Connect Magazine: 2021–Issue 4

MAGAZINE

Connect

2 0 2 1 I S S U E F O U R • T H E P U B L I C AT I O N O F C A I - G R E AT E R I N L A N D E M P I R E

Making Progress P ro r ogress What’s Inside:

The Time For You to Rise Up is Now! A Look at CAI-GRIE in 2022 Architectural Shade Structures for HOAs: Increasing and Enhancing Your Recreational Amenities Back to Normal: Emerging From Post-Pandemic Assessment Collections The Mission: What We Can Do To Help Communities OCTOBER CAI-CLAC UPDATE! Cut & Save!

‘22 CAI-GRIE Calendar

MAGAZINE

Connect

T H E P U B L I C AT I O N O F C A I - G R E AT E R I N L A N D E M P I R E

TABLE OF CONTE NTS

W W W. C A I - G R I E . O R G

4

Advertiser’s Index

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

5

President’s Message Mr. Nick Mokhlessin

President Mr. Nick Mokhlessin, Everthrive Landscape President-Elect Ms. Gina Roldan, Bemus Landscape, Inc.

Secretary Ms. Jessica Sedgwick, CMCA, AMS, Associa-PCM, AAMC

Past-President Ms. Jackie Fromdahl, Painting Unlimited, Inc.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

The Time For You to Rise Up is Now! A Look at CAI-GRIE in 2022 Ms. Gina Roldan

8

17

10

18

A Look Back: 2021 Monte Carlo Night Photo Re-Cap

20 Architectural Shade Structures for HOA’s: Increasing and Enhancing Your Recreational Amenities

PAID CONTENT The Mission: What We Can Do To Help Communities

Editor’s Link

Mr. Rick Reinmuth

13

CAI-CLAC Legislative Update: October 2021 Mr. Jeffrey A. Beaumont, Esq.

Mr. A.J. Jahanian, Esq.

BOARD DIRECTORS Mr. Adam Armit, Andre Landscape Service, Inc. Mr. Patrick Gabriele, Estates at Canyon Crest Riverside, Inc. Ms. Mitzi Jimenez, CMCA, AMS, Associa-PCM, AAMC Mr. Tim Peckham, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Powerstone Property Management Mr. Robert Riddick, CMCA, Sunnymead Ranch PCA Mr. Robert Serdoz, Elite Pest Management, Inc.

Back to Normal: Emerging From PostPandemic Assessment Collections Mr. A.J. Jahanian, Esq.

6

Vice President Mr. Ty Jaglowski, Environmental Concepts Landscape Management, Inc.

Treasurer Ms. Lana Hamadej, PCAM, Avalon Management Group, Inc., AAMC

15

23

Director’s Message Mr. A.J. Keefe

Mr. Joe McCann

INSIDE BACK COVER 2022 CAI-GRIE Events Calendar

Committee Co-Chair and Editor in Chief Mr. A.J. Jahanian, Esq., Beaumont Tashjian Committee Co-Chair Ms. Kimberly Lilley, CMCA, CIRMS Berg Insurance Agency Committee Member Mr. Eric Zarr, CMCA, AMS, FirstService Residential, AAMC

CHAPTER STAFF Executive Director Mr. AJ Keefe, CAI-Greater Inland Empire Director of Marketing and Design/Production Mr. Sean Floody, CAI-Greater Inland Empire Administrative Assistant Ms. Elda Pfitzinger, CAI-Greater Inland Empire All articles and paid advertising represent the opinions of authors and advertisers and not necessarily the opinion of either Connect or the Community Associations Institute–Greater Inland Empire Chapter. Information contained within should not be construed as a recommendation for any course of action regarding financial, legal, accounting or other professional services and should not be relied upon without the consultation of your accountant or attorney.

Connect is an official quarterly publication of Greater Inland Empire Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI–GRIE). The CAI– GRIE Chapter encourages submission of news and articles subject to space limitation and editing. Signed letters to the editor are welcome.

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the CAI– GRIE Chapter. Reproduction of articles or columns published permitted with the following acknowledgment: “Reprinted with permission from Connect Magazine, a publication of the Greater Inland Empire Chapter of the Community Associations Institute.”

Copyright © 1998–2021 CAI-Greater Inland Empire Chapter.

