Community Connection

Community Connection
Volume 6, Issue 5
May 2015
Community Corner:
Calendar
Wednesday, May 6th from
5:30 to 7pm. “Best Seller Book
Club”. Please call or email Jennifer for more information at 3381226 or [email protected].
Friday, May 8th from 5 - 8 pm
SOUTH OF THE BORDER MEXICAN FIESTA NIGHT!
Mario and John's D Street Bar.
Velasco’s will cater a full taco
bar. Cost is $10 per person with
no host cocktails. Please RSVP
before Monday, May 4th to Joan
Murphy at 707-975-2835.
Sunday, May 10th
Mother’s Day
Tuesday, May 12th at noon.
Men’s lunch at the Palm Grill.
Wednesday, May 13th at noon.
Ladies Luncheon, Topsy's
Kitchen, 131 Kentucky Street,
Petaluma. Please RSVP by
Monday, May 11th to
Joan Roman at 781-9485
Saturday and Sunday, May
16th and 17th from 8:00am to
2:00pm. Community wide
garage sale.
Tuesday, May 19th at 6:00pm.
Adobe Creek HOA Board of
Directors Meeting. Place: Steward Property Services, Inc. conference room.
NOTICE:
Homeowner forum at 6:00pm.
Monday, May 25th
Memorial Day





Neighborhood happenings and median landscaping. See below…
Front yard renovations. See below…
Front yard guidelines and important updated water regulations, pg 3
Maintenance tips, pg 5
Traffic safety inquiry, pg 6
WHAT’S NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
Have you noticed how nice our monument sign looks when you come into
our neighborhood at the center of Adobe Creek and Falcon Ridge? It did
not get a makeover by itself! Our neighbor, Merrill Louks, volunteered his
time to fix the cracks and re-paint the monument for us. We had been
ready to hire an outside contractor but instead, Merrill saved us over
$2,000! Thank you Merrill!
A few weeks ago, we unfortunately had some vandalism. Someone ripped
one of our metal entryway signs off its post and bent the sign. Thanks go to our neighbors, John
and Lorri Karvonen, who witnessed the vandalism, retrieved our sign and called Steward Properties. SP was going to have a sign company pick up the sign and repair it but instead, our
neighbor, Kim Hanson grabbed his tool box and picked up the sign, bending it back into shape
and re-mounting it on its post. Thanks Kim!
The Board had a great meeting with several folks from Cagwin & Dorward
who attended last month’s Board meeting. One of the attendee’s, Ron
Macler, is a partner in the company. Ron has taken great interest in our front
entryway and realizes his company did not put their best foot forward in their
choice of plants and design. With the help of some AC volunteers, a field trip
was set up at a local nursery where great minds came up with a new plant
pallet and design. In just a few weeks, you are going to see a big change in the three front medians. Mother Nature will still need time, but it should be worth the wait. We will be adding some
boulders for dimension at our cost, but the rest of the project is being absorbed by C&D.
The Chinese Pistache have leaves!!!!!!!
ADOBE CREEK FRONT YARDS:
Every time you pick up the paper or turn on the news, there is constant chatter about our current
drought and cutting back on water usage. This brings many of us to make decisions regarding
our own front yards. A law was passed that HOA’s can not stop a homeowner from removing
their front lawn and planting a drought resistant landscape. At the same time, we have not been
told that we have to remove our front lawn. What does this mean? It means we need to remember that we all have choices. We’ve all been asked to cut our water consumption. If someone
chooses to go with a new landscape, that is their choice. If someone chooses to plant new sod,
so be it. How we cut our water consumption is our individual choice. Let’s be respectful to one
another as we all make sacrifice’s in our personal lives to become water thrifty.
Cagwin & Dorward starting cutting back our water usage for the common areas last year! They
complemented us at last month’s Board meeting for taking charge with the situation as many
HOA’s have not even addressed the drought.
Reminder: if you are going to renovate your front yard, please make sure you still fill out the
proper form and allow two weeks for approval. Forms can be obtained from Steward Properties
or on Adobe Creek website.
Volume 6, Issue 4
ADOBE CREEK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
May 19th, 2015 at 6:00pm
1 Willowbrook Court, Suite 105, Petaluma, CA 94954
Call to Order & Establish a Quorum
Homeowner Forum
Approval & Certification of Last Meeting’s Minutes
President’s Report
Management Report & HO & Vendor Communications
Financial Report & Investments & Delinquencies
Committee Reports:
Onsite Operations
Community Affairs / Social / Welcoming
Communications
Rules & Regulations
Disaster Preparedness
Traffic Calming
Golf Course Liaison
Architectural & Paint Review
Review Homeowner Concern Notices & Security Patrol Log Review
Unfinished Business:
Metal Fence Painting
Update
CC&R Revisions
Update
Re-vamping Entry Median
Update
Reserve Study Update
Solicitation Policy
Newsletter Update
Water Usage
New Business:
Overnight Parking Permit Applications (if any)
1909 Falcon Ridge ~ Request Regarding Hedge Height
Water @ Birnamwood Ct Entrance
Refurbish Monument Signs on Adobe Creek Dr.
