bell canyon
BELL CANYON BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ERIC DERSOM
KEVIN KEEGAN
MIKE KLEIN
YOSSI KVIATKOVSKY
BILL NAPIER
MELISSA RAFF
STEVE RASNICK
BARRY SCHEHR
NORTON ALDERSON
STEVE BELLAMY
ADAM JOHANSSON
KEVIN KEEGAN
SEAN WAGMEISTER
CSD
JUDY LANTZ
RICHARD LEVY
PETER MACHUGA
MICHAEL ROBKIN
ERIC WOLF
BC EQUESTRIAN CENTER
JENN HURST
EVAN LAWRENCE
ANDRES MARTINEZ
LISA RICCOMINI
MOLLY URNECLI
ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE
ERIC DERSOM
RICHARD IBRAHIM
SCOTT SAND
CONSULTANT CHIEDO CHIJINDU
ENGINEER FELIX LEVITAS
GENERAL MANAGER
CAROL HENDERSON
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
AC COORDINATOR
CINDY ESCOBAR
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
JENNI MANDELBLATT
ACCESS CONTROL OFFICERS
EDGAR BALBERAN
MARLIN BURT
TYRISHA EDWARDS
ERNESTO GARCIA
RUTH GARCIA
ANTHONY PORTILLO
TIFFANY RANGEL ROCHA
ALEC SKILLMAN
ADOR VENTURANZA
President’s update
Fall has finally arrived in beautiful Bell Canyon. We all seek to enjoy a peaceful community, one we can achieve together when community dialogue escapes the extremes…
Let’s use the upcoming Halloween festivities --- Pumpkin Patch at the bus stop on Oct 19th, the Halloween Bash on Saturday, Oct 26th, Boo-at-the-Barn on Oct 27th, and Trunk or Treat at the Community Center on the 31st. Let’s enjoy these events with our families, friends, and neighbors --- fun for kids and adults alike.
MilestonestoCelebrate:
The Community Center reroofing bids are in and the board has selected a contractor. We expect to start the project next month. It will be done section by section to avoid exposing too much area during the rainy season. Very exciting!
Events have restarted supported by the HOA. The September Movie Night was a big success with more kids than ever, and Halloween is shaping up to be the event of the year. Tickets are limited so please buy them as soon as possible.
We settled another inherited lawsuit in October, reducing the number inherited from nine to only three remaining cases.
Our beautiful lighting is fully installed to greet us with festive seasonal colors.
ParkingRules:
As we implemented the policies, issues surfaced among members. Our motto on this initiative has been, “We don’t want the jungle and we don’t want the zoo.” We want reasonable rules that keep the community safe and attractive.
We will course correct and then enforce the rules uniformly for all. The good news so far is that the number of overnight violators has dropped from 49 the first night, to 33 the second night and to below 10 now. The board will consider additional tweaks to the rules based on community feedback since their introduction.
RecapitalizationEfforts:
This board will take another step to fulfill its promise to claw back money from the millions lost in reckless lawsuits over the last 10 years. A big difference in our actions will be that HOA money will not be spent to get justice.
Our attorneys will be engaged on contingency, meaning they only get paid if they, and thus the HOA, win.
In addition to the judicious preservation of HOA funds, we feel this approach speaks to the case’s worthiness, as an attorney would be unlikely to take the case if they didn’t feel there was a reasonable expectation of winning.
As we wish to resolve these challenges for the community, we are steadfast in our commitment to moving Bell Canyon forward with integrity, and to bring back a friendly, respectful tone that we all know this community deserves.
BOO AT HIGH NOON
Sunday October 27 at the BCEC 11:30am Horse costume parade 12pm hosted by bcec and volunteers
SATURDAY OCT 26
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 6 - 10 PM
BELL CANYON COMMUNITY CENTER
WRISTBANDS ARE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE BASIS
MEMBERS (OWNERS/RESIDENTS) $8/MEMBER: MEMBERS MAY PURCHASE ONE WRISTBAND PER HOUSEHOLDMEMBER LISTED ON THEIR HOME & GUEST CENSUS - ALL AGES WELCOME
GUESTS WRISTBANDS $12/GUEST - LIMIT10 GUEST WRISTBANDS MAY BE PURCHASED FOR $12 PER PERSON, WITH THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF 10 GUESTS PER HOUSEHOLD. GUEST WRISTBANDS ARE LIMITED, SO DON'T DELAY!
