CAICV 2022 November HOA Living

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RENEWING

PARTNER MEMBERS

ACKER-STONE INDUSTRIES

STAN JIROVSKY (951) 674-0047 sjrovsky@ackerstone.com

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC

DOUG BOTHE (760) 323-7475 doug@cafshoa.com

MARTIN SWEEPING/PRESSURE WASHING

JASMINE GARRISON (760) 200-9510 jasmine@martinsweeping.com

WICR WATERPROOFING & CONSTRUCTION

SEAN KRUBINSKI (888) 388-9427 sean@wicr.net

BPR, INC.

THOMAS EDELSON (855) 804-7336 thomas@bpr1.com

EMPIREWORKS

CHET OSHIRO (888) 278-8200 coshiro@empireworks.com

FENTON, GRANT, MAYFIELD, KANEDA & LITT, LLP

KATHRYN DIANE KRUPP (949) 435-3834 kkrupp@fentongrant.com

MEMBERS

LABARRE/OKSNEE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. CHRISTY BRIAN (949) 716-8764 christyb@hoainsurance.com

LLOYD PEST CONTROL ANTONIO HERNANDEZ (619) 668-1958 antonio.hernandez@lloydpest.com

REY INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. MIKE REY (949) 468-5141 mike@mreyins.com

NEW MANAGER MEMBERS

MINDY PASTION (760) 296-9961 mindy.pastion@hotmail.com

ALBERT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION KYLE ALBERT (760) 346-9000 kyle.albert@albertmgt.com

ASSOCIA DESERT RESORT MANAGEMENT

MAYRA JIMENEZ (760) 346-1161 mayra.jimenez@drminternet.com

ANTHONY NATIVIDAD (760) 346-1161 anatividad@drminternet.com

THE GAFFNEY GROUP INC. JACQUELYN SMITH (760) 327-0301 jackie@thegaffneygroup.net

RENEWING MANAGER MEMBERS

THE MANAGEMENT TRUST, DESERT DIVISION GRACE PALUCK (760) 776-5100 grace.paluck@managementtrust.com

DESERT SHADOWS RV RESORT HOA, INC. DAVID SMITH (760) 321-7676 resortmanager@desertshadowsrv.org

THE RESERVE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

JULIE ANNE REESE, CMCA, AMS (760) 674-2242 jreese@thereserveca.com

NEW HOMEOWNER LEADERS

CANYON ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

NORMAN HOLLANDER

ROBERT MARTIN

MIKE WALLACE

RANDY WELSH

MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTRY CLUB HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

LAURIE DUNCAN

ANNE FARMHAM

ED KEEGAN

CHERYL KRAUSFELDT

ANDI MALLEN

DEBBIE TINSLEY-RINKER

RENEWING HOMEOWNER LEADERS

BELLA VIDA AT SHADOW HILLS

JOYCE GAURRE

SUE GONZALES

ANGELA HINES

JENNA SANCHEZ

PUEBLO SANDS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

THOMAS CANNON

JOHN GALLUCCI

ALAN KRUG

LORETTA TREMPER

ERIC YOSHIMURA

JENNIFER JAMES, ESQ.,

HOA

Services

RODNEY BISSELL, CO-CHAIR Bissell Design Studios, Inc.

MARILYN RAMOS, CO-CHAIR Guralnick & Gilliland, LLP

STEVEN SHUEY, PCAM BOARD LIAISON Personalized Property Management (Ret.)

BRIAN BERCE Golden Alliance Insurance

KIMBERLY BURNETT DSI Security Services

SIERRA CARR, CMCA, AMS, CCAM, PCAM Associa Desert Resort Management

MEAGHAN GAFFNEY-HOWE, CMCA, AMS The Gaffney Group, Inc.

GREG GRITTERS Vintage Landscape

CHEYENNE LANDRY Newman Certified Public Accountant, PC

ASHLEY LAYTON, PCAM, AMS, CMCA Premier Community Association

GLENN A. MILLER, CGCS Southwest Landscape

JAMIE PRICER Coachella

District

JASON SAVLOV, ESQ. Adams | Stirling, PLC

CHRIS SIGLER, B.S.C.E, CDT C.L. Sigler &

Inc.

DIRECTOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

RODNEY BISSELL Bissell

Ashley Layton, PCAM

AnneMarie Hernandez

Laurie S.

Marta

Kevin Leonard,

Gretchen Redewill, CMCA®,

CAI-CV Director Mike Traidman

Meaghan Gaffney-Howe,

Meaghan

2022 COACHELLA VALLEY CHAPTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CLINT ATHERTON, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, LSM PRESIDENT Sun City Palm Desert

JULIE R. BALBINI, ESQ.

PRESIDENT-ELECT Fiore Racobs & Powers, A PLC

MATT LAWTON, CIC, CIRMS PAST PRESIDENT Prendiville Insurance Agency

ERIN KELLY SECRETARY Pacific Western Bank

STEVEN SHUEY, PCAM TREASURER

Personalized Property Management (Ret.)

DAN FARRAR, CMCA, AMS DIRECTOR

FirstService Residential

JENNIFER JAMES, ESQ. DIRECTOR HOA Legal Services

BRUCE LATTA, CMCA DIRECTOR Parc La Quinta HOA

LILY ORTEGA, CMCA DIRECTOR Pro Landscaping, Inc.

LOUISE STETTLER DIRECTOR Palm Desert Greens Country Club HOA

MIKE TRAIDMAN DIRECTOR Mira Vista at Mission Hills HOA

CAI Coachella Valley Office 75410 Gerald Ford Drive, Suite 102 Palm Desert, CA 92211

Tel: (760) 341-0559

Fax: (760) 341-8443 Website: www.cai-cv.org

CAL LOCKETT

Executive Director clockett@cai-cv.org

The materials contained in this publication are designed to provide our members with timely and authoritative information; however, the CAI Coachella Valley Chapter is not engaging in the rendering of legal, accounting or other

President’s Message

Clint Atherton, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, LSM General Manager

Iwant to begin by thanking all our members who voted in the Chapter’s Board of Directors election that ended on October 25th. I also want to thank the seven candidates who ran for five vacant director positions. We are excited to welcome four new directors, Mark Dodge, CMCA, AMS (Associa), Michelle Lopez, CMCA, AMS (Powerstone Property Management), Bridget Nigh (The Behr Paint Company), and Brigadier General (RET) Guido Portante (Mira Vista at Mission Hills HOA), and welcome back Bruce Latta, CMCA (Indio Properties). Please see the article on page 28.

