FOCUS Magazine - January-February 2023 Issue

Both Sides Now

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Erik Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, President Manhattan Pacific Management, Inc., 844-511-0644

Is aac Camacho, President Elect Accurate Termite & Pest Control, 310-837-6483

J effrey A. Beaumont, Esq. CCAL, Vice President 818-884-9998

M att Davidson, CCAM-HR®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Treasurer Action Property Management AAMC®, 800-400-2284

D iane Schoolsky, Secretary Lingate HOA, 323-640-1277

A lexandria Pollock, CCAM-HR®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Past President BuildingLink.com, LLC, 310-925-9001

D IRECTORS

Gary Burns, Mulholland Heights HOA, 818-326-2000

Roby Garcia, Servpro of Burbank, 661-312-6207

Matt Meadors, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® HOA Organizers, Inc., 818-778-3331

B rian D. Moreno, Esq. CCAL, Brian D. Moreno Law Corporation APC 888-578-9673

A my Yankauskas, The Ocean Club, 562-435-0055

CHAPTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michelle LeBlanc, CAE

2022 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

CLAC FUNDRAISING

Elaine Gower, The Naumann Law Firm, PC

Tiffany McCall, MBA, CCAM®, Seabreeze Management Company AAMC COMMUNITY EXPO

Michelle Caldwell, ePipe Pipe Restoration COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Stephanie Romero, Aeroscopic Environmental, Inc

Jerris Gaddis, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, The Management Trust

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

SUMMIT

Karen Kokowicz, CCAM®, CMCA®, PCAM®, Coro Community Management & Consulting

FINANCE

Nels Atha, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Common Interest Services, Inc.

GOLF TOURNAMENT

Randy Bratton, John Forbes Farmers Agency

Jeff Koscher, BluSky Restoration Contractors, LLC

HOMEOWNER LEADER EDUCATION

Gary Choppé, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, HOA Management of Santa Clarita AAMC

LEGISLATIVE

Erik Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Manhattan Pacific Management, Inc.

MANAGER EDUCATION

Shauna Gatlin, CMCA®, AMS®, HOA Organizers, Inc. AAMC

Amy Yankauskas, CMCA®, AMS®, The Management Trust

MEDIATION SERVICES

Jessica Koval, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Action Property Management AAMC

Erik Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Manhattan Pacific Management, Inc.

MEMBERSHIP

Mimi Cortes, SAX Insurance Agency

Tracy Robinson, CCAM®, PMP Management AAMC®

PROGRAMS/LUNCHEONS/WEBINARS

Sascha Macias, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Roseman Law, APC

Flint Faulkner, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, 8899 Beverly HOA

PUBLICATIONS

Jocelle Maliwanag, MBA, American Heritage Landscape

Diane Rossiter, MBA, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Bell Canyon Association

SOCIAL

Karen Kokowicz, CCAM®, CMCA®, PCAM®,

Coro Community Management & Consulting

Mi chael Valenzuela, Vista Paint Corporation

SOCIAL MEDIA

Nicole Feuerhelm, Select Painting & Construction, Inc.

6 W hose Business Is It Anyway? 8 2023 Board of Directors 10 2023 Chapter Committees 14 W hat To Expect for Your 2023 Insurance Renewal 15 W hat Is Your Client Retention Strategy?

S outhern California HOAs’ Insurance Challenges

V irtual, In-Person, or Both?

Developing & Maintaining Good Vendor Relationships

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

There Is Help Out There!!

Note from the Editor’s Desk

Message from the President NOTEWORTHY

L e Cirque Awards Gala & Casino Party Highlights

News From Sacramento

C ommunity Outreach Committee Delivers Toys to ABC7 Stuff-A-Bus Event

P roject 826LA

CIRMS™ Member Highlight: Wendy Weber FYI

New and Renewing Members

A dvertiser s Index

A dvertising Information

Our thanks to the Focus Magazine Committee: Co-chairs: J ocelle Maliwanag, MBA, American Heritage Landscape Diane Rossiter, MBA, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Bell Canyon Association

Sean Allen, Esq.,Roseman Law, APC Suvany Cowie, West Hills West Creek HOA Elaine Gower, The Naumann Law Firm, PC Miranda Legaspi, Platinum Security, Inc. Nicole Peterson, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Elleven HOA

This publication seeks to provide CAI-GLAC’s membership with information on community association issues. Authors are responsible for developing the logic of their expressed opinions and for the authenticity of all facts presented in articles. CAI-GLAC does not necessarily endorse or approve statements of fact or opinion made in these pages and assumes no responsibility for those statements. By submission of editorial content to CAI-GLAC, the author acknowledges and agrees to abide by the editorial and policy guidelines. Copyright © 2023.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. CAI is a national, not-for-profit association created in 1973 to educate and represent America’s residential community association industry.

National Office Address: 6402 Arlington Blvd. #500, Falls Church, VA 22042 Tel: 888/224-4321 • Web Site: http://www.caionline.org

STAY CONNECTED:

1010 N. Central Avenue, #316 Glendale, CA 91202 Office: 818-500-8636

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

NEW YEAR?! DIDN’T WE JUST HAVE ONE OF THESE A FEW MONTHS AGO? LET’S TAKE IT A LITTLE SLOWER THIS YEAR, SHALL WE?

JANUARY IS NAMED AFTER JANUS, THE ROMAN GOD OF BEGINNINGS, TRANSITIONS, AND DUALITY. TRADITIONALLY, JANUS IS PORTRAYED WITH TWO HEADS FACING OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. IN HONOR OF THAT CUSTOM, THIS FIRST ISSUE OF 2023 OFFERS A TWO-SIDED APPROACH TO SEVERAL CHALLENGES FACING HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS AND OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS. LOOKING AT ISSUES FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES PROVIDES BALANCE, A MORE THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING, AND ALTERNATIVES FOR US TO IMPLEMENT TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE COMPLEX CONDITIONS.

We begin the issue appropriately with an introduction to our 2023 CAI-GLAC Board of Directors, led by 2023 President Eric Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®. Following the Board, we have our current Committees’ roster and descriptions. Now is the perfect time to see what interests you and join one of our busy and productive committees. They are an essential component of the Chapter’s success, and the connections and insights learned from serving on a committee are a valuable bonus to every volunteer.

Our feature article, Whose Business Is It Anyway? offers different perspectives on the upsurge in home-based businesses in HOAs and their impact on communities, residents, and associations. Next, the critical subject of insurance is explained from two vantage points in What To Expect From Your 2023 Insurance Renewal by Alan Schreibman, ARM, from a long-time professional’s perspective on the markets and what to expect on pricing and availability, and Southern California HOAs Insurance Challenges from a community manager and management company CEO, William Yarian, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, offering ways to deal with being on the receiving end of the insurance industry’s shakeup. Manager Nicole Peterson follows with, Virtual, In-Person, Or Both? — the pros and cons of the virtual versus in-person meeting conundrum. Business partner Geoffrey Lloyd and association manager Joy Steele combine their viewpoints in Developing and Maintaining Good Vendor Relationships to provide a list of best practices for HOAs to use in creating strong, mutually beneficial relations with their vendors.

Miranda Legaspi points out the essential component of any successful business—retaining their clients—in her advisory The Key to Business Success. Another of our business partners, AnneMarie Hernandez, covers the importance of planning to properly deal with maintenance, replacements, protecting infrastructure and having sufficient funds to pay for a safe and well-run association in We Can’t Live Like This Forever… Or Can We?

We include recaps of the Chapter’s recent events: the spectacular Le Cirque Awards Gala and Casino Party, annual Toy Drive, and 826LA. Don’t forget to look for the PCAM symbol somewhere in the magazine. Once you find it, e-mail Executive Director Michelle LeBlanc at michelle@cai-glac.org to tell her where you found it. If you are the first one, you win a $25 gift card. Gary Burns, President of Mulholland Heights HOA, found the PCAM symbol in the November-December issue, so sharp eyes and good luck.

Finally, for our Janus-themed issue, Jocelle and I want to take this final opportunity to tell Joan what an immense pleasure it has been working with her as Chapter members and then as volunteers and now Co-chairs of the CAI-GLAC Publications Committee. We really couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for everything and best wishes for the next “Chapter” of “Joan’s Fantastic, Amazing, and Utterly Stupendous Life.” Facing forward, we are excited to start a partnership with CAIGLAC’s new Executive Director, Michelle LeBlanc and hope for her, and all our readers, a wonderful New Year.

Focus Magazine Co-editor Diane Rossiter, MBA, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® General Manager, Bell Canyon Association

CAI-GLAC does not necessarily endorse or approve statements of fact or opinion made in these pages and assumes no responsibility for those statements. Authors are responsible for developing the logic of their expressed opinions and for the authenticity of all facts presented in articles.

Celebrate endings—for they precede beginnings.

— Jonathan Lockwood Huia

MESSAGE

WELCOME TO 2023!

FIRST, I AM HUMBLED AND HONORED TO SERVE AS THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS INSTITUTE PRESIDENT FOR THE GREATER LOS ANGELES CHAPTER. LEADERSHIP IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND GIVE BACK TO AN INDUSTRY I LOVE AND VALUE.

Thank you to our Past President, Alexandria Pollock, who led with professionalism and grace, our Board of Directors, and the many volunteers, managers, business partners, and homeowner leaders. A special thank you to Joan Urbaniak, our fearless Executive Director, who has undoubtedly influenced CAI-GLAC into what it is today. The Chapter has been fortunate to have strong leaders before me, and we will continue our forward momentum and build on the pillars of wisdom of our past presidents, current leaders, and our incoming Executive Director, Michelle LeBlanc.

As we forge into 2023, we will curate an environment that elevates not only CAI-GLAC but also the industry. Let’s unleash the potential not only in ourselves but also the potential in those next to us. Now is the time to ELEVATE every aspect of our professional careers—and every element that makes us who we are.

I recognize that the business climate has changed these past few years—these are unprecedented times. I also recognize the strength in each of you! I see you, and I hear you. It will be a priority of the Board and Chapter Office to ensure members have the opportunity to succeed in the most extraordinary Chapter within Community Associations Institute—The Greater Los Angeles Chapter!

FROM THE PRESIDENT

I hope to meet you at our many events throughout the year and see more of our members actively involved in chapter committees. Whether a new member or a seasoned veteran, I encourage all of you to take full advantage of the membership benefits CAI-GLAC offers. I welcome your feedback; please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.

ELEVATE.

Erik M. Rivera, ACoM®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® CAI-GLAC 2023 Chapter President

Welcome Executive Director Michelle

L. LeBlanc

CAI-GLAC is proud to introduce our new Executive Director.

Michelle L. LeBlanc, CAE, is a nonprofit leader and association executive. She has more than 20 years of professional experience with a deep background in technology and marketing. She is an engaged and pragmatic leader and mentor who has managed large cross-functional and cross-cultural teams on enterprise-level projects spanning all business functions in both the private sector and the nonprofit sector, with companies ranging from early-stage startups to a multi-billion-dollar Fortune 500. In addition to Michelle’s corporate and agency background, she has consulted with small businesses, startups, schools, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

Michelle earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and anthropology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and a master’s degree in international business from California Lutheran University. Michelle is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) through the American Society of Association Executives.

Please feel free to reach out to her at michelle@cai-glac.org or 818-500-8636 to introduce yourself!

