SRCA April / May 2024

Photo taken by resident Rick Ross.

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Is now the time to list your home?

The Peggy Rauch Luxury Real Estate Group would be happy to provide you with the information you need to make this decision. With over $510 million sales we have guided our clients through the selling of their properties. With over 38 years’ experience in this market, we can help you make informed decisions. Here are some current market tidbits . . .

• One quarter into 2024, we are still short on inventory, mortgage rates look like they will stabilize by the end of the year.

• Today: $436,307

• 1 Year Ago: $425,899

• 5 Years Ago: 268,913

Scottsdale Ranch Real Estate Update

• Existing Home listing volume is modestly higher. Consequently, we are seeing a matching increase in sales.

• Inventory for Existing Homes is still trying to catch up to past volumes. Currently we are at a three-month supply. Most experts say a balanced housing market is a four- to six-month supply.

• New Home sales are up – reflecting buyer frustration with Existing Home inventory. Consequently, the Median sales price is around $41,600 more for a New Home when compared to an Existing Home.

• While Foreclosures have increased slightly, experts do not see a wave of foreclosures because owners have too much equity in their properties,

• Experts also believe that talk of a Market Crash is highly unlikely. The record low supply of houses on the market are actually a protection against a market crash.

Peggy Rauch

Table of Contents

Stay up-to-date! Visit the Scottsdale Ranch Community Association website, www.scottsdaleranch.org

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Message From Your HOA

To discover Scottsdale Ranch is to discover a premier and forward-thinking residential community just right for you. At Scottsdale Ranch, you will find a community that reflects your taste and individuality. From luxury waterfront homes and spacious single-family dwellings to private patio homes, you will find a home to suit your needs. Scottsdale Ranch was established in 1981 and encompasses 1,118 acres bordered by 96th Street to the West, 112th Street to the East, and Shea Boulevard south to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. There are 3,939 dwellings in Scottsdale Ranch.

Scottsdale Ranch’s prestige is complemented by its luxurious amenities. Lake Serena, a forty-two-acre manmade lake offers fishing and boating and is considered the jewel of Scottsdale Ranch. Likewise, the Community Center, which also houses the administrative offices, provides a comfortable gathering place for parties, community events, or even a game of cards.

Conveniently located at the corner of Via Linda and Mountain View is the Mercado which offers a variety of specialty stores, restaurants, a drug store, a gym, offices, and professional services. Centrally situated in the heart of Scottsdale Ranch is a 64-acre general public use area featuring many fine amenities such as Scottsdale Ranch Park, a world-class tennis facility, several lighted baseball fields, a beautiful Desert Garden, the Via Linda Senior Center, Virginia G. Piper Boys and Girls Club and Laguna Elementary School, an A+ School of Excellence.

The Scottsdale Ranch Community Association and the active participation of Ranch residents design the lifestyle, integrity, and aesthetics of our community. Visit our website at www. scottsdaleranch.org for more information about our fabulous community!

Final

A seven member Board of Directors governs Scottsdale Ranch Community Association (SRCA). The Board establishes the basic policies of the Association and oversees the operation of the professional staff while demonstrating values of fiscal responsibility, openness and inclusiveness, legacy and innovative leadership. It is our vision that by basing our decision making on our shared values, new ideas will be implemented, property values and quality of life will be enhanced, residents will feel a stronger sense of belonging, leadership and facilities will be recognized as best in class and Scottsdale Ranch will be the most desirable community in the Valley. SRCA’s Board employs an Executive Director who oversees the administrative, landscape and building/lake departments including a full-time, on-site administrative staff and a contracted landscape maintenance company, who all work behind the scenes to implement the mission statement.

The Board of Directors meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Community Center. These meetings are open to the membership. Meeting minutes can be found on our website at www.scottsdaleranch.org under SRCA Documents and Forms, Board of Directors.

Association Information

Scottsdale

Quick Phone Reference

(SRCA) 10585

Scottsdale, Arizona 85258

Office: (480) 860-2022/Fax: (480) 860-8264

After Hours SRCA Emergency/Answering

Service Number: 1 (888) 271-0019

Website: www.scottsdaleranch.org

THE SRCA OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, MAY 27TH IN OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY.

OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY – THURSDAY: 8 AM – 5 PM

FRIDAY: 8 AM – 3 PM

PHONE HOURS: MONDAY – THURSDAY: 9 AM – 5 PM

FRIDAY: 9 AM – 3 PM

Staff emails:

Kathe Barnes ......................................................... kbarnes@scottsdaleranch.org

Executive Director

Kathy Diab ................................................................. kdiab@scottsdaleranch.org Homeowner Liaison

Genevieve Long glong@scottsdaleranch.org Community Relations/Events Coordinator

Ricki Stamos rstamos@scottsdaleranch.org Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper

Joni Shepherd jshepherd@scottsdaleranch.org Member Services Coordinator

Diane Botica dbotica@scottsdaleranch.org Architectural Liaison

“The Mission of Scottsdale Ranch Community Association is to serve as the organization through which its residents may sustain and enhance the character, quality of life, and desirability of our community.”

