CY BE R
ME RI C
Camera Crash Course Cybercrime Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep
SECURITY THREATS — CAMERAS — CYBERCRI LI A
SECURITY THREATS — CAMERAS — C
LIABILITY — CAMERAS — CYBERCRIME —
— BURGLARY — LIABILITY — SECURITY THREATS
L.A.’s Premier Source of Information for Community Associations
Community Protection: Protect One, Protect Many RY A
THREATS — CAMERAS — CYBERCRIME — BURGLARY —
SECUR— CAMERAS — CYBERCRIME — BURGLARY — LIABIL
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July 19, 2019
SECURITY THREATS — CAMERAS — LIABILITY — CAM
May/June 2019
BU RG L
SAVE THE DATE:
CAI Dodger Night
Summer Fling CAI-GLAC Presents
Homeowners Association Marketplace Hilton Woodland Hills
6360 Canoga Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Featuring
Thursday, June 6, 2019
u Meet & Greet – HOA Service Providers dedicated to our industry
Complimentary Admission and Parking for HOA Board Members and Managers
u Opportunity to Win $100 Cash during Meet & Greet (must be present to win)
Advance Registration enters you in the Special Prize Drawing awarded at the Dinner (must be present to win)
u Raffle Prizes
Schedule
u 5:30 p.m. Meet & Greet Service Providers to talk about present & future projects. Enjoy Complimentary Hors d’oeuvres.
u 7:00-8:30 p.m. Complimentary Dinner & Educational Presentation “Changing the Environment” Speakers: u Sandra L. Gottlieb, Esq. CCAL®, SwedelsonGottlieb u Neda Nehouray, CMCA®, AMS®, HOA Organizers, Inc.
Dinner Reservations – HOA Board Members & Managers: Complimentary* *HOA Member Guests will pay a discounted price of $25 per person for dinner
Please RSVP before May 30 — Dinner Capacity Limited u Online: www.cai-glac.org u E-mail: andrea@cai-glac.org u Phone: 818-500-8636
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iglac a c
2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Neda Nehouray, CMCA®, AMS®, President HOA Organizers, Inc., 818-778-3331 Sascha Macias, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, President Elect FirstService Residential, 310-574-7426 Teresa Agnew, Vice President Roseman Law, APC, 818-380-6700 Isaac Camacho, Secretary Accurate Termite & Pest Control, 310-837-6483 Meigan Everett, PCAM®, Treasurer SwedelsonGottlieb, 310-207-2207 DIRECTORS Adrian Adams, Esq., ADAMS|STIRLING PLC, 310-945-0280 Gary Burns, Mulholland Heights HOA, 818-326-2000 Peggy Daughtry, Hermosa Surf Condominium, Inc., 310-798-9848 Matt Davidson, CCAM®, Action Property Management, 800-400-2284 Brian Fleming, Wilshire Regent HOA 310-474-5563 Lisa Tashjian, Esq., CCAL, Beaumont Tashjian, 866-788-9998
CHAPTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Joan Urbaniak, MBA, CMCA®
2019 COMMITTEE CHAIRS BUSINESS PARTNER Gina Roldan, ProTec Building Services Ray Moody, City National Bank CEO SUMMIT Shanne Ho, CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, ProActive Professional Management Alexandria Pollock, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, BuildingLink.com, LLC COMMUNITY OUTREACH Miranda Legaspi, MBA, Platinum Security, Inc. Angelique Madrigal, Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC EDUCATION Martha Perkins, CMCA®, Action Property Management Teressa Whitsitt, CMCA®, AMS®, Ross Morgan & Company AAMC FINANCE Michael Lewis, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Concept Seven, LLC AAMC GOLF TOURNAMENT Ryan Dudasik, Whitestone Painters Julia Gomes, Accurate Termite & Pest Control HOA MARKETPLACE David San Filippo, Critter Busters, Inc. Michael Valenzuela, Vista Paint Corporation LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT Matthew Plaxton, Esq., Tinnelly Law Group MARKETING & DESIGN Isaac Camacho, Accurate Termite & Pest Control Angel Fuerte, FRESHCO Painters, Inc. MEDIATION SERVICES Steven A. Roseman, Esq., Roseman Law, APC MEMBERSHIP Kim Province, The Miller Law Firm PROGRAMS/LUNCHEONS Matt Meadors, CMCA®, HOA Organizers, Inc. Mike Perlof, Fenton Grant Mayfield Kaneda & Litt, LLP PUBLICATIONS Focus Magazine Sascha Macias, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, FirstService Residential AAMC Joanne Peña, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Horizon Management Company AAMC Membership Directory Stephen S. Grane, Alante Insurance Programs SATELLITE PROGRAMS Matt Meadors, CMCA®, HOA Organizers, Inc. James Beard, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Valencia Management Group AAMC® SOCIAL Donald Campbell, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Briarcliffe Towne Homes Assn., Inc. Michael Valenzuela, Vista Paint Corporation SOCIAL MEDIA Teresa Agnew, Roseman Law, APC Mike Perlof, Fenton Grant Mayfield Kaneda & Litt, LLP WINE NIGHT Elaine Gower, The Naumann Law Firm, PC Jolen Zeroski, CMCA®, Union Bank HOA Services
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
NEWSWORTHY
6 Camera Crash Course 8 Cybercrime: Big Risks for Small Business 10 Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep 12 Partnering with Modern Technology—Saves Lives 14 Navigating the Hidden Risks of Homeowner Security Devices 18 Cyber Security and Camera Systems 20 The Internet—A Scary Place 22 Hide It, Lock It, Keep It 24 Pool Phones: Required Or Not, They Are Lifesavers 26 News From Sacramento
CHAPTER UPDATE 2 Note from the Editor’s Desk 3 Message from the President
NOTEWORTHY 16 Spring Into Action HOA Marketplace Highlights 28 Committee Corner: Legislative Support Committee 29 Committee Corner: Education Committee
FYI
30 4 32 32
Membership News 2019 Upcoming Events Advertisers Index Advertising Information
Our thanks to the Focus Magazine Committee: Co-chairs: S ascha Macias, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, FirstService Residential, AAMC Joanne Peña, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Horizon Management Company AAMC Patricia Brum, Esq., Snell & Wilmer LLP Jamilla Davis, Dunn-Edwards Paints Elaine Gower, The Naumann Law Firm, PC Karen Kokowicz, CCAM®, CMCA®, PCAM®, Coro Community Management & Consulting Lesley Millender-Irwin, CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Excelsior at the Americana at Brand HOA Gina Roldan, ProTec Building Services Jennifer Schuster, Servpro of Burbank, Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch, Crescenta Valley/East Glendale
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 © 2019. 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
130 N. Brand Blvd., Ste. 305 Glendale, CA 91203 Office: 818-500-8636
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 1
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
PROTECT ONE, PROTECT MANY WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK OF PROTECTION? DO YOU THINK OF A MOTHER PROTECTING HER CHILDREN? PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS? PROTECTION FROM CRIME? IN OUR INDUSTRY, PROTECTION CAN TAKE ON MANY FORMS. WE PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES FROM LIABILITY AND RISK, CYBERCRIME, PROPERTY-DAMAGING CRIME, PROPERT- DAMAGING ELEMENTS, VERBAL OR PHYSICAL THREATS. THE GOAL OF THIS ISSUE WAS TO BRING SOME OF THOSE KEY ISSUES TOGETHER AND REMIND OUR READERS THAT WHEN WE PROTECT ONE—ONE HOMEOWNER, ONE
and lead the pack on what we can do to protect our industry, and I encourage you to delve into these articles and really take to heart how we can better protect the communities that we serve. Don’t forget that, in addition to all the great education this issue provides, we have some fun event recaps to break up the articles, as well as highlighting some of our upcoming events! We welcome any comments or feedback on how we can improve CAI-GLAC or Focus Magazine. Please submit any questions or comments to Joan or to myself. Thank you! Best, Co-editor, Sascha Macias, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® FirstService Residential AAMC
BUILDING, ONE CLIENT—WE ARE PROTECTING MANY. Within these pages, you will find detailed information on surveillance cameras and technology surrounding which choice is best for you and your community. Do you want them prominently displayed, or sleek and obscure? What pixilation is right for your needs? Not only do we have the perspective of a camera professional, but we have a perspective from a trusted reserve analyst who delves into how we plan to pay for such assets. And, of course, since surveillance and many other systems are now Internet-based, we have an article on protecting your community when utilizing networks. Lisa Ann Rea talks to us about cybercrime and protecting our financial data. It wouldn’t be a protection issue if we didn’t also throw in some information on liability, technology to protect our residents, and the simple (but often forgotten) basics of securing valuables, home security, and not being a target of petty crime. What we do in each of our communities has the potential to have a ripple effect that can span not only one community, but whole neighborhoods, regions and an industry. In the Greater Los Angeles Chapter, we strive to set an example
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.
