The initiative to ban leaf blowers is back. If it goes through, our monthly dues are likely to go up because the landscaper will have to deploy more people to remove dead leaves and debris, especially from lawns and other hard-to-reach places.
If the ban through and Mendocino does not want a dues increase, we might have to learn to live with dead leaves and other debris.
Friday, October 19, 2018
Monday, October 8, 2018
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
New Monthly Property Inspection Day
We will be having our walkthrus on a second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 AM. The next one is October 10. You are welcome to join us - we start at the Monterey entrance monument.
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Service Requests
A quick reminder: please submit all service requests to MMS.
To ensure proper performance, please DO NOT:
- contact vendors directly as they can only take direction from the board through the management company.
- give direction to vendor crews on the ground as they are instructed to take direction from their respective managements.
To ensure proper performance, please DO NOT:
- contact vendors directly as they can only take direction from the board through the management company.
- give direction to vendor crews on the ground as they are instructed to take direction from their respective managements.
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Rabbit Repellants
We are investigating whether this product can be used commercially:
https://www.imustgarden.com/repel-rabbits
https://www.imustgarden.com/repel-rabbits
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Grass Situation Update
Our grass is being heavily damaged by cottontails and, in some spots, gophers. The board is aware of the problem and is researching potential solutions. There is no easy fix.
Grass replacement
Replacing the damaged grass is impractical without getting rid of the cottontails first - cottontails are territorial and keep coming back to the same spot. Since there is no legal/practical way of getting rid of the rabbits (short of breeding coyotes), continual grass replacement will simply bankrupt the HOA.
Rabbit scram and coyote urine
These might deter cottontails but need to be re-applied constantly as they get diluted by watering. Some homeowners, especially the ones with children or pets, might object to the presence of these substances throughout the community.
Increased watering
Watering dilutes cottontail urine. Unfortunately, the way our irrigation system is set up, we can only increase watering to the entire project, and not just the required areas, potentially over-watering and damaging the drought-resistant plants many homeowners have installed in their front yards. Besides, water is an expensive resource.
Letting the grass grow taller
Cottontails are less likely to damage the roots if the grass is taller. The drawback is that Mendocino will lose its manicured lawn look.
Replacing the damaged grass with less cottontail-friendly plants
We are investigating state rebates that might be available for turf replacement and new sprinkler heads.
At the last meeting, the board tasked the Landscape Committee with researching potential solutions and presenting its recommendations at the next board meeting.
If you have any suggestions or would like to help on the Landscape Committee, please contact MMS.
Grass replacement
Replacing the damaged grass is impractical without getting rid of the cottontails first - cottontails are territorial and keep coming back to the same spot. Since there is no legal/practical way of getting rid of the rabbits (short of breeding coyotes), continual grass replacement will simply bankrupt the HOA.
Rabbit scram and coyote urine
These might deter cottontails but need to be re-applied constantly as they get diluted by watering. Some homeowners, especially the ones with children or pets, might object to the presence of these substances throughout the community.
Increased watering
Watering dilutes cottontail urine. Unfortunately, the way our irrigation system is set up, we can only increase watering to the entire project, and not just the required areas, potentially over-watering and damaging the drought-resistant plants many homeowners have installed in their front yards. Besides, water is an expensive resource.
Letting the grass grow taller
Cottontails are less likely to damage the roots if the grass is taller. The drawback is that Mendocino will lose its manicured lawn look.
Replacing the damaged grass with less cottontail-friendly plants
We are investigating state rebates that might be available for turf replacement and new sprinkler heads.
At the last meeting, the board tasked the Landscape Committee with researching potential solutions and presenting its recommendations at the next board meeting.
If you have any suggestions or would like to help on the Landscape Committee, please contact MMS.
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Board Meeting Location
The next board meeting will be held at the MMS office in San Marcos.
Yes, it's much less convenient but unfortunately the never-ending string of problems with the free room at SDCCU made us finally abandon this venue. Last time we couldn't even get into the building and had to go to the MMS office, losing almost an hour of meeting time.
We will continue to look for a free meeting place nearby. If you have an idea - please let us know.
Yes, it's much less convenient but unfortunately the never-ending string of problems with the free room at SDCCU made us finally abandon this venue. Last time we couldn't even get into the building and had to go to the MMS office, losing almost an hour of meeting time.
We will continue to look for a free meeting place nearby. If you have an idea - please let us know.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Message from the President: Home Maintenance Ratings
Fellow homeowners:
By now you should have received the ratings methodology and your home maintenance report card.
