13 minute read
Association News
From The Board of Directors
Our mission as the SCOV Board is to lead in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in Sun City Oro Valley as an active adult community.
All Board minutes, agendas and reports are available online and in the SCOV Library. Board meetings are open to residents.
Board of Directors howardschulzscov@gmail.com
SCOV Financial Strength
by Howard Schulz During this summer, my wife and I traveled to the Midwest to be with family. I took the opportunity to investigate some HOAs that were close to where we stayed. I was very surprised as I compared their financial metrics to SCOV. Annual dues were three times higher, special assessments of $1,000 to $3,000 were yearly occurrences, and reserves to fund capital projects or to maintain common elements were small. Granted that these HOAs are newer and amenities are currently being added, their financial situation requires significant annual contributions from residents.
When looking at the financial strength of SCOV, the following are key considerations:
Asset Reserves: Our master documents require that a fund be established to accumulate financial resources to pay for the major repair or replacement for existing capital assets. To be considered for inclusion in the asset reserve, the item must have a useful life greater than one year and a replacement cost equal to or greater than $1,000. The asset reserve fund is a 30-year outlook for all items that meet this criteria. Annual dues support this fund which is forecast to be 74.3% ($6.35M) of fully funded by YE 2021-2022. Auditors have indicated the risk of a special assessment is low.
Capital Fund: According to our master documents, these are funds for purchase, construction or major reconstruction of real property of the Association. The community voted earlier this year to spend up to $4.5M (a combination of Capital and Asset Reserve Funds) for the upgrade of the Activity Center. The Board approved the dog park expansion of $30k, and the upcoming November purchase ($664,413) for the existing solar panels. These projects will use capital fund monies without the need for a special assessment. Monies that go into the Capital Fund are AT&T lease payments, Capital Contribution Fees, Comcast Preferred Provider monies, and other Board-directed funds.
In addition, SCOV results of operations for FY 2020-2021 ended with a surplus of over $180k, in a crazy year of Covid.
So how is SCOV’s financial strength….in my opinion pretty good. General Manager - Mark Wade mwade@suncityorovalley.com 520-917-8080
The Glass is Half Full
Fall is beginning, and with it we will welcome back those residents who have enjoyed their summer at another location. We have enjoyed a beautiful summer in which we’ve been blessed with much more rainfall than we’ve seen in many years.
Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” He could have been writing about our day. Certainly, for a time we were able to see the Covid virus peak and then calm down significantly. And now the Delta variant of Covid is coming back with a vengeance and protocols have been and are being discussed about the best way to keep our residents at SCOV safe. If it continues, I expect to see more restrictions being recommended/imposed by our federal, state, county and town. We live in times of good and bad, depending on your view.
From my perspective of our community as a whole, I see a large part of us have been vaccinated. I see the moisture has helped keep the entire valley greener than in years gone by. I see the golf course and common areas are green and growing. I see fewer local forest fires. I see many residents enjoy the cooler weather. I see our finances for this past year ended up much better off than the budget predicted and this on a year of pandemic. I see many residents doing their best to keep a smile on their lips in spite of the negativity that is going on in the world. I see residents enjoying the use of the facilities and amenities.
I hope that as you look at SCOV from your view that you will focus on all the good that comes from being a part of this wonderful and caring community. There are some who always will be looking at a glass half empty. I encourage you to find the good and find the glass half full. I’ll be standing right there beside you.
Join Us for Board of Director & General Manager Chat with Residents Tuesday, October 19 9-10 AM, WC1
Association News...........................3 Association Committees ................7 Golf...............................................10 On the Cover ...............................10 Photo Scrapbook....................12, 35 Coming Events .............................14 Workshops and Classes................14 Memoriam....................................15 Clubs ............................................15 Arts, Crafts & Hobbies..............15 Continuing Education ................20 Cultural & Social........................21 Dance ........................................26 Exercise.....................................26
What’s Inside
Games .......................................27 Music .........................................29 Sports ........................................29 Travel.........................................32 Partnered Organizations ..............32 Extended Community ..................33 Classifieds.....................................34
It’s More Than Living... It’s A Lifestyle!