A special thanks to the Oktoberfest Committee for another outstanding event last Friday. The beer tasting was incredible and I have found a new hobby, axe throwing. Thanks too to Carlos Contreras (Sunshine Landscape) for the great beer and letting us use their facility. We will have photos in our December issue of HOA Living Magazine.

CORKS FOR CLAC WINE TASTING & AUCTION

On Friday, November 11th (Veteran’s Day), the Chapter will host its annual Corks for CLAC Wine Tasting & Auction, at Shields Date Garden, as a tribute to courage, honor, and patriotism. Prior to the event, the Education Committee will host a combined Ask the Attorney MOTR (Manager on the Run) and BMW (Board Member Workshop) in the Shields Theater. Managers and community board members may attend both the class and wine tasting for a discounted fee of $25. See page 13.

REINDEER GAMES AT BOOMERS

On Friday, December 9th, the Golf Committee is planning the Reindeer Games at Boomers. We are taking over the entire Boomers Park. Attendees will have full access to three miniature golf courses, motorized go-karts, bumper boats, rock climbing, and the arcade. See page 34.

ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT

On Friday, January 27th, the Chapter will host its annual awards ceremony and celebration at Agua Caliente Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage. The theme is “Rat Pack,” and the Committee is planning live entertainment – Rat Pack style! See page 27.

Our thanks to the Education Committee for two excellent programs in October. On October 4th, we had a fantastic Board Member Workshop (BMW) with guest speakers Damian Jenkins (The Management Trust) and Rhonda Drews, PCAM (Premier Community Association Management) who provided board members with tips about dealing with difficult people. Thank you both! On October 7th, Jeff French Esq. (Green Bryant & French, LLP) and Steven Shuey, PCAM, (Personalized Property Management – Retired) led a Manager on the Run (MOTR) program explaining the fiduciary duties of board members and managers.

Our thanks to the Programs Committee for an excellent Legislative Update and Trade Show on October 21st. And thanks to our excellent guest speakers, Sandra L. Gottlieb Esq., CCAL (SwedelsonGottlieb), and Lisa Tashjian Esq. CCAL (Beaumont Tashjian), who provided more than 160 Chapter members with an update on the latest laws, reg ulations, and case law that impacts HOAs. If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend this program, you will want to see the recording on the CAI-CV website. This annual program helps managers and board members understand the changes to HOA management that will take place imme diately or on January 1st.

NOVEMBER PROGRAM – GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

On Friday, November 18th, the Programs Committee has scheduled their next Educational Lunch Program & Mini Trade Show at Sun City Palm Desert. Guest speakers Laurie Poole, Esq. CCAL (Adams Stirling, PLC) and Jennifer Zeivel, PCAM (Associa Desert Resort Management) will provide important information about compliance with governing documents. See page 23 for more information.

I hope to see all of you at one or more of our upcoming programs. You may find event information with links to registration and sponsorships in the Monday Update each week.

Clint Atherton, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Clint can be reached at 760-200-2224 or by email to clint.atherton@scpdca.com.

Sun City Palm Desert Community Association

By Ashley Layton, PCAM

Sunrise Country Club Homeowners Association is located off Country Club Drive in Rancho Mirage, and is a self-managed community, spanning 135 beautiful acres. Constructed between 1971-1975, Sunrise Country Club was the first of many desert communities built by developer Bill Bones, which include Monterey Country Club, Rancho Las Palmas, Palm Valley, and The Lakes. Sunrise Country Club is centrally located and near top-rated medical facilities, The McCallum Theater, The Living Desert, El Paseo, The River shopping center, and Sunnylands Center, to name a few.

The Association consists of 746 Spanish contemporary single-story condominiums. There are eight floor plans ranging from 1-bed room/1-bath to 3-bedroom/2-bath units with attached garages. The current pricing of the units ranges from $300,000 to $800,000.

Community amenities include the gorgeous clubhouse and pool, the grille, and 21 pools and 19 spas. Also included for residents are cable, Wi-Fi, pest control, and 24/7 monitored gate access. Equity owners have additional access to the fitness center and court sports at no extra cost. The community features a Ted Robinson designed par 64 executive course (one of only a few in the Valley), and has recently added eight pickleball courts, two bocce courts and a multimillion-dollar clubhouse renovation. The tennis facilities feature three teaching pros and various high-level tournaments.

The Association is in the process of convert ing numerous turf areas to desert landscape, reducing the temperatures of their pools and spas during the hotter months, and installing electrical vehicle charging stations. Other proj ects currently taking place are the painting of the facia and garages, as well and recoating

five pool decks.

The board is comprised of seven members, who are sup ported by the following committees: long-range strategic planning, finance, landscape, architectural, safety & pre paredness, and communications. The Association works with numerous CAI-CV business partners such as Asphalt MDs, PWLC II, Fiore Racobs and Powers A PLC, Powerful Pest Management, Gardner Outdoor and Pool remodeling, Pacific Western Bank, and Western Pacific Roofing.

Sunrise Country Club was recently awarded the Medallion Community award by CAI-CV, which recognizes communi ties that adhere to CAI best practices, preserve and enhance the character of their community, protect and enhance the

property values, and exceed expectations of the owners.

Sunrise Country Club is managed by Hale Kelly, General Manager, and Gary Castro, Director of HOA Operations. Hale and Gary can be reached at (760) 328-604, or via email at hkelly@sunrisecountryclub.com or gcastro@sunrisecoun tryclub.com, or you can access the Sunrise Country Club website at www.sunrisecountryclub.com.

Ashley Layton, PCAM, AMS, CMCA is Vice President of Premier Community Association Management. She can be reached at (760) 345-2449 or email her at ALayton@brcpcam.com.

We Can't Live Like This Forever... Or Can We?

By AnneMarie Hernandez

As the market, economy, and inflation fluctuate, and the cost of goods and services increases, the financial struggle is real for many HOAs. So why are HOA home owners and boards still trying to get out of raising assessments?

The answer may be that boards are sensitive to the financial pressures that homeowners are facing. Many are struggling to make ends meet because of job loss, pandemic corrections, and everyday life adjustments. On top of that, minimum wage has gone up, infla tion is rising, and we are on the brink of a possible recession. Something has got to give. Community managers can play an important role in helping boards balance competing interests and still set assessment amounts that are in the best interest of their HOA.

If the budget is tight, the manager may suggest that the board consider a regular assessment increase. Technically, California Civil Code Section 5605(b) allows HOA boards to raise the regular assessment up to 20% higher than the

regular assessment for the preced ing fiscal year and impose aggregate special assessments up to 5 percent of the budgeted gross expenses for the current fiscal year without seeking approval from membership. Managers have a fiduciary duty to recommend a regular assessment amount that is suf ficient to cover operating expenses and reserve contributions. However, board members may not want to impose a sig nificant increase in the current financial atmosphere.

