Oakmont’s Semimonthly Newspaper
OVA in New Office
www.oakmontvillage.com/oakmont-news
Winter Sunrise
nMarty Thompson
The OVA moved into its new, larger office space Jan. 19, with features including a larger front counter and more meeting and working space. “We’re delighted to welcome residents to their new office,” Manager Cassie Turner said. “Our staff worked hard to make it a reality, and the new office should help us better meet residents’ needs.” The office, at 6637 Oakmont Drive, Suite A, is next door to Umpqua Bank and reachable from the adjoining parking lot or Laurel Leaf Drive. The front door is in the breezeway at the center of the two buildings. The Architectural Office is next door, just off the parking lot. Manager Mary Patricia recalled it’s the same place the office occupied five years ago, until OVA moved a block away on Oakmont Drive. Turner observed that the move brings the office into the central complex, near the Central Activities and Berger centers and the central pool. The office lobby features a mural of Hood Mountain donated by Oakmont artist David Harris, and banquette seating in the waiting area. The 3,598 square feet of space includes a six-seat conference room for staff meetings with members and a ten-seat conference room. Most furniture from the old office was relocated to the new space.
A sunrise over the Wild Oak polo field. (Photo by Robert Starkey)
OVA To Consider Smaller East Rec. Deck Faced with one bid of $275,000 to replace the deck at the East Recreation Center, the Oakmont Village Association board of directors is considering a smaller deck. The board voted Jan. 24 to spend up to $6,000 for an architect to provide drawings and cost estimates for a smaller deck, or the alternative of eliminating the deck all together. Iris Harrell, chair of the Construction Oversight Committee, reviewed other options for the board, saying it could cost about $100,000 to remove the deck, including the installation of new windows and railings. She said a contractor advised that repair of the deck would not be cost effective. While some dry rot is evident, she said, dry rot can be deceptive and may be more widespread than now known.
Rock-clearing from what will be the new path’s route. (Photo by John Williston)
REPLACE OR REMOVE?
See candidates on page 3
See board on page 3
nStaff Report
The building of a new 400-foot path into TrioneAnnadel State Park, now twice postponed by weather, has new target dates for getting the job done. Meanwhile, volunteers turned out to do some preparation on Saturday, Jan. 14. Hugh Helm, the Oakmonter spearheading the project, is hoping that one of three possible Saturdays will afford dry skies and ground solid enough for the work. The Saturday dates are Feb. 11 and 25, or March 11. Work will start at 9. a.m. on the chosen date. “We won’t decide which one until a week before, when weather forecasting has a shred of accuracy,” Helm said in an E-mail to volunteers. He asked people to pencil in all three dates, and “we’ll let you know a week before whether or not we can build the trail the following Saturday.”
nAl Haggerty
The 2017 OVA board election Candidates Forum is set for February 22 at 6 p.m. in the Berger Center, when eight candidates will take the stage to introduce themselves to the community. The OVA nominating committee recently presented the candidate names to the board president, as required
Candidates Forum Set for February 22
Park Path Project Has New Target Dates
nStaff Report
Director Frank Batchelor previously questioned the need for the deck, citing the lack of complaints since it was closed as a safety risk, and Director Herm Hermann has made it clear he won’t vote for a new deck if bids put the cost at $250,000 or more. Harrell said she expects to have a report from an architect, including drawings and cost estimates, by the board’s Feb. 20 meeting. The board approved a contract to pay John Phillips, the personal trainer at the Oakmont Fitness Center, $16,400 a year to provide his services for up to 10 hours a week. He will also be allowed to use the OVA facilities to work with private clients. To comply with new election rules adopted by the board, which move the ballot box from the OVA office to an inspector of collections’ office, the board
Cathy Daugherty, assistant to the OVA manager, left, goes over paperwork with President Andie Altman in the new office’s small conference room. (Staff photo)
February 1, 2017 • Volume 55, Number 3
Jim Mayer and Sue Harrison anchor the culvert pipe. (Photo by John Williston)
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SANTA ROSA, CA PERMIT NO. 323 Tony Cale and John Felton break trail and haul rocks. (Photo by John Williston)
See park path on page 3