PAGOSA LAKES NEWS Summer 2017 • Vol. XXXXI
INSIDE: Notice and Call Annual Meeting and Election Information Meet the Candidates PLPOA Department Reports
Photo: Jacque Aragon plpoa.com
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Notice & Call
2017 Annual Meeting & Election Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse • 230A Port Ave. • Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 Saturday, July 29, 2017 • 9:00 A.M. - Social Hour and Balloting 10:00 A.M. - Annual Meeting Begins I. Notice and Call The purpose of the meeting is to elect 3 members to the Board of Directors for a 3 year term each and 2 members to the Board of Directors for a 2 year term each, hear reports from the Board and its standing committees, and consider other business. II. Agenda Items Any new business, which the property owners wish to have incorporated into the agenda, must be submitted in writing to the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association by 5:00 p.m. on June 30 th , 2017. All submitted items will be reviewed for legality and appropriateness in keeping with annual meeting business prior to being placed on the agenda. III. Ballot Instructions 1. You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., or vote absentee by going online to www.plpoavote.com with your access code that was sent via email or U.S.P.S. In either case, you must have been a “Member in Good Standing” for inclusion on the voter list certified at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31 st , 2017, sixty (60) days prior to the election . 2.
Article III, Section 6 of the Association Bylaws states: “The ownership of one or more lots shall entitle that ownership to only two votes, no matter how many lots are in that ownership. For each Time Share Unit interval, (1week) there shall be two votes on behalf of all Owners within such Unit interval. Such Time Share Unit interval votes shall be counted as one-fiftieth (1/50) of a regular lot owner. The signature of a Time Share Unit interval Owner in Pagosa Lakes shall be counted as one-fiftieth (1/50) of that of a regular lot Owner for purposes of meeting any petition requirements of these Bylaws, provided that said Owner is in good standing and provided further that in no event shall the cumulative total of signatures of Owners in any Time Share Unit interval be greater than two.
“Voting Privileges - A Member in Good Standing shall have the right to vote at any meeting of the Association. Members of the Board shall be elected by the Association at the annual meeting. The privilege to vote shall be based upon one ownership - two votes, and one Time Share Unit interval - two votes.” Remember – Each ownership entity receives two votes for each issue posted on the ballot, regardless of the number of properties owned. IV. Online Elections – voting will be available from 5:00pm Friday, June 30, 2017 through 10:00am Saturday, July 29, 2017 1. PLPOA Property Owners - Email a. If the Association has your email address on file, your voter access code and instructions will be emailed to you. Emails will be sent on June 30, 2017. b. If the email sent to you is not delivered, you will receive a voter access post card via U.S.P.S. a few days later. 2. PLPOA Property Owners – U.S.P.S. Mailing a. If the Association does not have your email address on file, a voter access post card and instructions will be mailed to you via U.S.P.S. 3. 4.
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Wyndham Timeshare Owners – U.S.P.S. Mailing a. A voter access post card and instructions will be mailed to you via U.S.P.S. Other Voting options – a. Paper Ballots - PLPOA Property Owners may request paper ballots by calling the toll free number on the voter access postcard. Have you access code available when you call. b. Phone Voting – PLPOA Property Owners may vote by phone by calling the toll free number on the voter access postcard. Have your access code available when you call. c. Voting on Friday, July 28 th will be available online only from your computer or at the Administration Offices from of 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. d. Voting on Saturday, July 29 th will be available online only from your computer or at the Administration Offices from 9:00 a.m. – 10 a.m.