THE RECOGNIZED AUTHORITY IN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LAW FioreLaw.com (877) 31-FIORE

> Inland Empire > Orange County > Coachella Valley > San Diego County

CONTACT Advertising, Articles or Correspondence CAI-GRIE Chapter Headquarters 5029 La Mart Dr, Ste A • Riverside, CA 92507-5978 (951) 784-8613 • info@cai-grie.org CAI-GRIE Chapter CAI-GRIE.org

A Professional Law Corporation

ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 3

CAI–GREATER INLAND EMPIRE The CAI–Greater Inland Empire (GRIE) Chapter hosts educational, business and social events that provide the Chapter’s Business Partners various opportunities to promote their companies’ products and services to Community Association owners and managers serving the Community Association Industry. It is expected that all participants in Chapter events – whether they be educational, business or social – will conduct themselves in a professional manner representative of their business or service organization so as not to detract from the experience of others seeking to benefit from their membership in the Chapter.

For more information, visit cai-grie.org

Advertisers Listed Alphabetically by Company Company

Page/Location

Alliance Association Mangement.......................................................................................................................................................... 5 AMS Paving Inc.................................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Berding | Weil...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 CAI-CLAC........................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Delphi Law Group, LLP....................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Elias Bros. Contractors, Inc................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Espinozas Clean Sweep, Inc................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Fiore, Racobs & Powers, A PLC............................................................................................................................................................ 3 The Naumann Law Firm, PC................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Weldon L Brown Company, Inc........................................................................................................................................................... 18

4 |

CONNECT MAGAZINE • ISSUE FOUR 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MR. NICK MOKHLESSIN E VERTH RIVE L ANDSCAPE

A

s 2021 is coming to a close, I would like to thank everyone who helped make this year the success it was. Our chapter staff continually stepped up to the plate and made every event something engaging and fun. The committees took everything in stride from having to change venues, dates and event topics. Finally, the members themselves. More of our events were back in person and the support from the membership was tremendous.

I selected Gina Roldan as President Elect due to her continuous involvement in almost every aspect of the chapters business and development. I know I leave the chapter in good hands under Gina Roldan’s leadership in 2022.

As the chapter grows, next year I look forward to continuing to support the chapter on the Board of Directors and am excited to fill several roles on committees and continuing to bring value and education to our membership. I truly believe that some of the hardest work for any chapter is executed at the committee level and I could not be more excited.

Thank again to everyone who made our “Journey to the Top” possible. I know great things lay ahead of us.

ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 5

6 |

CONNECT MAGAZINE • ISSUE FOUR 2021

THE TIME FOR YOU TO RISE UP IS NOW! By: Ms. Gina Roldan, Bemus Landscape, Inc., 2022 CAI-GRIE Chapter President

I

t’s time to rise! Rise up to your potential! Rise up past your limitations!

As we enter into 2022 and move past some incredible challenges, I cannot help but feel optimistic and excited. If the past has shown us anything, I hope resilience echoes in your head. We have been hit, pushed down, asked to pile more things on our plates and look... here we are; STILL moving forward, STILL showing up, STILL choosing to “Rise Up!” CAI-GRIE is the Chapter that people are looking at. We are the Chapter that continued to host (# of) events, because it was important for our Members.

We are also the Chapter that embraces new opportunities and challenges.

In that spirit, let’s get our membership numbers up to 750 in 2022, so that we can transition to an extra large chapter (I mean we are already doing the work as one)!

I am genuinely looking forward to 2022. I am looking forward to a year filled with the most educated, professional, accepting, fun loving group of people that I get to call a “TEAM”. Together, we are unstoppable.

“Look around, look around, at how lucky we are to be alive right now.”

–“That Would Be Enough” from the musical ‘Hamilton’ Ms. Gina Roldan works for Bemus Landscape, Inc. and has been involved with the Chapter for many years. She served on the 2021 CAI-GRIE Board of directors as the President-Elect.

THE TENTATIVE 2022 CAI-GRIE CALENDAR OF EVENTS IS LISTED ON THE INSIDE BACK COVER

Difficulty calls us to rise up. And in that rising, we learn what we are capable of.