If future costs for reserve line items seem likely to increase, the manager may also suggest updating the reserve study. Reserve studies help HOAs plan for the future, but what happens when the inflation rate is higher than assumed in the reserve study or there are unexpected expenses that were not included at all? For example, the balcony inspections and repairs now required because of the passage of SB 326 have turned many communities upside down in their budgeting for new projects. Some communities are not

funded for the large projects this may require. New laws like SB 326 may force HOAs to review their reserves and make difficult decisions.

In addition, the collapse of the Champlain Towers condominium in Florida reminds us that condominium buildings can become dangerously fragile if not properly maintained. Insurance companies may require proof that minimum maintenance standards are being met before providing coverage. So how do you plan major and unex pected expenses?

The best plan is to actually PLAN. Take a look at your community and be honest about what is failing, what is aging, and what is in great shape and just needs maintaining. Be realistic about your project priorities. As a first step, engage a reserve analyst to advise on the financial health of your commu nity and budget. Based on that analysis, engage trusted vendors for an honest and deeper investigation into the cost of needed repairs. Stay on top of legis lative updates from CLAC (California

Legislative Action Committee) so you aren’t blindsided by upcoming new laws and bills. Start planning immediately for compliance with new regulations like the SB 326 balcony inspection bill, instead of kicking the can down the road, when demand is high and costs increase. This will help you decide how to discuss assessment increases with your board and then present them to your homeowners.

However, what if your board members are not on “board” with this concept? Your professional community asso ciation manager can help protect the community’s best interest and keep the board focused on its fiduciary duty. Consider the following suggestions:

1. Let the financials do the talking. Keep board members informed about the current status of the HOA budget and whether adequate funds are available for future major projects.

2. Make sure you know the appropriate amount of operating and reserve funds that are realistically required to properly preserve, maintain, and enhance the community’s assets.

3. If the operating and reserve budgets are too low, research sources of additional funding and present them to the board. If regular assessments are not increased, what are the other options? Consider special assessments and whether large projects can be completed in phases over a longer period of time. Consider loans and research how the HOA can qualify. If the board considers a loan, reach out to the vendor who would complete the work for help. Many vendors partner with banks to offer loan options.

Deferring maintenance of HOA assets can have a big impact on homeowners.

If an HOA continually postpones necessary repairs, it may cost more in the long run. Keeping assessments

artificially low ultimately leads to lower property values and higher construc tion costs. Material costs are on the rise and in the history of our economy, prices don’t generally ever come down. Although an increase may sting a little in the current economic climate, owners can handle a small increase of 4 to 5 percent per year more easily than a 20 percent increase or a significant special assessment as a result of a lack of plan ning for maintenance.

HOA homeowners depend on their board to make realistic financial plans. Managers can play an important role in guiding the board through this process. Get your professional manager and licensed vendors involved to help you get through tough economic times.

AnneMarie Hernandez is the Business Development Representative for EmpireWorks, which is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. AnneMarie is responsible for business development in Southern California (Orange County, Los Angeles, Inland Empire and Coachella Valley) and she can be reached at ahernandez@empireworks.com.

"COMMUNITY MANAGERS CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING BOARDS BALANCE COMPETING INTERESTS AND STILL SET ASSESSMENT AMOUNTS THAT ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THEIR HOA."

The Governance of Governing Documents

By Laurie S. Poole, Esq., CCAL

Have you ever wondered why your homeowner associa tion has so many governing documents? Every homeowner associ ation has governing documents; some have more, and others have less. Civil Code §4150 defines governing documents as those governing the association’s operation.

Typically, an association’s governing documents consist of the following:

• Declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions (more commonly referred to as “CC&Rs”)

• Articles of Incorporation

• Bylaws

• Rules and regulations, architectural guidelines, collection policy, election rules, etc.

the members. The member vote require ment for amendments can range from a majority of the members to “super majority” requirements, such as 67% or 75%. In addition to the member vote, some CC&R amendments may require the consent of holders of mortgages or deeds of trust on separate interests. Occasionally, certain CC&R modifica tions may require the consent of other entities, such as the local city or county. The CC&Rs are recorded in the county, so they attach to the real property within the development, are binding on all members, and are presumed to be reasonable.

Articles of Incorporation –the Birth Certificate

Each of these documents serves a distinct and important purpose. Understanding the purpose of each governing document is essential for governing your community.

CC&Rs – the Constitution

Sometimes referred to as the “consti tution” of the association, the CC&Rs address the real property rights of the separate interests within the associa tion. Standard provisions contained in the CC&Rs include: setting forth ease ments over the common area, use of the common area and separate interests, imposition and collection of assess ments, architectural considerations, maintenance, repair and replacement of common area and separate interests, insurance, and destruction or con demnation of the common area. The CC&Rs typically contain broad, general concepts and do not include specifics of day-to-day living. The reason is that amending the CC&Rs requires a vote of

The articles of incorporation are filed with the California Secretary of State at the inception of the development –usually by the developer. The articles of incorporation can be thought of as the birth certificate of the corporation. They establish the association as a non profit, mutual benefit corporation. They set forth the name, general purpose of the corporation, and the initial officers and directors. Usually, the articles are only amended if the association desires to change its name. Otherwise, most articles can remain unchanged during the life of the association. Modifying the articles involves the approval of a certain percentage of the membership, as stated in the document.

Bylaws – the Operations

The bylaws govern the operation of the corporation and cover issues such as the election of directors, membership and board meetings, membership in the association, voting, duties of officers and committees, and financial obligations. Changing the bylaws typically requires a membership vote - typically, a major ity of the members or a majority of a quorum of the members. However, the bylaws can be written to allow the board to amend most provisions.

Rules and Regulations – The Day-to-Day Information

Associations most commonly use the rules and regulations on a day-today basis. They supplement the CC&Rs and contain more specific information. The rules address a variety of subjects, including how to contact the commu nity manager, the conduct of members, residents, and guests, and use of the common facilities (i.e., quiet hours, pool rules, parking restrictions, etc.).

The rules also include enforcement procedures and a schedule of monetary fines. The board can adopt or modify the rules after the proposed changes have been provided to the members to review at least 28 days in advance.

Architectural Guidelines –Physical Modifications

Architectural guidelines can be included in the rules or as a separate document. These contain the spe cific details concerning architectural improvements that owners may make to their separate interests. Common pro visions in the architectural guidelines include the procedure for submitting architectural applications and fees, paint color, types of trees, hedges, and other landscape elements, types of window and door replacements, etc. The architectural guidelines are amended

by a vote of the board after providing the proposed changes to the members at least 28 days in advance.

