June INSIDER 2024

Bell Canyon INSIDER

Empowering you with information that matters.

COMMUNITY CENTER REFURBISHMENT SAGE CREEK STABLES FINDS A HOME IN BELL CANYON

JUNE 2024 ISSUE NO.01

bell canyon BELL CANYON BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KEVIN KEEGAN MIKE KLEIN YOSSI KVIATKOVSKY BILL NAPIER MELISSA RAFF STEVE RASNICK LISA RICCOMINI BARRY SCHEHR ERIC WOLF BCCC

NORTON ALDERSON STEVE BELLAMY ADAM JOHANSSON KEVIN KEEGAN SEAN WAGMEISTER CSD

JUDY LANTZ RICHARD LEVY PETER MACHUGA GREGORY MCHUGH MICHAEL ROBKIN ERIC WOLF BC EQUESTRIAN CENTER

ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE

ASHLEY FORCHELLI JENN HURST ANDRES MARTINEZ LISA RICCOMINI LAURA THALLER MOLLY URNECLI

CHIEDU CHIJIANDU ERIC DERSOM RICHARD IBRAHIM FELIX LEVITAS SCOTT SAND

GENERAL MANAGER CAROL HENDERSON ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER CINDY ESCOBAR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT JENNI MANDELBLATT FRONT OFFICE RECEPTIONIST CHERIE CALABRO OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR LULU RAGUDO ACCESS CONTROL SUPERVISOR ERMAN QUITALIG ACCESS CONTROL WORKERS ERNESTO GARCIA RUTH GARCIA ANTHONY PORILLO EDGAR BALBERAN TYRISHA EDWARDS TIFFANY RANGEL ROCHA ALEC SKILLMAN ADOR VENTURANZA ALEC WORTHEN MARLIN BURT FACILITIES MANAGER TRAVIS SIMPSON FACILITIES LEAD LUIS GAMBOA FACILITIES STAFF RICARDO GARCIA GONZALEZ

June 2024

ON THE COVER Our inaugural cover shows the Bell Canyon community gym which was built a little over six years ago, but in 2023 was updated with all new workout equipment.

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Inside are both cardio machines and strength training equipment to provide a balanced workout, plus large screen TV’s and free wifi for residents to enjoy during your workout.

Inside 5

WELCOME TO THE INSIDER!

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A welcome note from your Presidents!

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REBUILDING FROM VISION TO REALITY

A reminder of the new monthly dues

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WELCOMING SAGE CREEK STABLES

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FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

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An update from the Treasurer

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RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT Jayne Donovan Staley donates fresh blooms to the BCCC courtyard

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CSD CORNER Waste Management update for residents who have extra trash bins

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Volunteer and join the fun!

A new barn joins the Bell Canyon Equestrian Center

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MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE the forming of the new Maintenance Committee

Rennovation of the Bell Canyon Community Center

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JULY HOA DUES INCREASE

JUNE CALENDAR Important BCA meetings and more!

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LOCAL RESOURCES Convenient listings of local hotels and restaurants

Volunteer.

Welcome to the Insider!

Welcome to our first issue! This exciting initiative is brought to you by the BC Communications Committee.

This committee will be comprised of BC resident volunteers with a shared goal of bringing people together and fostering connection in our community.

The Communications Committee, in collaboration with the BC BOD, plans to keep you informed and up to speed on all things happening in the canyon. We welcome you to join us in this community project, volunteer information later on in this issue!

We plan to offer timely and transparent information frequently requested from you, our residents. We aim to offer you as many resources as we can, all in one place! This exciting digital and interactive format will allow us to create a vibrant resource to enhance communications between the Board and our residents.

In the coming issues, you can expect to find updates from the Bell Canyon Board of Directors including committee activities, upcoming events, as well as updates from our beautiful Equestrian Center, BCCC, CERT, AC, CSD, and so much more.

The Bell Canyon Board has been working hard behind the scenes to tackle the many challenges we face. Here, you’ll be able to follow our progress on important issues like the BCCC refurbishment and gain insight on money matters in our Financial Overview.

Together, we can make a difference for the future of our beautiful community! Enjoy this month’s issue!

n+ a g e e K n i Kev lein K e k i M

BELL CANYON INSIDER

Rebuilding from vision

to reality Renovating the Bell Canyon Community Center.