– Unkown

ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 7

EDITOR’S LINK MR. A.J. JAHANIAN, ESQ. BEAUMONT TASH JIAN

I

t’s hard to believe that we are already nearing the end of 2021, when it feels like we escaped a tumultuous 2020 just yesterday. In many ways, 2021 was a year of “recovery” from the pandemic, but that’s not to say community leaders didn’t continue to innovate and excel, as highlighted by the Board Member Spotlights in this issue of Connect magazine.

With this year’s final issue of Connect, we call attention to our notable CAI-GRIE Board members, who have dedicated themselves to serving the Greater Inland Empire community. We also bring you updates from the 2021 legislative session, which are certain to have an impact for the remainder of this year and beyond. Finally, and as always, this issue’s authors provide their unique insights into various community association topics, to help you navigate the ever-changing HOA world.

As we put a bow on 2021 with this year’s last issue of Connect, I am continuously humbled by our Chapter’s relentless engagement, volunteerism, and collaborative teamwork. It has been my pleasure to serve as your Editor of Connect for the year 2021 and to work alongside CAI-GRIE’s dedicated members. I look forward to wrapping up this year and forging ahead through 2022.

A.J. Jahanian, Esq. is an associate attorney with Beaumont Tashjian who devotes his career to serving common interest developments. He can be reached at ajahanian@HOAattorneys.com

8 |

CONNECT MAGAZINE • ISSUE FOUR 2021

ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 9

ARCHITECTURAL SHADE STRUCTURES FOR HOA’S INCREASING AND ENHANCING YOUR RECREATIONAL AMENITIES BY: MR. RICK REINMUTH, SOCAL SHADE SAILS

W

ith increased awareness of harmful UV rays and the pandemic pushing more activities outside, many HOAs are now looking at ways to create safe and comfortable outdoor recreational areas to help their homeowners and guests find relief from the sun, solar radiation, and the blistering summer temperatures. Protection from the sun can be a very important health and safety amenity and in some cases be a true lifesaver.

The Sun’s Harmful Impacts It is important to be mindful of the potential harmful impacts of our weather because UV light can not only damage skin and cause skin cancer, but it can also damage interior and exterior merchandise or furnishings. Many communities have wonderful outdoor playgrounds and recreational amenities without any shade protection, so it is important to be mindful of some important safety data. Several studies have determined that rubber and plastic surfaces exposed to the sun can exceed 160 degrees Fahrenheit. At those temperatures, it takes only three seconds to inflict second-degree burns and five seconds for third-degree burns. However, when covered by a protective shade that blocks direct sunlight, the temperatures on those same surfaces stay at a safe 90 degrees.

10 |

CONNECT MAGAZINE • ISSUE FOUR 2021

Finding Relief In The Shade —Amenity Enhancements Shade structures are an amenity that many associations have been adding in recent years. Playground areas, picnic areas, and other common areas are being shaded in various ways for members and their guests to enjoy and find respite from the heat and sun. In the past, most of the developers created shade with areas covered with a roof; some constructed with wood, some with steel and concrete or a combination of all those materials. In recent times, fabric shade structures are becoming one of the most popular options for shade and are on trend.

There are various options when choosing areas where the use of shade structures is useful for protection. The pandemic has caused many existing clubhouses to look for ways to add outdoor dining and entertaining. Adding a shade structure can add an instant outdoor amenity. Other areas of concern that could be remedied by shade are playgrounds, pickleball and tennis courts areas and picnic areas. Any area where people congregate or wait for services is a potential candidate for shade coverings. Perhaps your association might want a nice shady area for participants and viewers of the sports areas, golf cart and club staging and pool areas. Depending upon the type of shade structure chosen, you can design unique architectural type shade structures with curves and triangles that cover numerous tables, chairs and lounges. They can also be used for parking lots to cover parking spaces to protect the interiors of cars and from ultraviolet rays.

In addition, homeowners are now utilizing the use of shade structures in the entry courtyards of their homes, and around their backyard pool, patio and BBQ areas as well.

Options And Considerations For Shade Structures Aesthetics are always important for associations to consider. Shade structures usually are constructed out of wood, steel, or concrete, and covered with UV-protective fabric. With endless options available, it may be wise to consult with an architect or designer to find the architectural style that best suits your association’s needs.

Additionally, when reviewing choices, there are both short-term (the initial buildout) and long-term maintenance costs to consider.

Quality matters.