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Table of Contents Notice and Call ………….. 2 Summer 2017 Newsletter …… 6 Annual Meeting announcement …..6 Meet the BOD Candidates …...7 Community Association Fundamentals ….. 9 Short Term Rentals …….. 10 Lifestyle Report ….. 12 Recreation and Amenities Report …. 13 Property and Environment Report ….. 14-15 Pagosa FireFest Announcement …… 15 Community Standards Report …. 16-17 Strategic Planning and Survey Results … 18-19 Photo: Jacque Aragon
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Jim Smith Realty
Listing Showcase
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335 Bristlecone Drive 4BR, 4BA, 2934 SQFT, 3AC 730319 $700,000
311 Crockett Circle 3BR, 3BA, 2437 SQFT, 5AC 732323 $609,900
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99 Tiffany Place 4BR, 3BA, 2200 SQFT, 9.4AC 724971 $649,000
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135 Eaton Drive 2BR, 3BA, 1982 SQFT, .10AC 729729 $349,000
351 Collyer Drive 4BR, 4BA, 4570 SQFT, 13.66AC 723790 $1,750,000
153 Granada Drive 3BR, 3BA, 2624 SQFT, .63AC 730068 $449,000
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473 N. Black Bear Place 3BR, 4BA, 5849S QFT, 52.78AC 705653 $1,850,000
1033 Buttress Avenue 2br, 4ba, 2779 sqft, 5.19ac 731769 $700,000 plpoa.com
2000 Echo Canyon Ranch LN 3BR, 4BA, 6770S QFT, 66.57AC 731513 $1,495,000
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Mark: 970-946-6658 Denise Espoy, ABR, CNE, GRI Denise: 970-946-0840 www.markespoy.com Mark@MarkEspoy.com Denise@MarkEspoy.com
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Harold Kelley
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I found my dream in Pagosa 40 years ago. /HW XV KHOS \RX ŽQG \RXUV whether Buying or Selling.
E Each Jim Smith Realty listing will be featured in the w next issue of The Pagosa Magazine! n
Jim Smith Owner & Managing Broker Jim Smith Realty
970-264-3200 • 445 san juan st
plpoa.com www.JimSmithRealty.com
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SUMMER 2017 NEWSLETTER By General Manager, Allen Roth
Owners that have been keeping up with events and developments at the PLPOA, you know the Association has a lot going on from major construction and repair projects, to developing a Strategic Plan and coordinating activities and events. These are just a few of the happenings taking place in your association. Make sure to visit the Rec Center and check out the new mezzanine cardio area or take a walk on one of the new trails along North Pagosa Blvd. Also, don’t forget the upcoming paddleboard event. Please read through our newsletter to bring yourself up-to-date on what all is going-on in Pagosa Lakes. We encourage owners to subscribe to our weekly PLPOA News update by signing in on our website: plpoa.com. It’s easy to do, but if you need assistance, please contact us at 970-731-5635 ext. 210. This newsletter is a special issue because it also contains our Notice of Call to our Annual Members Meeting and the opportunity to cast your ballot to fill five vacancies on the Board of Directors. The Annual meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 29, 2017. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Clubhouse on 230 Port Ave. The annual meeting provides you the opportunity to learn more about the association as to the purpose, duties, and obligations according to governing documents and Colorado law. You will have the opportunity to meet Board and Committee members as well as the Association’s staff. You will receive the latest information regarding the Strategic Plan, a review of the association’s finances and any future scheduled projects. Be an active community resident and attend the annual meeting. Come introduce yourself to the board, the staff and your neighbors and find a wealth of information about your community!
2017 Annual Meeting & Election Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association
Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse • 230A Port Ave. Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 Saturday, July 29, 2017 • 9:00 A.M. Social Hour and Balloting 10:00 A.M. - Annual Meeting Begins
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Pagosa Lakes POA BOD incumbents & Candidates John W. Janowski (incumbent), Director -PLPOA BOD, Owner/Manager-of Pagosa Springs Golf Course, CEO/President - of Western Project Buisness & Investment Council (Dallas, TX), Creator/CEO/ President -Think ITB - Dallas, TX John has been a successful businessman throughout his professional career and believes in serving his community. He has served as a Chairman, President, VP, and Member of multiple boards including: HOA’s, philanthropic, healthcare, forestry, and non-profit associations.
Joe Margraf (incumbent), VP PLPOA BOD, Lakes and Fishery Committee, Rec Center Committee, and President American Fisheries Society. Joe is retired from the U.S. Geological Survey. He worked in the program for 36 years. He has served on a number of boards serving community and professional organizations on a local, regional and national level.