What Is a Community?
by Lucy Remington
Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary provides two definitions of community: “1. the people working or carving, clay art and ceramics, stained and fused glass along with silversmith and lapidary arts. Sculpting, painting with common interests living in a and fiber arts are also available. particular area, and 2. a group of Are you a life-long learner? people with a common charac- Astronomy, Bible study, book, teristic or interest living together genealogy, poetry and technolwithin a larger society.” One ogy clubs all offer ways to concould certainly say that Sun City tinue learning and the Institute
Oro Valley fits both definitions. of Learning in Retirement offers
Sure, the first meaning is pret- multi-week courses of study ty easy to define by geography along with Sampler presenta(Town of Oro Valley) and the tions by guest speakers. 2,488 homes that comprise the At SCOV, your community
SCOV Community Association, can consist of meeting friends at but defining SCOV as a commu- The Views Restaurant to enjoy nity is a bit more complex. Many live entertainment or karaoke or people move here for the active adult lifestyle and the great attending a commuweather, but it’s the community that keeps people here. nity-sponsored event Want to be physi- (won’t it be nice when cally active? Take an the Activity Center exercise class or go renovation is comfor a swim at the AFC. pleted?). Many resiGolf on your own or dents enjoy watching join a league for fun the sunset with their golf with others or en- friends or neighbors joy our casual Chip & from their patio, and Putt group. the dog park offers Many participate in the opportunity to racquet sports: tennis, meet friends along Pickleball at sunset. Larea Diehl-Holgreen photo racquetball and the with their canine fast-growing pickleball companions. and POP tennis. Each of these has a Last year during the early stage of club which provides instruction, orga- the Covid-19 pandemic, SCOV sewnized play and fun. ing groups bonded together to ensure
Like to hike, bike, play bocce, wally- that every resident who needed one, ball or water volleyball? SCOV has a could get a hand-made face mask. club for that. Birders enjoy the outdoors Encouraging messages were placed and trekking to nearby locations known in front yards and sidewalks to help lift for local and migratory birds. And, if everyone’s spirits, a testament to the dancing is your thing, you will find ev- kind of caring community that exists erything from ballroom to Western. at SCOV. Many clubs and committees
If you like to stay inside with cool didn’t miss a beat by holding their air-conditioning, show your competi- meetings on Zoom when they couldn’t tive side with one of the many game- meet in person. It proved to be a great playing clubs, such as bridge, chess, way to stay connected. euchre, gin rummy, mah jongg, poker Your community is what you make or scrabble. it. Don’t hesitate to get active, get in-
Feeling creative? SCOV offers a fine volved, get acquainted. Opportunities
Artisan Center where residents can pursue their passion for sewing, woodHikers trek the Sutherland Trail at nearby Catalina State Park await you at SCOV.
Where else can you take a water aerobics class in such a beautiful setting? The Views Restaurant terrace is a fun place to gather with friends and enjoy live entertainment
Asst. General Manager - Robin Coulter rcoulter@suncityorovalley.com 520-917-8070
What You, as a Homeowner, Can Do About Landscape Maintenance in the Common Areas
One of the beautiful aspects to our community is the natural landscaping. As a resident of Sun City Oro Valley, you enjoy the 1,000 acres of common area land owned and cared for by the Association. The manager of our Common Area Maintenance (CAM) crew is Mary Kaye Cunningham. Mary has worked for the Association since the beginning of Del Webb days. CAM has many responsibilities with all this land to manage; one exception is the common area that abuts homeowner lots.
There is a maintenance schedule where a five-foot buffer is maintained behind homeowner lots on our common area. This schedule takes approximately one-and-a-half years for her staff to cover the estimated 10 miles of lot lines.
If you want landscaping work done before the crew comes behind your lot, you can participate in the Pre-Qualified Landscaper program. This group of landscapers have gone through a qualifying process that informs them of what work is allowed in our common areas. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to interface with the Association and apply for the work to be done and to make sure the permit is properly displayed. If your favorite landscaper is not on the list, there is an application process for them to become qualified.
The scope of work that can be done, including trimming and removal of trees, may be found on our website under Members > Member Services > For Your Home > Common Area Landscaping Request. The applications need to be submitted to scoroval@ciramail.com.
Another type of common area maintenance the Association manages is for lots that qualify as a Golf Course View Lot. The lots that meet the qualification are listed in the Development Standards, Article 5, Appendix E, and the scope of work provided is outlined in policy CAM-002. The services the Association provides behind these lots are opening the golf course view up to a cumulative amount of 50% including desert cleanup and trimming.
Please be aware of what this program provides and the guidelines you are required to follow. We all enjoy and appreciate the beautiful landscaping of our natural desert surroundings and our relationship between our homeowners and the Association.