Thank You Plaques
Tree Pruning Proposals
2015 Asphalt Repair & Sealcoat
Review Vendor Bids
Next Meeting Agenda & Newsletter Articles:
Agenda Items
Newsletter Articles & Assignments
Next Meeting Schedule:
June 16th @ 6:00pm
Agenda & Newsletter Deadline: 05/26
Adjournment
Page 2
Volume 6, Issue 5
Page 3
GUIDELINES FOR FRONT YARD TURF CONVERSION AND TREE REMOVAL:






No artificial turf
No yards with just crushed rock or bark
Majority of space should include living plants and grasses
Use of River Rock and Field Stone can be incorporated
Must use drought tolerant plants and grasses
Suggested tree replacement or shrubs attached (please consider a
more appropriate replacement when removing a large tree)
APPLICATION:
Must submit application for approval for turf or tree removal
Included in the application, a drawing needs to be submitted along with
names of plants and preferably color pictures of plants and grasses being used.
 Please allow two weeks for this process for approval


SAVE WATER AND YOUR LAWN - MANDATORY WATER REGULATIONS:
DROUGHT ALERT: The City of Petaluma and the State Water Board are imposing the following
MANDATORY WATER USE RESTRICTIONS - Effective Immediately:
 Outdoor irrigation must occur between 8pm and 6am
 No washing down of hardscapes, unless required for public health and safety
 No use of potable water for street washing
 Must use shut-off hose nozzle on all garden and utility hoses
 Restaurants must participate in the “water-on-request” program
 Hotels and motels must allow guests the option of not having linens and towels laundered daily
 Fountains may only operate if water is recirculating
 No irrigation allowed during and up to 48 hours after measurable rainfall
 Irrigation runoff and overspray are prohibited.
Overspray: water on areas not intended to be irrigated (sprinklers overshooting lawn or overlapping patterns).
Runoff: Water from systems that escapes from irrigation areas; lawn water washing onto sidewalks and streets
By operating your lawn watering system correctly, you can reduce water bills, and keep your lawn looking green and healthy.
Here are some lawn maintenance tips:
Set sprinkling systems to apply specified amounts of water during the best times of the day.
Water in several applications to allow for adequate penetration. Set the system to turn on for three 1-2 minute sessions with
each session 2 hours apart to improve water infiltration and reduce runoff.
 Set the automatic timer to water every 2 or 3 days
 Allow the grass to grow longer to reduce moisture loss from the soil.
 Apply 2 to 4 fertilizer applications throughout the year to promote lush grass growth.


*Adobe Creek has been striving to reduce water usage on landscaping of the common areas of the complex by 25%. In June,
state regulations to reduce water usage in Petaluma by 24% are expected to take effect.
Please report sprinkler malfunctions immediately to the HOA property manager, Beth Ainslie 707 285-0611. If you have an
emergency outside of business hours (ei: a main line leak) you must make sure to follow the prompts to reach an on call manager. Please make sure to talk to a live person in order to get the issue resolved.
To report water waste and for more information visit www.cityofpetaluma.net. or call 707-778-4507
Volume 6, Issue 5
Page 4
Adobe Creek Homeowners’ Association
Board Meeting Summary
April 21, 2015
Present: Sally Hanson, John Harrison, Dave Morse, Maralyn Polo, Chris Shen-Floerke and Mitch White: Board
members, plus Sheryl Nadeau for OSOC, Joan Murphy for Community Affairs, John McGinnis for Disaster
Preparedness and one owner plus Beth Ainslie of Steward Property Services. Ron Maclaer, Rogelio Moron,
and Zeke Sevier were also present from Cagwin & Dorward. Absent: Robert Mohit
Guest / Cagwin & Dorward: Ron Maclear discussed plans to replace the recently installed plants and mulch at the entry medians with
new plants selected by members of the Board and Onsite Committee and using compost instead of mulch. New plans were distributed
showing how the plants will be installed; the new design included boulders and (70) more plants than in the original design. Sample
plants were also presented.