Marilyn Stroud (candidate), PLPOA ECC, Senior Book Club member, Gray Wolves member, Audubon Society member. Marilyn has 10 years of progressive and professional experience in the planning organizing and implementation of selfsupporting leisure activities. Marilyn is currently retired. Her professional career consisted of: Director of a Parks District, Leisure Administrator and a Special Education Program Coordinator.
Bruce Jones Jr. (incumbent), Director PLPOA BOD, Owner/Operator - Jones Landscaping. Delegate to state assembly 2012, Youth Pastor, Rec. League Coach. Bruce is active in his church and appreciates helping youth. Bruce has voted on many important issues like dues, rec-center improvement, park construction, and sidewalk construction. He feels that owning a landscaping company gives him a unique perspective when heading up new construction topics.
Jim Van Liere (incumbent), President PLPOA BOD, Archuleta County and the Town of Pagosa Springs building appeals committee, and the Archuleta County building advisory committee. Jim has been an active member of the PLPOA. He has served on several committees and on the BOD. He is retired, yet still holds his Professional Engineering License. In his professional career he managed many projects over a 30 year span, specializing in forensic structural engineering.
James Y. “Jim” Garrett, attorney currently licensed in Pennsylvania, staff writer (resigned effective May 25) for the Pagosa Springs Sun. Jim is a retired federal prosecutor, and a writer, who also enjoys skiing, walking, motorcycling, woodworking and gardening. He moved to Pagosa from Pittsburgh, Pa. two years ago. As a writer for the past year and a half for the Sun, he covered local government including Pagosa, Archuleta County, and PAWSD, and wrote on issues including affordable housing, early childhood education, business development, fire risk mitigation, Pirate sports etc.
David Houck (candidate), Realtor Broker, Home Builder, owner DWHBrokers of Oklahoma and Pagosa Springs. David’s passions run across the board with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Science, Mathematics and Physics. He also holds a doctorate in Law, at one point David was a Teacher but has since found joy in real estate and home building.
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BELONG HERE This is the perfect Place for you. An amazing mountain town with a wonderful community. D]l mk `]dh qgm Úf\ qgmj hjgh]jlq gj dakl oal` mk& Our agents combined have been in Pagosa Springs for over 100 years. Familiar faces with the most knowledge of the area.
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Community Association Fundamentals By General Manager, Allen Roth Even though we live in an association, you might be surprised how many of our neighbors—owners and renters alike—don’t really understand the fundamental nature of common-interest communities. There are probably many others, including the NFEJB BOE HPWFSONFOU PGmDJBMT UIBU MBDL B USVF VOEFSTUBOEJOH PG UIF DPNNVOJUZ BTTPDJBUJPO DPODFQU Community Associations Institute (CAI), a national membership organization that represents the best interests of commoninterest communities like ours, developed 10 basic principles that answer three essential questions: What is the basic function of a community association? What are the essential obligations and expectations of homeowners? What are the DPSF QSJODJQMFT UIBU TIPVME HVJEF BTTPDJBUJPO MFBEFST -JTUFE CFMPX BSF UIPTF CBTJD QSJODJQMFT EFmOJOH UIF CBTJD GVODUJPOT of a community association. 1. Associations ensure that the collective rights and interests of homeowners are respected and preserved. 2. Associations are the most local form of representative democracy, with leaders elected by their neighbors to govern in the best interest of all residents. 3. Associations provide services and amenities to residents, protect property values and meet the established expectations of homeowners. 4. Associations succeed when they cultivate a true sense of community, active homeowner involvement and a culture of building consensus. 5. Association homeowners have the right to elect their community leaders and to use the democratic process to determine the policies and rules that will protect their investments. 6. Association homeowners choose where to live and accept a contractual responsibility to abide by established policies, UXOHV DQG PHHW WKHLU ÀQDQFLDO REOLJDWLRQV WR WKH DVVRFLDWLRQ $VVRFLDWLRQ OHDGHUV SURWHFW WKH FRPPXQLW\¡V ÀQDQFLDO KHDOWK E\ XVLQJ HVWDEOLVKHG PDQDJHPHQW SUDFWLFHV DQG VRXQG business principles. $VVRFLDWLRQ OHDGHUV KDYH D OHJDO DQG HWKLFDO REOLJDWLRQ WR DGKHUH WR WKH DVVRFLDWLRQ¡V JRYHUQLQJ GRFXPHQWV and abide by all applicable laws. 9. Association leaders seek an effective balance between the preferences of individual residents and the collective rights of all homeowners. $VVRFLDWLRQ OHDGHUV DQG UHVLGHQWV VKRXOG EH UHDVRQDEOH à H[LEOH DQG RSHQ WR WKH SRVVLELOLW\ DQG EHQHÀWV RI FRPSURPLVH
