Fellow homeowners,
This year Mendocino home prices crossed the $1M mark but we also have faced multiple challenges.
1) Inflation
Prices of everything, from utilities to vendor services,
have jumped. The board has been making every effort to contain costs but there
is only so much we can do without raising the dues. We will make every effort
to keep the hikes to a minimum by selecting projects with the most visual
impact and by seeking the highest return on our investment.
As of October 31, we have saved $5,753.36 in water bills by repairing our irrigation system, investing in more water efficient sprinkler heads, and optimizing watering schedules.
The board has been making sure that every member pays their fair share by using all the resources at our disposal to collect late payments and fees - from suing in small claims court to filing liens, to foreclosing. A long-term member of Mendocino stopped paying dues years ago (He currently owes the HOA $12,275.70) and has ignored all our efforts to collect - so we filed to foreclose. The foreclosure auction date is pending.
2) Vendor quality and availability
It has been hard (and sometimes impossible) to find good
vendors at a reasonable price. As the economy slows down we expect this trend
to self correct but in the meantime we had to put projects on hold or consider
alternatives.
It is no longer enough to obtain three estimates for a project. In order to find a couple of good vendors, we typically contact 5-10 contractors and filter out the flakes and outliers.
3) Aging irrigation
Our landscaper has done an outstanding job fixing, upgrading
and maintaining our irrigation but we still experience breakdowns of legacy
valves, pipes and sprinklers which, if unreported, result in dry spots and/or wasted
water.
To minimize water losses, we have made it easier to report water leaks by setting up an email link on the Mendocino website:
https://www.mendocinohoa.com/
If you see water runoff or a dry spot, please report it
immediately. It's better to over-report than to under-report. In addition to
the email link, we have an after-hours emergency phone number:
760-231-0261.
4) Rules enforcement and neighborhood spirit
In enforcing the rules, we strive to maintain the optimum
balance between individual character and personal taste on the one hand, and
architectural integrity and appearance of the community on the other, while
fostering a neighborhood spirit. To do that, we need more active member involvement
on the Architectural and Landscape Committees. Some of the ongoing issues are
minor front home and side yard fence repairs, house painting, limited parking,
trash cans being left out for days, and non-working garage lights.
We have brought back neighborhood block parties: the Halloween party on October 28 in the south Monterey Place cul-de-sac was a success: lots of great food and drink, kids' games and costume prizes, over 20 families attended.
We have worked with a homeowner to get a section of the woodcrete fence on Garden View Rd repaired so that we can proceed with the slope landscaping upgrade at the Monterey Place entrance.
Also, please remember to check the community blog for neighborhood news and updates:
https://mendocinohoa.blogspot.com/
5) Homeowner service requests
With so much going on, upgrading individual front yards is
not on the HOA priority list. The management company receives numerous landscaping
service requests. They are evaluated from the standpoint of overall visual
impact on the community, and funds availability.
We want Mendocino to look its best. Our landscaper offers multiple front yard upgrade options that homeowners may purchase through the HOA. We also have a simple approval process for homeowners wanting to do their own thing.
