Walnut Country/ The Crossings Town Hall & Social Cowell Homeowner s Association
Agenda Welcome & Introductions CHOA Homeowners Survey Summary Reserves Overview & Projects Communications Update Architectural Update Landscape Update Teams/Orgs Use of Our Facilities Safety & Security Questions & Answers YOUR TIME!
Who s Who Cowell HOA Board of Directors Mark Weinmann, President Donna Glover, Vice President/Swim Team Chair Tim Wright, Treasurer/Facilities Committee Salinda Cardoza, Secretary/Arch. Committee Chair Marc Buchanan, Landscape Committee Chair Rich Ellenson, Communications Committee Chair Barry Collins, Arch. Committee Member Pat Magee, CCAM General Manager, Collins Management Andy Steinberg, Clubhouse Supervisor/Assistant to Manager
CHOA Structure We have continuously refined and expanded our operating structure to increase our effectiveness and efficiency CHOA Board of Directors Officers and Committee Chairs/Members Property Management General Manager higher level of knowledge and service Committee Structure To allow for higher focus in key areas of operation. Includes standing and ad hoc committees: Architectural (Standing) Communications (Ad Hoc) Landscape (Standing) Rules (Ad Hoc) WCST (Standing) Activities (Standing) Facilities (Ad Hoc) Safety & Security (Currently forming) We need YOU! Please help us by volunteering!
CHOA Homeowners Survey 234 respondents (295 in 2009); ~22% of CHOA; 95% were homeowners; 1,548 comments Data Quality measures taken for accuracy 95% Confidence Level with a +/- 5.6% Interval Statistically Valid Complete survey report on website Demographics 87% want to still live here in five years 49% have at least one school-aged child (up from 40%) 79% of those responding earn at least $100k
CHOA Homeowners Survey Quality of Life Reason to live here ranking: neighborhood, schools, CHOA services, CHOA dues, location, affordable housing 75% at least very proud here; 95% moderately proud Facilities and BOD Management Agree w/work on Greenbelt, Office, Clubhouse, and pools Keep up Greenbelt landscaping! Low used facilities were still rated important for home $$$ Top possible projects: key cards, sunshades, office gym
CHOA Homeowners Survey CHOA Services and BOD Management Landscaping & architecture enforcement is priority #1 Greater satisfaction with landscaping vs. architecture Safety & crime are next highest concerns (CERT, etc.) Social events sixth-most important, up from 12/12 in 09 Communications 80% satisfied with communications efforts Greater meeting, event, and channel publicity welcome
Reserves What are they? Why we need them - To be able to repair, replace, restore, or maintain major assets that have a remaining life of less than 30 years. The reserve funds are deposited in laddered CDs and are FDIC Insured. Note: reserves can t be used to buy/build new assets. A Reserve Study is prepared and reviewed annually by a qualified company to assist us in understanding our assets useful life and future replacement cost. This past year, CHOA used a new company for the Reserve Study Reserve Analysis Consulting. We found items that had not been included previously. We urge ALL homeowners to review the Reserve Study and Budget forwarded them each year to understand how your dues are being used for reserve contributions.