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Short Term Rentals By General Manager, Allen Roth The Association office has received numerous inquiries regarding short term rentals in PLPOA homes. Some in the form of complaints and other merely wanting information. Homeowners have the right to rent their home on a short-term or long-term basis according to the Declaration of Restrictions. Bed and Breakfast type rentals, however, are not allowed in PLPOA per the declarations. An owner is allowed to rent a room or their home but cannot provide meals. B&B type rentals are not only a violation in the eyes of the POA, but also violate county regulations. The Association requests all homeowners who desire to rent on a short-term basis to be considerate of your neighbors. Please keep in mind, many surrounding homes belong to owners who live here year-round. They have jobs and they are invested full-time in the community. Listed below are few tips for renting your house. This will help you preserve your property value, the neighborhood, and the association’s value in general. Ɣ
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We strongly recommend that you have a written lease agreement with your tenant. As a lessor (landlord) of a home in a community association, the lease you use must require tenants to comply with all the association’s governing documents. Perform background checks on those renting your home, what is the purpose for them renting your home. Your tenants may not be familiar with common-interest community living. Please take a few minutes to explain to them that living in a community association is very different. Provide your tenants with copies of association rules. You can obtain copies on the Association’s website. Educate tenants about the need to follow association rules, it’s up to you to educate them and see that they comply. Make sure that the outside of your home—along with the grounds—is well-kept and complies with our association’s CC&Rs. Short-term rentals have a tendency to leave trash outside, park on the street, leave objects in the yard. Be mindful of the noise short term-tenants can make—loud music, barking dogs, numerous people, loud talking—that may disrupt the neighborhood beyond a reasonable hour. Respect your neighbor’s privacy. Advise tenants on the proper use of association facilities. Limit the number of people using the home (A 3 bedroom home should not have 12 plus people staying for the weekend) You must pay the state tax for leasing your property. Post rules and regulations in visible areas inside the house Be social! Get to know your neighbors before renting. Get their input on concerns they may have and establish open communication. This will also promote a respectful, friendly neighborhood environment from which all neighbors can benefit.
In the event your tenant fails to comply with the Association’s documents, or its rules and regulations, you will be notified of the violation in an attempt to remedy the problem. If tenants repeatedly violate the rules and regulations, the association may issue a fine to the homeowner and an unresolved situation can force the Association to pursue appropriate legal action against the homeowner.
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Sales & Rentals
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Lifestyle
Recognition - By Lifestyle Director, Jen Pitcher
T
he Lifestyle Department continues to thrive in its effort to create community through activities and social functions. We had great turnouts to both our recent Easter and Earth day celebrations. I would like to thank all of you who came out and supported these events. Coming up this summer and into fall we have a full calendar of clubhouse rentals as well as services, programs and events for our homeowners. We are excited to be offering, for the first time, a variety of summer activities for children, including: gardening, outside play, boot camp for athletes, biking, SUP (stand up paddleboard), golf and cooking classes. Registration and detailed information on the children’s summer activities can be found on our website at plpoa. com via the lifestyle link. We are also thrilled to bring you what we hope to be our biggest event of the summer - “What SUP” (a Stand Up Paddleboard event). “What SUP” will take place on Lake Forest on August 12th and will feature several SUP events, expos, and competitions scheduled throughout the day along with live music, food vendors and retail booths.