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www.cai-glac.org | May/June 2019
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
COMMUNITY PROTECTION IN TODAY’S TECHNOLOGICAL, FAST-PACED WORLD, WE CAN RECOGNIZE THAT PEOPLE ARE BECOMING CONDITIONED TO BE MORE ISOLATED FROM HUMAN CONNECTION AND TOUCH. OFTEN TIMES, PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEXT DOOR TO ONE ANOTHER HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP AND HAVE NOT EVEN MET ONE ANOTHER. ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LIVING IS A STRONGER SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND AN OPPORTUNITY, THROUGH MEMBERSHIP OR BOARD MEETINGS, TO CREATE ENVIRONMENTS FOR NEIGHBORS TO MEET AND NETWORK WITH ONE ANOTHER. IT IS ALWAYS HEART-WARMING TO SEE OUR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HOMEOWNERS CREATE EMERGENCY PLANS, TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER’S HOMES WHEN OUT OF TOWN OR IN NEED, AND IN GENERAL, OFFER PROTECTION AND A SENSE OF SECURITY FOR ONE ANOTHER. Last year, the CAI-GLAC Marketing Committee spent a great deal of time coming up with our chapter’s tag line. Ultimately, we concluded our tagline to be: Empowering Communities. To reach that tagline, we really took a deep dive to outline what our organization offers, and what we strive to embody and achieve. We recognized that we offer high-level education, we connect people, and we advocate with and for our industry. We realized that through all of these actions, we empower our members.
members to join our organization. Again, as we equip our board members with more training and information, one community at a time, we are empowering them to be able to better serve and communicate with their membership. As they learn more about how to be sensitive to their members and communicate their local and corporate duties, they are better furnished to create an inclusive and harmonious environment. Improving our industry does not happen overnight. It happens with effective but individual efforts that collectively create larger impacts. As we each do our part in educating our homeowners, engaging our local legislators, informing people about our industry, and highlighting all of the good that we do within our communities, we are making global impacts. It often times may seem like our individual efforts may not have great impacts. To the contrary, it is critical for each of us to continue to do our part in improving our industry and to educate those around us about what positive work we do and contributions we make. Our chapter goal is to give you the tools to empower yourselves and others. I want to encourage you, our valued members, to empower your communities while also realizing the powers you individually possess to make positive change. With a heart filled with gratitude and determination, Your 2019 CAI-GLAC President, Neda Nehouray, CMCA®, AMS®
This issue of Focus is about community protection: to protect one, you protect many. In that vein, the CAI-GLAC mission and foundation really demonstrates how we protect many through the protection of the one or the smaller groups. As we engage in legislative support and just got back from the day at the Capitol, the few who represented our masses were there to protect our industry’s interests. The actions and hard work of the handful were to protect the millions that could be impacted. CAI National and our local chapter have been working tirelessly to involve our board members and encourage board
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 3
2019 CAI-GLAC Super Sponsors
UPCOMING EVENTS
■ PLATINUM
Events subject to change, see website for possible updates.
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■ GOLD Animal & Insect Pest Management, Inc. Association Reserves Beaumont Tashjian BEHR PAINT COMPANY Diversified Asphalt Products Dunn-Edwards Paints Kasdan LippSmith Weber Turner LLP McKenzie Rhody, LLP Mutual of Omaha Bank/CondoCerts The Naumann Law Firm, PC The Sherwin-Williams Paint Company Tinnelly Law Group Vista Paint Corporation ■ SILVER
ADAMS|STIRLING PLC ADCO Roofing & Waterproofing Alliance Association Bank Allstate Landscape Services, Inc. DBA Southwest Greens EmpireWorks Reconstruction & Painting Enhanced Landscape Management Fenceworks, Inc. Flock Safety General Pavement Management Kings III Emergency Communications LandCare Miller Law Firm, The Nu Air Services, Inc. Oakridge Landscape Professional Services Construction, Inc. Riley Pasek Canty, LLC S.B.S. Lien Services SAX Insurance Agency Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. Silicon Beach Insurance Services Steve Little Insurance Agency, Inc. Union Bank HOA Services
■ BRONZE
PHOTO BY NATHALIE SPEHNER ON UNSPLASH
• 06 Annual Golf Tournament – 8:30 a.m. Porter Valley CC, 19216 Singing Hills Dr., Northridge, CA 91326 • 15-17 CAI National Conference Orlando, FL • 22 Downtown Luncheon Program for HOA Boards and Managers – 11:30 a.m. Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071 • 24 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 8:30 a.m. Chapter Office, Glendale JUNE • 06 San Fernando Valley Homeowners Association Marketplace – 5:30 p.m. Woodland Hills Hilton, 6360 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91367 • 11 Managers Only Breakfast Workshop – 8:00 a.m. Location TBD • 21 M-203 PMDP Course – Community Leadership Sheraton Gateway, Los Angeles • 26 South Bay Luncheon Program for HOA Boards and Managers – 11:30 a.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance-South Bay, 21333 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503 • 28 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 8:30 a.m. Chapter Office, Glendale JULY • 17 SF Valley Luncheon Program for HOA Boards and Managers – 11:30 a.m. Woodland Hills Hilton, 6360 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91367 • 19 Dodger Game Night – 5:00 p.m. Dodger Stadium • 20 Essentials of Community Leadership Workshop – 8:15 a.m. SummerWind HOA, 2800 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance, CA 90503 • 23 Long Beach Educational Program for HOA Boards – 5:30 p.m. Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, 111.E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802 • 26 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 8:30 a.m. Chapter Office, Glendale • 31 Valencia Educational Breakfast for HOA Boards and Managers – 8:30 a.m. Hyatt Regency Valencia, 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, CA 91355 AUGUST • 01-02 M-100 PMDP Course – Essentials of Community Management Sheraton Gateway, Los Angeles • 06 San Gabriel Valley Evening Program – 5:30 p.m. Pasadena Senior Center, Pasadena • 17 Wine Night – 4:00 p.m. Jamaica Bay Inn, 4175 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 • 21 Skirball Luncheon Program for HOA Boards and Managers – 11:30 a.m. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles 90049 • 23 Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 8:30 a.m. Chapter Office, Glendale SEPT • 1 4 Essentials of Community Leadership Workshop – 8:15 a.m. Location TBD • 20 C hapter Board of Directors Meeting & Strategic Planning – 8:30 a.m. Location TBD • 25 Downtown Luncheon Program for HOA Boards and Managers & Annual Meeting – 11:30 a.m. Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071
Accurate Termite & Pest Control ALLBRIGHT 1-800-PAINTING American Heritage Landscape Berding & Weil, LLP CertaPro Painters of Pasadena Critter Busters, Inc. Fenton, Grant, Mayfield, Kaneda & Litt, LLP Ferris Painting, Inc. GNG Vinyl Fencing, Inc. Guard-Systems, Inc. Hi Tech Painting & Decorating, Inc. Pacific Western Bank Payne Pest Management PRECISION PAINTING ProTec Building Services Segal Insurance Agency, Inc. Select Painting & Construction, Inc. SKY Painting Whitestone Painters
MAY
Archon Protection, Inc. ASR Property Restoration Fiore, Racobs & Powers APLC Fireplace Solutions The Chimney Sweeper FRESHCO Painters, Inc. iMail Tracking, LLC Macdonald Insurance Agency Mariposa Landscapes Inc. Poindexter and Company, CPAs Reserve Studies Incorporated Three Phase Electric Valley Alarm W.C. Service Company, Inc. WICR, Inc. Waterproofing & Decking Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin, LLP We thank our 2019 sponsors who have made a substantial contribution to ensure our continued success this year.
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
TAKE ME OUT
TO THE BALL GAME CAI-GLAC Dodger Night Dodgers vs. Mariners
Join Us for Our First L.A. Baseball Networking Mixer at Dodger Stadium Get your Dodgers thinking caps on… we’ve got some trivia in store for you.
Dogs, drinks and prizes! Get your tickets now! Tickets: $140 per person Includes game ticket, 5-7 p.m. buffet and bar… plus special post-game fireworks spectacular! Parking not included. Limited number of seats available!
Register Today Online at www.cai-glac.org
Friday, July 19, 2019
S P E AK E RS
5 – 7 pm Inside Dodger Stadium at the Loge Terrace 7 – 9 pm Watch the Game in the Preferred Loge Box Value MVP SPONSORS DODGER BLUE EVENT SPONSOR
Guard-Systems, Inc. BOTTOMS UP BAR SKY Painting Riley Pasek Canty LLP SEAT CUSHIONS CertaPro Painters of Pasadena Dunn-Edwards Paints Guard-Systems, Inc. Miller Law Firm ProTec Building Services Segal Insurance Agency, Inc. TAILGATE Aeroscopic Environmental, Inc. Naumann Law, PC Vista Paint Corporation
Sponsorships still available. Call Chapter Office at 818-500-8636
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 5
■ YOUR RESIDENTS TRUST YOU TO
KEEP THEM SAFE, WHICH IS A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY.
WHEN
YOU
ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF A COMMUNITY, SECURITY CAMERAS ARE A NATURAL FIT TO BE ABLE TO SEE ALL AREAS OF YOUR PROPERTY AT ONCE. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAMERAS AND A MYRIAD OF THINGS THEY CAN DO, FROM STANDARD FOOTAGE TO LICENSE PLATE PHOTOS, FACIAL RECOGNITION, AND EVEN OUTFIT RECOGNITION. WITH SUCH A LARGE RANGE OF OPTIONS IT CAN BE DAUNTING TO KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. BY THE END OF THIS GUIDE, YOU’LL BE WELLEQUIPPED TO KNOW WHAT SYSTEM BEST SUITS YOUR NEEDS. ■ WHAT’S IN A CAMERA? Before you start your search, it is important to have a price range in mind. There are a wide variety of cameras available at many different price points. Having a budget range can help narrow the field and find the best cameras for your situation. Security specialists can tell you what options you have based on your budget and design the best possible plan to make sure your security does everything you need it to do. In order to determine the right cameras for your situation, you need to know what jobs you want the cameras to perform. Often, this includes keeping people and areas safe, reducing crime, having crucial details on hand should police require them, and showing a clear view of the property at all times. Security cameras can be an excellent deterrent to burglars and vandals, and some can even record detailed faces on footage. This depends on what is arguably the most important camera feature: the megapixel count.