CHILDREN UNDER 2 YEARS OLD ARE FREE.
UPDATE:
ALL WRISTBANDS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE BETWEEN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4TH AND FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH.
WRISTBAND PICKUP, AT THE BCA OFFICE, WILL NOW BE BETWEEN 8AM AND 5PM MONDAY, OCTOBER 21ST - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24TH AND BETWEEN 8AM AND 7PM ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH.
THERE WILL BE NO WRISTBAND SALES OR PICKUPS AT THE HALLOWEEN BASH.
Bell Canyon
CSD
Celebrating40years
In 1983 Bud Toye, one of the original Bell Canyon residents and the Bell Canyon HOA president was approached by Robert Braitman the Executive Director of LAFCo in Ventura. LAFCo is responsible for working closely with citizens, the county, cities and special districts on a variety of issues concerning jurisdictional responsibility and needed change. Its statutory purpose is to encourage the establishment of orderly governmental boundaries based on local needs and circumstance.
Mr. Braitman explained that overlapping service responsibilities concerning the City of Simi Valley and Ventura County recreation and parks districts raised the question of Bell Canyon’s stake in any possible change in jurisdiction. Fully 7% of all property tax revenue received by Ventura County from Bell Canyon residents was redirected to the Rancho Simi Parks and Recreation District, an agency unable to provide services to Bell Canyon residents.
Mr. Braitman suggested that we secede from that district and form a new one that could receive this misdirected revenue and then spend it to provide services for the residents of Bell Canyon. This sounded pretty exciting until we realized that there might not be any services that we could provide that would not compromise the community’s private status.
It was made clear that the use of public money spent for such things as roads, swimming pools, or other improvements must by law, be made available to any citizen from anywhere in the country. It didn’t matter that the funding spent for such things was generated by Bell Canyon residents. Anyone could challenge the blocking of these amenities to the general public and force Bell Canyon to allow access to anyone wishing to use them and even challenge the existence of the entrance gate itself. So, they began a search for things on which the BCCSD could safely spend the money.
Curbside rubbish collection headed the list because one needed to be a resident to receive the service. It would be instantly popular because at the time, our private rubbish company was charging each resident separately and in many cases differently. The rubbish company justified its costly services by explaining that our steep roads were tearing up their trucks.
When we eventually formed the CSD, we were able to negotiate a contract through competitive bidding, and the result was free trash collection to residents and at a cost to the CSD substantially less than the aggregate of the individual residential billings. The choice to form the Bell Canyon CSD was put to a vote on the 1984 general election ballot.
Also on the ballot were the five candidates for the new CSD board: Otto Buss, Bud Toye, Ron Spiller, Arch McGregor and Bob Connelly. It was the same ballot with Ronald Reagan running for President of the United States. All six won, and the CSD measure garnered a 99% affirmative vote.
November 5, 2024 will mark 40 years since the CSD was approved and may determine the future of the district. The three residents who are elected on the November 5 ballot may be the directors deciding on the very existence of the Bell Canyon CSD and may determine whether we continue to benefit locally from our tax dollars.
In 2025 LAFCo will conduct another review of the district to determine if the deficiencies noted in the previous review have been remedied and if the district is even needed. Remember that in 1999 the Ventura Grand Jury called for the dissolution of the Bell Canyon CSD and it could happen again.
On November 5, 2024 you will be asked to vote for three Bell Canyon CSD Directors, the majority of the Board. Please carefully research the candidates and vote for individuals who share the vision of the founders to ensure that we continue to benefit from our tax contributions without compromising the highly valued privacy of this unique place to live.
THE COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 5TH
meet the candidates
THERE ARE THREE POSITIONS OPEN JUDY LANTZ AND PETER MACHUGA ARE THE CURRENT INCUMBENTS AND WILL REMAIN ON THE BOARD
THERE ARE SIX CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE THREE POSITIONS:
NORTON ALDERSON, JENNIFER HURST, JULIE DE ST JEAN, SHELBY LINKA, ANDRES MARTINEZ, AND NIRVAN RAYMOND ALL CANDIDATES WERE INVITED FOR AN INTERVIEW
Norton Alderson
Norton, a long-time Bell Canyon resident of 20 years, is currently active as a board member of the Bell Canyon Community Center (BCCC) He is an engineer and CEO of his aerospace company
The Aldersons live on Dapplegray Norton was recruited by a current CSD Director to run in this election He believes he can offer his professional talents as a manager, organizer and his ability to work with people
He calls himself a middle of the road kind of guy and very much wants to improve the atmosphere within the canyon and is willing to work to do so!