How best to describe the “behind the scenes” progress to our cherished Bell Canyon Community Center (BCCC): refresh, restart, revive, restore, rebuild, remake, rejuvenate, renew.

These words are the drumbeat for the overhaul efforts to our long-neglected community center by a dedicated board of directors recently appointed by the HOA board.

You may ask; What are the concerns at the community center? The short answer is, there are many. A longer retort may provide a bleak image of more than a decade of neglect, but let’s focus on what we are doing NOW and what is being planned for the immediate future.

A small “Stop & Go” shop opened in the center, but unfortunately had to close its doors due to lack of business. Shortly thereafter, owners John & Judy H. opened a fresh deli sandwich counter and small mini mart, which was forced to close its doors due to a fire in their kitchen.

No other stores opened, leading to the HOA acquiring the privately owned facility and financed the purchase through rent proceeds.

Eventually, the loan was paid in full and we took ownership of what we now know as the Bell Canyon Community Center (BCCC).

The community center was originally built in the late 1960’s and influenced

by Cliff May. It was privately owned and built to be a grocery market, plus additional areas for rental income.

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Fast forward to May of 2024. Our community complex hosts the HOA offices area where the HOA staff works. We also rent [to the HOA] areas where they provide a community gym with work out areas.

The resident may use the HOA gym facilities with a paid key fob. Until the refurbishment project limits access, office space is available for rent.

IF YOU NEED A CONVENIENTLY LOCATED OFFICE, REACH OUT TO THE HOA STAFF AT GM@BELLCANYON.COM, OR GIVE THEM A CALL!

BELL CANYON INSIDER P.9

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Welcoming Sage Creek Stables to the Bell Canyon Equestrian Center

Located in Topanga Canyon, MCP European Stables was looking to find a new facility for their equestrian center. Like Cerulean Farms and PM Horse Training, they decided to partner with Bell Canyon due to our high end facilities, privacy, and history that our beautiful Bell Canyon Equestrian Center has to offer.

Relationship building is critical in the equestrian community, and MCP connected with the BCEC because of leadership they could trust. Upon moving to Bell Canyon, MCP rebranded under the new name Sage Creek Stables and enjoyed a successful grand opening on May 19, 2024.

The addition of Sage Creek Stables to the BCEC provides many opportunities for Bell Canyon. By bringing in Sage Creek, the BCEC was able to increase occupancy, therefore increasing revenue, now managed by the new treasurer for the BCEC, Andres Martinez.

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BELL CANYON INSIDER

“By bringing in Sage Creek, the BCEC was able to increase occupancy, therefore increasing revenue...”

Sage Creek is a welcomed partnership, opening up more opportunities for lessons and riders in and outside of the Bell Canyon community. They offer a Mommy & Me, summer camp, and riding lessons for both beginners - kids and adults. They also offer full care boarding! Their focus is heavily on jumpers whereas Cerulean focuses on intermediate hunters, and PM Horse Training is a western barn.

In preparation for their arrival, the BCEC moved some horses and prepared stalls to accommodate the large number of horses Sage Creek brought to the Canyon.

To provide superior service, the BCEC also increased staffing to three full-time ranch hands.

Three barns provide unique opportunities to enjoy horseback riding in Bell Canyon. Each offers its own spaces and primary arenas, and this setup also allows them to maximize their lesson schedules.

The BCEC is excited to host both annual and special events for neighbors in this beautiful space in your community --- at the Bell Canyon Equestrian Center.

THE EQUESTRIAN LIFE IS ON THE UPSWING IN THE CANYON! WE INVITE YOU TO COME WALK THROUGH P . 1 1THE BCEC AND ENJOY THE HEALING BENEFITS OF OUR HORSES!

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Send to insider@bellcanyon.com a picture of your pup for a chance to be featured!

INSIDER@BELLCANYON.COM

THE BCA IS COMMITTED TO HONEST COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

Summary of Bell Canyon’s March 2024 Operating Results and Financial Position

The Canyon’s revenues for the month of March, 2024 were $288,000, primarily from monthly assessments of $269,000, which reflects the 20% increase in dues that commenced in March.

Although no one likes paying higher dues, the resulting increase of $45,000 is being used to make the required monthly payment on the Association’s $2.2 million loan from a third party.