We want to know what you and your neighbors are up to this summer. Please use our website via the links on the ‘Living in PLPOA’ tab to nominate yourself and neighbors for the following categories. We will be including a Catch of the Week in our weekly eblast and on social media so please submit pictures of your successful fishing experiences. We would also like to honor our outstanding owners on a monthly basis so please nominate your neighbors who are doing their part to be neighborly whether it be by beautifying their space or bringing you cookies. Let’s not forget the kids, twice a year, in our winter and summer Newsletter, we will feature a community youth member. There is so much more that we want to offer and encourage and in order to do so we need some help. The Lifestyle Department is looking to implement a lifestyle committee. If you are interested in participating as a lifestyle committee member please email jenp@plpoa.com.
PLPOA Scheduled Happenings June 22nd- Candidate Forum June 23rd- Community Dance July 22nd -Daddy Daughter Dance July 29th -Annual Meeting August TBD - Community Dance August 12th -What SUP Event August 28th -New Owners Social Sept 30th – Flea Market
Our regularly scheduled classes and events continue to grow and we are always adding to our list so make sure to follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our weekly updates, and look at our calendar often to keep updated. All of this info is on our website: plpoa.com.
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News from the Department of Recreation and Amenities By Recreation Center Manager, Penny Kipley
W
elcome to Summer 2017! So far this year we have done several projects, the most involved being the addition of the second floor above the weight area. This addition was constructed all throughout May. The project is now completed and worth checking out. Now that it is completed we will have spin bikes and spin classes upstairs. Additionally, we will have an area for stretching, and we will be purchasing a Functional Trainer, which is a machine that allows several people to do different exercises on it at the same time. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this project. We have had to move workout equipment closer together and rearrange the layout of the weight room to accommodate the secondfloor project. It has been noisy and a bit disruptive as all construction projects tend to be, so we are appreciative that most folks have been understanding. Other projects have been completed this year as well, or will be completed soon. The partitions in the men’s and women’s locker rooms will be installed soon. We do have one set installed in the women’s locker room and we are awaiting the delivery of the second set for the women, and the partitions for the men’s locker room. They are brushed stainless steel, and look great. Our existing partitions had become severely rusted and unsafe forcing us to replace them. We finished the family changing room renovations. This entailed moving the sinks, removing and replacing the wainscot tiles, painting and adding additional grab bars. The purpose of this project was to bring the family locker rooms into full ADA compliance. We have been researching and will be purchasing a new software package to manage all of our administrative, sales and retail needs. It will include a new POS system and many new features. Folks will be able to access their own accounts from their computer and phone, and we will be able to text and email patrons updates and reminders. Our current system is outdated and not user friendly so we are really looking forward to the new cloud-based program. Also, very important to note, the new software will cost us half the amount per month of our current software. As spring unfolds and we prepare for our busy summer season, we feel most fortunate to be able to continue to improve the facility and enhance the amenities that we offer. We appreciate your continued patronage and we look forward to taking care of all of your Rec Center needs in the months ahead!
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E NV I RO M E N TA L N E W S By Property and Environment Manager, Larry Lynch
Lakes and Fishing
Trail Projects
All four lakes were stocked earlier this spring with an exceptional trout planting. Several thousand pounds of 12-16 inch rainbow trout were released, as well as, around 3000 individual largemouth bass. The trout came in from a San Luis Valley hatchery and were some of the best looking fish we have stocked in quite some time, some really deep colorations and exceptionally strong. The fishing has been outstanding so far and we anticipate that it should be very good going into the summer season. Fishing permits are available for owners at the Administration offices in Vista and the Recreation Center.