312-2546

Cox Communications (800) 234-3993

Dial-A-Ride (602) 716-2100

Humane Society (602) 997-7585

One Stop Shop, City of Scottsdale (480) 312-2500

Registrar of Contactors (602) 542-1525

Road Construction, City of Scottsdale ............................ (480) 312-7250

Sanitation, City of Scottsdale......... & Dead Animal Pickup for City Streets ..................... (480) 312-5600

Sanitation, Recycling Hotline, City of Scottsdale (480) 312-5600

Scottsdale Ranch Park & Tennis Center ................................... (480) 312-7774

Scottsdale Unified School District (480) 484-6100

Senior Center – Via Linda (480) 312-5810

Southwest Gas (877) 860-6020

Street Light Repair Hotline, City of Scottsdale ............................ (480) 312-5620

Valley Metro (Bus) .......................... (602) 253-5000

Water/Sewer (Turn On/Off Service), City of Scottsdale (480) 312-2461

Mike Breslin Director Director Director Director

Dave Specht Director

Larry Schmalz Director

Louba Rapoport Director

Your HOA

Manager’s Report

By Kathe M. Barnes, CAAM, LSM, PCAM Executive Director

The Scottsdale Ranch Community Association (SRCA) CC&Rs prohibit short-term rentals (STR), which is anything less than 30 days, within all communities classified as single-family residential. Other communities in Scottsdale Ranch designated as cluster residential or multifamily would need to look to their sub-association CC&Rs for their lease rules.

The short-term rental market has exploded in the valley and, at the same time, is frustrating many longtime residents because of the constant noise and nuisance they can bring. Several years ago, state law usurped a city’s ability to control shortterm rentals and protect longtime residents against transient neighbors.

SRCA has enlisted the aid of a service to help track down houses within Scottsdale Ranch listed on STR sites. While this is not going to catch all of them, it has helped. Another way would be if you see a constant stream of different people coming and going, see something, say something. If it is in a single-family neighborhood, call or email the SRCA office with information or your sub-association property manager, if applicable. As much information as you can give, such as dates, times, and pictures are helpful.

Because of this surge in STR, local governments are wanting more control back. Last year, Senate Bill 1168 was signed in to which was designed to mitigate the situation by giving local governments back some of the oversight they used to have, by allowing them to require licenses and police the more troublesome partygoers.

The City of Scottsdale has been one of the front runners in doing as much as they can within the law. But they are not stopping there. Scottsdale and several other municipalities in the valley are sponsoring bills at the AZ Legislature this year that would allow them to put a cap on the number of STR allowed in each city, would address density and establish a minimum distance between STR. However, this could be an uphill battle going against the lobbyists for companies like Airbnb and VRBO.

Unfortunately, the City of Scottsdale has become one of the hottest destinations for bachelorette parties, so we need to remain vigilant. I can assure you, the SRCA Board of Directors takes violations to our lease policies seriously and will take action when needed to protect our neighborhoods. Please remember, if you are in a condo, townhome, patio home, etc., you will need to contact your sub-association regarding any STR. If you are unsure who to contact, please call our office and we can point you in the right direction.

HONORING THE FALLEN

Flying the American Flag on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27th.

We strongly encourage our residents to raise the American flag on Memorial Day as a tribute to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation.

Board Briefs

January 2024 No Board Meeting

February 2024

• Two homeowner appeals for architectural application decisions were heard.

• A request was denied for a variance to the car cover restriction.

• Accepted the 2023 Audit with an unqualified opinion as presented by Butler Hansen CPAs.

• Approved the new Reserve Study that was presented by Smart Property which shows the SRCA reserve funds as 99% funded.

• Accepted Governmental Committee recommendation to be neutral on the Mercado Villages project at 92nd St. if an easement is granted to the property to the east to keep traffic away from Scottsdale Ranch.

• Appointed Paul MacDougall as a member of the Teller Committee.

The SRCA office will be closed May 27th in observance of Memorial Day.

President’s Message

By Matt Metz SRCA Board President

The Golden Rule is a simple rule of ethical conduct. It has many variations, but they all boil down to treating others the same way you would want them to treat you.

As residents of Scottsdale Ranch Community Association, we have many opportunities to apply this rule to our daily lives.

For example, if you know your neighbor doesn’t have a swimming pool, and you notice someone getting out of a pool service vehicle and going into her yard, you should probably call your neighbor or ask the “pool guy” what he’s doing there. After all, if you weren’t home, and a pool service vehicle stopped at your home, wouldn’t you want your neighbor to notice and get involved?

Here’s a proactive example. If you have a choice, you could arrange for your yard service company to do their service during the week, allowing all your neighbors to enjoy more peace and quiet on the weekends.

