Focus Magazine - July/August 2022 by CAI Greater Los Angeles Chapter

Summertime

L.A.’s Premier Source of Information for Community Associations

July/August 2022

SIPPIN’ e l y t S

SATURDAY

08/20/2022 4:00-8:00 PM ANNUAL

WINE TASTING & LIGHT SUPPER

KYOTO GARDENS (ROOFTOP) DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL LOS ANGELES 120 S. LOS ANGELES STREET $95 PER PERSON CASUAL ATTIRE/COMFORTABLE SHOES REGISTER AT WWW.CAI-GLAC.ORG CALL THE CHAPTER OFFICE BEFORE AUGUST 10 FOR A SPECIAL CAI-GLAC ROOM RATE NET PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE

ENJOY FINE WINES IN A GARDEN OASIS ATOP THE DOUBLETREE SPONSORS

BEST OF CLASS HORIZON MANAGEMENT CO. CORDON BLEU SEGAL INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. SOMMELIER EMPIREWORKS RECONSTRUCTION & PAINTING EPICUREAN (FOOD) BEAUMONT TASHJIAN SOUVENIR WINE GLASSES ANIMAL & INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT, INC. SOUVENIR PHOTOS PACIFIC WESTERN BANK WINE STEWARD MANHATTAN PACIFIC MANAGEMENT, INC. PMP MANAGEMENT AAMC SWEDELSONGOTTLIEB CENTERPIECES PERSONAL TOUCH CLEANING & MAINTENANCE, INC. DESSERT FENTON GRANT MAYFIELD KANEDA & LITT, LLP NAPKINS THE NAUMANN LAW FIRM, PC

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Alexandria Pollock, CCAM-HR®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, President BuildingLink.com, LLC, 310-925-9001 Erik Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, President-Elect Manhattan Pacific Management, Inc., 844-511-0644 Isaac Camacho, Vice President Accurate Termite & Pest Control, 310-837-6483 Kim Province, Secretary Advanced Election Services, 714-783-8646 Matt Davidson, CCAM-HR®, CMCA®, AMS®, Treasurer Action Property Management AAMC®, 800-400-2284 DIRECTORS Leslie Barton, CMCA®, PMP Management AAMC® 661-714-3840 Gary Burns, Mulholland Heights HOA, 818-326-2000 Angelique Madrigal, Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC® 818-907-6622 Matt Meadors, CMCA®, AMS® HOA Organizers, Inc., 818-778-3331 Brian D. Moreno, Esq. CCAL, Brian D. Moreno Law Corporation APC 888-578-9673 Diane Schoolsky, Lingate HOA, 323-640-1277

CHAPTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Joan Urbaniak, MBA, CMCA®

2022 COMMITTEE CHAIRS COMMUNITY EXPO Michelle Caldwell, ePipe Pipe Restoration Miste Holloway, Seabreeze Management Co., AAMC® COMMUNITY OUTREACH Jessica Koval, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Action Property Management AAMC® Patti Specht, ServiceMaster Recovery by C2C Restoration

NEWSWORTHY 6 How To Keep Your Community Cool This Summer 8 Southern California Water Restrictions 10 Preparing Amenities for the Summer Season 12 Get Your Community Geared Up for Summer 14 Here Comes The Sun—Solar Power on the Rise 16 Bringing Communities Together Through Summer Fun 22 SPF 22: Security Protection for Summer 2022 26 Is Your Playground Ready for Summer?

CHAPTER UPDATE 2 Note from the Editor’s Desk 3 Message from the President

NOTEWORTHY 18 Under the Tee Golf Tournament Highlights 21 PCAM® Pride 24 Donation to East L.A. Women’s Center 28 CAI-GLAC Community Expo IMPACT 2022 32 News From Sacramento

FYI 4 34 36 36

2022 Upcoming Events New and Renewing Members Advertisers Index Advertising Information

EXECUTIVE RETREAT Jerri Gaddis, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, HOA Organizers, Inc. FINANCE Nels Atha, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Common Interest Services, Inc. GOLF TOURNAMENT Julia Gomes, Accurate Termite & Pest Control Jeff Koscher, BluSky Restoration Contractors, LLC

Our thanks to the Focus Magazine Committee:

HOA EDUCATION Leslie Barton, CMCA®, PMP Management AAMC®

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®, Valencia Management Group AAMC® Jennifer Schuster, Valley Alarm

LEGISLATIVE Erik Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Manhattan Pacific Management, Inc. MANAGER EDUCATION Helen Cook, CMCA®, AMS®, HOA Organizers, Inc. Martha Perkins, CMCA®, AMS®, Action Property Management AAMC®

Co-chairs: Jocelle Maliwanag, MBA, American Heritage Landscape Diane Rossiter, MBA, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Bell Canyon Association

MEDIATION SERVICES 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 Mike Perlof, Fenton Grant Mayfield Kaneda &Litt, LLP PUBLICATIONS Jocelle Maliwanag, MBA, American Heritage Landscape Diane Rossiter, MBA, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Bell Canyon Association

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 STAY CONNECTED: 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 © 2022.

SOCIAL Ashley Hibler, The Miller Law Firm Michael Valenzuela, Vista Paint Corporation

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.

SOCIAL MEDIA Alana Walker, Reconstruction Experts, Inc. Scott Mikelonis, PMP Management AAMC®

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

WINE NIGHT Elaine Gower, The Naumann Law Firm, PC Tiffany McCall, CCAM®, Seabreeze Management Company AAMC

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

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

Some graphics courtesy of unsplash.com and Vecteezy.com.

July/August 2022 | www.cai-glac.org

NOTE

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

HELLO CHAPTER MEMBERS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS ISSUE. SINCE IT IS OFFICIALLY SUMMER, OUR EMPHASIS IS SUMMERTIME AND WAYS TO MANAGE AMENITIES IN YOUR COMMUNITIES. OUR AUTHORS PROVIDED THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES AND KNOWLEDGE IN GETTING AMENITIES READY FOR THE SUMMER AND HOT TOPIC ISSUES LIKE WATER RESTRICTION. The feature is written by an experienced manager, Shauna Gatlin, who discusses ways to keep your community cool, through a variety of shade options. Next, we focus on water restrictions and ways to keep your plants healthy during this heat.