Program/Facilities Director - Pam Sarpalius psarpalius@suncityorovalley.com 520-917-8077
Flexibility
Moving many activities to Catalina Vista means fewer available parking spaces at that location. Please consider carpooling if you are attending a large event. The parking lot at the Catalina Vista has 53 spaces for autos, 22 for golf carts and four handicapped auto spaces.
Please always check “This Week in SCOV” for any changes or additions to activities, since changes are being made often. We ask for your patience. Please keep in mind that there are many club events each month to provide entertainment for you as well as music on the weekends at The Views Restaurant. Community Services - Katy Mosier scoroval@ciramail.com 520-917-8058
Let’s Have a War on Weeds this Fall
Many of you have expressed an interest in a weed killer that could be used in lieu of Roundup. One of our residents has shared this recipe, and you may want to try it on your weeds.
Homemade Weed Killer 1 gallon of white vinegar 2 cups of Epson Salts ¼ cup of original (blue) Dawn dish washing soap
Combine the above ingredients and mix well. Spray directly on weeds. Remember, after they die, weeds still need to be removed.
You can cut this recipe in half or share it with friends.
Your conscientious attention to yard care enhances Sun City Oro Valley and helps make us an appealing community. Kudos to our caring residents.
But in the meantime, please remove the weeds that have already graced your yard.
Spurge Reminder
Please remove spurge from your yards. Spurge is a creeping, lowgrowing weed that is often found in the cracks of driveways and the gaps between the sidewalk and street. It also grows abundantly in river rock.
Welcome New Neighbors – August
Unit # Name From
001 Michael & Ruth Schrantz 002 Robert Leffingwell 003 Paul Gasman & Susan Radka 005 Roberta Casper 005 James & Judith Rochelle 005 William & Suzanne Wallace 006 Kenneth & Donna Johnson 008 Doug Scrimshaw & Krista Bateman 010 Jeannie & Sandy Antonucci 012 Loree Lindblom & Kimba Tichenor 014 George & Laurie Brown 015 Michael & Jennifer Hendricks 016 Margaret Gerken 017 Gisela & George Gutman 18A Jill Frederiksen Lake Elmo, MN Tucson, AZ Grand Junction, CO Tucson, AZ Oro Valley, AZ Tucson, AZ West Bend, WI Moscow, ID Steamboat Springs, CO Marana, AZ Oro Valley, AZ Tucson, AZ Oro Valley, AZ Oro Valley, AZ Belmont, CA
August 2021 Housing Resale Information Resales For the Month YTD 2021 16 151 2020 12 106 2020 Total Sold - 167
2021: Active Listings as of 8/31/2021............................8 2020: Active Listings as of 8/31/2020..........................12
Source: TARMLS®
August 2021 Average Age of New Owners: 69
SUN CITY ORO VALLEY
Money MATTERS
Statement of Revenues and Expenses and the Results of Operations Statement of Revenues & Expenses and the Results of Operations
Revenues: Annual H.O. Fees Capital Contribution Fee Golf Revenues Activities Revenues Restaurant Revenues Interest Income Other Income Gross Revenues
Asset Reserve Capital Fund Contingency Fund Wash Fund Contribution New Capital Acquisitions Restricted Use Revenues Net Operating Revenues
Expenses: Wages & Benefits Cost of Sales Utilities Repair & Maint. Supplies & Expenses Depreciation Total Expenses
Restricted Fund Expenses Net Operating Expenses Results of Operations August
(46,720)$ (10,350)$ -$ -$ -$ (42,619)$ 589,207$
(115,085)$ 611,917$ (22,710)$
2 Months 2021-2022
Actual Budget
-$ -$ -$ -$ -$ (6,720)$ 1,148,97$ 4
(230,000)$ 1,315,229$ (166,255)$
Above is a summary of the Revenues and Expenses and the Results of Operations for the first two months of the 2020-2021 fiscal year. A copy of the report in greater detail can be found on our website www.suncityorovalley.com. Log in after hovering over the Members tab and selecting Financials. At this page you will find the monthly Financial Statements as well as the Annual Budget for the current Fiscal Year and a copy of the Annual Budget for the coming year.
If you are interested in more information regarding the Community’s finances, we encourage you to attend the Finance-Budget Committee meeting which will be held Monday, October 25, 2:30 PM, WC3 and via Zoom.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 520-917-8060, or email me at rtrenary@suncityorovalley. com.
Randy Trenary, Controller