Perhaps your neighbor’s tree is overhanging your fence and dropping leaves into your yard. Consider going over, or calling, to speak directly to your neighbor and seek a resolution before you reach out to the Association. Similarly, if you are being disturbed by excess noise from neighboring properties, wouldn’t it make sense to speak directly to your neighbors to address the issue before you report the noise violation to the City of Scottsdale?

After all, consider the golden rule: if you were unknowingly or accidentally affecting the quality of life of one of your neighbors, wouldn’t you prefer to learn about that in a face-toface discussion or a phone call rather than discovering you had been reported to the authorities?

Face to face or personal interactions, especially when done to head off a more confrontational encounter, lead to better outcomes and better relationships between neighbors.

So, the next time your neighbor stops by or calls about an issue, be appreciative that they are giving you the opportunity to learn about and resolve a problem before it becomes a negative confrontation.

And, following the golden rule, reach out to your neighbors to resolve any issues before you report the problems to the authorities.

It’s as simple as the Golden Rule.

Home & Landscape

From Your Homeowner Liaison

By Kathy Diab SRCA Homeowner Liaison

BARKING DOGS

SRCA continues to have quite a few discussions about dogs and their barking within Scottsdale Ranch neighborhoods.

Dog barking and complaints by the surrounding homeowners are a common problem in community associations. Police state that barking dogs rank as one of the highest number of complaints they receive.

A lot of neighbors often complain about barking dogs when their owners aren’t home. The doors are often left open, there is a doggy door or even windows left open which allows for dogs barking to be heard at the surrounding properties.

Typical causes of dogs barking:

1. Boredom

2. Someone is taunting or teasing the dog

3. Separation anxiety

4. Changes to a dog’s lifestyle

5. Possible health issues

6. Lack of shade, food or water

Suggestions for limiting dog barking:

1. Owners have “dog proofed” section of the house with toys and enticements to keep the dog quiet inside the home.

2. The owners can limit the line of sight of what the dog can see outside by covering the gate & fence.

3. Bring the dog to a doggy daycare to prevent boredom.

4. Keep the TV or radio on for comfort.

5. Leaving a blanket or t-shirt that smells like the owner may comfort the dog.

6. Walk the dog and do interactive play, whenever possible.

While we understand that dogs will occasionally bark, it’s the consistent barking that neighbors have a difficult time handling. It interrupts their peace and quiet, their ability to use their backyard at times. Let’s all be conscious of our dogs and their barking. We prefer this be handled neighbor to neighbor, when possible. SRCA does not want to have to send out violations for this. As a reminder, we can only send out one courtesy notice to a homeowner when you ask to stay anonymous. If the violation escalates, we have to have the name of the resident who has registered the complaint.

Our CC&Rs are very specific as they state:

Article IV: LAND USE CLASSIFICATIONS, PERMITTED USES AND RESTRICTIONS

The use of SRCA facilities and amenities are voluntary and at your own risk. The Association is not the guarantor of your personal safety if renting the community center, recreational boat rentals, or attending any groups, clubs or SRCA events.

For up-to-date information, please visit our website at www.scottsdaleranch.org or sign up to receive our weekly email blasts.

Construction Hours –Please Be a Good Neighbor

Normal construction, routine landscaping and maintenance activities on a Lot or Parcel shall not be considered a nuisance or otherwise prohibited by this Declaration; however, normal construction landscaping and maintenance activities which may interfere with right of peaceful enjoyment of Neighboring Properties may only take place between 7:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., Monday through Saturday, and between 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. on Sundays.

Section 2. Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements Applicable to Lots and Parcels Within All Land Use Classifications. The following covenants, conditions, restrictions and reservations of easements and rights shall apply to all Lots, Parcels and Leases, the Owners and Lessees thereof, and all Residents, regardless of Land Use Classifications.

(b) No animal shall be allowed to make an unreasonable amount of noise or to become a nuisance or annoyance to other Members or Residents. A nuisance shall include, but not be limited to, any pet leaving the owner’s property unattended and/or unleashed, failure to clean up after one’s own pet on the Owner’s Lot or Parcel or allowing one’s pet to defecate on or damage another property or Common Area.

Please let me know if you have any questions concerning pets and noise nuisance.

Architectural Report

By Diane Botica SRCA Architectural Liaison

CHECKING THE BOX

Yes, it is true. Any exterior changes require an architectural submittal and approval. Making exterior changes without approval is considered a violation.

Almost every process these days has a form or forms that require completion and a box that must be checked. This conditions us to breeze over the language that accompanies the process. Please understand that sending in a filled out and signed application does not complete the submittal process. We require your supporting documents that are listed in the project checklist to complete a review.

Here are the steps to complete a submittal for review.

