Focus Magazine - May/June 2020

Healthy Mind, Happy Life

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May/June 2020

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2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NEWSWORTHY

OFFICERS Sascha Macias, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, President FirstService Residential, AAMC®, 310-574-7426 Teresa Agnew, President Elect Roseman Law, APC, 818-380-6700 Isaac Camacho, Vice President Accurate Termite & Pest Control, 310-837-6483 Matt Davidson, CCAM-HR®, CMCA®, Secretary Action Property Management, 800-400-2284 Brian Fleming, CMCA®, AMS®, Treasurer Wilshire Regent Association, Inc., 310-474-5563

DIRECTORS Adrian Adams, Esq., ADAMS|STIRLING PLC, 310-945-0280 Gary Burns, Mulholland Heights HOA, 818-326-2000 Angelique Madrigal, Ross Morgan & Company, Inc., AAMC®, 818-907-6622 Alexandria Pollock, CCAM-HR®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, BuildingLink.com, LLC, 310-925-9001 Kim Province, Advanced Election Services, 714-783-8646 Diane Schoolsky, Lingate HOA, 323-640-1277

CHAPTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Joan Urbaniak, MBA, CMCA®

2020 COMMITTEE CHAIRS BUSINESS PARTNER Gina Roldan, ProTec Building Services Ray Moody, VP, City National Bank COMMUNITY EXPO Karen Kokowicz, CCAM®, CMCA®, PCAM®, Coro Community Management & Consulting Michael Valenzuela, Vista Paint Corporation COMMUNITY OUTREACH Angelique Madrigal, Ross Morgan & Company, Inc., AAMC® Patti Specht, ServiceMaster Recovery by C2C Restoration EDUCATION Teressa Whitsitt, CMCA®, AMS®, Ross Morgan & Company, Inc., AAMC®

6 Addressing Mental Illness In Our Community Associations 10 How to Be Resilient and Overcome the Impact from COVID-19 12 Fighting the P roblems Created by Hoarders in an HOA 14 Communities and Those Without a Community: The Homelessness Effect 18 Substance Abuse in HOAs 20 The New Normal 22 10 Tips For Managing Your Mental Health 24 Mind Games: A Mental Workout to Help Keep Your Brain Sharp 26 News From Sacramento 28 Bringing a Community Together

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

NOTEWORTHY 16 Committee Corner: Community Outreach Committee

FYI

4 30 32 32 32

2020 Upcoming Events Membership News Advertisers Index Advertising Information 2020 Directory Corrections

EXECUTIVE RETREAT Alexandria Pollock, CCAM-HR®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, BuildingLink.com, LLC

Our thanks to the Focus Magazine Committee:

FINANCE Michael Lewis, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, C7 Properties, LLC,, AAMC®

Co-chairs: J amilla Davis, Dunn-Edwards Paints Jennifer Schuster, Valley Alarm

GOLF TOURNAMENT Julia Gomes, Accurate Termite & Pest Control Jeff Koscher, HARBRO, Inc.

Patricia Brum, Esq., Snell & Wilmer LLP Elaine Gower, The Naumann Law Firm, PC Joshua Grass, Fenn Termite & Pest Control Michael Huffman, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Management Professionals, Inc. Miranda Legaspi, Platinum Security Jocelle Maliwanag, American Heritage Landscape Lesley Millender-Irwin, CCAM®, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Excelsior at the Americana at Brand HOA Diane Rossiter, CMCA®, AMS®, Bell Canyon Association Dawn Suskin, CCAM-LS.CI®, PCAM®, FirstService Residential, AAMC®

LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT Erik Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Trilliant Property Management MEDIATION SERVICES Steven A, Roseman, Esq., Roseman Law, APC MEMBERSHIP Mimi Cortes, SAX Insurance Agency Tracy Robinson, CCAM®, PMP Management, AAMC PROGRAMS/LUNCHEONS Neda Nehouray, CMCA®, AMS®, HOA Organizers, Inc. Erik Rivera, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Trilliant Property Management PUBLICATIONS Jamilla Davis, Dunn-Edwards Paints Jennifer Schuster, Valley Alarm SATELLITE PROGRAMS Craig Phillips, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, International Tower Condo Association James Beard, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Valencia Management Group, AAMC® SOCIAL Ashley Hibler, McKenzie Rhody, LLP Michael Valenzuela, Vista Paint Corporation

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 © 2020.

SOCIAL MEDIA Teresa Agnew, Roseman Law, APC Meigan Everett, PCAM®, SwedelsonGottlieb

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.

WINE NIGHT Pamella De Armas, Silicon Beach Insurance Services Elaine Gower, The Naumann Law Firm, PC

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

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

130 N. Brand Blvd., Ste. 305 Glendale, CA 91203 Office: 818-500-8636

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 1

NOTE

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

HEALTHY MIND, HAPPY LIFE IT SEEMS THAT THE WORLD HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED IN JUST ONE MONTH! MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE WORKING FROM HOME; SEVERAL MILLIONS HAVE FILED FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AS BUSINESSES ARE ORDERED TO SHUT DOWN, THE MASSES HAVE RUSHED TO STORES IN A PANIC FOR EVER-DISAPPEARING NECESSITIES, AND ALL SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN CLOSED. DROP INTO ANY GROCERY STORE AND YOU WILL FIND PEOPLE WEARING LATEX GLOVES AND MEDICAL MASKS HOPING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM COVID-19. MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE BEGUN HAVING THEIR BOARD MEETINGS ON “ZOOM” PLATFORMS, AND SO MANY QUESTIONS ARE RAISED ABOUT WHAT PRECAUTIONS WE CAN PROVIDE RESIDENTS TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH. THE PRESSURE ON MANAGERS AND VENDORS ALIKE SEEMS TO HAVE DOUBLED OVERNIGHT AS WORK-FROM-HOME REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE. YOU CANNOT DO MUCH TO “RELEASE STEAM”. YOU CAN’T GO OUT TO HAPPY HOUR. YOU CAN’T GO ON A HIKE TO DE-STRESS... SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO RELEASE THE PRESSURE DURING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES?

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In this Focus issue, you will find various articles that address a range of psychological issues. We discuss ways to deal with mental illness in our communities. A mental health professional, Dr. Jake Hollingsworth, writes about the various psychological effects of isolation and provides resources addressing these effects and ways to care of your mental health. One article provides tips to improve board dynamics.

We also have several articles addressing a range of issues that affect our communities—from hoarders, to alcoholism and drug addiction. Several managers discuss the rampant homelessness facing Los Angeles and provide insight into the problems they have addressed as a result.

While mental illness is often not a desirable topic of discussion, it is a real problem in many communities and contributes to a range of problems. From the COVID-19 Pandemic to the various mental health issues affecting our communities, the world seems to be especially on edge.

Anxiety and pressure have had real effects on all of us. Both Jamilla and I hope this issue provides some solutions to our managers, board members, and business partners to stay healthy and sane during these difficult times. We look forward to resuming in-person events with all of you, and until then, be well.

“A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.”

– Henry Kissinger All the best, Co-editor Jennifer Schuster Valley Alarm

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

FOCUS ON STAYING HEALTHY WHERE ARE YOU WHILE READING THIS MAGAZINE? IF YOU WOULD HAVE TOLD ME WHEN I WROTE LAST ISSUE'S MESSAGE, THAT I WOULD BE WRITING THIS ONE WHILE WORKING FROM HOME (TRYING TO HOMESCHOOL MY KIDS AND KEEP EVERYONE FROM GOING CRAZY AT THE SAME TIME!), I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE CRAZY! THEY AREN’T GOING TO SHUT RESTAURANTS AND GYMS! THE SCHOOLS? TELL US TO STAY HOME AND TO WORK FROM HOME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! NO GROUPS OVER 10 PEOPLE? IN ALL

I truly hope that this soon will pass and we will be able to enjoy each other’s company, friendship, and business relationships up close and personal, sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, please focus on staying healthy (including taking care of your mental health!), keeping your head up, and doing what we do best—weather the storm. Our members and our businesses are resilient, and I am thankful to be part of this community during this time. I wish you the best and can’t wait to see you!

Best, 2020 Chapter President Sascha Macias CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® FirstService Residential, AAMC

SERIOUSNESS, I HOPE EVERYONE IS STAYING SAFE, HEALTHY, AND DOING THEIR BEST TO PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING TO KEEP OUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES SAFE. I DON’T THINK VERY MANY OF US COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING—BUT BEING PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED IS SOMETHING WE HAVE ALL CONSIDERED. In this issue we will take a look at mental illness in its different forms and its effect on our communities—homelessness and hoarding to name a few. As we are living in uncertain times right now, we will also highlight some of the ways we are working to continue to serve you, when we can’t see you.

This is including webinars and other alternative formats for education, updates on how your committees, board of directors and office staff are operating during this time, and new ways we can support and recognize our business partners.

CAI-GLAC does not necessarily endorse or approve statements of fact or opinion made in these pages and assumes no responsibility for those statements.

Authors are responsible for developing the logic of their expressed opinions and for the authenticity of all facts presented in articles.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

Coaching to Credentials

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

CAI-GLAC is proud to offer the Coaching to Credentials Manager Mentor Program as a resource to our community manager members.

Our goal is to encourage you to achieve CAI designations—ultimately the PCAM® designation.

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

A Mentor can: l Help to identify your specific goals. l Provide career guidance. l Provide vision and insight. l Offer support and advice about CAI courses. l Explain the value of credentials. l 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 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 3

2020 CAI-GLAC Super Sponsors ■ PLATINUM

2020 UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS Events subject to change, see website for possible updates.

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

13

Educational WEBINAR – 11:00 a.m.