The Architectural Committee has done a fantastic job evaluating each home's appearance and pointing out areas that need attention.
If your home is mostly 1s and 2s - you are in great shape! Congratulations and thank you for helping to keep Mendocino beautiful.
If you have an occasional 3 or 4, please pay attention: these areas are cause for concern and should be monitored closely for possible repairs.
But if you've got any 5s - well, these areas need fixing. Not only do they negatively impact your and your neighbors' home values - they could be signs of severe damage that will only get worse.
The Architectural Committee has set very reasonable deadlines for addressing the worst damage rated 5. But if you do not pay attention, your 3 or 4 will eventually become 5, triggering a call to action.
Fortunately, Mendocino has a relatively low percentage of rentals. Unfortunately, rentals have received a disproportionately high number of 5s. It's unfair that many absentee owners are benefiting from our efforts to keep Mendocino beautiful but not contributing enough.
This comprehensive evaluation was done to reverse the deterioration caused by aging and is for everyone's benefit to enhance our property values and keep Mendocino what it truly is: the best kept secret in Encinitas.
Slav
By now you should have received the ratings methodology and your home maintenance report card.
The Architectural Committee has done a fantastic job evaluating each home's appearance and pointing out areas that need attention.
If your home is mostly 1s and 2s - you are in great shape! Congratulations and thank you for helping to keep Mendocino beautiful.
If you have an occasional 3 or 4, please pay attention: these areas are cause for concern and should be monitored closely for possible repairs.
But if you've got any 5s - well, these areas need fixing. Not only do they negatively impact your and your neighbors' home values - they could be signs of severe damage that will only get worse.
The Architectural Committee has set very reasonable deadlines for addressing the worst damage rated 5. But if you do not pay attention, your 3 or 4 will eventually become 5, triggering a call to action.
Fortunately, Mendocino has a relatively low percentage of rentals. Unfortunately, rentals have received a disproportionately high number of 5s. It's unfair that many absentee owners are benefiting from our efforts to keep Mendocino beautiful but not contributing enough.
This comprehensive evaluation was done to reverse the deterioration caused by aging and is for everyone's benefit to enhance our property values and keep Mendocino what it truly is: the best kept secret in Encinitas.
Slav
Sunday, June 10, 2018
How I Weed-Proofed My Driveway - One Man's Experience:
I used a quality, 30-year-guarantee weed barrier (Sta-Green Ultimate Weed Barrier) that I bought at Lowes.
Two things about the barrier:
- I used a layer of DG (decomposed granite) over the weed barrier.
- Rather than cut to size, I did a lot of folding (which was easier), so it's doubled in some areas -- along edges.
- Rather than cut to size, I did a lot of folding (which was easier), so it's doubled in some areas -- along edges.
I do see an occasional weed, but weeds are pretty much under control for me.
Jon Jacobs
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Weeds in Driveways
If you have converted your driveway to a hardscape please remember that weeds are your responsibility.
Driveways are homeowner property (part of the residential unit). The HOA has an easement and an obligation to maintain the grass in the driveway strips. Once a driveway is converted to a hardscape, an HOA landscaper legally cannot touch it.
- Make sure the hardscape is installed properly (a layer of DG (decomposed granite) on top of a weed barrier underneath the decorative top.
- Periodically remove accumulating organic debris from between the rocks. Decomposing leaves are excellent organic matter for weeds to grow in.
- Pull the weeds manually (great weekend workout!) or apply a weed killer.
- Have your private backyard landscaper remove the weeds.
Thank you for helping to keep Mendocino beautiful!
Driveways are homeowner property (part of the residential unit). The HOA has an easement and an obligation to maintain the grass in the driveway strips. Once a driveway is converted to a hardscape, an HOA landscaper legally cannot touch it.
- Make sure the hardscape is installed properly (a layer of DG (decomposed granite) on top of a weed barrier underneath the decorative top.
- Periodically remove accumulating organic debris from between the rocks. Decomposing leaves are excellent organic matter for weeds to grow in.
- Pull the weeds manually (great weekend workout!) or apply a weed killer.
- Have your private backyard landscaper remove the weeds.
Thank you for helping to keep Mendocino beautiful!
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Dog Urine Spots
Our grass looks great but multiple dog urine spots spoil the party.
We have limited control over the issue as some of the spots are from visiting dogs from Cambria and elsewhere but if it's your pet - please do not damage your / your neighbors' grass.
We have limited control over the issue as some of the spots are from visiting dogs from Cambria and elsewhere but if it's your pet - please do not damage your / your neighbors' grass.
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