Many of our owners may have noticed contractors working adjacent to North Pagosa Blvd near Edgewater Dr and Lake Forest Circle. The Association is working with UCAL Inc to construct a new segment of hard surface, 8-foot wide multi-purpose trail this summer. The trail will connect to the existing trail completed 2 years ago at the north end of Lake Forest Circle. This project was partially funded by a Colorado State Trails grant, and partially funded by PLPOA capital parks and trails fund. This new segment will not quite reach the end of the existing North Pagosa trail that terminates at Lakeside Drive, south of the dam. The next big push to make that connection will involve getting the trail across the dam and bridge crossing at the spillway. The Association has already made some preliminary progress here, working with the county on a possible cantilevered type pedestrian walkway on the bridge and a curb and gutter concrete sidewalk design across the crest of the dam. This phase of the trail however is potentially going to be fairly expensive and we are exploring additional grants and funding options here. It may be a couple of years before this can be achieved.
A few improvements are planned near the lakes this summer including a new floating boat dock at the Hatcher Lake access area off of Piedra Road and parking and boat ramp improvements. The dock was actually purchased last year but due to the low lake levels late last summer it was determined to install it this spring. Some good news for Hatcher Lake residents and lake users, the PAWSD has begun operation of the newly upgraded San Juan water treatment plant near Lake Forest; utilizing raw water from the lower reservoirs (ultimately fed by Stevens Reservoir) for the purpose of treating potable water for much of the community. This will take some of the pressure off Hatcher Lake which for the past couple of years has been the primary treatment plant and raw water storage for Pagosa Lakes. This will hopefully result in less water level drop at Hatcher Lake this summer and fall.
A second segment of trail is being constructed this summer as well, a 4-foot wide crusher fine trail complete with drainage structures, apron access at cross streets and signs. The trail will begin at Saturn Drive, near the mail boxes and run southerly to Hatcher Circle. A nice addition to the Hatcher and Highlands subdivisions. A couple of trail maintenance items are planned for this summer as well. The existing North Pagosa Blvd trail will be crack filled and seal coated this summer and some minor repair work to other trail segments will be occurring as well. Portions of the trails could be temporarily closed during these times.
Photos: Jacque Aragon
Boating on the Lakes We want to remind everyone to enjoy boating and recreating on the lakes in 2017 but want to make sure everyone does so safely. We are going to be keeping a close eye on boating safety this summer; each boat must have at least one US Coastguard approved wearable type flotation device for each boat occupant and children under the age of 12 must be wearing the flotation device while on the water. This rule also applies to stand-up paddle boards. SUP users must have a wearable flotation device on the user or on the board, violation of this lake use regulation can result in a $75 fine. Additionally, no swimming is allowed on the lakes. 14
Facility Projects The board of directors approved a couple of reserve replacement projects this year including the replacement of the Clubhouse metal roof and the replacement of the two aging furnaces. The Clubhouse will be 20 years old this year, originally constructed in 1997. The roof and furnaces have reached the end of their useful life and were scheduled to be replaced this year in the reserve study that was updated in 2014. These improvements should put the facility in good shape for hopefully the next 20 years. plpoa.com
:LOGĂ€UH DQG 'HIHQVLEOH 6SDFH As we move into the hot and dry summer season it is a good time to be thinking about protecting your home from the possibility of wildfires in the community. Creating a defensible space around your home and property is a highly recommended by the Colorado State Forest Service and supported by the PLPOA. We do have valuable information about how to go about achieving defensible space on our website, under the Living in PLPOA tab. While we have not had any serious wildfires within the subdivisions in recent memory, there have a number of wildfires in the forest surrounding us. On any given day, with the right conditions a wildfire is a real possibility even within our tight community. I had a unique opportunity in early May to spend some time with the US Forest Service on a prescriptive (controlled) burn training day where a small treatment area of around 84 acres was ignited for the purpose of reducing undergrowth and brush. The treatment area was located near Brockover Rd which is just a couple miles west of Pagosa Lakes. The Forest Service has done quite a bit of work over the years in the Turkey Springs area of the National forest, the area that is directly to the west of Pagosa Lakes. Thousands of acres have been treated over the years with mechanical thinning operations, mastication and prescriptive burns. Recent projects include a mastication project that occurred last year over large areas of the forest just to our west and of course several prescriptive burns. More work is being planned for this summer and fall. Please be patient if there are periods of smoke in the subdivisions during these times. Smoke is a serious concern for a lot of folks and can be a limiting factor in how much can be treated with prescriptive burns. But, in order for us to be safe in our homes smoke is something we may have to deal with from time to time. Small controlled burns are an effective way to prevent catastrophic fires that can run uncontrolled over thousands of acres and threaten our community. The Association does provide a brush and limb collection area for those owners who are working on thinning and brush reduction projects on their property. We accept branches and limbs up to 8 inches in diameter at the collection area. The brush is then chipped with a large horizontal drum grinder that the Association recently purchased with the assistance of Dept Natural Resources grant, and the wood chips/mulch is then made available to owners for landscaping projects. The brush collection area is located at 360 Sam Houston Blvd in the Trails subdivision at our maintenance facility, directions available on the website.
