(November 2019 - October 2020)
Fellow homeowners,
This has been a challenging year for all. We hope all is well with you and yours. COVID-19 has presented some never experienced management challenges, making onsite inspections and in-person meetings difficult. We have dismissed three (x3) landscaping contractors due to their inability to (1) deal with our growing irrigation challenges and (2) provide quality landscaping services. Our 23 year old irrigation system is failing. When a valve goes bad, it either leaks or goes dry, i.e. water losses go undetected for days and weeks while dry spots get noticed only after grass has turned brown.
To address the irrigation challenges, the board authorized the necessary expenditure from the reserves and devised a 4-point plan with the current landscaper:
1) stem water losses;
2) restore damaged/failed irrigation to ALL areas by
repairing/replacing failed valves, broken irrigation lines and sprinkler heads;
3) optimize the watering by upgrading sprinkler heads and
fine-tuning the watering schedule;
4) rejuvenate the grass.
The above (#1) has been substantially completed and the landscaper is currently working on#2. Later in the year we will be re-seeding/re-sodding the grass throughout Mendocino (# 3 and # 4).
Thanks to the fully funded reserves, the HOA has sufficient resources to address the irrigation issues.
Through the work of the Architectural Committee, we've been able to encourage a record number of homeowners to repaint their houses or perform minor exterior repairs. Many homeowners were simply unaware of things needing attention and were thankful to the AC for pointing them out.
We have approved three front yard makeover looks for purchase by homeowners from our landscaper:
- Mediterranean
- California Native
- Beach Succulents
The HOA provides basic landscaping services, such as weekly maintenance and annual tree trimming but homeowners who desire to upgrade their front yard looks can now do so by purchasing turnkey makeovers from the landscaper, which include old plant removal, irrigation modification, soil amendment, new plants and ground cover, and decorative rocks.
Several homeowners have taken advantage of the program to move their side fences forward to gain more private yard space provided they upgrade them to vinyl.
We have been working with the city of Encinitas to upgrade the parkway along Garden View Rd.
By working with the City of Encinitas, the owner of 1135 MP (a non-Mendocino home) agreed to comply with the city municipal code, to fix the concrete sound wall and improve landscaping on the corner of Via Cantebria and Garden View Rd.
The board has relentlessly pursued those owners who fall behind on their HOA dues, and will continue to implement an aggressive collection policy by utilizing all means at our disposal, including foreclosure.
Our reserves are 100%+ funded; our dues are some of the lowest; and all projects have been completed on time and on or under the budget.
Going forward, we will:
1 Continue to work on irrigation to conserve water and
improve efficiency;
2) Continue incremental landscape upgrades with maximum
visual impact;
3) Encourage more homeowners to do more with their front
yards;
4) Work with the city to upgrade the parkway along Garden
View Rd to enhance Mendocino's visual appeal;
5) Maintain a healthy balance between our reserves and
property improvements.