2023 CAI-GLAC UPCOMING EVENTS

JANUARY 11-13 In-Person National Law Seminar – New Orleans

21 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 1 – 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Via Zoom

25 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. – Skirball Cultural Center. L.A.

27 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. – Via ZOOM

28 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 2 – 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Via ZOOM 30 Virtual HOA Educational Webinar – 7:00 p.m. – Via ZOOM 31 Virtual Managers Only Workshop – 1:00 p.m. – Via ZOOM

FEBRUARY 02 In-Person PCAM® Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. – Location TBD 08 Virtual Reverse Trade Show – 1:00 p.m.

10 In-Person Bowling Tourney – 6:00 p.m..

15 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. – SF Valley Location TBD

23 Virtual Tricks of the Trade – 1:00 p.m. – Via ZOOM

24 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. – Via ZOOM

MARCH 06-10 Virtual CID Law Course – 8:30 a.m. – Via ZOOM 22 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. – DoubleTree by Hilton, Torrance 24 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. – Via ZOOM 29 In-Person Valencia Breakfast – 8:00 a.m. – Bridgeport Clubhouse, Valencia

2023 CAI-GLAC Super Sponsors

¢

PLATINUM

Accurate Termite & Pest Control

ALLBRIGHT 1-800 PAINTING

Alliance Association Bank Command Guard Services

Ferris Painting, Inc.

Infinity Property Services AAMC

JUST RIGHT Painting, Inc.

Kasdan Turner Thomson Booth, LLP

PCW Contracting Services

Precision Painting & Reconstruction Reconstruction Experts, Inc.

Select Painting & Construction, Inc.

The Naumann Law Firm, PC

The Sherwin-Williams Paint Company

Tinnelly Law Group

Trifecta Painting & Construction

¢ GOLD EmpireWorks Reconstruction

ePipe Pipe Restoration

Fenton Grant Kaneda & Litt, LLP

Hi Tech Painting & Construction McKenzie, Ryan & Mena, LLP SwedelsonGottlieb

¢ SILVER

Beaumont Tashjian

CIT HOA Banking Division

Design Build Associates, LLC

Manhattan Pacific Management, Inc.

Partners Community Management Riley Pasek Canty, LLP

Vista Paint Corporation

¢ BRONZE

Association Services Network

Diversified Asphalt Products

General Pavement Management

Gordian Staffing

Insurance Services of the West Owens Moskowitz & Associates

Pacific Premier Bank

Viking Environmental Group

Events subject to change, see website for possible updates.

We thank our 2023 sponsors who have made a substantial contribution to ensure our continued success this year.

PHOTO BY MARSELA SULKU ON UNSPLASH.COM

Whose Business Is It Anyway?

Perspectives On How HomeBased Businesses Affect HOAs



By Angelique Madrigal

The pandemic has brought on many changes for homeowners associations, and managers are doing their best to understand what obligations the communities have now that working from home and homeschooling has become common practice. Recently, I received an email from an owner in a community I manage. She shared her concerns about her neighbor’s homeschooling their children and additional children from the residents. Her grievance was that the tutors and children’s parents were parking in front of her home, creating a nuisance for her. The community rules do state that guests of a resident’s home must first occupy the space in front of their property. Furthermore, she vocalized her concern over the HOA’s potential increased liability and the increase in wear and tear to the private gates, streets—and most importantly, security concerns. She also raised the issue of neighbors now running their home-based businesses despite the governing documents prohibiting commercial use. After informing the board of directors, we reached out to industry experts for guidance. Our goal was to address her concerns once we understood the law surrounding these topics. We understood that the pandemic brought on changes that would not allow us to legally uphold the enforcement of some of these restrictions. Two trusted industry friends, Mr. Brian Berce, President of Golden Alliance Insurance and Mr. Marc H. Goldsmith, Esq. with The Law Offices of Marc H. Goldsmith agreed to share their perspectives with us.

From Brian Berce…

“Since the onset of COVID-19 we are seeing both liability and property rates increase. This is a result of increasing loss trends seen by the carriers. Some of this has to do with the increased time spent at home by owners, as well as many homeowners working or operating a business out of their homes. Let’s examine why additional time spent at home can create additional losses for master policy insurers. On the property side, additional time spent at home means cooking more meals, using the plumbing, etc. more often. Each interaction with appliances, plumbing and the kitchen creates another opportunity for something to go wrong that may create a fire or water claim. These increased opportunities lead to additional claims and additional payouts by the insurance carrier. Carriers must in turn pass that cost on to the consumer in rate increases.

From the liability side, there are many people that would not otherwise be coming to the association. People are operating businesses out of their home now, such as daycares, hair salons, consulting, tax firms, and many others. Each of these businesses represents more foot traffic and more opportunities for someone to become injured and potentially pursue the deep pockets of the association. In turn, these increased claims will definitely result in additional premiums for the association. They could also result in the cancellation of the association’s insurance, which would harm the association.

So, what can be done about this? How do we mitigate the issue? Can we punish the unit owners who had these additional claims or invited these business associates onto the property, incurring injury with filed claims? Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done that without opening the door to a greater problem. It seems unrealistic, if not illegal, to disallow people from working from home. Even, if we were able to create a list of businesses not allowed, this may be unenforceable or illegal based on current law. The last option would be to incorporate a policy or CC&R amendment that would financially make the unit owner responsible for the impact on the HOA Master Insurance premiums. Although I have seen this one time in CC&Rs, it would require an amendment. However, with so many variables involved, it would be hard to narrow down the exact cost increase attributable to one individual claim.

We must realize that we are now in a different world since the beginning of COVID-19. This has resulted in much greater usage of homes by owners for both personal and business use and in more claims and higher insurance premium. Unfortunately, there is not too much that an association can do to mitigate this other than plan for higher premiums.”

 From Marc Goldsmith, Esq. …

“Personally, I’ve had to address questions about permissible businesses operating in a condo association (CA) as both an HOA attorney as well as the president of my own condo association. How I approach these questions in both roles is very similar. Since the pandemic started, more condo residents are working from home, more children are being home



schooled, and some of these activities may put stress on associations and their budgets. Also, as your questions suggest, some CC&Rs, especially older ones, prohibit all commercial activities inside units or common areas, while newer CC&Rs are more likely to reflect current CA case law and only prohibit commercial activities that cause unreasonable external impacts.

As mentioned, there are a number of CA cases that provide that restrictions in the governing documents are enforceable unless they are unreasonable. For that reason, a blanket prohibition against commercial activities—if enforced—would likely be unreasonable and unenforceable in many situations because many commercial activities have few or no unreasonable external impacts. For instance, there is no good reason why a screenwriter or painter should be prohibited from doing their business in their unit if they are not bothering anyone. On the other hand, some commercial activities could negatively impact other residents or the association as a whole. Such unreasonable external impacts can include the unreasonable frequency and/or extent of noises, smells, traffic, or perhaps even an unreasonable strain on common area facilities or resources.

In addition to looking at the external impacts, CA law also looks at the nature of the business being conducted. For instance, some businesses are expressly protected by CA law, such as a family day care home.

Meanwhile, other businesses may involve illegal activities (e.g., the manufacture of illegal drugs) and would be prohibited under both CA law and (very likely) the association’s governing documents. Before an association tries to prohibit a commercial activity because

of its external impacts, it might try and determine with the resident if there are actions the resident could take to minimize these external impacts. For instance, an association might negotiate with a resident musician playing music in their unit, either with or without the help of a mediator, to require the resident to soundproof their unit. The association may also try and negotiate a requirement that the resident’s guests park on nearby public or private streets, so as not to overly burden common area parking. As for holding the resident financially responsible for excessive wear and tear on common area elements, that would be largely a matter of proof. If the HOA tries to recover the costs of repairing such wear and tear from a resident and the resident resists these efforts, the HOA will have the burden of proof to show that the resident’s guests were the cause of specific wear and tear. And that’s often not easy to prove.”

Clearly insurance agencies and legal firms agree on this topic. While a board is still able to address some of the associated nuisances caused by more work and businesses in a community, there are limits on enforcement of governing documents that prohibit it as a whole. It is strongly recommended that any association facing similar situations seek guidance from experts. Managers and board members should educate themselves so that they can make the best possible decisions for their associations. The goal is always safety and harmonious living.

Angelique Madrigal is the Director of Business Development and Client Relations at Ross Morgan & Company, Inc., a full-service management company serving Southern California. She can be reached at angelique@rossmorganco.com.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT ERIK RIVERA, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® MANHATTAN

PACIFIC MANAGEMENT, INC.

Erik M. Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, is the Founder and CEO of Manhattan Pacific Management, Inc., a full-service management company that serves the common interest development industry in California, Colorado, Nevada, and New York. Erik has been a member of the Community Associations Institute since 2006. In addition to his presidency, he currently serves as Chair of the Legislative Support Committee, Co-Chair of the Mediation Services Committee, and member of the Manager Education and Executive Leadership Summit Committees. Additionally, following his passion for law and the legislative process, he serves as an At-Large Delegate to the CAI California Legislative Action Committee, also sitting on various sub-committees and task forces.

Into his third year on the Board, Erik is actively working with key colleagues to develop a community management curriculum for community colleges, universities, and real estate licensing programs. He works closely with other Board members to develop and implement innovative, proactive, and strategic programs that increase manager and homeowner engagement. Erik’s 2023 chapter theme is “Elevate.” He believes that lifting each other up not only elevates the individual but elevates the common interest development industry as a whole.

PRESIDENT ELECT ISAAC CAMACHO ACCURATE TERMITE & PEST CONTROL

Isaac Camacho is the Sales and Marketing Director at Accurate Termite and Pest Control. Since joining CAI-GLAC over ten years ago, he has been an active member of several committees, participated in educational events, and contributed educational articles for the Chapter magazine.

In addition to his involvement as Board Liaison to the Social Media Committee, Isaac is committed to helping HOA managers, specialized business partners, and homeowner leaders take advantage of the wealth of resources CAI-GLAC offers. With a background in industrial psychology, branding, and marketing, he is helping our chapter improve and optimize internal processes to effectively achieve our goals and mission.

VICE PRESIDENT JEFFREY A. BEAUMONT, ESQ. CCAL BEAUMONT TASHJIAN

Jeffrey A. Beaumont is the senior partner of Beaumont Tashjian, a full-service community association law firm providing general counsel, litigation and assessment collections services to its clients with offices throughout California. He has been representing community associations for more than 20 years. Jeff proudly served as a past president of the CAI Greater Los Angeles and Channel Islands Chapters and is admitted to the College of Community Association Lawyers, earning the distinguished CCAL designation. He also served as the 2022 Chair for CLAC’s Executive Committee. Jeff is currently Board Liaison to the CLAC Fundraiser and Media Services Committee

“Because I believe in CAI and the concept of connecting communities through an exchange of ideas, knowledge and expertise, I am committed to working with our board and committees to provide the best education and most useful resources to our members.”

SECRETARY DIANE SCHOOLSKY LINGATE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

Diane Schoolsky is the President of Lingate Homeowners Association, a 24-unit condominium in Tarzana. Having served as President of two condominium complexes over the years, she has an excellent understanding of our industry, Diane was appointed to the CAIGLAC Board in mid-2020 and is into the third year of her second three-year term. She has attended many of CAI’s activities, including educational luncheons, webinars, workshops and trade shows. Diane currently serves on the Membership Committee and is Board Liaison to the Homeowner Leader Education and Golf Committees.