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MUCH ADO ABOUT MEGAPIXELS A camera’s megapixel count is its resolution, or how much detail it records. If you’ve ever tried to enlarge a picture from the Internet without photo editing software, you’ve likely seen a low resolution result in pixelation. This happens when there isn’t enough information in the photograph for the size required, so your computer guesses what the in-between values are based on surrounding colors. Similarly, if you have a low-megapixel camera that you want to see great detail on, that camera simply won’t do the job you’d like. For instance, a 2 megapixel camera wouldn’t be the right choice to capture license plates, as it wouldn’t be capable of recording enough data in each frame to do so. One of the most common misconceptions regarding security cameras is how much they can actually achieve. If you have a large parking lot you want covered by two security cameras, that may not be a realistic expectation and they may not provide the coverage you desire. More cameras, better camera placement, or a higher megapixel camera may be required instead. Extra cameras could also be necessary if your property has obstacles to the camera’s sight, like trees, columns, or signs. KEEPING UP APPEARANCES Your community has its own design, and your security systems should blend in as much as they can. To this effect, many in the market for security cameras are faced with the decision of whether to use traditional wired cameras or go wireless. Wireless cameras are sleek, ideal for short-term security needs, and can do away with a portion of traditional wire runs. However, most wireless cameras still require power. More often than not, that power still needs to be run to the camera, making the installation costs comparable. What wireless cameras could potentially save you in installation costs may also be negated by the amount of bandwidth they use.
CAMERA CRASH COURSE ■■■ By Brian Gholston
own strengths and weaknesses. These fall into the categories of bullet, dome, and turret cameras. Bullet cameras focus in one direction, can zoom in more than the other two camera types, and their infrared usually goes farther. They are also less discreet due to their robust housing. Domes can be more discreet, offer a modern design feel, and are harder for vandals to damage. The casing on dome cameras can sometimes cause IR bounce, which are dots on the footage at night. Turret cameras are somewhat in between dome and bullet cameras in way of design: turrets eliminate IR bounce and can be mounted both horizontally and vertically. All of these types of cameras can also be rated for indoor use, outdoor use, or both.
On the note of appearances, there are a few major types of cameras. Each has its CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
PROFESSIONAL VS. DIY With so many options available today, consumers in the market for a camera system will inevitably run across doit-yourself (DIY) versions of security cameras. We’ve been asked time and time again if these systems measure up to the professionally installed systems that we offer, and if they are comparable enough to use instead of a customdesigned network of cameras. DIY projects are great for making over furniture, but they’re not a good idea for security cameras. When you buy cameras and install them yourself, there is no guarantee of what you are getting and that it will work the way that you need it to. Unless you’re a technician, there is also a high likelihood that something may go wrong when setting up your cameras. We recommend only purchasing cameras from and having them installed by a professional security company. Not only do you get the best quality installation, but security companies often know about technology
that you might not have seen yet. There are also dedicated customer service departments and industry veterans that can assist you at any time. PLAY THAT AGAIN: FOOTAGE Footage from security cameras can prove vital in several situations, including police investigations and potential lawsuits. Many are left wondering how long they need to keep their footage and where to store it. We recommend a storage period of at least 30 days, if not more. What use is footage if you can’t access it when you need it? When choosing a storage option, the biggest decision to make is whether to go physical or upload to the cloud. Physical storage, like Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and Network Video Recorders (NVRs), is great for properties that can ensure they are secured. These are typically more reliable forms of storage, especially for 24-hour video recording. NVRs can even search video for you, eliminating the need to sift through
hours of video looking for a specific event. The amount of time these can store your video for depends on the size of the hard drive involved and how much memory your footage takes up. Cloud storage is ideal for providing an offsite backup of your video and can prevent someone breaking or otherwise interfering with your stored footage. If your site does not have a secure place for your storage, or if you have multiple sites to review, cloud storage may be the ideal option. MORE INFORMATION Congratulations! You’ve completed the Camera Crash Course! Now it’s time to review your existing security equipment and the current needs of your community. Brian Gholston is Valley Alarm’s Senior Security Specialist. He is a 35-year security industry veteran with 20 years of installation work and 15 years of security consulting. Brian can be reached at bgholston@ valleyalarm.com.
SELECT PAINTING & CONSTRUCTION, Inc. License # 614669, C23, C33 & B1
Select the Best in the HOA Industry Exterior/Interior Painting Reconstruction - Wood Replacement Wrought Iron Fabrication & Installation
www.select-painting.com
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
Proud members of CAI for over 20 years
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 7
■■■ By Lisa Ann Rea, VP
Cybercrime: Big Risks for Small Business
Stories of cybercrime continue to make frontpage news. Companies of all sizes are impacted by cyber theft and data security breaches. According to the Breach Level Index, over 5 million data records are lost or stolen every day. Each theft causes headaches for consumers and businesses, reputational damage for businesses and financial loss. Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that cybercrime will cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021.
While not immune to the impacts and consequences of a data breach, multi-billion dollar organizations employ legal, security and technical experts and have vast resources to limit potential liability. Small businesses must also prepare for potential attacks from a growing number of cyber predators. The impact of cybercrime on small businesses can be devastating. Trustwave® reported that 71% of attacks target small businesses. Within 18 months of a breach, 80% of small businesses go out of business. It is impossible to be 100% secure from cyberattacks, but businesses can take steps to minimize their risk. Associations need to be more aware than ever. Education is a great first step in protecting your business. Educate yourself, educate your staff and educate your board members. SECURING NETWORKS. Do not post minutes or financials on web pages without a secure log in. Don’t let the crooks see what you have. Keep financial information confidential. BLOCKING SOCIAL MEDIA FROM WORKPLACE COMPUTERS. Many cyber crooks use bots to get into a computer through ads, spam emails, and social media sites. Train your staff and board members to never click on a link
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from an email of someone they don’t know or don’t recognize. Board member emails can be hacked, with an authentic-looking email request from the hacked board member requesting a wire transfer or other financial transaction. Always call to confirm the email with the board member—not the number on the email. This is a classic hacked email/fraud scheme. USE A DESIGNATED SECURE COMPUTER FOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS. Using one or two designated computers with secure logins and encryption for financial work lessens the odds of an authorized employee being hacked. This limits the exposure, or potential exposure, and that is what you are aiming for. Make yourself, and your company/community, a smaller target—harder to hack and the cyber crook may move onto an easier target. In addition to education, you and your company/managers/ board members would be prudent in ensuring you are using secured networks for all financial transactions relating to the company and associations. There are steps to ensure secure logins, followed by encryption methods—often a token or set of numbers that are only for the specific person logging in and these encryption numbers are good for 30 seconds. Check with your financial institution for additional information.
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
It is important that business owners educate their employees on the dangers and serious consequences of cybercrime. The knowledge that such theft can cripple a business, thereby affecting an employee’s own livelihood, is an added incentive to remain vigilant. Involving the financial institutions of the business can also be beneficial. Many banks are willing to provide in-house education seminars to companies as a way of keeping all levels of the organization well informed. There are several online resources available to educate small companies on protecting their business from cyberattacks. Following are a few examples of resources available for small businesses. • Forbes Finance Council - How to Protect Your Business From a Data Breach - Seven Key Steps • Small Firm Cybersecurity Checklist • SBA Cybersecurity for Small Business Course Business owners and associations have the option of investing in cyber liability insurance as a way to proactively protect their business/assets from potential cyberattacks. Cyber liability insurance often covers the cost of business interruption, client notification, and even hiring a public relations firm to repair damage to a company’s reputation as a result of the attack. Reputations are critical in the community association industry. The cost of cyber liability insurance is often far less than the potential monetary loss due to a tarnished image.
RELY ON THE EXPERTS TO BUDGET RESPONSIBLY WITH A RESERVE STUDY Avoid Surprise Expenses, Make Informed Decisions, Save Money, Protect Property Values
For more information, samples or a free bid contact us at: www.reservestudy.com cserrano@reservestudy.com (818) 222-0248
The HOA industry insurance companies are familiar with the growing cybertheft threat and have tailored insurance riders to offer their customers. Contact your carrier if you do not currently carry this coverage. Cybercrime does not discriminate. All industries are affected, and no business is too big or too small to be targeted. Advanced preparation and education are the two crucial tools to combat the growing problem. After reading this article, you should contact your manager, financial institution and insurance carrier to ensure you are taking the necessary steps to keep your company/community financially secure. As the cyber crooks get more intelligent, the crimes escalate. Make an annual (or more often) reminder to review the steps you have implemented and adjust accordingly to keep pace with technology. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mutual of Omaha Bank. For any matters concerning your specific needs and objective, you should seek the professional advice of your own independent legal counsel, insurance advisors or other consultants. Lisa Ann Rea is a Vice President and Regional Account Executive at Mutual of Omaha Bank, a full-service bank with a special HOA banking services division. She can be reached at lrea@mutualofomahabank.com.
pick the right tools for your next project. With community association lending expertise like ours, you’ll get the job done right.