Discussion followed regarding steps Cagwin & Dorward might take to cut water consumption. They advised that new plants need more
water in the 1st year in order to become established, but that water can be cut back elsewhere (i.e. the greenbelt) in order to achieve
the overall goal. Cagwin & Dorward will need to review water bills in order to perform an analysis; management was asked to pull prior
year invoices.
FORUM A concern was surfaced regarding front yard turf conversions that are approved/ installed with no prior notice to the neighbors,
especially when the new landscaping is quite different from adjacent properties. Following discussion, it was agreed that the Architectural Committee could recommend to owners submitting turf conversion applications that, as a courtesy, they should speak with their
neighbors about their plans. A sign was nailed to a common area tree regarding a lost/found plastic container, which is not acceptable.
It was also surfaced that the asphalt needs to be resealed and that there had been discussion in the past about painting the front curb
of the entry median with a reflective paint.
MINUTES Following a motion by John Harrison and a second by Chris Shen-Floerke, the minutes of the March 17th Board Meeting
were approved as presented.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT The report focused on board meeting protocol which excludes owner participation, except during committee
chair reports and homeowners forum.
MANAGER’S REPORT & COMMUNICATIONS Management confirmed that Ferris Electric repaired the electrical short to the pole
lights on Princeville Ct.; the Board President confirmed what steps the electrician took to contain repair costs, which were about half the
original estimate. During the repair process, Ferris discovered that the spotlights for the monument signs were also not working. A proposal was submitted, but not available at the meeting. Management confirmed which violations had been resolved and during review of
communications, the board agreed that all wooden fences must be painted regulation color on the side that can be seen from the from
the street, any common area, and golf course . Communications also included a picture from an owner on Birnamwood Court, showing
the runoff water that stagnates by the exit to Ely Blvd. A board member explained that this happens because the curb is not adequately
sloped and he agreed to talk to the city about this issue. Per request of the Board, Cagwin & Dorward confirmed properties where they
completed turf conversion projects.
FINANCIALS The Treasurer noted no issues on the report ending 03/31/15. A CD will be maturing in December and discussion followed regarding the factors to be taken into consideration when authorizing the Treasurer to re-invest reserve funds.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Onsite Committee recommended that irrigation repairs from the pre-season check of the irrigation system be done and following a
motion by John Harrison and a second by Maralyn Polo, the board approved the proposals for irrigation repair to be done. Management
was asked to verify how the costs for the irrigation repairs compared with last year costs.
The committee selected to have the sycamore trees along Ely Blvd put out for competitive bidding in order to verify if the annual tree
pruning costs were reasonable. However, it was recommended to select another tree and it was agreed to have the plum trees put out
to bid.
Community Affairs A review of the Landscape Fair was provided and will be followed up with a newsletter article. It was suggested
that, due to the time and effort involved, there should be just one annual Community Day event vs. separate events for Disaster Prep
and Landscape. Owners have already started to RSVP for the Cinco DeMayo event and it will be re-noticed in the next newsletter.
Welcoming New owners moved in on Makena Court, following a lengthy renovation. Management was asked to re-send contact information to the committee as it was not possible to welcome the new owners during the construction, as they were not living onsite.
OSOC Cagwin & Dorward will be posting notices next month in advance of spraying for weeds. A neighbor to neighbor issue involving
an overgrown common area hedge was also discussed; two homes back up to common area hedge and each of the owners prefer the
hedge be a different height. Since the hedge is maintained by the HOA, the board requested confirmation from Cagwin & Dorward as to
the height that can be maintained at no extra cost to the HOA.
Golf Course Liaison There were no open owner issues reported.
Rules & Regs A meeting is scheduled later in the week to meet with the attorney regarding the CC&R/Bylaw revisions. The committee
will be working to formalize an Elections Counting Procedure and also revisiting Long Range Parking Goals. A solicitation policy may
not be possible due to the fact that it would involve entities that are not members of the community and over whom there is no jurisdiction. A recommendation was made that committee minutes be archived.
Volume 6, Issue 5
Page 5 also
Disaster Prep Questions raised by the board last month regarding the Disaster Response Plan were submitted to counsel and response from counsel was reviewed. The Board President said she would make this information available to the committee chair. Management was asked to make available to the Board an article from ECHO regarding Disaster Preparation.
Traffic Calming No report.
Rules & Regs Three board members met with John McGinnis to review the committee’s list of questions and/or recommendations relating to the restated governing docs. An update was provided regarding the meeting and types of questions that are on the list. Discussion also took place regarding the process that will be used (i.e. a Town Hall Meeting) after the final draft is available, in order to communication the changes to owners. Following a motion by Mitch and a second by Dave, the board accepted the committee’s list, which
will be reviewed with the attorney at a meeting attended by John McGinnis and Sally Hanson.