Already very active in CAI-GLAC, Diane is looking forward to getting even more involved as the Chapter steers its way through post-COVID-19 changes to a new normalcy. “These are trying times, and we need to work together to meet the needs of our membership while we protect all in our communities.”

TREASURER

MATT DAVIDSON, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® ACTION PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY AAMC

Matt Davidson is the Executive Vice President of Action Property Management, with primary responsibility for oversight of the Company’s management operations and strategic growth initiatives. Matt started his career 20 years ago as an assistant to a senior portfolio manager and has been involved in the management of nearly every kind of common interest development from townhomes to high-rises and gated single family home communities. Matt has been an active CAI-GLAC member since 2005. Matt served on the board of a small association in which he owned a condo and is now serving his fourth term on the CAI-GLAC Board of Directors.

Matt was the Chapter President in 2011 and is a past Chair of the Programs Committee. He is currently Board Liaison to the Programs and Finance Committees. Matt is committed to helping the Chapter grow and evolve to continue serving the needs of the Chapter’s members and helping the Chapter to maintain its high-quality educational offerings.

PAST PRESIDENT

ALEXANDRIA POLLOCK, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® BUILDINGLINK.COM, LLC

2022 Chapter President Alexandria Pollock began her career in the community association industry as an assistant to a portfolio manager and quickly climbed the ranks to become the General Manager of a high-rise mixeduse association. She continued managing high-rise mixed-use associations in Los Angeles for ten years before making a career change. For the last six years Alexandria has been the West Coast Regional Sales Manager for BuildingLink, a property management software company.

Alexandria is committed to finding ways to make a positive impact on our industry, especially through education. She has served on various committees, written articles for the Focus Magazine, and spoken at luncheons. Alexandria is Board Liaison to the Community Outreach and Executive Leadership Summit Committees.

GARY BURNS MULHOLLAND HEIGHTS HOA

Gary Burns is the President of Mulholland Heights HOA, a community of 168 homes in Calabasas. In the second year of his second three-year term on the CAI-GLAC Board, Gary has attended many of CAI’s activities, including educational luncheons, workshops and trade shows. “Our HOA has hired (or contracted with) numerous vendors as a result of attending CAI-sponsored events. This has proved to be financially beneficial for both the HOA and those service providers.” He serves as Board Liaison to the Social Committee. Gary was also a member of the CAI National Board of Trustees.

Gary is committed to bringing homeowners, vendors and managers together by educating them so that they better understand and appreciate each other’s perspectives and viewpoints. He actively shares his positive CAI experience with others in our industry, especially HOA boards of directors, so they can appreciate the benefits of membership that have proven indispensable in helping Gary govern his community.

ROBY GARCIA SERVPRO OF BURBANK

Roby Garcia is the Marketing Manager at Servpro of Burbank, a full-service restoration company in the San Fernando Valley. Newly-elected to the CAI-GLAC Board of Directors, Roby has been serving our industry as a business partner member for six years. He is currently a member of the Golf and Social Media Committees and Board Liaison to the Community Expo Committee.

Roby looks forward to contributing new and fresh ideas that will make the chapter really stand out and grow. “This chapter has not only brought me business but many colleagues that I now consider friends. I would love to help make that happen for new members.”

MATT MEADORS,

CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® HOA

ORGANIZERS, INC. AAMC

Matt Meadors is the Chief Operating Officer of HOA Organizers, Inc. AAMC, a full-service management company headquartered in Winnetka. He serves as an executive for the company and a mentor to newer managers. Into the third year of his first term, Matt has been a member of this chapter since 2017. Currently active on the Legislative Support Committee and the Golf Committee, he was also a member of the Programs Committee in 2019. Matt was awarded the 2018 CAI-GLAC Rising Star Award and the 2019 President’s Award. Matt is also this year’s Board Liaison to the Publications Committee.

According to Matt, this pandemic has changed everything. He is looking forward to continuing to bring new ideas and innovative programs to the Board and Chapter that can expand our reach, highlight the benefits of membership, and encourage our existing members to really step up their leadership game.

BRIAN

MORENO, ESQ., CCAL BRIAN D. MORENO LAW CORPORATION APC

Brian D. Moreno, Esq., CCAL , is an experienced litigator, community association attorney and real estate professional, having practiced in all areas since 2003. Serving his second year on the Board, Brian has been an active member of this chapter for more than 10 years. Formerly Co-chair of the Programs Committee, he is currently a member of the Programs and Golf Committees. Thoroughly enjoying the programs and opportunities offered by CAI, he strongly believes in their quality and enhancement to the industry as a whole. Appreciating how CAI-GLAC has gained upward momentum in propelling the industry forward, he plans to contribute to this momentum and share ideas for making our chapter stronger, while providing a little fun and entertainment.

AMY YANKAUSKAS, CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS® THE MANAGEMENT TRUST

Amy Yankauskas is General Manager of the Ocean Club Association in Long Beach. Newly appointed to the Board, she was introduced to CAI-GLAC when she was a portfolio manager for several years. Currently, she serves as Co-chair of the Manager Education Committee and is also Board Liaison to the Legislative Support and Membership Committees.

Amy believes in the Board’s mission of leading with professionalism, education, and community, and plans to build on the principles that previous Directors have established to continue to grow our chapter and evolve with new opportunities.

JOIN A CHAPTER COMMITTEE GET INVOLVED…

2023 CHAPTER COMMITTEES

Did you know that more than 150 of our chapter members actively participate on a volunteer committee? It is an excellent way to network and promote yourself within the community association industry and CAI. It offers opportunities to meet new people, help run an all-volunteer organization and receive a great degree of appreciation and self-gratitude. Choose to help produce a special event or join one of our other committees that are significantly important to the continued growth, well-being and mission of CAI.

CLAC FUNDRAISER

This committee designs, plans and produces the annual CLAC Fundraiser event. Net funds are donated to CAI-CLAC to help meet the Chapter’s annual contribution goal. Time commitment: Meetings as necessary and attendance at the event.

Committee Co-chairs: Elaine Gower, EBP The Naumann Law Firm, PC 619-980-3281 • elaine@naumannlegal.com

Tiffany McCall, MBA, CCAM® Seabreeze Management Company AAMC® 800-232-7517 • tiffany.mccall@seabreezemgmt.com

COMMUNITY EXPO

This committee designs, plans and stages the Community Expo events and virtual Reverse Trade Shows. These events are primary educational venues for managers and association board members. Time commitment: Monthly meetings and attendance at the Expo.

Committee Chair: Michelle Caldwell ePipe Pipe Restoration 714-337-7588 • mcaldwell@whyrepipe.com

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

This committee is responsible for developing community projects which benefit communities in Los Angeles County and enhance CAI’s image. Time commitment: Monthly meetings and attendance at community outreach events.

Committee Co-chairs: Jerri Gaddis, CMCA®,AMS®, PCAM® The Management Trust 323-796-9112 • jerri.gaddis@managementtrust.com Stephanie Romero Aeroscopic Environmental, Inc. 818-929-9303 • stephanie@aeroscopic.com

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

This committee plans and stages the annual Executive Leadership Summit, an elevated educational conference for management company executives. Time commitment: As necessary.

Committee Chair: Karen Kokowicz, CCAM®, CMCA®, PCAM® Coro Community Management & Consulting 818-436-0774 • karen@coro4myhoa.com

FINANCE

This committee monitors the Chapter’s financial status and periodically reports the financial health to the board of directors. Members also explore ways to improve the Chapter’s fundraising results. Time commitment: As necessary.

Committee Chair: Nels Atha, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Common Interest Services, Inc. 310-878-8789 • nels@hoaemail.com

GOLF

The Golf Tournament Committee plans and stages the annual Golf Tournament, which is the Chapter’s largest fund-raiser. Time commitment: A couple of meetings early in year and then bi-weekly meetings starting in late-August/early-September through event date. Do you like to play golf?

Committee Co-chairs: Randy Bratton John Forbes Farmers Agency 310-356-0730 • randy.jforbes@farmersagency.com Jeff Koscher BluSky Restoration Contractors, LLC 310-874-6249 • jeff.koscher@GoBluSky.com

HOMEOWNER LEADER EDUCATION

This committee updates and maintains materials for the Board Leadership Workshops, evening HOA educational seminars and advanced homeowner education programs. Members also train and organize the facilitators. Additional responsibilities include finding new ways to bring education to Community Association Homeowner Leaders, including classes at community colleges. This committee comprises Homeowner Leaders and Managers. Time commitment: Meetings as needed.

Committee Chair: Gary Choppé, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® HOA Management of Santa Clarita AAMC 661-476-4403 • hoamanagementsc@yahoo.com

LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT

The Legislative Support Committee supports CAI’s lobbying efforts in Sacramento at the local level by disseminating information to members, fund-raising and generally increasing awareness about current legislative issues among members. Chair and Chapter Delegates participate in monthly CLAC telephone conferences and presentation of periodic legislative updates at programs, as necessary. Attendance at CLAC’s annual “CA Day at the Capitol” and “A Day in the District” is encouraged. Time commitment: As necessary to meet lobbying demands at local level.

Committee Chair: Erik Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Manhattan Pacific Management, Inc. 844-511-0644 • erik@manhattanpacificmgmt.com

MANAGER EDUCATION

This committee updates and maintains materials for CID Law courses and Manager-Only Workshops. Additional responsibilities include publicizing national PMDP courses, overseeing the Coaching to Credentials manager mentor program and designing a community college curriculum. This committee comprises Managers and Business Partners. Time commitment: Meetings as needed.

Committee Co-chairs: Shauna Gatlin, CMCA®, AMS® HOA Organizers, Inc. 818-778-3331 • shauna@hoaorganizers.com

Amy Yankauskas, CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS® The Ocean Club 562-435-0055 • amy.yankauskas@managementtrust.com

MEDIATION SERVICES

The committee is responsible for monitoring and expanding the Mediation Services program offering low-cost mediation to both members and non-members who wish to mediate CID matters. Time commitment: Meetings as needed.

Committee Co-chairs: Jessica Koval, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Action Property Management AAMC 949-450-0202 • jkoval@actionlife.com

Erik Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Manhattan Pacific Management, Inc. 844-511-0644 • erik@manhattanpacificmgmt.com

MEMBERSHIP

The Membership Committee is responsible for membership development, including recruiting new members and retaining current members. Committee members are also ambassadors who staff registration tables, welcome new members and host potential members at Chapter functions. Committee members also serve as liaisons, ensuring that members are informed, involved and recognized for their contributions to the Chapter. Liaisons also contact continuing members periodically to ensure that the Chapter is meeting their needs and providing

worthwhile benefits. Time commitment: This committee also assures that CAI-GLAC provides an appropriate array of sponsorship opportunities on an equitable basis to showcase Business Partners’ companies, products and services to the membership. It is responsible for Tricks of the Trade (new business partner orientation) and Holiday Happy Hour. One meeting per month, plus attendance at events.

Committee Co-chairs: Mimi Cortes SAX Insurance Agency 760-696-0687 • mcortes@saxagency.com

Tracy Robinson, CCAM® Market Lofts Community Association 310-730-1989 • trobinson@pmpmanage.com

PROGRAMS/LUNCHEONS

The Programs Committee plans and stages Educational Luncheons during the year. Time commitment: Monthly meetings, plus attendance at luncheons to assist as necessary.