Reserves Where are We? Funding Reserves are 113% funded as of 12-31-15 which total $2,176,146. This is a significant achievement for an HOA. Due to our funding level, we REDUCED the reserve contribution in 2016 allowing us to keep dues stable. However, if we are to increase funding of reserves to 10% next year and 3% thereafter, we could drop to 82% funding in 5 years. Assets and Spending The assets due for maintenance on the Reserve Study are a guideline for the BOD to follow. However, maintenance has often been deferred. We will be more aggressive in maintaining assets going forward (reserves will go down and dues may need to be increased.) Reserve Spending: 2014 - $144,113 Largest projects were Tennis Court Fencing and East Entrance Landscape Upgrade 2015 - $256,363 Largest project were Tennis Court Lighting, Landscaping (Trees, South Slope, Irrigation), Lower Tennis Court Resurfacing
2016 Planned Reserve Expenditures All of our facilities are being maintained well and look great. We continually get high usage & praise from our homeowners. We continue to maintain them through reserve funding. In 2016, we are planning to address: Item Cost Concrete Walkway Repair/Maintenance $15,000 Irrigation, Landscaping & Trees $181,250 Irrigation Well System $7,580 Clubhouse Lighting (External) $3,300 Greenbelt Components (Lighting, Rails, Etc.) $5,400 Tennis Courts Resurfacing (1 & 2) $10,000 Tennis Court Lighting (Upper 1-4) Last Payment* $13,050 Basketball Courts $23,300 West Pool Renovation* $160,000 *work scheduled in 2015 but will not complete and be paid until 2016 2016 Total $418,880
2016 Major Reserve Projects Specifics West Pool Renovation (35 years old) Removing deck, new deck using pavers Replacing plumbing, re-plastering Irrigation, Landscaping & Trees Replacing outdated/old irrigation systems section by section New/updated landscaping Annual tree maintenance All focusing on water conservation Tennis Court Lighting Replaced light poles with energy efficient lighting Basketball Courts Resurface; new poles/backboards NEW New Facility Security Access Replacing keys with electronic cards/fobs Many advantages for managing access and increasing security
Communications Committee Achievements Achievements Established committee in mid-2015 to address thorough and consistent communications for CHOA Established and managing an active online presence in social media (recent example of addressing pool schedule needs) Increasing use of the esignal to address news and communication in a more timely manner Conducted a community-wide survey to understand the needs, desires and make-up of Walnut Country Ongoing management of all communication vehicles for consistency
Communications Committee Plans Plans New website design project (BOD likely to choose company at February meeting) Signal production schedule yields late arriving news Go online only w/esignal & website? Continue to encourage social media participation (60+% increase on ND; 100% increase on FB) BOD is going digital Public BOD e-mail addresses for ease of contact by all
Architecture Committee Achievements Achievements Reviewed and updated architectural guidelines (to be includes in updated Rules booklet coming for review in March/April) Committee/Inspectors near fully staffed One opening on committee Ongoing training is insuring consistency and thoroughness Responding to homeowner concerns Rotating review of sectors with General Manager Improved and ongoing communication to homeowners (Signal, letters, etc.)
Architecture Committee Plans Plans Release of updated architectural guidelines and communication to homeowners Update of paint/color book binder Continued focus on working with the community to assure the safety and beauty of CHOA
Landscape Committee Achievements & Plans Achievements: Plans: Water conversation through continued irrigation system upgrades and creation of ongoing water management plan (with Landscape Care) South Slope Landscape prototype completed Trees/forestation management ongoing Continued water conservation through irrigation upgrades and other landscape projects Expand South Slope Landscape prototype to additional portions of the South Slope Create Tree Management Policy that will address long-term management of community trees
Landscape Water Savings Due to upgrades to our irrigation systems our total 2015 water expense was $92k which was 23% less than the 2015 budget, 21% less than last year and 37% less than 2013. Recent improvements to the greenbelt well has resulted in an increased output of 23-35 GPM from 10-15 GPM. This will aid in our drought management and landscape health.