The accomplishments or items he’d like to focus on, if he is elected, are primarily maintenance related items such as more community clean-up days and street cleaning
Since the CSD did buy the maintenance area down by the park, he’d like to see some money spent on improving it.
As with all the candidates, he also supports more frequent community events Norton offers a willingness to devote his time and efforts to enhance our canyon environment
Julie De St Jean
Julie is a newer Bell Canyon resident, moving in just over 4 years ago so that she could be near her daughter and grand kids They all happen to live next door to one another on Hackamore
Julie is now retired but in her past work life, she was the Director of Transportation for the Oxnard School District So, she has had considerable managerial experience and knows how to get things done
She is a strong believer of community service and has had previous experience as a director of other non-profit boards. She feels that her skills as a union negotiator and involvement in conflict resolution can help bring moderation to the Board
Julie is of the opinion that more community events would help the Bell Canyon community to mend fences Julie would like to bolster volunteerism
She says, currently, just a handful of people do 95% of the work involved in putting on community events; and to have successful future events, we need more people willing to assist
Additionally, she would also like to ensure that there is complete transparency of the Board with everyone understanding what is happening Julie says she would be a pragmatic and energetic member of the Board!
Shelby Linka
As many families have, Shelby and his family moved to Bell Canyon 14 years ago because of the Las Virgenes School District They were familiar with the canyon as a family member lived there when they made the decision to buy. Shelby is a CPA and CEO of his own firm The Linkas live on Stagecoach
Shelby is excited to get involved and would like to help re-energize the community He’d love to get rid of all the past politics and focus on building a sense of community He feels by bringing back community events, people will begin to get acquainted and this will help bring the community back together.
He would also like to see the Board emphasize safety and security in the canyon Some of his ideas along this lin to have a more structured contract wi CHP, perhaps install speed bumps alon Canyon Road, and make our gate entr more secure
Shelby would encourage the Board to follow all of the LAFCo recommendatio and perhaps invite LAFCo representat to attend meetings rather than an atto Shelby believes he can be a positive a proactive member of the Board and lo forward to working with the current members of the Board
BCCC BCCC
UpdatestotheGym!
Equipment
The Bell Canyon Gym takes its rightful place as another one of the Canyon’s great amenities – now long term. The gym has been open just less than a decade. We have machines, barbells and dumbbells that allow you to workout Biceps, Tris, Chest, Legs, Abs, Shoulders, Cardio and more The gym is professionally designed enabling novice or serious lifter alike to get a great workout.
Cost Savings to the Canyon
Our mission was to save the Canyon money on unnecessary expenses The weight vendor was contacted and we immediately received a 25% discount on the renta of all equipment. However, wanting to make sure the Canyon received the best deal possible, coupled with weight room enthusiasts’ desire to have the gym stay open permanently, a different deal was forged
Negotiations continued with the vendor. We decided to purchase the strength equipment (non-cardio) at about 2X the annual rental fee In other words, at the negotiate price the non-cardio equipment will be owned in about 2 months After we own it we will effectively save $1,500 pe month thereafter. Savings start at $18,000 for the first year plus inflationary raises, and free loaner equipment to boot
We continue to rent the cardio equipment at less than the previous rental fee AND secured maintenance on both cardio and strength equipment – at no additional cost.
The reason to rent cardio is because it is electrical, uses computers, receives much sweat, and, breaks faster than strength machines. We can trade them out when necessary
New Gym Rules
The gym still maintains the standard rules of no eating, no unauthorized photos, no removing equipment, age restrictions, operating hours, etc After working out for 60 years I can tell you the most common arguments in any gym relate to people hoarding equipment while others are waiting The Board voted on some common-sense rules and they have been additionally posted in the gym. With these simple adjustments, residents can use the gym peacefully.
1. 30-minute limit on cardio equipment when others are waiting.