Committee Co-chairs: Sascha Macias, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Roseman Law APC 818-380-6700 • macias@roseman.law

Flint Faulkner, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Action Property Management AAMC 213-949-1508 • flintfaulkner@actionlife.com

PUBLICATIONS

The Publications Committee oversees the FOCUS Magazine, the Website and the annual Membership Directory. Committee members work on themes and content for six magazines printed each year, and add new features to the ever-growing Website and Membership Directory. One key objective will be to establish and follow strict deadlines for all publications. Time commitment: As necessary.

FOCUS Magazine Co-chairs: Jocelle Maliwanag, MBA American Heritage Landscape • 818-652-9949 jmaliwanag@americanheritagelandscape.com

Diane Rossiter, MBA, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Bell Canyon Association 818-346-9879 • gm@bellcanyon.com

SOCIAL

The committee is responsible for putting on a Bowling Tournament, Dodger Game Night, and the Awards Gala. The Awards Gala is the second largest fund-raiser for the Chapter. The group puts together a budget, decides the location and the sponsorship package necessary to attract additional participation by Chapter members, and stages the event. Time commitment: Monthly meetings throughout the year and weekly meetings in the month prior to each major event.

Committee Co-chairs: Karen Kokowicz, CCAM®, CMCA®, PCAM® Coro Community Management & Consulting 818-436-0774 • karen@coro4myhoa.com Michael Valenzuela Vista Paint Corporation 818-445-0660 • mvalenzuela@vistapaint.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Responsibilities include: 1) disseminating information about upcoming events and news through social media channels to raise community awareness of CAI and its benefits, 2) developing and implementing a social media strategy, 3) promoting Chapter events in order to maximize manager and association membership and participation, 4) conducting opinion and statistical surveys, and soliciting ideas for future Chapter offerings. The Social Media Committee will work with other committees, as necessary, to develop a plan for promoting those respective committees’ activities in order to draw more public and member support. Time commitment: As necessary to successfully promote the organization.

Committee Chair: Nicole Feuerhelm Select Painting & Construction, Inc. 800-493-8724 • nicole@select-painting.com

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR YOUR 2023 INSURANCE RENEWAL

A deteriorating global economy, unprecedented inflation, war, and natural disasters resulted in higher year-over-year insurance premiums in 2022.

The good news is that while the habitational insurance market continues

to suffer, the outlook for 2023 is for a gradual easing of rate increases.

By category, here’s what we expect to see in 2023.

By Alan Schreibman, ARM

PROPERTY

In addition to the conditions above, property insurance rates also have been significantly impacted by the rising cost of reinsurance (insurance the insurers buy to hedge against large losses). Consequently, insurers are closely scrutinizing property location, reported values and maintenance history as well as claims history. If you have a good loss history and are not located in a fire, wind, or flood area, expect a property premium increase of up to 10%. If you are in catastrophe-prone area, rate increases could reach 25% or more, even with good loss experience.

PRIMARY GENERAL LIABILITY

In 2022, general liability rates suffered from more and higher judgments as many courts reopened after COVID-related closures and related delays. Expect to see an increase in 2023 of 5-10% unless you have significant open claims, in which case rate increases could be much higher.

EXCESS LIABILITY

Excess and umbrella liability rate increases generally follow the general liability rate patterns. Since the 1990s, many HOAs have placed their umbrella coverage with group insurance programs. Those programs were harder to find in 2022, and the few markets that remain are expected to still be in turmoil in 2023. Higher jury awards are also a major factor in the shrinking

marketplace. Expect 2023 premium increases in the 15-25% range for habitational risks insured by group insurance programs, and 5-10% increases for HOAs insured by single insurers.

DIRECTORS & OFFICERS LIABILITY

After a few years of steady increase, D & O rates have finally begun to drop, primarily due to decreased litigation, more insurers returning to and new insurers entering the marketplace. Expect a 5-10% increase in 2023.

CYBER LIABILITY

If your association buys cyber liability insurance, be prepared for a significant premium increase at renewal. Continued nationwide cybercrime and extortion claims are causing insurers to scrutinize both prospective and renewal accounts with a microscope. Unless there is a good cyber security program in place, associations that purchase this coverage may see 2023 renewal quotes that are 75100% higher than 2022.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Workers’ compensation is the only area of coverage which has actually been seeing a decline in rates since 2014. This decline is expected through 2023, although the percentage of decrease should be less than over the past couple of years, as the market for this coverage may have finally bottomed out.

EARTHQUAKE

The current market for HOA earthquake insurance is unstable and unpredictable. Consequently, if you are considering buying or renewing earthquake coverage in the next few months, obtain multiple quotes with alternative limits and deductibles.

SUMMARY

For associations with favorable loss experience and outside a catastropheprone geographical area, expect a 5-10% increase in your 2023 insurance budget.

Associations with modest claims but not in fire, wind or flood-prone areas might see slightly more of an increase of 10-15%.

For insureds in a catastrophe-prone area, be prepared for a larger increase, mainly driven by increased property insurance rates, of 25-50% or more.

Accordingly, start your renewal early by talking with your insurance agent or broker at least 60-90 days before expiration. Doing so will help avoid surprises, and give you time to obtain competitive bids, if needed. Ultimate pricing remains dependent on each association’s loss experience, location, construction, maintenance, and other factors, so individual renewal results may differ from projections described above.

P. Schreibman, ARM is the founder and principal of Integrated Risk Management, a Culver City-based insurance and risk management consulting firm.

Alan



In business, regardless of size or scale, there is no greater feeling than when you land a new client. The thrill of the close can send you into this heavenly euphoria. Maybe you had been pursuing them for months, maybe even years. However, in these days of staggering labor shortages and general economic malaise, something that should be equally as feted as the new business we acquire is the old business we have managed to keep. Research data continually shows the sobering statistics in favor of client retention. It costs up to seven times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an old one. 65% of a company’s business comes from existing customers, and loyal customers spend 67% more than new ones (Source: Markin Blog).

The general ideology is that the formula for retention from the clients’ point of view is one-part perceived value for the money, one-part emotional commitment to the brand, and a sprinkling of the 3 Rs of their intention: to repurchase, recommend, and/or remain with your company. Take, for example, my industry of expertise: private security. Our ability to grow consistently over the past 20 years has stemmed largely from our existing clients’ own internal growth as well as their referrals.

TRUST

This is the foundation of any relationship. Once compromised, it doesn’t stand a chance. When issues and disagreements do inevitably arise, it is how you handle these issues that becomes the standard by which you will be measured later. Keep calm and remain professional. Always be forthcoming with the information and facts that you have at your disposal. Own up to whatever shortcomings occurred that resulted in the issue at hand. Do not make excuses and avoid obfuscation. Always own up to your role and communicate with the client the steps you’re taking to not only remedy the situation, but to also ensure that the solutions in place will serve to curtail future issues.

What Is Your Client Retention Strategy?

By Miranda Legaspi, MBA

There exists the myth that you only need one retention strategy, but the reality is that no two clients are ever alike. That is why staying abreast of changes within, innovations, consumer trends, and socioeconomic issues within their specified fields is paramount. This is achieved by regularly exercising traits such as trust, active listening, and clear and open communication with my clients; these have been the pillars upon which we have been able to build a solid base of customer loyalty.

PERCEPTION

First-rate listening skills in any relationship are also key. I find this to be the hardest skill to master because when I’m excited to engage with our clients, I will nearly talk their ears off as the saying goes but listening to what clients are saying and subsequently understanding what they need or what their expectations are will be an instant win for you as the service provider. You will be able to deliver and ideally exceed their expectations.

COMMUNICATION

The benefits of an open dialogue with your clients should never be underestimated. Clear and consistent communication not only allows you to stay ahead or in front of any issue that may arise, but it also lets them know how your team is prepared to respond. This will help put your client at ease, and when they are at ease there is peace which is priceless.

Miranda Legaspi is the Director of Business Development at Platinum Security, Inc., a company with more than 20 years of experience providing security services in California, Colorado, Nevada, New York, and Texas. She can be reached at mlegaspi@platinumsecurity.com.

costs up to seven times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an old one. 65% of a company’s business comes from existing customers, and loyal customers spend 67% more than new ones.

››› By William Yarian, CMCA®, AMS®,

PCAM®

Many California community associations are built close to high-risk fire areas. Wildfires in recent years have caused significant property losses and, sadly, human lives. Several insurance carriers have canceled insurance policies for various reasons or have left the California insurance market. Their departure is mainly due to the increased amount of claims they have paid.

With less competition and wildfire risks increasing, the remaining insurance

carriers have increased the premiums, often significantly. Some association boards have been left with no choice but to pass an emergency assessment to pay their substantially-higher insurance premiums. Some policies offer lower property coverage limits or higher deductibles and, in some cases, both. These factors have had a negative financial impact on some community association finances.

Unfortunately, wildfires are not preventable. Community associations can prepare to protect residents and property by being proactive in diminishing the risk of wildfire losses for their communities. Some suggestions are as follows:

Landscape Fire-Scaping

Fire-scaping, which is the process of planning common area landscaping to prevent the spread of wildfires by incorporating fire-resistant plant species. Clearing dead plant material surrounding the community is an effective fire prevention method. Community associations in high-fire areas should comply with all brush clearance

requirements. Trimming trees adequately and away from structures by removing dead foliage will prevent fires from reaching property. Lastly, maintain roof surfaces free of any flammable material.

Homeowner Fire Safety

Residents play a big role in preventing fires on their personal properties. Educating and reminding residents is an effective way to prevent fires. Some best practices are proper open-fire practices and disposal of fire ashes, working smoke alarms, keeping private property landscaping free of dead material, storing combustible materials safely, following local fireworks restrictions, etc. Local fire authorities offer protection recommendations and can be engaged to conduct fire safety training or inspections.

Maintenance

Maintaining appliances and mechanical components in community common facilities and private homes in the best condition helps prevent fires. Flying embers from these fires can easily spread to the surrounding natural habitat or

neighboring properties. Reminding residents about the importance of appliance maintenance is encouraged.

Disaster Plan

Community associations should formulate and keep an emergency plan current for disasters. Plans should cover what steps to take if any structure is destroyed combined with a financial plan to overcome a disaster, and whom to contact when an emergency strikes. Prioritize educating and communicating the evacuation plan to all residents. Arrange for emergency repairs and shutting down access to hazardous areas to prevent liability and promote community safety.

Insurance Requirements

Risk transfer is essential in protecting community associations. The California Davis Stirling Act requires community associations to have a master policy. Insurance policy coverage limits should be adequate to cover the replacement costs in case of a loss. It is best practice for

William Yarian CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® is the owner and CEO of Infinity Property Services AAMC, a full-service management company serving Los Angeles and Ventura

insurance policy coverage limits with their insurance agent annually.

AWARDS GALA & CASINO PARTY

JW Marriott LA Live 900 W. Olympic Blvd. • Los Angeles, CA 90015 Saturday • November 12, 2022

Thanks to our Sponsors

Corporate (Awards) Guard-Systems, Inc.

