Continental R anch April 2009 Edition www.crcatucson.com MarkYour Calendars Please see the website and marquee for additional events. April 2: ARC 7 p.m. @ WP April 6: Activities Committee 7 p.m. @ WP April 7: Landscape Committee 7 p.m. @ WP April 11: Hip Hop Event 10 a.m. @ Continental Ranch Park April 13: Pool Committee 7 p.m. @ WP April 14: Covenants Meeting 6 p.m./Open; 6:30 p.m. Closed @ CC April 16: ARC 2 p.m. @ WP April 18: Community Yard Sale w/ Sunflower, 7 a.m. -2 p.m. April 20: Facilities Committee 6 p.m. @ WP April 22: Board Study Session 6:30 p.m. @ CC April 25: WM Large Item Pick Up 6 a.m. April 25: Offi ce Open 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. April 29: Board Meeting 7 p.m. @ CC the windmill Pre-Sorted Standard US Postage PAID Permit #80 Tucson, AZ e current economic situation facing the residents of CRCA is of definite concern to your Board. However, residents are still required to pay their homeowners dues, which is what the HOA uses to pay for things like landscape maintenance and community improvements. For residents who are having trouble paying their dues, please talk to the management company about relief measures. You still have to pay the bills, but this Board might be willing to work with residents on payment plans and other reasonable strategies to help residents pay the bills without incurring delinquent charges and, potentially, legal fees. We are Board members with a “fiduciary duty” to the association; but, we are also your neighbors and fellow homeowners. Please, do not just ignore your dues payments. We have seen delinquencies in dues payments increase 25% from November 2007 to November 2008. While CRCA is in good financial shape, I have requested that all committees put on hold any expenditures that are not absolutely necessary (until we see how the May dues received compare to those anticipated when the budget was approved in October). I am not saying that we will not continue with budgeted expenditures; instead, I believe it to be financially prudent for continued on next page... President’s Report BY JOHN LAMBERT
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Cont R inental anch · Nomination Form 13 Pre-Emergent Authorization Form 14-15 Event Calendars 16 Classifi eds 24 Your Stratford Management T eam We would like to thank our advertisers
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ContinentalRanch
A p r i l 2 0 0 9 E d i t i o n
w w w . c r c a t u c s o n . c o m
Mark Your Calendars
Please see the website and marquee
for additional events.
April 2: ARC
7 p.m. @ WP
April 6: Activities Committee
7 p.m. @ WP
April 7: Landscape Committee
7 p.m. @ WP
April 11: Hip Hop Event
10 a.m. @ Continental Ranch Park
April 13: Pool Committee
7 p.m. @ WP
April 14: Covenants Meeting
6 p.m./Open; 6:30 p.m. Closed @ CC
April 16: ARC
2 p.m. @ WP
April 18: Community Yard Sale
w/ Sunfl ower, 7 a.m. -2 p.m.
April 20: Facilities Committee
6 p.m. @ WP
April 22: Board Study Session
6:30 p.m. @ CC
April 25: WM Large Item Pick Up
6 a.m.
April 25: Offi ce Open 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
April 29: Board Meeting
7 p.m. @ CC
the windmill
Pre-Sorted
Standard
US Postage
PAID
Permit #80
Tucson, AZ
e current economic situation
facing the residents of CRCA is
of defi nite concern to your Board.
However, residents are still required
to pay their homeowners dues, which
is what the HOA uses to pay for
things like landscape maintenance
and community improvements.
For residents who are having trouble
paying their dues, please talk to the
management company about relief
measures. You still have to pay the
bills, but this Board might be willing
to work with residents on payment
plans and other reasonable strategies
to help residents pay the bills
without incurring delinquent charges
and, potentially, legal fees. We are
Board members with a “fi duciary
duty” to the association; but, we
are also your neighbors and fellow
homeowners. Please, do not just
ignore your dues payments. We have
seen delinquencies in dues payments
increase 25% from November 2007 to
November 2008.
While CRCA is in good fi nancial
shape, I have requested that all
committees put on hold any
expenditures that are not absolutely
necessary (until we see how the May
dues received compare to those
anticipated when the budget was
approved in October). I am not
saying that we will not continue with
budgeted expenditures; instead, I
believe it to be fi nancially prudent for
continued on next page...
President’s Report BY JOHN LAMBERT
THE WINDMILL: NEWSLETTER POLICIES
The Continental Ranch Windmill is
published monthly by the Continental
Ranch Community Association
(CRCA), and is prepared under the
direction of the Activities/ Publication
Committee. Articles with bylines and
letters to the Editor refl ect the views
and opinions of their respective authors
and do not necessarily refl ect the
views or opinions of the Association,
the Board of Directors, the Activities/
Publicity Committee, or the management
company. We reserve the right to edit
articles and letters for brevity and clarity.