Included on the Architectural page

Architectural Rules including zoning setbacks by community

Applications – general architectural, and dumpster, pod, portable restroom

Checklists for projects –additions, windows, basketball hoops, paint etc. (which also include the paint palette links)

Neighborhood Character Studies

The architectural page on our website is always available to help guide you in creating your submittal packet for your request. By clicking the blue/white “Plan my Project” house on the main page of the Scottsdale Ranch website, you can find help and answers to those exterior projects that you are considering..

The architectural page on our website is always available to help guide you in creating your submittal packet for your request. By clicking the blue/white “Plan my Project” house on the main page of the Scottsdale Ranch website, you can find help and answers to those exterior projects that you are considering.

We have made the process easier for you by including a form-fill application. When the form is completed, it will automatically be sent to us. Within the application, you will see the section below. This link just above where you sign your application will guide you to the checklists that help you complete your project request.

We have created checklists for the regularly submitted exterior projects within Scottsdale Ranch. The checklists are to help you submit all the requirements for your project, the first time around. Please gather the information from each checklist that encompasses your project. For example, if you are redesigning your front landscaping and adding a new walkway, you will use the landscape checklist and the walkway checklist and maybe the landscape lighting checklist if you add new landscape lighting as well.

As technology does have its limits, the additional information cannot be uploaded during the application process.

Please email the supporting information for your architectural request and I will print it and put your request together and ready it for review. dbotica@scottsdaleranch.org

Please remember… When in doubt, reach out! Please submit!

Home & Landscape

Embracing the Beauty of April and May in the Desert Landscape

By DeWayne Thompson SDL Director of Maintenance Operations

As the temperatures rise and we bid farewell to winter, it’s time to usher in the hardy bloomers that will thrive amidst the scorching summer days in the desert. April and May bring an array of opportunities to enhance your landscape, ensuring it remains vibrant and resilient throughout the coming heat. Let’s delve into some essential tips and tricks for a flourishing desert garden.

1. Hardy Blooms for Summer: Say goodbye to winter flowers and welcome the robust Ipomoea, also known as Potato Vine, in green and dark purple hues. Perfect for pots, these hardy plants cascade gracefully over the edges, creating a full and luscious appearance. Consider Pentas for traditional flower beds, and don’t overlook the versatile Lantana, which, despite being a groundcover, adds a burst of color to your planter areas.

2. Weed Management in Granite Landscapes: Depending on winter rainfall, granite areas might face weed challenges. Combat this by applying a preemergent chemical to prevent weed germination. For smaller weeds, spot spray, and for larger ones, hand-pulling is effective. Finish the process with a fresh raking to maintain a clean and attractive landscape.

3. Turf Care: As Bermuda turf emerges from dormancy, adjust your maintenance routine. Mow the turf lower to promote sunlight penetration and warm the root system. Gradually increase water times, and check irrigation heads for proper coverage. Rye grass planted in the fall will seamlessly transition to Bermuda, ensuring a green, lush lawn throughout the summer.

4. Pruning for Rejuvenation: By now, frost-damaged plant material should be removed, and Cassias are ready for a hard prune post-bloom in May. Embrace rejuvenation pruning for a sustainable and lush desert landscape. This approach promotes vigorous new growth by eliminating dead wood, allowing plants to bloom more naturally with minimal maintenance.

5. Combatting Insect Activity: Warmer temperatures bring increased insect activity. Rather than resorting to harsh chemicals, opt for environmentally friendly insecticidal soap, available at local nurseries or hardware stores. This eco-conscious solution effectively deals with unwanted pests without harming your plants or the environment.

6. Strategic Planting: Spring is the prime time for introducing new plants and trees to your landscape. Choose low-maintenance species that can gradually adapt to rising temperatures. The variety available today makes it easier to create a natural-looking, aesthetically pleasing landscape with minimal effort.

7. Plan Ahead for Summer: With June being one of the hottest and driest months in Arizona, minimize your workload during the scorching summer by completing essential tasks in spring. Enjoy the outdoors in April and May, reveling in the beauty of your well-prepared landscape.

In embracing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by April and May in the desert, you’ll ensure a thriving, resilient, and beautiful landscape throughout the summer months. Take advantage of this window to create a haven that not only survives but flourishes in the arid conditions of the desert.

Community Notices

Summer Programs and Camps

Parks and Recreation summer camps offer dynamic, enriching recreational opportunities for youth. The activities conducted in the camps will contribute to the physical, social and mental growth of each participant; June 3 – July 26.

For details, please visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/ sports/summer-programs.

SHRED IT!

Protect your identity by bringing your personal and/ or commercial documents to the shredding event Saturday, April 13th and May 11th from 7:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M., in the Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd. Cost is $5 per box.

Scottsdale EZ / Report a Problem

Whether it’s a broken streetlight, a fresh pothole, a missing trash can, or an out-of-place scooter, our EZ online service makes it simpler for residents to report problems with city facilities or services. Scottsdale EZ allows you to quickly report issues on your desktop or mobile device and provides the city with a consolidated tracking and reporting system. Please visit https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/ez.

