4/1/2022 43 Comments IS THE PROPOSED CDAC LANDSCAPE REVITALIZATION PLAN THE MOST PRUDENT APPROACH FOR OUR COMMUNITY?Do we need to revitalize certain parts of our Desert Princess landscape?
The answer is a definite YES! The concern is, do we have enough information at this point to commit to the revitalization plan proposed by the CDAC? The CDAC is asking every homeowner to commit to 15 years of monthly payments on a loan of $5,260,000 to be used to revitalize our landscape. Based on the presentation by the CDAC at the recent Town Halls, we know the following:
43 Comments
Douglas K Goof
4/2/2022 06:36:11 am
We got a $4M sprinkler system for the golf course & community, well someone needs to use this system because the waste of water is incredible. Plus areas already with desert landscaping still needs maintenance, pulling weeds, dead plants, etc,etc. This is NOT being done now with larger areas of desert landscape would require much more maintenance. This committee is dreaming fix what’s already done before you start spending more of my money!!!!!!!
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john Taylor
4/3/2022 11:14:52 am
First let me say I am glad that this blog exists and gives all of us a chance to hear other homeowners' thoughts. But whoever is posting the main information needs to vett her information better.
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LOWELL FRIEDMAN
4/2/2022 08:20:33 am
Has the Finance Committee reviewed the CDAC plan? We will have even less funds for the revitalization of our landscape if the loan interest rate is more than 4.5%. For example, a 5% loan will means that we will have only $2.74 million available out of our $5.28 million loan. And if have to pay 6% we will only have $2.5 million available for CDAC's Plan (homeowners will be paying over half the money to service the loan). Lets hope the the ballot states that if the loan rate is too high, the board will not go forward with this plan. Otherwise, The homeowner could be saddled with a commitment with a half completed revitalization of our landscape.
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MAGGIE HOOD
4/2/2022 10:39:23 am
there is NO WAY we will NOW get a 4.5% loan! In January I got approved for an "investment loan" for a house at 3.99%. I didn't buy that one but in February when I got pre-approved again, the rate had gone up to 4.25% so I locked in at that . NOW - that rate is over 5%. This board is flat out WRONG about the interest rate now being 4.5%. it's rapidly going up
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RH
4/2/2022 08:43:47 am
SO MANY QUESTIONS AND SO LITTLE REAL ANSWERS FROM THE CDAC PRESENTATION.
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D. R. Arevalo
4/2/2022 08:52:00 am
Why are there not reserves for this? What are we paying for in our $710/mo if not including a reserve for future landscaping projects?! And why are we not focused on the rash of crime going on here lately? There was a break-in on North Chimayo just a couple nights ago with the homeowner at home. Not to mention all the car and cart thefts. What are our priorities? Pretty posies and bushes, which should have been reserved for all along, or our safety?
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Terry
4/2/2022 09:49:56 am
I have a few questions and concerns involving the consequences of what sounds like a not very well planned landscape revitalization spend.
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Frank Bailly
4/2/2022 10:19:40 am
First off I am in favour of upgrading all projects that would enhance our community at DP. Landscaping being one of them. But with priorities and common sense. A few questions on the proposed budget . If we borrow $5,260,000 and pay it back over 15 years my calculations are as follows . 1206 members would pay $32 per month, times 12 months, times 15 years, equaling $6,946,560 , not $5,260,00 as presented. It would seem we will pay $1,686,560 in interest. Are we borrowing all the money at once or is it a line of credit, in increments. If at once , that means we will be paying interest on money that will be sitting and unused for periods at a time . One might be concerned that idle funds may find themselves in a general revenue steam.
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Bob
4/2/2022 10:45:59 am
As currently structured, the vote to pass the CDAC Landscape Revitalization Plan requires a majority of quorum.
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Michelle
4/2/2022 12:26:25 pm
Bob, you are right on point, sir. I attended the monthly HOA meeting when the President announced that the issue had been discussed in Executive Session and proceeded to tell the attendees that quorum for purposes of this vote would be 1/3 of all owners eligible to vote. In this case, that would be 402 to cast ballots and a mere 202 to vote in favor of this assessment. I have no idea how this decision was reached given what is outlined in our CC&Rs with respect to what appears to me to be a special assessment.
