Recap of February 2010

# of Calls for Service by Security: 89

# of Member Communication Forms Received at Association Office:  5

1- One (1) complaint regarding branches piled in a neighbor’s yard for an extended period of time.

Action: The HROA Code Enforcement contacted the owner who claimed to be trimming more trees and wanted to handle all the chipping at the same time.  Due to the complaint being received, the owner scheduled the chipper service from the HROA Maintenance Department for the current pile.

2- One (1) complaint regarding children building dirt mounds in the common area.   

Action: The Investigating Officer identified children involved and negotiated with the parents to have the area restored.  No citation issued as compliance was agreed to.

3- One (1) complaint regarding the Tract 447 dumpster having numerous items left without clean-up.  

Action: The HROA Maintenance Manager had already contacted San Miguel Garbage for pick-up.

4- One (1) complaint regarding a neighbor leaving numerous items along the side of their house and behind their house in the greenbelt area.

Action: The HROA Code Enforcement sent the offending owner a Notice to Comply.

5- One (1) complaint regarding a dog barking incessantly when the owner is home.  The complaining party attempted to communicate with the dog’s owner, to no avail.

Action: The Investigating Officer is monitoring the situation. 

# of Citations Issued:  33

Parking Violation = 3

Parking of Boat, RV, Camper = 1

Driving / Parking in Common Area = 3

Defacing Common Area = 1

Excessive Speed in School Zone = 1

Unsafe Driving / Passing = 3

Off-Road Vehicle = 1

Illegal Entry = 5

Aiding Illegal Entry = 3

Vehicle Not in HROA System = 6

Vessel Not in HROA System = 3

Disturbing the Peace = 1

Unleashed Dog = 9

Impounding of Dog = 6

Other = 7

(Multiple Violations = 20, Written Warnings Issued = 28)

Summary of action taken at Board Meeting(s) for February 2010

In February 2010, the Board of Directors held their regularly scheduled monthly Board Meeting on February 12^th.  The following appeals / security related issues were discussed or acted on (by agenda item):

2.  Property Owner Appeal – Nelson, Citation #9757, $400.00 Illegal Entry, Aiding Illegal Entry and Vehicle Not in System (5:15 p.m.) SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1  Action: Changed to a Warning

3.  Property Owner Appeal – Williams, Citation #9723, $700.00 Unsafe Driving and Damaged Property (5:45 p.m.)  Action: Upheld

13.  Approve/Disapprove a 90-Day AEC extension for Cole, Lot 115 / Tract 1910, New Home Construction Project Action: Gave Cole a 180-Day extension, but no more extensions would be allowed

15. Approve/Disapprove a request from George Mitchell to allow an exception to the New Boat Slip Lease which requires him to own a watercraft in his own name   SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1The only watercraft registered to Mr. Mitchell’s property belongs to his daughter.  (Mr. Mitchell gave up his watercraft rights in approximately 2005, which has not changed since that time.)  Mr. Mitchell has continuously leased a slip from HROA, utilizing this slip for his daughter’s watercraft.  The new boat slip lease agreement requires the lessee to own their own watercraft.  Action: Disapproved

16. Property Owner Appeal of an AEC Committee decision -- Approve/Disapprove to allow a awning/carport encroachment in the side setback of Lot 29 of Tract 424   SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1On September 24, 2009 Mark and Jim Wilde appeared at the AEC Committee to discuss the possibility of obtaining an encroachment in the side setback for an existing awning/carport which had been installed without receiving approval from the AEC Committee.  The AEC Committee directed them to the HROA Board of Directors.  On October 16, 2009 it was before the HROA Board to propose issuing a postcard to Tract 424 regarding the proposed encroachment, which would be heard the following month.  At that meeting the Board directed Wilde to draw up and submit his plans to the AEC Committee to represent all elements of the project not approved by the AEC Committee, for the AEC Committee to either approve or disapprove said plans, and that any disapproval by the AEC Committee may then be appealed to the HROA Board.  It was noted as part of the minutes that a variance would not be considered until these steps were completed, and that if the plans were not submitted in a timely manner, that a citation(s) may be issued.  On November 12, 2009 the AEC Committee disapproved Mr. Wilde’s plans.  Two more months transpired, and a letter was sent from HROA Code Enforcement dated January 5, 2010 to Mr. Wilde requesting he resolve this issue.  Action: Owner to meet with HROA representative prior to the next AEC Committee meeting to advise the owner what is allowed; and that if the owner fails to comply by the next AEC Committee meeting by either removing the illegal structure(s) or by submitting plans that conform with the CC&Rs, that the owner is subject to citations thereafter.

17.  Approve/Disapprove to issue a notice to the membership regarding the following proposed rule additions, changes, and/or deletions:

A. The following are proposed new rules

1 - Adult furnishing a minor (under 21 years of age) an alcoholic beverage on HROA property, $100.00 fine

2 - Profane music, refusal to turn off after warning, with complaint, $100.00 fine

3 - No double parking allowed on any road (parking adjacent to another vehicle), $50.00 fine

B.  The following are proposed amended rules

1 - Add: No swimming in marina launch area, watercraft only (Rule 5.03.02 and 5.03.04, $100.00 fine)

2 - Change format of issuing citations as follows: letter to be issued to the owner and copied to the tenant.  The owner is to appear, or waive their right to appear by allowing the tenant to appear on their behalf.  The owner is required to provide notice in writing to the HROA if the tenant is to appear on the owner’s behalf.

