Monthly Meeting of the Stonegate HOA 10 June 2003

Finances

The operating fund has approximately $48,000. The walls set-aside is $40,000.

Neighborhood Watch Report

Peter Marino, our Neighborhood Watch head, reported on the status of the Neighborhood Watch.

Speed hump status:

Engineers have come out from the city
It will take about 2-3 more weeks before they are installed
The speed humps will be like those near Castle Peak park on Atherton.
For future reference, it takes about 18 months to get them installed from start to finish.

Neighborhood watch signs are still being worked on by the city. The city has one person (for all of Los Angeles!) working part time to install neighborhood watch signs. The check for the signs is being sent by the HOA tomorrow. They should be installed in 2-3 weeks.

Snakes

Stan Malin (on Greystone) reports that a 6 foot long rattlesnake was found by his neighbors in their yard next door. He advised people to be on the lookout. Although they haven't been seen too frequently, we are near open space and it can happen.

Trash Can Storage

An owner on Stonegate got a notice about visible cans. He said his cans were stored behind bushes but in front of fence. He said that he has been here seven years and his cans have always been stored this way.

The owner thought that the rules showed that his storage location was OK, but it was determined that he had an old version of rules.

A board member indicated that the board does not not follow all the CC&Rs.

Community Yard Sale

A much larger than usual audience was present tonight and the discussion centered around the community garage sale.

Jim Hughes spoke and said that 6 other owners had called him and agreed that they oppose the planned community garage sale. Jim is concerned that association involvement is a problem. He believed that we could have 239 homes involved. He has lived in area 18 years. He said that a garage sale "brings a strange element into the neighborhood." The impact is unknkwn. The association and directors become responsible. It is a liability exposing both owners and the board.

Some neighbors are in favor and spoke up at the meeting.

One neighbor complained to Mr. Hughes that it is illegal to put flyers in mailboxes, which Mr. Hughes did to announce his opposition to the garage sale.

The board made it clear that no dollars were spent by the HOA to organize or announce the meeting. Bill mentioned that the garage sale had been discussed at the previous month's open meeting where none present voiced objections.

A homeowner who lived on Greystone opposed the sale.

Barry R. stated that board is not involved.

He suggested that people come to the meetings more regularly, though few do. Once long ago when a woman was killed on Stagg lots of people came to the meeting.

Several felt that the garage sale mailer will be attributed to HOA, even though it was produced independently. Without a disclaimer there is a possible liability. Mr. Hughes wants the HOA to express opposition to an advertisement in the paper.

The HOA attorney (Mr. Lengle) believes that risk is minimal given his 25 years experience. Only HOA could be sued.

Barry is the HOA president

Mr. Lengle believes that distributing the garage sale flyer is squarely in boards authority.

A homeowner mentioned that the Estate Collection prohibits garage sales.

Other Issues

One landscaping question arose. A homeowner on Stonegate (where the "fence goes back and forth"?) wants HOA gardeners to stay off his property.

A board member mentioned that the police have indicated that crime is infrequent in areas west of Topanga.

Gating the Community

Barry Seybert is on street committee in neighborhood council.

Steve Levin in the Estate Collection wants us to vote on becoming gated.

There is a wide range of income in Stonegate and not all residents might be interested.

Our HOA Board is in favor of becoming a gated community.

The cost to homeowners would include a $1200-$2000 1-time assessment.

Many people expect a $20,000-40,000 increase in home value if the area becomes gated.

The HOA is now collecting reserves to pay for capital improvement.

It was mentioned that the city would give part of Castle Peak park for a turnabout.

There will be a meeting Saturday at the Estate Collection. The host's name is Jackie.

Last modified on 11 Jul 2003 by AO