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Promoting Positive Reflection On The Community
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Summer 2008 Issue 2
Bill Sears, Webmaster e-mail address btsears38@hotmail.com
Linda Jacoby, Editor
Promoting Positive Reflection on the Folsom Bluffs Community
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WITH OUT LAWS WE HAVE CHAOS.
As we have said before, living in a PUD with CC&Rs and Rules are not for everyone! So let us assure all residents who like to live with rules that over night parking violations are being strictly enforced. Every resident at Folsom Bluffs shall use the double garage for parking any and all vehicles owned or driven by the resident.
DRIVEWAY PARKING
Only temporary visitors may park in the driveways. Residents must notify management if a visitor will be staying in excess of 7 days within any 30-day period. Be assured that if you see persistent violations by any homeowner, they are being financially penalized to the full degree permitted by the current CC & Rs. Towing is an option stated in the governing documents and has been upheld by the courts. This Board has NOT exercised that option yet. The board does not understand why residents force the board to take such a drastic action. The Board does not want to fight with homeowners, just wants them to follow the rules they signed on to. The courts want to know that all options have been taken and the violators do understand what rules they are violating. For the courts let's one more time explain the rules with a positive tone. Section V B-C of the Rules and Regulations State:
B. Management will notify the owner (and tenant) of the nature of the violation and of the corrective measures necessary. Reasonable time will be allowed to take this correction action. An uncorrected or recurring violation is subject to a $50 fine. Subsequent fines for the same infraction will be $100.
C. Any resident involved in a parking violation will receive two (2) written notices. If the violation continues, the vehicle(s) involved will be subject to tow and the owner will be fined $50, $100 for subsequent violations. An owner who receives a notice of a fine has the right to appeal the fine at the NEXT regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. The desire to appeal the fine must be stated in writing and mailed to management or to the Board within 15 days of issuance of the fine. Unappealed fines become due and payable on the first day of the next month following notice of the fine. Appealed fines, which are upheld by the Board become due and payable the first day of the month following the date of the appeal. Unpaid fines are subject to all applicable LATE CHARGES and INTEREST.
When all cars are properly parked our complex has a clean comfortable look. The Board would like to thank all residents who are following the rules and please help us with those who are determined to destroy the look of our complex.
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EDITORS RESEARCH INTO PAST PARKING PROBLEMS
Folsom Bluffs has had parking problems in the past- forget the fact that each buyer had to read the CC&Rs and sign their name that they would follow the guidelines stated therein (which, for some, was the sole reason for buying a home here). We have talked to people who have belonged to other homeowner's associations, and the parking rules are quite similar. Folsom Bluffs is not that far out of line. As we talked to several board members of the past, we find they have spent hours discussing what to do about the endless problems---what to do about guests, more than 2 cars, visitor parking, and on and on. Most passed boards were willing to compromise, thus, one board established a visitor's parking area that could be "rented" to a unit with more that 2 cars and drivers ($50 a year for clean-up). Another past board allowed a short term guests parking in the driveway (longer if need be with a call to management); each vehicle had to be moved each day--not stored.
Parking violations and complaints about parking were so plentiful at one point, a vote of the homeowners was taken as to whether they wanted to have the parking rules enforced, or deleted. The homeowners voted that parking rules should be enforced.
In the past boards fined violators $50 a month for each violation as per CC&Rs and the Rules and Regulations (the rule of law). One past board member said that action was taken in the past at Small Claims Court to collect the fines.
If one was watching Channel three last year (02/21/04) we heard that a homeowner in an association was made to sell his home to collect $2,500 in violation of the CC&Rs. It seems in the past and in the present the courts do back-up of the homeowner's associations.
Please don't push the Board to go that far. Enjoy the beautiful complex that we have and follow the rules
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Folsom Bluffs;' Unwanted Fauna
By
Joyce Parks
I want to say "I hate snakes" but since it's not nice to hate anything, I'll say I intensely dislike snakes. Yes, as I was leaving Folsom Bluffs the other day I swerved around one as I was crossing the bike trail. It was a rather pretty sight, in a natural sort of way. But it reminded me of another Folsom Bluffs resident who had good reason to really hate our local snakes.