Our goal this year is to discuss important issues we face in our industry and communities. We are hoping to have more authors interested in writing and make sure the magazine is distributed to our CAI-GLAC members in a timely manner. If you have ideas or suggestions for articles or topics, or would like to write an article or feature this year, please let us know. You can reach us at jmaliwanag@americanheritagelandcape. com. We welcome your input and look forward to sharing this experience with you. Focus Magazine Co-Editor Jocelle Maliwanag, MBA Business Development, American Heritage Landscape

The following articles discuss ways in getting community amenities ready for the summer, followed by utility management such as HVAC systems, solar management, playground preparation and increasing security during higher activity in common areas. We included a fun article about ways to bring the community together through summer fun. In addition, a Focus issue is not complete without current legislative news from Sacramento. We’ve hidden a small icon (like this one: ) somewhere in this issue. So many of our members are seeking their PCAM®, it only seemed natural to choose the pin awarded to those who reach that important designation. If you locate it and e-mail joan@cai-glac.org, the first responder to let Joan know the correct answer, will win a $25 gift card. Just provide Joan with a brief description of the icon’s location. Congratulations to our most recent PCAM locator winner, Bennett Levin, a board member at Balboa Townhomes HOA. He found the PCAM icon in the May/June Issue and won a $25 gift card to The Cheesecake Factory.

HOME SWEET HOME

HOSPITALITY IN YOUR HOA

www.cai-glac.org | July/August 2022

Ninety chapter members and guests attended the May 25 Educational Luncheon at the Hilton Woodland Hills to hear Denise D. Iger, Esq., (Iger Wankel & Bonkowski, LLP). Flint Faulkner, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® (Action Property Management Company, AAMC), and Special Guest James Carter (Four Seasons Residences) discuss how to provide a legendary living experience to owners in our associations. Highlights included how to engage residents and make a difference, how to make yourself memorable and ways to protect your community from liability.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

DEAR MEMBERS SUMMER IS HERE! IT IS AN EXCITING TIME FOR THE CHAPTER WITH IN-PERSON EVENTS IN FULL SWING – LIKE THE GOLF TOURNAMENT (PUN INTENDED!) AND MAY EDUCATIONAL LUNCHEON. THE MONTH OF JUNE SAW OUR MUCH-ANTICIPATED IMPACT 2022 EXPO AT THE HILTON UNIVERSAL. THANKS AGAIN TO OUR AMAZING EXPO COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO PLANNED—THEN SCRAPPED ALL OF THEIR PLANS DURING THE PANDEMIC—AND THEN RESET TO HOLD A VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENT. WE CONTINUED EDUCATING OUR MEMBERS VIRTUALLY WITH OUR ACTIVE SHOOTER PREPAREDNESS SEMINAR, A CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TOPIC GIVEN RECENT EVENTS. THE PROGRAMS COMMITTEE AND MANAGER EDUCATION COMMITTEE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR TOPICS RELEVANT TO OUR MEMBERS. YOU CAN SEND SUGGESTIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS TO JOAN@CAI-GLAC.ORG OR CALL THE CHAPTER OFFICE AT 818-500-8636.

he summer months are full of fun and continued education. Join us at our July 20th luncheon, Community News Now, to hear a panel of attorneys debate hot topics in the common interest development industry. Dodger Night is on July 22nd. Managers and Homeowner Leaders, let us know if you want to be sponsored to attend! We’ll hold a Valencia Breakfast on July 27th. The August calendar is absolutely full of events, like our Happy Hour at Public School 310 and Wine Night in Downtown Los Angeles atop the DoubleTree Hotel. Earn a few more continuing education credits at the virtual CID Law Course and our inperson educational luncheon. For more information on each event and to register, visit www.cai-glac.org. Make sure you are checking the Chapter calendar often so you don’t miss out on the wonderful programs we offer our members.

Continue to share our theme within your communities, and with other industry professionals. ENGAGE. In the coming months, see if you can engage a fellow board member, community manager or business partner to join CAI-GLAC. Invite them to attend one of our events so they see first-hand how valuable membership in CAI can be. I hear the Membership Committee is giving away money to recruiters. EDUCATE. Did you know that CAI-GLAC has 56 members holding the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®) designation? That ranks us 12th out of 63 Chapters across the nation and worldwide — and second in California. I challenge our managers to continue their industry education so we can have more PCAMs than any other California chapter! EMPOWER. Use the knowledge gained from CAI to add value to your communities. Think outside the box to solve challenges we face, like how to manage Los Angeles water restrictions due to severe drought conditions, or how to best serve the needs of a diverse resident population in our communities. Collectively, we have ideas and resources to meet these very real challenges and more! I hope that despite the never-ending tasks and challenges we face working and volunteering in the community association management world, you each make time this summer to disconnect for a few days to take a vacation, or even a stay-cation to enjoy the many museums, national parks or attractions Los Angeles has to offer. Happy Summer! Alexandria Pollock, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, CCAM-HR® 2022 Chapter President

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.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

July/August 2022 | www.cai-glac.org

2022 CAI-GLAC Super Sponsors

2022 UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS

AUGUST

September

OCTOBER

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

¢ PLATINUM

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

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

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

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

Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 2 – 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Via Zoom

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

Managers H.R. Boot Camp – 1:00 p.m. – Via Zoom

In-Person Happy Hour Mixer – 5:30 p.m. – Public School 310, Culver City

Virtual CID Law Webinar – 9:00 a.m.

Virtual CMCA Review Webinar – 8:30 a.m. – Via Zoom

ALLBRiGHT 1-800-PAINTING Alliance Association Bank Association Reserves-CA/Los Angeles Berding | Weil Cornwall Security Services, Inc. General Pavement Management McKenzie Ryan & Mena, LLP Pacific Western Bank Precision Painting & Reconstruction Sherwin-Williams Paint Company The Naumann Law Firm, PC Trifecta Painting & Construction Whitestone Industries

In-Person Wine Night – 4:00 p.m. – DoubleTree by Hilton, Downtown LA

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

Chapter Board of Directors Retreat – Location TBD

Manager Educational Boot Camp – Via Zoom – 1:00 p.m.

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

Board Meeting/Committee Chair Strategic Planning – 9:00 a.m.

Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 2 – 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Via Zoom

In-Person Educational Luncheon/Annual Meeting – 1 1:00 a.m. – Skirball Cultural Center

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

Virtual Reverse Trade Show – 1:00 p.m.

