Messages from Roy
Respectful Treatment for All
We are all neighbors, and I believe we should treat everyone the same. The Board must treat everyone with respect as everyone has the same rights here in La Cresta. With that being said, I also do not believe that we should turn a blind eye to egregious behavior. I agree with holding everyone to the same expectations of mutual respect.
Leadership of our Board and Executive Committee Meetings
As the current President of the LCPOA Board, I am in a leadership role with the Board Members and in the community. This job position does require patience and understanding to listen to everyone and guide the processes to benefit the community. Monthly, we have scheduled Executive Meetings that cover issues and topics requiring confidentiality and we have Open Session Meetings where association members are all allowed to attend. Some people feel that the executive meetings are not fulfilling the goal of full transparency, however this is a standard practice and a legal requirement. As an example, we cannot discuss individual property owner financial issues during our open session meetings. To keep open communication with property owners, they are invited to fill out a speaker form then address the board on any issue they choose during Open Session Meetings. Keeping order and completing the agenda is my top priority at the open sessions. Currently we have two board members that have been sanctioned for inappropriate actions as board members. These same two board members will not agree to sign the Code of Conduct. Both were recently censored for actions not related to this refusal. I work to run the board following the simplified Roberts Rules of Order and expect all Board Members and the property owners to abide by these rules. I welcome all property owners to attend the board meetings as there is always a lot to learn from these meetings.
Transparency
The goals and actions associated with Transparency can be used and abused in any organization. We have an LCPOA Code of Conduct for the Board which spells out the way directors should act and how to perform our duties. You may be interested to know that only three of the LCPOA Directors agree with the LCPOA Code of Conduct, while the other two directors overtly disregard it. The Board has taken training classes in how to act, how to apply the Business Judgement Rule and how to manage the LCPOA. We disclose whatever can legally be divulged to the membership and we follow all required rules. This is how the board displays transparency. When people do not like our actions, they accuse us of not being transparent and they suggest we are not disclosing something. I believe in Transparency and will continue to follow the rules of the LCPOA Code of Conduct.
Proper Reserves and Financial Oversight
The Financial Reserves of the LCPOA are analyzed by an independent firm that specializes in this type of work. We supply all of the documentation that the firm requires including the Pavement Analysis and Culvert Maintenance report. The Board had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss variables associated with this report. There are many ways to calculate the Financial Reserve analysis, and we utilize a Financially Conservative Method. This Financial Reserve Analysis identifies the trends over years and estimates into the future. While we are in good financial condition, we are going to need to have our Finance Committee review this report and determine if an adjustment in Dues will be required. The LCPOA dues structure has been the same for over 20 years, this is a disadvantage when we have aging infrastructure and over 20 years inflation that has increased the cost of everything. You can remain confident that we will continue to make careful and prudent decisions associated with the finances and the reserves.
Road Maintenance
The Road Committee is charged with managing the conditions and maintenance of our 26 miles of private roads in the LCPOA. You may note that this does not include the maintenance of the Cul-de-Sacs and driveways as these are not identified as the responsibility of the LCPOA. I have full confidence in the decisions of the LCPOA Road Committee. They follow the Pavement Analysis and Culvert Report to make their long-term plans. The Road Committee also follows up on reports from the management company and individual property owners for specific situations. Road repair and maintenance is our largest expense at the LCPOA. I am currently the Board Liaison to the Road Committee, and I particularly enjoy the professional organization and acumen of this critical committee.
Weed Abatement
Weed Abatement at the LCPOA involves the cutting of weeds and brush along the 26 miles of roadways and the two emergency assembly areas. There is additional work associated with the cutting weeds and brush along our trail network. These efforts are key to our Fire Prevention endeavors and this process cannot be ignored. However, most of the roadways should be maintained by the property owners that front the roads. While many property owners do an excellent job maintaining their own property, others do not. It is going to take more education to bring an understanding to the property owners that are not maintaining their own properties. It will take more outreach and education to those property owners who are not upkeeping their frontages. I am working hard to keep our community fire safe and beautiful.
Fair and Equal Enforcement of our Governing Documents
The Board follows the Business Judgement rule when making difficult decisions. Many Board Decisions do not require the advice of Legal Counsel; however, the occasion may arise where Legal Counsel is required. The balanced, fair and equal treatment of all LCPOA members is a matter of documented record. I stand by our decisions and the way we arrive at our decisions. The Board is promoting the rewrite of the Governing Documents through the Governing Documents Committee. The Governing Documents are 20 years old and out of date. We are following all rules associated with re-writing these documents. This includes sharing the newly created draft with all LCPOA committees review, seeking legal advice and oversite, gaining Board Approval and inviting all LCPOA Members to review the draft. Once all input has been reviewed and the draft is again updated, it will be shared with all LCPOA members who will be asked to vote on the draft to ratify the update.
The business judgment rule is a legal principle that protects corporate directors and officers from liability for actions taken in their official capacity, provided they were made in good faith, with due care, and in the honest belief that the actions were in the best interests of the corporation. It essentially creates a presumption that directors' decisions are sound and informed.
Supervision of our Management Company
The LCPOA Board employees a professional management company, Powerstone, which is associated with the day-to-day operations of our community. Powerstone is the cornerstone for community members to communicate with and interact on all possible POA issues. The relationship of the Board, individually or as a group, with the management company is critical to maintain a smooth-running operation. The management company also provides training and advice for the board members associated with their positions. I would recommend Powerstone to any other association that is looking to change to a new Management Company.
Community Outreach and Engagement
I would like to improve our Outreach and Engagement with the community. We currently have an LCPOA website, we provide educational Community Town Halls, we hold monthly Open Session Meetings, and I publish a synopsis of the Open Session Meetings monthly which includes the voting record of each Board member (60-second Wrap Up).
Moving forward, I believe the LCPOA website should be our focus for improvement. I also support all the other plateau activities such as our Market Place, Trunk or Treat, July 4 Parade, the Santa Rosa Plateau Riding Club, the upcoming September Harvest Dance, the monthly Ladies Lunch, and more!!