Send Vista de Oro Guard payments

Vista de Oro Security

% National Bank of Arizona

101 La Mina Ave, Ajo, AZ 85321

Phone 520-387-7616 or 1-888-241-5550

Nov 22, 2008 from Lois Dunne

REVISED

MINUTES ANNUAL MEETING, NOVEMBER 29, 2008

                               VISTA DE ORO

Meeting called to order by Al Slawson.  Other Committee members in attendance: Earl Hazelwood, Mike Maurice, Jim Faltermeier and Lois Dunne.  Consultants in attendance:  Bill Marum and Carolyn Lowe.  Dave Hinkle, not in attendance, has agreed to be our second computer consultant along with Gary Lisciarelli.

Motion to suspend reading of the minutes of 2007 Meeting offered and passed.

Financial Summary Report offered by Lois Dunne.  (Copy follows these minutes.)

Latest information about Nayarit fence:  Action still to be taken by City.  Petition given to Sr. Munoz of ASPA Security in hopes he can find an ear at City Hall.  Location and construction of the barrier is still under discussion.  Rolling gates or swinging arms offered as alternatives to a fixed chain-link gate.

Sewer Construction shared with Larry Large still in abeyance because Sr. Large is unable or unwilling to finance initial construction as agreed.  Bill Marum continued by offering choice of undertaking construction by ourselves now or waiting until the cost can be shared at a later date.  Majority vote was in favor of waiting for other developments which may offset the cost to our members.  (Letter from Bill Marum to Prof. Figueroa at OOMAPAS follows the minutes.) There was some discussion of water bills, and members were urged to go to OOMAPAS and ask for a yearly rate in January.

Vista de Oro's website, vistadeoro.tripod.com, was discussed by Lois Dunne in an appeal for member involvement to replace old photos and to get additional help in keeping the website updated.  Beckie Fennemore, at hotchpotch@cox.net, offered her help with the latter.  Thanks Beckie.  We are still waiting for someone handy with a camera who can replace our photos.

Earl Hazelwood reported on the Electric Project which was finalized with the last payment on November 14.  December 5 is the scheduled date for CFE to return the paper work to Dias Construction signaling acceptance of the Project by the City of Pto. Penasco.  Construction cost overruns were absorbed by our old Electric Fund leaving us enough money to have gravel brought in for all of our streets that needed it.  Total cost was $29,295.34 for the Electric and $4,400.00 for the gravel.  (Letter from the Committee to the members regarding the cost of the Project follows the minutes.)

It was announced by Bill Marum that our security with ASPA will continue at the same rate as last year:  $170.00 quarter year, $340.00 half year and $680.00 per year even though the cost will increase 4% because of anticipated State-mandated wage increases.  Sr. Munoz is earnestly trying to give us the service we want, but there are still things we, as home owners, can do to beef up our own security.

The Committee, which remains constituted as listed above, announced the adoption of the following rules:

        The ENTIRE Committee must be notified and give majority approval of any expenditure between $200.00 and $500.00.

        Any expenditure over $500.00 must be preceded by a SIGNED CONTRACT PROPOSAL DISTRIBUTED TO ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND APPROVED BY MAJORITY OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

Meeting was adjourned.

Thanks to Carolyn Lowe and Karen McDonald for recording the minutes.

_______________________

Lois Dunne, for the Committee

FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR VISTA DE ORO - NOVEMBER 17, 2008

Delinquency #>$9                           5                    Total Delinquency    $        870.00

Net remaining in Electric            $2,782.00     Net remaining in ASPA           2,580.44

To All Vista de Oro Homeowners                                             November 25, 2008

The Electric Committee, through language problems and miscommunication, under-estimated the total cost of the Project and therefore the amount of each owner's contribution.

There was a solution as explained later in this memo.

To give you some history of what happened, the following is a summary of events to-date.

The subdivision was built in the mid 1980's, basically as a trailer subdivision.  As time went on, more and more homeowners added electrical appliances, full sized air-conditioners and the like, significantly increasing the electrical load.