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

Virtual Managers Workshop – 1:00 p.m. – Via Zoom

Award Nominee Luncheon – 11:30 a.m. – Location TBD

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

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

NOVEMBER 05

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

Virtual Board Leadership Workshop – Part 2 – 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Via Zoom

In-Person Awards Gala – JW Marriott at L.A. Live – 6:00 p.m.

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

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

In-Person SGV Community Expo – Location TBD

In-Person Holiday Happy Hour – 4:00 p.m. – Location TBD

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

DECEMBER

Events subject to change, see website for possible updates.

www.cai-glac.org | July/August 2022

¢ GOLD Beaumont Tashjjian CertaPro Painters of Pasadena Dunn-Edwards Paints Fenton Grant Mayfield Kaneda & Litt, LLP Hi Tech Painting & Construction Roseman Law, APC Segal Insurance Agency, Inc. Steve Little Insurance Agency, Inc. Valley Alarm

PHOTO BY WESLEYPHOTOGRAPHY ON UNSPLASH.COM

JULY

¢ SILVER ADAMS|STIRLING PLC American Heritage Landscape Animal & Insect Pest Management, Inc. BEHR PAINT COMPANY Certapro Painters of Pasadena CIT-Community Association Banking Division Design Build Associates Diversified Asphalt Products Ferris Painting, Inc. Gothic Landscape iMail Tracking, LLC Kasdan Turner Thomson Booth LLP Oakridge Landscape PCW Contracting Services Reconstruction Experts, Inc. Reserve Studies Incorporated Select Painting & Construction, Inc. SwedelsonGottlieb Tinnelly Law Group Vista Paint Corporation ¢ BRONZE ADCO Roofing & Waterproofing Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine P.C. Optimum Professional Property Management Owens, Moskowitz & Associates Pacific Premier Bank Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin, LLP We thank our 2022 sponsors who have made a substantial contribution to ensure our continued success this year.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

July/August 2022 | www.cai-glac.org

HOW TO KEEP YOUR COMMUNITY

COOL

THIS SUMMER

 By Shauna Gatlin, CMCA®, AMS®

SURE WE KEEP UP WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE,

provided 90% UV blocking, allowed air flow, and was flame retardant. They were able to have one of their current vendors install the material on top of their patio cover, creating an amazing shade area for less than a few thousand dollars for three large sitting areas, including the patio covers. Other easier ways to add shade elements include umbrellas or tension shade sails.

THERE IS A VARIETY OF WAYS TO INCREASE

WATER!

TEMPERATURES ARE RISING AND THE KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL! COMMUNITY POOLS ARE GETTING MORE USE TO KEEP FAMILIES COOL, BUT WHAT MORE CAN WE DO? FROM ADDING MORE SHADE ELEMENTS, ADDING MORE WATER ELEMENTS, AND MAKING

THE “COOL” FACTOR, BOTH FIGURATIVELY AND LITERALLY, AT YOUR ASSOCIATION.

SHADE

Let’s talk about shade. Shade is a hot commodity (no pun intended) when homeowners visit community pools, parks, and playgrounds. Whether our homeowners want more shade to avoid harmful UV rays, or they simply want to beat the heat, it is definitely an amenity that the majority of folks can agree is a great and useful addition to any community. Often when a board of directors and a community manager begin the discussion of adding shade to their common area, the question of how to fund the project is always a factor. But let’s explore options from the most expensive to ideas that may not break the bank. EXPENSIVE OPTION: Large awnings and shade coverings built in areas that are wide open or do not have any existing components can be costly and often require engineering and permitting. While the cost and lengthy process of planning can be tough, the plus side of building a new shade covering or awning is the ability to take advantage of the latest technology or building products that provide for extended lifespans and do a better job of protecting against those UV’s. Reminder—a new permanent awning or shade cover would need to be added as a new component in the association’s reserve study, and governing documents often have restrictions on the amount of money an association can spend on a capital improvement without a vote of the membership. It is always good to keep that in mind and educate board members of these factors before starting a large project. AFFORDABLE OPTIONS: Adding shade does not need to be a major capital project that costs a fortune. There are options to add shade that are not too expensive and can be effective and easy to install. For example, a community in Santa Clarita has a patio cover constructed of wood with only wood slats offering minimal partial shade, not full coverage. That community was able to purchase high-quality woven shade fabric by the roll that

www.cai-glac.org | July/August 2022

When we think about summer and the heat it brings, most of us are planning how we will get to some form of water to cool off. Whether that be the pool, beach, lake, or even your shower, water is always an effective way to stay cool during summer. But for us in California, things get a little complicated with the ongoing drought and reinstated water restrictions. Beyond promoting your community members to ship off to the beach, (you even can coordinate a shuttle to the beach for the more active and organized communities), what can we do during a drought to help our communities stay cool? Below are a few ideas from grandiose to simple changes that can make a great impact. EXPENSIVE OPTION: Splash pads are a great alternative to the more expensive pool addition, both in the upfront installation cost as well as the long-term maintenance costs. Splash pads are water play areas typically aimed at younger residents’ use, and they can be an excellent way to keep families chilled from California’s summer heat. With water conservation on everyone’s mind, new splash pad installations can include state of the art recirculating systems that use chemicals, filters, and pumps. Splash pads can also use water- conserving spray nozzles to ensure no wasteful use of water. The water-conserving spray nozzle is a retrofit that could be considered with existing systems to ensure water is being conserved but families can still enjoy the amenity. Another advantage of splash pads is the minimal maintenance needed during the peak season and the off-season when the system is shut off, in comparison to pools that require much more yearround maintenance regardless of whether they are in use. A splash pad addition would be considered a capital improvement project, and boards should consider and investigate what that means and if a vote of the membership is required. AFFORDABLE OPTIONS: Understandably, most communities may not have the funds or real estate to consider installing a splash pad. However, there are other ways to add value and a “cool” element to your community with the use of water. Staying hydrated is a necessity to beating the heat