take that to the bank. Lisa Ann Rea VP/Regional Account Executive 805-907-8452 Toll Free 866-800-4656, ext. 7500 lisa.rea@mutualofomahabank.com
mutualofomahabank.com AFN46039_0913
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender
EQUAL HOUSING
LENDER
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 9
DON’T MAKE
PROMISES YOU CAN’T KEEP
ASSOCIATION AND MANAGER LIABILITY FOR CREATING EXPECTATIONS
C
an a board of directors, community association, or community manager get sued for trying to do the right thing? Of course. The real question is, can there be real liability where the association creates some expectation, and then fails to live up to it? Recent Court of Appeal decisions suggest that the answer is “yes.” Generally, associations and boards owe not just the duties to owners spelled out in the governing documents, the Davis-Stirling Act, and the Corporations Code, but also a more general duty of care to avoid foreseeable injuries to others. This is the law of negligence, which is part of “tort” law. If “contracts” law governs responsibilities that the parties to a contract voluntarily imposed on themselves, then “tort” law governs responsibilities that society imposes on its citizens whether or not they agree. For example, if you have the responsibility to pay regular assessments, you agreed to that responsibility when you bought
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a home in an HOA (CC&Rs are a type of contract). However, the HOA has a duty to make sure tree roots don’t cause a tripping hazard in a walkway. That isn’t spelled out in the CC&Rs or DavisStirling, but the law recognizes a general duty to maintain the landscaping and walkways in a way that doesn’t injure people. That’s an example of “tort” law, and specifically, the law of negligence. That general duty to use due care in avoiding harm to others isn’t infinite. You don’t owe the same duty to a burglar that you would to a guest, and you don’t owe a duty to pull over and repair every broken down car you see on the side of the road. However, you (or a board member, association, or manager) can expand the scope of duty, and then have some liability for failing to uphold that duty. The recent case of O’Malley v Hospitality Staffing Solutions is instructive. Ms. O’Malley checked into a timeshare
unit, with her husband presumably intending to join her later. When Mr. O’Malley was not able to get his wife on the phone after several hours of trying the room as well as her cell phone, he called the front desk and asked them to check on her. A maintenance worker was sent. He opened the door, called out “maintenance,” didn’t see or hear anyone, and returned to the front desk, where the clerk called Mr. O’Malley back and stated that his wife was not in her room. Eventually, Mr. O’Malley, after several more hours of trying to get his wife on the phone, drove down at 4:00 a.m. and discovered her on the floor, having suffered a brain aneurism. She survived, but had permanent damage that the doctors believed would have been less severe with earlier treatment. The couple sued the hotel and the staffing agency that employed the maintenance worker, and the Court of Appeal found that, while neither defendant had any duty to perform welfare checks, they had agreed to perform one on Mrs. O’Malley and, once they agreed, they then owed a duty to do so in a competent manner. In making this ruling, the court based its opinion on another, earlier case called Bloomberg v. Interinsurance Exchange, where a AAA driver was lost and, while waiting on the side of the road for that driver, the stranded motorist was hit and killed by a drunk driver. Now AAA is not normally responsible to protect people from drunk drivers, but here they were held liable. As the court in the Bloomberg case put it, “a defendant who enters upon an affirmative course of conduct affecting the interests of another is regarded as assuming a duty to act, and will be liable for negligent acts or omissions.” In the O’Malley case, the hotel and the maintenance worker undertook a responsibility that they didn’t originally have (to do a welfare check) but once they did that, the law imposed a duty to do so competently. Even though this incident occurred at a hotel and not at an HOA, there is nothing in the
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Court’s reasoning that is unique to a hotel. The takeaway is that anyone, and particularly a person or entity in charge of a property (hotel owner, or HOA) can expand their duty into responsibilities owed to residents and if they do so, they had better fulfill those responsibilities properly. The good news is that the takeaway is not “don’t help anyone.” Boards and managers can reduce the likelihood of incurring additional, unforeseen liability by being aware of the potential in this expansion of responsibilities, and then adopting policies and best practices to avoid extra lability. Be mindful that an innocent attempt to be helpful can expose the association or manager to unforeseen liability. This can occur in all kinds of everyday situations. For example, a manager making a property walk notes the condition of the balconies; where the underlying purpose of the property walk may have been to note violations against
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storing junk, or to check the condition of landscaping, by undertaking an inspection of the balconies, the law may now potentially hold the manager responsible if the balcony collapses, or deterioration of the supporting joists is more extensive than previously known. A board member who uses the fitness center could open up the automated external defibrillator to check it out, and then be liable for a negligent inspection when it later turns out not to work. The manager (or maintenance person) could undertake a requested welfare check, just like in the O’Malley case, and then be held liable for not competently performing that check. Boards and associations can formalize these policies in their Rules and Regulations, and Board Member Codes of Conduct. Management companies should maintain clear policies about making welfare checks, rendering aid, and assessing property condition as part of property walks. Corporate counsel should be involved in drafting rules
and policies to ensure that the risks of unforeseen liability really are addressed by the HOA’s policies, and the insurance broker should be consulted about the insurance coverage implications of taking on some unforeseen risk (hint; it may not be covered). The point is not to discourage managers and board members from going “above and beyond” in serving their communities. The impulse to go the extra step isn’t a bad thing, but should not be undertaken lightly or haphazardly. Those of us who serve community associations should keep in mind that creating extra expectations includes a responsibility to fulfil those extra expectations competently. Michael T. Kennedy, Jr., Esq. is a Partner of Berding & Weil LLP in the litigation department. He has been involved in residential and commercial construction litigation for more than 20 years. Michael can be reached at mkennedy@berdingweil.com.
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 11
Partnering with Modern Technology—Saves Lives
However, poor communication will result in increased inquiries and residents’ dissatisfaction. Modern technology has revolutionized the manners in which we communicate with each other. Recognizing these technological advances and partnering with technology is not only smart, but also necessary. With that in mind, I want to share a story with you on how our partnership with technology is saving lives. I am a general manager of a mid-rise HOA in Los Angeles. It is a mixed-use property consisting of residential units and retail stores, including a supermarket. For years, the residents had been hearing fire alarms going off three to four times a week, as early as 5:00 a.m. This was the result of renovations to the supermarket’s bakery department, which included the installation of new ovens.
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■■■ By Tracy Robinson, CCAM®
large part of our responsibilities as a community manager is ensuring the safety of the residents who live within our communities. If one really stops and thinks about it, the way we approach the management of our communities can protect the lives of the residents if an emergency occurs. One of the key components to managing a successful homeowners association (HOA) is ongoing effective communication. The end-result is residents’ satisfaction.
Every time the baker opened the oven, the heat would trigger the fire alarm. The fire department investigated each incident and informed my staff that it was a false alarm. Afterwards we notified the residents via email. As you can well imagine this caused frustration and behavioral changes within the community. Initially, when a fire alarm sounded, residents would rush down the stairs with their family members and pets only to be told that it was a false alarm. Over time this changed. Residents started to assume all alarms were false alarms, and many opted to stay inside their units, potentially endangering themselves, family members, and pets.
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In February 2017, two months after becoming the HOA’s general manager, a fire alarm was triggered. Guess what? It was a fire! The fire department was dispatched and directed my staff to evacuate the building. After making a visual observation, I noticed that out of a community of 250+ units fewer than 20 residents evacuated.
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immediately concluded that countless residents assumed that this was another false alarm. However, the fire raged and many of the residents, family members, and pets were still in their units. My staff was not allowed to go door-to-door to tell residents to evacuate. As the HOA’s manager, I was alarmed by the residents’ lack of response. However, I knew the behavior was attributed to years of false alarms. I felt compelled to come up with another means of communicating with my residents to ensure the safety of them, their family members, and pets. Luckily, this story has a happy ending. The fire was controlled, and the residents, their family members, and pets were safe. We decided that modern technology would be instrumental in changing the residents’ behavior and brought on a web-based mass communication service that allows me and my staff to send one message to the residents in seconds via phone call, text, and/or email as incidents occur.
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Implementing this modern technology has increased our confidence in knowing that we are able to respond to our residents in an efficient and life-saving manner. It has also significantly reduced calls from concerned residents. This partnership has increased our customer satisfaction for only pennies a day. When I started writing this article, I identified communication as one of the key components to managing a successful HOA. However, the key measure of success is customer satisfaction. In this modern technological age, I cannot think of a single reason why an HOA would not utilize the latest technology to communicate to their residents in an efficient manner. Seizing this opportunity is not only smart but will prove to be a game changer in our quest for ongoing effective communication. Technology changes rapidly, and we need to be in step because our residents depend on us to keep them informed. Choosing not to partner with modern technology will leave HOAs behind the curve. Let’ stay in step! Tracy Robinson is a General Manager with The Management Trust. She holds a Masters in Business Administration, with over 13 years of experience managing homeowner associations. Tracy can be reached at tracy.robinson@ managementtrust.com.
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 13
AS SECURITY TECHNOLOGY BECOMES LESS EXPENSIVE AND MORE ACCESSIBLE TO AVERAGE CONSUMERS, HOMEOWNERS ARE PROVIDED WITH AN EXPONENTIAL INCREASE IN AVAILABLE ASEARCH REVEALS HUNDREDS OF SUCH DEVICES, INCLUDING MOTION SENSOR LIGHTS AND HOME CAMERA OFFERINGS, THAT CAN BE ACCESSED REMOTELY FROM THE CONVENIENCE OF ONE’S SMART PHONE.
Association Regulation and Liability
Most common interest developments are structured and organized where the association maintains the residence/building exteriors and has the ability to regulate improvements attached and/or integrally related to them. This authority generally includes the ability to approve or deny owner applications to install exterior security devices. Some associations with strict architectural approval procedures may be inclined to significantly limit or outright reject ownerinstalled exterior security devices. However, this approach can expose an association to potential liability, especially where there is a demonstrated need for such devices. In the case of Frances T. v. Village Green Owners Assn. (1986) 42 Cal.3d 490, the California Supreme Court held that a homeowners association stands in relation to owners as a landlord and can be liable for breaches of traditional landlord duties, such as failing to address unreasonable risks of criminal activity. The Court found that there was ample evidence to place the association on notice of an unreasonable risk to the plaintiff’s safety, and the failure to act or to allow the owner a self-help remedy subjected the association to liability.
NAVIGATING THE HIDDEN RISKS OF HOMEOWNER SECURITY DEVICES nnn By Tim D. Klubnikin, Esq.
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iven the benefits and low cost, many homeowners have installed security systems in and around their residences to mitigate the risk of theft, property damage, and other criminal activity. As purchases and installations of these devices increase, associations and architectural committees are increasingly confronted with the conflict between the owners’ interest in safety and security, and the association’s interest in uniform aesthetics and neighborhood privacy.
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In light of the holding in Frances T., associations should avoid outright prohibitions on owner-installed exterior security devices. Instead, associations should develop and implement a comprehensive policy that governs the application, approval, and installation process for such devices. Such a policy allows the association to control the aesthetic characteristics, installation locations, and fields of view (for cameras) necessary to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the community, while preventing the devices from intruding into the seclusion of other residences and infringing privacy rights.
