Compiled by Patrick Comiskey
Thirty-two people attended a jam-packed Board Meeting held June 25, 2024, including eight Directors, Management representatives, and invited guests.
Board president Laura Civiello opened the meeting with an announcement that the California State Senate Judiciary Committee is reviewing AB 2159, a measure that would allow HOAs to use electronic voting systems to elect board members and approve governing documents. An electronic process would give the association a more efficient tool to gather votes than the current paper ballots, and hopefully make it easier to get quorum prior to the annual meetings.
You can support electronic voting by voicing your support here:
www.tinyurl.com/hoa-voting.
Thirty-two people attended a jam-packed Board Meeting held June 25, 2024, including eight Directors, Management representatives, and invited guests.
Board president Laura Civiello opened the meeting with an announcement that the California State Senate Judiciary Committee is reviewing AB 2159, a measure that would allow HOAs to use electronic voting systems to elect board members and approve governing documents. An electronic process would give the association a more efficient tool to gather votes than the current paper ballots, and hopefully make it easier to get quorum prior to the annual meetings.
You can support electronic voting by voicing your support here:
www.tinyurl.com/hoa-voting.
FANNIE MAE/FREDDIE MAC UPDATE:
Board member and realtor Chris Scornaienchi and his business partner Christina Warfield proposed a new process they believe will help the Association get off Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac so-called “blacklists.” Given the Office’s greater knowledge of the property, they recommended having the Office complete lender HOA certification requests rather than Ross Morgan, and the Board approved trialing this process. Ross Morgan will continue to process HOA cert requests until the staff has receive training, estimated to be completed by the end of July.
NEXT STEPS FOR THE INSURANCE CRISIS:
Based on last month’s presentation by Kimberly Lilley of Berg Insurance, the Board discussed next steps for the VGOA’s 2025 policy renewal. Director Claire Knowlton said she is already making preparations in next year’s budget to accommodate another large insurance bill. A community-wide townhall meeting about the upcoming renewal will be combined with the Budget & Finance Committee’s annual open house in September. Ms. Lilley will be invited back to speak and answer residents’ questions.
NEW RULES FOR FIRES AND FLAME-PRODUCING DEVICES:
The Board agreed to amend the VG Handbook to bring it into compliance with California Fire Codes § 308.1.4 and § 307.4.3. The rules include banning recreational fires in patios including fire pits and chimneys, requiring covered cooking devices on patios such as grills and BBQs have 10 foot clearance from Association buildings, and prohibiting fires of any kind in the Common Area. The rules will be subject to a 30-day homeowner comment period before adoption.
LIGHTING FIXTURES FOR COURTS 1,2,7 APPROVED:
As part of a pilot project to improve safety in the garage courts, Operations Manager Linda Pollari solicited multiple bids to upgrade the lighting in three garage courts. The Board approved a proposal from Superior Mechanical Engineering & Plumbing Inc. to upgrade existing fixtures to LED and install additional lighting at an estimated cost of $21,000.
BALCONY INSPECTIONS SET:
Operations manager Linda Pollari gave an overview for the work required to comply with SB 326. She sought to approve the fee needed to hire a licensed engineer to inspect and report on balcony safety. Of the four companies that submitted RFPs, California Balcony inspections stood out, and the Board approved hiring the firm, at a cost of $39,160. Inspections are required by lay law by January 1, 2025.
GAME NIGHT!
The Board approved a proposal from the Cultural Affairs committee to host a BYO game night one night per month in the Clubhouse.
CHALK ON SIDEWALKS:
The ongoing issue of children drawings on sidewalks—a condition which in rain-free Los Angeles feels semi-permanent to some—was discussed. Initial letters by the Board pleading for self-regulation and restraint to owners and residents last year have gone unheeded, and the Office reports spending hours fielding complaints from residents on both sides of the issue. Pros and cons of enforcing a rule limiting chalk drawing to the front of chalkers’ units were debated.
Board member and realtor Chris Scornaienchi and his business partner Christina Warfield proposed a new process they believe will help the Association get off Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac so-called “blacklists.” Given the Office’s greater knowledge of the property, they recommended having the Office complete lender HOA certification requests rather than Ross Morgan, and the Board approved trialing this process. Ross Morgan will continue to process HOA cert requests until the staff has receive training, estimated to be completed by the end of July.
NEXT STEPS FOR THE INSURANCE CRISIS:
Based on last month’s presentation by Kimberly Lilley of Berg Insurance, the Board discussed next steps for the VGOA’s 2025 policy renewal. Director Claire Knowlton said she is already making preparations in next year’s budget to accommodate another large insurance bill. A community-wide townhall meeting about the upcoming renewal will be combined with the Budget & Finance Committee’s annual open house in September. Ms. Lilley will be invited back to speak and answer residents’ questions.
NEW RULES FOR FIRES AND FLAME-PRODUCING DEVICES:
The Board agreed to amend the VG Handbook to bring it into compliance with California Fire Codes § 308.1.4 and § 307.4.3. The rules include banning recreational fires in patios including fire pits and chimneys, requiring covered cooking devices on patios such as grills and BBQs have 10 foot clearance from Association buildings, and prohibiting fires of any kind in the Common Area. The rules will be subject to a 30-day homeowner comment period before adoption.
LIGHTING FIXTURES FOR COURTS 1,2,7 APPROVED:
As part of a pilot project to improve safety in the garage courts, Operations Manager Linda Pollari solicited multiple bids to upgrade the lighting in three garage courts. The Board approved a proposal from Superior Mechanical Engineering & Plumbing Inc. to upgrade existing fixtures to LED and install additional lighting at an estimated cost of $21,000.
BALCONY INSPECTIONS SET:
Operations manager Linda Pollari gave an overview for the work required to comply with SB 326. She sought to approve the fee needed to hire a licensed engineer to inspect and report on balcony safety. Of the four companies that submitted RFPs, California Balcony inspections stood out, and the Board approved hiring the firm, at a cost of $39,160. Inspections are required by lay law by January 1, 2025.
GAME NIGHT!
The Board approved a proposal from the Cultural Affairs committee to host a BYO game night one night per month in the Clubhouse.
CHALK ON SIDEWALKS:
The ongoing issue of children drawings on sidewalks—a condition which in rain-free Los Angeles feels semi-permanent to some—was discussed. Initial letters by the Board pleading for self-regulation and restraint to owners and residents last year have gone unheeded, and the Office reports spending hours fielding complaints from residents on both sides of the issue. Pros and cons of enforcing a rule limiting chalk drawing to the front of chalkers’ units were debated.
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