Compiled by P.J.C.
Thirty-two people attended the January Board meeting, including Management and eight directors. Topics included RIOS' proposal for overhauling the irrigation system, noise guidelines, Highlights newsletter, Sycamore corridor rehabilitation, and gophers.
Thirty-two people attended the January Board meeting, including Management and eight directors. Topics included RIOS' proposal for overhauling the irrigation system, noise guidelines, Highlights newsletter, Sycamore corridor rehabilitation, and gophers.
MASTER PLANTING GUIDELINES
The Board was presented with follow-up materials from landscape design firm Rios’ September 2022 proposal toward overhauling the irrigation system. Their central recommendation is to remove the turf immediately in front of units and replace it with drought tolerant plants, thereby drastically reducing water use and maintenance costs.
This approach is in keeping with the Barlow Plan, which originally allocated 11 acres of lawn space at the Green (as opposed to the 25 acres today). Under the Rios plan, lawns would remain in the center sections of all garden courts as well as the West, Main and East Greens. The Board reviewed site plans, potential plant palettes, and photos of other properties where turf has been replaced by groundcover plantings. Some additional seating options were also discussed. The Board agreed to hold a Town Hall meeting for residents in February to present Rios’ recommendations.
DISCUSSION OF NOISE GUIDELINES
As a follow up to last month’s Board discussion regarding excessive noise on the Green, Board member Ashley Fondrevay presented research on what other HOA and municipal organizations do to address such concerns. Several approaches were discussed, including adding LA County noise level guidelines to the VG Handbook, deputizing Security to intervene and equipping them with decibel meters, and relegating gatherings playing amplified music to the Clubhouse.
Several directors volunteered to continue to work on solutions and return to the Board with additional suggestions next month.
HIGHLIGHTS WILL CEASE MONTHLY PUBLICATION
The Communication Committee informed the Board that the production of the Village Green Highlights is not sustainable in its current form for those who volunteer to produce it. Various alternatives were discussed, including quarterly production and online publication. A shorter, monthly version containing the Board, Manager, and Security reports may be continued. (Please see Editor’s Note, page 3).
SYCAMORE CORRIDOR REHAB UPDATE
The rehabilitation of Sycamore Avenue to improve privacy and safety along that property border continues. Board member Chris Scornaienchi noted that the removal of weeds, overgrowth, and underbrush had exposed more empty space than anticipated and would require extra planting, costing an additional $10,160. He asked the Board for those funds, which were granted.
GOPHERS RUN AMOK
Despite eradication efforts, the gopher population has increased. Maintenance Supervisor Darwin Harry-Ruiz estimated that to gain the upper hand, we need an additional 40 traps. The Board voted unanimously to approve the purchase.
The Board was presented with follow-up materials from landscape design firm Rios’ September 2022 proposal toward overhauling the irrigation system. Their central recommendation is to remove the turf immediately in front of units and replace it with drought tolerant plants, thereby drastically reducing water use and maintenance costs.
This approach is in keeping with the Barlow Plan, which originally allocated 11 acres of lawn space at the Green (as opposed to the 25 acres today). Under the Rios plan, lawns would remain in the center sections of all garden courts as well as the West, Main and East Greens. The Board reviewed site plans, potential plant palettes, and photos of other properties where turf has been replaced by groundcover plantings. Some additional seating options were also discussed. The Board agreed to hold a Town Hall meeting for residents in February to present Rios’ recommendations.
DISCUSSION OF NOISE GUIDELINES
As a follow up to last month’s Board discussion regarding excessive noise on the Green, Board member Ashley Fondrevay presented research on what other HOA and municipal organizations do to address such concerns. Several approaches were discussed, including adding LA County noise level guidelines to the VG Handbook, deputizing Security to intervene and equipping them with decibel meters, and relegating gatherings playing amplified music to the Clubhouse.
Several directors volunteered to continue to work on solutions and return to the Board with additional suggestions next month.
HIGHLIGHTS WILL CEASE MONTHLY PUBLICATION
The Communication Committee informed the Board that the production of the Village Green Highlights is not sustainable in its current form for those who volunteer to produce it. Various alternatives were discussed, including quarterly production and online publication. A shorter, monthly version containing the Board, Manager, and Security reports may be continued. (Please see Editor’s Note, page 3).
SYCAMORE CORRIDOR REHAB UPDATE
The rehabilitation of Sycamore Avenue to improve privacy and safety along that property border continues. Board member Chris Scornaienchi noted that the removal of weeds, overgrowth, and underbrush had exposed more empty space than anticipated and would require extra planting, costing an additional $10,160. He asked the Board for those funds, which were granted.
GOPHERS RUN AMOK
Despite eradication efforts, the gopher population has increased. Maintenance Supervisor Darwin Harry-Ruiz estimated that to gain the upper hand, we need an additional 40 traps. The Board voted unanimously to approve the purchase.
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