Exterior Security Device Policy
When developing an exterior security device policy, one of the primary considerations should be to limit the risk of invading the privacy of other residences. Generally, there is no recognized right of privacy in common areas. However, California acknowledges that privacy interests can be infringed through devices that provide a technological intrusion from otherwise lawful vantage points. Civil Code Section 1708.8(b) states in pertinent part: A person is liable for constructive invasion of privacy when the person attempts to capture, in a manner that CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
is offensive to a reasonable person, any type of visual image… or other physical impression of the plaintiff engaging in a private, personal, or familial activity, through the use of any device, regardless of whether there is a physical trespass, if this image…. or other physical impression could not have been achieved without a trespass unless the device was used. Under the guidance of the foregoing prohibition against such privacy infringement, any approval of exterior security devices should be focused on ensuring that the primary purpose of the device is to advance the security interests of the applicant owner, and the device does not present an unreasonable risk of privacy invasion to other residences. To limit the risk of privacy intrusions, a security device policy should contemplate the following requirements: ●● An installation plot plan/map should be submitted by the applicant to indicate the intended installation locations and their corresponding fields of view for any visual recording devices such as cameras. ●● Such fields of view should not be permitted to observe neighboring residences, exclusive use, or common areas. Depending on the development/community layout, some installations may not be possible without capturing some of the foregoing areas (such as a doorbell camera that points towards common area).
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The association body tasked with the review and approval of security device installations should ensure that in such cases, the primary purpose is to advance the security interests of the applicant and that any common area field of view is merely incidental and as limited as possible. ●● Cameras must be “fixed view”, without panning capabilities. ●● Finally, any approved installations should be revocable if the device violates the privacy of neighboring residences so as to constitute a nuisance. Given the limitless permutations of common interest developments and their various layouts, there is no one size fits all approach to resolving the complex issues surrounding owner installation of exterior security devices. As such, consult with legal counsel to develop workable solutions to advance the association’s interests, while preserving the owners’ interest in security and privacy. Tim D. Klubnikin, Esq. is an attorney at the Tinnelly Law Group, a firm specializing in the representation of community associations. He can be reached at tklubnikin@tinnellylaw.com.
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 15
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Great CAI Evening Experience in Torrance By David San Filippo, HOA Marketplace Committee Co-chair The South Bay Homeowners Association Marketplace in Torrance was a huge success. More than 124 HOA boards and their managers attended the Meet-and-Greet, where they were able to make contact with 40 service provider companies. Attendees were very pleased that many of the business partners had not exhibited before, were new to our chapter, and represented different categories of service/products. Following the Meet-and-Greet, board members and managers attended a complimentary dinner and educational program entitled “Changing the Environment” presented by Sandra Gottlieb, Esq. CCAL of SwedelsonGottlieb and Joanne Peña, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® of Horizon Management Company AAMC. These speakers very effectively addressed bullying and harassment in the community association industry, sharing real-life examples and personal stories. The next regional Homeowners Association Marketplace will be on Thursday, June 6, at the Woodland Hills Hilton. For more information, please take a look at the promo on the Inside Front Cover of this magazine, and register through our website at www.cai-glac.org.
CYBER SECURITY AND CAMERA SYSTEMS— A Reserve Analyst’s Perspective
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NHANCED CYBER SECURITY for your community? Great idea! State of the art camera system? Love it! Digital recorders and entry/exit logs? Sounds terrific! How do we pay for it? Good question. Many communities are making the decision to enhance their existing security systems, both cyber and physical, or add new ones. We often get the question “is this a reserve expenditure?” Answer: it depends. The California Civil Code dictates that reserve funds only be used for the repair, replacement, maintenance or restoration of existing components. Therefore, by explicit definition it does not allow for adding, installing, or upgrading items. Thus, if a community has an existing security system and they wish to replace the system with like-kind components, the entire project would be eligible for the use of reserve funds. If the community does not have an existing system, the installation of such would be considered a capital improvement, and therefore ineligible for the use of reserve funds.
● ● ● By Scott Clements, RS, PRA
What if the community has an existing system, and wants to update it to include new technology or equipment? With respect to our interpretation of the California Civil Code, a large portion of the updating of these systems would be considered refurbishment of the existing system. Therefore, reserve funds could be used for replacement of existing infrastructure, such as cabling, key pads, door and window contacts, software,
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central station monitors, etc. However, in the situation where a community has an existing but antiquated security system that they wish to modernize with the installation of surveillance cameras that did not previously exist, the costs of the cameras themselves would generally be considered capital improvements, i.e. reserve funds could not be used for their acquisition and installation. Once installed though, reserve funds could be used for their maintenance and replacement. In this scenario, the majority of the expenditures for refurbishing the infrastructure that services the system could be funded from existing reserves. Note that these are gray areas, and we encourage HOAs to consult with legal counsel prior to embarking on such projects. Suppose a community does not have an existing system and wants to install one? Reserve funds may still be an option. The Civil Code does allow for borrowing from reserves. There are several requirements, including notice to the membership, approving the borrowing at an open meeting, detailing the purpose and use of the monies, and repayment within 12 months. However, if the community has a robust reserve balance and wants to utilize the monies for enhanced security, borrowing from the reserve fund versus a special assessment may be a more desirable method for the membership. ANOTHER FUNDING OPTION entails temporarily reducing or suspending the reserve contribution to accumulate funds in a non-reserve account. Again, if starting
with a robust balance, temporarily reducing or suspending the reserve contribution outlined in the recommended funding plan, adopting an updated funding plan, and setting those monies aside in a non-reserve account for security enhancements may be more palatable to membership than special assessments. Check your association’s governing documents for restrictions and limitations above those outlined in the Civil Code. Additionally, in some situations operating budget funds could be utilized for installation. Many service providers offer equipment leases and service plans where the HOA does not own the equipment, thereby allowing for inclusion in the operating budget via a lease agreement. Obviously, this may create an immediate need to increase the assessments for the cost of the lease, however, if the beginning reserve balance is not robust, and the options noted above do not seem prudent, then leasing equipment may be a viable alternative—allowing for enhancement of the value of the homes and the quality of life within them, without the dreaded special assessment! Scott Clements, RS, PRA, is the Chief Executive Officer of Reserve Studies Inc., a full-service reserve studies company headquartered in Cerritos. Scott can be reached at scott@reservestudiesinc.com.
17315 Studebaker Rd., Suite 213 Cerritos, California 90703 800.485.8056 n Fax 800.485.8057 www.ReserveStudiesInc.com
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May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 19
The Internet—A Scary Place
By Alexandria Pollock, CCAM-HR®, PCAM THE INTERNET CAN BE A VERY SCARY PLACE. HACKERS LURK AROUND EVERY URL, AND CRIMINALS HIDE IN THE SHADOWS OF SUBREDDITS TO SUCK INFORMATION OUT OF YOU. ALAS, MY INTENT IS NOT TO TERRIFY YOU SO MUCH THAT YOU NEVER OPEN AN INTERNET BROWSER AGAIN. I AIM TO ENLIGHTEN YOU ON HOW TO PROTECT RESIDENT DATA AND PRIVACY IN THIS CREEPY AGE OF TECHNOLOGY, WHILE LEVERAGING THE INTERNET AS A TOOL FOR EFFICIENT BUSINESS PRACTICES AT YOUR ASSOCIATION OR MANAGEMENT COMPANY. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, YOU ASK, IF MASSIVE CORPORATIONS LIKE MARRIOTT AND EQUIFAX CANNOT PROTECT THEIR CLIENTS’ INFORMATION AGAINST HACKERS? FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK OF DATA BREACHES AND MAXIMIZE THE SECURITY OF YOUR RESIDENTS’ DATA.
STEP ONE: THINK LIKE A HACKER (OR HIRE SOMEONE WHO DOES). There are books written on this topic. Interesting reading for your “spare” time. First consider what a hacker is looking to— well—hack from the software systems you use and from your devices. This could include everything from resident names and addresses to financial information and social security numbers. Hackers want information they can sell to other companies, or ransom for a profit. Once a person’s information has been obtained and sold, their identity can be used to open credit cards and make purchases fraudulently. Then consider the information you gather from your residents. Ask yourself if it is necessary to have and store the information, and would the information be attractive to a malicious person looking to exploit others? A hacker can gain access to your computer and the files on your hard drive, get access to your
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company’s network, crack into your web-based software system or property management software system installed on your computer. This can be done in a variety of ways, and once a platform has been breached, hackers can secretly create a way to continue to access the data, through what is called a “backdoor,”
STEP TWO: D O AN INTERNAL AUDIT AND CREATE A SECURITY PROTOCOL. We love policies and procedures in the HOA world. So, establish one for cyber security! Start by conducting an audit of where and how you store your information or your clients’ information. Create a network map. Find out if files are being saved directly to a computer hard drive or stored in the Cloud. Are you using any third-party software? If so, do you know the cyber security measures the company is taking to protect your data? Do you have a community website? Who is hosting it? Who has access to make changes to the site? All of these questions are important in determining how and where to implement security measures to protect yourself against a data breach. Work with IT specialists to conduct this audit and to obtain recommendations for keeping your data secure. Hackers get smarter every day and can get around antiquated security measures you installed a year ago. I’m not kidding. Technology moves fast! Visit and revisit your cyber security measures often.