Via ZOOM

20

Educational WEBINAR – 11:00 a.m.

Via ZOOM

29

Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 8:30 a.m.

Via ZOOM

10

Educational WEBINAR – 11:00 a.m.

Via ZOOM

19

Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 8:30 a.m. Via ZOOM

24

Educational WEBINAR – 11:00 a.m.

Via ZOOM

17

CANCELLED Dodger Game Night

Dodger Stadium

22

Educational WEBINAR – 11:00 a.m.

Via ZOOM

29

Educational WEBINAR – 11:00 a.m.

Via ZOOM

31

PHYSICAL DISTANCING (confirmation pending) Executive Retreat – 8:00 a.m.

Calamigos Ranch, 327 Latigo Canyon Rd., Malibu, CA 90265

12

Educational WEBINAR – 11:00 a.m.

Via ZOOM

21

Chapter Board of Directors Meeting – 8:30 a.m. Via ZOOM

22

Wine Night – 4:00 p.m.

26

PHYSICAL DISTANCING & LIVE STREAMING Skirball Cultural Center Skirball Luncheon Program for HOA Boards and 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

Managers – 11:30 a.m.

Los Angeles, CA 90049

Saddlerock Ranch 32111 Mulholland Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265

ALLBRIGHT 1-800-PAINTING Association Reserves – CA/Los Angeles Berding & Weil, LLP BrightView Landscape Services Fenton, Grant, Mayfield, Kaneda & Litt, LLP Guard-Systems, Inc. Hi Tech Painting & Decorating, Inc. Interstate Restoration, LLC Pacific Western Bank Payne Pest Management PRECISION PAINTING Pro AM Construction ProTec Building Services Tinnelly Law Group Trifecta Painting & Construction Valley Alarm Whitestone Industries ■ GOLD

Accurate Termite & Pest Control ADAMS|STIRLING PLC ADCO Roofing & Waterproofing Animal & Insect Pest Management, Inc. THE BEHR PAINT COMPANY Diversified Asphalt Products Dunn-Edwards Paints Ferris Painting, Inc. The Miller Law Firm The Naumann Law Firm, PC Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. Segal Insurance Agency, Inc. Steve Little Insurance Agency, Inc. Vista Paint Corporation

■ SILVER

Alliance Association Bank American Heritage Landscape Association Lien Services CertaPro Painters of Pasadena Enhanced Landscape Management Fenceworks, Inc. Fireplace Solutions The Chimney Sweeper General Pavement Management, Inc. GNG Vinyl Fencing, Inc. Kasdan LippSmith Weber Turner LLP Life Specialty Coatings McKenzie Rhody, LLP Nu Air Services, Inc. Oakridge Landscape Popular Association Banking Professional Services Construction, Inc Riley Pasek Canty, LLP SAX Insurance Agency Select Painting & Construction, Inc. SwedelsonGottlieb The Sherwin-Williams Company

■ BRONZE

Allied Trustee Services Fiore, Racobs & Powers APLC Macdonald Insurance Agency MeterNet Sub-Metering & Billing Solutions Mission Landscape Owens, Moskowitz and Associates, Inc. Poindexter and Company, CPAs Reserve Studies Incorporated Union Bank HOA Services Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin, LLP We thank our 2020 sponsors who have made a substantial contribution to ensure our continued success this year.

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CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

REPRESENTING COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS IN

ALL AREAS OF REAL ESTATE LAW

• Drafting and enforcement of Bylaws and CC&Rs • General litigation, including mediation and arbitration of disputes with owners • Construction defect litigation • Insurance bad faith litigation • Collection of delinquent assessments • Providing general business advice to homeowners associations.

11400 West Olympic Boulevard Ninth Floor • Los Angeles, CA 90064 (PH.) 310.478.4100 • (FAX) 310.478.6363 www.wrslawyers.com CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

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A

s we enter Mental Health Awareness Month, it is impossible to ignore the additional impact on our communities from the COVID-19 Pandemic. Under normal circumstances, we are impacted by the steady rise in occupancy rates in multi-unit residential communities. The challenges of individuals living in relatively close proximity to one another under rules enforced by lay leaders has its stress points that require each of us to develop a higher level of tolerance and a degree of civility.

But the physical, mental , emotional and economic impact brought about by Stay at Home orders, closed businesses and layoffs has turned many communities into pressure cookers.

Addressing Mental Illness In Our Community Associations  By Lesley Millender-Irwin, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® and Matt D Ober, Esq., CCAL In times like these, the phrase “we are all in this together” does little to assist a community manager or volunteer director in dealing with a resident suffering from mental illness.

Typically, the foundation of the community association model is to provide residents the tools they need to take care of themselves. But as more and more residents chose to stay in their homes as they age, we can’t ignore those living amongst us who can no longer take care of themselves, or lack the ability to control their behavior in the common area. Add to this the blurred lines between fair housing laws and private residential communities and we find ourselves at a place and time where many residents have specialized needs and present unique challenges that board members and community managers aren’t trained or necessarily skilled to handle.

Adjusting to the needs of mental illness in community associations may be the most significant issue to face our industry in the years ahead. Hoarding, disorientation, dementia and even homelessness are just some of the challenges facing private residential community associations. These challenges are not

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unlike those facing our general population. The difference is that our community association residents naturally look to those managing and governing the community to address these challenges. Not only do these issues pose a threat to the safety and welfare of the individual resident with special needs, they also present risks for the association and its other residents.

SETTING BOUNDARIES

Associations must set boundaries and residents (and their families) must be educated on the differences between assisted living and common-interest communities. Assisted living is a specialized care facility intended to provide a range of personal services, including medical care and supervision.

Common-interest communities, on the other hand, are designed to meet the needs of all residents equally and regulate conduct of residents in relation to one another. In associations, the needs of the individual are generally subordinate to the best interests of the community as a whole.

As community association leaders, our duty is to act in the best interests of the community as a whole— to preserve and protect the property and address resident needs equally.

But does that duty include being proactive to protect a resident who seems a bit forgetful or a bit disruptive from what might happen or what they might do? Does a duty to maintain common area include a duty to prevent a mentally ill resident from harming himself or another resident in the common area? Focusing on the individual at the expense of the whole challenges these norms. But our human impulse is to run to the aid of one in need regardless of the limitations imposed upon us by a job description or the governing documents. How do we act to protect the well-being of the resident while protecting the Association from liability? Herein lies the challenge for the community association manager or director: to create communities that care, but act within the legal boundaries of the common interest development; to provide residents with information that they need to protect themselves and to have available the social services resources that may be needed in the future so that the board or community manager does not end up as the reluctant caregiver.

In community association living, with a cross section of different people of various ages and socio-economic

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

backgrounds, there will always be a percentage of members/ residents who develop some form of mental illness or cognitive difficulty. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 25% of adults aged 65 years or older have some type of mental health problem, such as a mood disorder that is not associated with normal aging.

Mental illness has a wide range of mental health conditions— disorders that affect mood, thinking and behavior, such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, etc. In some cases, a diagnosis of mental illness has never been made or is obscured by a drug or alcohol abuse problem. Whatever the reason, when there is a community member with untreated or poorlymanaged mental health issues in a community association, often and typically, the community manager is called upon to address the issue—whether prepared to do so or not!

COMMUNITY CONSIDERATION: AVOIDING LIABILITY

Is it reasonable for associations to increase assessments to cover the legal and financial burden of providing specialized care to the elderly or mentally ill? Is it appropriate to use resources dedicated for the entire community to assist an individual resident in need? Is it reasonable for all residents to pay to modify or redesign common areas to accommodate a few? Perhaps not.

An association is obligated to act in the best interests of the community and be proactive in addressing its needs. This may include: the duty of ordinary care in community governance; treating residents fairly and equitably; exercising discretion reasonably and in good faith; and disclosing pertinent information about the association, the common area and the rights and obligations of residents.

In some cases, helping an elderly disoriented resident may pose an unreasonable risk to a manager or board member.

While not providing aid could jeopardize a person’s life, providing it may create an expectation that the association will always be available to assist.

Further, it is conceivable that a resident incapable of caring for herself could be injured in common area left in disrepair from deferred maintenance. It is not out of the range of possibilities that an association could be sued for allowing harm to a mentally ill resident caused by an unreasonably dangerous condition on the premises if the association could have discovered it and made it safe.

In addition, the Fair Housing Act may require an association to permit common area modifications if the health or safety of a resident is involved or to allow the resident the full use and enjoyment of his or her property. The Act protects individuals with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activity. While the Act doesn’t require associations to make fundamental alterations, take on undue financial burdens or provide residents with counseling or CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

medical services, it may require the association to reasonably accommodate a resident’s request to modify the property.

The concern raised by this focus on the mental conditions of individual residents is that this disruption or anti-social behavior is a disproportionate drain on the community’s resources. It also impacts governance. Rule enforcement, rule comprehension or ability to comply becomes challenging if not impossible.

Typically, managers will be called upon to address a difficult situation involving a member or resident because the issue has escalated in such a manner that other staff members or even board members cannot resolve it.

When confronted with a community member who is presenting as mentally ill, the untrained community manager may tend to address issues from a policy, governance and rules perspective. As such, managers may attempt to deal with a community member who is displaying behavior, such as screaming uncontrollably common area or a member answering the door on a regular basis in the nude, by sending violation letters to the member in order to cure the issue.

Some managers when confronted with behavior which is out of the ordinary, provocative or in some cases upsetting, may react by retreating altogether from the community member CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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Addressing Mental Illness In Community Associations

Our

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

demonstrating the behavior. As an end result, the manager may ignore or avoid future occurrences of the behavior as a coping mechanism.