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

during the hot summer months. Associations can consider upgrading their water fountains with bottle filling stations that residents can utilize with their reusable bottles from home. Bottle filling stations have become popular in recent years, and there are options to retrofit an existing water fountain to include a bottle filling station. This is an economical way for boards to score some brownie points with their community members, upgrading an existing amenity to a more current trend in keeping residents hydrated. Even better, have the boards check out their latest reserve study to see if their water fountain is nearing or has reached its useful life. If the water fountain is ready to be replaced, the association can use reserve funds for at least part of the upgrade cost, since the existing water fountain component on the study was due for replacement anyway. Another option is the addition of misters in common areas that could be turned on during peak usage days and hours. Commercial misting systems can cool areas up to 30 degrees and have a relatively low upfront investment but can make a great impact on keeping your community cool!

overlook the value in making sure your association has regular maintenance of the components and systems already existing at your property. The most obvious is the HVAC system and keeping those air conditioning units working well. It is always a good idea to regularly replace the filters on the HVAC system and find a vendor you trust to perform maintenance visits to inspect and check on the system at least two-to-four times per year. Regular maintenance visits can avoid the worstcase scenario of an AC unit breaking down on the hottest and busiest day of the year. It is also important to have your patio covers, awnings, and shade elements checked regularly to make sure there are not any needed repairs or upgrades. Whether your association is looking to make a big splash with a large capital improvement or make minor upgrades, improvements, or increase maintenance, residents will be appreciative of the thought and effort to keep the community cool this summer. Shauna Gatlin, CMCA®, AMS®, is Vice President of Organizational Advancement at HOA Organizers, Inc., AAMC®, She can be reached at shauna@hoaorganizers.com.

Spending money on new amenities is not always necessary to keep communities cool during the summer months. Managers and boards should not

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

July/August 2022 | www.cai-glac.org

Southern California Water Restrictions

 By Luis Ponce, CLIA, CWM, CIT

Given the ever-changing climate, our habitat is experiencing a year-round wildfire season, multiple years of below average rainfall, and a growing population. It is up to us to begin to make impactful changes to preserve our precious planet. What is there not to love living in Southern California? Year-round great weather, a coastline with beautiful beaches, majestic mountains to the east which reflect all seasons, and everything in between. Our homes are our sanctuaries and with Southern California weather we enjoy being outdoors, running on lush green lawns, and maintaining colorful planter beds with multiple textures! However, to keep a landscape beautiful, the precious resource of WATER is the lifeline. As of June 1, 2022, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has proposed and will implement one of the following two options. 1. Declare that a Water Shortage Emergency Condition exists in the SWP Dependent Area. 2. Adopt a framework for an Emergency Water Conservation Program to reduce non-essential water use and preserve available supply for the greatest public benefit in the SWP Dependent Area. The framework includes two paths for affected Member Agencies to reduce the use of Metropolitan’s SWP supplies and achieve compliance with the program. a. The first path allows a Member Agency to restrict outdoor irrigation to one day per week (or its equivalent) beginning June 1, 2022. However, the General Manager is authorized to modify this restriction to ban all non-essential outdoor irrigation or enforce volumetric limits should conditions warrant as the year develops. Member Agencies that document enforcement of these restrictions will be deemed compliant with the Emergency Water Conservation Program. Non-compliant Member Agencies will face volumetric penalties of $2,000 per acre-foot on any water supplied by Metropolitan from the SWP system that exceeds certain monthly allocation limits. b. The second path allows a Member Agency to comply with monthly allocation limits directly. As described more fully below, the specific limit for each agency is based on an allocated share of the HH&S water provided by DWR and certain additional SWP supplies delivered through the SWP system. Member Agencies that meet these limits will be deemed compliant with the Emergency Water Conservation Program; non-compliant Member Agencies will face the same volumetric penalties as under the first path. The Metropolitan Water District has placed these measures and it is up to the local water agencies to enforce one of two plans. Many water

www.cai-glac.org | July/August 2022

purveyors have opted to implement Option A—one day per week outdoor irrigation. Please confirm with your local water purveyors as to the restrictions they will be implementing. So, what can we do to maintain our landscapes? The goal is to achieve 25–30 percent in water usage reduction by September 1, 2022. (If we do not achieve the required reduction, they may implement ZERO outdoor irrigation.) A 25–30% reduction is much easier than you think; a professional landscape provider can help you achieve it. How to achieve the POSSIBLE Work with your landscape professional to identify areas in your HOAs, commercial, or retail properties that serve little to no purpose in your landscape. Consider renovating those areas with xeriscape, which is a type of landscape design that uses low-water-use or drought-tolerant plants that require little to no supplemental irrigation. Key focal points can be upgraded to high-efficiency irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation and rotating nozzles. These irrigation systems are exempt from the restrictions! There are some important exceptions to these outdoor watering restrictions. The primary exception is to allow hand watering of trees or other perennials to support their health and ability to recover once the outdoor watering restrictions are lifted. A second exception is to allow drip or other high-efficiency irrigation systems to apply water at a weekly volume consistent with the one-day watering restriction imposed on less efficient irrigation systems. Consider irrigation watering schedules that apply water based on the plant’s needs. Calculating historical ETo (average evapotranspiration), Plant Factor (a factor that when multiplied by the ETo estimates the amount of water used by a given plant species, then divided by the precipitation rate of that specific irrigation zone— resulting in a runtime that can apply the precise water amount needed for each irrigation zone. Upgrading irrigation timers to Weather Based controllers is also a good idea Reducing unnecessary run times with such irrigation timers, properties can easily see a yearly reduction of 30–35% in their overall water usage. Realize that you are not alone in meeting these historical watering restrictions. Landscape professionals are trained and certified for these situations. Luis Ponce, CLIA, CWM, CIT is Director of Irrigation at American Heritage Landscape. He can be reached at lponce@americanheritagelandscape.com.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

Put 40+ Years of Experience on Your Side www.constructiondefects.com

800-403-3332 | info@constructiondefects.com CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