She lived with her dog "Big Mac" (he was a Scottish Terrier), next to the olive orchard. Big Mac had good reason to hate snakes, too. One bit him on the nose. He recovered, but his mistress was quite upset about the presence of snakes in our beautiful bucolic neighborhood. The Board of Directors responded to her plea for a solution to her dilemma with telephone calls, pamphlets distributed - an honest effort was made to determine what we could do about these unwanted guests. It was even suggested we could build a snake-proof fence around the perimeter of the complex. Bottom line: there wasn't much we could do but be alert.
Needless to say Big Mac had another encounter with a slithery friend AND he recovered from that one, too. (Those Scotty's must be very hearty souls.) That's all well and good for the dog, but his mistress was beside herself with concern. She called the Chief Ranger at the Folsom Lake Recreation Area demanding they do something about all these snakes. He informed her that we humans were living in the snake's natural habitat and we were going to have to learn to deal with that fact. In her frustration, a more intense conversation ensued and the Ranger hung up on her. I guess he was a little rude in so doing, but Big Mac's mistress got the message and she "learned to deal with it" as have we all here at Folsom Bluffs. We weren't able to drive the snakes out of Folsom Bluffs, or all the other habitat-oriented friends we see each day. Thank Goodness!
But, if you ever see a snake what should you do? Take a look at this website for advice.
< http://www.myfolsom.com/folsomwildlife.shtml >.
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WHAT DO INSURANCE COMPANIES
(Homeowners Policies)
SAY ABOUT CERTAIN
DOG BREEDS
By
Linda Conroy
I have spoken to a few Insurance companies who write Homeowners policies, and it would seem that the following dogs are completely unacceptable by all companies:
1. Pit Bull breeds including but not limited to: American Staffordshire Terrier, English Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
2. Presa Canario
3. Rottweiler
4. Any mix including these breeds
Some insurance companies also exclude the following dogs, but will accept them if they have passed the rigorous AKC Canine Good Citizen Test with an official AKC Certificate http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm :
Akita
Chow
American Bandogge Mastiff
Boerboel
Doberman Pinchers
Wolf Hybrid
Olde English Bulldogge ( not the English Bulldog which is acceptable )
Also, any dog with a previous bite history, aggressiveness, or which are unrestrained are usually unacceptable.
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WHAT DOES THE FOLSOM BLUFFS
RULES AND REGULATION
SAY ABOUT PETS
BY
FB Homeowner’s Association
II PETS (Article VII Sec 6)
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A. Dogs, cats, or other usual domestic animal may be kept, provided that they are not kept for commercial purposes and do not constitute a nuisance to other residents.
B. Except as provided above, animals, livestock, and poultry shall not be kept, raised or bred.
C. Pets shall be kept within enclosed areas of the homes. They shall not be let out unattended or allowed to run lose.
D. Dogs shall be kept on leashes when taken for walks in the common area.
E. Pets shall not be permitted to foul the common area. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up promptly after their pets and for disposing of the waste in a sanitary manner. Violations are subject to immediate fines.
F. Residents shall not permit their pets to create excessive noise at any time.
G. All pets shall be licensed and vaccinated as required by law.
H. No resident shall have more than two (2) four-legged animals.
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ACCEPTABLE SHRUBS FOR FOSOM BLUFFS
by
Linda Conroy
SHRUBS
Abelia Grandiflora (Sun/Shade)
Azalea (Shade)
Brunsfelsia (Sun/Shade)
(Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow)
Callistemon (Dwarf Bottlebrush) (Sun)
Camellia (Shade)
Lagerstroemia (Dwarf Crepe Myrtle)(Sun)
Loropetalum (Chinese Fringe Brush)(Sun/Shade)
Pittosporum (Dwarf Mock Orange)(Sun)
Waxleaf Privet (Sun)
TREES
Raphiolepsis (Majestic Beauty small tree)
Crepe Myrtle
Red Maple
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A 20% DUES INCREASE---Why?
The individual Board members are no more pleased than the rest of the homeowners are that a large dues increase was necessary. However, the Board is required by law to develop an annual operating budget which realistically anticipates the expenses for the coming fiscal year as well as setting aside funds for major expenditures in future years, as projected in the Association’s reserve study that you all received. You will note that close to half of the $330 monthly dues is designated for reserves because the Association’s reserves are seriously under funded. The reserve schedule which accompanied the budget indicates the Association has only 17% of the reserve cash it will need in the next few years. The unfortunate fact is that dues have been too low for too many years.
