Home Owner Association Under Fire

Lately there has been a lot of interest in the Clear Lake Riviera Homeowners Association. Some have expressed concern about the way meetings are conducted, the tactics used for enforcing the Covenants, Conditions & Regulations (CC&R's), questioning what the association dues are paying for or how the money is spent, or even if there is a need for an association.

Let's face it, when we moved here we knew there was an association and what the rules were. If we didn't like them we could have selected another location. There are plenty of subdivisions around the lake that were created without CC&R's, many choose to live or not to live in those areas because there is no conformity or little enforcement of the county regulations unless there is a complaint. This can be readily seen by driving around the county through various neighborhoods.

Because Lake County is mostly rural the county government is responsible for enforcing the county ordinances. Those departments are underfunded and understaffed so policing the county for violations is a monumental task depending on the complaints of neighbors to blow the whistle on violations before they enforce the ordinance. The same goes for the Forest Service. There is not enough staff to police each and every violation of weed and brush abatement that occurs.

As a result, neighborhoods are formed with their own CC&R's for the benefit of the residents to help police themselves. Rules and regulations are agreed upon to help keep some conformity to the community and keep property values up.

Disbanding the association because of not agreeing with the way its run is like throwing the baby out with the bath water. If the members of the association don't like the policies they can change them. If they don't like the way things are run, they can get involved. If they don't like the board members they can nominate someone they like and vote them in. Currently the association is accepting nominations to fill two board positions. The deadline is April 15, 2008. As adults we realize that Santa's elves won't be the ones at 2:00 a.m. still trying to put the bicycle together and the Tooth Fairy doesn't pay the $3,000 orthodontist bills. Someone has to make it work.

As a non-profit corporation, the association is a major corporation with a catch-the board members and committee members aren't paid with salaries, benefits and luxury cars. They are paid with a rekindled sense of community pride and enthusiasm. Their accomplishments are their rewards.

Unfortunately many complain about the association but few get involved. The board would love for the membership to help with the operations, special events and long range goals of the community association. They handle all of the day-to-day operations and all aspects of the financial and administrative responsibilities. They also do long range planning, conduct monthly meetings work on CC&R revisions along with attempting to personally man and keep active 8 plus committees.

As association members you can and should get involved. They are looking for homemakers, professionals, retirees & students to volunteer and serve on one of the following committees.

Purpose: To meet Federal and State disclosure requirements as outlined in the Davis-Sterling Act, Civil Code and Corporate Code. To update the membership on upcoming events, rules and regulation changes, etc.

Purpose: To inspect/patrol, to in-process applications, for the purpose of ensuring compliance with governing documents and the building guidelines. To ensure the aesthetics of the community, and preserve property values.

Purpose: To promote and encourage member's participation on the board of director, to meet election/nominating deadlines as per governing documents, to conduct candidate orientations in May, host ballot counting in June and host social in July.

Purpose: To assist the manager and treasurer in the compilation of reports, put cancelled checks in numeric order, box up records, drop off materials, etc., for the auditor's annual review.

Purpose: To assist the board in large scale projects that affect the entire community - neighborhood watch programs, etc. To assist with research, fact finding, costing, etc.

Purpose: To work with the Treasurer and property manager to compile a budget proposal for the Board of Directors. ■