Empowering you with information that
REFURBISHMENT
BellCanyon
COMMUNITY CENTER
SAGE CREEK STABLES FINDS A HOME IN BELL CANYON
INSIDER JUNE 2024 ISSUE NO.01
matters.
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
ASHLEY FORCHELLI
JENN HURST
ANDRES MARTINEZ
LISA RICCOMINI
LAURA THALLER
MOLLY URNECLI
ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE
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.
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.
1
6 26 10 27 REBUILDING FROM VISION TO REALITY MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE WELCOMING SAGE CREEK STABLES COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE 5 24 WELCOME TO THE INSIDER! JULY HOA DUES INCREASE A welcome note from your Presidents! A reminder of the new monthly dues Rennovation of the Bell Canyon Community Center the forming of the new Maintenance Committee A new barn joins the Bell Canyon Equestrian Center Volunteer and join the fun! Inside 18 32 22 RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT LOCAL RESOURCES CSD CORNER 14 31 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW JUNE CALENDAR An update from the Treasurer Important BCA meetings and more! Jayne Donovan Staley donates fresh blooms to the BCCC courtyard Convenient listings of local hotels and restaurants Waste Management update for residents who have extra trash bins
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!
KevinKeegan + MikeKlein
Rebuilding
fromvision toreality
Renovating the Bell Canyon Community Center.
BELL CANYON INSIDER
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.
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.
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).
B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 7
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! B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 9
12 Welcoming SageCreekStables totheBellCanyonEquestrianCenter
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
B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 1 1
“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 THE BCEC AND ENJOY THE HEALING BENEFITS OF OUR HORSES!
B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R
P 1 1 B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 1 2
INSIDER@BELLCANYON.COM Send to insider@bellcanyon.com a picture of your pup for a chance to be featured!
HONESTCOMMUNICATION REGARDINGTHEFINANCIAL HEALTHOFOUR COMMUNITY.
THEBCAISCOMMITTEDTO
Summaryof BellCanyon’s March2024 OperatingResults andFinancial 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.
B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 1 5
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
Discover the Beauty of Bell Canyon.
JayneDonovanStaley JayneDonovanStaley
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 STALEYB E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R
B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 1 8
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.
Bell Canyon Insider
Summer is heating up.
/ wsd/customerportal/ Access online bill portal or visit: tinyurl.com/3uv7j8w n 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: LandscapeIsChange.com The BCA invites you to check out Ventura County Public Works useful resources P 1 3
www.vcpublicworks.org
WM has made changes to bill payment. Do you pay for extra trash bins or Valet Service? If so,
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
Waste Management
this
B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 2 2
article is for you!
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
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
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.
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
CSD CORNER
B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 2 3
BELL CANYON
July Dues
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.
REGULAR
ASSESSMENTS
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).
B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 2 6 Tovolunteer:emailstaff@bellcanyon.com
B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 2 7
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,
volunteerism.
B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 2 8
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.
CommunicationsCommittee B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 2 9
Beapartofthe conversation. Attendthemeetings.
Tarp.
Blue
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
JUNE 24
CSD BOARD OF DIRECTORS 7PM
JUNE 26
BCAC 6PM EID-E-GHADIR
calendar
C AL E N D A R B E L L C A N Y O N I N S I D E R P 3 1
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
COURTYARD & TOWNPLACE SUITES
29505 AGOURA RD. AGOURA HILLS
HAMPTON INN
30255 AGOURA RD. AGOURA HILLS
818.597.0333
HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON
28901 CANWOOD ST.
AGOURA HILLS
818.865.1000
SHERATON
30100 AGOURA RD. AGOURA HILLS
818.707.1220
CALABASAS
THE ANZA
23627 CALABASAS RD. CALABASAS
818.707.1220
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
THOUSAND OAKS
BEST WESTERN PLUS 75. W. THOUSAND OAKS BLVD. THOUSAND OAKS 805 497 3701
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT
1710 NEWBURY RD. THOUSAND OAKS 805.499.3900
TOWNEPLACE SUITES 1712 NEWBURY RD. THOUSAND OAKS 805.499.3111
WOODLAND HILLS
BEST WESTERN 21830 VENTURA BLVD. WOODLAND HILLS 800.568.8520
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 21101 VENTURA BLVD. WOODLAND HILLS 844.631.0595
HILTON WOODLAND HILLS 6360 CANOGA AVE. WOODLAND HILLS 855.605.0316
WARNER CENTER MARRIOTT
21850 OXNARD ST. WOODLAND HILLS 844.631.0595
eat.
where to
AGOURA HILLS
BASTA
28863 AGOURA RD
AGOURA HILLS
818 865 2019
LAL MIRCH
5146 KANAN RD.
AGOURA HILLS
818.532.7532
NOI DUE TRATTORIA
29020 AGOURA RD.
AGOURA HILLS
818.852.7090
SUNROSE CALIFORNIA EATERY
5046 CORNELL RD.
AGOURA HILLS
818.330.4224
CALABASAS
THE MULHOLLAND
23538 CALABASAS RD
CALABASAS
818.573.5667
CAFECITO
4774 PARK GRANADA
CALABASAS
818.225.2233
CROSSROADS KITCHEN
4776 COMMONS WAY
CALABASAS
747.230.4210
KING’S FISH HOUSE
4798 COMMONS WAY
CALABASAS
818.225.1979
PORTA VIA
4799 COMMONS WAY
CALABASAS
818.746.2400
ROSE’S GARDEN BAR
26787 AGOURA RD. CALABASAS
424.955.3312
SHIBUYA
4774 PARK GRANADA STE 8B
CALABASAS
818.225.1560
WOODLAND HILLS
BLAI
5780 CANOGA AVE STE B
WOODLAND HILLS
747.242.1112
CASALENA
22160 VENTURA BLVD
WOODLAND HILLS
818.704.1185
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
ERMAN QUITALIG
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR
CAROL
HENDERSON JENNI MANDELBLATT
ELANA JOELLE HENDLER INSIDER@BELLCANYON.COM
BELL CANYON CLICK HERE to VOLUNTEER