In 1999, Joe Dunne and others organized an upgrade to the system. All homeowners participated in this project, however in an attempt to minimize the total cost, the new system was not constructed to CFE (the Federal Electric Commission) standards, and the homeowners assumed responsibility for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the electric facilities.  Through the security fund, a reserve fund was created to pay for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the facilities.  Most, but not all, of the homeowners contributed to this fund.  Over the years, monies were spent to clean the transformers, replace electric line that was stolen and other related items.

At the November 2007 Annual Meeting, the majority decided to hire a professional guard service, beginning in January of 2008.  Since that time, no additional monies were being directed to the Electric Fund, and it became apparent that we would eventually run short of funds, especially if one or more of the transformers failed and needed to be replaced.

The Committee, along with several other homeowners began to investigate the feasibility of turning the system over to CFE.  Through a series of meetings with CFE and Electrica Veel (the contractor who rebuilt the system in 1999), it was determined that CFE would accept ownership and responsibility for the system if it were up-graded to their standards.

Veel was asked to survey our facilities to determine what would be necessary for CFE acceptance of the system.  In March 2008, we received a proposal from Veel for approximately $21,000 USD but were still not assured that this would meet CFE standards.  In April, we received another proposal from Veel for approx. $43,000 USD.

This is where the problem begins.

It was approaching summer, and some of those involved began to leave Penasco for the summer. Without determining why Veel gave us the new proposal doubling their initial number, we asked Electrica Diaz for a proposal.  They responded with a proposal for approx. $20,000 USD.  The Committee decided to accept Diaz proposal, and the homeowners were asked to contribute $400.00 per active meter to cover the cost and a small contingency reserve.

All homeowners responded and a total of $24,400 was collected.  Diaz was told to begin work.  We received intermittent verbal progress reports, including proposed schedules.  Diaz missed most of these schedule dates and was asked to give us a revised realistic schedule to complete the work, along with an up-to-date cost breakdown.

This was received on Oct. 14th, and much to our surprise, the new number was approx. $44,000 USD.  When asked why, they responded that the quantities that they bid on had come from us in the form of Veel's original bid.  The actual quantity of underground wire and conduit was substantially higher, therefore the increased price.

On Oct. 16th, we met with Diaz, and they agreed that there had been a colossal misunderstanding due to a failure in communication, with both parties at fault and they agreed to accept approx. $34,000 USD as payment in full.

This revised amount means that each active meter should have been assessed $550 USD to settle the account.

The Committee decided to use approximately $10,000 USD in the  Electric reserve to make up the short-fall, and paid Electrica Diaz in full.  However, due to the peso devaluation, there was enough money left in the Fund to place new gravel on the streets that are now being used as our primary access (Calle Alonso and Joe Dunne Way) to minimize the dust.

The Committee apologizes for its mis-handling of the project, and has agreed to put certain mandatory procedures in place to guarentee that something like this never happens again.

The Electric Committee

Letter regarding the sewer line:

OOMAPAS                                                                                 May 5, 2008

Att: Prof Figueroa

Vista de Oro (VDO) was developed in the early 1980's by Mr. Tom Juanarana.  At that time very little infrastructure existed in Puerto Penasco.

Mr. Juanarena constructed sewer lines within VDO, connecting them to a sump from which the raw sewage was pumped northerly until it reached existing City of Puerto Penasco/Oomapas sewer lines.  Later he developed Playa Elegante RV Park, connecting it to the same sump and pump system in the early 2000's.  The RV Park and the trailer storage area west of VDO were sold and a new RV park was developed on the storage area, connecting their sewer lines into the same system.  In late 2006 both RV parks were sold and then abandoned.  At that time, all maintenance of the sump and pump system ceased.

VDO has been served by that system since the beginning and has paid sewer service fees to the City as part of our water bills.  We believe that the City has an obligation to continue that service.  However, we also understand the realities of the situation.

Therefore, we are willing to cooperate with the City and the adjacent developers in order to construct a permanent solution.  We only ask that the cost to our homeowners be fair and equitable.

Both beachfront projects (Marazul and La Perla) have apparently shut down and will not be participating in the ultimate solution.  That leaves only VDO and Las Bugambilias.