2. One must share strength equipment between sets with people waiting.
Rule Changes Pending
Residents reported some Canyon gym users bring in a trainer and tie-up pieces of equipment with 4 people simultaneously, effectively preventing others from using the equipment. Additionally, we learned of residents giving key fobs to nonresidents to use at their convenience. The Board is viewing these issues as they are rule violations, causing concern.
Request
If someone realizes equipment is missing, broken, or in need of adjustment, please report it to the office, or tell me if I am in the gym Our gym is a great amenity that needs a little kindness to be enjoyed forever Now, go get a pump!
ROOF REPLACEMENT UPDATE!
COMMUNITY CENTER
REFURBISHMENT PROJECT- PHASE ONE
NEW ROOF & REPLACEMENT OF ROTTEN WOOD BEAMS AND POSTS
After years of deterioration due to age and lack of proper maintenance the New Board is taking steps to revitalize a piece of Bell Canyon that truly needs restoration. The first phase of this project is to tear off the old concrete tile roof and install insulation materials, a waterproofing membrane, and a new metal roof.
This work will require the replacement of some rafter tails and support columns and beams that are no longer structurally sound due to wood rot and decay.
The board opened the bidding process for this work to over two hundred roofing companies Out of the two hundred companies offered this bid opportunity seven companies replied with bids. The final contract with the low bidder is scheduled to be signed next week after final board approval.
The board along with assistance from a structural engineer, the facility manager, and local contractors have obtained the necessary permits for this roofing project.
The board has also arranged for the financing of this project.
Work is planned to commence on November 4, 2024, with the tear off and installation of new waterproofing materials. You will see yellow caution tape in certain areas and trash dumpsters located to haul away old roofing materials.
We are hopeful that this phase of the restoration project will be completed by early 2025 subject to delays for weather.
The HOA has approved a trial period for a new cloud-based software is specifically designed for modern court reservations and for a better user experience.
It will allow proper booking of “combo-courts” like our Court #2. It will save our office staff time managing reservations and prevent booking issues over the weekend, after-hours or holidays when office staff are not available.
The new system will email an acknowledgement of the reservation and will also send a reminder, plus many other features. It is easy to add events as well as promote them to the community. It also includes a phone app to book as well, so keep an eye out for a new software release!
Travis Simpson came to Bell Canyon 4 years ago where he held the position of Regional Facilities Manager at Kohls. Travis has been married for 19 years to his lovely wife Alisa.
Alisa is a schoolteacher in Simi Valley where the two reside with their 2 Lab/Pit Bull mix boys Gunner and Ammo.
Fun Facts about Travis:
• His favorite vacation spot is West Yellowstone because is nice and secluded.
• Travis and Alisa are frequent visitors of EDC Las Vegas.
• Travis enjoys shooting, playing baseball and sports fishing
• Denver Broncos is Travis’s favorite football team, especially when they are winning.
• Travis loves guns.... And has quite a collection. (beware intruders with his 2 dogs and all those guns – no thanks!)
Travis has a cubicle in the Bell Canyon office, but the chair is rarely sat in since he is always running around putting out a million fires
Travis Simpson has contributed to the Median Lights, Trail Clearance, Tree Trimming, BCCC Reroofing Project, and Tennis Court LED Retrofit.
Thank you Travis for your hard work!
Owned by Sage Creek Stables, Indy is a 9 year old, 16-hand American Quarter Horse. Head trainer for Sage Creek Stables,
Sam McCarthy says he is a sweet guy that does whatever you ask of him!
He was originally trained for Western type of riding but is now learning to be an English hunter jumper.
He is a school horse and does 6 or 7 lessons a week. Kids love riding Indy. He’s so good natured that Sam describes him as being like “employee of the month, every month.”
So, next time, you’re at the Bell Canyon Equestrian Center, stop by and say hi to Indy.
Trunk or treat 5:30 BCCC October 31st
OCT 2
EREV ROSH HASHANA
OCT 3
ROSH HASHANA
OCT 8
BCAC 6PM
OCT 11
EREV YOM KIPPUR
OCT 12
YOM KIPPUR
OCT 14
COLUMBUS DAY
OCT 16
BCA BOD 6PM
OCT 22
BCAC 6PM
OCT 26
HALLOWEEN BASH
OCT 27
BOO AT NOON
OCT 28
CSD BOD
7PM
OCT 31
HALLOWEEN
TRUNK OR TREAT
5:30 BCCC PARKING LOT
OOCTOBER CTOBER
calendar
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
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