Other association documents also qualify as “operating rules” which Civil Code §4340 defines as a regula tion adopted by the board that generally applies to the management and opera tion of the common interest develop ment or the conduct of the business and affairs of the association. Examples include the collection policy, which governs the collection of delinquent assessments and election rules (govern ing the election and voting procedures).

Hierarchy of Governing Documents

It is essential to understand the hier archy of the governing documents in case there is a conflict between them. Under Civil Code §4205, the order is as follows:

1. Law 2. CC&Rs

3. Articles of Incorporation

4. Bylaws

5. Rules and Regulations (including architectural guidelines, collection policy, election rules and other operating rules).

Conflicts between the documents are resolved in the order set forth above. For instance, if there is a conflict between

the CC&Rs, articles, bylaws, or rules and the law, the law prevails. If there is a conflict between the CC&Rs and rules, the CC&Rs prevail. If there is a conflict between the rules and the archi tectural guidelines, neither would take precedence since they are on the same level. The best practice is to avoid having governing documents conflict with the law and each other.

Do the Governing Documents Need to be Modified?

Once you understand the purpose of each of the documents, you can evaluate whether they need to be modified or restated. The main reasons to consider modifying or restating the governing documents include:

• Bringing them up to date with current laws;

• Deleting obsolete provisions, such as those regarding the original developer of the development; and

• Clarifying ambiguous provisions which have caused problems in interpreting the rights and obligations of the association and owners.

The laws governing common interest developments have changed

dramatically since the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act became effective in 1986. Documents drafted before this time are out of date with the law.

Once the developer of the project is gone, many provisions become obso lete. Typically, the original developer drafted the documents before con struction began. Sometimes elements intended to be in the project were never built or were built very differ ently than envisioned. Changes to the development’s actual construction are often not reflected in the docu ments. Rewriting the documents to delete obsolete language makes the documents more effective.

Another important reason to rewrite the documents is to incor porate the knowledge that living within the project has revealed. Often, certain ambiguous mainte nance issues have been the source of confusion. Consider the rewrite a golden opportunity to clarify those ambiguous issues.

Documents that do not require a membership vote should be reviewed and modified frequently to clarify issues or address new situations.

Since 1993, Laurie S. Poole, Esq., CCAL has been a California community association attorney. She is a partner at Adams|Stirling, PLC, managing the San Diego, Inland Empire and Palm Desert regional offices. You can reach Laurie at Lpoole@adamsstirling.com or (760) 620-0747.

WELCOME ABOARD

Brandon Abbott, Esq., LL.M. Green Bryant & French, LLP

By Meaghan Gaffney-Howe, CMCA, AMS

Welcome aboard, Brandon Abbott! Brandon is the newest attorney at the law firm of Green Bryant & French, LLP.

A California native (born in Irvine and raised in Carlsbad), Brandon earned a Masters of Law degree in Water Resources from the University of Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law in 2016. Brandon spent nearly four years in Los Angeles in the motion picture legal department at Paramount Pictures, and over a year in Sacramento, gaining experience at the California State Water Resources Control Board and Army Corps of Engineers. With family connections to the Coachella Valley since the early 1980’s, Brandon moved to La Quinta full-time in 2016. Since his move to the desert, Brandon has been practicing general civil, real estate, community association, construction, business water resources, contract, and collections law. In addition to being a member of the California State Bar, Brandon is a member of the Desert Bar Association, Inns of Court, and Desert Valley Builders Association. In his leisure time, Brandon enjoys golf, bike riding, hiking, the pool, the beach, traveling, and trying new restaurants in the area.

The firm of Green Bryant & French consists of dynamic lawyers and legal professionals committed to the highest standards of practice and exceptional client communication. With over fifty years’ experience, the firm recognizes that each client has a unique dispute and often different goals. They believe each case deserves customized handling tailored to the individual client’s personal or corporate needs. Whether it’s pre-litigation advice or the prose cution of complex civil litigation, the firm is prepared to adjust and adapt in order to obtain the absolute best results for the client.

The firm’s lawyers come from diverse professional, educational, and legal backgrounds. Currently there are twelve at the firm. The lawyers are supported in their roles by a variety of highly skilled legal staff that are equally diverse and experienced. A number of lawyers and staff are bilingual. All of this talent comes together to form a team of legal professionals capable of responding to the diverse needs of their clients. The team stands ready to competently and expeditiously handle litigation and transactional matters. Practice areas include, but are not limited to: community association, construction, con struction defects, construction injuries, elder abuse, environmental law, estate litigation and contested succession, estate planning and administration, general civil litigation, business, labor/employment, personal injury, real estate, collections, and water rights law.

Brandon Abbott can be reached at (619) 239-7900 or babbott@gbflawyers.com. Please visit https://www.gbflawyers.com for more information on services that are offered that can benefit your community!

Meaghan Gaffney-Howe, CMCA, AMS is a community manager and Vice President of The Gaffney Group, Inc. Meaghan can be reached at meaghan@thegaffneygroup.net.

"CHANGES TO THE DEVELOPMENT’S ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION ARE OFTEN NOT REFLECTED IN THE DOCUMENTS. REWRITING THE DOCUMENTS TO DELETE OBSOLETE LANGUAGE MAKES THE DOCUMENTS MORE EFFECTIVE."

People often assume that con dominium community asso ciations have no responsibility when it comes to insuring unit interiors. I often hear things like, “The owner must maintain it,” or “Since to owner owns that area, they must also insure it.” However, sometimes this is true and sometimes it is not.

In most cases, the CC&Rs require the condominium association to be insured in one of three ways.

Bare Wall: This means that the association only insures the structure back to the drywall and the unit owner is responsible for insuring everything from the paint in. All floor coverings, wall coverings, fixtures, bathrooms, showers etc.

Single Entity: The association is responsible for insuring the interiors back to the way that they originally came, but any upgrades or improvements made by any unit owner are the responsibility of the current owner to insure. All-In. The association is responsibility for insuring all attached items in the condo including any upgrades and improvements made by the owners.

There are pluses and minuses of each of these coverage forms, but the purpose of this article is to discuss how you know which one you should have and the pitfalls of not abiding by that option. So, which one should we choose? The coverage form that you should have is the coverage form that has been laid out in the insurance section of your CC&Rs.