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Michelle
4/2/2022 03:31:08 pm
I forgot to mention a further observation. While the minutes reflect the vote quorum was discussed in Executive Session under Legal, the Board's announcement of what was decided is nowhere to be found in the Open Session minutes distributed. Strange that.
MAGGIE HOOD
4/2/2022 11:02:15 am
the "no lend list" should be a top priority. I tried to refinance in November to get a lower interest rate. I was denied and I was the one who provided the exact reason why to the board. Now, I'm remodeling my kitchen. I have $200,000 in equity but can't get a home equity loan due to this. They (board) have now hired (at our expense) yet a second "expert" to tell them what can be done because they didn't like the answer the first expert gave them. And you are correct - until we find out what can be done to resolve THIS issue - they should in no way encumber the HOA any more. Rise up people! This board is running amuck with our money!
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Summer
4/2/2022 12:00:30 pm
I echo the comments of the previous posters - I cannot understand why this plan is still being prioritized right now in light of the very serious issue that Terry cited regarding DP continuing to be on the do not lend list which prevents homeowners from being able to access our own equity in our homes. To pursue this project with an associated price tag of an extra $32/month minimum for 15 years or a $4,361lump sum for every homeowner in light of this most certainly does not appear to be in the BEST INTERESTS of homeowners a or represent proper fiduciary responsibility by the HOA, BOD or Management Trust. This Fanny Mae/Freddy Mac issue needs to be resolved first.
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Pamela
4/2/2022 01:37:35 pm
Being a new owner, I totally agree with everyone’s above response. This is not the time to be spending this crazy amount.
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Pam
4/2/2022 01:52:00 pm
I will not vote for this...are you kidding me???? We have SO many other things to worry about! Can you even sell your condo if they dont fix the problems we already have??? It's obsurd to think we can spend this money in these uncertain times! The HOA board needs to WAKE UP!!!
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Tj
4/2/2022 05:01:03 pm
Do you trust them to administer this any better than they do golf and F&b?
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Trevor M
4/2/2022 05:16:57 pm
I have no problem with making Desert Princess look pretty. I would like true facts and figures before I will be voting on this very large project. With all the unknown numbers how can we be sure the actual increase in our HOA dues won't be $42 or $52 a month. Peter Webb said himself at the townhall meeting that he wished he could just pay $4,360 off in one lump sum. This sure sounds like a special assessment to me.
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Nancy P
4/2/2022 05:33:10 pm
As a new homeowner of just over a year I am very confused about this landscaping project. We asked the HOA when we moved in who was responsible for any changes to our villa front yard. They told us we were. We had the old bushes and plants removed and new desertscape and plants put in. Which cost us around $1,875 not $3,000 as per the estimate. According to the 7 step plan the villas will have their front yards redone. Is this fair for those of us who already have paid out of our pockets to have our front yards (both in the villas and condos) converted to desertscape and all shrubbery removed? Why should I be paying for the condos, pools I don't use and my villa which is already done. Maybe the committee should relook at this plan and starting saving the money for the areas that really need to be updated and not increase our dues.
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David Grant
4/2/2022 06:03:20 pm
The CDAC have identified a nice to have project.
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Sunmer
4/3/2022 01:34:23 am
So what happens to those homeowners who don’t have a handy $4,360 like out of touch Peter Webb who seems to view this community as his own personal kingdom? And clearly considers special assessments of $32-52 estimated per month acceptable to all homeowners here in light of the already high monthly HOA fees of $710? This thinking is irresponsible and egregious.
