HOMEOWNER Q & A - Jan 16, 2010

The Board welcomes homeowner questions. Answers will appear in the Breeze as space permits. Questions can also be answered by contacting Keystone Pacific, our management company.

Q: Why are homeowners being asked to vote on the closure of satellite pools 3 and 5?

A: The satellite pools are over 35 years old. They have gone beyond their 30 year useful life. Homeowners are invited to look at the condition of the fences at pools 3 and 5, the warped shingles and rotting wood on the cabanas at pools 3, 4, and 5, and the cracked decking at pools 2 and 5. These pools either need to be refurbished so the community can enjoy them or be removed. Both choices involve significant costs. Refurbishment leads to a 30 year commitment to pay for maintenance, electricity, gas, and pool service. Before making a large financial commitment, the Board needs to know by a vote of the community if we want to keep all four satellite pools. Surveys on the satellite pools in 2007 and 2009 have resulted in mixed results with significant numbers unsure. Neither survey had a quorum of responses required by a formal vote. Pools 3 and 5 were chosen because they are closest to the main pool. See the related article in this issue.

Q: Why do sprinklers come on shortly after a rain storm?

A: Beachwalk has purchased new irrigation controllers that take into account the weather conditions of the previous 24 hours. If homeowners see any that seem to be malfunctioning, please contact management. In addition, in response to the guidelines published by the city, as of January 1st we have reduced the frequency of our watering.

Q: Why do street lights come on before dusk and remain on after dawn?

A: Our street lights are turned on and off by photocells. There may be times when the photo cells are blocked by tree branches or malfunction. The lights are checked on the 4th week of each month. Homeowners can help the community by reporting burnt out lights or lighting problems to management.

Q: Why is the sauna closed?

A:  The sauna is electrically heated by a 12,000 watt heater that uses large amounts of electricity.  The heater is turned on with a timer that allows the heater to run one hour. During the last few weeks, homeowners have noticed that the timer has failed to turn off the sauna leaving it running for long periods of time with no one using it. The breaker to the sauna has been turned off until the timer can be replaced. This repair is likely to cost over $1000, so management followed the Board guidelines for repairs: obtaining bids for authorized vendors and putting the repair on the regular Board agenda. The repair was approved at the January meeting and will be done as quickly as possible.

HOMEOWNER Q & A - Nov 20, 2009

The Board welcomes homeowner questions. Answers will appear in the Breeze as space permits. Our management company, Keystone, can also answer homeowner questions.

Q: What is the procedure for installing a locking mailbox?

A: The association supplies the non-locking mailboxes. If a homeowner wants a locking mailbox, he or she may purchase one at a local building supply store. It should be of the same style as the other locking mailboxes in Beachwalk. When the locking mailbox is on hand, the homeowner should contact management and a work order will be issued to have maintenance install it.

Q: What is the history and legality of our unequal monthly assessments?

A: Unofficial Beachwalk historians say that the developers of Beachwalk began the community with a two-tier assessment, the lower tier for A-, B-, and C-plans with less living space and higher tier for D- and E-plans. The Board added a third tier when F-plans were completed in 2002. When over the years Boards voted to raise assessments by a percentage amount, the dollar differential between the tiers gradually increased from a $2 per month difference to the current $22 dollars per month difference. While in the past the California Department of Real Estate has recommended uniform dues for HOAs, the Board knows of no law, regulation, or court decision that mandates uniform dues. There are other HOAs in the area with unequal dues. Discussion of this issue is part of the process of revising our Bylaws and CCRs.

Q: What are the rules concerning outdoor cats in Beachwalk?

A: Unlike dogs, cats cannot be confined to homeowner yards and do not easily take to leashes. Therefore, it is not possible to require cat owners to clean up feces or to keep cats from trespassing into other owner's yards. Beachwalk does limit homeowners to a total of three domesticated household pets. That is, the number of cats plus dogs can be at most three. In a related issue, some homeowners leave their garage doors partially open to allow access to their cats. This is not permitted. Our rules say that garage doors must be kept closed unless a resident is working in the garage. Rules violations should be reported to management.

HOMEOWNER Q & A - July 20, 2009

The Board welcomes homeowner questions. Answers will appear in the Breeze as space permits. Our management company, Keystone, can also answer homeowner questions.

Q:  Beachwalk removes dead, dangerous, destructive, or diseased trees. Is there a tree replacement policy?

A: There is no written tree replacement policy. Trees are a big part of what makes Beachwalk so lush and appealing. However, when improperly chosen or located, trees can caused damage to plumbing, cement, fences, and walls. They can also make it difficult to keep our pools, yards, and driveways clean. The Board is open to suggestions about how to create a wise tree replacement policy.

Q: Students attending Huntington Beach High School sometimes park in our guest parking. A few of these students have been seen driving carelessly on our streets. What can be done about this problem?

A: A few students have used Seaworthy, Seagull, Starfish, and other streets in Beachwalk for parking. Weekday security does not begin until 3 PM and student cars are usually gone by then. If a homeowner notices this problem, contact the management company and arrangements will be made to put a notice on the offending cars. If warnings are ignored, these cars can be cited or towed away.

Q: How does a homeowner let the community know that they would like to organize a clubhouse 2 community event similar to couples bridge or a Beachwalk house tour?

A: Our rules and regulations (page 33) describe how homeowners can obtain free use of Clubhouse 2 for activities open to all Beachwalk residents. This requires Board approval. At least 75% of those attending such events must be Beachwalk residents. Events that do not require the use of  Clubhouse 2, such as a tour of Beachwalk homes, require no Board approval. The best way to let homeowners know about a new activity is to print a notice in the monthly Breeze.