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MEMBER SATISFACTION SURVEY and SURVEY ON BY-LAW OPTIONS TO GUIDE THE ASSOCIATION VISION FOR 2009 AND BEYOND

Members of the Lake Forest II Master Homeowners’ Association have received a Member Satisfaction Survey and a Survey On Options For By-Laws Amendments in the April Mainsheet. They may complete the document or use the association web page at www.lf2.org to complete the survey on line.

When developing the components of the survey the board was following a two step process designed to meet the Master Association Board Goals for the year and to help guide the association staff this year and for years to come. The Satisfaction Survey will be followed by another in October for comparison. The By-Law Options selected by members in the second survey will be placed before them in propositions for election in order to update our association governance documents.

Personally, I support the by-law amendment that would enable new directors to be elected for two years, rather than annually. Elections every two years would save about 15,000 dues dollars each year we did not have an election because of mailing, printing and other state mandated costs.

It takes a first year for a new director just to come to terms with the nuances of being a director, the terminology, the board protocols, the budget, the legal provisions in the Hearing Board and CCR process, the multitude of purchases to vote upon and ideas forwarded by the membership. A second year would fulfill a need we have to keep continuity on the board, to better guide the vision for the future and to have new directors with a more knowledgeable understanding that only experience can give.

Members are urged to complete both surveys as soon as possible. Read More...

Queen Mary Behind the Scenes Tour and Shoreline Village
Wednesday, March 18, 9 AM - 6 PM
 

Enjoy a "behind the scenes" tour of the Queen Mary, a legendary 81,237 ton passenger liner and World War troopship. The Queen Mary is an Art Deco luxury ocean liner that successfully completed 1,007 transatlantic cruises before being docked permanently in Long Beach. During her heyday, the ocean liner transported the world's rich and famous including The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Mary Pickford and Sir Winston Churchill. After the tour you will visit Shoreline Village where you can explore art galleries and unique waterfront shops and enjoy lunch at a variety of restaurants. This event is open to adults and seniors. The $26 per person fee covers the tour and transportation. For more information call 461-3450.

 


Departure Location: Lake Forest Community Center (25550 Commercentre Drive)
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With about 100 in attendance at the Sun and Sail Club this past week, Bob Woodings of the City of Lake Forest along with two consultants hired by the city, presented preliminary plans for a “street calming” proposal on Jeronimo Road between Bake Parkway and Lake Forest Drive. In addition to five our own members of the Lake Forest II Master Homeowners’ Association Board of Directors being present a significant number of residents who are directly impacted by the plan were present as indicated by a show of hands. The most significant adverse impact reviewed was the proposed center island that would eliminate left turns onto Jeronimo in four locations, including Mimi Street. Such an island would force members coming from the 76 homes in that tract to travel up to Heidi in order to cross two lanes of trafic and a left turn lane in order to negotiate such a left turn onto Jeronimo toward Bake Parkway. Notes from one of our members was recently shared and published here. Click on Read More below for those notes.

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The City of Lake Forest will host a Community Workshop, open to the public, at the Sun & Sail Club on Wednesday, February 11, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  This workshop will be of particular interest to the residents of Parkwood Estates II, Lake Park West, and the Lake Forest Keys.   You'll want to attend, ask questions and provide your input on the proposed Jeronimo Road Streetscape Project, which will involve construction of raised landscaped medians and parkway landscape improvements from Bake Parkway to Los Alisos Boulevard.      The purpose of the project, according to the City, is to beautify this section of roadway and provide traffic improvements.  Be aware, though, that the proposed medians will block access for left turns onto Jeronimo from some tract entrance streets.   Your comments, questions, and concerns about the project are vitally important, as they will be incorporated into the final conceptual plans that will go ultimately to the Planning Commission and the City Council.

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Lake Forest II Board of Directors had confirmed at their last meeting a 89,000 dollar un-audited balance remains in the 2008 Budget. Once the annual audit report is given to the board of directors the final amount will be known. It is expected to be in the tens of thousands of dollars that came from unexpended dues dollars, collected from members in 2008. Previous budgets have also had balances that were used by the board of directors.


This year I am asking members (again) to notify me of your preferences for the use of whatever money may remain, once the budget audit is completed. Presently, the board has identified no priorities for the use of any unexpended funds from the 2008 budget. Should the audited funds remain the same, the total equates to nearly 25 dollars per property that was collected above that which was used.


Do you have some ideas for what to do with the Budget excess funds?


Some obvious options previously suggested include: reduce the next budget (2010) by the amount remaining, about two dollars per month per property; use some of the money for staff bonuses (a one time payment); establish a fund for all tracts to use for entrance upgrades, refunded on a per property basis; pay for the costs to purchase and install no parking signs (to cover street sweeping days); offset the costs for club groups who pay fees for club use; honor the Womens’ Club request for a stipend to expand the New Years’ Party; upgrade the July 4th Celebration; underwrite a first annual LF II Invitational Tennis Tournament; establish (new) emeritus-type courses for members; place a portion of the funds into a Building Remodel Fund for the main building of the Sun and Sail Club, fund a one-time youth exposition that could include speakers, recreation games, use of facility amenities including swimming, tennis, basketball, a bar b q and a dance.