Landscape Irrigation Systems
Landscape - Irrigation and Landscape Upgrades
Landscape Irrigation and Landscape Upgrades
Landscape Irrigation and Landscape Upgrades
Landscape South Slope Landscape Before
Landscape South Slope After Landscape Upgrades
Landscape The Jewel of the Crossings Line Item (000 s) 2015 Actual 2016 Budget % Chg. Landscape Contract 113.7 117.6 3.4% Weed Abatement 3.9 3.9 0.0% Irrigation Repairs 10.0 10.0 0.0% Irrigation Upgrades 25,.3 33.0 30.4% Landscape Planting 6.0 6.0 0.0% Water 93.0 100.0 7.5% Reserve Landscape & Irrigation Total * - Includes $35k for SS 62.4 132.8* 112.8% $314.3 $403.2 28.1%
Landscape - Trees During 2015 a through walk through and review of all trees on the North & South Slopes, both entrances, the Greenbelt and other areas around the development was conducted. As a results of that review numerous trees were thinned and several damaged or diseased trees were removed. The goal of the Landscape Committee and the CHOA BOD s is to develop a Tree Maintenance Program that will result in the protection of Homeowner s property and their safety and to maintain an overall parklike theme of the development. Draft Tree Maintenance Program: Twice a year CHOA will engage a licensed arborist with a certified risk assessor s credential ( Inspecting Arborist ) to inspect all CHOA trees including, but not limited to, the central greenbelt, north slope, south slope, dog parks, east and west entrances, landscape adjacent to the doctors offices, business office, and clubhouse areas. Inspections will take assessment of tree health, structure, apparent stability, potential for property damage, overcrowding, and general safety. All tree trimming as recommended by the Inspecting Arborist must be approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will rely on the Inspecting Arborist s evaluation and recommendations as their subject matter expert when making tree trimming decisions. All tree trimming is subject to CHOA budget.
Landscape Committee Currently the Landscape Committee has several opening on the committee. Monthly meetings are held the 1 st Tuesday of the month at the Business Office at 7:00 PM. Requirements are: Homeowner Have a pride and desire to improve the health and maintenance of the landscape surrounding and within our community. IF interested or if you have any questions about this committee please see me after today s meeting!
Team & Orgs Usage of Facilities Overview Both Sports teams and organizations use Common Area facilities including: USTA Team tennis with both residents and non-residents WCST Long standing swim team with residents and non-residents Walnut Country Pre-school Smokestack Boutique Annual craft sale at Clubhouse Classes, Rentals, Events Use facility to conduct and pay for rental All who use facilities must abide by rules (insurance, security, agreements) and pay fees These activities are overseen by the BOD Team Activities Survey Insights 62% favor USTA and WCST facility use as long as HOA dues don t increase for any shortfalls (70% against) 46% agree with 49% WCST non-resident cap
Team & Orgs Usage of Facilities Background USTA USTA sponsored/sanctioned team tennis under direction of CHOA Tennis Pro Use of tennis courts on weekly basis; recently implemented fees WCST - Stingrays Long standing swim team sponsored by CHOA for more than 30 years Pays fees for main pool usage Non-resident participation has increased over time 2015 WCST Total swimmers = 174 Residents = 101 (58%) Non-residents = 73 (42%) Non-residents swimmers fees are approximately 25% more then resident fees to offset the cost of using CHOA facilities. Walnut Country Pre-school Separate from CHOA Non-profit organization that leases the pre-school based on actual costs on a three year lease term
Team & Orgs Usage of Facilities Going Forward The BOD will provide stronger oversight of ALL facility usage WCST/BOD Collaboration WCST is run by a committee under the direction of the BOD While WCST has paid fees in the past, recent analysis found that we need to increase fees. WCST will pay the incremental cost for exclusive use of the main pool for clinics and season activities USTA Team tennis being monitored; would like to increase resident participation Smokestack Boutique BOD preparing to address how they operate
Neighborhood Security Security Security (GSG Protective Services) company patrols from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. Patrols streets and common areas can act on common area but not on public areas (streets, etc.) these are random by design Armed patrols later in the evening Daily reports sent to the BOD Vandalism continues to be watched closely Rewards being offered, incidences have decreased but still occur
Neighborhood Safety This is a new area of focus for the BOD Safety Many issues are being raised Traffic Large increase during commutes and unsafe (speeding, running stop signs) Burglaries/Unknown People Incidents on rise Pets/Animals Off leash all too common, some attacks Mail Theft Package theft during holidays seen Parking Ends of cul de sac parking illegally creating access/safety issues Common Area/Street lighting too dark
Neighborhood Safety & Security New Safety & Security Committee Forming we need YOU! Objectives: Identify/prioritize issues for neighborhood Work with security company, police (CPD) and City of Concord to address needs/issues Promote involvement, neighborhood watch First priority Traffic increase and safety First Meeting coming SOON!
It s Your Turn! Questions & Answers
Thank You for Coming!