July/August 2022 | www.cai-glac.org

Preparing Amenities for the Summer Season ¢¢¢ By Drew Coppola, CMCA®, AMS®

HOMEOWNERSHIP IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS AN ENVY OF THE WORLD, AND SUMMER IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN MEMORIES ARE MADE. SOCIAL GATHERINGS, SITTING BY THE POOL, BARBECUES AND SIPPING ON ICE COLD LEMONADE IN THE WARM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUN ARE SIMPLE AND AVAILABLE OPTIONS TO TRULY MAKE THOSE MEMORIES SPECIAL. THESE MEMORIES DO NOT JUST HAPPEN SPONTANEOUSLY THOUGH—IT TAKES PREPARATION OF THE COMMON AREA AMENITIES FOR THE EXPERIENCE TO REALLY COME TO FRUITION. HOW CAN THE HOA HELP ITS RESIDENTS CREATE THOSE MEMORIES? IT CAN DO SO BY HAVING THE AMENITIES READY FOR USE: BY DEVELOPING A PLAN OF ACTION CONSISTING OF ANTICIPATION, PREPARATION, AND COMMUNICATION. FOLLOWING THESE THREE STEPS WILL EARN THE TRUST AND APPRECIATION OF THE COMMUNITY AND ITS RESIDENTS. STEP ONE: Anticipate what needs to be done based on the common area amenities available to your community, history of amenity usage, and current condition of the amenities. This process should start in late winter with a property inspection to determine what needs to be done to prepare for the summer. Does your community have one or more pools and spas, lounge chairs, gazebos, Tot Lots, tennis and basketball courts, volleyball and pickle ball courts, or any other unique amenities? The evaluation of the location to the amenities and access from residential units should also be analyzed with respect to janitorial and other contracted services. If the route to and from the units to any of these amenities is only serviced once a week by the janitorial or maintenance service, while amenity usage is expected to increase, you may want to consider increasing the frequency of janitorial services to accommodate the increase in foot traffic and garbage pickup. How often has history shown your amenities have been used in the summertime? If previous history for the last few years has shown that certain amenities get more mileage, then I suggest putting your focus on revamping and/or maintaining those areas. For example, if your association contains a private beach area with volleyball courts and four picnic tables, but the volleyball court is never utilized, consider taking down the volleyball net and adding additional tables for beach users. If an association has only one pool with three or four lounge chairs, consider adding more lounge chairs, umbrellas, and tables to give more residents the ability to utilize the amenity. Knowing and anticipating what needs to be done is an essential step to creating an efficient plan of action to prepare for the summer. Remember, procrastination and reactive management is the killer in community management. After your site inspection, have a prepared list of recommendations to present to the board so they can decide what needs to be implemented.

www.cai-glac.org | July/August 2022

STEP TWO: Preparation is the physical act of bringing the amenities to the desired condition for the community to enjoy. This should all have been identified, and now it is time to implement the board’s decisions by gathering proposals, ordering materials and supplies, confirming increased pricing with contracted vendors, and other necessary items which may need to be brought back to the board for approval or implemented by the manager. Let’s start by ordering supplies and equipment, potentially within the manager’s approval authority. For example, consider a new basketball net, sealing and painting of cracks on various sports courts, safetyrelated repairs or maintenance of Tot Lot equipment, umbrellas, small pool area furniture, life preserving equipment, barbecue cleaning utensils, BBQ hot coal shovels and pails, ample trash cans, or anything else which an amenity may need. The next step is soliciting any necessary proposals for repairs or maintenance. If extra picnic tables are going to be built, then materials and labor estimates will be needed for the board to approve. If wood repairs to the gazebo are identified, then proposals should be obtained and presented to the board, no later than early spring to give time for these items to be approved and completed before summer begins. Remember that the experiences residents and their families have this summer will give a strong feeling that their investments have been worthwhile. Be mindful of the association’s budgetary conditions, but do not cut corners. Having a beautiful community gives homeowners pride in their homes and trust in their board of directors. STEP THREE: Up until now the board and management will have put a lot of time and energy into preparing for the summer. The final step is to let the community know what great options are available to them and their families for the next few months. Extreme communication should be the standard. What if a resident does not pass by the pool area every day? How would they know what changes have been done? Or let’s say little Kimmy is CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

turning five and her parents want to have family over for a celebration. They need to know that the amenities are available to help make Kimmy’s day extra special. Beyond that, it is important for owners to be kept aware of planning and decision making, as it makes owners feel more engaged and more supportive of the board of directors and management. Development of email blast notices and billing inserts should all be utilized and sent out prior to the start of the summer season. These communications should detail the work that has been performed, including repairs and maintenance, possible budgetary points of interest, any applicable amenity rules and regulations, procedures for amenity reservations, safety and environmental tips, and finally positive messaging to the community. The board should be proud of the work that they have done and share this with the community. Anticipation, preparation, and communication are three steps to help guide the board and management in getting amenities ready for the summer. Utilize your tools, teams, and vendors to accomplish these steps. Working as a team for the common goal of maximizing your resident experience will help make everyone’s summer the best it can be. Drew Coppola, CMCA, AMS, is onsite general manager at Tivoli Cove HOA in Malibu and part of the HOA organizers, Inc. AAMC family. He can be reached at drew@hoaorganizers.com.

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GET YOUR COMMUNITY GEARED UP FOR SUMMER By Megan Lamb

ummer is right around the corner, which means it is time to prepare your community and its utilities for all the hot weather has to offer. It is paramount that you properly prepare the playground, pool, and other common areas so they are ready to be used by residents in the upcoming months. Help improve the quality of life for your residents this summer. Your HOA maintenance schedule should plan out checkups for seasonal maintenance just as winter ends. After this initial checkup, it will be clear what types of maintenance will be required to prepare for warmer months. This maintenance includes damages to roofs and gutters that may have become clogged with debris and rainwater, decks, and patios, raised cement, chipped paint and stucco, and more. These features tend to undergo more damage during the wintertime. You will also want to make sure that the lighting throughout the community is operative, both outdoors and indoors. Verify that all the lighting works to create a higher sense of security and safety. With school being out, the playgrounds should be inspected for potential hazards like loose bolts, glass, or insect infestations. Ensure all equipment is functional and the integrity of the structures has not been compromised due to inclement winter weather. A great method of caution is to post “Children at Play” signs near playground amenities to remind residents and visitors to watch their speed and increase their awareness. Pay attention to the sidewalks around the playground and throughout the community as well; lifted concrete is a potential trip hazard that can cause serious injuries to anyone. Pool facilities are another high-use area during the summer. Be sure to have any repairs completed before a city inspection is done (if required). Since barbecue is a go-to meal for all the summer holidays, ensure the grills are cleaned and ready for some tasty meals! It is important to note that clubhouse bathrooms, showers, tables, and chairs will also need to be inspected. Lastly, ensure the pool gates are properly functioning and that the pool rules and hours are clearly posted. A community pool demands significant attention and consideration—especially during the summer.