Cantilevered fabric shade for parking

Fabric shade structure with single color fabric

Cantilever Shade Structures 1. Provides maximum open space beneath the shade.

2. Versatile and customizable options for pools, covered parking, outdoor seating areas and playgrounds.

Hyperbolic Shade Sails 1. Hyperbolic structures utilize multiple fabric tops to provide a unique look; hyperbolic designs enhance the architectural look giving visual aesthetics of the shade structure.

2. Mix and match colors to create a unique and highly customizable structure.

Cantilevered picnic area shade structure

Hip Or Rounded-Top Shade Structures 1. Features clean, straight roofline, and is among the most popular and economical types of shade structures.

2. Provides coverage for picnic areas, outdoor seating areas, pool areas.

Metal shade structure with hipped metal roof

Shade Sails 1. Available with multi-point sails, customizable heights and attachments points and can be triangular or rectangular. Multiple column heights and attachment points allow for the fabric to be manipulated into elegant curves.

2. Great for pool spaces, play areas, open air venues, entrances to buildings.

Fabric shade structure with multiple color fabrics

Fabric shade structures allow soft light to enter and improves air circulation, not to mention lower ongoing maintenance costs than traditional roofed shade structures. Once you have either consulted with a design professional or construction consultant and have chosen your shade structures, you can commence with solicitating competitive bids. Working with experts and contractor to install your new amenity will be a rewarding experience and will add to the comfort and enjoyment of your community for years to come.

Rick Reinmuth is the Vice President of Client Development for SoCal Shade Sails. SoCal Shade is in it’s 20th year serving residential and commercial customers throughout the southwest region. Rick has numerous years of experience in the community association management industry where he worked with five chapters of CAI in Southern California. Rick can be reached at (619) 972-1100 or by email at rick@shadesails.biz.

ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 11

12 |

CONNECT MAGAZINE • ISSUE FOUR 2021

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE MR. A.J. KEEFE

CA I -G R E ATER I NL A ND EM PI R E C H A P TER

M

embership is on the upswing and we are motivated to keep it moving in the right direction! We currently have 627 members which we here at the chapter office see as very positive news considering in the darkest days of the pandemic we dipped down into the 500s. Know the potential of the region we, along with the incoming Board, are pushing to become a large chapter in 2022 which means we need to eclipse the 750 member mark.

In order to accomplish such a goal we believe we need to continue to provide value to all of our current members by way of high level education, quality in-person events, relevant printed material, and legislative support. While we work to provide that foundation we will depend on the reach of our members to cast the net of outreach and get more folks to join.

Building off of such a resilient 2021 should answer the questions that any perspective member may have. This was proven by hosting 18 in-person events, eight virtual events, publishing four periodicals, activating new social media properties, ever-improving our website, and having what some have dubbed our most successful legislative year-todate. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to RISING UP even more in 2022!

Honesty, Quality, Integrity. Since 1981 these guiding values have allowed AMS Paving to become the #1 choice for community associations in Southern California.

Our Services:

Paving the way for 40 years!

• Asphalt Repair, Patching & Crack Seal • Asphalt Removal & Replacement • All types of Slurry Seals • ADA Compliance

• Striping

800.357.0711

Perform

Protect

Pave

●

amspaving.com

●

Lic: #415436

ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 13

Back to “Normal”?

EMERGING FROM POST-PANDEMIC ASSESSMENT COLLECTIONS BY: MR. A.J. JAHANIAN, ESQ., BEAUMONT TASHJIAN

14 |

CONNECT MAGAZINE • ISSUE FOUR 2021

E

ven in the best of times, attempting to collect delinquent assessments can be a frustrating and expensive endeavor for associations. Difficult financial times, such as a pandemic, can wreak havoc on communities as receivables become more delinquent. But as delinquencies grow, it’s essential for boards to become more vigilant, in order to keep the association afloat.

residence is foreclosed by the lender during a non-judicial foreclosure, the board has no further rights with the remedy of non-judicial foreclosure. Instead, the board would be compelled to file a small claims or Superior Court action against the former owner. However, non-judicial foreclosure costs less and takes less time than a judicial foreclosure. Also, boards cannot pursue collection of CC&Rs fines (penalties) through non-judicial foreclosure.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when boards were faced with difficult decisions to shut down common area facilities and other community services to observe “social distancing” requirements and other state and local health orders, owners understandably may have started asking, “Are we responsible for the full payment of assessments, if we aren’t getting full services in return?” The answer of course, was yes, because assessments are the lifeblood of the community, which fund countless other services and obligations for the association; also, just because the common area facilities were not in use per se, does not mean their routine, scheduled maintenance also stopped (i.e., swimming pools needed to be treated, clubhouses needed to be cleaned, shrubs needed to be trimmed, etc.).

