://www.wimp.com/thegovernment/
| The CC7Rs Changes Dec 2011
After almost 6 months the required number of ballots to affect a change in the CC&Rs have not been received. So the board voted to continue the voting period until the next board meeting in February. It seems obvious that the homeowners don't want the changes, or they don't understand some of them. Unfortunately the ballot did not explain what the ramification of those items that were not just clean-up items.
Some of the items, involve the HOA taking responsibility for big ticket items. Many people when they don't understand will not vote (Smart). One of the big items is to have the HOA agree to paint the single family houses, even when that was clear when the houses were purchased that was the responsibility of the single family homeowner. That change would add as much as $2 per month to all homeowners HOA fees forever. That is only if the price of painting remained low. Plus to make up for not collecting the fee in the past, it would require about an extra $2 a month from everyone for 10 years to make up the shortage. That small point was left out, do you think that would affect someone's vote or their reluctance to vote?
The CC&Rs Changes are Out July 3rd 2011
Look out for your pocket book. One of the changes that the ballot barely describes and doesn't tell the ramifications of is 3.14. Sadly it seems to hide what this does. It requires the Villa homeowners to pay to paint the single family homes. This was clear when people bought their single family homes, that they would be responsible for painting, backyard landscaping and insurance, but now they want you to pay. We know it's only about $14 per year, per villa, over what you have been paying, but why should we pay when they had a clear understanding of the deal and agreed?
For all the information please read below.
CC & Rs Changes March 25th
For all the homeowners who missed the CC&R revisions meeting March 22nd it was attended by about 35 homeowners. Most changes are just clean up but there were some major changes. We will vote on the changes by type of change. Housekeeping, required by law and Big Changes.
The big one is to have the Association pay for painting single family homes (SFH). This one had the most discussion and controversy. In the original CC&Rs buyer of SFH were to take care of yard maintenance, insurance and painting. Their claim is that the HOA should pay for painting and they were out in force at the meeting.
They argue that they are paying into the paint fund and should get the homes painted. The other side has two points. They knew when they bought what they were getting and fully agreed. Also since their houses are about twice as big it cost about twice as much to paint and all other homeowners would then subsidize them.
Looking at the math is seems that it would cost about $120,000 to paint SFH every 10 years or about $10,000 per year. Although the President of the HOA said, that's only $10,000 per year and we can find that anywhere. The truth is all money comes from monthly assessments and we pay.
A compromise was offered which came from the old equity committee to offer a voucher of the cost of painting a villa (approx $1000). That was rejected. There are two SFH owners on the board.
A second change was for the association to paint all fences.
The third was to allow appeals of ARC decision's to the Board. Previously the ARC decision was final. I know that the Board overruled ARC but according to the CC&Rs they had no authority to do that.
Mayan Temple Update
Jan 7
Well it got built but the cost was great. The loss of many good people from the ARC Committee, who quit when the board overruled them without even consulting with them.
The owner has done a good job with the finish and it looks more presentable from the street. The big deal here is that anyone can now build that kind of structure because once one is approved then the HOA must treat all homeowners equally.
Incredible
Oct.17
As incredible as it may sound, the Board of Directors, at a secret meeting overruled the ARC committee and allowed the final construction of the building at Del Lago and Sunset Greens Way. This so called "Mayan Temple" was objected to by many homeowners. At the secret meeting, the appeal item, which homeowners should have the right to be heard, and was not noticed to anyone including members of the ARC committee or put on the agenda. Isn't this against the law?
But worst of all, the letter approving the construction was slipped in the door screen of the ARC Committee Chair more than two weeks after being sent to the homeowner. You would think our committees would be consulted and fully informed. Why weren't they there at the meeting? What an insult. Our committees give their time and effort and are disregarded, kicked to the curb. No wonder very few people want to serve on committees.
There is a Board election coming up with incumbents listed - you may want to ask how they voted.
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| Bob Beck and Mike Young Elected Nov. 2011
At the last homeowners annual meeting these two were Elected for a two year term. Bob Beck is going to be liaison to a new maintenance committee that is under consideration. With the community ageing it needs more tender loving care and maintenance is the heart of that effort. Mike Young will become the Treasurer and liaison to the budget committee. Community Manager Out Sept 2011 Again we have a change in community managers. the old manager just quit, maybe it's something you said. The good news is that Bob Hopkins is in. He will be performing both jobs. Community manager for Taylor Management and Supervisor for KoKo.
Pool Committee Attacked Again At the April 14th Board of Directors' meeting a motion was introduced by Arlis to hold the pool committee personally libel for any losses they may cause in their attempts to improve and correct the deficiencies in solar system. However, the committee pointed out the the original contractor had their contractor license revoked (canceled) not suspended. Under Nevada law that company can nolonger do work in the state. yet, they were called out to repair a small leak in a solar panel connector and charged us $250 after the license was pulled. Since the committee has called in outside experts to evaluate the system, they have pointed out several construction defects and one recommended that we take it to the State License Board but since they have lost their license it seems moot. In any event, the committee is preparing a list of solar system improvements for board review. These improvements should improve the efficiencies of the system substantially. Wow March 10 Pool committee offers to improve solar system for free, but two board members vote against it? At the last board meeting a presentation was made to resolve the engineering report previously presented to the board that pointed out some deficiencies in the solar system. The recommendations were to improve the system and save more money. Some Board members objected and were able to table the report. The pool committee decide to study the report and make it's own recommendations. The result was a plan to improve the system and correct some deficiencies. It involved increasing pipe size and removing a large number of close elbows and removing a booster pump. The board voted to approve the recommendation and the committee will finance the project themselves and receive reimbursement from the saving. Unfortunately that wasn't good enough for some board members. Good Work Jan 6
Results are in from the pool improvements. Solar really works. Cover also helps. The numbers show a big cost savings from the solar and cover installation. Installing the solar saved homeowners Approximately $9,000 so far, although it cost $22,000 That a great payback. The cover is a different calculation. The original cover was the bubble wrap kind and had some insulation value. The new cover is just a thin sheet of fabric thus less insulation value than the old cover. In some cases it was less efficient than the flooting cover. However the installation and removal is much easier and safer. Some of you may have seen the effort to remove and put the cover on each day by hand understand why the new cover was installed. In any event it looks like the solar will be paid back in 2 1/2 years.
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