Do you have some ideas for how to save additional money in the 2009 budget ?


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I have served as one of the elected members of the Board of Directors for a sixth year now, three years as president. The Association By Laws, well over 30 years from the date they were first designed and approved in the early 1970’ now need to be changed. I support the TWO YEAR terms of office proposal so that we keep our elected directors for more than a one year commitment and so that we can save member dues costs and staff time annually. Following a lengthy review by our CCR Review Committee, the board of directos determined four options regarding one aspect of the Corporate documents; THE TERMS OF OFFICE FOR THE DIRECTORS. Today, the term of office for any director is one year. Each year, each director must be re-elected. The process is an expensive one. Most directors chose to run again, and most are re-elected to serve a second and third time. Our projected annual costs for board elections amount to about $10,000 annually. If elections took place EVERY OTHER YEAR, “bi-annually”, we could save $10,000 in members dues and more. The staff time to put together the election documents including Mainsheet announcements and candidate statements that are required by law, other clerical and management related costs, make the real cost of an annual election closer to 15,000 dollars. A conservative estimate. Each new director takes at least a year to learn the various nuances of the operational aspects of the club. It is definitely a learning process. Members benefit when a “second” year member is re-elected because of the invaluable training and knowledge they have received during the first year of service. Some might be concerned with a two year term, I would be more concerned if a candidate would only run and serve one year. Such a one year candidate, most likely, is a “one item” candidate interested in only one topic, and unwilling to make the necessary commitment necessary for this type of community service. Our members deserve better. Some might want to remove one or more directors after a year. That is easy, recall is provided for just like it is city council members. By the way, our city council members serve four year years. There are four options on the www.lf2.org web page coming in February. I hope you will make your preferences known.

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The Fitness Center Pilot Program concluded with data indicating members would use the facility as early as 6AM. It also proved the cost for an annual opening at that hour would be expensive. Some members who are unable to use the facility during the typical 8AM-8PM hours during the winter were afforded an opportunity to use the club earlier in the day during the six week PIlot Program. 21 members used the facility, as a daily average, during the 6-8 A.M. time period of the Pilot Program though some switched their time of use to the earlier period as part of the pilot program. The Fitness Center is the most highly used amenity at the Sun and Sail Club monthly with the exception of the summer period when our swimming pools are used a lot, especially when school is out during July. The annual July 4 Celebration adds a significant count to the pool use at the club, too. The board determined the annual cost (for a permanent opening at 6 AM) exceeded our intentions when preliminary data was given to us IN EARLY DECEMBER. In fact, I told some members who spoke in favor of a permanent early opening during one of our board meetings that it “was not budgeted for” in the coming budget for 2009. As an un-budgeted item, the board was indicating we have NO INTENTIONS of establishing a permanent 6AM opening. Since the completion of the Pilot Program, a politically motivated “petition” has circulated by some members. Reports have indicated they may have misled some members to sign the petition out of a (UNTRUTHFUL) concern the board would open the Fitness Center at 6AM. I appreciate hearing from members, however in this instance, I realize the purpose of the petition was merely an attempt to create a “storm of protest” as one member put it. A protest that is only necessary for at least one member who is about to declare as a candidate for the next board election, and thereby establish a “concern” expressed by member petition signers. The facts are simple: the board of directors will not be opening the Fitness Center during 2009 on a permanent basis, starting at 6:00 A.M.

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(This information was taken from the www.lf2.org web page)

Do you have an opinion on the best way to amend the Association's By-Laws with regard to terms of office for the Board of Directors?  The Board believes that an amendment to By-Laws Section 3.02(d), to allow for staggered terms for Board members, would provide continuity in the operation of the Association and encourage more homeonwers to run for the Board.      Accordingly, they are seeking your input on several options for amendments that could accomplish this, in order to help determine which would be the most acceptable and viable for presentation to you, the members, later this year in an official election.

These are the options for possible amendment of the By-Laws with regard to Board members' terms of office: Every year, either 3 or 4 Board seats will be up for election for two-year terms (3 one year, 4 the following year, 3 the following year, etc.), or Every year, an election will occur to fill 4 positions on the Board.  In 2010, the 3 candidates receiving the most votes will serve a 2-year term, and the remaining 4 elected candidates will serve a 1-year term.  Each year thereafter, 3 candidates will be elected for 2-year term and 1 candidate for a 1-year term, or Every two years, an election will be held to elect all 7 Directors, with all Directors elected to serve  2-year terms, or Every year, an election will be held to elect all 7 Directors, and all are elected to serve 1-year terms (this is currently in the By-Laws; choosing this option means that there would be no change in the document).      There will be more information on the listed options, and the actual survey, on the www.lf2.org website sometime in February, 2009.  Please help us by completing the survey when it is available.  Your input will be greatly appreciated

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The Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest is hosting free Sunday lectures by local author, publisher and teacher Douglas Westfall through Sunday, February 22. A longtime resident of Orange County, Douglas has published books on America’s history for nearly twenty years as owner of The Paragon Agency, Publishers. The lectures will take place on February, 8, 15 and 22 and begin at 2:00 p.m. Topics include Letters from the Field - Reporting from the Custer’s Last Stand, Stories of Old El Toro, and Prisoners of the Civil War -- The 1st Submarine in Action. For more information, please call 949-923-2230. Read More...