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CB
4/3/2022 07:17:21 am
Where does this spending end? While I am not opposed to upgrading landscaping as needed, I am opposed to: every time there is an expense, the funds are generated by hitting homeowner pockets. I am of the opinion, there are a number if issues here:
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Tom Rosa
4/3/2022 07:55:36 am
The reason I include the statement "wash rinse repeat" in most of my comments is simple. After 20 years of living at the DPCC, the constant idea that we don't know what's good for us, only the omnipotent board does is the overarching constant. I build and renovate resort properties as a profession, so I have enough experience to know this VERY LOOSE / VAGUE design will certainly cost more than projected. Years ago, when the committee was being formed, I was asked by a then board member to participate given my experience, I submitted my form and was summarily dismissed by the board. Now why would the board NOT want someone with the exact experience to participate? I maintain as I have all along, that they want THEIR agenda with no watchful eyes or criticism. So here we are, another pet project with inadequate study or costing. But only 200 + need to approve to move it along? NO how about a vote of all the homeowners not the 200+ that are " in the fold". I will have moved on by the time this plan gets implemented ( perhaps not ) but I suggest everyone wake up and demand proper vetting of massive projects like this. Demand (3 ) bids from qualified contractors in a "closed bid" format. Trust me, The Mgt Trust will try to award it to Oconnell to cover up the inadequacy of the documents. I say all of this having been in this business for 30+ years. Vanity projects are nice but not necessary. How about cleaning the mess we already have and some fiscal responsibility. Now there's and idea.
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I went to both of the meetings to make sure I didn't miss anything. My questions (the same) for both meetings were not read or addressed.
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Terry
4/3/2022 10:32:41 am
Taking on an additional debt which could WELL exceed 5 million dollars for the proposed landscape revitalization is inadvisable at this time for the following reasons: 1. The BOD has signified their strong desire for this project by lowering the quorum to a ridiculous low number of homeowner's votes ( 16% ) of total homeowners needed for approval. GET REAL. This is most assuredly a bum's rush over a large new amount of debt. The vote ( quorum ) is being rigged to assure passage of this ill conceived debt proposal which is just another way to spend money we don't have.
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Anonymous
4/5/2022 10:41:48 am
Where are you getting this information? Is there any issue about mailing monthly newsletter? Financial-services-meetings-etc etc?
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Leslie
4/5/2022 03:26:10 pm
No, anonymous. There is no newsletter that covers these issues. A few dedicated owners dig up the information because it's not easy. Keeping owners in the dark suits this Board. In the cloak of darkness and obfuscation, they can spend OUR money as they see fit for their personal legacy projects.
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Joan
4/5/2022 08:34:12 pm
Truth Leslie... and we all know that Board tries to keep as much as possible privately discussed in Executive Session by tying it all in with "legal" matters regarding each and every issue so that they can keep it from the mass of the community.
Lisa
4/6/2022 07:14:58 am
Is this legal to keep information from homeowners?
Terry
4/6/2022 03:32:27 pm
Leslie is right on. We as homeowners are given incomplete facts intended to move us in the direction the BOD finds favorable. Example: Is the BOD motivated to do what is necessary to remediate the no lend situation by removing homeowners from the chain of title ( selling the restaurant) to eliminate commercial risks prohibited in residential loans and Fannie and Freddie. Answer: We shall see if the BOD will give up total control of the restaurant to salvage the ability of ALL homeowners to unlock their private home equity or will the BOD refuse to sell off the restaurant and ignore their fiduciary duty required under the law. My opinion is that the BOD will choose the latter direction and legal action will be necessary to restore homeowners rights. Hope I am mistaken but I doubt it.
Lisa
4/6/2022 07:11:47 am
Why can't we demand to receive information monthly? Tons of HOA's do ? Monthly I will add.
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4/6/2022 08:00:38 pm
It seems one of the criteria for this landscape proposal is water conservation. I , as well as 630 others in the complex occupy a condo. One of the ongoing problems with the back decks of the condos is that the size of the present decks are too small. It is always a problem , especially when entertaining and trying to accommodate enough people at your table without spilling onto the lawn area. If we allowed condo owners to expand another 10 feet into what is now grass we could lesson our watering and grass cutting area by approximately 250,000 square feet. Calculations as follows . 630 owners x 10 feet by 40 feet. And many of us would be more than happy to absorb the cost personally.
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CB
4/8/2022 12:16:13 pm
Agree with you Frank!!! I would be fine paying out of pocket to expand the patio (which BTW in the past, some homeowners were permitted to do).