Action: approved to issue notice for the proposed rule changes presented, changing “Profane Music” to “Loud Noise”, and propose adding a step program for the New Home Construction compliance deposit of $2,500.00 as follows 1) 90-day <$500.00>; 2) 180-day <$500.00>; 3) 270-day <$750.00>; 4) 360-day $0

You can find the agenda and minutes for all meetings by clicking on the CALENDAR found on the front page of the HROA website at www.hroa.us

Summary of Security-Related Activities

The HROA Security continues to assist law enforcement with thirty-one (31) law enforcement related incidents reported in February 2010.  These included: 11 disturbing the peace, 4 check the welfare, 4 possible prowlers (trespass), 3 vandalisms, 3 traffic accidents (one DUI related), 1 animal cruelty, and 4 burglaries along with a second DUI arrest. Twelve (12) reported crimes required an investigation.  Security also handled an additional 22 dog, 4 cattle and 2 sheep related calls.

A vandalism occurred in the 1900 block of Wood Duck Lane.  The investigation revealed this to be a high school prank.  Mr. Brown from Paso Robles High was contacted and the investigation was turned over to him.  A second vandalism occurred in the 4700 block of Egret Lane; unknown suspects pulled flowers from the flower bed, scattered firewood over the front lawn and repositioned the wagon wheels.  The residence was checked and it was found to be secured.  The residents were away at the time.  The investigation is still pending, and the SLO County Sheriff’s Department was notified.  A third vandalism involved destruction of property in Tract 1990 where unknown individuals damaged the grade of a vacant lot by use of a vehicle. 

A hit-and-run traffic accident occurred on Peruvian Way at Bridle Trail Lane.  The hit-and-run vehicle struck a parked car and left the scene without leaving a note identifying the hit-and -run driver.  The owner of the parked vehicle requested an investigation for documentation purposes.  The hit-and-run vehicle was not registered in the HROA computer.  Another traffic accident occurred in the parking lot at Gateway Park, which was called in by a witness.  Information was exchanged with the assistance of HROA Security and Law Enforcement.  The investigation included a written statement from the witness which identified the driver as being in violation of “Unsafe Driving”.  The driver was cited by HROA based on that statement.  Two DUI arrests were made within 72 hours of each other, resulting in citations being issued to the same owner.  One of the DUIs was a hit-and-run which occurred at Heritage Road and Cascade Way.  The follow-up investigation revealed the hit-and-run driver, Shannon Vigil was located at a residence on Smugglers Point Lane.  She was listed as a tenant.  The CHP was on scene and transported Shannon Vigil to County jail for multiple charges.  The HROA Security Officer, Place, was the Investigating Officer and received a commendation from the CHP for his assistance.  A citation was issued by HROA Security for DUI.   The second DUI arrest was connected to a domestic violence investigation.   Kenny Gularte was taken into custody and transported off of HROA property.  A citation was issued by HROA Security for DUI (the violator was a guest of the same tenant in the DUI above).

A burglary was reported at 2558 Bridle Trail Lane on February 23, 2010.  The victim was in the process of moving in when the items were discovered missing.  The investigation revealed no evidence of forced entry.  The list of property stolen was turned over to a local law enforcement detective by HROA Security.  The Sheriff’s Department had not been notified by the victim at that time.

On February 8, 2010 two (2) pet goats were killed in Tract 1063.  An investigation was conducted by HROA Security who in turn contacted the SLO Sheriff’s Department, Animal Regulations and the Federal Trapper.   This incident is still under investigation and it has not been determined how the goats were killed, other than they were killed by an animal and not a human.  

HROA Security’s goal is to provide services to HROA Members that will most benefit them.  If you wish to speak to me directly, you can call the Association Office at 805-238-9641 and leave me a message and I will return your call as soon as possible.  Our goal is to maintain your confidentiality if you are complaining about another member.  Please keep in mind that certain complaints by their nature might require your cooperation in order to process them to your complete satisfaction.                

Sincerely,

Butch Cantalupo

Security Consultant for HROA

Tip of the Month  “Lock It or Lose It”

One of the most valuable items we own is our vehicle, for that reason vehicles are a target.  Many vehicles are left parked in driveways, in carports and on the roadway.  It is vital that you lock your vehicles and remove items that are visible.  In the past HROA has experienced crimes involving vehicle burglaries and vandalism.

Suspicious sounds can alert you if someone is tampering with your vehicle, for example: your dog barking continuously, alarms activated in the area, breaking glass, and the obvious hearing voices outside your home during the late hours or early morning.  Call HROA Security immediately if you detect someone tampering with your vehicle, and then call the Sheriff’s Department.  Turning on the outside light will most likely scare the individual away, but will hinder the chance of HROA Security apprehending them. You should do what you feel is in your best interest, but do not put yourself in harms way by going outside and confronting the thief.

PLAY SAFE

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

HELP US, HELP YOU