Or, sometimes if the behavior the community member is displaying is overtly aggressive, threatening or “over the top” in such a manner that even board members are afraid to deal with or address it, the manager may take matters into her own hands and confront the resident without the professional skills needed to de-escalate the situation and bring the resident under control.

In each of these possible scenarios (and there are likely others) the voice in your head is shouting “this is not in my job description!”

While all these typical responses by managers are understandable when dealing with the very difficult issue of a mentally ill community member, these responses can make the issues presented by the mentally ill community member worse and more disruptive to the community.

As skilled community managers, or community leaders, after the panic dissipates, we can and we must draw from our years of training and apply basic liability avoidance and crisis management techniques to address mental illness in our communities.

PRACTICAL STEPS

Community leaders have an opportunity to take practical steps for the benefit of all residents while still remaining within the mandates of governing documents and true to the principles behind common interest development living.

Associations can create a framework for caring communities by providing residents with the information they need to care for and protect themselves.  CREATE A PAPER TRAIL Document any incidents that occur. Keep logs of interactions with the resident. Share this information with board members, confidentially, so that there is a record of the problem and how you have addressed it. Record-keeping is critical. Maintain a record of nearest relatives or next of kin. If possible, obtain consent of the resident to contact next of kin in the event of an emergency.

Although contacting next of kin is a practical option, in the event the next of kin doesn’t respond, is too far away to act or doesn’t exist, board members and the manager may be faced with the unenviable task of becoming an on-site caregiver.

Clearly, this role isn’t within anyone’s job description, but does the duty of reasonable care to maintain the safety of the common areas give rise to a duty to act to prevent harm to the elderly resident or another?

Finally, associations also should establish procedures to address specific needs of residents, including methods for

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logging complaints or incident reports, ways to recognize signs of a problem with elderly residents, and appropriate methods of communication that will allow residents to preserve their privacy and personal dignity. Communities should maintain and update a list on a yearly basis that includes emergency contact or next-of-kin information for all residents. Identifying common areas that can be modified to reduce risk of injury or harm without significant cost or inconvenience will help make the community safer overall, while at the same time protecting the association from potential lawsuits should an injury occur.  DUE PROCESS A community must enforce rules fairly and consistently among all residents. This may not be effective when conducting a hearing with a mentally ill resident. That being said, it is important for an association to document its enforcement and demonstrate that it followed proper procedure and did not cut corners in addressing a rule violation or disturbance by a mentally ill resident. If all your best, polite attempts to navigate the issues caused by the mentally ill member fail, it may be time to schedule a disciplinary hearing. Send a violation letter and warning to stop the behavior and schedule a hearing if the behavior continues. Regardless of whether these measures are effective, due process is necessary to demonstrate to a court that the association exhausted all avenues before taking legal action.  OBTAIN A PROTECTIVE ORDER/INJUNCTIVE

RELIEF

If preliminary measures fail, the association may be forced to obtain a court order to stop the behavior. A court order will assist in bringing in law enforcement or social services to help with enforcement.

Dealing with challenging residents suffering from a mental illness is not for the faint of heart. It requires strength, patience and compassion. Even as an experienced community manager or board member, there is no quick fix or a clear resolution. Rely on available resources, each other and legal counsel to reach a humane resolution for the sake of the dignity of the affected individual and the community as a whole.

The obligation to preserve one’s health and safety should rest with each individual resident, not with the association. State departments, local hospitals and agencies may be able to offer on-site programs about independent-living services for those in need. Community leaders should make these resources available to their residents while making it clear that these third-party programs are not a product of or representation from the association.

Written material also can be provided, including contact information, websites and links where residents can go to learn more. By doing this, the association can provide residents and their families with the help they need without directly stepping in and compromising safety or increasing liability.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

 ENGAGE SOCIAL SERVICES There are a variety of helpful social service programs that can assist you with a problematic, mentally ill community member.

Sometimes, in order to get the individual the help they need, local authorities may need to be contacted to determine if the community member needs to be placed in a care facility or psychiatric hold. There are many resources available to community associations and their residents. (See sidebar) Mental illness is a reality in our communities. By providing residents with early access to available resources before they need them, community association leaders can help residents make informed decisions about their own well-being before you are forced to do it for them. In this way, our communities can create an environment that supports the resident with special needs without burdening the community or placing the association at risk.

Lesley Millender-Irwin, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, is General Manager of the Excelsior at the Americana at Brand HOA in Glendale and Matt D. Ober, Esq. CCAL, is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo LLP and a Past President of this chapter. They can be reached at lesley.irwin@fsresidential.com and matt@rodllp.com, respectively.

Social Service Programs and Resources Administration on Aging: https://aoa.gov Adult Protective Services: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/ adult-protective-services Alzheimer’s Association: https://alz.org California Aging and Adult Information Line: Call 1-800-510-2020 for help finding local assistance.

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/ National Aging in Place Council: https://ageinplace.org National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://Nami.org Older Californians Friendship Line: Call1-888-670-1360 for 24/7 support if you are 60 years or older, or an adult living with disabilities Senior Resource: https://seniorresource.com/ageinpl.htm Workforce Development Aging and Community Services: https://wdacs. lacounty.gov/programs/aps

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How to Be Resilient and Overcome the Impact from COVID-19 By Brian D. Moreno, Esq., CCAL

I

N LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, community associations will need economic stability, strong community relations, and to mitigate risks to the extent possible. All of these goals will depend on the ability of boards to communicate well and work together. Boards will need to put aside their personal differences, emotions, political views, etc. and focus on strategies that will further the interests of the community and its residents.

Indeed, personal concerns about the COVID-19 Pandemic are impacting the interactions of community members and board of directors. For obvious reasons, fear and anxiety about the virus can lead to strong emotions and stress. Coping with stress, being understanding of your own feelings and the feelings of others, and focusing on the operations (and other important tasks) of the association will make your community stronger.

Although meetings are being held virtually or through conference calls, boards should maintain as much formality and adherence to the Open Meeting Act as possible, such as continuing a homeowner forum. In this same regard,

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board members must still make tough decisions, review and understand the facts, consult with experts, and make decisions in the best interest of the community. The business of the association should continue. Many legal experts agree that boards implementing the above strategies will be protected by the business judgment rule as well as other protections afforded under the law and the governing documents.

With the foregoing in mind, we will explore some hot topics that boards are confronting during the pandemic.

REOPENING Understandably, with the mixed media reports and conjecture surrounding recovery efforts, there may be dissension about the best course of action for associations considering the re-opening of community amenities. For example, with the warmer weather, boards may feel pressure to open the common area pool areas. However, given the risks associated with COVID-19, associations will no doubt be exposed to liability even if a re-opening policy that waives liability and indemnifies the association is adopted. In this regard, boards may consider retaining a qualified medical expert to provide advice concerning re-opening, taking into account the unique characteristics of the community and its resources available to execute a plan. Like the State’s phased approach, we may see communities taking different paths. Many communities might feel comfortable opening when the public health departments lift the applicable orders. Other communities, such as a senior community, might choose to remain closed and see how other communities fare before opening. Whichever path the community takes, it will be unique to the particular community, and reopening efforts and planning should be well-documented and thought out. The reopening plan and reasoning should be communicated to the membership as soon as possible, based on expert consultation, which will go a long way to mitigate the liability risks associated with reopening.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

ASSESSMENT COLLECTION The economic fallout from the Stay at Home orders is still an unknown. Many owners are misinformed about whether HOA assessments are still owing, and owners may be unable to pay assessments. According to several reports, there is an unprecedented number of Californians filing for unemployment, owners are already requesting late fee waivers, and it is only going to get worse. While some may advocate for leniency, community associations only have one source of income. If too many members cease to pay assessments, associations will likely be unable to pay for essential services, such as common area maintenance, insurance, etc. Associations that end up in this predicament will be scrutinized by paying members. Those that did not try to pursue outstanding debts or implemented too lenient a plan may be subject to litigation by these members.

To reduce liability, savvy boards will reach out to delinquent members and encourage them to seek payment plans and work out as many reasonable payment plans as possible. Boards should also consider communicating to the membership and clarifying the owners’ payment obligations and payment plan policies.

DISAGREEMENTS ON THE BOARD When there is a dissension amongst the board, the dissenters have a fiduciary duty to support the decision of the majority.

Dissension that turns into hostility is not acceptable. As always, boards should attempt to discuss the issue informally

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

in an attempt to resolve the issue amicably and consider adopting a Code of Conduct policy that discloses the various fiduciary duties owed by directors. Despite these efforts, if the rogue director is disclosing confidential information, undermining board decisions, creating a hostile environment, and/or otherwise making it impossible to conduct board business, the board may need to explore the enforcement mechanisms available in the governing documents, including censure, creating an executive committee, excluding the unruly board member from meetings on the topic causing disruption, and/or imposing sanctions. Associations should confer with corporate counsel to proceed with this action.

In closing, we have seen great efforts on behalf of CAI, management companies, and service providers to keep our world moving. These are challenging times. No one should feel like they are in this alone. We are all together while #saferathome. We urge you to stay involved, stay informed, and take care of your health and wellness.

Brian D. Moreno, Esq. CCAL is an attorney at SwedelsonGottlieb, a law firm dedicated to providing legal counsel to common interest developments. He can be reached at bdm@sghoalaw.com.