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Aside from prepping the outdoors for the heat, the indoors is just as important; nobody wants to be sweating inside on a hot summer day! Continual maintenance and checkups of the central HVAC systems are crucial to ensuring your HOA’s air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems are prepared to be put on full blast—literally. How much will all this cost? It seems like the list is endless, but seasonal maintenance should be anticipated and accounted for within the annual HOA budget. A commonly used strategy is an HOA preventive maintenance plan. By regularly inspecting and maintaining various parts of your community like the playground, pool, and other common area spaces, you ensure that untimely repairs are avoided. Formulating a preventive maintenance plan will help alleviate the workload of preparing your community for summertime or any other season. It is the board of directors’ fiduciary to properly maintain the common areas. Communicating essential information to your community members about accomplished maintenance is also important. Summer months are the perfect time to plan events that family members of all ages can enjoy. HOA communities can be a hub for fun social events, and the best way to promote them is via community online platforms, email, and social media sites. Outdoor movie screenings, potlucks, and community sporting events are a great way to bring the community together. Building relationships between all residents is crucial to strengthening community bonds and creating a foundation for success. Your home should give you a sense of pride. It should be your and your family’s haven. Having a community that also takes those values into account is priceless. Preparing your community for the summer means you are keeping children and adults happy during warm days, and it also means you are saving homeowners money. Preventive maintenance ensures that facilities are kept up-to-date on inspections and maintenance, and that large-scale repairs will not come as a surprise. Gear up for summer and enhance what it means to be part of an HOA community. Megan Lamb is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at ProTec Building Services. She can be reached at mlamb@protec.com.

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SOLAR POWER AND HOAS ARE A COMPLICATED MIX, WHETHER FOR THE ASSOCIATION ITSELF, OR ITS OWNERS. THERE ARE IMPORTANT POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO USING SOLAR POWER BUT ALSO HURDLES TO CONSIDER. THE CHIEF REASON TO SWITCH TO SOLAR IS THE UTILITY COST SAVINGS, SPARING THOUSANDS TO MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR FROM HAVING TO BE CHARGED TO YOUR OWNERS THROUGH THEIR ASSESSMENTS. THE MAIN OBSTACLE IS THAT SOLAR SYSTEMS REQUIRE A MAJOR INVESTMENT OF CASH. STILL, SOLAR INSTALLATIONS ARE PROLIFERATING THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS THE PRICE OF PANELS DROPS AND EFFICIENCY INCREASES, THE WEATHER BECOMES HOTTER, AND ENERGY COSTS INCREASE WITH MORE FREQUENT PLANNED AND UNPLANNED POWER OUTAGES. BOARDS AND MANAGERS SHOULD INVESTIGATE IF AND HOW IT MAKES SENSE FOR THEIR ASSOCIATION TO CONSIDER SOLAR POWER.

HURDLES

Issues facing HOAs are the lack of incentives available to nonprofits (which almost all associations are), appropriate locations, concern with appearance, funding, and finding the appropriate solar installation company to work with. For owners in an association, available space for panels is a significant aspect of determining if solar is possible for them. Members of a condo association in a high rise? That’s a toughie. The exterior of the building and surrounding structures and land all belong to the association. Townhome owners, some possibility, but not easy. Generally, the most common space to use for solar panels in shared building communities is the roofs, and those are generally maintained and controlled by the association. Installing solar systems for private homes in an association is straightforward because the owner controls their individual property and California law (Civil Code 714) strongly encourages solar systems, allowing only minimal restrictions and requirements by HOAs for single-family residences. The Civil Code also provides some possibilities for condo and townhome owners to utilize the roof of the building in which they own or the roof of a garage or carport roof to which they have exclusive use. However, there are many caveats related to this type of utilization; many requirements may be imposed by the HOA because of the use of common elements.

CONSIDERING SOLAR FOR YOUR ASSOCIATION

Using solar energy decreases utility costs permanently, which benefits all owners because assessments are what pay an association’s expenses, reduces the association’s carbon footprint, shows the community’s commitment to conservation, and for panels installed on a roof, helps extend the life of the roof by protecting it from the sun and weather. It is normally recommended that for HOAs, a roof based solar system be installed at the same time as a new roof because they have similar life spans, and there will be no need to pay to dismantle and reinstall solar panels to replace the roof. A solar system becomes a reserve fund component, just like the roof.

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HERE COMES SOL AR POWER ON THE RISE By Diane Rossiter, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Condo and townhome complexes have a balancing act between the rights of owners living in a building to install solar panels for their own use on some roof areas, and those of the association, responsible for the roofs as a common area component. Using those areas for the association itself would require owner cooperation and understanding that offsetting energy costs for the community benefits them and all other owners by decreasing the need for assessment increases. Alternately, there are installations and arrangements with the servicing electrical utility called Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM), a tariff arrangement that enables a multi-meter property owner, such as an association, to allocate the property’s solar system’s energy credits to unit residents. The generated electricity does not flow directly to any individual meter, but feeds directly back onto the grid. The participating utility then allocates the kilowatt-hours from the energy produced by the solar photovoltaic (PV) generating system to both the building owner’s and residents’ individual utility accounts, based on a pre-arranged allocation agreement. The intent of VNEM is allow residents/unit owners to share in the benefits of the building’s solar system, rather than have all the benefits going to the building owner (association). This also requires cooperation between the HOA and the building(s)’ individual owners, regarding the installation costs as well as a fair allocation of the credits. An HOA can work with a solar specialist to conduct an assessment and determine the viability of the available locations and the up-front costs and payback period. Solar energy companies will provide the amount of net utility cost savings, possible incentives, system specifications, up-front cost, and financing opportunities. There are solar thermal systems for hot water, which save on either electric or gas bills depending on the type of heating your facility uses. If your building has a central water heating system that provides hot water to all the units in your building, a solar thermal system lowers the costs of heating water for all the building’s residents. It can also be used for communities with heated pools. It is a good option if there is not sufficient space for a large solar PV system.