CHANGING YOUR HOME ADDRESS FOR THE SUMMER?

To receive important letters, mailers, invoices, and the SRCA bi-monthly magazine, it’s essential to keep your contact information up-to-date with the SRCA office. If you want to change your primary mailing address, email Ricki Stamos at rstamos@scottsdaleranch.org to have your information updated in the property management software.

PROTECT YOUR BOAT DURING MONSOON SEASON!

Boat owners should remember to loosen their dock line before leaving for the summer to safeguard their boats and docks from bad weather conditions during the monsoon season. Additionally, the SRCA recommends providing the contact information of a trusted neighbor who remains in town during the summer in case of an emergency. It’s important to note that there is a $75 Watercraft Tow Policy charge if a boat must be rescued and towed by SRCA staff.

LAKE SERENA BOAT IDENTIFICATION STICKER

Attention Scottsdale Ranch Boat Owners: All boat owners on Lake Serena must have a SRCA boating identification sticker visibly displayed on their boat. If you do not have an identification sticker, you will need to complete a Boat Sticker Application and submit it to the SRCA office to obtain one. You can find the application on the SRCA website at www.scottsdaleranch.org under Local Amenities / Lake Serena / Boating Guidelines.

CITY OF SCOTTSDALE COLLECTION SERVICES

April 8th & May 6th

SCOTTSDALE RANCH IS AREA 3

This Information can be found on the City of Scottsdale’s website at www.scottsdaleaz.gov.

The earliest items can be placed out is the Wednesday prior to the week of pickup and must be placed out no later than 5:00 am on Monday the week of the scheduled pick up. Residents, please be considerate of your neighbors - do not put your items out before the designated dates. Placing items out before this time can result in hefty fines being assessed to your account.

Please be patient as the city has all week to pick-up in our area.

NOTICES FROM THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE:

Please separate your brush and bulk pickup into two piles – one for green waste and one for everything else. The piles will be picked up by separate trucks during your designated brush and bulk pickup week.

*Please refrain from placing trash containers or bulk trash where it blocks the sidewalk and would prevent pedestrians or wheelchair bound residents from passing along the sidewalk.

SRCA Event Liability Waivers!

Last July 2023, SRCA rolled out new event liability waivers which once signed, are now valid while you remain Scottsdale Ranch residents or until a new waiver deemed necessary for any and all events hosted by the association. If you signed and submitted a paper event waiver either onsite at a Scottsdale Ranch hosted event or online through the SRCA website, you have received an email with an attachment which contains a personalized QR code.

Simply save the QR code to your smart phone to be scanned while entering events, or you can print out the QR code attached to the email that you received, and have it scanned upon entrance and quickly pass up the lines. Your QR code will be valid at all SRCA sponsored events.

Example of a QR code:

Skip the lines and submit an event liability waiver ahead of time! If you haven’t already done so, by submitting a waiver now, you can bypass having to sign a waiver onsite at the events.

To submit an event waiver, please visit www.scottsdaleranch.org and go to Activities & Events / Event Information and Forms. You can also submit and event waiver through your homeowners’ portal.

Your personalized QR code will also be automatically stored in your homeowners’ portal; therefore, you can reference your event QR code at any given time.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT REMINDERS!

By Ricki Stamos SRCA Bookkeeper

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank each of the homeowners here in Scottsdale Ranch who have paid their 2024 Annual Assessment. By paying your Annual Assessment in a timely manner, you are not only ensuring that Scottsdale Ranch Community Association continues to remain in good financial standing, you are also helping to ensure that we are able to perform the many tasks and duties for which the association is responsible.

As you are probably aware, the 2024 Annual Assessment, in the amount of $463.00, was due on January 1, 2024. Invoices were mailed to all homeowners on December 11, 2023. Payment was considered delinquent if not received in our office by January 31, 2024, thus giving homeowners ample time to make their payment without incurring a late fee. A 10% late fee of $46.30 was added to any unpaid accounts on February 01, 2024.

If payment on unpaid accounts was not received by February 29, 2024, interest was added to the account at the rate of 12% per annum. This fee will continue to be added to unpaid accounts each month until payment is received.

If payment is not received by April 30, 2024, a lien will be filed on the property through the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, lien filing/release fees will be added to the account and further collection action may be necessary. This means that the property cannot be sold until the past due payments have been paid and having a lien filed against your property could affect your credit.

Should a homeowner’s assessments continue to be delinquent, their account may be turned over to an attorney for collection action without further notice from the Association. Failure to pay these assessments could also result in the filing of a personal judgment action and the homeowner will be responsible for all attorneys’ fees, document recording, and any other fees incurred to collect this debt.