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 11

FIGHTING THE P ROBLEMS CREATED BY HOARDERS IN AN HOA  By Patricia Brum, Esq. THE TELEVISION SHOW ON A&E, “HOARDERS: BURIED ALIVE,” MAY HAVE POPULARIZED COMPULSIVE HOARDING, BUT THE REALITY SHOW—ALTHOUGH ENTERTAINING—PROVIDES LITTLE GUIDANCE TO HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS (HOAS) ON HOW TO EFFECTIVELY FIGHT THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY THIS DISORDER. UNLIKE THE REALITY SHOW, HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS DO NOT HAVE THE UNLIMITED RESOURCES TO HIRE LICENSED PSYCHOLOGISTS, CLEANING CREWS AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZERS TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS WITHIN A FEW DAYS. INSTEAD, FOR HOAs, THIS FIGHT IS SLOW, COSTLY, AND OFTEN REQUIRES COURT INTERVENTION. Typically, a homeowners association is first notified of the problem when a neighbor complains about excessive clutter, junk or debris in a neighboring garage, front or back yard; a nasty smell coming from a unit; or even a surge of bugs, roaches and other insects. The complaining homeowner— perhaps misled by the magical solutions presented in the TV show—will often demand that the association immediately enter, inspect and clean the offending unit and charge all costs to the responsible owner. This, of course, is not possible, but there are several actions that a homeowners association can take to effectively fight the problems created by hoarders. This article discusses five important steps in doing so.

1. PROMPTLY REQUEST PERMISSION TO ENTER AND INSPECT THE UNIT... BUT IF ENTRY IS DENIED, DO NOT ENTER BY FORCE. The first step an HOA should take in addressing a potential hoarding problem is to send a letter demanding to enter and inspect the unit. Unfortunately, hoarders are often embarrassed and ashamed about the poor sanitary condition 1

of their homes and, as a result, will typically ignore the association’s request, or simply refuse to grant the association permission to enter and inspect the unit.1 This, however, does not exempt the association from its obligation to send letters demanding access, sending violation notices (for any visible unsanitary conditions and failure to grant access), calling the homeowner to hearings, and ultimately imposing fines. See Civ. Code §§ 5855. And, these standard procedures for enforcement of the governing documents are crucial in case the association needs to seek court intervention to obtain access to the unit, or as a defense in an action for breach of CC&Rs filed by a homeowner (possibly the complaining neighbor) against the association.

The complaining neighbor will often get frustrated with the association’s failure to take immediate action and point to the provision in the CC&Rs authorizing the association the right to inspect a unit if violations are suspected. What the complaining homeowner fails to understand is that this type of provision in the CC&Rs does not automatically gives the association the right to enter a unit by force absent an emergency.2 Instead, when a homeowner denies access to his/ her unit, the association is required to seek a court order to enforce its right to enter and inspect the unit. 3 This, of course, takes time and money.

2. WORK WITH HOMEOWNERS IMPACTED BY THE PROBLEM AND GRANT ANY REASONABLE REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATION. In dealing with hoarders, homeowners associations are forced to strike a delicate balance between protecting the interests of the neighboring homeowners who are affected by the unsanitary conditions of a unit and the legal rights of the person suffering from the hoarding disorder.

https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/ask-and-learn/ask-expert/what-hoarding-and-how-do-i-know-if-i’m-hoarder-what-dif

While no published decisions could be found expressly holding the foregoing, California courts have a long history of cases in the context of landlord-tenant disputes discouraging “self-hep in the settlement of disputes over possession” and holding that “actual possession [of property] shall not disturbed except by legal process.” See e.g., Spinks v. Equity Residential Briarwood Apartments, 171 Cal. App. 4th 1004, 1038 (2009) (citing numerous decisions).

2

3 See e.g., The Longford Condominium Ass’n v Tabib, No. BC 494480, 2014 WL 12519948, at *1 (Cal.Super. Feb. 11, 2014) (granting preliminary injunction prohibiting homeowners from “improperly maintaining their Unit in an unclean and/or unsanitary condition” and from “refus[ing] Association representatives reasonable entry into and reasonable inspection of Unit and its patio or balcony”)

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CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

• INTERESTS OF THE NEIGHBORING UNITS The association must preserve the privacy of the person accused of keeping their unit in an unsanitary condition.

See e.g., Cal. Civ. Code 4950, 5215(a)(5)(B) (disciplinary actions are to be held in executive sessions). Nonetheless, the association is authorized to report generic information about disciplinary action and thus should keep the neighboring units impacted by the alleged unsanitary condition generally appraised of the status of its enforcement actions.

Moreover, an HOA should also consider taking remedial actions to minimize the impact of the hoarding problem on the community.

For example, a board may decide to temporarily cover the costs of fumigation services to the neighboring units affected by the hoarding problem while it seeks to resolve the issue. 4 • RIGHT OF THE ALLEGED HOARDER TO REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION Hoarding is a mental disability and thus people suffering from this disorder are protected under fair housing laws and are entitled to reasonable accommodation in the same way people with other mental and physical disabilities are. 5 This means that the HOA must grant any requests by a homeowner for a reasonable accommodation to deal with his/her hoarding condition, including but not limited to additional time to clean the unit. 6 3. WHEN POSSIBLE, CONTACT FAMILY MEMBERS. It is not unusual for hoarders to be elderly or suffer from a declining mental state. In these instances, seeking the assistance of family members to address the unsanitary condition of a unit often proves to be a useful tool.

4. INVOLVE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES. Homeowners associations should also seek assistance from the state or local government. Many cities have agencies with social welfare workers, who will take anonymous tips and send investigators to speak with the person and evaluate the situation.

In Los Angeles, that’s the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.7 In addition to a very helpful factsheet8 addressing hoarding disorder, the County also lists a series of resources available to the public, including a 24/7 investigation and crisis intervention hotline.

• Adult Protective Service (877) 477-3646 Investigation & Crisis intervention for elder and dependent adult abuse including self-neglect, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• I nfoline – (800) 339-6993; TDD (800) 660-4026 24-hour information and referral to human service agencies.

5. WHEN ENTRY IS GRANTED (VOLUNTARILY OR VIA COURT ORDER), DOCUMENT THE CONDITION OF THE UNIT AND PROPERLY EVALUATE WHETHER IT IS MERELY POOR HOUSEKEEPING. While HOAs certainly have the right (and duty) to address a grossly unsanitary condition of a unit, they have no right to micromanage a homeowner’s personal housekeeping.9 There are two legal decisions that illustrate this principle: Fountain Valley Chateau Blanc Homeowners Assn. v. Department of Veterans Affairs (“Fountain Valley HOA”) and 4215 Harding Rd. Homeowners Association. v. Harris (“4215 Harding HOA”).10 Fountain Valley HOA is a decision by the California Appellate Court holding that CC&Rs cannot reasonably be read to allow a homeowners association to dictate the amount of clutter in which person chose to live. In that case, the association was complaining about excessive clutter in the interior of a unit, which it contended it was a fire hazard. The California court disagreed and noted that none of the relevant city departments had found the condition to be a fire hazard, and thus the association had no right to micromanage the amount of clutter in the interior of unit.

4215 Harding HOA is a decision by a Tennessee court. Although not binding in California courts, it is illustrative of the importance of documenting the condition of the unit. In that case, the association presented “overwhelming” evidence of the grossly unsanitary condition of the unit via testimony of numerous credible witnesses, including the property manager, professional cleaning personnel and a professional air quality expert.

In sum, it is extremely important for homeowners associations to properly document and evaluate whether the condition of the unit exceeds poor housekeeping and thus requires intervention.

•D epartment of Mental Health – ACCESS Center (800) 854-7771 • Information & Referral to local mental health system of care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Patricia Brum, Esq. is an attorney specializing in common interest development law at Snell & Wilmer LLP in downtown Los Angeles. She can be reached at pbrum@ swlaw.com.

4

Before offering this fumigation service, the association must ensure its governing documents do not prohibit the foregoing.

5

See e.g., https://www.ajjcs.net/paper/main/2014/04/12/hoarding-now-considered-disability/

See e.g., Douglas v. Kriegsfeld Corp., 884 A.2d 1109, 1133–34 (D.C. App. 2005) (holding that under FEHA, a tenant was entitled to a stay of an unlawful detainer proceeding during a reasonable period sufficient to allow the government to clean her apartment and for her to show that she could maintain it clean).

6

7

https://dmh.lacounty.gov/

8

http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dmh/159929_hoarding_fact_sheet.pdf

Fountain Valley Chateau Blanc Homeowner’s Assn. v. Department of Veterans Affairs, 67 Cal. App. 4th 743 (4th Dist. 1998); see also § 22:8. Application of reasonableness standard, Cal. Comm. Int. Dev. L. & Prac. § 22:8 (2019 ed.)

9

10

354 S.W.3d 296, 304 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2011)

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 13

C

OMMUNITIES AND THOSE WITHOUT A COMMUNITY: THE HOMELESSNESS EFFECT

WITH THE EXISTING AND GROWING NUMBER OF COMMUNITY

HOMELESS. SHE HAS LEARNED BOTH THE STATISTICS AND THE DAILY

ASSOCIATIONS AND THE HOMELESS IN CALIFORNIA, THE

EFFECT OF THE HOMELESS BECAUSE SHE MANAGES IN AN AREA

IMPACT OF HOMELESSNESS ON THESE COMMUNITIES IS RISING.

WHERE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS RISE AMIDST ONE OF THE NATION’S

“HOMELESSNESS IS A COMPLEX SOCIAL PROBLEM WITH A

LARGEST HOMELESS POPULATIONS.

VARIETY OF UNDERLYING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FACTORS SUCH AS POVERTY, LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UNCERTAIN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTIONS, AND COMMUNITY AND FAMILY BREAKDOWN.”1 TRACY ROBINSON, MBA, CCAM®, GENERAL MANAGER OF MARKET LOFTS HOA, IN CENTRAL LOS ANGELES, IS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE INTERFACE BETWEEN ASSOCIATION RESIDENTS AND THE

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WE ASKED TRACY FOR HER PERSPECTIVE ON THE SITUATION AND ADVICE FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES BEING AFFECTED BY THE HOMELESS. “California hosts about 20% of all homeless people in the United States, and in 2019 the homeless population in Los Angeles County increased 12% over the year before. Since 2000, developers have drastically built more retail, homes and office spaces in downtown Los Angeles, knowing that this

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area has been the hub where the homeless camp, hoping to drive them out, which to-date, has not worked.