For the nine months ended March 31, expenses exceeded revenues by $5.2 million principally due to litigation related expenses of $5.7 million.

As of March 31, 2024, our total cash balance is only$1.2 million, representing a decline of over $5 million from a year ago at March 31, 2023. This decline in cash is once again largely attributable to litigation costs.

Utilizing the increase in dues, we made our firstmonthly debt service payment of $45,000 this March on our $2.2 million third party borrowing. As a reminder this loan was obtained to help pay litigation related expenses, and is repayable in monthly installments for the next 5 years bearing aninterest rate of 9%.

However, as required by law, our Community also needs to repay $4.6 million that was borrowed internally from our Replacement Fund. The proceeds of this borrowing were once again used for litigation costs. As a result, the Replacement Fund has been totally depleted.

The Board continues to evaluate all available options to repay this loan and other obligations of the Canyon.

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Discover the Beauty of Bell Canyon.

Calling all green thumbs and gardening enthusiasts! Are you passionate about home and gardening?

Do you love exploring beautiful outdoor spaces?

The Insider is looking for volunteers to join us in discovering the hidden gems of Bell Canyon's stunning gardens.

Whether you're an experienced gardener or just enjoy being surrounded by nature, we invite you to volunteer and explore the beautiful gardens of our neighborhood.

Help us uncover the beauty and secrets of Bell Canyon's gardens and share your love for all things green.

If you're interested in volunteering and exploring the wonderful gardens of Bell Canyon, please contact us at insider@bellcanyon.com

BELL CANYON INSIDER

Jayne Donovan Staley Thank you to Jayne Donovan Staley, a longtime Bell Canyon Resident, for joining the beautification efforts for our Bell Canyon Community Center by planting colorful blooms all around the courtyard. It is acts of generosity such as these that enrich and strengthen our community.

"THE PINK AND WHITE BACOPA THAT I PLANTED... HAS BEHAVED AS A PERENNIAL AT MY HOUSE LASTING MORE THAN A DECADE ON MY PATIOS UP UNTIL THE WOOLSEY FIRE. WE’LL SEE HOW THEY DO THERE. I WILL HANDLE WATERING FOR NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO GET THEM ESTABLISHED.” -JAYNE DONOVAN STALEY

BELL CANYON INSIDER P.18

BELL CANYON INSIDER

Bell Canyon Insider

Summer is heating up.

AS THE SUMMER MONTHS ARRIVE, WE USE MORE WATER. THE VENTURA COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS AMI SYSTEM IS A GREAT WAY TO CLOSELY MONITOR WATER USAGE AND CAN CREATE REAL SAVINGS ON YOUR WATER BILLS.

The BCA invites you to check out

Ventura County Public Works useful resources

Are you registered for the AMI Customer Portal?

The AMI Customer Portal is an innovative and easy-to-use system that utilizes Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to allow customers to view their monthly, weekly, daily, or hourly water usage.

This service is provided at no additional cost and can help reduce water usage and waste.

For more info: Access online bill portal or visit: tinyurl.com/3uv7j8w www.vcpublicworks.org n / wsd/customerportal/

LandscapeIsChange.com P.13

h s ra t ra t x e r fo y a p u o y Do bins or Valet Service? ! u o y r fo is le ic rt a is h t , If so

WM has made changes to bill payment.

WM has partnered with Paymentus, a leading thirdparty billing and payment solutions provider!

This partnership aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of their online payment process, ultimately benefiting residents with greater self-service capabilities, including expanded payment options, anytime-anywhere payments, and automated payments.

The enhanced online bill pay platform features expanded payment options and greater self-service capabilities.

BELL CANYON INSIDER P.22

Waste Management

CSD CORNER

The fine print.

Customers can pay their WM bills by electronic debit from a bank account (using the Automated Clearing House, or ACH, network in the U.S. or PreAuthorized Debit, or PAD, in Canada) or by credit card, debit card, and digital wallet providers such as Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Wallet.

For payments made using credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets, Paymentus will charge a $1.99 USD / $2.75 CAD convenience fee per transaction for residential service and a $9.99 USD / $13.75 CAD convenience fee for commercial service. These fees are subject to change over time.

Customers who pay their invoice using direct debit (ACH/PAD) from a bank account will not pay any convenience fee.

