Ranch Updates
T
he DC Ranch Association election process for its Board of Directors is now underway. Residents are encouraged to apply. This year, four director seats will be open for election, as the two-year terms for President Susan Grace, Secretary Tom Headley, Treasurer Mike Esparza and Director Don Matheson expire. Candidate applications ask for prior volunteer, board or committee experience; civic involvement; education; and any professional designations. Residents should also plan to attend the Meet the Candidates Forum tentatively set for Wednesday, March 14, at 6 p.m. at The Homestead Community Center.
Board candidates must be DC Ranch residents and be in good-standing with community standards, assessments and fees. Applicants may download candidate forms online at DCRanch.com, or pick one up at The Ranch Offices on Market Street during regular business hours. If elected, board members will serve two-year terms.
Election Timeline
Consider serving your community March 5
Deadline for candidate applications | 5 p.m.
March 14
Meet the Candidates Night | 6 p.m. at The Homestead
March 16
Ballots mailed to Neighborhood Voting Members (NVMs) and residents (if required)
April 2
Board members elected at the Ranch Association Annual Meeting | 6 p.m. at The Homestead
In 2017, the Board addressed many important matters such as speed enforcement, drones, and policies to set standards for board conduct, ethics and governance. The Board also created a new Policy Committee to provide advice on all policyrelated matters.
Pet waste is a pet peeve
Pet and non-pet owners alike have voiced concerns about pet waste in the community. It effects every neighborhood, as well as the path and trail system that winds through DC Ranch. DC Ranch has tried various approaches to address this concern through the years. This month, a new program called PUP (Pick Up Poop) is being introduced where pet owners sign a pledge to dispose of waste properly. The pilot PUP program will be rolled-out first in Desert Parks Village (neighborhoods south of Legacy Boulevard). Residents who take the PUP pledge will receive a DC Ranch branded dog bandana, leash and waste bags to identify their promise to pick up waste. The entire community is being evaluated to determine where pet waste disposal stations are needed. Five additional stations have already been added along 94th and 91st Streets south of Legacy. Maintenance crews from the Ranch Association and both apartment complexes, (Desert Parks Vista and Camden Foothills) are also assisting with pet waste removal.
Landscape Workshop March 19
DC
Ranch residents take pride in keeping the community looking its best. Education plays an important role and, as a part of the process, the Community Standards team will present a free seminar for residents and their landscape providers Monday, March 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. at The Homestead Community Center. The event will feature a presentation from Scottsdale Fire on creating a defensible space around your home. Additionally, the landscape modification process will be reviewed as well as the use of lighting,
desert pavement, chemical applications and water management. An in-depth look at the landscape modification submittal process will be reviewed as well as various design concepts such as use of artificial turf, desert pavement, granite applications and prohibited plants. In honor of DC Ranch’s 20th anniversary, residents who complete the training will receive a $200 credit on modification fees. Landscape providers who complete the course will be added to the DC Ranch certified Landscape Provider List posted on DCRanch.com and will receive a certificate of completion.
New NVMs welcomed The Ranch Association hosted a happy hour reception on Thursday, Jan. 18, to welcome 15 new Neighborhood Voting
Members who will serve their respective communities. Incoming and incumbent NVMs gathered at Market Street Kitchen for a chance to mix, mingle and learn the ropes. Training for new NVMs preceded the event. A record number of NVMs attended the first Ranch board meeting of the year at which many important items were discussed, such as the use of fines for speed enforcement. The first item of business for NVMs is the Ranch Association Board of Directors election.
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