Many of the housing complexes recently built in downtown Los Angeles are condominium associations, where residents quickly discovered that they must share their community with the homeless who have no community. No one says, “When I grow up, I want to be homeless.” It is a situation of circumstance that is rapidly growing due to many reasons—job loss, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental health issues, just to name a few.

This is not a problem that will be easily solved, and residents of community associations are concerned that this situation is currently out of control, affecting real estate values in addition to residents having to witness the horrible living conditions of the homeless every day. Many community association residents encounter homeless persons who appear to have 5:04 PM Page 1 mental problems, which are exhibited by their screaming and yelling periodically at the air and or at those that they pass by daily, causing residents to live in fear.

We recently had to deal with a situation of a homeless person in our community who entered the building by walking in behind a resident and refused to leave. The gentlemen claimed he was sick and proceeded to lie on the floor. Security promptly contacted the Business Improvement District (BID) and dialed 911 for assistance. This was quite a scary incident for the residents. It turned out that nothing was physically

Experience professional delinquent assessment recovery.

wrong with him and we assumed he was just looking for shelter. But it was also discovered that he had a knife on his person, and this situation could have gone extremely wrong.

Thanks to our security team and our public servants, the situation was appropriately managed.

It will literally take a village to make a difference. In my community we believe that staying present and vocal, letting those that we believe are elected to do something, or are being paid by the residents that reside in our community to do something, continually know of our concerns and that we are holding them accountable. We attend community meetings and hold in-person meetings with our Area Captain and his direct reports and other representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department, along with BID. We are keeping our residents updated about what is happening in the community and about new laws that are and will be implemented as they pertain to homelessness and how these new laws will affect them. We remind them of their civic duty and that they must continue to be vocal and vote for measures that provide funding for shelter, medical, and mental health support for the homeless. Being engaged and working towards finding a solution is crucial in building a better community for all, even those who currently don’t have a community.”

The homeless lingering near or in a community can have significant economic and social consequences, such as lower property values, loss of residents or potential residents, and the perception of people experiencing homelessness as a nuisance in the community. Earlier this year, the Lakewood Homeowners Association was billed $20,000 by Alameda County to pay for cleaning up a former homeless camp in a wooded ravine on Association property. The owners weren’t aware it was on their property until they received a special assessment of $300 each to cover the fee.

Between compassion for those living without a home and NIMBY feelings, communities will be dealing with the impact of homelessness for the foreseeable future, particularly in California, which has both the largest population of any state and the greatest number of homeless, for many of the same reasons.

Tracy Robinson, MBA, CCAM®, is the General Manager at Market Lofts HOA in downtown Los Angeles. She can be reached at trobinson@pmpmanage.com.

Analyzing the Impact of Social Factors on Homelessness, Vijay K. Mago, Hilary K. Morden, et al.

Tracy Robinson’s References: Causes, Myths, and Misconceptions, Getting to the Bottom of it.

Downtown Streets Team (DST).

Homelessness jumps 12% in L.A. County and 16% in the city, LA Times,

By Benjamin Oreskes, Doug Smith, June 4, 2019.

Downtown Los Angeles Becomes A Giant Construction Zone, Reema Khrais, Marketplace 1

888-845-8808 www.witkinandneal.com CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 15

COMMITTEE CORNER

CAI-GLAC Community Outreach Committee

Spreading Love on Valentine’s Day ¡¡¡ By Jocelle Maliwanag

T

he CAI Greater Los Angeles Chapter’s Community Outreach Committee had a heartfelt Valentine’s Day event by having their members visit two convalescent homes and drop off Valentine cards and sundries to the residents at two locations, Gertrude Sisterhood Home in San Fernando and Silverado Calabasas Memory Care in Calabasas.

Recognizing that many elderlies may be in need of some cheer, the Committee spent time visiting residents in their rooms, chatting with them and spreading some joy. The residents were both welcoming and grateful.

They were excited to receive visitors.

Some were eager to share photos of their family, and others were simply eager to have some conversation, even sharing with us that it had been several years since receiving a greeting card.

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The Committee all shared the same feelings of desire to return in the future on another holiday to show these amazing people that the CAI-GLAC Outreach Committee truly cares about them and wants to continue to share goodness with them because they have also enriched our lives. The Outreach Committee’s goal is to provide services to communities throughout Greater Los Angeles that can benefit from our program. The Valentine’s Day event was a memorable experience for both the residents of the convalescent homes and the members of the Outreach Committee. We look forward to more events and being able to continue to uplift our community.

2020 COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Angelique Madrigal, Co-chair Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC Patti Specht, Co-chair Service Master Recovery

by C2C Restoration Alexandria Pollock, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® Board Liaison BuildingLink.com LLC Carolina Badillo, CMCA® HOA Organizers, Inc. Tina Conaway KB Construction Company Cassandra Eggers Associa-PM, AAMC® Jerri Gaddis, CMCA® Vintage Group Carla Gray BrightView Landscape Services Laurie Hargrove KONE Inc. Jessica Koval, CMCA®, AMS® Cove Community Association Jocelle Maliwanag American Heritage Landscape Ray Moody City National Bank Tamika Moore Dunn-Edwards Paints Stephanie Romero Aeroscopic Environmental, Inc. Kelly Rupp, CMCA®, AMS® Community Association Specialists Jennifer Schuster Valley Alarm

Jocelle Maliwanag, MBA, is the Director of Marketing and Business Development for American Heritage Landscape. She can be reached at jmaliwanag@americanheritagelandscape.com

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

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Substance Abuse in HOAs

By Lesley Millender-Irwin, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®

Substance abuse among community members is one of the most difficult issues that a community manager will have to deal with in their career. Because substance abuse typically occurs behind closed doors in the communities we manage, when the issue finally becomes apparent in a community, managers are placed in the challenging position of protecting the interests of the community, while also determining how to best navigate issues of possible

illegal drug activity, nuisance and the sometimes disruptive behavior of a community member who is under the influence of illicit or legal substances.

Substance abuse is defined as “uncontrolled use of alcohol, illegal or prescribed drugs that affect the activities of daily life”. When a member of the community is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they demonstrate disruptive behaviors— aggression, damaging property, and theft. These behaviors can and do disrupt and destabilize community associations. Substance abuse issues in communities can result in community members feeling unsafe in their homes.

The way the manager and the board choose to address substance abuse issues in the community is critical to community perception. If the manager and the board choose to respond to substance abuse in the community by ignoring it, hoping that it will go away, confidence in management and the board will take a significant hit. However, if the manager responds to substance abuse issues in the community with an open, problem solving approach, which involves the board and legal counsel, the community perception will be positive.

During my career, virtually every community I have managed has had a member or several members

who who had a substance abuse problem. How these members’ substance abuse problems manifested varied, but they all had one common denominator: their behaviors disrupted the community in such a way that required intervention from law enforcement, social service agencies, family members or Association legal counsel. They were so drug-addicted that they allowed their dog to urinate and defecate in the residential hallway of a high-end luxury building. One member would drink to excess and sit in the common area harassing staff and visitors every Friday evening. Another member who could no longer handle maintenance problems inside of their unit, moved their illicit drug use into the common area restrooms.

In all these scenarios, I did not have direct experience with dealing with a community member who was clearly under the influence of drugs or alcohol until it happened. Unfortunately, I also learned during my tenure at these communities that these members’ issues with illegal or legal substance issues were long-standing and known to everyone in the community.

However, I also found that just because it was common knowledge within the community that there were members under the influence of drugs and alcohol didn’t mean that the community at-large was comfortable with “looking the other way” and allowing the issues caused by these members’ substance abuse to continue to negatively affect the community.

Successfully navigating substance abuse issues in a community require that a manager focus on the tools that are at your disposal to deal with, manage and control the effects that a community member with a substance abuse issue can have on a community. The first step to navigating this issue is to inform your board of directors and

legal counsel of this issue. This will require detailed and consistent documentation of the matter, so you can accurately report on the activities of the member and the effect these activities are having on the community and the members.

In addition to engaging and reporting on the substance abuse issues of the member to your board and attorney, it is also important to develop a plan to address and respond to substance abuse issues in your community when they arise. I have developed a plan that utilizes the Association’s governing documents and, when needed, law enforcement to effectively address the issues that members with substance abuse problems have presented.

I call it the “No Nuisance and Law Enforcement Plan.”

No Nuisance and Law Enforcement Plan l Work closely with the Association’s legal counsel to draft all documents related to the member’s substance abuse issue. l Utilize the Association’s CC&Rs “No Nuisance” provisions to issue violation letters to the substance-abusing member. l Using documentation gathered in support of the violation, call the member to a hearing to address the violations of the “No Nuisance” provisions in the CC&Rs. Fine as appropriate and as often as needed. l If appropriate, offer IDR to the member to open a dialogue with the member, at least two board members and legal counsel for both parties.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

l Continue to document any issues as they occur with the member in order to maintain a consistent record of events in case you may need to escalate the issue to the Association’s legal counsel. l Do not be reluctant to contact law enforcement to assist you if the community member’s behavior escalates to the level where you or other members are fearful.