Pagosa FireFest The Pagosa Fire Protection District will host a fun and informative day of activities and demonstrations on Saturday, June 24th from 10am-4pm. This event will be held at the Pagosa Athletic Field (across from Town Park).
'(02 7,0(6 DP Rope rescue DP Vehicle accident extrication SP NFSA Home Sprinkler Demo SP Fire Fighter Workout (demonstrate our moves) SP Swiftwater rescue (location in the river)
The purpose of the festival is to promote public safety and familiarize yourself with your fire department and members. Activities will include Kids games, obstacle course, photo booth, and truck tours. We will raise the 75' aerial ladder and mist those who need to cool down! Weather permitting. &RPSOLPHQWDU\ %XUJHUV DQG 3DJRVD )LUHGRJV 6HUYHG DP SP %ULQJ \RXU IDPLO\ DQG IULHQGV DQG OHWV KDYH VRPH IXQ 0HHW WKH PHPEHUV RI \RXU ILUH GHSDUWPHQW DQG KDYH OXQFK ZLWK XV WKH )LUHILJKWHU :D\ plpoa.com
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News From the Department of Community Standards By Community Standards Manager, Karen Katsos
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he Department of Community Standards has worked very hard over several years to shift how we approach issues of noncompliance and have worked to change attitudes in our community about our role in the Association. Our staff strives to achieve this with their sincere desire to be helpful. We still must address issues on properties that are not in compliance with our rules and we strive to address issues to maintain and improve the appearance of our neighborhoods. Our goal is to assist and work with owners to help them bring their properties into compliance. We often send an email, make a call or send out a letter, prior to opening a potential violation file, to let owners know that there is a possible non-compliance issue. The issue is often resolved with this first contact, or with a subsequent conversation. Our goal is NOT to generate income via fines. However, there are times when we must fine owners in order to motivate them to work with us, when our previous efforts have failed. This past year, 2016, we opened 601 potential violations (non-compliance files) generating just $3100 or .4% of our total income generated from sources other than assessments collected, or just .15% or our total income. Considering we have over 6200 properties within the Pagosa Lakes, that is a very small number. In 2014, before changes were made to shift the culture of the Department of Covenant Compliance (now named the Department of Community Standards), 1212 potential violation files were opened leading to $6650 in fines. That was just over 1% of the total income brought in from sources other than assessments, and just less than .4% of our total income. These numbers illustrate our success in shifting how this department operates. We still initiate violation cases, but fewer end up paying fines. Instead the issues are resolved in cooperation with the property owners. We also occasionally work with churches or other nonprofit organizations to provide additional help for some property owners who are unable to do the work needed by themselves. Some owners are under the impression that we are focused on them and we are not addressing the problem down the street. We do not single out any property owners. We address every issue we see or become aware of. It is impossible for a property owner to know if we are working with another owner to resolve issues, unless the other owner was to volunteer the information. Most owners will not do this. We cannot post signs in front of homes that we are in contact with to address an issue. This would be most inappropriate and illegal. It can take us months to get an issue addressed, but rest assured, once we are aware of a situation, we do not drop it until the issue has been resolved. We have a process that we are obligated to follow according to the Declaration of Restrictions. If owners fail to come into compliance it can lead to a more lengthy legal process. All expenses associated with this process are the owner’s responsibility.