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Anonymous
4/23/2022 07:26:50 am
Sign YES for landscaping we will have another assessment added to our HOA payment. Another increase is that what you want or need?????
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4/25/2022 05:28:29 pm
First and foremost, I think it would be a good idea to postpone this landscape revitalization project until we correct the Fannie Mae 'Do Not Lend' issue. This is a serious matter that must be dealt with first. Secondly, while I am not necessarily opposed 100% to the loan for the project, I would like to suggest other solutions be explored as a possible alternative for the loan before the Board signs the documents. As a former Board member in several other HOAs, I completely understand how the term "Special Assessments" provokes an angry reaction from everyone. Please hear me out first. What if there is a special assessment of MAYBE $500. every two years to fund the Landscape Revitalization project. No loans, no interest, NO INTEREST RATE RESET AFTER 7 1/2 years? It's just an example of a possible alternative. I have several concerns regarding the proposed loan, but the RESET is my biggest.
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Dave
4/26/2022 07:27:12 am
Michael, your post proves once again we have the wrong people running our affairs, particularly when we have talent like your own and others available.
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Anybody
4/26/2022 07:17:48 am
Water? What about the Disneyland project? 24 acre lagon breaking today at 10am???
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4/26/2022 10:35:01 am
"Anybody", Two wrongs don't make a right. What does Disney have to do with DP? We can only regulate and be good stewards of our own back yard for future generations.
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Lisa
4/30/2022 11:22:08 am
They only need 33% of votes. That's insane!!! Vote NO
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MAGGIE HOOD
4/30/2022 02:28:49 pm
Here's the REALLY BIG ISSUE: This is a "SPECIAL ASSSESSMENT"!! They have crafted it very carefully, no doubt with legal help to specifically say "not a special assessment" to get around the REAL required quorum required for a special assessment which is 51% of the total owners voting, which would be 615 owners and 308 people would have to vote in favor. By NOT calling it a special assessment, they reduced the quorum to 33% of votes required - but of THAT - they only need a simple majority. Thus: 1206 units/owners - 33% is only 398 votes to constitute a quorum. Of the quorum only 199 votes IN FAVOR are required to pass this stupid "special assessment" that is" not really a special assessment". Therefore, just 199 owners out of 1206 owners can encumber ALL OF US with a $33 monthly dues increase - forever more AND that does not include the October dues increase which is sure to come. I'm sure they have already loaded the dice with their friends and they know they can get 199 votes. So that' why they crafted this so carefully, stating "NOT A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT.." But it IS!!! Note how low our reserves are - just $1.3 in reserves!!! Then at the board meeting yesterday it was revealed that when the figures for the "perimeter security system" were presented at last months board meeting, and they approved spending $110,000 for that, Ariel had neglected to include the actual labor to install - which was ANOTHER $51,000 - so that was approved in the blink of an eye! I really think we need to get some legal help to see if they really can change the quorum for something that is CLEARLY a special assessment. Why are we not screaming in a way that matters? It's so nice to see all of the people here, but the board is NOT listening cause they are gonna do what they want, and the hell with the rest of us. A 51% majority of homeowners would mean that of 1206 owners, 615 people would have to actually VOTE - and most people don't - so they wouldn't even have a quorum. So now they only need 398 people to even vote......this has to be illegal. If anyone knows more than me, feel free to enlighten. VOTE NO
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Not Taken In
5/1/2022 12:17:23 pm
The latest attempted Con by the Board, now telling us not to worry about the $7.26 + million millstone the Board is trying to put around our collective neck.
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Lisa
5/2/2022 06:26:55 am
I have talked to at least 99+ people who do NOT WANT THIS! I have been around getting signatures from homeowners to prove the people don't want this. The BOD stated they were useless. Is this how they operate on the homeowners behave? VOTE NO MORE!
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Lisa
5/2/2022 06:28:26 am
Let's all vote now. NO
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Judge
6/15/2022 07:45:15 am
Did anyone read the article about why we can't get F&F loans?
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