If your annual assessment has not yet been paid, we encourage you to contact the Scottsdale Ranch Community Association administrative office as soon as possible to discuss your account and how we can work with you to bring it current. If you need to arrange a payment plan, consideration will be given. If you have any questions regarding this matter, you may contact our Bookkeeper Ricki Stamos at (480) 860-2022 or via email at rstamos@ scottsdaleranch.org. We are here to work with you.

MAY 28 - JULY 31

Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Closed May 27 and July 4.

Bring water bottle, lunch and snack daily. $205/Week

Current $25 annual membership required. Financial assistance available to those who qualify.

VIRGINIA G. PIPER BRANCH located in SCOTTSDALE RANCH NEIGHBORHOOD

Weekly themes, reading/literacy, STEM, art, games and challenges, and fun, fun, fun!

Committee News

Treasurer’s Report

By Mike Breslin SRCA Board Treasurer

Our community is more than just a neighborhood. In many ways, it’s a lot like a business. Collectively, our regular annual assessments amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars that need to be budgeted carefully and spent wisely. And our neighbors who have volunteered and been elected to serve on the association’s board are responsible for making critical decisions on our behalf about managing the community and our money.

Our board also develops long-range plans – like when the parking lot will need to be repaved and when the lake needs to be dredged – about the parts of the community that are shared property. The board must set aside funds so that these kinds of projects can be accomplished on schedule or even ahead of schedule in the event there’s an unexpected breakdown.

The association also sends out requests for bids and contracts with vendors to do the work necessary to maintain our shared amenities. Board members decide who will do the best job of replacing the roof at the best price or who will be the most reliable company to manage and maintain the landscape throughout the community.

Our CPA conducts an annual financial audit of the association books and prepares association tax returns. Throughout the year, the CPA is available to assist in developing and monitoring accounting policies and procedures and recommend internal controls to the finance committee and board. The accountant is a valuable partner who works closely with the manager and the board to ensure your financials reflect accurately the financial position of the association.

Butler-Hansen, PC recently completed our annual audit as required by the governing documents of SRCA. They conducted the annual audit to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free of material misstatements and to assess the accounting principles used. They evaluated the overall financial statements and line items presented in our reports and established that SRCA’s books and financial records are in good order and no issues were found. Their conclusion stated that in their opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Scottsdale Ranch Community Association as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

As Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee, I am most happy to report that SRCA ended 2023 in a strong and healthy financial position and your association has adequate reserves, proper financial record keeping and effective systems in place to maintain the highest level of service to the community in the years ahead.

Committee News

Architectural Committee Review

By Michele Holzman SRCA Architectural Committee Chair

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS AT THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE (ARC)

Because you live in Scottsdale Ranch, it is really important to understand the process of making changes to your property. As an HOA, it is our role to protect your property values and thus we require that homeowners apply to the HOA prior to making external changes to their property. SRCA is required by State law to have an Architectural Committee (ARC). This obligation is also outlined in multiple places: in our CC&Rs; our Summary of Rules and Architectural Guidelines; on our website and many other places. Our CC&Rs require that all external changes to your property be reviewed BEFORE you start your project.

The purpose of the ARC is “to ensure that the member’s property values are ‘enhanced’ by external changes to properties’’. What this boils down to is that volunteer residents join the ARC and meet to approve or deny if the external changes go beyond previously set guidelines. The Committee meets twice a month to view and discuss each and every submittal that the staff refers to the ARC. Each committee member visits the front of the property to better understand the request. All residents are encouraged to attend the meetings to get a better insight to the process and expectations required for a submittal.

Unlike many other HOAs, we have authorized our able staff to approve simple changes that are clearly compliant and are unlikely to raise concerns with other homeowners. These staff-level approvals are frequently granted within only a few days of the request, allowing simple projects to proceed without delay. Last year our staff was kept busy reviewing 1,166 applications and referred 170 to the ARC. While not every application can be approved right away, we make every attempt to work with the applicant to bring their project to fruition, ensuring it follows the guidelines.

Community Leadership Committee Review

By Dave Specht SRCA Community Leadership Committee Chair

The Community Leadership Committee is one means in which the Scottsdale Ranch Community Association supports ongoing communications with its sub-association board members and association managers. To that end, the Committee holds two or three ‘lunch & learn’ seminars each year, hosted by the Scottsdale Ranch Board of Directors and

When a submittal is denied, the denial always includes a reason, and often suggestions on what changes are likely to result in an approval.

The Architectural Committee gets involved with projects that require major changes or vary from the Architectural Guidelines and Rules. This past year has seen many requests for external changes to both the staff and the ARC. The top 10 are:

1. Exterior painting

2. Dumpster requests

3. Full window replacements

4. Landscaping changes

5. Door replacements

6. Roof replacements

7. External lighting

8. Additions

9. Solar panels

10. AC unit screens

The ARC meets live and on Zoom on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 3:30pm. Diane Botica is the Architectural Liaison on staff, and you can call her at the office and she will send you a link to the next meeting.