Casino Chips

ALLBRiGHT 1-800-PAINTING

Playing Cards

Accurate Termite & Pest Control

Valet

Berding|Weil

CIT-HOA Banking Division

Sweet Shoppe

The Naumann Law Firm, PC Vista Paint Corporation

Champagne Wall Aeroscopic Environmental, Inc. Centerpieces

Hi Tech Painting & Construction

BluSky Restoration Contractors, LLC

DJ/Entertainment Servpro of Burbank Table Wine

Infinity Property Services AAMC

Happy Hour Bar

Ocean Breeze Cleaning

Stiltwalker

JUST RIGHT Painting, Inc.

Souvenir Photos

Beaumont Tashijian Cornwall Security Services, Inc.

Hors d'oeuvres

Aeroscopic Environmental, Inc.

EmpireWorks Reconstruction & Painting

Contortionist Reconstruction Experts, Inc.

“Le Cirque” Awards Gala/Casino Party—A Success!

By Jocelle Maliwanag, MBA

The Social Committee pulled off another spectacular Awards Gala on November 12 at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live. This location is a new level of luxury that offered an unbeatable venue in the heart of Los Angeles. The ballroom was opulent and set the perfect stage for our dinner, awards, casino tables, dance floor and live entertainment. The committee carried out a Cirque du Soleil theme with aerialists and stilt walkers, beautiful centerpieces and décor. More than 280 CAI-GLAC members and industry friends celebrated Industry Excellence Award recipients. Our host, Barry Tropp (First Service Residential, AAMC) assisted by Chapter President Alexandria Pollock entertained the audience while past recipients presented the awards. Activities during the evening included a cocktail hour, champagne wall, dinner, awards, and live entertainment, followed by dancing, casino tables, and raffles.

Our thanks to all the sponsors who supported this event and to the Social Committee members for their hard work: Co-chairs Ashley Hibler (The Miller Law Firm) and Michael Valenzuela (Vista Paint Corporation) and Social Committee Members: Michelle Anderson, CMCA®, AMS® (PMP Management AAMC), James Beard, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® (Valencia Management Group), Kizzy Bell (Prime Association Services), Jerri Gaddis, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® (The Management Trust), AnneMarie Hernandez (Empire Works Reconstruction), Deanna Higuera (First Onsite Property Restoration), Geoffrey Lloyd (JUST RIGHT Painting, Inc.), Angelique Madrigal (Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC) , Jocelle Maliwanag (American Heritage Landscape), Shanu Montanero (Empire Works Reconstruction), Stephanie Romero (Aeroscopic Environmental, Inc.) and Catherine Santiago CMCA® (First Service Residential, AAMC).

Jocelle Maliwanag, MBA is a Director of Business Development with American Heritage Landscape and member of the CAI-GLAC Social Committee. She can be reached at jmaliwanag@americanheritagelandscape.com.

SANDERS

PRUESS

Virtual, In-Person, or Both?

By Nicole Peterson, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®

The virtual meeting environment is far from perfect, but if navigated with care, brings with it the potential for increased participation, beneficial exchange of ideas, and expanded collaboration.

There have been no shortage of cliché-ridden articles, emails, and other missives concerning “the new normal” these last few years. Take heart and please don’t turn the page, dear reader; this IS NOT one of those. Nowhere in what follows will there be any discussion of, “these uncertain times.” That the COVID-19 pandemic delivered additional levels of complexity to this already challenging and demanding vocation of ours is evident, but where the meek avoid obstacles, we in the community association management field must overcome them; it’s what we do.

The article that follows will explore one of the most significant adaptations we have been called upon to make—integration of the virtual meeting environment. It will conclude with tips to maximize the “pros” while minimizing the “cons,” because whether they are viewed as a silver lining or a pestilence, the virtual meeting in one form or another is clearly here to stay.

In September of 2021 the requirement for a physical board meeting location was temporarily waived in California on the basis of the declared public health emergency and virtual board meetings were deemed permissible (Civ. Code § 5450). Current projections indicate that California Governor’s office plans to terminate the emergency classification

in February of 2023. Thereafter, purely virtual board meetings will be prohibited under the Open Meeting Act, but a word of warning to those eager to slam the lid of the laptop down once more and for good; many communities already have or will soon opt for “hybrid” meetings. Those who prefer virtual attendance will be accommodated via now familiar platforms such as Zoom and attend on a terminal alongside those who have eagerly awaited the return to in-person.

Community managers, board members, homeowners, vendors, and anyone else hoping to make the most of things will do well to remember the advantages and disadvantages of each modality and optimize meetings as best they can to keep agendas on track and attendees engaged in person and on screen (sometimes simultaneously).

Whether you are hosting a virtual or hybrid meeting or simply attending one, awareness of the pros and cons is the first step to using them to your advantage and/or overcoming them. Whichever the case, by bearing in mind the potential gains and losses each stands to deliver, all attendees increase the odds for an efficient, effective, and productive meeting. In the words of baseball great, Roger Maris, “You hit homeruns not by chance, but by preparation.”

Beginning with the good news, virtual meetings have been an absolute gamechanger. They are a cost effective, efficient, and convenient means of attending for off-site stakeholders with competing responsibilities or other factors which make leaving their local environment a hardship. Meeting virtually means that you can meet more often and do so using just about any device. It also means expanded access to a wider base of consultants with expertise who might not otherwise be accessed. With these benefits, however, come considerable challenges. What is gained in accessibility for some represents a limitation to others who may not be as technologically adept. In-person, there is a more organic form of discourse and networking possible between attendees. The need for structure that makes an organized virtual meeting possible also dilutes the energy, making participation grueling at times and limiting

opportunities for real interaction. While more may join, some will simply go unnoticed, making it difficult for many with valuable contributions to make themselves known. Then, of course, there is the opposite problem to contend with; the loudest attendees may monopolize the discussion. And what about the technical issues? Oh, the technical issues (sigh). Virtual meetings can be hard but not impossible to get right; they just require a calculated approach and finding success means going in like a good Scout would: BE PREPARED! Whether you are planning to facilitate a meeting or looking to merely participate in a more meaningful way, consider these three simple strategies to avoid or overcome common issues:

1. CONSIDER COLLECTING QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE. Using an HOA Board Meeting as an example most readers of FOCUS Magazine can relate to, consider soliciting homeowner forum questions in advance of the meeting or encouraging the insertion of those questions into the chat sidebar. The manager or facilitator can read them aloud at the appropriate time and invite the participant/author to expand on as necessary.

2. JOIN (OR OPEN) MEETINGS EARLY AND START WITH A “TECH CHECK.” Regardless of whether you are the host or an attendee, don’t waste valuable meeting time troubleshooting sound and video issues. Meeting hosts are encouraged to take a moment before any call to order to ensure everyone can see and hear properly. Consider asking everyone for a quick thumbs up before proceeding to the agenda.

3. LESS PRESENTATION TIME, MORE DISCUSSION TIME (AND SHARE THE SCREEN ONLY WHEN NECESSARY). To make up for the lack of personal interaction and increase the likelihood that online attendees are engaged and not zoned out or multitasking, consider modifying the agenda of your meeting so it is built around discussion or interaction rather than coming across as a one-way broadcast. It is good practice to have any speakers screen-share only sparingly and let your online attendees see you and each other (which also means encouraging attendees to turn cameras on).

The above suggestions represent a place to start. There will be as many challenges ahead as there are unique scenarios. No two communities or situations are identical and methods useful in some situations will not apply to others. For that reason, it is strongly recommended that feedback be solicited regularly from attendees. It is a great way to learn what worked (and what didn’t) so community association managers, facilitators, and participants can adjust and fine tune the process on a continued basis. The virtual meeting environment is far from perfect, but if navigated with care, brings with it the potential for increased participation, beneficial exchange of ideas, and expanded collaboration.

Nicole Peterson, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, is General Manager of Elleven Homeowners Association, a high-rise community in Downtown Los Angeles. She is a veteran of the United States Air Force and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in Communications. Nicole can be reached at npeterson@actionlife.com.

DEVELOPING & MAINTAINING GOOD VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS

FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE HOA AND CONDO INDUSTRY HAS ADAPTED TO WHAT IS REGULARLY REFERRED TO AS “UNPRECEDENTED TIMES” FOR ASSOCIATIONS, MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, AKA “VENDORS.” WHETHER IT IS A REGULARLY CONTRACTED SERVICE, OR SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR A COMMUNITY, VENDORS FIND THEMSELVES NAVIGATING THE BALANCE BETWEEN DELIVERING THE GOODS AND SERVICES THEY OFFER AND THE EFFORT IT TAKES TO KEEP THEIR WORKFORCE AND SUPPLY CHAINS INTACT IN AN INCREASINGLY UNPREDICTABLE ECONOMY.

As communities look to the new year to set their maintenance calendar and seek out vendors for upcoming projects, here are some handy “Dos and Don’ts” to keep in mind when developing a solid relationship with vendors. These tips are handy and will go a long way in this effort:

DO – Be specific. When identifying a project or requesting services, it is important to the success of the project that you are clear on what kind of work or proposal you are seeking. This includes providing desired scope, available budget, and any special instructions. Additionally, be realistic. If you have budget limitations, let the vendor know so they can provide a proposal that respects the available funding for your community. You do not want to alienate a potential contractor or service by asking for a comprehensive proposal if it is not realistic for the funds available.

Don’t – withhold vital information on expectations. If you are requesting a proposal to get an idea of cost but are not ready to move forward immediately with the project, let the vendor know, so they can allow for adjusted future costs. This will promote goodwill and ensure the vendor can establish a time frame with you and how best to proceed with the project in a way that benefits everyone.

Do – Be flexible and patient. This includes response time either by phone or email and be mindful when scheduling a walkthrough. Vendors have no control over supply chain, and sometimes, labor availability. Delays can happen. Whether the needed replacement part is still on a ship in the harbor, or the crew has been depleted due to illness and longer than normal recovery, remember that vendors are people too. They will appreciate your understanding and will reciprocate the flexibility whenever possible.

Don’t – micromanage. If you find an item that needs to be added to a project in progress, reach out to the manager and vendor as soon as you know, and understand if it requires a change order. Please respect the working time of the crews and technicians on site while they are performing their tasks; crews onsite are there for a specific job, and frequently have limited availability to answer questions not directly related to the work at hand. If you have questions about the project, connect with the vendor or the community manager to get those answers.

Do – Loop in your community manager when communicating with vendors. Volunteer directors are often the onsite contacts during services or projects and having all parties on the same page will ensure things are properly accounted for, especially if something changes midstream.

Don’t give out vendor contact info without clearing with them beforehand. This is for managers and board directors. If the vendor has provided their cell to coordinate scheduling or site access, be sure to check with them before providing it to anyone else. Many vendors have stories of times when a homeowner tried to do an end run around communication channels calling and texting repeatedly, without respect to their schedule.

Quality vendors are always seeking innovation for best practices, and they really want to bring excellence to the table for their clients. Remembering these handy tips will go a long way in developing a solid working relationship with vendors and managers alike.

Joy Steele, CMCA®, AMS®, is a Senior Association Manager at HOA Organizers, Inc., AAMC®, a full-service management company serving community associations throughout Southern California. She can be reached at joy@hoaorganizers.com.

Geoffrey Lloyd is an Estimating Specialist with JUST RIGHT Painting with two years of experience as a vendor and fourteen years of experience as a Community Manager. He can be reached at geoff@justrightpaintinginc.com.

 By Joy Steele, CMCA®, AMS®, and Geoffrey Lloyd

We Can’t Live Like

This Forever… Or Can We?