I have used all or several parts of the “No Nuisance and Law Enforcement Plan.” Depending on the severity and length of time the member’s substance abuse problems have affected the community, the Plan has worked successfully to bring a modicum of control to a challenging and impactful issue in the communities I have managed. As community managers, we are faced with challenging issues on a regular basis that require us to learn, think quickly on our feet, and meet difficult situations head-on. While I can’t promise you that navigating the complex issue of substance abuse in your community will be easy, know that, if you use the considerable tools at your disposal, you can guide your community successfully through this very challenging issue.

Lesley Millender-Irwin, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, is the General Manager of Excelsior at the Americana at Brand HOA. a First Service Residential AAMS-managed community. She can be reached at lesley.irwin@fsresidental.com.

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 19

The New Normal:

Tips from a psychiatrist on how to optimize mental health and wellness during the current Pandemic

äää By Dr. Jake Hollingsworth, Guest Author COVID-19 is a very unique situation for one very specific reason: we are all dealing with it together—doctors and patients alike. There are new stressors that are affecting all people, all races, all nationalities, all socioeconomic classes, etc. Typically when patients are seen in a psychiatric clinic, they are discussing stressors that are specific to themselves. Sometimes there are similarities in the patients’ issues with the psychiatrist or therapist, but usually it’s the job of the mental health professional to keep their problems to themselves. With COVID-19, we all know this is an issue that we are facing together. There is zero percent chance that anyone is immune to stress caused by the impact of COVID-19.

dealing with frustration or anxiety-provoking situations, but now that the world has changed, we are faced with new stressors, and our previous methods of coping may not be available. Some of us like to be alone to destress, but now that the whole family is home, it’s hard to find this alone time. Some people like to go to the gym, the theater or the bowling alley—none of which are options. The good news is that just because our old ways are no longer accessible, it doesn’t mean that we can’t find new ways. For example, my son has had a ukulele hanging on his wall for the last two years and has never really put much effort into it. Over the past two weeks he has been strumming along with an online instructor via YouTube. Now’s he actually pretty good and playing to relax all on his own. It may not be easy to find new ways, but I assure you, they are there.

We’re all in this together

Personally, I’ve decided to be fairly open with my patients that COVID stressors are pervasive and persistent and they are affecting everyone. With that being said, I am still a professional and the appointments are for my patients, not me. I think that my being more open than I normally would be gives a sense of normalcy to my patients that they aren’t broken or disordered because they are feeling the weight of the circumstances.

So what can we do?

Unless you’re an epidemiologist, or infectious disease doctor, finding a cure or vaccine for COVID-19 is not our job. What we can do to help slow the spread of disease is adhere to what the local authorities are advising us to do, such as: wear masks, practice social distancing, wash hands frequently, and avoid touching our faces.

What can we do to maintain our sanity and mental health during this crisis? Well, here are a few things that I’ve come up with over the past few weeks working with people who have been struggling with this issue. ● Research alternative coping strategies for stress ● Limit your time watching news ● Stay connected with family, friends and neighbors ● Find ways to serve and help others ● Look for the silver lining in this current situation ● Seek out professional help when necessary ● Research alternative coping strategies for stress When a global event like a pandemic happens, it alters our lifestyles very quickly, literally overnight. Given human beings are creatures of habit, it is very disturbing to have our world turned upside down like that. We all have our ways of destressing or

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Limit your time watching news The news can be very helpful, but it can be very stressful to watch. It’s easy to get lost in the pursuit of information via the news networks and Internet, but their main purpose is to obtain ratings, and ratings are driven by sensational headlines.

I like watching some amount of news in the morning and in the evenings to catch the major headlines. Any more than that, and I start feeling stressed out that nothing is improving, usually because throughout the course of a day, it’s the same stories played over and over. It makes it seem as if nothing is changing.

I’m not certain what the right amount is for every single person, but for me it’s about 20 minutes in the morning and another 20 minutes after dinner.

Stay connected with family, friends and neighbors The theme continues. We had ways of staying socially connected with family, friends, neighbors, etc., but now some of those methods are no longer there, specifically the physical/in-person connections.

This is hard for a lot of people, especially the people on “lock down” who live alone. These people are finding the COVID lifestyle changes particularly challenging. Many of my current patients are in this situation, and they tell me each time they come in for a treatment that they are so grateful that our clinic has remained open for in-person treatments, as this is one of the few times they get any type of intimate human connection. I suggest exploring some of the webchat platforms like FaceTime and Skype more than you typically do. These platforms are actually pretty good and seem to do a good job at keeping people connected.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

Find ways to serve and help others

Seek out professional help when necessary

The Dalai Lama says, “The root of happiness is altruism—the wish to be of service to others.” If you are in a position to help others in your community, take advantage of this opportunity.

It doesn’t have to be heroic either. Random acts of kindness can be very meaningful. Some people are sewing face masks to donate to local organizations, or volunteering at a food bank.

My suggestion is to be creative and be on the lookout for ways to be helpful. There are opportunities to help all around, and if you aren’t in a position to help others for whatever reason, don’t worry about it—just staying home is helpful in limiting the spread of disease and keeping others well.

Lastly, these are definitely trying times. There is so much uncertainty and many stories of tragedy. For some, this can be overwhelming. Don’t think that reaching out to professionals is a shameful thing to do. It’s not admitting defeat. Looking to professionals for assistance is a healthy behavior, especially if the alternative is to give in to unhealthy ways to cope.

The mental health professionals have dedicated their lives for this exact situation, to assist people in need of support and treatment. One good thing about the current circumstances is that the medical and mental health community has embraced telemedicine technology like never before. Our clinic in San Diego has converted 100% of psychotherapy and psychiatry appointments to telemedicine, and we accept almost all commercial insurance plans. My providers, including myself, love it, as do our patients.

Look for the silver lining in this current It’s a way to continue much needed care, allow accessibility, and reduce situation the risk of infection to 0% compared to an in-person session. Additionally, I almost hate to say it, but the COVID-19 situation isn’t all we are accessible to patients throughout California, whereas prior to bad. It’s bringing families and communities together on COVID-19, we were only seeing patients who were local to San Diego. a scale that can hardly be recreated. My family has spent We’re all in this together... and we will get through this. more evenings together in the last few weeks than we have in a long time. I’m actually enjoying that aspect of it. We’ve Don’t forget, we’re going to get through this, and the more we can rely been cooking together, cleaning together, and exercising on one another, the quicker and easier it will be. together. We’ve also been arguing a lot from time-to-time, Dr. Jake Hollingsworth is a board-certified psychiatrist, and which I feel comes with the territory. Also, there will be great owns and operates the Pacific Psychiatric Intervention & innovation born out of this isolation. Creativity is booming Wellness Centers in Del Mar, which specializes in the treatment within individuals and organizations looking to solve new of mood and anxiety disorder using traditional and cutting-edge (Dimensions 7.5w x 4.75h) treatments. He can be reached through the clinic’s website at problems. See if there are ways that you can bloom during PacificPsychCenters.com. this adversity.

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CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

3/10/20 4:07 PM

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 21

10 Tips For Managing Your Mental Health

therefore still stressful. The following tips to manage your stress are from one of my board presidents, Dr. Debbie Campbell, who is a psychologist in private practice in Newhall. She has been in practice for 30 years, specializing in aiding law enforcement personnel.

1. Exercise regularly.

Exercise is a natural kind of antidepressant. Exercise releases stress hormones (cortisol) and helps your immune system to function more optimally. Norepinephrine also gets released in exercise, the “feel good” neurotransmitter. Runners describe a “high” from these natural chemicals. Walking, swimming and biking are also great ways to exercise.

Strength training is also important to promote strength and flexibility. Strength training can be accomplished with weights and/or using your body as resistance (push-ups, sit ups, planks, etc.).

Yoga is also invaluable. Research has shown that yoga has a calming effect on the body. Yoga can help us to slow down our bodies and mind.

2. Get enough sleep (7-8 hours a night).

 By Gary Choppé, CMCA®, AMS IT WAS NOT THAT LONG AGO THAT ALL WE HAD TO WORRY ABOUT AS COMMUNITY MANAGERS WERE DOGS BARKING, PARKING ISSUES AND DELINQUENT PAYMENTS. THE SITUATION HAS BEEN EXASPERATED TO A LEVEL BEYOND WHAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IN A LIFETIME OF COMMUNITY LIVING. Dealing with the onset of the Coronavirus as a manager can be a “challenge” to your mental health in many ways never foreseen—I mean all the local bars are closed! I think that we all must take the time to look at how adjustments can be made in our personal lives both in and out of the communities we manage.

We are an “Essential Service” that must carry on even if the world is falling apart. I constantly communicate with my peers, vendors, board members and homeowners about various issues in order to try to get ahead of the game so we can ward off problems before they happen.

It is important to manage the daily stresses of being a community manager. We all have stress; it is a normal part of living. Even good things that happen are changes and

22

www.cai-glac.org | May/June 2020

Sleep is crucial to emotional and physical health and well-being. In sleep, your body repairs itself and even psychologically works through problems! Often when we ”sleep on it,” we may wake up with solutions (or at least greater ability to cope and solve problems). Sleep rejuvenates and restores us so we can cope with the emotional and physical demands of the job.

3. Eat healthy.

Good nutrition is crucial to functioning at our best. Although junk food may taste good, it depletes our energy and vitality.

Eat plenty of protein to fuel the brain. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated (which also helps your energy level).

4. Utilize meditation and/or prayer.

We all need time to re-center ourselves and to slow down.

Meditation apps are available (i.e. “Deep Calm”). Prayer and meditation can reduce anxiety. Additionally, it is helpful to dwell in gratitude; we can keep a gratitude journal chronicling what we are thankful for in our lives.