Judicial foreclosure is a civil court action that provides two potential remedies: 1) foreclosure; and 2) a money judgment.

Should the senior lender foreclose, boards maintain their right to seek money damages against the prior owner. Associations can also file a lis pendens, which helps prevent the property from transferring during the lawsuit.

Furthermore, the association can obtain a court judgment by default application as owners typically don’t respond to the lawsuits.

The other concern was the application of foreclosure moratoriums. The State of California had adopted emergency legislation that precluded associations (and other creditors) from foreclosing on owners’ homes.

However, this did not necessarily mean that boards should have stopped the collections process altogether. The board’s fiduciary obligations still required that it enforce assessments and payment plans, send prelien notices, record liens, etc., stopping just short of foreclosing on the lien (until the moratorium was lifted).

So where are we now?

All in all, when it comes to assessment collections, we are back to normal. But the pandemic showed us that during down-times especially, it is critical for boards to know thew full extent of viable collections options, in order to increase the chances of collecting delinquent assessments.

Boards can pursue the following avenues that are viable options: (1) suspension of common area use privileges; (2) small claims lawsuit; (3) non-judicial foreclosure; or (4) judicial foreclosure.

Boards should consider suspending common area use privileges of delinquent owners. Of course, this can only be accomplished if permitted by the associations governing documents and, only after the owner is provided the required notice and hearing. Similarly, this is only effective when used against owners that have an interest in using the common area facilities, if any (which might especially be the case if they have a tenant living in their home who enjoys the facilities as well).

A small claims lawsuit must be under $5,000 (for corporations). If a delinquency exceeds $5,000, a board can either waive collection of the excess or it must pursue the entire delinquency in Superior Court. While the board, or management, is required to present the case, an attorney can only assist in the preparation of the documents. An association’s only legal right, if awarded a small claims judgment, is money damages. If the delinquent owner does not have any assets, the association may not collect on the judgment. That said, the cost and time involved in filing and obtaining a small claims lawsuit is minimal and an abstract of judgment may increase the possibility of eventual collection.

With foreclosure, boards must wait until the principal debt is above $1,800 or 12-months delinquent. Non-judicial foreclosure is the foreclosure of a home without court involvement. The process is handled through the recorder’s office, requiring various notices to be served, posted and recorded, including a Notice of Default, Notice of Sale, etc.

Non-judicial foreclosure limits the board to collecting via foreclosure only. Furthermore, a lender with priority has senior rights to the property. As such, if a delinquent owner’s

A question that often arises is what steps can be taken to collect on a judgment, whether obtained via small claims or judicial foreclosure lawsuit? The first step is to have an Abstract of Judgment issued and recorded. Abstracts are valid for 10 years, unless renewed, and will prevent a Debtor from buying or selling real property in the county in which the Abstract is recorded. The board should also have a Writ of Execution issued, which is the necessary tool to levy on the Judgment.

A judgment can be satisfied by any or all of the following actions: wage garnishments; bank levies; vehicle levies; assignment of rents; calling the debtor to an order to appear hearing to identify all assets (ORAP); etc.

Should a debtor fail to appear at an ORAP, a bench warrant is issued. The threat of arrest serves as a powerful motivator to debtors and, thus, ORAPs are a highly effective tool to collect an association’s judgment.

In an increasingly uncertain world following the pandemic, boards should consider every possible option that increases their chances of collecting, given the circumstances of each case.

A.J. Jahanian, Esq. is an associate attorney with Beaumont Tashjian who devotes his career to serving common interest developments. He can be reached at ajahanian@HOAattorneys.com

ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 15

16 |

CONNECT MAGAZINE • ISSUE FOUR 2021

CAI-CLAC

LEGISLATIVE Update

OCTOBER 2021 BY: MR. JEFFREY A. BEAUMONT, ESQ., CCAL CAI-CLAC DELEGATE

Visit CAI-GRIE.org/Legislative to download a copy of this Legislative update and more!

membership vote and extends the deadline for compliance to July 1, 2022. The bill has been signed by the Governor.