OWNER SOLAR INSTALLATION

For owners of individual properties, there are still steps and requirements to meet their association’s architectural standards. While limitations are minimal because of the law, the HOA is CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

allowed to impose guidelines that ameliorate the impact of the panels on neighbors and the community, while at the same time do not significantly increase the cost or decrease the efficiency of the system, which the code prohibits. The typical standard for associations when an owner submits a proposed solar system is to work with them, offering suggestions about location, particularly if panels will be ground mounted, to minimize their appearance to neighbors and from the street. Screen planting is another frequent compromise for groundbased solar panels. For roof-mounted, there is little an HOA can require, other than the connections and inverter, where the power collected is directed to the home or the grid, and any storage battery, be hidden or screened. More recent technology, the Tesla solar roof tiles, make roof-based solar collection less noticeable by combining roofing with solar power. Currently, the most common uses of solar energy are both PV and solar thermal systems for owners of private residences in an HOA. They have the right to install them with minimal architectural restrictions and they receive substantial incentives—this year’s federal solar tax credit is a 26% credit of the total installation cost from the owner’s federal taxes. This is scheduled to decline over the next two years and be phased out unless Congress extends the program or implements a new one. If a solar system includes energy storage, a battery as part of the system, California has an incentive program (Self-Generation Incentive Program) that provides an upfront rebate based on the kilowatt-hour of stored energy capacity. This rebate is also

available to HOAs, while the federal tax credit does not benefit non-profit organizations. CAI supports environmental and energy efficiency efforts for communities and a diversity of approaches for developing a range of sustainable solutions. It makes sense for boards of directors and managers to foster solar power systems in their communities, both for the association directly and its members individually, whenever it is practical. Special thanks to Joe Sumpter, President, Connector Electric – joe@connectorelectric.com for professional input and fact checking. Diane Rossiter, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, is General Manager of Bell Canyon Association in Canyon. She can be reached at gm@bellcanyon.com.

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s the world grows more connected, digitally and physically, people live closer together and interact in ways they never have before. As a result, the process of building communities—coming together with people across cultures to share goals and ideas—is more critical than ever before. When it comes to joining together to make our neighborhoods, our cities, and our world better, one of the most important things we can do is find out what we have in common. When we share with the people around us—no matter how small or insignificant it seems—we make connections we never realized we could. One of the best things you can do as an individual who is part of a thriving community is to take an active role. And yes, that means putting down your phone, leaving the confines of your beautiful and comfortable home, and getting out there to meet and connect with your neighbors.

Bringing Communities Together Through Summer Fun ››› By Erik M. Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®

Community events, activities, and gatherings are a great way to connect with others, make new friends, nurture long-lasting relationships, and often help other people in your community in many ways. In the end, you can walk away from a live event with something as simple as a good feeling and a great memory to something as special as a new friendship that lasts for years. As leaders of the communities we manage, we should aim to inspire unforgettable events and activities to help our members get out, have a great time, and take advantage of the community’s amenities. Now that summer is upon us, it is time to find enthusiastic community members and management staff to lead the fun!

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When planning these events, make sure you communicate to every resident in the community—emails, flyers, posters, whatever it takes to include everyone. Communication is essential, and you may be surprised at how many folks will volunteer to help or run an event. Ensure you check in with your insurance and legal professionals when planning events! Below are just a few ideas for your summertime fun! SUMMER COOKOUT. This is a great way to get to know your neighbors and build a sense of community. Residents are ready to get outside and catch up with their neighbors. Your neighborhood may have new neighbors that moved in recently, and what a great way to introduce them. To keep the costs down, make it a potluck. If someone doesn’t like to cook, have them bring drinks or utensils. Have a few neighbors get their grill (if the community is not equipped) for hot dogs and hamburgers. If holding it in a park or community center, neighbors can bring chairs and their favorite lawn game. Set it up in a buffet-style to keep things moving—plan game areas for all ages. Finally, make a playlist. Music sets a great mood. Make sure you have a good mix of songs for every listener. Summer-mix music is a great idea. MOVIES IN THE PARK. If your neighborhood has a great open park area where blankets can be spread out, think about holding a movie night or two or three. Movie nights are great fun for all under the stars on a warm summer night. Outdoor movie screens are easy to rent and set up. Family-friendly movies such as Toy Story, Cars, and Monsters Inc. are appropriate for all to see. If your budget allows, serve popcorn!

FOURTH OF JULY PARADES AND PARTIES. Fun for all ages, a parade brings everyone outside. It does not need to be a large parade. Planners should have a route planned with proper traffic controls and permits. Make sure you go through the appropriate channel and that everyone is well informed in your neighborhood of the parade route. Decorate bicycles, scooters, wagons, and strollers with patriotic red, white, and blue. Dress up Fido! Share prizes for different age groups, best bike or scooter and best wagon or stroller. Follow the parade with a gathering where you can provide drinks and treats! ICE CREAM SOCIAL. Usually held in August, this is a great back-to-school event or just a great way to cool off in the summer heat that will soon be coming to an end. Set up a table with all the fixings. Let everyone add their favorite toppings. Want to get creative? Make your ice cream or sorbet! Add some fun lawn games. END OF THE SUMMER POOL PARTY. Spice it up by having a BBQ instead. Have everyone bring a dish. Community Associations Institute, Greater Los Angeles Chapter, hopes your community will have a successful summer event planning season. We hope these suggestions will help. We would love to see how your events come together! Erik M. Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, is Founder and CEO of Manhattan Pacific Management, Inc., a full-service management company that serves the common interest development industry in California, Colorado, and New York. He can be reached at erik@manhattanpacigicmgmt.com.

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PCAM PRIDE

We are very proud of four managers who have recently earned the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®) designation after successfully completing CAI’s Professional Management Development program. The Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®) designation is the pinnacle of professional achievement for managers with advanced-level skills and experience. To earn the PCAM® designation, a candidate must: 1) pass the CMCA® examination; 2) pass all six 200-level courses; 3) have five years or more of direct community manager experience; 4) successfully complete a challenging case study analysis of a community association; and 5) comply with the CAI Professional Manager Code of Ethics.