Here’s a quick summary of the review process:

1. Get an Application on the website or in the office. Complete and submit

2. Staff review and approval

3. If not approved by staff, your submittal is sent to the ARC

4. ARC reviews your request and visits the front of your property

5. ARC meets, discusses projects

6. Project is approved or denied

7. Letter sent within the week to notify you of the decision.

8. If denied, you my appeal the decision to the Board of Directors

In summary, our meetings are open to all residents of Scottsdale Ranch. Whether you have lived here for 15 years or moved in yesterday, we would love to see you at our meetings and look forward to your input.

PLEASE JOIN US AT OUR NEXT MEETING AND DISCOVER THE INNER WORKINGS OF SRCA!

Staff, that highlight presentations from industry speakers on a variety of homeowner association topics. Past sessions have addressed water conservation at the HOA level, recent legislative changes, street maintenance, short term rentals, landscape contracting, and association insurance.

These seminars are a convenient way for sub-association leaders to periodically network, exchange ideas and best practices, and discuss other subjects of community interest. The sessions also enable sub-association leaders to connect with SRCA leadership and staff to discuss current HOA hot topics and explore areas of opportunity towards the common goal of ensuring our status as a premier residential community.

If you are a current Scottsdale Ranch sub-association board member or association manager and have suggestions for future seminar topics, or you are interested in joining the Community Leadership Committee, please reach out to the SRCA office for more information.

Lake Committee Review

By Larry Schmalz SRCA Lake Committee Chair

The Scottsdale Ranch Lake Committee’s role and responsibility is to examine the overall cost and environmental quality of the lake and its water use in relation to the Department of Water Resources associated with maintaining Lake Serena. That is the “official” description of what the committee does, but it is much more than that.

Lake Serena is considered the “Crown Jewell” of Scottsdale Ranch, and for a good reason. For starters, it is available to all Scottsdale Ranch residents and their guests to enjoy, not just those that reside by its shore. Besides being visually appealing, it provides opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, walking along portions of its shoreline, and other social gatherings and activities. The association has non-motorized recreation boats such as kayaks, a paddle boat and a canoe available for residents to use free of charge. The SRCA pontoon boat is also available for hire. You need to make reservations with SRCA staff 7 days in advance to utilize all of the recreation boats.

Lake Serena is an integral part of the Maricopa County Flood Control Districts’ stormwater management system. The lake receives a vast amount of stormwater surface runoff from several square miles of the north and east, which introduces trash, dirt, silt, and other organic and inorganic material into the lake. Over time, these materials settle to the bottom of the lake at the main inflow points. Eventually building up and causing the lake to become shallower. These areas are monitored and once the depths become too shallow for boats to navigate properly, the silt and debris are dredged from the lake bottom. This was successfully accomplished three years ago, so it will be quite a while before those needs arise again.

In the spring of 2021, the first application of a natural and safe microbial treatment was added to the lake as a method to reduce the amount of build-up of organic material on the lake bottom. This non-toxic product is perfectly safe for the biology of the lake. Depth readings were logged at selected locations throughout the lake prior to the first application to use as a benchmark for monitoring the effectiveness of the microbial treatments. Additional dept readings are taken every year at the exact same location and the results continue to be very favorable, from anywhere between 6 inches and 13 inches of added depth. New readings will be taken again this spring to continue monitoring the progress. The additional benefits of the microbes reducing the organic materials in the lake will help in the reduction and severity of algae blooms in the lake and increasing the time frame between dredging.

For those of you who may not know, the following are some fun facts about Lake Serena. It has a surface area of approximately 41 acres but has about 5 miles of shoreline! The average depth is just under 9 feet, with a maximum depth of 16 feet. It is home to a plethora of wildlife, including birds, ducks, geese, turtles, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes and javelina. It also supports a variety of fish species, including Largemouth Bass (Northern and Florida Strain), Black Crappie, Channel and Flathead Catfish, Israeli, and common Carp, White Amur (Grass Carp), and several species of Sunfish.

We encourage all of you to get out and enjoy all that Lake Serena has to offer.

Social Committee Review and Communications Committee Review

By Nina Munson SRCA Social Committee and Communications Committee Chair

The mission of the Social Committee, simply stated, is to provide opportunities to engage our residents in community wide activities, and the mission of the Communications Committee is to keep residents informed of these events and other relevant information that impacts Scottsdale Ranch and the local vicinity.

We’ve had another activity-filled year, of which I hope you had a chance to participate in some of the events. Neighborhood block parties were in swing, taking advantage of our party trailer and its supplies. And speaking of swing, the Golf Club is just one of the many groups that has been an annual occurrence. Our local artists’ fair has been so successful that we extended it to two days this year. We offered our first community-wide presentation on common scams targeting the elderly. We hope to find other topics that are meaningful and of interest to our residents, potentially scheduling more in the future.