T

SB 9 (Atkins) This bill makes a lot split of single residential property a ministerial act of local government and prevents certain restrictions on these actions. Late in the Session, CAI-CLAC and other organizations was able to secure a Letter to the Senate Journal from the author stating the bill does not amend the Davis Stirling Act and therefore does not impact existing governing documents. While not a perfect outcome, the Letter to the Journal is a clear expression of legislative intent which could be used in the future.

Our CAI-CLAC legislative priorities continue to move. Here’s an update on where we stand:

SB 60 (Glazer) This bill allows local governments to impose higher penalties for short term rental violations that create health and human safety issues within a community. CAI-CLAC supported this bill this session and last. It was signed by the Governor.

he 2021 Legislative Session officially ended on Sunday, October 10, 2021. The Governor has acted on a number of CAI-CLAC’s priority bills. Here is a summary below. You can also visit our Legislative Session Hot Bills for more information.

AB 1101 (Irwin) CAI-CLAC sponsored bill to clean up issues with the financial security law adopted in 2019. This bill was signed by the Governor.

AB 1584 (Assembly Housing Committee) This bill includes language to clean up the rental restriction bill from 2020.

Specifically, this bill allows a board to amend governing documents to be in compliance with the new rental restriction law without a

SB 391 (Min) This bill clarifies the open meeting rules to allow for virtual meetings, with no physical presence, during a State of Emergency that makes it impossible to meet in person. This bill was signed by the Governor.

SB 392 (Archuleta) This bill makes minor changes to existing law adding emails to the list of CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 information that members can ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 17

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

opt of sharing with others. The bill was signed by the Governor.

AB 502 (Davies) This bill will allow election by acclamation for all associations when the number of candidates is equal to or less than the number of open board seats. The bill was signed by the Governor.

SB 432 (Wieckowski) This bill will provide election clean up and clarifications. The bill was signed by the Governor.

Thank you for all your help this Legislative Session! If you have any questions, you can contact CAI-CLAC at office@caiclac.com Jeffrey A. Beaumont, Esq. is a senior partner with Beaumont Tashjian and has over 20 years of experience representing common interest developments.

His extensive experience and devotion to the community association industry have set Mr. Beaumont apart as a distinguished attorney. He also serves on the faculty for CACM and CAI (National), is a member of the Legal Steering Committee for CACM, and a delegate for the California Legislative Action Committee for CAI.

Volunteer Today!

E X P E R I E N C E • I N T E G R I T Y • V I S I O N

A FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM IN THE FIELD OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LAW • Corporate Counsel • Assessment Collection & Recovery • Governing Document Interpretation & Enforcement • Document Restatement & Amendment • Civil Litigation • Architectural Compliance • Dispute Resolution • New Development Services • FHA Certification • Board Education

(8 4 4) 4 D E L P H I (8 4 4) 433-5744

INFO @ DELPHILLP.COM

18 |

CONNECT MAGAZINE • ISSUE FOUR 2021

A Look Back O c to b e r 2 , 2 0 2 1 at P e c h a n g a R e s o rt C a s i n o

S e e M o r e P h o to s at C A I G R I E . o r g M o nt e C a r l o ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 19

WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP COMMUNITIES SPONSORED BY

BY: MR. JOE MCCANN, SERVPRO

20 |

CONNECT MAGAZINE • ISSUE FOUR 2021

S

ERVPRO is a National fire and water cleanup and restoration company.

Our mission has been to reliably help residents, business owners, and commercial property owners deal with property damage from storms, fires, sewer spills, flooding, mold, and the disruption these calamities can cause.

The last 18 months has definitely been a momentous time in history. People around the world have been through a global crisis with few precedents. The shut down of all but the most critical infrastructure affected whole nations for many months. Boarders, governments, and even great distance between continents failed to protect us. But life was still happening behind all those closed doors.

SERVPRO of Glendora/San Dimas is a Large Loss Response Team, lead by an authority in the industry, our owner Joe McCann. Team McCann is in the business to help people recover from many sources of property damage. Because we’re trained in cleaning up pathogens like the bacteria in sewer spills and the health concerns from mold spores, we were one of those businesses deemed an Essential Service, staying open to help restore and maintain healthy living and working spaces.