5. Don’t over-personalize issues and problems.

We must cope with others’ stresses and problems often at a time when they are unhappy and/or angry. Assist them to solve their problem, but realize it is not about us and we can only do what we can do. Recognizing what we can and cannot change (or fix) is also important.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

6. Talk to others or journal.

10. Practice supportive self-talk.

Venting and using our support system is helpful and may help us to keep perspective on our daily stresses and problems.

Introverts may prefer to write about their feelings and experiences (in a daily journal).

Learn to be soothing and supportive to yourself. Accept that we all make mistakes. Encourage yourself and recognize your own strengths and accomplishments. Be good to yourself!

7. Have a sense of humor.

Laugh often. Laughter is good for your emotional and physical health. Laughter relaxes the body and boosts your immune system. Laughter also helps us keep things in perspective.

8. Find time for yourself.

Find time for yourself to engage in enjoyable activities and hobbies. Outside interests are particularly important. We should work to live not live to work. It is also important to find (schedule) time with your significant other (a weekly date night is always a clever idea).

With or without the virus, communities will always have a good amount of stress to deal with, and as managers it is part of our job to manage our health. We certainly don’t want to push ourselves and “go off” on our homeowners or have a heart attack (as one manager that I heard of did, when she was confronted by an irate homeowner at a Denny’s!).

Try and leave your work at the office, follow the tips by Dr. Campbell and on the way home you can turn the music up loud and scream… that’s my tip!

Gary Choppé, CMCA®, AMS®, is a portfolio manager at HOA Management of Santa Clarita. He can be reached at hoamanagementsc@yahoo.com.

9. Practice good time management.

Allow more time than you need for tasks; this will assist you if/when there are interruptions. Do not procrastinate as that only increases your inner pressure and stress.

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 23

Mind Gam es: A MENTAL WORKOUT to Help Keep Your BRAIN SHARP

DR. GARY SMALL IS A PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY AND AGEING, AND DIRECTOR OF THE LONGEVIT Y CENTER

AT THE SEMEL INSTITUTE FOR NEUROSCIENCE & HUMAN BEHAVIOR, UNIVERSIT Y OF C ALIFORNIA, L O S A NG ELES. PUZ ZLES REPRINTED FROM HIS BOOK 2 WEEKS TO A YOUNGER BRAIN ( HUMANIX BOOKS, 2014).

RIGHT BRAIN EXERCISES

u How many squares do you count?

MEMORY BASELINE

Below is a list of eight unrelated words. Set a stopwatch for one minute to study the words. Then spend 10 minutes doing something else. Then write down as many of the words as you can remember, for your baseline memory score:

24

Horse

Doctor

Orange

Clown

Pipe

Chair

Tree

Guitar

www.cai-glac.org | May/June 2020

v Arrange three toothpicks into the number 9 (without breaking or bending them).

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

w Which is the missing piece?

A

z Come up with as many words as you can from the following letters. Use each letter only once in each word.

B

C

D

IRNAB

LEFT BRAIN EXERCISES

x Begin with the word WALL and change a letter at a time until you get the word FIRM. Each change must be a proper word.

WA L L — ­ ———

DON'T CHEAT!

­————

Answer Key:

­————

u 21 squares

FI R M

v IX (Roman numeral)

y Rearrange ALL the letters to find the four colors mixed below.

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CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 25

NEWS

FROM SACRAMENTO

State Government During COVID-19

T

he Legislature recessed on March 16th due to the COVID-19 crisis and was originally scheduled to return April 13th. With most Shelter in Place ordinances having been extended through April, Legislative leadership recently agreed to extend the recess until May 4th.

When the Legislature returns, it will be focused on passing a budget dealing with COVID-19-related issues and homelessness. What happens to the more than 2,000 bills introduced remains to be seen, but most agree a large percentage will be deemed unnecessary for this year. Until a final decision is made, we continue to negotiate legislation prioritized by the CAI-CLAC Delegate committee.

The Governor recently stated that the budget proposed in January is no longer relevant for the current economic situation facing the State. His finance team is working with the legislative budget committees to draft a May revision, which is scheduled

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.

to be released around May 14th. This budget will be a working budget, defined as the bare minimum needed for agencies to operate. Additional budget decisions will be made in August, after revenue estimates are determined.

As an update for the 2020 CAI-CLAC Legislative Days event, CAI-CLAC has created a subcommittee to look at different options that maybe available. We will continue to keep all attendees and sponsors updated when any decisions are made.

On behalf of our CAI-CLAC Executive and Delegate committees, I hope our CAI-CLAC members and partners are staying healthy and doing their part to get us through this crisis.

Louie Brown is our Legislative Advocate for CAI’s California Legislative Action Committee and may be reached at lbrown@kscsacramento.com.

UTILITY REFUNDS AND UTILITY COST REDUCTION EXPERTS

$2,000,000+ LADWP REFUNDS

 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.

WATER

 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.

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.

26

www.cai-glac.org | May/June 2020

GAS

TRASH

TELEPHONE.

SEWER ELECTRIC

PA CI F IC UT I L IT YA U D I T . C O M

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

OUR THANKS TO CAI-CLAC 2020 CONTRIBUTORS January 1 – March 31

GOAL: $25,248

51% of goal as of 03/31/20 $12,856

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

101 S. Manhattan Place HOA 11767 Sunset Boulevard Association 1242 Berkeley Street HOA 15206 Burbank Blvd. HOA 1835 7th Street HOA 2050 Artesia HOA 2138 Stewart Street HOA 253370-72-1/2 Malibu Road HOA 3049-Design Villas HOA 446 San Vicente HOA 4820 Bellflower HOA 720 Shoreham Drive HOA 909 El Centro, Inc. Aliso Village HOA Armour Lane Condominium Avis HOA Avocado Glen HOA Berkeley Townhouse HOA, Inc. Beverly-Westwood Condominiums, Inc. Border and Lincoln Villas HOA California Ave HOA Casa de Suenos CA Casa Loma Association, Inc. Casita De La HOA

Channel View Terraces HOA Culver Centrale HOA Culver City Gardens HOA El Segundo Peppertree HOA Gorham Park HOA Harbor Ridge HOA Hermosa Surf Condos, Inc. Hermosa Townhomes HOA Hilllcrest Meadows HOA, Inc. Irena Vista OA Kelton Arms COA Kester Villas HOA Lake at Walnut C.A. La Palma Estates HOA Lawford HOA Longfellow Village OA Los Cerros HOA Oak Hill Condominium HOA Oak Street HOA Ocean West COA Pacific Bougainvillea, Inc. Pacific Colony HOA Pacific Garden 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 Estates HOA Textile Building OA The Granvillas HOA Inc. The Vista Pacifica HOA Villa Capri Townhomes HOA Villa Cordoba HOA Villa Del Sol Villas HOA Villa Fountaine Bleu HOA Villa Medici HOA Villa Redano HOA Villa Serena HOA Virgil Courts HOA Vista Catalina HOA Vita Bella HOA Vogue Condominium Association, Inc. Westside Townhouses HOA Wilshire Regent Association, Inc. Wilshire Selby Towers East CA

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 27

Bringing a Community Together We asked several community managers what events their associations hold to bring people together, especially during the summer.

Danny Padilla, CEO

Heather Nutt, CMCA®

Cardinal Management Group

“I work with several associations that have very active social committees.

For example, Vista Del Arroyo Bungalows HOA in Pasadena puts on a “Movie Night in the Courtyard” during the summer months, where they play a family-friendly movie and provide movie snacks and refreshments for the kids and wine for the adults! Arroyo Seco Village in Los Angeles provides free yoga on the community lawn every 3rd Saturday of the month. They also do an annual community yard sale, which allows residents to get rid of some of their clutter and also acts as a social gathering.”

Linda Sanchez,

Community Manager Ross Morgan & Company Inc. AAMC

Community Manager Jenkins Properties Management Company, Inc.

“Renaissance HOA during the summer months has Food Truck Thursday, Jazz Night, Block Party and even a Movie Night.”

“Casa De Valley View Owners Association has really great holiday parties with fun for both children and adults. Carolers in authentic costumes come to bring holiday cheer, and it even snows in Southern California!”

Brittany Joseph

Marcia Coppola, CMCA®, AMS®

“We at Heights at Ladera HOA hold an annual summer block party to bring the community together.”

“Warner Woodlands HOA serves up a sense of community by bringing active homeowners together for an annual tennis tournament.”

Account Executive Seabreeze Management Company, Inc. AAMC

Community Manager HOA Organizers, Inc.

We offer free estimates.

Please give us a call today!

28

www.cai-glac.org | May/June 2020

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

Leslie Barton, CMCA®

Alissa McMurrin CMCA®, AMS®

Community Manager FirstService Residential AAMC

“At Tesoro del Valle Master Homeowners Association we host a Family Fun Day for members of the Association to come together and play carnival games and enjoy free In-N-Out Burgers.”

Community Manager HOA Organizers, Inc.

Jessica Oakes, AMS

®

Community Manager PMP Management AAMC

“Many of my communities come together by holding seasonal community events, such as winter snow days, summer movie nights and food truck nights, spring egg hunts, and fall pumpkin decorating.”

Breanne Ackerman

Sr. Portfolio Manager FirstService Residential AAMC

“I keep my communities together by doing quick and fun events that have a minimal cost, but a great impact, like Morning Meet & Greets with Coffee & Donuts!”

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

“In order to bring communities together in the summer, we host an annual BBQ! In helps provide a different environment for homeowners to interact with Board Members and Management.”

Marinel Castillo Miste Holloway

General Manager Encino Oaks Homeowners Association

“Encino Oaks HOA’s social committee hosts fun community gatherings to bring residents together.”

Community Manager LB Property Management

“We have an annual picnic, we do Mud Run, and we bike for Cystic Fibrosis aka Cycle for Life.”