By: AnneMarie Hernandez

As the market, economy and inflation fluctuate and struggle to balance out, the cost of goods and services increases, and goods continue to get held up en route, the financial dilemma is real. So why are HOA boards still trying to be popular by not raising assessments?

California’s minimum wage has increased, utility costs have jumped, inflation has been running at more than 7.6% (August), and wholesale prices have increased more than 9%. Something has got to give. With homeowners struggling to make ends meet through job loss, pandemic business changes, and everyday life adjustments, it is up to community managers and board treasurers to explain why assessment increases are in the best interest of their community associations.

Maintaining a healthy reserve and conducting maintenance when required or on schedule—including annual operational maintenance—is vital to reducing damage to infrastructure and extending component useful life. Insurance companies frequently require maintenance and repair of components to continue coverage. So how do you plan for these unexpected hiccups?

The best plan is to actually PLAN.

Look at your community and be honest about what is failing, what is aging and what is in great shape and just needs periodic maintaining. Be realistic about your projects and engage a reserve analyst on the financial health of your community and budget as your first step. When was the last time the board checked the reserve study components against the actual infrastructure and reserve-maintained inventory? If the board is spending reserve funds to maintain components but not funding those items, the study needs an update. Based on that analysis, engage trusted vendors for an honest and deeper investigation into the cost of needed repairs and provide these estimates to the reserve study analyst to improve current actual costs to project future costs. Stay on top of CLAC (California Legislative Action Committee) legislative updates so you are not blindsided by upcoming new laws and bills. Start planning immediately for new regulations like SB326, instead of deferring decisions until action is required, or when demand is high, and costs increase. This will help you determine how to approach assessment increases with your board members and homeowners.

Homeowners want the homes they purchased with their hard-earned money to be safe, comfortable, and beautiful. But this doesn’t just happen—and it isn’t free.

Technically, the California Civil Code allows HOA boards to raise assessments up to 20 percent, and implement a special assessment up to 5 percent, without seeking approval from membership. Managers and board treasurers have a fiduciary duty to recommend an assessment amount that is sufficient to operate, maintain, and sustain the association’s assets. However, they also recognize that board members may not want to impose a significant increase in the current financial atmosphere. So how do you maintain the quality of your association’s components?

Reserve studies help us plan for the future, but what happens when there are unexpected expenses that were not included in a previous reserve study—for example, the California SB326 balcony inspection law and adding roofing weatherproofing underlayment to the reserve line items? Communities that have not added these components to the reserve study are not adequately funded for the large project costs these tasks will trigger.

What should a community manager and treasurer do if your board members are not in agreement with this approach? How does a manager and board treasurer do their part to protect the community’s best interest and keep the board focused on their fiduciary duties?

Managers and treasurers need to keep their board members and association members educated and informed. They need to explain and interpret the budgets they have developed for their community and let the financials do the talking. The costs of contracts, supplies, services, and reserve funding speak for themselves. The community manager and treasurer should explain to the board and members what they have done to eliminate, reduce, and manage costs while keeping the owners’ property values as high as possible. Consider and communicate other options you have to keep costs low, such as conducting annual preventative maintenance, phasing projects, spreading out loans, and considering special assessments where all else has failed. Reach out to your trusted industry vendors for help. Reliable vendors are your association’s business partners. Their guidance and recommendations are valuable for boards making decisions compliant with the business judgment rule.

Homeowners want the homes they purchased with their hardearned money to be safe, comfortable, and beautiful. But keeping the buildings, streets, landscaping, etc., up-to-date doesn’t just happen and it isn’t free. Owners should participate in protecting

their investment for it to be of value in the future. We are familiar with the saying: Penny Wise – Pound Foolish. Every maintenance task that the association completes helps keep costs down in the long run. The more something deteriorates, the more it will cost to repair or renovate.

The best example of saving short term funds but causing a very large future repair bill is in deferring maintenance of annual or bi-annual tasks. Deferred maintenance can have a large and costly impact on homeowners. If communities are continually postpone necessary annual maintenance or repairs because they are trying to save money, it will cost the association more overall. Keeping assessments artificially low ultimately leads to lower property values, higher maintenance and sustainment costs, and may deter sales because of inadequately-funded reserves and association member future liabilities.

Board members depend on their management company, community managers, and board treasurers to help guide them through it all. What conversations are you having with association members?

AnneMarie Hernandez is the Director of Southern California Business Development at EmpireWorks Reconstruction, a company providing reconstruction and painting services to homeowners association and multi-family dwellings through the Southwest. AnneMarie can be reached at ahernandez@empireworks.com.

FROM SACRAMENTO

Review and Refresh Your Governing Documents for 2023

¢¢¢ By: Sean D. Allen, Esq.

These last few years have brought with them a complete change in how we view the day-to-day operations of community associations. The ongoing pandemic has changed the way that we approach board and membership meetings, and several new laws have shaken what we previously thought we could and could not do on behalf of our communities. Since the 2020’s began, we have dealt with more broadly sweeping changes to the laws governing common interest developments than we have since the Davis-Stirling Act was rewritten and renumbered back in 2014. This means that now is an ideal time to take a close look at your association’s governing documents to ensure that they are not in conflict with the law, and that they are appropriate for the current operations of your community. This article will highlight some provisions which directors and community managers may want to consider when discussing updates with legal counsel.

Rental Restrictions

As you are no doubt already aware, a new law went into effect recently regarding rental restrictions. In general terms, the new law only allows associations to prohibit short term rentals of thirty days or less, and to enforce a cap on rentals of twenty-five percent or more of the units in the association, and that is about it. To the extent your governing documents contain conflicting provisions, the new law requires that those provisions be amended to bring them into compliance. It is important to also note that California law does not allow associations to enforce new rental restrictions against existing homeowners, meaning any new rental restrictions put in place will only be enforceable against owners who purchase their property after those restrictions are in effect. If tenantoccupied units are a problem or a concern, or if your governing documents contain provisions which conflict with the new laws, then the documents should be amended.

Elections

There is a new law on the books that will allow all communities to take advantage of a process known as “Election by Acclamation,” which means that if you have an uncontested election where you have the same number of candidates running for election as there are open seats, then you already know the outcome of the election and do not need to go through the process of mailing and counting ballots. However, to take advantage of the acclamation process, the association will need to meet a few additional requirements. If your governing documents contain any language which would preclude the use of the acclamation procedure, then it may be a good idea to amend the documents to remove these roadblocks and expressly allow for it.

Similarly, there were recent changes to the law which limit the qualifications we can enforce for director elections. The law expressly prevents non-owners from running for the board and allows associations to disqualify candidates only if they have been an owner for less than one year, if a joint owner is on the board or a candidate, if they have been convicted of a crime which jeopardizes the association’s insurance coverage, or if they are delinquent in the payment of assessments. All other director qualifications contained in an association’s governing documents are null and void, and any such provisions should be amended out.

Virtual Meetings

Section 5450 was added to the California Civil Code with immediate effect, establishing that associations are permitted to conduct board meetings and meetings of the membership solely via video or teleconference if gathering in person is unsafe or impossible because the community is in an area affected by a declared federal, state, or local emergency.

If your association is conducting board and/or membership meetings solely via telephone or video conference platforms such as Zoom because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, your association must immediately comply with the requirements of Civil Code Section 5450(b), and specifically the notice requirements contained therein. Since this is a new development under the law in response to the pandemic, most current governing documents will not contain provisions which account for this scenario. It may make sense to build such provisions in as you are bringing your documents up to date.

Lot Splitting

A new law purports to address the housing crisis in California by allowing for the automatic approval of certain lot-splits and housing development projects containing up to two dwelling units. In plain language, the new law creates the possibility that a single-family residential lot can now be divided and developed with up to four residential units where only one single-family home previously existed. For the time being, however, and until the courts or state legislature tells us otherwise, this does not prohibit community associations from enforcing provisions in their CC&Rs which prohibit lot-splitting. Therefore, planned developments should review their CC&Rs and governing documents to ensure they are properly drafted to prohibit lot-splitting.

D. Allen, Esq. is a partner with the law firm Roseman Law APC, a full-service law firm serving communities throughout California. He can be reached at allen@ roseman.law.

Sean

So, What’s Next?

¢¢¢ By Thomas M. Ware II, Esq. CCAL Whew!

Going into the 2022 cycle, the California common interest community was concerned that the legislature may overreact to the Florida Surfside condominium collapse by imposing numerous Draconian measures to make it seem like such a catastrophe could not happen in California. CAI’s California Action Committee (“CAI-CLAC”) proactively worked to develop prospective legislation to address potential mandatory reserve funding requirements and the ability to fund investigation to prevent such tragedies in California. Perhaps due to an election year where legislators were concerned about increased housing expenses, our concerns were unfounded. Thankfully, we got through the 2022 legislative cycle with no real legislative scuds. The legislature did not adopt any material legislation that conflicted with CAI’s general position that associations generally should be left to manage themselves without government interference. Such luck does not mean that our diligence last year was in vain.

As you may know, there are eight CAI chapters in California. Each chapter, picks two delegates to represent the interest of the respective chapter on the CAI-CLAC Delegate Board. These sixteen delegates, along with a limited number of at-large delegates from across the state, meet every October, at CAI-CLAC’s Annual Planning Meeting (“APM”). At the APM, CAI-CLAC develops its legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session that it believes are in the best interests of its constituents.

What are these topics and legislative priorities? I am glad you asked.

Virtual Meetings

Civil Code Section 4090(b) mandates that, even when meetings are held virtually, there must be a physical location at which there is at least one Board member present. Other homeowners must be permitted to appear at this location to observe the meeting.

Last year, Civil Code Section 5450 was adopted to permit boards to dispense with this physical location requirement to meet completely virtual during a state of emergency. COVID-19 has been used by many boards as grounds to dispense with this physical location requirement. Fortunately, the COVID-19 state of emergency is set to expire February 28, 2023. However, as a result, on March 1, 2023, completely virtual meetings no longer will be permitted.

CAI-CLAC will be pursuing legislation that permits Boards and members to conduct meetings completely virtually irrespective of the existence of a state of emergency. Huzzah!

Wildfire Insurance Crisis

The State of California is experiencing a fire insurance crisis. Thousands of California communities are burdened by this crisis. Last year, CAI-CLAC formed a task force consisting of insurance and community association leaders to try to address this calamity. To that end, CAI-CLAC met, and will continue

to meet, with the Insurance Commissioner and state legislators to try come up with ways to prospectively mitigate the dearth of coverage and precipitous premium increases.

To that end, CAI-CLAC agreed to pursue the expansion of Civil Code Section 5605 so as to permit Boards to increase assessments to cover premium increases without a vote of the members. CAI-CLAC also will seek to expand the emergency assessment definition in Civil Code Section 5610 to address wildfire issues and structural investigations. CAI-CLAC also will seek legislative authority to allow Board members to approve a special assessment without member consent if necessary to cover insurance premiums for coverage mandated by the CC&Rs in those instances where the assessment does not qualify as an emergency or where the Association cannot impose an additional twenty percent regular assessment increase to cover the insurance increase.

Structural Repairs and Investigation

While the legislature did not mandate that associations fund a specific amount to address structural issues, CAI-CLAC will seek to clarify the scope of reserve requirements to facilitate, among other things, the funding of structural repairs and structural investigations as to the safety of the infrastructure.