We currently have a bid in the amount of 272,080.68 P to build an 8" line in Matamoros to serve both projects, and have agreed to split the cost 58.72% to VDO and 41.28% to Las Bugambilias.

Las Bugambilias will pay their share as the down-payment and VDO will pay the balance.  VDO will collect from each of our homeowners their proportionate share, however should a small number of homeowners either delay their payment or refuse to contribute, VDO requests the City to bill each of those homeowners as a part of their water bills, taking whatever means necessary to collect the debt, and forward those payments to the contractor for his final payment.  We need to have the contractor agree to accept this method of payment.

Additionally, some pavement willl need to be replaced after completion of

the sewer line.  However, both La Perla and Las Bugumbilias have already

destroyed most of the existing pavement, including the curbs on the south

side of Matamoros.  VDO does not feel that we should be obligated to

repave the street to its original condition.  However, again in the

spirit of cooperation, we will agree to collect 1000P from each of our

homeowners, and pay that amount to the contractor at such time as La

Perla and Las Bugum bilias actually reconstruct the street.

If Oomapas does not agree with the above, then Oomapas should continue to

provide sewer service to Vista de Oro by maintaining the existing system.

Please respond in writing to this, acknowledging the City and/or Oomapas'

acceptance of this solution. 

Sincerely,

Bill Marum for Vista de Oro

wbmmarum@ledgewalkers.com

383-3149

638-110-3664

Dec 15, 2007 from Lois Dunne

Last evening, Mike, Karen and I met with Sr. Munoz of ASPA and approved a

6-month contract for three watchmen, 7 days a week for 25,625 pesos/month.

 With him was (our) prospective day watchman who spoke English very well (used to live in Tucson).

 We, all three, read it over carefully, filled in the blanks, and Mike and I signed it.

 Munoz will make a clean copy for himself and for us -- English and Spanish.

Now the details.  The time span of the contract is good, both for us and

for ASPA.  For us it is a trial period in which we can test the terms of

the contract and the reliability of the watchmen.  For ASPS, the rumored

increase in Soc-Sec will not have to be absorbed by them for longer than

6-mo. max., and they, also, can test the terms of the contract and

determine how REALLY determined WE are in doing what WE can to protect

ourselves.  We told him of our plan to sticker the vehicles and homes

with ID.

The contract cannot be changed during its life (I assume a mutually

agreed change could be made).  Rate increases can only be introduced at

the beginning of a new contract.  We may be getting the "low introductory

rate", but we'll see.  The agency assumes liability, after investigation,

of thievery and/or damage incurred while their watchmen are on duty.  We

picked 6 to 6 for the shift change because it coincides with the time of

the watchmen at Las Gardinas, down on Sinaloa, and would save the

supervisor having to make an extra trip to this area.  We will have one

day man and two night men at the beginning with, possibly, a change of

shift every two weeks giving us a chance to get acquainted with all of

our watchmen during the day.

Vista de Oro Homeowners Meeting November  2007

Thanks go to Lois Dunne for taking notes.

Carolyn Lowe announced that as of January 1, 2008, she and Tom would no

longer be responsible for management of the security for Vista de Oro.  She

suggested that VDO should decide before January 1 if we want to obtain the

services of a different security company or rely, individually, on one of

the alarm security companies and/or whatever other means we feel necessary

to safeguard our homes, because the current system is not working

.

Following some discussion a motion was made by Bill Marun that we suspend

further discussion until we had heard the report on the status of our

electrical system.  This motion was seconded and passed.

Carolyn explained that CFE might be willing to take over our electric

system. Veel Electric was hired to do the necessary inventory, inspections, and

paperwork  required by CFE.  When that is complete, which should not be long, CFE will decide.

We are optimistic that CFE will decide in our favor.  When they agree, we

must agree to be responsible for one year's maintenance from the date of the

agreement.  After one year, CFE will assume full responsibility for

everything up to each homeowner's meter.  We will keep you informed of the

progress.