The convenience fee amount will be disclosed to customers during the online or automated phone system bill payment process and residents will have the opportunity to consent to the fee or choose to pay by direct debit (ACH/PAD) from a bank account based on preference.

Online payments made via card or digital wallet options will be limited to $50,000 per transaction.

One-Time Payments The new online payment platform powered by Paymentus is scheduled to go live on August 23, 2024.

New AutoPay Customers who enroll in WM’s AutoPay program on or after August 23, 2024, will be given the choice to make their automatic payments by direct debit from a bank account and thereby avoid paying any convenience fees, or to make their automatic payments by credit card, debit card, or digital wallet providers which will include a convenience fee with each automatic payment.

Existing AutoPay

By November 1, WM will contact customers already enrolled in AutoPay and ask them to choose their new preferred payment method for automatic payments: direct debit (ACH/PAD) from a bank account, which will not include any convenience fee; or credit card, debit card, or digital wallet option, which will include the Paymentus convenience fee charge with each automatic payment.

More info: www.wm.com/payments

BELL CANYON INSIDER P.23

BELL CANYON

July Dues REGULAR ASSESSMENTS ARE INCREASING TO $410 ON JULY 1, 2024

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU MAKE AUTOMATIC DUES PAYMENTS THROUGH YOUR BANK, EITHER THROUGH A BILL PAY OR AN ACH, YOU WILL NEED TO UPDATE THE PAYMENT AMOUNT BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED JULY IF YOU USE THE FREE ACH AUTO-DEBIT OPTION THROUGH SEABREEZE, THE AMOUNT WILL AUTOMATICALLY UPDATE.

MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE The Bell Canyon Association is pleased to announce the reformation of the Maintenance Committee. The committee will be run by resident volunteers, office staff, and will be overseen by the BCA Board of Directors.

The Maintenance Committee is dedicated to maintaining and protecting the common areas of the BCA. These areas include our streets, drains, swales, medians, parking areas, landscape areas, fencing, trees, trails, Bell Creek Park, and the “unpaved roadway.”

What is the unpaved roadway? It is the area between the property line and the cement gutter, essentially our “sidewalks” used for temporary parking and pedestrian/equestrian use.

Our goal is to maintain Bell Canyon as the first-class community it should be.

If you identify an area of concern within the community, please feel free to call it to our attention, or better yet, Join us as a volunteer!

Meetings will be held monthly (or more often if necessary).

To vo lun te er :e ma il

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sta ff@ be llc an yo n.c om

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Are you a writer, researcher, photographer, graphic designer, or editor looking to make a positive impact in your community?

Join us in volunteering for our community magazine!

We are seeking residents with a variety of skills and talents to help us create engaging and informative content for our publication.

Whether you have experience in journalism or are just looking to share your creative abilities, there is a place for you to be part of this exciting project for Bell Canyon.

Are you a real estate guru, expert on the hiking trails,

BELL CANYON INSIDER P.28

volunteerism.

Communications Committee or love to dish on interior design, we’d love to collaborate with you.

Got creative kids? With parents’ permission, junior residents are welcome to join in on sharing their art, graphics, or ideas to feel like an important member of our beautiful Bell Canyon Community!

However you might want to get involved, we welcome your participation.

By volunteering with our new communications committee, you will have the opportunity to connect with your neighbors, contribute to important community discussions, and help bring people together.

BELL CANYON INSIDER P.29

Blue Tarp.

Be a part of the conversation.

Attend the meetings.

calendar JUNE 1 PRIDE MONTH JUNE 3 CSD BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING, 7PM JUNE 8 TOWN HALL MEETING BCCC, 10AM-NOON JUNE 11 BCAC, 6PM EREV SHAVUOT JUNE 12 SHAVUOT JUNE 14 FLAG DAY JUNE 16 FATHER’S DAY EID-AL-ADHA JUNE 19 BCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 6PM JUNETEENTH

C AL E N D A R

JUNE 24 CSD BOARD OF DIRECTORS 7PM JUNE 26 BCAC 6PM EID-E-GHADIR

BELL CANYON INSIDER P.31

Local Resources

The following pages are local listings for your convenience and do not represent in anyway an endorsement or affiliation with the Bell Canyon Home Owner’s Association.