Our thanks to Jocelle Malawanag of American Heritage Landscape and member of the Focus Magazine Committee for compiling these interviews.

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 29

WELCOME

NEW CAI-GLAC MEMBERS! AS OF APRIL 20, 2020

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS Accurate Outcome GAF of Fontana Prime Interiors, Inc. Top Armor Roofing, Inc.

RECRUITER CAI National CAI National CAI National CAI National

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS Wilshire Regent Association, Inc. Southwind Village HOA

Brian Fleming, CMCA®, AMS® CAI National

COMMUNITY MANAGERS Nicholas Gambino Sascha Macias, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® FirstService Residential AAMC Justin Hargrove Shelie Xanthos, CCAM® Prime Association Services Sherie Perez Andrew Marble, CMCA®, AMS® National Property Management Group, Inc.

17315 Studebaker Rd., Suite 213 Cerritos, California 90703 800.485.8056 n Fax 800.485.8057 www.ReserveStudiesInc.com

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ELECTRICAL SERVICES We specialize in working with HOA’s.

Our warehouse is stocked with all of the lighting materials needed for quick turnaround times on repairs.

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 Servicing HOA’s since 1982  Licensed & Insured  Troubleshooting  LED upgrades  Tennis court lighting  Scheduled maintenance  New and replacement light posts Email: service@ALLLites.com Toll Free: (866) 338-4029 Web: www.alllites.com

30

www.cai-glac.org | May/June 2020

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

OUR THANKS TO RENEWING MEMBERS! AS OF MARCH 31, 2020

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS Aeroscopic Environmental, Inc. Advanced Painting Contractors Company, Inc. Allied Trustee Services Association Services Network THE BEHR PAINT COMPANY Best Alliance Foreclosure & Lien Services Birndorf Law Offices Camden Security Centurion Group CertaPro Painters of Pasadena Edison Fire Protection Co. FRESHCO Painters, Inc. Kasdan Weber Turner, LLP KB Construction Company McDonnell Roofing, Inc. McKenzie Rhody, LLP Naumann Law Firm, PC, The NFC Amenity Management Pacific Utility Audit, Inc. PCW Contracting Services Personal Touch Cleaning & Maintenance, Inc. Platinum Security, Inc. PPG Architectural Coatings Professional Services Construction, Inc. R.W. Stein Painting, Inc. Rodent Pest Technologies Roseman Law APC SAX Insurance Agency Scott Litman Insurance Agency, Inc. Select Painting & Construction, Inc. SOLitude Lake Management Southern California Security Services Standpoint, LLC SwedelsonGottlieb Three Phase Electric Union Bank HOA Services Vista Corporation Western Magnesite COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS Castlegate Homeowners Association Golden Palms Owners Association Hermosa Surf Condominium, Inc. Market Lofts Community Association Montecito Homes Pasadena Villa Marengo HOA Queensland Manor South Cooperative, Inc. Renaissance HOA Rockpointe HOA Southwind Village Community Association Torrance-Windemere HOA West Ocean Association Westmont North HOA #3

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES Bella Vista Property Management, Inc. Classic Property Management, Inc. Community Property Management HOA Organizers, Inc. J & N Realty, Inc. ONIT Property Management, Inc. Partners Community Management, Inc. Prime Association Services ProActive Professional Management AAMC COMMUNITY MANAGERS Laura Aguilar, CMCA®, AMS® Beven & Brock Carolina Badillo, CMCA® HOA Organizers, Inc. Danielle Carbajal, CCAM®, CMCA® Higher Ground Management Helen Cook, CMCA®, AMS® HOA Organizers, Inc. Shiela Dietz, MBA, CMCA® Ocean Towers Housing Corporation Vicki Egan, CMCA®, PCAM® Seco Canyon HOA Meigan Everett, PCAM® SwedelsonGottlieb Brandon Grosh, AMS®, PCAM® PMP Management AAMC Carmen Harper, CMCA®, AMS® Partners Community Management Yamile Illidge-Cohen Riviera Property Management Nina Kashefi, CMCA® Westford Condominium Association, Inc. Jessica Koval, CMCA®, AMS® Cove Community Association Jackie Lehrbass Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC Geoffrey Lloyd, CMCA® Scott Management Company Marc Loge, CMCA®, AMS® The Promenade Owners Association Diane Lortie-Dudasik, CCAM-PM® Metropolitan Property Services, LLC Deborah Maglasang FirstService Residential, AAMC Victor Mariscal The Californian on Wilshire Dena Mark, CMCA® Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC Alissa McMurrin, CMCA®, AMS® HOA Organizers, Inc. Vivian Meyers, CMCA® Melissa Mills, CMCA®, AMS® The Mirabella HOA

Fernando Morales, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® The Brentwood at Kiowa HOA Robert Morando The Californian on Wilshire Matt Nelson, CMCA® Horizon Management Company. AAMC Craig Phillips, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM® International Tower Owners Association Susan Rainer, CMCA® Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC Christopher Rainey, CMCA® Infinity Property Services AAMC William Reimbold, MBA, CMCA®, AMS® SF Valley Management, Inc. Jennie Rich, CMCA® The Met-Warner Center Condominiums HOA Kelly Rupp, CMCA®, AMS® Community Association Specialists, Inc. Doris Sanabria, CCAM® Coro Community Management & Consulting Edmund Sellman, PCAM® CoastManagement.net Amanda Soler, CMCA® Ross Morgan & Company, Inc. AAMC Bonnie Stoeppelman, CCAM® Sharp HOA Management Janet Ulrich, CMCA®, AMS® HOA Organizers, Inc. Dipti Varma-Kapadia PMI LA Pacific Hamlet Vazquez, MCAM®, PCAM® West Ocean Association Joy Wei PMP Management AAMC COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LEADERS Nancy Morse Nancy Taylor Maria Zarro

May/June 2020 | www.cai-glac.org 31

ADVERTISERS INDEX 29 Abir Cohen Treyzon Salo, LLP

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Dimensions & Rates:

Artwork must not exceed the exact dimensions of that size ad.

For more information, call the Chapter office: 818-500-8636.

11 Action Property Management 30 All Lites Co. Inc. IFC ALLBRIGHT 1-800-PAINTING 21 Animal & Insect Pest Management, Inc. 25 Association Reserves–CA/Los Angeles 19 Beaumont Tashjian 24 Berding & Weil, LLP 25 CIT–Community Association Banking Division 29 DWMS Inc. 30 Ferris Painting, Inc.

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

Payment: Rates are subject to change without notice. By credit card, check or cash.

Minimum three-insertion contract. Rates subject to change without notice.

32 GNG Vinyl Fencing, Inc. 23 Macdonald Insurance Agency

Advertising Sales: Please contact the Chapter office for advertising specifications and deadline information at: 818-500-8636.

26 Pacific Utility Audit 14 Pacific Western Bank 32 Poindexter & Company 7 Popular Association Banking

2020 DIRECTORY CORRECTIONS

27 R.W. Stein Painting, Inc. 30 Reserve Studies Inc. 9 Select Painting & Construction, Inc. 28 Whitestone Industries

Our sincere apologies for errors in the most recent Directory.

Please make the following corrections to your book:

15 Witkin & Neal, Inc.

Under Onsite Managers

5 Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin LLP

Tracy Robinson MBA, CMCA® Phone: 213-327-0562

Under Attorneys and Construction Defect Specialists Abir Cohen Treyzon Salo LLP Terry Bailey, Esq. Alexander Cohen, Esq. Specialty: Insurance Recovery, Bad Faith, Construction Defects

Under Electrical Products & Services and Lighting/Light Fixtures

VINYL FENCING PATIO COVERS

All Lites Co. Inc. www.alllites.com

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

Lic#884502

Mike@GnGVinyl.com www.GnGVinyl.com

Under Financial Institutions CINC Capital, LLC Robin Storey, CMCA® robin@cinccapital.com www.cinccapital.com

Under Janitorial DWMS Inc. Daniel White 8200 Wilshire Blvd., 3rd Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90211 E-mail: dan@dwmsinc.com Website: www.dwmsinc.com

32

www.cai-glac.org | May/June 2020

CAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter

with the CAI-GLAC invites you to enjoy fine wines in a hilltop rustic setting overlooking the Saddlerock vineyards Annual Wine Tasting & Light Supper $95 per person

Casual attire/Comfortable shoes

Sat., August 22, 2020 4-8pm Saddlerock Ranch

32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu

Register at www.cai-glac.org Net proceeds to benefit the California Legislative Action Committee

Call our chapter office (818-500-8636) for special hotel rates

#caiglac

SPONSORS SOUND OF MUSIC

Horizon Management Company AAMC DO RE MI

Segal Insurance Agency, Inc. MY FAVORITE THINGS (Souvenir Glasses)

Riley Pasek Canty, LLP

SO LONG FAREWELL (Souvenir Photos)

Pacific Western Bank

VON TRAPP SPECIAL GIFT

Silicon Beach Insurance GETTING TO KNOW YOU (Wine)

Nu Air Services, Inc. Payne Pest Management

SOMETHING GOOD (Dessert)

Fenton Grant Mayfield Kaneda & Litt LLP CAPTAIN’S NAPKINS

The Naumann Law Firm, PC BARONESS’S HAND TOWELS

HARBRO, Inc.

MARIA’S CENTERPIECES

Securitas Security Services USA, Inc.

CAI-GLAC 130 N. Brand Blvd., Ste. 305 Glendale, CA 91203

Change Service Requested

Order Your 2020 Condominium Bluebook Today!

Price: $26.00 per copy, tax and shipping included.

Order copies online at: www.cai-glac.org.

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.