Returning to the discussion of Security, a motion was made by Ron Smith,

seconded by Tanya Abrahamson, that every property owner should secure their

own property in lieu of a watchmen service.  After discussion the vote was

taken Yea 12    No 27.

A motion was made and seconded that VDO should consider having both

individual security and group financed security service.  A vote was taken

Yea 27

No 12

Tom Lowe made the motion that we terminate Ramon Bustamante's service as of December 31, 2007.  Seconded and passed unanimously.

Motion was made that a committee be formed to gather the information from

local security companies to see if they can provide the service we need.

With the authorization to agree and sign a contract if something costing

under $1,000 per lot owner per year.  The motion was seconded and voted on

and passed.  The committee of volunteers are Earl Hazelwood, Jim

Faltermeier, Mike Maurice, Al Slawson and Lois Dunne.

Bill Marum gave a report on the status of the sewer system.  He said nothing

had changed in the last six  months except that the city prefers to run the

line down the easement behind the east wall of VDO.

The Potluck was very good.  Lot's of food and drink.

Carolyn Lowe

383-5571

salsa2@prodigy.net.mx

Vista de Oro Homeowners Meeting November 24, 2005

The meeting was called to order by Jim Faltermeier.  

Lois Dunne read the financial statement:

   Security fund:         3,000.26

   Electric fund:          9,024.84

   Severance Fund:   7,023.20

Total 11/24/05         19,098.31

Nove 2005 Annual Meeting

If  there is a problem with the transformers we have more than enough to

cover 2 being replaced.   Should that happen the 5 non-paying residents would

have to either pay up or secure their own power.

The watchmen's shifts are as follows, Luciano is on day shift 7am to 4pm Monday

through Thursday.  He also works 2 shifts on Sunday.  Evencio and Eduardo work

the 4pm to 12 midnight and midnight to 7am shifts.  They exchange shifts every 2 weeks.

There was a lot of discussion on the bonus for the watchmen.  Last year we gave them a $100. dollar bonus   instead of a raise.  A motion was made that we give the watchmen $250 bonus this year.  This was discussed and approved.  Then a motion was made to assess everyone $20, due by first of year, for the bonus this year.   This figures out to be $380 bonus this year.  It was discussed that $380 was too much.  So we will give the watchmen $250 dollars this year and will keep the balance in reserve for next year.  A motion was made to take the money out of the Security Fund to pay the watchmen before Christmas and put back in with the money collected from the assessment.  This was passed.  

A statement was made that the first street,  by Playa Elegente, is in bad shape

and needed to be cleaned.  Someone had dumped a huge stack of cuttings along the

road and they needed to be moved and the bougainvillea needed to be trimmed and

cleaned around them.  It was decided that a Saturday work party would do the work

and we would hire someone to haul off the cuttings.   It was a windy, cold, fun day

and we all had a good time.  The street looks good.  Thank you to all who participated.

John Bellingham discussed where the sewer lines are and that Playa Elegente has the pumping

 station that handles our sewage and that there are no clean outs in our area. 

It was decided that we would leave this as is for now.

There was a discussion about the palm trees along Matamoras.  They were trimmed

this month and look nice.  Some of the trees have been adopted and will be taken

care of by their adoptive caregivers.

A motion was made to name the middle, east/west, street JOE DUNNE WAY.  Discussed,

voted on and approved so a plaque will be made.  More info on this when I have it.

Jim and Ralph are looking into a light for our Vista de Oro sign so that it

can be seen at night.

Ramon and his secretary were invited to talk about the water problem.  He said that

the city plans to put meters in and read them.  They will inspect the meters we do

have to see if they are working or need to be replaced.  The replacements meters will

cost 30 to 35 dollars.  The problem in our area is that some people are paying a

different rate then others.  Will let you all know as this progresses.  He did say that

question about water or lack of water must be taken to the water company.  He had been working on the water rate problem with Joe and was continuing  on with it. 

Bill Mohler gave a presentation about putting security gates up on our roads. 

He is going to pursue this and will let us know what the city says and how much

it will cost.  We will then have to vote to see if this is really what we want to do.