This is separate from the maintenance or any other section of your CC&Rs. Make sure to go to the insurance section (and not the maintenance grid) when determining the type of insurance required. Always provide the CC&Rs to your insurance agent or broker when you are seeking a bid. Confirm that your insurance professional is familiar with HOA insurance. Not every broker is an HOA specialist.

There are times when the CC&R

board the authority to pick their form. However, there are some CC&R forms that give this authority to the board. Your insurance professional will help you find the insurance form that is best suited for your association.

What happens if the association board chooses the wrong coverage? What is the downside of choosing the wrong form or a form that does not match the CC&Rs.

Using CC&Rs to Guide Association Insurance Decisions

By Brian Berce

information can be vague and con flicting. When this happens, consulting an additional broker or even the HOA attorney is a good idea. When a claim occurs, and someone wants to challenge the insurance policy coverage based on what the CC&Rs state, it is always best to have a concrete explanation or a legal opinion in advance.

In most cases, CC&Rs do not give the

Here are a couple of examples. Example one: The association chose a bare walls form because they didn’t want to deal with interior leaks, but their CC&Rs actually required an all-in form. In this example, there is a large loss with damages totaling $75,000. This claim will get turned in to both the master and interior carriers. The master carrier states that they insure this on a bare wall form and the common area damage is only $10,000. The interior carrier requests a copy of the CC&Rs for review. They discover that it is the HOAs responsibility to insure the interiors. They see that there is a master policy deductible of $5,000. That is all that they will pay. So, $15,000 total is paid out on a $75,000 loss leaving a $60,000 shortfall for the homeowner. The interior unit owner then gets an attorney and sues the HOA for failure to insure. They are likely to win and as a result, the HOA insurance premiums will certainly rise substantially for years to come. Additionally, a unit owner who is paying for two different insurance policies can use neither creating a lack of faith in the board.

Example two: An association that has single entity coverage requirements in their CC&Rs has a policy with all-in coverage. There is a $70,000 interior

water loss. The association should be responsible to rebuild back to builder grade, but because they have all-in coverage the master insurance carrier pays for the entire loss including the $35,000 in upgrades in the unit. This should have been paid by their interior carrier. The result is the HOA now has a $70,000 loss on their loss runs instead of a $35,000 loss. This will cause premiums to increase at a dis proportional rate for years to come rather than if they had insured the HOA properly and only paid their fair share. This is not as severe as example one, but a problem for the board to explain, nevertheless.

In conclusion, it is always best to follow the CC&Rs and follow the three little bears philosophy when it comes to insuring unit interiors. Not too little, not too much, but get it just right. Insurance sections of CC&Rs exist for a reason and trying to justify straying from them will likely get boards into trouble. Always get your HOA insur ance professional involved.

Brian Berce is with Golden Alliance Insurance based in Agora Hills, California.

Brian may be reached at (818) 584-8044 or by email at brian@goldenallianceinsurance.com.

"Not too little, not too much, just right. These documents exist for a reason and trying to justify straying from them is not easy."

CAI-CV ELECTION RESULTS

By CAI-CV Executive Director Cal Lockett, CMCA

Each of these new directors will begin their three-year term on January 1, 2023. Typically, the Chapter has three to four board vacancies each year. This year, however, there were five vacancies and seven candidates who were qualified to run in the election. Elections can be compli cated. The Chapter’s bylaws require the board to make a sincere effort to have fair representation of all three membership classes: Community Association Board Members (Homeowner Leaders), Community Association Managers, and Business Partners (HOA Vendors). The bylaws also discourage having a majority of the 11-member board from any one class. That means that we need a minimum of two from each class, and no more than five from any one class. The bylaws also require that candi dates have served in a leadership position with the Chapter for a year or more, as a chair, co-chair, or CLAC delegate. The purpose of this provi sion was to establish a succession plan for the board, where members inter ested becoming directors are given the opportunity to lead on a smaller scale first. Once elected, board members are also expected to attend at least 70 percent of the Chapter’s activities. If

are interested in running for the Chapter board, call the office and let us know that you would like to serve in leadership for one of CAI-CV’s 17 committees.

The board thanks all the members who ran in the election and all members who voted.

BRIDGET

BRIGADIER GENERAL (RET)

Please join us in welcoming the following CAI-CV members to the Chapter’s 2023-2025 Board of Directors:

CAI-CV Welcomes New Directors!

Results from the Chapter’s election were read at the CAI-CV Annual Meeting on October 25th at the Chapter office in Palm Desert during the Annual Meeting.

MARK DODGE, CMCA,

BRUCE

MICHELLE LOPEZ, CMCA,

In

Clint Atherton, PCAM, LSM (Current President)

R. Balbini, Esq. (Current President-Elect)

Daniel Farrar, CMCA, CCAM, AMS

Ironwood

Jennifer James, Esq.

Erin Kelly, (Current Secretary)

AVP, HOA & Lockbox

Manager,

Lily Ortega, CMCA

Manager,

Sadly,

say goodbye to:

Past President Matthew Lawton, CIRMS, CIC Prendiville Insurance Agency

Past President & Treasurer Steven Shuey, PCAM Personalized Property Management (RET)

Louise Stettler

Palm Desert Greens Country Club HOA

Past President Michael “Mike” Traidman President, Mira Vista at Mission Hills HOA President, Desert Cities HOA Council Commissioner, CAMICB

We will properly say goodbye to our esteemed departing board members in the December issue of HOA Living. For more information about the Chapter’s election process, please contact the office at 760-341-0559.

Cal Lockett is CAI-CV’s Executive Director. Cal has served as the chief lobbyist for Bank of America and later as a lobbyist and executive for WellPoint Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield where he oversaw public relations, government relations, and the company’s 15 foundations. Cal can be reached at the Chapter office at (760) 341-0559 or by email to clockett@cai-cv.org.

Why Your HOA Needs a Facebook Group

By Sharon Marta

Community" is one of the biggest buzzwords in the world of neighborhood associations. It's also one of the most difficult to truly achieve. The best way to foster a sense of community in your HOA is by creating an online group where residents can share information, ask questions and get answers from moderators or other members. Over time, these interactions will build trust between neighbors and make your com munity more cohesive than ever before!

WHY YOUR HOA NEEDS A FACEBOOK GROUP

Facebook groups are a great way to engage with your community, build relationships, and build a positive reputation. You can use a group to communicate with residents, share informa tion, organize events, and get feedback. All of this can help you grow your HOA's engagement.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY

If you're not currently engaging with your HOA members on Facebook (or any other social platform), there are several benefits that come along with utilizing this tool:

• It allows you to create a safe space where residents can ask questions about anything related to the HOA or real estate as well as share their experiences related to living in an HOA community. This will make them feel more involved which will lead them to be more likely to engage when issues arise within your community;

• It will help build trust between you and your members by showing them that you care about what they have to say;

• It provides transparency by allowing all parties involved (including current owners) access to discussions taking place within it so that everyone knows exactly what's going on so nothing gets missed.