Of particular recognition, our residents truly showed their hearts this year. During the holidays, we collected more toys and food for Camino Del Vista than ever before. We also began partnering with the American Red Cross to conduct blood drives at our community center and filled the slots with donors each time. Thank you for your giving spirit, the true definition of a good neighbor!

And, of course, we continued the year with our many clubs, groups, and social events. As you read through this magazine, one of our many vehicles for communicating with our residents, you will find it filled with reflections on activities that have been held and those that are upcoming.

In addition to this bi-monthly magazine, we keep you informed through the SRCA website (www. scottsdaleranch.org), bi-annual “save the date” events postcard, weekly email blasts, and the homeowners’ portal. If you are missing out on any of these forms of communication, please notify the SRCA office staff and they will make sure you are added to the distribution.

As with all our SRCA committees, the Social and Communications committees are comprised of volunteer residents. If you are interested in becoming involved in these or any others, please notify the office and we would welcome your participation.

Committee News

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

We would like to thank all the SRCA Committee volunteers for all their hard work, time and dedication to ensuring that Scottsdale Ranch continues to be such a wonderful place for all to call home.

Architectural Committee

Michele Holzman, Chair

Matt Metz, Vice Chair

Carolyn Wheelock

Tom Mitchell

Dr. Pamela Chambers

Communications Committee

Nina Munson, Chair

Louba Rapoport

Kathy Hippensteel

Community Leadership Committee

Dave Specht, Chair

Mike Breslin

Rickie Currens

Election Committee

Louba Rapoport, Chair

Mike Breslin

Paul MacDougall

Executive Committee

Michele Holzman, Chair

Matt Metz

Dave Specht

Finance Committee

Mike Breslin, Chair

Larry Schmalz

Louba Rapoport

Brian Munson

Paul MacDougall

Governmental Committee

Larry Schmalz, Chair

Matt Metz

Michele Holzman

Suzanne Mirasola

Brian Munson

Lake Committee

Larry Schmalz, Chair

Dave Specht

Brian Munson

Greg Mona

Bill Williams

Marilyn Wolfe

Personnel Committee

Matt Metz, Chair

Mike Breslin

Nina Munson

Social Committee

Nina Munson, Chair

Louba Rapoport

Dave Specht

Ellen Blum

Von King

Teller Committee

Paul MacDougall

Loretta Colgan

We would like to give a huge THANK YOU to Michele Holzman who served on the SRCA Board of Directors for six years.

We’d also like to thank those who have served and are no longer serving in their board and/or committee roles. Your dedication and support were truly appreciated!

Social Life on the Ranch

Social Life on the Ranch

SRCA Community Group Spotlight

Knitwits – Knitting & Crochet

Knitwits is a knitting and crochet group which has recently grown to 14 members, who focus on sharing ideas & techniques, building friendships, and having fun! They will also take the time to teach you how to knit/crochet.

Knitwits donates their items to Ryan House, which provides care to families navigating life-limiting or end-of-life journeys. They also donate to Hushabye Nursery, whose mission is to ‘embrace substance exposed babies and their caregivers with compassionate, evidencebased care that positively changes the course of their entire lives.’

Most recently, the Knitwits group was approached by Honor Health to donate hats for the newborns in the birthing unit in which they donated 22 beautiful hats!

If you have an interest in knitting/crochet and would like to spin some yarn, please contact Loretta Colgan at ldcolgan@cox.net.

Social Life on the Ranch

Social Life on the Ranch

Social Life on the Ranch

In the Community

By Brian Hartman, #866 Scottsdale Police Department Crime Prevention Officer

Via Linda District

Scottsdale Police Safety Tips

As we head full steam ahead into the busy Spring season, we often see an increase of people visiting the city, as it is the place to be this time of year. With the increase of visitors to the city we sometimes see an increase in criminal and/or suspicious activity occurring. With that being said, we wanted to provide a few safety tips you can take to best ensure personal safety during this season.

What you can do:

• Keep an eye out for unknown or suspicious vehicles parked in neighborhoods, especially those that are occupied, particularly during nighttime or unusual hours.

• Pay close attention to individuals going door-to-door in residential areas, as they sometimes are doing so with nefarious intentions. If anyone/anything catches your attention or if something looks out of place, please report the activity promptly to Scottsdale PD, as there are law limiting solicitation.

• When reporting criminal/suspicious activity to police and when applicable, make sure to get any key details and descriptions of the individuals along with the vehicles they may or may not be correlated with.

A good rule of thumb for reporting and being cognizant of potential criminal activity is if you see something say something. Never hesitate to reach out to Scottsdale PD at our non-emergency number at (480) 312-5000 and thank you for everyone’s continued involvement in keeping your neighborhoods safe.

2024 SRCA Calendar of Events

Please check with the administration office to see if the SRCA meetings will be held in person and/or via Zoom webinar.

APRIL