John Bellingham gave a toast to Joe Dunne that was great.  Lois made a collage of

pictures of Joe dating back to 1955.  He had hair!  We all miss him!

                Here is the toast:

"I am a part of everyone I meet"  We don't know the source of this statement,

but it is so true..especially with Joe. Joe will remain a very important part

of our memory of the community of Vista de Oro. 

Fifteen years ago, Joe and Lois purchased their retirement homesite here and

here they planned to stay...even through many hot summers.   Their commitment to

this community  of Vista de Oro never faltered through the many trials the early

days presented as we homeowners worked to wean ourselves away from our site developer and form into a tight, caring community.

We'll face new challenges, we know, yet we can thank Joe and Lois for exemplifying

neighborliness, caring and leadership.  If ever a person epitomized the words,

"Never give up" that person is Joe Dunne.

This toast is to Joe:

Our answer man;

Our problem solver;

Our welcome wagon;

Our man of all trades;

Our link with Penascos power that be;

Our caregiver to others less fortunate;

Our man for all seasons:

To Joe---our FRIEND

Potluck as usual was fun.  Good food and drink. Ralph Vasquez fired up his Margarita machine

 and they were very good.

If you have comments or questions about these minutes direct them to me

 at salsa2@prodigy.net.mx

Carolyn

#120

Jan 2006

One of our watchmen has quit and another is planning to quit in 14 days.

In trying to employ other watchmen we have found that our pay scale is too low

and this makes it very difficult to find someone to replace these two watchmen

especially with 100% employment in Rocky Point.  Our watchmen have not had a raise

 since 2002.

We would like to increase pay for all watchmen according to the following schedule.

  We feel that this can be accomplished without increasing our yearly fees if

everything remains constant.  It is necessary for all homeowners to pay on time,

 by the first of January, April, July and October,  so that we have the funds

to pay Ramon 2 weeks before the first of each month, this is very important.

WE MUST HAVE A YES or NO RESPONSE FROM YOU BY THE 11TH OF JANUARY.  If we do

not hear from you we will consider that a YES response.

                  VISTA DE ORO SECURITY SERVICE

Current and annual expenses based on 52 weeks salary plus individual vacation

expenses which vary depending upon years of service.

   2 watchmen @ $85 per week each =  weekly  = $170

   1 watchman @ $95 per week         =  weekly  = $  95 

                                                 Total Weekly  = $265

                          Total yearly $265 x 52 weeks  =  $13,780

  Total yearly Social Security/Taxes @ 42% rate =   $5,788

                 42 days (14 weeks)  summer watchman = $845

                                      2005 annual vacation pay = $543

        Aquinaldo (Christmas bonus -15 days pay)  =     $662

                   Ramon yearly fee                               $1,200  

                                               ANNUAL COST = $22,818

PROPOSED 2006    Expenses

   2 watchmen @ $95 per week each = weekly  = $190

   1 watchmen @ $105 per week       = weekly  = $105

                                                  Total weekly = $295 

                            Total yearly 295 x 52 weeks =  $15,340

           Total Social Security/Taxes @ 42% rate =   $6,443

            42 days (14 weeks) summer watchmen =      $944

                   approximate 2006 annual vacation pay = $550

                                                      Aquinaldo  =      $738

                                                          Ramon  =    $1200

                           PROPOSED ANNUAL COST =  $25,215

Vista de Oro income

         54 residences @ $500        = $27,000

           3 residents @ 460            =   $1,380

                   Total yearly income  = $28,380

Electric fund @ $40 for 53 homes =   $2,160

                Total less electric fund = $25,760

     Severance total through 12/31/06 = $820

                                         Total = $25,400

Summary :         Income through 2006 for Security service =  $25,400

                   Projected salary expenses for security service = $25,215

                                                               balance in account = $185

The salary increase for 2006 plus the severance pay allotment will be paid for with no increase in annual fees, as long as everything

remains constant and everyone pays on time. 

IF YOU HAVE QUESTION OR CONCERNS PLEASE GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Thanks to John Bellingham for all of his work in putting together the figures for this statement.

Carolyn