HOW TO CREATE A FACEBOOK GROUP FOR YOUR HOA

• To create a Facebook group for your HOA, go to facebook.com/groups/ and click the “Create new Group" button in the left sidebar.

• Name it something that describes what the group is about, such as “HOA X Resident's Association” or “HOA X Homeowner's Association of Residents' Forum.”

• Add an image that represents your HOA for the banner.

ASSIGN AND DESIGNATE MODERATORS

Once your Facebook group has been created, you'll want to make sure that the right people are in charge of it. The person who created the group should be considered a moderator, along with any board members who choose to participate. If at all possible, try to keep this number small. You should also consider having some trusted volunteers act as moderators as well: these may be homeowners or HOA employees whose job descriptions don't include social media management but who can help out with maintaining high standards for content on your page and removing inappropriate posts promptly when necessary (within 24 hours).

The admin can set the post to "approve before posting" if you would like to approve them before they are posted. Moderators should keep an eye out for comments from other people related to their own posts—if there's something they need help answering or clarifying further in response, or remove any inappropriate comments.

SET SOCIAL MEDIA GROUND RULES

When you're building your Facebook group, it's important to set social media ground rules. This can help create a positive, inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their questions and experiences.

If you've never created an HOA group before, here are some tips for setting the tone. Setup the group rules. When joining the group, members will be asked to agree to the group rules before being allowed into the group. Let them know that breaking rules will be grounds for removal from the group.

• Set clear expectations for posting and commenting in the group.

• Make sure people know what kind of content is okay to share (questions about rules, garage sales, home improvement recommendations, sales, etc.)

• Make sure people know what kinds of content is not okay (e.g., self promotion, spam, direct messaging other members without permission, attacking language, political posts.)

GROW YOUR GROUP WITH EVENTS, POLLS & GIVEAWAYS

Once you've established your group, it's time to get the members involved. The easiest way to do that is by hosting an event. These can be online events or physical events you host in your HOA. Physical events like holiday parties, group garage sales, and food truck nights. When hosting an online event, allow your HOA members to ask questions about what they'd like from their HOA and gather ideas for future projects.

To encourage participation and engagement with your Facebook group, also consider hosting polls in between events or general discussions. You can even offer prizes if they participate (i.e., if three people respond to the poll by Friday at 5 p.m., everyone wins a free pizza).

Host a contest with multiple prize levels—and make sure there's one grand prize! Don't forget to promote it well in advance so everyone knows when they need to submit their entries or votes. This way, you'll be able to keep engagement up.

SUMMARY:

• Create a Facebook group for your HOA.

• Establish community ground rules for social media.

• Assign and designate moderators for your HOA Facebook group, setup group rules and moderate posts and comments.

• Encourage engagement and participation with events, polls and giveaways.

With these tips, you’ll be able to start engaging with your members in no time! If you have any other questions about getting more engagement online or creating a website for your HOA or business, please let me know.

Sharon Marta is the owner of SM Creative, LLC, a custom website design company. You can reach her on Instagram, just send Sharon a DM if you have a question, @sharonmarta_creative or on her website at www. SharonMarta.com.

MEET THE BOARD MEMBER

CAI-CV Director & Secretary Erin Kelly

AVP, HOA & Lockbox Department Branch Operations Manager - Pacific Western Bank

By Marilyn Ramos

This article is part of a series featuring CAI-CV Board members and committee chairs. Today, we profile board member and board Secretary Erin Kelly.

Erin Kelly

Erin was born and raised in Twentynine Palms. She is married to Jordan who is an active-duty Marine (thank you for your service, Jordan!).

They have three beautiful children: Derin, who is 12, Jayden, who is 2, and Sidney, who is 1. Having two children 11 months apart keeps Erin a very busy and active mom. Needless to say, Erin doesn’t have much time for hobbies but when she does have down time she enjoys camping, reading, scrapbooking and just spending time with her family.

Erin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management. She has been with Pacific Western Bank for 17 years. She started out doing data entry for them in their Lockbox Department and worked her way up within the HOA and Lockbox Departments. Hard work and loyalty pay off because today Erin is the AVP and HOA & Lockbox Department Branch Operations Manager for the bank. She names this as her greatest professional achievement. Kudos to Erin.

Erin believes in a collaborative style of management. She likes to encourage her staff to share their thoughts, concerns, suggestions, and solutions to help maintain the end goal which is providing excellent customer service while allowing the bank to grow. Erin also takes pride in helping her employees be successful and thrive.

Erin joined CAI-CV because of their relationship with local HOAs and the bank. She believes being a member of CAI-CV is a must while being involved with HOA banking. She appreciates the effort that CAI puts into education and how hard they work to ensure managers, board members, and business partners are fully educated on all things HOA related. Erin looks forward to continuing her service on the board of directors and contributing in any way she can.

CAI-CV thanks Erin Kelly for her commitment to the chapter and wishes her ongoing success in the banking industry.

Marilyn Ramos is a paralegal for Guralnick & Gilliland, LLP. She can be reached at (760) 340-1515 or by email at MarilynR@gghoalaw.com.

Holiday Safety Tips

By Kimberly Burnett

This holiday season don't let the spirit of giving lull you into complacency, where you might be creating an opportunity for criminals. The holidays are dis tracting with activities, gifts, and balancing family and holiday guests. Rushing around, stressed out and careless, trying to get everything done, creates the perfect opportunity for a crime.

• Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers by not overburdening yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.

• Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.

Protect Your Vehicle

If You Are Traveling

• Get an automatic timer for your lights.

• Ask a neighbor to watch your home and park in the driveway from time to time.

• Don't forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it's a sure sign you're out of town.

If You Are Out for the Evening

• Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone's home.

• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave, even if it's just for a few minutes.

• Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.

If You Are Shopping

• Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.

• Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible.

• Loading up on all those gifts is a sign of progress in the holiday shopping. But if those packages are left out in the open after they're in the car, your car has become a likely target for thieves. Remember the old cliché, “Out of sight, out of mind?" The same idea applies to items in your car.

• Always lock your vehicle and store all items out of sight. Breaking into an empty car isn't worth a thief's time. However, anything left in plain view—from your holiday gifts to spare change, sunglasses, CDs, cell phones or briefcases—may tempt a thief.

• Help prevent your vehicle from being stolen by always locking your car and using anti-theft devices. Never leave your vehicle running while you run inside your home or a store—even if for only a minute or two.