STEP THREE: IMPLEMENT SECURITY MEASURES FOR PREVENTING AGAINST DATA BREACHES. The most common way to control access to data is to require a password to get into a platform, document or device. Use passwords whenever possible, and don’t use your name or your pet’s name or your child’s name. Use a random series of letters, numbers and characters. Technology is moving far beyond simply typing in our passwords now, to dual authentication methods and biometric access to devices. Even so, using a password is better than leaving your information out in the open for anyone to access. CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
Use a firewall on your network. What exactly is a firewall? Cisco, a leading Internet network company, defines it as, “… a network security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and decides whether to allow or block specific traffic based on a defined set of security rules.” Firewalls can be software installed on your computers, or hardware devices. Make sure your network firewall is set up and maintained by a trusted employee or IT professional. That goes for all cyber security measures implemented at your management company or association. Install anti-malware on your devices. And keep the software updated! Don’t ignore the pop-up messages on your computer task bar telling you that your subscription is expiring. You know who you are…. Anti-malware software is designed to prevent, detect and remove malicious software (“malware”) on your computer, and is an important piece to your cyber security protocol. Encrypt any data you want to keep private. Encryption basically means that if a hacker is able to get through all of your cyber security measures and into your stored data, the data would be in a secret code. You can only decipher the secret code if you have the key. This is a job for a trusted business partner! If you use a third-party
software, ask your software provider if they encrypt your data stored on their platform.
STEP FOUR: INSURE AGAINST THE RISK. Call your insurance broker and find out what kind of cybercrime insurance is available for your company or association. If you don’t already have it—get it! If you have it, make sure you understand what you are covered for, and what your policy limits are. Now that you’ve been scared senseless about all the ways your residents’ information can be compromised by breaches in cyber security, take a deep breath. Associations are usually a relatively low priority target for hackers. The volume of data a management company or an individual association maintains is less attractive to a hacker than the type and amount of data companies like Target or healthcare companies and hospitals maintain. In establishing cyber security protocols, implementing and maintaining security measures, and insuring against the risk of cybercrime, your residents’ data and privacy can be well-protected. Alexandria Pollock, CCAM-HR®, PCAM® is the West Coast Regional Sales Manager for BuildingLink.com, LLC, a company that provides a variety of property management software tools to community associations nationwide. Alexandria can be reached at alexandria@buildinglink.com.
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s a homeowner there are steps you can follow to deter a robbery. But, it can still happen and being a victim of a crime can be frustrating and bring on a feeling of hopelessness. However, knowing that your local police agencies and your management team have steps and procedures in place to assist you can be reassuring. According to retired Lieutenant George Macias of the LAPD, no matter the size of the burglary, it is very important to notify the police and report the theft. Most small crimes are unreported which can prevent the criminals from being caught. They can become more brazen and move into heavier offenses.
Hide It, Lock It, Keep It
“There is no shame in being a victim of a crime,” relayed Lieutenant Macias. Unbeknownst to you, other burglaries may have taken place locally and it can be part of a pattern. When a pattern is established it can be easier to find the criminals and stop future crimes.
■■■ By Jamilla Davis
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Once the burglary is reported an officer or unit is dispatched to examine the situation, check for prints, take photos, and review video surveillance. The report is given a report number and assigned to a detective who specializes in residential and/or vehicle burglaries. The detective will follow-up with the victim, interview witnesses, and check any leads that may come up. The best thing a homeowner can do when faced with a crime is to cooperate fully with the investigation. There will be times when the detective will need to follow-up with you, so it is important to be available to them. As mentioned, if a pattern is detected, officers who patrol the area are notified in their information fliers. Also, local residences and businesses are notified. Lieutenant Macias mentioned that social media has been a great tool for police agencies because they can post any heightened crimes in the area. It is important for residents to know what is going on in their city, so they may take precautions in protecting themselves and their valuables.
While the police are doing their due diligence, Michelle Phelps, On-Site Manager for Westridge HOA in Valencia, has a set of procedures to follow. Once she has been notified that a crime has taken place, she files a report in the call log and encourages the homeowner to notify the police if they have not done so. She proceeds to alert HOA security of the situation and requests increased surveillance. If video surveillance is requested by the police, the homeowner must sign a request to have the footage released. She posts signage and reports the burglary in the HOA newsletter. A great rule of thumb, Lieutenant Macias provided is “Hide It, Lock It, Keep It.” This mantra coincides with Michelle’s tips as she forwards a bullet point email to residents on what they can do to prevent theft of property. These include: ■ Do not leave valuables in your car. Leaving your valuables visible only invites the criminal to steal them.
■ Lock your doors and set your alarms for both your vehicle and residence. ■ If allowed within your CC&Rs, install sensor lighting, cameras, and doorbell devices to alert you of an intruder. Making these visible can discourage criminals from acting. Both agreed that Neighborhood Watch Programs can be extremely beneficial. Members can act as a good witness and learn how to gather the information needed to report suspicious behavior. As Lieutenant Macias stated, “The goal is to reduce the fear of crime.” With the homeowner, management, and police working together this goal can be achieved. Jamilla Davis is the Property Services Representative for Dunn-Edwards Paints in the Santa Clarita and E. San Fernando Valley Region. She can be reached at jamilla. davis@dunnedwards.com.
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1. Subject to credit approval. 2. ICS® and CDARS® are registered service marks of Promontory Interfinancial Network, LLC. Copyright © 2018 Popular Bank. Member FDIC.
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May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 23
P
OOL PHONES: Required Or Not, They Are Lifesavers / California is one of only a
handful of states that does not require an emergency phone by the pool (unless you have a lifeguard in which case they are required). However, as property managers continue to place a significant priority on life safety, they recognize that emergency pool phones can function as an essential life-saving tool year-round, whether required by law or not. Proactive managers and board members look for ways to decrease their risk and liability and they recognize how emergency pool phones can do so. ■■■ By Chuck Carr
THE TROUBLING STATISTICS are like a burst of cold water on the face. Nearly 90 children younger than 15 drowned in a pool or spa between January and May 2018 according to the USA Swimming Foundation as reported by The National Safety Council. Every year during the July 4th holiday, about 19 children drown. In addition: ■■ Emergency departments treat about 6400 pool and spa injuries in children under 15 each year ■■ Drownings continue to be the second leading cause of preventable death through age 15 ■■ In 2016, 780 people aged 5 to 24 drowned. Of those, 530 were age 15 to 24.
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WHY CELL PHONES ARE NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Some property managers may leave emergencies in their homeowners’ hands, expecting them to use their cell phones. They hope that any danger can be reported by a witness directly to a 911 station. Why not, since phones do just about everything else for us these days? Cell phones can be inconsistent and unpredictable in coverage and service. Battery life can also vary according to the quality and age of the phone. Most importantly, unlike a land line that uses ANI/ALI (automatic number identification/automatic location identification) to identify the location of where a call originates, cell phones send signals through the air. That means your homeowners can dial 911 but the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), otherwise known as the 911 call
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
center, won’t know from where they are calling. It can identify the closest cell tower but cannot pinpoint an exact location. Cell phones could fail you just when you need them the most. WHY 911 SHOULD NOT BE YOUR “GO-TO” IN EMERGENCIES Depending on the traditional 911 call center in an emergency? You may be contacting an overworked, overwhelmed and understaffed crew. Finding and hiring 911 dispatchers is becoming more and more difficult, according to the Wall Street Journal. It is a job that has always been tough to fill, but the need for emergency operators is becoming an emergency in itself. There are more than 61,000 emergency call centers in the U. S., processing more than 200 million 911 calls each year, according to the National Emergency Number Association. You don’t need to be a wiz to do the math; many 911 call centers are severely understaffed. The tragic results could mean slower response times and unhappy endings. WHY A DEDICATED, YEAR-ROUND EMERGENCY PHONE SYSTEM IS A MUST (EVEN IF CALIFORNIA STATE LAW DOESN’T REQUIRE IT) Drowning injuries aside, pool phones are often used for nonpool related emergencies throughout the year. Emergency phone system dispatchers take calls for all kinds of property emergencies placed from pool phones because people often find that these are their only access to help in a time of need. These uses include children who have been locked out of their home,
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
domestic disputes, burglary, auto theft, assaults, reporting fires and a myriad of other medical emergencies that can occur. Don’t leave anything to chance. If an incident happens at your pool or anywhere else on your property, the push of one button can start the emergency response process immediately. Homeowners or guests at the property can talk directly into an emergency phone without fumbling with cell phones, looking up emergency contacts or searching for an address. WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SEARCHING FOR AN EMERGENCY PHONE PROVIDER AND MONITORING SERVICE First, find a company that specializes in emergency phone monitoring. They should operate their call center 24/7/365 and always answer the call promptly with a live operator. They should be staffed with operators who are certified in Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatch (AEMD) so that they can quickly and expertly provide step-by-step pre-arrival medical instructions (including CPR) as needed. And to provide you with risk and liability mitigation, they should record all calls and make recordings available to you should the need arise. They should be insured for your protection as well. Chuck Carr is a Business Development Manager for Kings III Emergency Communications. He can be reached at ccarr@ kingsiii.com.
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 25
NEWS
FROM SACRAMENTO
CAI-GLAC Legislative Day in the District uuu By Matthew T. Plaxton, Esq.
O
n Friday, March 22, 2019, members of the CAI-GLAC Legislative Support Committee (“LSC”) met with staff members for Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (District 66) and Senator Ben Allen (District 26) to discuss pending legislation pertaining to common interest developments and how same impacts constituents living within their districts.
