Grass Reseeding Update

The re-seeding will begin in 2 weeks - the landscaper is still waiting for all the tree leafs to fall from the trees, because they cannot rake or blow the lawn areas for 3 weeks following the top seeding, and we do not want the leafs to suffocate the new grass shoots as they come up.

Grass Rejuvenation

 

The grass is turning yellow throughout Mendocino due to the dry weather and the fact that our lawns are about 30-40% summer grass (Bermuda, Saint Augustine, Kikuyu) that goes dormant in winter.

 We will be doing major grass rejuvenation starting in the 2nd week of January: aerating, scalping (cutting the grass very low) and reseeding for a green lush look all year round.

President's Report

 

(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.

Mendocino at Encinitas Ranch HOA Agenda & Meeting Notice 

Wednesday, October 14, 6:00 PM via ZOOM 

Please check with MMS for sign in instructions 

Call to Order 6:00 PM 

Approve Minutes/Financials (Chris) 

Management Report / Project Status Update (Chris/Slav) 

- Garden View HOA; Garden View upgrade; Park Encinitas; irrigation 

Treasury 

- delinquencies (Chris) 

- reserve study (Slav) 

- 2021 budget (Slav) 

Landscape Committee Report (Slav) 

- return of the red stake? (Nancy) 

- landscaping proposals 

New Business (Slav) 

-clean up light poles, mail boxes, signs 

- wrought iron fence on MP - paint light poles

- replace 2 electric meter boxes 

- south trail benderboard + DG 

Open Forum - time permitting Executive Session Hearings - closed to Membership (Nancy) 8:00 PM

Adjournment 

Owners are welcome and encouraged to attend Questions? Please contact Mills Property Management at: 760.978.9609

Dry Plant Material on the Slope

Several homeowners have expressed concern about dry vegetation on the slope. Several years ago, before a major slope clearing, the board conducted a visual inspection with an Encinitas fire marshal who assured us that none of coastal Encinitas is in a fire prone zone, and while dry plant material should be routinely removed as part of the regular landscape maintenance, it does not constitute a fire hazard.

The board monitors the situation and periodically removes dry plant materials for aesthetic reasons throughout Mendocino. Unfortunately, the situation is made worse by:

a) COVID-19 restrictions;

b) frequent irrigation breaks.

Our new landscaper has informed us that several lateral lines on the slope had been broken and valves shut off. Once the repairs are completed, the board will consider the appropriate steps to rejuvenate the area.   

New Wall on Corner of Via Cantebria and Garden View Road Finally Up!

Free Mulch

There's free mulch on PP and MP on a first come, first serve basis. The HOA landscaper will be spreading it between homes; until then please feel free to help yourself to what you need.

Concrete Fence Repair on the Corner of Via Cantebria and Garden View Rd - Case Closure

The City of Encinitas Code Enforcement Division has given 1135 MP 30 days to complete the fence repair to avoid "stronger enforcement remedies."

July 15 Special Board Meeting Agenda

- approve Election Rules

Update on Corner of Via Cantebria and Garden View Rd

On April 30 the City of Encinitas approved the replacement of the 3 wooden sections of the concrete perimeter sound wall as follows:

Following the 15-day comment period, 1135 MP can now proceed with the project.

The board is working with 1135 MP to help them restore the irrigation to the outer perimeter to support the growth of the recently planted shrubs.

Message from the President: Garage Night Lights

Fellow homeowners,

As Mendocino ages (we are now 23 years old!), it takes more effort to maintain the value of our property.
We recently sand-blasted and re-painted the curbs and resurfaced the streets and are actively working with our landscaper to repair and keep our irrigation in good working order to maintain a lush attractive landscaping. A record number of homes have been repainted, some added new upgrades like garage doors, porch railings, etc.

Night-time garage lights are a signature design feature of Mendocino. They not only enhance the Mendocino ambiance but provide additional security at night. Unfortunately, many of the garage night lights throughout Mendocino are out of order and do not come on at night.

Homeowners are responsible for maintaining the garage lights in good working order. If your light does not come on at night, it might be a bad bulb or a bad light sensor on the side of your house. Please fix it. It's a small investment that goes a long way in preserving the charm of Mendocino and enhancing nighttime security.

Slav

EXTERIOR GARAGE NIGHT LIGHTS

Each unit has an exterior garage light that is automatically turned on at dusk and turned off at dawn by a light sensor on the side wall of the house. Homeowners are responsible for maintaining their exterior garage lights at night in working order. If your garage light does not come on at night, it might simply be a blown light bulb that needs to be replaced. But it might also be a bad sensor that may require the help of an electrician. Please see an earlier post that should help you deal with the issue: 
https://mendocinohoa.blogspot.com/search?q=garage+light

A friendly reminder: please clean up after your pet!

Lately, we’ve noticed a lot of dog poop left on the sidewalks on our streets. Please pick up after your pets! We all want to keep the neighborhood and sidewalks clean.