Although the holidays bring joy and celebration, it also brings opportunity for criminals. Take the extra steps to be aware of your surroundings and ask for escorts to your car if you have any reason to believe that it may be unsafe.

Kimberly Burnett is the Business Development Manager at DSI Security Services. Kimberly can be reached at (909) 238-3827 or by email at kburnett@dsisecurity.com..

HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO CELEBRATE SAFELY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON:

TIME-HONORED Shelly Bricker, CCAM

By Meaghan Gaffney-Howe, CMCA, AMS

Application for CAI Board Leader Certificate Course

New in 2023 – CAI National is offering HOA board members a nationally recognized CERTIFICATE! CAI-CV will offer this five-hour program to our members and the Desert Cities HOA Council members twice in 2023.

DATES:

Saturday, April 15th

9 A.M. to 3 P.M. CAI-CV Classroom

Saturday, September 9th

9 A.M. to 3 P.M. CAI-CV Classroom

THE COST IS REGULARLY:

$99 for members | $199 nonmembers (Individual online class via National)

Shelly Bricker

Shelly Bricker has been in the CID industry for four and a half years. She was introduced to the industry roughly five years ago by one of her closest friends (and fellow CAI-CV member), Rhonda Drews. Beginning as a portfolio manager, Shelly has added on-boarding new accounts and marketing to her list of duties. Shelly is currently serving as a Community Manager and Director of Marketing for Associa, Desert Resort Management.

Citing the opportunity to better her education in community management, Shelly joined CAI in 2018. She has earned her CCAM designation from California Association of Community Managers, and is currently studying for the exam to achieve the CMCA designation. For the past four years, Shelly has served as a board member on the Palm Desert High School Foundation and is the Alumni Committee Co-Chair. She feels blessed to have a very strong circle of girl friends who provide support, inspiration, and encouragement.

Shelly’s favorite saying is “Wow, just wow.” She loves all genres of music and musical artists, including Motley Crue, Metallica, Chris Stapleton, and Lady Gaga. In her leisure time, Shelly enjoys shopping, spending time with her family at their second home in Big Bear, Jeeping, and boating. Shelly’s family consists of her husband of 19 years, Dean, as well as their beautiful 17-year old daughter who is a senior at Palm Desert High School, and their two rescue dogs, who “basically make the rules of the house.”

Shelly, thank you for your membership to CAI-CV and for your dedication to the CID industry!

Meaghan Gaffney-Howe, CMCA, AMS is a community manager and Vice President of The Gaffney Group, Inc. Meaghan can be reached at meaghan@thegaffneygroup.net.

The Chapter is offering a facilitated class for a cost of $69 (members) and $169 (nonmembers). Most HOA’s pay for their members to attend. It’s a win win for all!

Please provide us with the following information if you are interested in participating in the Board Leadership Certificate Program.

Name: Email: Cell Number:

HOA Board:

Preferred Date:

Those board members interested in participating will be contacted with the details of the program.

EMAIL THIS INFORMATION OR CLICK OR SCAN THE QR CODE: admin@cai-cv.org or fax it to (760) 341-8443. If you have questions, call the office at (760) 341-0559.

Reserve Studies for Home Buyers

By Kevin Leonard, RS

Americans take a lot of pride in homeownership and buying real estate can be a valuable long-term investment. Savvy buyers and real estate agents will evaluate all aspects of a potential purchase, ranging from price and location to interest rates and assessment dues.

Buying a house is generally the most expensive investment a person can make during their lifetime. If a buyer is considering a property in an associ ation-governed community (a growing industry), he or she may request to see the reserve study. In fact, we urge every one involved in such a purchase (home owners, agents, and mortgage lenders) to dig a little deeper and obtain a copy of the latest reserve study from the seller. The management company should be able to provide it electronically (if the seller does not have a copy on-hand). Note that a hard copy of the report may incur a printing and shipping fee.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO

If an association does not have a reserve study, or the report they provide is more than five years old, the buyer should be extra cautious about

"If there are any doubts about the financial status of the association, buyers and realtors may hire a reserve specialist to sit down and review the report with them to make sure they understand what it reveals about the association."

submitting a full-price offer on the property. That is because we know about 70% of all associations are underfunded, and no one wants to be that new buyer who gets a “welcome to the associa tion” special assessment to make up for reserve contributions the previous owners skipped out on paying. Blindly making a full-price offer can cause financial stress for a new homeowner, and shows poor guidance by their real estate professional. Furthermore, a large special assessment might lead to owners falling behind on mortgage pay ments that would threaten their credit score or even lead to losing their home.

BEST-CASE SCENARIO

A prospective buyer receives a reserve study for the most recent fiscal year and makes an informed decision. If the report shows large expenses that are planned to occur in the next five years and the funding plan shows inadequate funding, the buyer is justified in asking

for a discount to the sales price!

Hopefully, the reserve study will show adequate funds and projects a stable contribution rate over the next thirty years. We commonly consult with realtors about the status of various community associations. If there are any doubts about the financial status of the association, buyers and realtors may hire a reserve specialist to sit down and review the report with them to make sure they understand what it reveals about the association.

I still get a big smile and handshake from one particular community asso ciation insurance agent every time we see him at a trade show. That is because he bought into an association that had just received one of our reserve studies. Looking at it, he found their reserves were underfunded by about $10,000/ unit. So, he asked for a $10,000 discount on the sales price and got it. No wonder he smiles when he sees us! It is the same way a buyer would negotiate the sales

CAI Designations & Professional Development

By Gretchen Redewill, CMCA, AMS, MBA

Education has always been an important focus for me and one that I have taught my children. Knowledge and growth can be measured by the satisfaction one gains in pursuing and achieving your educational goals. I remember sitting in an interview for a portfolio manager position with the executives of the management company learning about the job, the company, and the Community Associations Institute (CAI). I was excited about the position, working with the company, and I was very intrigued by the educational programs offered by CAI. As an individual who is always striving to learn new things, continuing education seemed like the perfect path for my future.

California has an estimated 50,000 homeowner associations (HOAs) that include condominiums, townhomes, and single-family associations. In the Coachella Valley, we estimate that there are more than 800 HOA communities. Many are managed by professional management companies. These com munities recognize that companies hire managers with the knowledge, ethics, professionalism, and skills with veri fiable experience in financial, admin istrative and facilities management to provide guidance to their board of directors.