Electronic Voting

Homeowners associations spend an inordinate amount of money mailing out ballot materials. A number of states already permit associations to conduct homeowners associations to obviate these expenses by conducting elections electronically. CAI-CLAC will endeavor to convince the legislature that now is the time for California to go green, join these other states, and authorize electronic voting in California.

Reduced Quorum

Civil Code Section 5100(a)(2) requires an association to conduct a Board election at least once every four years. However, many associations have trouble achieving quorum to conduct an election. If an association cannot achieve quorum, how can it meet the state mandated requirement to hold an election every four years? State elections are not dependent on a quorum. Why should a homeowners association’s board election be dependent on more than 50% of the members voting? Is it not more democratic to allow the majority of those voting choose their representatives rather than permitting board members to hold over indefinitely? CAI-CLAC will explore dispensing with, or alternatively reducing, quorum requirements for Board elections to facilitate more board elections.

CAI-CLAC represents you! If you have an idea for common interest development legislation, or comments on the above ideas, send CAI-CLAC your comments at legcochair@caiclac.com.

Thomas M. Ware II is a partner in the law firm of Kulik Gottesman Siegel & Ware LLP, and a Fellow of the College of Community Associations Lawyers (CCAL). He currently serves as one of CAI-GLAC’s California Legislative Action Committee Delegates and is CLAC’s Legislative Co-chair. He can be reached at tware@kgswlaw.com.

GOAL:

100%

$26,272

OUR THANKS TO CAI-CLAC 2022 CONTRIBUTORS

January 1 – December 31

100 Marina Shores HOA

11767 Sunset Boulevard Association

12616 Pacific OA

2017 Ketch to Jib Townhouses HOA, Inc.

2138 Stewart Street HOA

2620 Highlands HOA

Accurate Termite & Pest Control

Action Property Management AAMC

ADAMS | STIRLING PLC

Advanced Election Services

ALLBRIGHT 1-800-PAINTING

Ani Keshishian, CMCA®

Armour Lane Condomiums

Artesia HOA

ATS Audiovisual

Avis HOA

Avocado Glen HOA

Beaumont Tashjian

Beven & Brock

Blossom Vanderbilt COA

Border and Lincoln Villas HOA

Bouganvillea Inc.

Bouganvillea Townhomes HOA

Casa de Suenos HOA

Casa Loma Association, Inc.

Casita De La HOA

Catalina Plaza HOA

Centinela Townhomes II HOA

Command Guard Services

Common Interest Services, Inc.

Culver Centrale HOA

Diane Schoolsky

Erik M. Rivera

What is CLAC?

THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE (CLAC) IS A VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS INSTITUTE (CAI) CONSISTING OF HOMEOWNERS AND PROFESSIONALS SERVING COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS.

CAI IS THE LARGEST ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION IN AMERICA DEDICATED TO MONITORING LEGISLATION, EDUCATING ELECTED STATE LAWMAKERS, AND PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF THOSE LIVING IN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS IN CALIFORNIA.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

FHA Review

FirstService Residential AAMC

Gateway Village HOA

Greenfield HOA, Inc.

Hacienda HOA

Harbor Ridge HOA

Hermosa Surf Condominium

Hermosa Townhomes HOA

Highlands HOA

Hillcrest Meadows HOA, Inc.

HOA Management of Santa Clarita

Infinity Property Services AAMC

Irena Vista OA

JUST RIGHT Painting, Inc.

Kelton Arms COA

Kulik Gottesman Siegel & Ware, LLP

La Pointe Master Assn.

Lawford HOA

Longfellow Village OA

 Is a non-profit, non-partisan committee composed of two Delegates and one Liaison from each of the eight CAI California chapters.

 Represents over 13 million homeowners and property owners in more than 52,000 associations throughout California.

Los Cerros HOA

Main at the Beach HOA

Management Professionals, Inc. AAMC

Matt Meadors, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®

Mimi Cortes

Monica Villas III HOA

Oakbridge HOA

Oak Hill Condominiums HOA

Oak Street HOA

Ocean West COA

ONIT Property Management

Pacific Bougainvillea, Inc.

Pacific Colony HOA

Pacific Owners Association

Pacific View Condominiums HOA

Park Crest HOA

Partners Community Management

Platinum Security, Inc.

Prima Terra HOA

Redondo Vista HOA

Richardson | Ober, LLP

Robin Choppe

Roseman Law APC

Roxbury Park COA

SAX Insurance Agency

Scott Litman Insurance Agency

Seabreeze Management Company AAMC

Seascape Redondo HOA, Inc.

Seasons West HOA

Silicon Beach Insurance Services

Silver Spur Court HOA

SiSi Villas HOA

South Bay Estates HOA

South Hermosa Townhomes HOA

Spencer Estates HOA

Steve Little Insurance Agecy

SwedelsonGottlieb

Textile Building OA

The Miller Law Firm

The Naumann Law Firm, PC

The Vista Pacifica HOA

Tiffany McCall, MBA, CCAM®

Valencia Management Group AAMC

Villa Capri Townhomes HOA

Villa Del Sol Villas HOA

Villa Redano HOA

Villa Serene CA, Inc.

Westchester Playa Del Sol HOA

Westside Townhomes I HOA

VIP Goshen Association

Yukon I Townhomes COA

 Comprises association homeowners, board members and the professional business partners that service them.

 Is NOT a PAC (Political Action Committee) and makes no financial campaign contributions.

 Depends solely on the donations of the community associations, their boards of directors and those who serve HOA members.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2022

CLAC CHALLENGE CONTRIBUTORS

Accurate Termite & Pest Control

Action Property Management AAMC

ADAMS | STIRLING PLC

Advanced Election Services

ALLBRIGHT 1-800-PAINTING

Ani Keshishian, CMCA®

ATS Audiovisual

Beaumont Tashjian

Beven & Brock

Command Guard Services

Common Interest Services, Inc.

Diane Schoolsky

FHA Review

FirstService Residential AAMC

HOA Management of Santa Clarita

Infinity Property Services AAMC

JUST RIGHT Painting, Inc.

Kulik Gottesman Siegel & Ware, LLP

Management Professionals, Inc. AAMC

Matt Meadors, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®

Mimi Cortes

ONIT Property Management

Partners Community Management

Platinum Security, Inc.

Richardson | Ober, LLP

Roseman Law APC

SAX Insurance Agency

Scott Litman Insurance Agency

Seabreeze Management Company AAMC

Silicon Beach Insurance Services

Steve Little Insurance Agecy

SwedelsonGottlieb

The Miller Law Firm

The Naumann Law Firm, PC

Tiffany McCall, MBA, CCAM®

Valencia Management Group AAMC

CLAC’S MISSION

To safeguard and improve the community association lifestyle and property values by advocating a reasonable balance between state statutory requirements and the ability and authority of individual homeowners to govern themselves through their community associations.

Community Outreach Committee Delivers Toys to ABC7 Stuff-A-Bus Event

By Patti Specht

Fifteen members of the Community Outreach Committee rose early to decorate their cars and parade into the Stuff-A-Bus event at Westfield Topanga Canyon. They received VIP treatment from ABC7 and L.A. County Firefighters when they unloaded three carloads and actually “stuffed” one bus. Our thanks to those who donated to this Spark of Love Toy Drive or helped deliver toys. We know that the results of this committee project definitely made a difference! Did you see us on the news?

Patti Specht is the Business Development Manager at ServiceMaster Recovery Management and 2022 Co-chair of the Community Outreach Committee. She can be reached at patti@svmbyc2c.com.

Project 826LA



By Stephanie Romero

In November CAI-GLAC Community Outreach Committee members delivered creative writing supplies to 826LA in Los Angeles.

826LA is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6–18 with their creative and expository writing skills and helping teachers inspire their students to write. More than 9,000 students receive the benefit of 826LA’s free programs each year. Our sincere thanks to the CAI-GLAC members who contributed money to purchase the donated items.

Stephanie Romero is a Business Development Manager at Aeroscopic Environmental, Inc. and an active member of the Community Outreach Committee. She can be reached at stephanie@ aeroscopic.com.

THERE IS HELP OUT THERE!!

By Amy Yankauskas, CMCA®, AMS®

OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING YOUR CREDENTIALS AS A COMMUNITY MANAGER IS A GREAT WAY TO NOT ONLY ESTABLISH YOURSELF IN OUR INDUSTRY BUT ALSO GAIN THE RESPECT OF THE BOARDS YOUR SERVE. THE HIGHER YOU CLIMB ON THE CREDENTIAL HIERARCHY, THE MORE VALUABLE YOU BECOME TO YOUR EMPLOYER OR POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS.

CAI-GLAC IS HERE TO HELP ELEVATE YOU!

Our chapter offers programs and tools that will get you to that next step. There is help available to get you to that next phase in your journey! Don’t forget there are amazing resources available to you through our chapter, whether it be networking with other industry professionals, staying up-to-date with innovative maintenance options available through vendor networking, or the educational offerings of our committees.

Through the Coaching to Credentials program, our Manager Education Committee will set you up with a PCAM® designee who will help guide you through your continued education to obtain your own PCAM® designation. Since the application process can be intimidating, having the support of another industry professional who has already been through it can help motivate and guide you through this process.

The monthly luncheons that our Programs Committee offers will not only keep you informed about hot topics in our industry but will give you face time with our business partners to hear any exciting new offerings they may have for your properties. These luncheons also come with continuing education credits to help maintain your credentials.

The events held periodically and planned by from our Social Committee, Golf Committee, CLAC Fundraiser Committee, and Community Expo Committee will give you the opportunity

to network with other industry professionals and further your knowledge of what our business partners offer for your communities. The Community Outreach Committee offers opportunities for you to give back through community service. Not only will you be able to show your gratitude, but you will also be working alongside other community managers and business partners while doing so, strengthening your relationships with others in the common interest development (CID) industry.

Coaching to Credentials Manager Mentor Program

Would you like to be able to talk to another manager about their educational path and experience—get their advice about next steps?

CAI-GLAC is proud to offer the Coaching to Credentials Manager Mentor Program as a resource to our community manager members. Our goal is to encourage you to achieve CAI designations—ultimately the PCAM® designation.

Through the program, an experienced professional manager is paired with a manager newer to the industry or one looking simply for guidance. The scope and duration of the mentoring relationship is determined between the mentor and the protégé.

A Mentor can:

Help to identify your specific goals.

Provide career guidance.

Provide vision and insight.

Offer support and advice about CAI courses.

Explain the value of credentials.

Motivate you to progress to the next level of professionalism. For additional information about the CAI-GLAC Manager Mentor Program, please contact the Chapter Office at 818-500-8636.



The Publications Committee produces Focus Magazine and keeps us current on industry happenings. The articles are written by your peers, other industry professionals and business partners. Do not miss an issue—there are some great topics discussed.

The CAI-GLAC website offers a Manager Message Board that will allow you to communicate with other industry professionals about hot topics. The website also offers a Toolbox for managers. If you have not already done so, take a moment to explore the new website to see all that our chapter has to offer you.

MAKE 2023 YOUR YEAR! WE ARE HERE TO ELEVATE EACH OTHER.

You can find a list of all of the CAI-GLAC Committee Chairs on page 10 and on the CAI-GLAC website. Please reach out to the Chapter Office at 818-500-8636 if you have any questions or are interested in serving on a committee. Through networking and utilizing the resources that CAI-GLAC has made available to you, there is help out there!