Want to help us expand our resources guide?

Click on the cactus on the last page!

bell canyon insider

where to stay.

AGOURA HILLS

THOUSAND OAKS

COURTYARD & TOWNPLACE SUITES 29505 AGOURA RD. AGOURA HILLS

BEST WESTERN PLUS 75. W. THOUSAND OAKS BLVD. THOUSAND OAKS 805.497.3701

HAMPTON INN 30255 AGOURA RD. AGOURA HILLS 818.597.0333

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT

HOMEWOOD SUITES

BY HILTON 28901 CANWOOD ST. AGOURA HILLS 818.865.1000 SHERATON 30100 AGOURA RD. AGOURA HILLS 818.707.1220

1710 NEWBURY RD. THOUSAND OAKS 805.499.3900 TOWNEPLACE SUITES 1712 NEWBURY RD. THOUSAND OAKS 805.499.3111 WOODLAND HILLS

CALABASAS

BEST WESTERN 21830 VENTURA BLVD. WOODLAND HILLS 800.568.8520

THE ANZA 23627 CALABASAS RD. CALABASAS 818.707.1220

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 21101 VENTURA BLVD. WOODLAND HILLS 844.631.0595

CAMBRIA HOTEL 26400 RONDELL ST. CALABASAS 747.293.6777 GOOD NITE INN 26557 AGOURA RD. CALABASAS 818.880.6000 HILTON GARDEN INN 24150 PARK SORRENTO CALABASAS 818.591.2300

HILTON WOODLAND HILLS 6360 CANOGA AVE. WOODLAND HILLS 855.605.0316 WARNER CENTER MARRIOTT 21850 OXNARD ST. WOODLAND HILLS 844.631.0595

where to eat.

AGOURA HILLS BASTA 28863 AGOURA RD AGOURA HILLS 818.865.2019

KING’S FISH HOUSE 4798 COMMONS WAY CALABASAS 818.225.1979

LAL MIRCH 5146 KANAN RD. AGOURA HILLS 818.532.7532

PORTA VIA 4799 COMMONS WAY CALABASAS 818.746.2400

NOI DUE TRATTORIA 29020 AGOURA RD. AGOURA HILLS 818.852.7090 SUNROSE CALIFORNIA EATERY 5046 CORNELL RD. AGOURA HILLS 818.330.4224

ROSE’S GARDEN BAR 26787 AGOURA RD. CALABASAS 424.955.3312 SHIBUYA 4774 PARK GRANADA STE 8B CALABASAS 818.225.1560

CALABASAS

WOODLAND HILLS

THE MULHOLLAND 23538 CALABASAS RD. CALABASAS 818.573.5667

BLAI 5780 CANOGA AVE. STE B WOODLAND HILLS 747.242.1112

CAFECITO 4774 PARK GRANADA CALABASAS 818.225.2233

CASALENA 22160 VENTURA BLVD WOODLAND HILLS 818.704.1185

CROSSROADS KITCHEN 4776 COMMONS WAY CALABASAS 747.230.4210

DEUX BISTRO 20969 VENTURA BLVD. WOODLAND HILLS 747.230.4034

H.O.M ITALIAN EATERY 21136 VENTURA BLVD. WOODLAND HILLS 747.900.8782 JOEY WOODLAND HILLS 6344 TOPANGA CANYON BLVD. WOODLAND HILLS 818.340.5639 LEO & LILY 22420 VENTURA BLVD WOODLAND HILLS 818) 222-6622 LUM KA NAAD 22919 VENTURA BLVD WOODLAND HILLS 818.914.4489 MAS MANANITAS 19725 VENTURA BLVD WOODLAND HILLS 747.746.8166 NORTH ITALIA 6600 TOPANGA CANYON CANOGA PARK 818.710.7246

CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE NORTON ALDERSON ASHLEY FORCHELLI ADRIENNE JANIC ADAM JOHANSSON

KEVIN KEEGAN GREGORY MCHUGH STEVE PRICE BARRY SCHEHR MOLLY URNECLI

SUPPORT STAFF CAROL HENDERSON JENNI MANDELBLATT ERMAN QUITALIG

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR ELANA JOELLE HENDLER INSIDER@BELLCANYON.COM

BELL CANYON CLICK HERE to

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