In particular, LSC members discussed SB 323 (the “elections” bill) and how this bill will negatively impact residents living in a homeowners association. For example, most homeowners associations in California have less than fifty members and nearly all are governing by volunteer directors. Moreover, a large number of smaller associations are self-managed. SB 323 establishes complicated and confusing restrictions and deadlines, which will make compliance exceedingly difficult. This, in turn, will significantly increase the likelihood of disputes and costly litigation. As a result, housing will become less affordable, which is contrary to the primary goal of most legislators. Although staff members seemed genuinely concerned with SB 323, shortly after our meeting Senator Allen voted in favor of SB 323. With this in mind, how can you help? There are several ways. First, it is important to stay informed about pending legislation. You can do so by visiting the CAI California Legislative Action Committee’s (“CLAC’s”) website
(https://caiclac.com/legislative-session-hot-bills). You can also become a member of the LSC (for more information, contact the LSC Chair at matt@tinnellylaw.com). Second, get involved! Grassroots efforts are critical to ensuring that bad legislation does not become law. Thus, meet with your local legislators to talk about proposed legislation and how same not only impacts the communities you work with, but you personally. Finally, encourage your communities to participate in the CLAC Buck-A-Door (or more) program. These donations help fund advocacy on behalf of common interest developments. Matthew T. Plaxton, Esq. is an attorney with the Tinnelly Law Group and Chair of the Lesigaltive Support Committee. He can be reached at matt@tinnellylaw.com
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 Is a non-profit, non-partisan committee composed of two Delegates and one Liaison from each of the eight CAI California chapters. R epresents over 13 million homeowners and property owners in more than 52,000 associations throughout California. 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. Matt Plaxton, Esq. (Tinnelly Law Group), Mike Lewis, CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® (Concept Seven Properties LLC), Cody Bridges [Muratsuchi Staff), Tom Ware, Esq. (Kulik Gottesman Siegel & Ware, LLP), Erik Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® (Trilliant Property Management) and Steve Cammarata, CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS® (Cammarata Management, Inc.).
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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.
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
OUR THANKS TO CAI-CLAC 2019 CONTRIBUTORS January 1 – March 31
GOAL: $23,981
59%
of goal
as of 03/31/19 $14,702
101 S. Manhattan Place HOA 515 San Vicente HOA 720 Shoreham Drive HOA 909 El Centro, Inc. 948 20th Street HOA 1050 3rd Street, Inc. 11767 Sunset Boulevard Association 1242 Berkeley Street HOA 1437 Berkley Street HOA 15206 Burbank Blvd. HOA 1715 California Ave. HOA 1835 7th Street HOA 2050 Artesia HOA 2138 Stewart Street HOA 25370-72 ½ Malibu Road HOA 2641 4th Street HOA 3049-Design Villas HOA 4424 Whitsett Avenue HOA 4820 Bellflower HOA Ali Condominiums OA Armour Lane Condominium Avis HOA Avocado Glen HOA Berkeley Townhouse HOA, Inc. Beverly Hills Villas HOA Beverly Westwood Condominium HOA, Inc. Blossom Vanderbilt COA Bodger Park Condominiums HOA Casa de Suenos CA
Casa Loma Associations, Inc. Casita De La HOA Catalina Plaza HOA Channel View Terraces HOA Chateau Goshen HOA Culver Centrale HOA Culver City Gardens Eight on Twenty HOA El Segundo Peppertree HOA Fairway Pointe HOA Flowers Street Lofts HOA Gateway Village HOA Gorham Park HOA, Inc. Harbor Ridge HOA Hermosa Surf Condos, Inc. Hillcrest Meadows HOA, Inc. Hillcrest Rolling Hills HOA, Inc. Hopi HOA Irena Vista OA Kelton Arms HOA Kester Villas HOA La Palma Estates HOA Lake at Walnut C.A. Lawford HOA Longfellow Village HOA Los Cerros HOA Oak Hill Condominium HOA Oakbridge HOA Ocean West COA
Pacific Bougainvillea, Inc. Pacific Gardens Terrace HOA Pacific View Condominiums HOA Polynesian OA Primera Terra HOA Seascape-Redondo HOA, Inc. Seasons West HOA Silver Spur Court HOA SiSi Villas HOA South Bay Crest HOA South Bay Estates HOA South Hermosa Townhomes HOA Spencer Estates HOA Terra Bella Pasadena CA Textile Building OA The Vista Pacifica HOA Villa Cordoba HOA Villa Del Sol Villas HOA Villa Capri Townhomes HOA Villa Serena HOA VIP Goshen Association Virgil Courts HOA Vista Catalina HOA Vita Bella HOA Vogue Condominium Association Westside Townhouses HOA Wilshire Selby Towers East CA, Inc. Woodbury Maintenance Corp.
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.
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
A Mentor can: ll Help to identify your specific goals. ll Provide career guidance. ll Provide vision and insight. ll Offer support and advice about CAI courses. ll Explain the value of credentials. ll 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.
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 27
COMMITTEE CORNER
CAI-GLAC Legislative Support Committee KEEPING OUR FINGERS ON THE PULSE OF SACRAMENTO ¡¡¡ By Matthew T. Plaxton, Esq., Tinnelly Law Group
M
eet the members who are active on the CAI-GLAC Legislative Support Committee. They come together from all different sectors— Attorneys, Management Company Executives and Service Providers— with one thing in common: they are passionate about achieving results in Sacramento that benefit our industry. The Legislative Support Committee (LSC) is a standing, advisory committee, that is designed to support the efforts and strengthen awareness of CAI’s California Legislative Action Committee (“CLAC”), a committee of CAI National. Our LSC holds monthly teleconference calls to update each other on the status of pending bills and mobilize grassroots efforts to influence our legislators to either support or defeat legislation that would affect common interest development. Since CLAC is funded primarily through grassroots contributions, our LSC actively encourages our members to do their part to help us achieve our annual goal.
that will support the efforts of our Legislative Advocate Louie Brown. During our legislator visits, we provide legislators and their staff with resources and education about homeowners associations so they are better-equipped to vote intelligently on bills affecting us. This year we were very pleased that one of our member management companies, Management Company Professionals, Inc., received two awards for excellence in 2018: one for the Highest Number of Client Associations (70) contributing to the Buck-A-Door Program and one for the Second Highest Management Company 2018 Donation overall.
LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Chair: Matthew Plaxton, Esq. Tinnelly Law Group Sean Allen, Esq. Roseman Law APC Nels Atha, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Common Interest Services, Inc. Dave Brock, PCAM® Beven & Brock David Q. Rico Adams Stirling PLC Russell Hoffman, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Valencia Management Group Dirk Petchul, Esq. Berding & Weil LLP Natalie Stewart FHA Review Erik M. Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Trilliant Property Management Thomas Ware II, Esq. Kulik Gottesman Siegel & Ware LLP Board Liaison Adrian Adams, Esq. Adams Stirling PLC Watch for more news in our Focus Magazine bimonthly “News From Sacramento” column.
Every April our LSC members travel to the Capitol in Sacramento to meet with legislators and help forge bonds
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CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
CAI-GLAC Education Committee WORKING TO ENSURE PROFESSIONALISM IN OUR INDUSTRY ¡¡¡ By Teressa Whitsitt, CMCA®
T
he Education Committee is devoted to helping community association managers reach their fullest potential by promoting CAI’s national and local educational programs and resources.
local test center. The beauty of taking this 2 ½ 120-question exam at a test center is that the results are available almost immediately, and you know if you have passed before you even walk out the door.
A cornerstone of our education is the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®) certification program, the only internationallyaccredited certification program in the field.Its purpose is to ensure that community association managers practice with professionalism, integrity and knowledge. Our Committee and Chapter goal is for 100% of our managers to hold at least the CMCA® certification, and we are finding that management company executives are actively helping us achieve this goal.
Two years ago, in an effort to give our managers more confidence in sitting for this exam, we held our first CMCA 5-hour Review Session. Twenty-one of the 40 managers who attended successfully completed the exam. Since that time, after making some revisions to the class materials, the Chapter recently hosted its second CMCA Review Session on April 12. Russell Hoffman, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, of Valencia Management Group, facilitated the session with Guest Speaker Ryan Gesell, CMCA®, CIRMS®, of Cline Agency Insurance Brokers conducting the review of insurance. Most of the 32 manager members who attended are still in the process of making their appointments at test centers. We’ll keep you posted. If you would like more information about the CMCA certification, please visit www.camicb.org.
To qualify to take the CMCA® exam, a manager must have passed CAI National‘s M-100 (Essentials of Community Association Management) course or have worked as a community association manager for more than five years. The exam is administered as a paper exam twice a year or by appointment at a
Martha Perkins, CMCA®, Co-chair Action Property Management Teressa Whitsitt, CMCA®, AMS®, Co-Chair Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC Adrian Adams, Esq. PCAM® Adams Stirling PLC Breanne Atha, CMCA® Common Interest Services, Inc. Marc Binenfeld Metropolitan Property Services, LLC Helen Cook, CMCA®, AMS® HOA Organizers, Inc. Board Liaison Matt Davidson, CCAM-HR® Action Property Management The Education Committee is now actively enrolling these managers into our “Coaching to Credentials” program where managers wishing to obtain their Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®) designation are paired with experienced PCAM®-certified managers who provide one-on-one guidance during the educational journey. Teressa Whitsitt, CMCA®, is a community manager at Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC and Cochair of the Education Committee. She can be reached at teressa@rossmorganco.com.
CMCA Review Session
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 29
WELCOME
NEW CAI-GLAC MEMBERS! AS OF APRIL 30, 2019
BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS RECRUITER Derek Silva Calterpest, California Termite & Pest CAI National PMP Management AAMC Clean Smart Janitorial Erik Mendez, CMCA®, Kristen Smith AMS®, PCAM® Fertig and Gordon CM Squared, Inc. Architectural Design & Project CAI Natonal Joshua Soedjono Communications Consulting Group CAI National HOA Organizers, Inc. Evolution Design and Development, Inc. Yami Perez Kimberly Thacker GMI Security CAI National FirstService Residential AAMC Pete Fowler Construction Services CAI National HOMEOWNER VOLUNTEER LEADERS Sandpoint, LLC CAI National April Banks Slade Industrial Landscape CAI National Lissette Gasparian Trees ‘N Things CAI National witkinad new size_Layout 1 1/28/13 5:04 PM Page 1 Nancy Morse Triplett Painting & Restoration Joanne Peña, CMCA®, Robert Kostrzewa AMS®, PCAM® Jaekyung Lee MANAGEMENT COMPANIES Sheri Wilson Chase Blackstone, Inc. CAI National Pacific Edge Management, Inc. CAI National COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS Crescent Plaza HOA Market Lofts HOA Olive Tree HOA COMMUNITY MANAGERS Gerald Allen PMP Management AAMC Danielle Almaguer-Castrence University Apartments Antoinette Ferraro FirstService Residential AAMC Jacqueline Gantz Valley Association Management, Inc. Jon Greenberg ONIT Property Management Allyson Hsieh Cardinal Real Estate Group, Inc. Dena Mark Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC Muhammad Khalid Khan Marwat Common Interest Services, Inc. Elizabeth Sanchez Associa-PCM
Brandon Grosh, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® CAI National Marcia Coppola, CMCA®, AMS® Sascha Macias, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Phil Watkins Lelah Yue CAI National CAI National Lisa Roye CAI National
Janet Ulrich Tracy Robinson Marilyn Howald, CMCA® Brandon Grosh, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Cecil Rucker, CMCA®, AMS® Sascha Macias, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Nancy Yamaoka Erik Mendez, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Alana Ellis, CMCA® Ida Worth, CMCA®, AMS® Nels Atha, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Amy Yankauskas, CMCA®
Experience professional delinquent assessment recovery.
