Periodico de Esperanza
Homeowners Newsletter
May 24, 2004

Presidents Report - By Ben Sheffield

June is almost here and when it arrives Mona and I will be joining those who leave for the summer months. We will be in Eastern Canada until October 6th and available by telephone at 709-583-1010. In our absence the remaining Board members will be here to take care of and serve our many members.

We had seven members present at the May 17th meeting. Two members addressed the Board: Jerry McCall, 751 Regalo, gave an update on Esperanza Estates Tours next trip to Copper Canyon Mexico. This is a February 2005 tour and they already have 10 reservations. Look for more information in this and coming issues of the Periodico. Fran Kelly, 1180 Del Sur, asked questions regarding the possibilities of a bath room at the tennis courts that was mentioned during the April meeting under long range planning. There was a discussion on the subject. We encourage all of our members to attend the Board meetings as we need your input.

The April 30, 2004 Statement of Revenues and Expenditures along with the Statement of Financial Position follow in this issue (front & back). April expenditures would have been under budget except for an additional charge of $517 by the CPA for depreciation expense to bring it in line with his schedule. Year to date we are still behind from the cold winter; however, these warmer months should start to balance the costs in our favor.

The Cinco de Mayo party on May 5th at the Ramada was very successful with 82 in attendance and from all reports those swinging at the Pinata put some real gusto into their attempts. A very well done to Hospitality and all of those that made it happen.
This years painting of Common Area Properties is now complete. In addition we were able to have brick pavers placed in the Pool area where gravel used to be in order to allow better placement of some of the pool lounge chairs. The back gate was moved to the West wall South of the Ramada and a new gate has now been installed. The old placement of the back gate was a safety hazard that needed correcting.

During these past months we have all seen several articles in the local papers on this years legislation regarding homeowner associations. My condensed version of those recently passed bills follows:

HB2379 (ARS 33-1243) Requires the HOA Board to provide for and annual financial audit, review or compilation of financial records and that the results be made available to the members. Your Board already complies with this as have our past Boards.

SB1125 (ARS 33-1256) Requires that HOA's notify the County Recorder's office of changes in address's, designated agents and management companies. I spoke with the Pima County Recorder's office and they do not have any of the procedures or forms worked out at this point. It is a minimum of 90 days before any of these laws become effective.

SB1137 (ARS 10-3304) Allows any HOA member to challenge a corporation's power to act and modifies the rules under which this can be done. This is new legislation.

HB2177 (ARS 33-1248) Requires all meetings of the HOA and the board to be open to the members or designated representative of an HOA member unless otherwise noted and permits members to attend an speak at an appropriate time and authorizes the board to place reasonable time restrictions on speaking but requires the board to permit a member or the member's representative to speak before the board takes action on items under discussion. For those of you that attend our meetings you know that this is the way our discussions on proposed changes proceed.

Have a great summer and be kind to one another as we are all neighbors trying to stay cool in the summer heat.

Common Area Maintenance - By Tom Cooke, Chair

Being Spring, its "snake season" and we have been receiving reports regarding snakes finding their way into our courtyards. Judging from where they are being located, it appears their favorite way in is through (or under) the front gate. To keep them out, screening the gate appears prudent, but to be effective, the screening has to run all the way down to the sidewalk as they can crawl under even a very narrow gap. Remember as well to keep a screen over the drain holes in your patio walls.

If you find a snake in your yard, the "snake number" to call is the GVFD's non-emergency number, 629-9200. They usually arrive very promptly, within minutes, and will remove the snakes humanly and at no charge. They then relocate the snake to the wilds.

As some of you have no doubt noticed, our common area palms look about as bad as they ever have. In addition to the usual annual die-back, some of them were nipped by the 30 year record cold we had last December. But help is on the way, and we are making arrangements for our annual trimming, which will take place toward the end of this month and in early June. Because of the local land fill being now closed, we anticipate some additional expense this year because of the necessity for the contractor to haul the cuttings to the Tucson dump. As of the date of this writing, we don't yet have a firm price per tree for our approximately 55 common area palms. It has been the practice for the contractor to give the same rate charged to the Association to private palm owners, provided the private palms are cut while he has his equipment mobilized and in the subdivision. Anyone wishing to discuss this with the contractor may call Rob McCord, at 721-9472, and obtain the current rate. Rob has cut our palms for several years now and does excellent work. He is licensed by the state, and has all the proper bonds and insurance in place. The Association has to employ only a contractor who does. We have found that most in this line of work do not. And although the unlicensed will occasionally work cheaper, the liability and possible other problems relating to employing them isn't worth the risk.

Except for a few smaller areas, the weed spraying program for this Spring has pretty well been completed. Those several areas requiring it will now be worked mechanically to remove the dead weeds.

Two warning letters have been sent by the Association to property owners, asking them to clean up their yards. We are happy to note this is far less than have been required in the past. It benefits all of us when everyone takes care of his or her own property.
Although we have our problem areas, overall, we think the subdivision is looking pretty good. Our re-graveling program, completion of the common structure painting, and the enhancement work at the pool have helped greatly. Additional improvements are being planned, both by the Board and the Volunteers.

This will be the last common area report until next the fall, However our landscape maintenance efforts will go on during the summer, as usual. Accordingly, as always if you have or observe problems in the common areas, please call me at 399-0455. We will attempt to address your concerns as rapidly as we are able.
 