While the size of monthly dues does affect the marketability of a home to the extent that it impacts the ability of a buyer to qualify for a loan, keeping dues artificially low only means that a property slowly deteriorates so that no one would want to buy. Lenders themselves are taking harder looks at the financial profile of an Association, including the amount of reserves on hand, in their loan underwriting.
The Board is taking steps to address pressing maintenance needs by planning to complete the resurfacing of the street and replacement of the remaining retaining walls in 2006, in addition to substantial siding replacement. The Board takes their fiduciary responsibilities seriously and is determined to do what is necessary to make Folsom Bluffs an ever better place to live.
To understand what issues the Board has to deal with, the Board invites all Home Owners to come to the Board meetings and listen to the problems they have to deal with. And REMEMBER all Board members are volunteers and we need your support!
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WHAT DOES THE TERM CC&R's MEAN?
Folsom Bluffs is a Planned Unit Development governed by a set of BY-LAWS and by a DECLARATION OF COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS. The BY-LAWS se fort the manner in which the Folsom Bluffs Owners Association is organized and operated by its elected Board of Directors. The DECLARATION, more commonly known as the CC&Rs, describes the basic rights and responsibilities of the individual members of the Association and those of the Association as a whole. The CC&R's also list a number of use restrictions, which apply to the common areas and the individual units at Folsom Bluffs. These restrictions are designed to safeguard the appearance of the property and enhance property values for the benefit of all owners; they form the basis of these Rules and Regulations. Section 6.10 of the CC&R's grants the Board of Directors the authority to establish additional rules and to set penalties for recurrent violations. These rules are called RULES AND REGULATIONS. Thes RULES are listed on the web page. Please read them and abide by them. They are made to make the Folsom Bluffs a better place to live.
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A CALL TO COMMUNITY SERVICE
The King of Great Britain, King George VI (1762-1830) said, "The highest of distinctions is service to others." We have several persons of our community who have served on the Folsom Bluffs Board of Directors and have earned the right to wear the mantle of "Highest Of Distinctions" from their fellow neighbors.
Neighbors with "Highest of Distinctions" (HOD)
Joyce Park (120), Ron Vierra (140), Mike Bachand (200), Linda Jacoby (210), Linda Conroy (220), June Baril (240) Gail Sears (300), Bill Sears (300), Nora Maxfield (340) Patrick Maxfield (340), Frank Posey (370), Donna Fox (430), Gail Kelly (440) Mike Copland (440), Elaine Rees (480), Joanne Dudgeon (170) and countless others who have served over the years but have moved from Folsom Bluffs.
The Bylaws that govern our Association say that to be a member of the Board of Directors one must be an owner of a lot. The Bylaws state: "The Board of Directors shall consist of five (5) persons who shall be Owners of Lots who reside within the Properties and whose memberships are in good standing with all Assessments current and are not subject to any suspension of membership rights. Only one Owner per Lot shall be eligible to serve on the Board at any time." One needs no training - just get involved in the monthly Board meetings to get an understanding for the historical continuity of the Folsom Bluffs' Board of Directors.
"Age, health, and stage in life have nothing to do with serving or not serving. In each season of life there are attributes and qualities of life and experience that God values in service" (Kemper). The Board of Directors represents all the people of Folsom Bluffs and it should be representative of all the people. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy, and others, "our success is measured by the interest, judgment, and participation in, and dedication to, the community around us…"
So, let' step up to the plate and give a little time to your community. Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) said: "A community is like a ship, everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm." When you see one of those Ex-Board Members wearing the mantle of "Highest Of Distinctions (HOB)", thank them for taking the time to take the helm of the Great Ship Folsom Bluffs. Now you should sign on as a Seamen Apprentice by coming to the Board Meetings to get your feet wet. The Great Ship Folsom Bluffs needs all hands aboard to man the oars. Take pride in your community. Do it now! Remember, NOW was given to us as a gift that's why they call it the PRESENT.
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