There are approximately 5,100 active Certified Managers of Community Association Managers (CMCA) who also have CAI’s Association Management Specialist (AMS) designation in the nation. However, only 1,960 of them

have their Professional Community Association Management (PCAM) des ignation. If HOAs have the confidence in their managers, why wouldn’t you want to be recognized as one of the best and most experienced managers in the nation and obtain your PCAM designa tion? This is a question that I have asked myself numerous times.

My management journey began over 25 years ago. I was young and wanted to learn everything I could about business. I joined a country club association company and earned my Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) while I started working fulltime. I developed a desire for planning, orga nizing, and leading a team that worked toward a common goal. I began to look for a change to an HOA management company to further my education and

career opportunities.

Once I started in my new role, I wanted to learn everything I could about homeowner association management. I took the M-100 course, passed, and was set in motion to achieve my CMCA. I registered for every practice class avail able, and I scheduled the exam when the global pandemic caused the exam to be paused temporarily. Now two-anda-half years later, I have obtained my CMCA and AMS designations.

At the being of 2022, I found myself trying to decide if it was the right time for me to start on the path to obtain ing CAI’s PCAM designation. I was surprised how many steps there are to pursue the PCAM. I need to complete the prerequisites, PCAM application and submit the application fee. Then I need to earn a minimum total of 125 points

WELCOME ABOARD

Roxanne Ramirez

Dunn-Edwards Paints

By Meaghan Gaffney-Howe, CMCA, AMS

on the application and complete all six M-200 courses. Once that is completed and the application has been approved, I need to complete the Case Study. I will admit this seems a little overwhelming, but it just makes crossing the finished line that much sweeter.

I continue to prioritize my family first, but also continue to work toward my next designation no matter how busy life is. I have always been involved with my children’s activities. My oldest son is now a US Marine and going to college. He is stationed in Southern California, and I try to see him as much as I can. My youngest who is too young to drive, is involved with a lot of school and extra curricular activities, which means I have a full schedule outside of work. I am pursuing the PCAM path so my kids will be as proud of me as I am of them.

Designations, certifications, and degrees show your level of excellence in your line of work and create change. I hope to encourage other managers to take the next step toward obtaining CAI’s premier designation, the PCAM.

Gretchen Redewill, CMCA®, AMS®, MBA is a Community Manager with Associa Desert Resort Management. Gretchen can be reached at (760) 346-1161 or by email at gredewill@drminternet.com.

Welcome aboard, Roxanne Ramirez! Roxanne is the new Property Services Representative for Dunn-Edwards Paints. Dunn-Edwards has been the leading paint manufacturer in the Southwestern United States since 1925. The company boasts an enthusiastic team of 1,700 dedicated employees in 150+ stores. DunnEdwards is committed to providing superior products and services that their customers have come to expect.

A Coachella Valley native, Roxanne has been with Dunn-Edwards Paints for nine years. She has recently been designated the Property Services Representative, assisting CAI members and other businesses with any upcoming exterior painting projects. The services offered include project-specific surface evaluations, preparation of repaint specifications, color consultations, and job walks to assist with color renderings. Roxanne is also attending classes at College of the Desert, where she is working toward earning her degree in Digital Design. Roxanne’s personal interests include music, meditation, crafting, and spending time with her family.

Roxanne Ramirez can be reached at (760) 972-6830 or by email at Roxanne.ramirez@dunnedwards.com.

Dunn-Edwards’ Physical Address: 1426 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262

Please visit www.dunnedwards.com for more information on their locations and services that are offered that can benefit your home or community!

Meaghan Gaffney-Howe, CMCA, AMS is a community manager and Vice President of The Gaffney Group, Inc. Meaghan can be reached at meaghan@thegaffneygroup.net.

"I WILL ADMIT THIS SEEMS A LITTLE OVERWHELMING, BUT IT JUST MAKES CROSSING THE FINISHED LINE THAT MUCH SWEETER."

Why Should My HOA Donate to the Buck-A-Door Campaign?

By CAI-CV Director Mike Traidman

In California 14 million people live in 50,000 commu nity associations. Assessments combined are over $12 billion. Home values are generally 4% higher for those living in a community association. In the Coachella Valley, 75-80 percent of all residents live in common interest developments making it by far the most common form of housing locally. We believe there are about 850 HOAs in the Coachella Valley. So, who is looking out for our interests?

Nationally, CAI has an advocacy group headed by Dawn Bauman, Sr. Vice President. She and her staff follow national legislation and proposed legislation in all 50 states that impact HOAs. In addition to supporting a California lob byist, CAI has a federal lobbyist who works with Congress to make sure the legislation that affects HOAs are in our best interest. Over 3,000 bills are being closely watched at the federal and state levels. Dawn’s team also prepares public policy summaries that are sent to the CAI chapters to forward to local legislators to impact future bills.

The eight CAI chapters in California formed the California Legislative Action Committee (CLAC) to help our communities advocate for issues that affect local HOAs. CLAC is very active and follows the CA state bills closely. During the most recent legislative session, over 100 bills were followed. CLAC supports a Sacramento lobbyist who meets with legislators regularly, promoting CA common interest development communities.

To support these efforts each CA chapter provides funding to CLAC. Each chapter is given a goal amount to raise to pay for CLAC advocacy efforts. The goal is based upon chapter membership. Since our chapter has grown substantially, our goal has also grown. As most of you know, our event, Corks for CLAC, which will be held on November 11th at Shield’s Date Garden will help us with our fund-raising efforts. In addition, we have the Buck-A-Door campaign. We are asking all HOAs to donate $1 per household to CLAC. For most HOAs this is a very small amount of money but much needed. There is a donation sheet listed in HOA Living on page 43. Every Valley HOA should be contributing to this important effort.

This year our advocacy efforts really paid off handsomely. Of the bills that affect HOAs, we were able to help get over 30 stopped before they were voted upon. All of these bills would have negatively affected HOAs. One bill, AB 1410 which has passed, started out including mandatory HOA board member education and signatures to a code of conduct. Through our lobbying efforts, we were able to get both negative components removed before the Governor signed the bill.

As we move into 2023 our lobbying efforts will be even more important. As Chair of CAI-CV’s Legislative Support Committee, I invite you to join us or contact me directly if you have questions or suggestions about CLAC. Your input is appreciated. Please call the CAI office or email me at mtraidman@yahoo.com.

Thank you for donating to Buck-A-Door. It is very important and appreciated.

Mike Traidman is a Director on the CAI-CV Board. He served as President of the Chapter for two years and currently serves as one of CAI-CV’s two CLAC Delegates. He is on the national CAMICB Board and serves as Chair of the Desert Cities HOA Council. Mike can be reached at mtraidman@yahoo.com.

Congratulations

NOVEMBER

MOTR