Communications The chair was not present and no report was submitted. Management confirmed that updates to the website will be
done, but there had been some technical issues, both internally and with the website provider, that had caused some delays.
APRC Architectural & Paint Review Two painters bid the metal fence project based on specs provided by Benjamin Moore. Doug
Sanders was the lower bidder and the committee forwarded his costs to owners for review and approval. Following a motion by Sally
Hanson and a second by Chris Shen-Floerke, the board ratified the decision to use Doug Sanders for the metal fence painting project.
The committee was previously planning to focus to develop a solar policy, but switched to the entry median conversion project. Management was asked to email a copy of the plant palette to all board members.
Merrill Louks was acknowledged by the Board for completing the refurbishment of the monument sign at Falcon Ridge Dr. Two additional signs on an Adobe Creek Dr median and at the entrance by the golf course by Sally Hanson and a second by Dave Morse, the
board agreed to remove both the Drought Policy and the Disaster Prep Policy Statement from the agenda. The vote was (5) in favor
and John Harrison abstained. The Chair of the Disaster Committee requested that the board clarify what were their objections, but time
constraints prevented further discussion.
Solicitation Policy Rules & Regs Committee Chair advised against creation of a policy that involves someone outside of the HOA.
NEW BUSINESS
Overnight Parking Permit No new applications were received.
Revamp Entry Medians Following a motion by Sally Hanson and a second by Chris Shen-Floerke, the board approved to accept the
new plan for the entry medians as presented, including boulders noted on the plan. Cagwin & Dorward will be asked to confirm the cost
of the boulders, which the Board agreed will be paid by the HOA.
Yearend Financial Statement & Management Representation Letter Following a motion by Sally Hanson and a second by Chris
Shen-Floerke, the board approved the 2014 Yearend Financial Statement, prepared by Larry Johnson, CPA and the management representation letter.
Reserve Study Update Following a motion by John Harrison and a second by Mitch White, the board approved a proposal from Reserve Analysis for the annual update of the association’s reserve study, as is legally required.
Newsletter Distribution There was a consensus of the board that all owners should be receiving a newsletter and management was
instructed to mail a hard copy of the newsletter to all owners not currently receiving one.
First Alarm Rate Increase Following a motion by John Harrison and a second by Mitch White, the board approved a 5% increase of
the First Alarm Security contract, which equals $16.93 per month
Vendor Bids There was a consensus of board that Ferris Electric should install new lights at the monument sign pending confirmation
of the cost, via email.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm
SPRING IS HERE AND TIME TO REFLECT ON HOW TO SPRUCE UP AREAS AROUND THE HOME:
Keeping a neat and clean appearance can also help the value of our neighborhood and properties. Here are some suggestions for
a check-off list:





Are lawns and gardens cared for and weed free?
Are trash receptacles placed out of sight after trash day?
Are garden hoses and gardening tools put away?
Is all sporting apparatus placed out of sight when not in use?
Check your walkways to make sure all paths are clear and safe.
Having a beautiful neighborhood to live in takes a commitment from everyone.
Page 6
Volume 6, Issue 5
TRAFFIC SAFETY :
In the past, Adobe Creek HOA members reported excessive speed, stop sign violations and thought a traffic safety issue existed.
In the past few months the Traffic Calming Committee has been able to reestablish traffic code enforcement by the Police in our
private community.
Do we still have frequent violations and unsafe driving?
In an outreach effort to you, the community, the Traffic Committee needs to hear from all of you that observe unsafe driving. Contact John at [email protected] .
Traffic Calming Committee
Monthly Recipe
Fragrant Lemon Bars
Recipe from RealSimple.com
Ingredients:
Crust:
Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into
pieces
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Filling
3 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Confectioners' sugar, to dust over top
.
Directions:
1. Pre-heat your oven to 350°F. Use the cooking spray to grease an 8inch square baking pan. Line the pan with two pieces of parchment paper,
leaving an overhang on each side of the pan. Spray the paper with the
spray.
2. Using a food processor or pastry cutter, mix together the flour, cold
butter, white sugar, and salt. Process the mixture until it resembles small
crumbs. Press the crust firmly into the bottom of the pan. Bake the crust
for about 30 minutes until it is pale and yellow. Do not cool.
3. While the crust is in the oven, whisk the eggs, yolk, white sugar,
lemon juice and zest, cream, and salt.
4. When the crust is still hot, pour the filling over top. Bake for about 1520 minutes until the filling is just set. Set on the counter to cool completely
and then refrigerate until cold for at least 2 hours.