At the request of members of the LFII MHOA/Ranchwood Tract, we represented them during two meetings at city hall. Initially, we presented the position of members living in the Ranchwood tract as to their perception that traffic speed is excessive and in need of remediation in some manner by the City of Lake Forest. Upon our request, the city manager ordered a “traffic study” which was completed last month. The report of the city findings was shared at a meeting in late November. None of the members who petitioned for assistance from Ranchwood can be happy with the result. (Click on “read more” below for the balance of the report.) Read More...

The City of Lake Forest has produced a copy of a formal “Notice of Intent” that indicates the plans for the widening of Trabuco Road from Bake Parkway to Lake Forest Drive. A summary of the notice is included in this article. A full copy of the notice, which includes the environmental check list, is available at the Sun and Sail Club, or may be acquired by contacting me via email, or by contacting the Department of Public Works for the City of Lake Forest.
Click on “Read More” to read the attached copy. Read More...

During the November meeting of the Lake Forest II Master Homeowners’ Association board of directors the 2009 budget was adopted along with the corresponding dues structure. When official notices are received in the mail within the next month, members of the association will recognize a campaign promise kept by several board members “to adopt a budget that is at or near a zero increase.”

For members’ of tracts maintained by the association, their dues have been adjusted according to the estimated expenses projected for 2009 and, in some cases, balances that will remain on hand once the books close in 2008. The net effect is some tract dues have risen, others will see a reduction in their overall dues.

Click on “Read More” (below) to see the tract dues chart for 2009. Read More...

MARCIA RUDOLPh 12,461 35.8%
MARK TETTEMER 12,136 34.9%
JIM GARDNER 10,164 29.2%

CITY OF LAKE FOREST Member, City Council

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ALERT OC is a quick way to become informed regarding emergencies in our area.
Proceed to AlertOC.com to register your phone contact information. There is no cost to this service.

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The Lake Forest II Master Homeowners’ Association CCR Evaluation Committee has met many times now and should be presenting a special report and set of recommendations for consideration by the Board of Directors at our next meeting, Wednesday, September 10. Mark Guithues has served as Chariman and Dick Bergstrom, Victor Alasti, Peter Wolf and Ken Edwards have been members who joined our general manager, Jo Ann Burrows, in the study which began several months ago.
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Greetings All Families:
 

The Lake Forest 2 Dolphins are now offering a NEW Winter/Spring Swim Program for kids ages 5 - 18!

 
There will be several sessions that you can pick and choose from and the practices will take place at the Sun & Sail Club. 
Practices will only be 1 hour a day, 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Swimmers will be placed in a Bronze, Silver or Gold group based on their swimming ability.
New swimmers will Try-Out their 1st day of practice.
 
The sessions are as follows:
(Click on “read more” below)

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While watching court procedings of a trial I have been following the earthshaking testimony became the real thing at about 11:42 Tuesday as we rock and rolled thru several minutes of a 5.8 quake while sitting in the courtroom on the 11th floor of the Superior Court building in downtown Santa Ana, Ca. Court ballifs were immediately on their walkie-talkies, one checking on the corridor outside with jurors, judge, and witness all looking alarmed as the motion continued. The D.A. offered some comic relief by stating to a particularly verbose and rambling witness, “Now that was earthshaking testimony.” After a few minutes of discussion it was decided we all would walk down the stairs to leave the building for lunch. The elevators were not working untill we returned after lunch. The trial (People v. Landau) proceeded in a routine manner during the afternoon with final arguments set for today. Read More...

Davis-Stirling.com Newsletter is a good source for lay members of the community who live in homeowners’ association to acquire legal opinions. The weekly article is free and may be subscribed to at www.davis.stirling.com Additional information is also a part of the website that inciludes: statutes, case law, newsletters, and more.

Named after two California Legislators, one became our Governor (Grey Davis), the section of laws pertaining to Common Interest Developments, known as Homeowners’ Associations, have come from the legislation they introduced: Davis-Stirling Act. Following is one of the articles sent to me. The opinions represent the author Adrian Adams, Esq.


RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
QUESTION: The language in my CC&Rs state that "there will be no RV parking on the public street within the development." Can the HOA control public street parking?
ANSWER: Yes, provided the restrictions apply only to streets inside the development provided the restrictions are reasonable. Even though local ordinances may allow RV parking, such ordinances do not invalidate private restrictions unless the ordinance specifically provides otherwise.
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Are you thinking of going out to dinner soon, maybe lunch? First, you may want to check the web page of the Environmental Health Resources to see just how well your favorite food establishment was rated during the most recent inspections. Any place that sells food or drink is inspected and reported on the web now. You can find food establishments’ inspection reports for Orange County by checking this web site: www.foodinfo.com

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