Nicole Peterson, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Director of Human Resources & Training, Valencia Management Group Nicole Peterson joined Valencia Management Group (VMG) in 2015 with an extensive background in customer service and administrative management, having worked for the Aetna U.S. Healthcare family of companies in Quality Administration, specifically, coordinating grievances and appeals escalated to the Office of The Chairman. Previously, she also worked as the Director of Human Resources and Communications for a Data Center/Colocation Services Company in the center of Los Angeles’ hi-tech district. After twelve years of commuting daily to Downtown Los Angeles, Nicole embarked on a new career closer to home within the community association management industry, joining the team at VMG as an Assistant Manager. After a year, Nicole earned her CMCA®, followed by the AMS® designation and began managing a portfolio of communities, earning the PCAM® designation in 2022. Nicole is an active member of CAI-Greater Los Angeles and serves on the Publications Committee with chapter colleagues. She is a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield and is also a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Cinnamon Valdiviezo, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Senior Community Association Manager, Valencia Management Group Cinnamon joined Valencia Management Group (VMG) in 2013 as an Assistant Manager. Prior to joining VMG, she managed a satellite office for a company that handled health care subrogation claims for several major health insurance carriers throughout the U.S. for almost 15 years and had one of the most successful teams in the company. Prior to that she worked at a law firm handling pre-litigation claims for their client, State Farm Insurance. After six years of being Assistant Manager with VMG, Cinnamon decided she wanted to try her hand at being a Portfolio Manager. She quickly earned her CMCA®, followed by the AMS® designation, and earned the PCAM® designation in June 2022. Cinnamon is an active member of CAI-Greater Los Angeles. She is married, the mom of two sons, and loves being at the beach or the mountains. She is active in her church and loves serving and volunteering her time for a variety of events in her community.

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SPF 22: Security Protection for Summer 2022

nce Memorial Day ends and the mosquitoes emerge, another summer has begun and whether it is the warm weather malaise or preoccupation with vacation anticipation, this time of year can easily have homeowners letting their guard down just as residential crime ramps up. From increased daylight, no school, more opened windows to the prospect of empty homes from vacationers, these can all act as the impetus for criminals to strike whether they are breaking into your home, vehicle, or going for Avoid a Bummer an unauthorized dip in the community pool. Here are some tips from security Safety Tips from specialist and CAI member, Miranda Legaspi, to limit your vulnerability this summer.

COMMUNIT Y COHESION Working with your community’s designated police liaison, an HOA should develop a neighborhood watch group that helps protect neighborhood assets from vandalism and trespassers. If the residents of a home will be on vacation, the watch can be notified and therefore pay particular notice to the property until the owners return. Posting signs that indicate a neighborhood watch exists and is in action can serve as a burglary deterrent. NEIG HBORHOOD WATCH

If your HOA community is interested in establishing a summer security/safety program that includes burglary prevention, an HOA community manager can be of assistance. Whether you live in an expansive neighborhood or smaller cluster of condominiums, an HOA management firm can help your community institute a program that meets the needs of all. HOME ALONE Shaggy lawns and overflowing mailboxes can be obvious tipoffs that no one is home. Before hitting the road on your vacation, consider contacting the post office to have your mail held for

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the time that you will be away. In addition to helping to protect your property, having your mail held will keep your home looking neat and orderly. Additionally, arrange to have your yard mowed at least once while you are away. Like a cluttered mailbox, an un-manicured lawn can be indicative to burglars that a home is empty, especially when the lawns of other homes in the neighborhood are trimmed. Bushes and hedges should be low around your doors windows so as to not create Summer with These and a good hiding place. Unplug any a Security Specialist unnecessary non-timer appliances. Posting that cabana cocktail pic on social media is a rite of passage for most vacationers. However, it can also be the confirmation needed for someone wanting to know your whereabouts and is trolling for an empty home. SECURE THE FORT If you have a fence, repair any vulnerable areas to eliminate potential access points. If you do not have a fence, consider installing one with features such as an 8-foot height minimum, self-closing, child-proof latches, privacy slats that obstruct views, with vertical pieces to avoid ease of climbing and of course, in compliance with your community’s requirements. ADT statistics show that more than 22 percent of intruders enter a home through an unlocked front door or first-floor window. If you have a monitored home security system, prominently display window stickers and yard signs as a dissuasion. Motion detecting lights will draw attention if anyone enters your yard and may scare off a potential burglar. Well-positioned exterior cameras help keep an eye on the exterior of your home. They also send a clear message that someone is always watching. During a particularly brutal heatwave, it is tempting to leave car windows rolled down in a preemptive attempt to cool the interior before your next drive. However, sometimes drivers leave too generous

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HOME SECURITY STICKERS & SIGNS

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

a crack and thus leave themselves vulnerable to auto thefts. Be mindful of how much space you leave when leaving windows rolled down. If you leave a vehicle in the driveway, be sure to remove the garage door opener so a burglar won’t think twice about breaking into your car and using the remote to access your garage and home. POOL PART Y POOPERS There is no greater feeling than going for a dip in your very own pool on a sweltering summer’s day, but there are multiple safety and security measures to consider in order to avoid any unnecessary accidents. Make sure you secure your pool when it is not in use, and that any swimming is supervised by an adult. Beyond the obvious safety benefits, pool covers are essential to pool maintenance and an effective way to protect your investment. Avoid leaving valuable outdoor grilling accessories outside overnight. Motion sensor lighting can draw attention if there is movement in your pool area at night. It can also deter a person who is looking to go for a swim without your consent. There are a variety of style options at different prices to light your pool at night. Outdoor surveillance cameras are a great investment for your pool area. With no-drill, home security cameras, you can see what is happening poolside from your smartphone anytime.

UTILITY AUDITS THAT GET RESULTS! NO FEE UNLESS WE OBTAIN REFUNDS FOR YOU OR REDUCE YOUR UTILITY BILLS!

Water Sewer Gas Electric Telephone Trash

Have a safe and fun summer. Miranda Legaspi is Director of Business Development at Platinum Security, Inc. She can be reached at mlegaspi@platinumsecurity.com.

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1-800-410-5444 For helpful tips and examples of our work: CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

July/August 2022 | www.cai-glac.org

n May 3, members of the Community Outreach Committee delivered more than $1,000 worth of adults' and children's sundries and other life necessities to the East L.A. Women's Center. The Committee thanks all chapter members who made this donation possible.

Donation to East L.A. Women’s Center

Founded in 1976 by women leaders in the East Los Angeles community, the East Los Angeles Women’s Center is a leading voice and advocate for survivors and their families affected by sexual, domestic, and intimate partner violence , HIV/AIDS and the intersection of homelessness.

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www.cai-glac.org | July/August 2022

3/10/20 4:07 PM

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

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