5. When the cake is cold, use the parchment paper to lift it out of the
pan. Cut into 24 pieces and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator
until ready to serve. Dust with the confectioner's sugar just before serving.
LANDSCAPE FAIR A BIG SUCCESS!
This community event was held for the first time Saturday, April 11 and was very well attended by homeowner's. We wish to
thank the following landscape companies who gave up their time on a busy spring Saturday morning to join us and/or provided
raffle prizes thus making this event a huge success:
Cagwin & Dorward Landscape Contractors
Brothers landscaping and Construction
Agave Landscaping
Manzanita Landscape Construction
Freidman's Home Improvement - Petaluma, Ca.
Valley Oak Landscaping, Inc.
Cottage Gardens of Petaluma
It was a great education for all of us who attended especially the avid gardeners in the community.
We also want to thank the members of the OnSite Committee and ARC/Paint Committee for supporting this event, supplying
raffle prizes and gathering important information and supplying it to the community at their booth. A BIG THANK YOU to all the
members of Community Affairs for their help in organizing this event and for doing the legwork. AND a special shout out to
Robert McManus for making such great signs.
Joan Murphy O'Connor, Community Affairs Chairman
Page 7
Volume 6, Issue 5
Rob Sullivan
Coldwell Banker Petaluma
(707) 772-9171
www.RobSullivan.Estate
Realtor
"Vintage service. The way it used to be."
TEEN FOR HIRE
Pet sitting, plant watering, or other misc jobs,
Andrew Floerke (17 yrs old & very responsible)
would like to be considered for work within
Adobe Creek.
Andrew can be reached at 707-775-2585.
If you wish to place a classified ad,
please contact Beth Ainslie at
(707) 285-0611
Resident:
Non-Resident
$25/month
$20/month
$125/6 months
$100/6 months
$250/year
$200/year
PARKING & TOWING REMINDER…
Please inform your guests of the association’s parking rules in
order to avoid towing:
1. Illegally parked vehicles are subject to immediate towing.
2. Vehicles parked on the street overnight without a permit or
with an expired permit will be cited and are subject to towing after two citations.
The Board of Directors &
The Membership of Adobe Creek
Welcomes the following homeowners
to the community:
Michelle Tarantino
47 Princeville Court
Christopher Oscar
8 Spanish Bay Court
Adopt Adobe Drought Policy & Disaster Prep Policy Statement The Board discussed whether or not these policies were needed and following a motion
Volume 6, Issue 4
Page 8
PLANNING TO IMPROVE YOUR HOUSE?
If you’re planning a paint project, the following suppliers have the Adobe Creek
Exterior Color Palette on file in their stores and HOA residents are approved to
receive a discount.
Your Association
Website
www.adobecreekhoa.com
If you want to receive the
newsletter via email, you can
sign up for this on the website
homepage.
IMPORTANT
PHONE NUMBERS
Landscaping Concerns/Broken
Sprinklers:
Beth Ainslie 707-285-0611
Street Lights:
City of Petaluma
707-778-4303
(You’ll need the street
address & pole number)
House Number
Replacements:
Wiggins Electric
707-545-7869
Kelly Moore Paints
905 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
(707) 763-0107
Petersen’s Paint
800 Lindberg Lane, Petaluma
707-763-1901
Peterson's Paints offers Adobe Creek
residents a contractor’s discount which
varies depending on the paint quality
level chosen by the homeowner. A one
hour free color consultant is also
offered if paint is purchased at store.
Kelly Moore will set up a homeowner cash
account that can be used at any dealer for up
to 40% off, which is a contractor’s discount.
REMINDER: Please fill out an architectural or a paint application prior to making any major
changes to the exterior of your home; this includes painting, remodeling, replacing a fence,
landscape renovation and/or removal of trees. Most front yards are visible from the streets
and common areas so it is important to keep them up but also consistent looking within the
community.
Ho u
se
eM
of th
onth
1808 Falcon Ridge Drive
Patricia & Merrill Louks
Spraying Schedule:
Cagwin & Dorward
800-891-7710
Golf Course Issues:
Mitch White
707-778-7650
Steward Property
Services, Inc.
1 Willowbrook Ct, #105
Petaluma, CA 94954
707-285-0600
Property Manager,
Beth Ainslie, CCAM
707-285-0611
[email protected]
ADOBE CREEK HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sally Hanson, President
479-3650
[email protected]
Chris Shen-Floerke, Vice President
775-2585
[email protected]
Maralyn Polo, Secretary
494-0308
[email protected]
Mitch White, Treasurer
778-7650
[email protected]
John Harrison, Director
765-2280
[email protected]
Robert Mohit , Director
774-6052
[email protected]
Dave Morse, Director
778-3576
[email protected]