Letters to the Editor Letters must be signed and include a
phone number for verifi cation. Names will
be withheld upon request. Anonymous
letters or articles will not be printed.
Advertising PolicyThe acceptance of a business ad in the
newsletter does not constitute approval
or endorsement by the CRCA. “The
Association reserves the right, in its sole
and absolute discretion, to refuse to
accept any advertising submittal made by a
prospective advertiser of the Association’s
newsletter or other publications.” Ad
publication is subject to space availability
on a fi rst-come, fi rst-serve policy and
could be denied or postponed due to lack
of space in a specifi c issue. All advertising
is subject to current Advertising Rates, as
adopted by the Board of Directors. All
copy for articles and camera-ready
advertising is due at the Association offi ce
by the 15th of the month. Distribution
will be approximately the fi rst week of
the following month. Ads may only be
submitted, electronically on a Floppy disc,
CD-ROM or 100MB Zip Disk as A TIF,
EPS, or PDF fi les. A printout of how the ad
should look must be included.
Advertising Rates
RESIDENT RATES:
Business Card $32
¼ Page $53
½ Page $90
Full Page $145
NON-RESIDENT RATES:
Business Card $43
¼ Page $90
½ Page $135
Full Page $250
Political Ads must have “Paid advertisement.
Not endorsed by the CRCA” in at least 8
point type at the bottom of the ad.
2
“President’s Report,” continued
this Board to act very cautiously in the area of spending association monies—
your monies—given the current economic situation facing the homeowners of
CRCA.
I’d like to take this time to personally thank Jim Susa, the Finance Committee
Chair, for helping to put CRCA on a strong fi nancial footing. Jim has resigned
from the committee after seeing through his goal of putting CRCA in good
fi nancial shape. e time and eff ort Jim put into this are very much appreciated
and have not gone unnoticed. While I hate to see Jim leave, I hope he takes
advantage of his extra time to enjoy it with his family. Good luck in all you do
Jim, and again anks!
CRCA is a great community because it’s full of great people. Your HOA Board
looks forward to improving our community, but we need your help. We work
for YOU! Make a commitment this year to invest in your most valuable asset
—your home—by getting involved in your CRCA HOA. We’re looking for
volunteers to organize community events, help us communicate, and serve on
committees. Everyone’s busy. You don’t need to do it all. You’ll be surprised
how a small contribution of time makes a big diff erence when we work
together!
A Word About Scooters...Your Management Offi ce has received several calls regarding children riding
their motorized vehicles (i.e., go-carts, scooters, etc.) in the street. Although
there are no traffi c laws being violated, according to the Town of Marana Police
Department, a neighbor may report you to the police as a nuisance, and a
disturbance violation may be issued to the off ending party or parties involved.
Safety is the main concern, as the community is full of activity with people out
and about enjoying the warmer weather, especially at times when children are
out of school. Parents, please use caution and good judgment when allowing
your kids to drive these vehicles up and down your residential streets. Make
sure that all safety equipment is being worn, and teach your children to be
careful and aware of oncoming traffi c and pedestrians.
Please, be considerate of your neighbors and know that you could end up with
a citation from Marana PD if someone fi nds the activity and/or noise to be a
nuisance. ank you.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
4 March Board
Meeting Recap
5 Committee Spotlight:
Covenants
6-7 Committee Reports
7 Neighborhood Watch
8-9 For Senior Citizens
and Retirees
9 Fraud Alert!
10 Bark Buster’s Canine
Care Tips
11 Saguaro Swim School
Safety Tips
12 Board of Directors
Nomination Form
13 Pre-Emergent
Authorization Form
14-15 Event Calendars
16 Classifi eds
24 Your Stratford
Management Team
We would like to thank our
advertisers for helping to offset
the cost of this publication.
Please know that all ads
are paid for solely by our
advertisers and are not an
endorsement by CRCA.
3
Waste Management has scheduled a large item pick up for April 25th.
Items are to be out on the curb by 6 A.M. Please see the list below of
acceptable items that WM will pick up. If you have any questions or
concerns, please call Waste Management at (520) 744-2600.
REMINDERS
All items must be on the curb by 6 a.m.
The driver will not remove any items over 50 pounds.
The driver will remove bulk items in a 6x8 foot area.
ITEMS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR BULK TRASH REMOVAL
Refrigerators/Freezers
Ice Makers
Washer/Dryer
Stoves
Dishwasher
Water Heaters
Air Conditioners
No appliances with Freon
Computers
Tires
Batteries
Pesticides
Flammable Liquids (gas, turpentine, etc.)
Propane/Gas Cylinders
Oil
Paint
55-gallon drums
Medical Waste
Asbestos Material
Railroad Ties
Fluorescent bulbs and/or ballast
Contaminated soil or any hazardous waste-liquid
Construction material
Landscape materials must be bundled—nothing over 3 feet in length.