New /Former Owners/ Renters -By Sheila Bennen

New: James L. and Pamela W, Maxwell
785 Circulo Napa
Former: Charles and Karen Augustine

New: Caivert C. and Eileen Wright
1172 Circulo del Norte
Former: Norman and Carol Arns

New: James V. and Jan D, Harvey
1091 Calle Excelso
Former: Gordon Molesworth

New: James L. and Carolyn A. Seltzer
1149 Calle Excelso
Former: Robert R, Blend

New: Kenneth A and Gloria J. Hile
1161 Calle Excelso
Former: Frank Ferguson

New Phone Numbers - By Sheila Bennen

John and Mary Vitallo
872 Calle del Regalo
625-1404

Esperanza Estates Tour - By Sheila Bennen

By now most of you know of our great trip planned for Esperanza Estates and Friends. We will go to the Copper Canyon, Mexico, February 27 to March 6, 2005. The cost is $989,00 per person, double occupancy, 8 days, 7 nights. If you check other rates, you will see this price is very good.

We now have registration forms, and complete agendas. A deposit of $100.00 per person guarantees you a place on the tour bus. In case of cancellation, your deposit is 100% refundable. This deposit is sent directly to the Tour Agent. Some of you have already claimed your place. Final payment is not due until January 20, 2005.

One of the many highlights included in this tour, will be a home-made lunch, in a Mennonite home. Watch for highlights about this trip in each Periodico. Would you like a registration form and more info? We will even deliver.
CONTACT: Jerry & Dolores McCall 751 Calle Del Regalo Phone #399-3984 (Corrected)
Sheila Bennen 399-0501
If no one is home, leave a message. We will return your call ASAP.

Advertisements -By Sheila Bennen

We would encourage each of you to ask any "trade person" that you feel does an excellent job to place an ad in the Periodico. We would like our homeowners to have a list of reliable people to call. We would like a copy ready ad. Please call Sheila Bennen at 399-0501 or Robert Frost at 399-9003 for more information.
The cost structure is as follows:
Full page - 3 months - $100
1/2 page - 3 months - $ 50
1/4 page - 3 months -- $ 25

Light Bulbs - By Sheila Bennen

Many of you will be leaving soon for the summer. I suggest that you purchase a long lasting florescent bulb and place it in your lamp post. It will make our neighborhood brighter and safer. Thank you.

HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE - By Phyllis Johnson-Frost

In planning for the Cinco de Mayo gathering, the committee decided to replicate the highly successful Volunteers buffet, but with reservations at $5.00 per person. It turned out to be a great decision with the highest number of participants ever in our hospitality history! Eighty-two signed in with the Laubers, at least 6 persons for the first time. Mucho thanks to committee members Sheila and Melodye for shopping for the "bountiful" southwest buffet and preparing the dishes, assisted by committee "partners," Rod Pearson and Tom Cooke, who cooked carne asada; and to committee members-- Audrey, Ellie, Claire, Sue, assisted by Nancy Pearson - who served the celebrants lining up according to the table numbers called progressively by Sheila! Neighbors, who couldn't join us, will get the picture of the hilarious pinata ritual if you interview one of the "attackers," Sam Simonson! The Committee welcomes its newest volunteer, Pat Rodemeyer, who brings to our new buffet service her experience as former owner of Mama's Kitchen.

This may be the ONLY announcement of an informal Fourth of July party at the pool, Sunday July 4th, at 6:00 p.m. Bring light refreshments to share and your choice of libation. The committee will supply ice, water, glasses, plates, utensils, patriotic decorations, and music for us all. You are invited to decorate your summer wear with a lapel flag or other national emblem. And what a great occasion to end the evening with a refreshing swim, should you so choose! Generous Committee,, you will be invited to a planning session in due time. Suggestions from neighbors at large are always welcome.

The Chair reported to the May 17 Board meeting that a positive structural change in the mission of Hospitality has developed. There is a dynamic precedent for this move in that the "Neighborhood Watch" was at first generated under the auspices of the standing committee for hospitality. Soon, however, the watch was combined with the delivery of the newcomer's packet. The Watch took on a life of its own, as a separate standing committee, under the leadership of Melodye Cooke working with Block Captains.

So, too, ESPERANZA ESTATES Tours, under the initiative of Jerry and Delores McCall, by mutual agreement, will now operate as an independent committee, with Sheila Bennen as back up. Go buses! Loaded with residents and guests!

Capital Projects - By Robert Frost, Chair

At the May 17 Board meeting, I requested a name change for my appointed role on the Board: from Long Range Planning to Capital Projects. My rationale is that "Long Range Planning" is a budget element that is solidified once a year. I feel more useful to the Association in continuing what I have been doing, that is, observing capital projects that require attention, estimates, and support throughout the year. I reported that I have prepared a "Capital Expense Log" to record these expenses and provide for a projected replacement. Other actions may include obtaining estimates for each project, scheduling the project, and supervision of the project. The Board approved the change in focus with the new name, Capital Projects. As needed, for each particular capital project, I will form an ad hoc committee to follow the project to completion. One impending project is the installation of a new pool cover scheduled for September 15, 2004.

Neighborhood Relations - By Norma Stanley, Chair

Three cards were sent to Esperanza residents that have yards with excessive weeds. One response was received from the realtor in charge of the property stating she would take care of the problem. A letter was sent regarding failure to paint a new garage door before the owner left for the season. No response yet.