Quick thoughts: • Archuleta County will be hiring an Animal Control Officer as of July 1st this year. If you have an issue with dogs barking constantly, dogs running loose in the neighborhood and/or aggressive dogs, please contact our office and the sheriff’s office through their non emergency dispatch line (970) 731-2160. We will be working together to address issues with dogs in the community. • Please contact our office if you are planning a project on the exterior of your house. All exterior projects/improvements that change colors, shapes, materials, designs on the property require permits. Some landscaping in property setbacks also requires approval from the ECC. Please call our office prior to starting any exterior project to determine if you need a permit. Permits obtained after a project has started will cost the homeowner significantly more. • The Department of Community Standards in cooperation with the Department of Property and Environment are continuing our pine needle pickups throughout our subdivisions. There is a limit of 20 FREE bags per lot per year. After the initial 20 there is a $2 fee per bag that will be applied to your account. Please call our office to get on our list. We will need your property’s address, your name, phone number and number of bags. For more information, please see “Services” on our website. This service will be available until mid-November, weather permitting. • All replacement or new exterior lighting installed on a property must meet our “fully shielded” standards. For a full explanation of what “fully Shielded” means, please refer to our website in Governing Documents, section 3 of our “Project Permit Process” (Outdoor Lighting Guidelines) • When placing your poly carts outside, please remember to compact your trash in the carts, so that the lids close completely to help prevent wind, birds and other creatures from scattering the trash. A bear that is repeatedly caught in people’s trash is “put down” by the Department of Wildlife. Please do your part in containing your garbage and help prevent the unnecessary death of a bear. • Please remember that is the homeowners’ responsibility to keep fire hydrants clear of snow and brush, and to keep the culverts under your driveways clear so that water can freely flow through. If your culvert is dammed up and causes water to flood another property, causing damage, you could be found liable for the cost of the damage. • We encourage all property owners to sign up on our website plpoa.com to receive our weekly news email (Eblast) for the latest Association news and for news concerning prescribed burns, fishing, lakes, events, and much more. If you have any trouble logging on, please contact Jen at 970-731-5635, extension 210.
If you get a courtesy letter from our office, please contact us. The faster we either hear from you or the issue is resolved, the sooner we can stop the process and we can pass on our acknowledgement and appreciation that the issue has been resolved.
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Photo: Jacque Aragon
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UPDATES: PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS Below are brief descriptions of changes to the RULES & REGULATIONS AND IMPROVEMENT DESIGN STANDARDS & PROJECT PERMIT PROCESS To read the complete descriptions, go to our website, on our page “Building, Planning & Permits”. Look for the heading “Update Announcements” Rain water collection is now legal in Colorado with specific restraints. To read the bill, see: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/ documents/2016a/bills/2016A_1005_enr.pdf New Pagosa Lakes rule on Rainwater Collection, reads, in part, “Colorado House Bill 16-1005 allows the collection of rainwater at a maximum amount of 110 gallons for outdoor purposes. In order to preserve the aesthetics and values of the community, water storage containers cannot exceed 55 gallons each. Containers must be of earth tone in color to blend into the outdoor landscape. All containers must be designed and marketed for rainwater collection with resealable lids. Unacceptable examples are garbage cans, blue water barrels, large agriculture tanks, or rusted, partially painted, stained drums.” (Adopted 5/11, Resolution 2017-04) Two other new resolutions: 1) requiring all newly installed mobile/manufactured homes in the MH-50 section of Vista subdivision to be “purged” to the property making them a part of the real estate instead of being taxed as “personal property”. 2) To be consistent with Archuleta County requirements, the “IRC” definition of “Building Height” was adopted. (Adopted 5/11)
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Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, TX Permit No. 244
230 Port Ave. Pagosa Springs, CO 81147-9486
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