Furniture OK to set out.
4
Board Of Directors Meeting RecapMARCH 2009
The Board approved the following:
• e agenda with the following amendments: Under D. Manager’s Report, add 6. Newsletter Process, 7. Response from Platinum Management regarding 2004 Association Records. Under XI. New Business, add I. Parcel Reps. and J. Strategic Planning Facilities Representative. Under F. Landscape Committee, add 5. Recommendation to install and irrigate a total of 160 plants and install 9 3x3 boulders at Parcels 42 and 43 at a cost not to exceed $10,975. Under VI. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes, should read February 25, 2009 Board Meeting Minutes and Executive Session Minutes of February 25, 2009 and March 5, 2009. Under I. Activities/Publicity Committee should read, 1. Recommendation to approve the proposed costs for the Windmill Newsletter Ads. Delete #2.
• e February Board meeting minutes.
• e February 25 and March 5, 2009 Executive Session Meeting minutes.
• e Consent agenda with the following amendments: Delete number 15 and add “Acknowledge the” in front of all Meeting Minutes.
• Hiring pool monitor supervisors to supervise the pool monitors, and allowing homeowners to work as pool monitors and pool monitor supervisors.
• e proposal from e Groundskeeper to install two tons of 6”-12” limestone rip rap with fi lter fabric along Coachline Blvd. at Parcel 43.
• e proposal from e Groundskeeper to install six 12” barrel cactus, two fi re barrel cactus, three 5-gallon red fairy dusters, three 5-gallon toothless desert spoons, two 5-gallon emu bushes, 15 tons of decorative rock and one 2x2 boulder.
• e proposal from e Groundskeeper to grind eleven tree stumps 4” below grade.
• e proposal from e Groundskeeper to provide material, equipment and labor to install and irrigate a total of 160 plants and install 3x3 boulders at Parcels 42 and 43.
• To send a letter to Dentopia Dental regarding an ARC submittal for a temporary sign and inform them that CRCA
does not have any temporary sign criteria or rules in place; therefore, they will need to contact Marana.
• To request the Commercial Sign Ad Hoc Committee to write a proposal for the Commercial Sign Criteria based on Marana’s Title 16 for CRCA to adopt.
• e proposed paint palette, which will allow homeowners to receive approval from Management within two business days provided that the base and trim colors do not deviate from the palette.
• e recommendation from the Facilities Committee to purchase two oval slide sections from Tucson Play Systems for the Windmill Park Pool.
• e recommendation to repair the split-rail fence at the Parcel 3 pocket park.
• e recommendation to approve the change order proposal from B.C. Contractors Inc., for removal and replacement of the countertop in the women’s restroom at the Windmill Park pool.
• To install the new software program, Village Management System (VMS), through Stratford Management.
• To install a new fi ling system in the offi ce for the homeowner lot fi les.
• To display two copies of the proposed Design Guidelines in the offi ce for homeowners to view in the offi ce and leave questions, suggestions, concerns with Management. e Board will review the homeowner’s comments and discuss approving the proposed Design Guidelines at the April Board meeting.
• e amendments to the Management Contract.
• To open the offi ce the last Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ,on a three-month trial basis beginning in April.
• e 2009 Annual Meeting schedule.
• e proposal from Oasis Pools to replace the Totpool heater at the Community Center.
The Board denied the following:
• e proposal from e Groundskeepers to install four Oak Trees at the Windmill Park around the play structure.
• e proposed new fees for advertising in the Windmill Newsletter.
5
COVENANTS
e Covenants Committee
would like to thank all of
the homeowners who are
maintaining their lots in a weed-free manner.
is has been an unusually “weedy” season, and
we do realize that it has created extra work for
homeowners. Please remember to clean all areas of
the yard, including the curb strip, rear of your lot,
and the side yards.
Please check your lot for any tree that is over-
hanging a neighboring property. Trim the limbs
back far enough so that the neighboring homeowner
has less tree debris dropping in their yard. is is an
unspoken courtesy that should be followed by all.
With the great weather we are having, it is the
perfect time to open the windows for some fresh
air. In doing so, we have noticed that the calls
concerning barking dogs are on the rise. If you know
that you have dogs that bark excessively, please try
to fi nd a solution to the barking problem to avoid
receiving a noise violation letter. All homeowners
are not on the same schedule; therefore, barking
dogs can be an annoying problem for one of your
neighbors.
Swimming pools should be maintained year round;
however, we have received several calls reporting
green, algae-fi lled pools. is is not acceptable, and
chemicals should be added to correct the problem
before the hot summer months arrive. You can
report a green pool to Rebecca Kunsberg at the
Town of Marana, 382-2600. It is our understanding
that the Town will be handling these cases much
more aggressively this year. is is now considered a
building code violation rather than a health issue.
Remember that the Committee welcomes all
suggestions regarding changes and additions to the