October INSIDER 2024

Insider OCTOBER 2024

bell canyon BELL CANYON BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ERIC DERSOM KEVIN KEEGAN MIKE KLEIN YOSSI KVIATKOVSKY BILL NAPIER MELISSA RAFF STEVE RASNICK BARRY SCHEHR

BCCC

NORTON ALDERSON STEVE BELLAMY ADAM JOHANSSON KEVIN KEEGAN SEAN WAGMEISTER CSD

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

ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE

JENN HURST EVAN LAWRENCE ANDRES MARTINEZ LISA RICCOMINI MOLLY URNECLI

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 FRONT DESK RECEPTIONIST CHERIE CALABRO ACCESS CONTROL SUPERVISOR ERMAN QUITALIG

ACCESS CONTROL OFFICERS EDGAR BALBERAN MARLIN BURT TYRISHA EDWARDS ERNESTO GARCIA RUTH GARCIA ANTHONY PORTILLO TIFFANY RANGEL ROCHA ALEC SKILLMAN ADOR VENTURANZA ALEC WORTHEN FACILITIES MANAGER COMPLIANCE MANAGER TRAVIS SIMPSON FACILITIES STAFF LUIS GAMBOA RICARDO GARCIA GONZALEZ

HORSE LOVE. Send us an email with photos of your beautiful horses to: insider@bellcanyon.com

Inside 6

PRESIDENT UPDATE A welcome note from Kevin!

8

BOO AT HIGH NOON Come see the horse parade!

9

HALLOWEEN BASH Join us for this fun community event!

10

CSD CORNER History & meet the candidates!

16

21

New cloud reservation software!

26 EMPLOYEE

HIGHLIGHT Meet Travis Simpson!

30 BCEC Meet “Indy” Indiana Jones!

32 MOVIE NIGHT Photos from a night at the park!

BCCC - GYM

34 TRUNK OR TREAT

Updates about the gym!

A candy filled evening, Oct 31st!

BCCC ROOF UPDATE Get ready to raise the roof!

24

25 PICKLEBALL

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW July financial summary from your Treasurer!

35 CALENDAR October Calendar of BCA meetings and more!

37 LOCAL RESOURCES Convenient listings of local hotels and restaurants

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.

Milestones to Celebrate: 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.

Parking Rules: 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.

Recapitalization Efforts: 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

s r a e y 0 4 g n Celebrati

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 line are to have a more structured contract with the CHP, perhaps install speed bumps along Bell Canyon Road, and make our gate entry more secure.

Shelby would encourage the Board to follow all of the LAFCo recommendations and perhaps invite LAFCo representatives to attend meetings rather than an attorney.

Shelby believes he can be a positive and proactive member of the Board and looks forward to working with the current members of the Board.

BCCC

Updates to the Gym!

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 rental 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 negotiated price the non-cardio equipment will be owned in about 20 months. After we own it we will effectively save $1,500 per 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.

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

In the month of July, the Canyon recorded $331 thousand in revenue, primarily from monthly assessments, and $238 thousand in expenses.

At July 31, the Canyon’s cash balance approximated $1,559 thousand, including refundable construction deposits.

Additionally at July 31, the Canyon had $289 thousand in unpaid accounts payables and accrued liabilities.

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.

October 31st Trunk or treat

5:30 BCCC

OCTOBER 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

calendar

where to stay.

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.

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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

Bell Canyon Communications Committee

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