Amy Yankauskas,CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS®, is General Manager of The Ocean Club in Long Beach and a member of the CAI-GLAC Board of Directors. She can be reached at amy.yankauskas@managementtrust.com.

Congratulations to Wendy Weber!

Wendy Weber, CIRMS™, founder of Insurance Services of the West, joined a select group of community association insurance and risk management professionals in 2022 who have earned the Community Insurance and Risk Management Specialist (CIRMS™) designation from CAI.

To be eligible for the designation, professionals must have at least five years of experience in the community association field, have been responsible for 25 association insurance programs in the past three years, and maintain a legal and ethical standing in the insurance industry.

˜ A community association insurance and risk management professional’s duties include:

˜ Working with associations to ensure that they have thought through their exposures to risk.

˜ Recommending insurance products and steps to reduce the risk itself or to transfer it to another party and presenting cost-benefit analyses on various options.

˜ Educating board members to raise their level of understanding, so they can in turn educate their residents on how to avoid their own losses.

A professional with more than 15 successful years of experience as a senior executive in business, Wendy has been an independent licensed Insurance Agent and Top Producer for the past ten years. Wendy is also a member of the CAI-GLAC Manager Education Committee and the Executive Leadership Summit Committee.

BUSINESS PARTNERS

American Craftsman Restoration

Blackstone Trustee Services

Brian Berg Insurance Services, Inc.

Capital One

Celco Construction Services

JBNR Painting

JJ&S Environmental Services

CAI National

CAI National

CAI National

CAI National

CAI National

CAI National

CAI National

Jane Kim

Rylee Molina

Partners Community Management

Liza Nicoletti

Angie Parayno

Cardinal Management Group

Noelia Sainz

CAI National

David Mayemura, CMCA®, AMS®

CAI National

Danny Padilla

Neda Nehouray, CMCA®, AMS® , PCAM® HOA Organizers, Inc. AAMC

Maxpro Insurance Solution

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

Briarwood HOA #1, Inc.

COMMUNITY MANAGERS

Irene Anthony

Seabreeze Managemenompany AAMC

James Carter

Four Seasons Residences

Barry James

101 Ocean Condominium Association

David Jawitz , CMCA®

The Management Trust

Elizabeth Karo

HOA Organizers, Inc. AAMC

CAI Natonal

CAI National Paint Tigers

Anita Morris

Tiffany McCall, MBA, CCAM®

Flint Faulkner, CMCA®, AMS® , PCAM®

CAI National

CAI National

Neda Nehouray, CMCA®, AMS® , PCAM®

Virginia Warren

Action Property Management AAMC

Flint Faulkner, CMCA®, AMS® , PCAM®

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS

A.R.M. Construction Services

Acker-Stone Industries

ALLBRiGHT 1-800 PAINTING

Animal & Insect Pest Management, Inc. AquaGuard, LLC Archon Protection, Inc. Axos Bank

California Waters CAM Property Services

CIT-HOA Banking Division CondoLogic Dunn-Edwards Paints

EmpireWorks Reconstruction ePipe Pipe Restoration

Fenn Termite & Pest Control

Fenton Grant Kaneda & Litt, LLP

Focused Inspection Group

Hi Tech Painting & Construction, Inc. HOA Construction Consulting

HOA Election Experts LLC

Inspectora of Election, The Kelly Pools

LaBarre Oksnee Insurance Agency, Inc.

On Time Building Maintenance , Inc. P.W. Stephens Environmental, Inc.

Pacific Interwest Balcony Inspection Services Richardson | Ober LLP

Roy Palacios Insurance Agency, Inc. The Miller Law Firm

Tortuga Construction Solutions Transblue Beverly Hills VanderPol & Company, A PAC

WICR Waterproofing & Construction Witkin & Neal, Inc.

Wolf Rifkin Shapiro Schulman & Rabkin, LLP

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

Brookside Village HOA

Century Hill Association, Inc. Cordova Park Villas HOA

COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

Accord Management Group

Acta Property Services

Baldwin Real Estate Management Chase Blackstone, Inc.

JC Ultimate Property Management Consulting, Inc.

LB Property Management ACMC

PMP Management AAMC

Powerstone Property Management

Seabreeze Management Company AAMC

Vintage Management Consultants

OUR THANKS

TO RENEWING MEMBERS!

AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2022

COMMUNITY MANAGERS

Nicholas Anderson

PMP Management AAMC

Lea Austin

Partners Community Management

Judy Avila

Beven & Brock

Robert Avila, CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS®

CID Consulting, Inc.

Natasha Bialuski

Bel Air Ridge HOA

Eli Bar

The Carlyle Residences

Miles Black, CMCA®

Pacific Edge Management, Inc.

James Boutross

Blair House HOA

Claire Cabrey HWC Management

Gloria Carlos

Moller Property Management

Gary Choppé, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®

HOA Management of Santa Clarita

Brandon Clark, CMCA®, AMS®

The Mercury POA

Shimira Cole

FirstService Residential AAMC

Ashley Coleman

Seabreeze Management Company AAMC

Lee Crowell, CMCA®

1100 Wilshire Property Owners Association

Donna Currie, CCAM®

Somerset HOA

David Diers, CMCA®, AMS®

The Village Condominium Owners Assn.

Trevor Fenwick, AMS®

Bunker Hill Tower Condo Association

Sabrina French, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® PMP Management AAMC

Shaun Fury, CMCA®

Action Property Management AAMC

Alexandria Garcia, CMCA®, AMS®

Prado Community Association

Danielle Glass-Hays

Riviera Property Management

Ariel Hess, CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS®

Scott Management Company

Chris Holigores

SF Valley Management Company, Inc.

Miste Holloway

Rowan Property Owners Association

Mary Ishida

Partners Community Management

Brittany Joseph

Seabreeze Management Company AAMC

Joyce Naomi Kaneda

Manhattan Pointe HOA

Pauline Kawaguchi, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®

Seabreeze Management Company AAMC

Jean Kulemin

Long Beach Home Solutions

Freda Leung

Partners Community Management

Scott Long, CMCA®, AMS®

Mura Community Association

Angelique Madrigal

Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC

Mikayla Mathews, CMCA®, AMS®

PMP Management AAMC

Tiffany McCall, MBA, CCAM®

Seabreeze Management Company AAMC

Tammara Mencias, CMCA®

133 Promenade Walk Corp.

Padraic Mulcahy, CMCA®, AMS®

The Residences at the West Hollywood EDITION

Jake Parvino, CMCA®, AMS®

Seabreeze Management Company AAMC

Nelly Penalonzo

Manhattan Village HOA

Amber Pineda

SF Valley Management, Inc.

Cristian Radu, CMCA®

Metropolis II Condominium Owners Assn.

Rachel Richardson, CMCA®

Marina Pacifica HOA

Esmeralda Rubio

Sky Community Association

Trey Standback

Seabreeze Management Company AAMC

Laura Thaller, CCAM®

LB Property Management

Jeremy Wilson, MBA, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, LSM® Associa-PCM

Michelle Van Dyke, CMCA®

Marina Pacifica HOA

Karlin VanRossen, CMCA®, AMS®

FirstService Residential AAMC

Amy Yankauskas, CMCA®, AMS®

The Ocean Club

Sarah Zemer, CMCA®, AMS®

Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LEADERS

Alan Balch

Douglas Kruschen

Mark Rataj

Lisa Roye

ADVERTISING

JANUARY

11-13 In-Person National Law Seminar New Orleans

21 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 1 – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

25 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. Skirball

27 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

28 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 2 – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

30 Virtual HOA Educational Webinar – 6:30 p.m. Via ZOOM

31 Virtual Managers Only Workshop – 1:00 p.m. Via ZOOM

FEBRUARY

02 In-Person PCAM® Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. Location TBD

08 Virtual Reverse Trade Show – 1:00 p.m. Via ZOOM

10 In-Person Bowling Tourney – 6:00 p.m. Bowlero Lanes

15 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. SF Valley

23 Virtual Tricks Of The Trade – 1:00 p.m. Via ZOOM

24 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

MARCH

06-10 Virtual CID Law Course – 8:30 a.m. Via ZOOM

22 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. South Bay

24 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

29 In-Person Valencia Breakfast – 8:00 a.m. Bridgeport HOA

APRIL

01 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop-Part 1 – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

03 Virtual HOA Evening Webinar – 7:00 p.m. Via ZOOM

08 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop-Part 2 – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

19 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. Downtown LA

21 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

28 In-Person Executive Retreat – 8:30 a.m. Location TBD

MAY

08 Golf Tournament – 7:00 a.m. Porter Valley CC

17-20 CAI National Conference Dallas, TX

24 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 1:00 a.m. SF Valley

26 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

JUNE

09 In-Person Community Expo – 12:00 Noon Hilton Universal

13 Virtual Managers Only Workshop – 1:00 p.m. Via ZOOM

16 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

23 In-Person Dodger Game – 5:30 p.m. Dodger Stadium

JULY

10 Virtual HOA Educational Webinar – 7:00 p.m. Via ZOOM

15 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 1 – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

19 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. Skirball

22 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 2 – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

26 In-Person Valencia Breakfast – 8:00 a.m. Bridgeport HOA

28 Chapter Board of Directors Retreat – 9:00 a.m. Location TBD

AUGUST

07-11 Virtual CID Law Course – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

18 In-Person CMCA Review – 8:30 a.m. Location TBD

23 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. South Bay

25 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

SEPTEMBER

07 Virtual Managers Ed. Boot Camp – 1:00 p.m. Via ZOOM

09 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 1 – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

16 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 2 – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

20 In-Person Educational Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. Downtown LA 20 Board/Committee Chair Strategic Planning – 1:30 p.m. Downtown LA 22 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

27 Virtual Reverse Trade Show – 1:00 p.m. Via ZOOM

OCTOBER

03 Virtual Managers Workshop – 1:00 p.m. Via ZOOM

09 Virtual HOA Educational Webinar – 7:00 p.m. Via ZOOM 21 In-Person CLAC Fundraiser – 4:00 p.m. Location TBD 25 In-Person Valencia Breakfast – 8:00 a.m. Bridgeport HOA 27 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

NOVEMBER

04 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 1 – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

11 Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 2 – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

11 In-Person Awards Gala – 6:00 p.m. Location TBD 15 In-Person Educational Luncheon Skirball 17 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM

DECEMBER

01 In-Person Holiday Happy Hour – 4:00 p.m. Location TBD 05 In-Person SGV Education – Time TBD Location TBD 15 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 9:00 a.m. Via ZOOM Events

CAI-GLAC

1010 N. Central Ave., #316 Glendale, CA 91202

Change Service Requested

Have you just been elected to your board of directors or are contemplating running for a board seat? You can now access our Community Leadership Series online by subject.

Learn the basics that you need to govern your community association more effectively and efficiently — anywhere at your own pace and time.

From the time you register online, you will have two weeks to view the class.

If you are unable to finish it in one sitting, you can log back in anytime within the two-week period through your account in the Members Only area.

Classes are available to CAI-GLAC members and non-members. $25 for chapter members • $35 for non-members

Les

Kimberly Lilley, CMCA®, CIRMS ™ , Berg Insurance Agency

Learn more and register now at www.cai-glac.org