888-845-8808 www.witkinandneal.com 30
www.cai-glac.org | May/June 2019
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
OUR THANKS TO RENEWING MEMBERS! AS OF MARCH 31, 2019
BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS ADCO Roofing & Waterproofing, Inc. Aeroscopic Environmental, Inc. Alliance Association Bank Allied Trustee Services American Services Network BELFOR Property Restoration Best Alliance Foreclosure & Lien Services Diversified Asphalt Products, Inc. First Foundation Bank FRESHCO Painters, Inc. General Pavement Management GNG Vinyl Fencing, Inc. HARBRO, Inc. Ian H. Graham Insurance KB Construction Company Law Offices of Marc H. Goldsmith McCaffery Reserve Consulting McKenzie Rhody, LLP Personal Touch Cleaning & Maintenance, Inc. Platinum Security, Inc. Porter & Lasiewicz, CPAs Professional Services Construction, Inc. RevoPay Rick’s Rain Gutters Roseman Law APC Select Painting & Construction, Inc. SOLitude Lake Management Steve Little Farmers Insurance Agency SwedelsonGottlieb THE BEHR PAINT COMPANY The Judge Law Firm The Naumann Law Firm, PC Three Phase Electric Vet-Sec Protection Agency Western Magnesite COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS Bordeaux HOA Croydon Park HOA Hermosa Surf Condominium, Inc. Montecito Homes Renaissance HOA Rockpointe HOA Solera at Kern Canyon
Village Court Del Amo HOA West Ocean Association COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES Bali Management Inc. Classic Property Management, Inc. FirstService Residential AAMC HOA Made Easy Management Co. HOA Organizers, Inc. Horizon Management Company AAMC Manhattan Management Corporation ONIT Property Management, Inc. Pacific Real Estate & Management, Inc. Partners Community Management, Inc. Tandem Property Management – a division of Lyons COMMUNITY MANAGERS Terry Brewer Village Green Owners Association Carl Brown, CMCA® Community Association Specialists, Inc. Danielle Marie Carbajal, CCAM®, CMCA® LB Property Management. Helen Cook, CMCA®, AMS® HOA Organizers, Inc. Marcia Coppola, CMCA®, AMS® HOA Organizers, Inc. Michelle Corns, CMCA® Valencia Management Group AAMC Matt Davidson, CCAM® Action Property Management Vicki Egan, AMS®, PCAM® Seco Canyon HOA. Meigan Everett, PCAM® SwedelsonGottlieb Carmen Harper, CMCA® SK Management, LLC Yamile Illidge Riviera Property Management Curtis Kalleward, CMCA® Cove Community Association. Victor Mariscal The Californian on Wilshire Alissa McMurrin, CMCA® HOA Organizers, Inc.
Fernando Morales, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® The Brentwood at Kiowa HOA Robert Morando The Californian on Wilshire Alyson Pourat HOA Organizers, Inc. Vivian Meyers, CMCA® Elvin Hidalgo, CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Century Park Place HOA Nina Kashefi, CMCA® Westford Condominium Association Elizabeth Munoz Moller Property Management Angela Nazari, CMCA®, AMS® The Colony at Westwood HOA Matthew Nelson, CMCA® Horizon Management Company AAMC Julie Nicholson, CMCA® Rockepointe HOA Susan Rainer, CMCA® Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC Joe Riviere, CMCA®, PCAM® FirstService Residential AAMC Tracy Robinson, CCAM® Market Lofts HOA Sara Schultz The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. Live Edmund W. Sellman, PCAM® CoastManagement.net Gina Sesto, AMS® Horizon Manaqgement Company AAMC Amanda Soler, CMCA® Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC Bonnie Sharp Stoeppelman, CCAM® Sharp HOA Dawn Suskin, CCAM®, PCAM® FirstService Residential AAMC. Laura Tencati, CMCA® FirstService Residental AAMC Hamlet Vazquez West Ocean Association Greg Welsh Jenkins Properties Management, Inc. Lorraine Wilkinson Playa Pacific HOA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LEADERS Laura Evens Larry Leonard Nancy Taylor
VINYL FENCING PATIO COVERS
Mike Karamanoukian Tel: 323-276-1112 Cell:213-399-0768 Fax:323-276-1114 1-877-31-VINYL 2424 North San Fernando Rd Los Angeles, CA 90065
FENCE DECKING RAILING GAZEBOS PATIO COVERS GATES
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
Lic#884502
Mike@GnGVinyl.com www.GnGVinyl.com
May/June 2019 | www.cai-glac.org 31
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
ADVERTISERS INDEX
Dimensions & Rates:
25 Action Property Management Company
Artwork must not exceed the exact dimensions of that size ad. For more information, call the Chapter office: 818-500-8636.
13 ALLBRIGHT 1-800-PAINTING 9 Association Reserves 22 Beaumont Tashjian 11 Berding & Weil, LLP 23 Ferris Painting, Inc. 31 GNG Vinyl Fencing, Inc. 21 Hi-Tech Painting and Water Proofing
Ad Size
Ad Dimensions
Members
Non-Members
⅛ page
3½" wide x 2" high (Horizontal)
$200
$400
¼ page
3½" wide x 4¾" high (Vertical)
$300
$600
½ page
7½" wide x 4¾" high (Horizontal)
$425
$850
Full Page
7½" wide x 9.75" high (Vertical)
$800
$1,400
15 Macdonald Insurance Agency 9 Mutual of Omaha Bank/CondoCerts 19 Pacific Utility Audit
Payment: Rates are subject to change without notice. By credit card, check or cash. Minimum three-insertion contract. Rates subject to change without notice.
18 Pacific Western Bank
Advertising Sales: Please contact the Chapter office for advertising specifications and deadline information at: 818-500-8636.
30 Poindexter & Company, CPAs 23 Popular Association Banking 19 Reserve Studies Inc. 24 R.W. Stein Painting, Inc. 7 Select Painting & Construction, Inc. 12 Segal Insurance Agency, Inc. 30 Witkin & Neal, Inc.
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
Modules Online Fiduciary Duties and Responsibilities Steven A. Roseman, Esq., Roseman Law, APC Rules and Regulations: Adoption & Enforcement Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, Richardson|Ober PC Reserve Studies Les Weinberg, RS, MBA, Reserve Studies Inc. Insurance Issues for Common Interest Developments Kimberly Lilley, CMCA®, CIRMS™ , Berg Insurance Agency
Learn more and register now at www.cai-glac.org.
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www.cai-glac.org | May/June 2019
CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter
I t’s SHOWTIME! A
CA-GLAC 150-Member 2019 Recruiter Contest We’re rolling out the Red Carpet in 2019… and we want you on it!
Be one of the Stars of the Show… and even the Star Recruiter of the Year. Our goal is to grow the Chapter by recruiting at least 150 new members this year! Share the benefits of CAI membership with colleagues and friends during 2019 and you could win $1,000! RULES
Recruiter-of-the-Month Raffle Recruit a new member during the month and be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card. One chance for each Business Partner, Community Manager or Homeowner Leader membership. Three extra chances for an Association Board of three or more.
www.cai-glac.org
Grand Prize $1,000 Cash Member who recruits the most new members from January 1 through December 31, 2019 will be awarded the Grand Prize. (Minimum 20 points needed to qualify) SPONSORS
• Each new Business Partner company, Management Company or Individual Manager is counted as one recruit, and each Homeowner Leader is counted as one recruit, whether part of an Association Board or Individual. • For Manager memberships, if in same company as Recruiter, only the first three count toward the Grand Prize. • To receive recruiter credit, you must alert the CAIGLAC Chapter Office or be listed on the paper or online application. • Completed applications and membership dues for qualified applicants must be received at CAI between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 to be counted toward the Grand Prize.
Alliance Association Bank • Fenton Grant Mayfield Kaneda & Litt, LLP • ProTec Building Services • SAX Insurance Agency • The Miller Law Firm • Tinnelly Law Group • Union Bank HOA Services
CAI-GLAC 130 N. Brand Blvd., Ste. 305 Glendale, CA 91203
Change Service Requested
Order Your 2019 Condominium Bluebook Today! Price: $26.00 per copy, tax and shipping included. Order copies online at: www.cai-glac.org.
Oct. 18, 2019 | Newport Beach, CA
Now in its 10th year! A one-day event for California community managers, association board members, and other homeowners from Community Associations Institute—the leader in HOA and condo education, advocacy, and professional development. This event is also offered in Northern California on Sept. 12–13, 2019. Attend one or both programs for the latest California hot topics. For event details and registration, visit www. caionline.org/Events/CALaw or call CAI Member Services at (888) 224-4321 (M–F, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET).
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SAN BERNARDINO, CA PERMIT #1