Hence, our Emergency Response team has remained active throughout the Pandemic providing our usual restoration services with the addition of Certified Antiviral Cleaning, disinfecting properties with confirmed Covid contamination. We were also asked to support several of the major insurance carriers by providing cost estimates for insurance claims, acting on behalf of Insurance Adjusters who were directed to avoid unnecessary contact with their customer base. In short, the pandemic kept the restoration business very busy throughout the crisis.

It’s true, we are one of those industries that benefited from the increased work created by the global situation. However, it’s been very hard. For many months, our employees worked incredible hours meeting the needs of our customers. But despite the challenges, finding meaning in what we do and being good at it has helped keep our team motivated and moving forward.

On a philosophical level, our business has always supported giving back to the

Charity Fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Hospital

community. In the spirit of answering the question above “What Can We Do To Help?”, Team SERVPRO has traditionally tried to share our good fortune when we can help make a difference. Our contributions are modest in the context of the needs of the organizations we support, but we hope we have also inspired others to extend themselves, sharing what they can to help make the effort go a little further.

Some of the organizations we have raised donations for include Relay For Life, House of Ruth, Wounded Warrior Project, Ann Roush Burn Foundation, and Kiwanis and Rotary Food Drive events.

despite the challenges, finding meaning in what we do and being good at it has helped keep our team motivated and moving forward Directly related to the Pandemic, in early 2020, during the first months when hospitals in Los Angeles County began to fill with infected patients, the shocking reality settled in that many medical institutions were going to run out of supplies.

Among the shortages, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was identified as critical to First Responders who themselves would be

at great personal risk unless they had the proper safety equipment, including masks and face shields. LA County Leadership was called upon to help figure out how to get PPE to these heroes who would be so critical to saving lives and controlling the outbreak.

One of the solutions was to get help from organizations who had production capabilities and expertise to make up the shortfall in the required PPE. Among the organizations who stepped up was a Non-Profit called the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI). Provided with philanthropic donations, LACI proposed to mobilize and coordinate production facilities and enlist out-of-work people as elements of a Face-shield Production Program.

Using our company Trucks, we volunteered to support the distribution of thousands of face shields LACI would eventually produce to hospitals throughout Los Angeles County.

Fast forward to June of 2021. The Pandemic and personal protection protocols in many parts of the country, including Southern California, is starting to recede and life is creeping towards to a new normal. The LACI organization has fulfilled their commitment to LA County First Responders, producing and delivering approximately 125,000 medical grade face shields to doctors, nurses, and other care workers.

PAID CONTENT CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 21

PAID CONTENT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

For our part, delivering these face shields was actively answering the question, What Can We Do To Help? The collaboration has made us feel like we have been part of something important, something bigger than ourselves, pretty much right where we want to be every day.

We certainly hope you never need our property restoration services, but the reality is wildfires, storms, and common plumbing failures will continue to be a part of our lives.

Our advice is: 1 Prepare for the unexpected with periodic maintenance inspections 2 Know who to call when you need reliable emergency services 3 Be ready to get out when the order to evacuate comes from emergency responders Contact our office about a free Emergency Ready Profile (ERP), a very useful application for your smart device that we help you install.

You’ll be better prepared when an emergency does strike, saving time, property, maybe even lives.

As we inch up on our new reality, Team McCann’s core business remains focused on restoring properties and returning control to those affected.

You can depend on us, we’re ready to answer the call for help 24/7. Let us know What We Can Do To Help You. “SERVPRO Joe” McCann is the owner and President of the SERVPRO LARGE LOSS RESPONSE TEAM, President at SERVPRO of Glendora / San Dimas, SERVPRO of Irwindale / Baldwin Park and SERVPRO of South Pasadena / San Marino. Joe can be reached at 626-852-9922.

22 |

CONNECT MAGAZINE • ISSUE FOUR 2021

Joe McCann Holiday Food Drive

ISSUE FOUR 2021 • CONNECT MAGAZINE

| 23

5029 La Mart Dr, Ste A Riverside, CA 92507-5978 info@CAI-GRIE.org www.CAI-GRIE.org