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September 2018

Professionally Managed by AMMCOR Association Management, 910 Calle Negocio, Ste. 200, San Clemente, CA 92673

Mesa Vista North Townhomes Owner Association 1

Monthly Reminders HOA Meetings are held in the

VMSG Conference Room.

Veter inary Medical & Surgical Group 31896 Plaza Dr ive

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

The August Board Meeting will be on August 30 at 7:00 PM.

Note date change.

The September Board meeting will be on September 27 at 7:00 PM.

The final agenda will be posted at each community pool, online and via email.

Trash pick up day is Monday. Please don't leave trash barrels on the

street longer than 24 hours.

Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.

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You may have noticed some pine trees in the community with a ribbon tied around the trunk. To offset some inaccurate information circulating about these trees, here are the facts.

The Board is interested in removing common area trees for two primary reasons. First, and foremost, is safety. A tree that is in danger of falling and hurting someone or something must be trimmed or removed to eliminate the hazard. Second, a tree whose roots are breaking up concrete driveways and sidewalks must be removed in order to prevent further destruction and repairs.

This Board is not in favor of cutting down trees indiscrimi-nately. We all enjoy and value the ambiance that trees provide in this community, but the Board also has a responsibility to address safety hazards and destructive situations. Note that Aleppo pines naturally have a haphazard branching pattern and leaning habit, which is not reason alone for their removal.

Fifty trees are under consideration for further work. The Board has asked The Soto Company to tag these trees so everyone in the community can give input. No one on the Board or Landscape Committee believes that all of these trees need to come down. The cost alone would be prohibitive. The tree trimming company identified every tree that might have an issue and certainly erred on the side of abundance. In some cases, it also seems that a tree has been wrongly tagged by ac-cident.

If you see a tagged tree on which you would like to com-ment, please note it's location as accurately as possible (a pic-ture would help) and send an email to Jason, our association manager, at JMulkay@ammcor.com. This process will take time, and rest assured trees will not be removed immediately, unless they pose imminent danger.

Photo by John CaldwellThe Sequoia pool at night

Maintaining an Important Mesa View AssetConstruction and Architectural

Priorities on page 2Operating vs. Reserve Funds

on page 3Extreme Heat Plant Care

on page 4In and Around San Juan

on page 5 Meditative Calmness on page 6

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Mesa Vista North Townhomes Owner Association 2

From the Directors' Corner

by Mike Gallups

Board Members President Mike GallupsVice-President Geri Ford Treasurer Rick Oland Secretary Roeland Papen Member-At-Large Cathy Garite

Committee Chairs Architectural Daniel Holtz Communication John Caldwell MVNCommCo@gmail.comConstruction Co-chairs Don Fowler and Dave Folsom Landscape Sue Taylor

ContactsAMMCOR 949-661-7767

Mon-Thurs 8:00-5:30, Fri 8:00-noon

Homeowner & Common Area Service Scott Ruzicka sruzicka@ammcor.comEmergency After Hours 949-661-7767

Association Manager Jason Mulkay JMulkay@ammcor.com

Website Login www.ammcor.com, select "HOA Portal" Password: 025

ParkingEliteEnforcement.com Comm.Access Code: MVN001 714-801-4385

Neighborhood WatchMVNwatch@yahoo.com

Insurance Broker For Certificate of Insurance Greg Lerum Farmers Insurance 302 N. El Camino Real, #118 San Clemente, CA 92672 949-492-7331

Sub/Master Info The Slope Association or RV Park call Accell Property Management at 949-581-4988 949 581-4958

The MVN Board recently met with Construction and Architectural Committee members to establish priorities and ultimately a timeline to begin to examine and address a number of community wide issues. Each committee presented the board with a series of issues from their experience that need to be addressed with a combination of better enforcement, better language in the governing documents, and in some instances expenditures from the Reserve budget.

- The Construction Committee identified the following priorities: - Paths, stairways, and sidewalk safety. - Backyard privacy walls - Front and back gates - Pools and spas - Street and pool signage - Driveways

In addition, the Construction Committee will continue to be instrumental in assisting AMMCOR in the bid process on repair projects, monitoring project timelines, and following up on any outstanding restoration projects.

The Architectural Committee outlined the following on going and new priorities:

- Satellite dishes - Solar panels - Exterior lighting - Exterior paint colors - Front door, widow, and skylight replacement

The Architectural Committee will continue to emphasize the need for homeowners to file an MVN Architectural Approval Request and follow the city permit process when considering home improvement projects.

The MVN Board is committed to establishing a calendar to consider each priority over the coming months. On behalf of MVN, thank you to all MVN committee members for their important and often unrecognized contributions.

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Mesa Vista North Townhomes Owner Association 3

A Shout Out of Appreciation

Have you noticed that two of our trusted advisors are back on the job giving of themselves to our community? The yellow column on page two of each newsletter lists some of our neighbors who volunteer their time and expertise to keep our community running well.

Dave Folsom and Don Fowler have returned to co-chair the Construction Committee after taking a much needed break for a couple of years. They just surveyed, photographed, and tabulated all of the HOA light fixtures in the entire community, a monumental expenditure of time and effort. Their construction knowledge is vast and their advice invaluable.

Sue Taylor stepped up to take over the Landscape Committee when our former chair, Libby Benkowsky experienced the tragic illness and loss of her husband. Under Sue's leadership, the committee has overseen and continues to advocate for the replanting of our aging vegetation.

Dan Holtz and Rick Valasek have shared the

responsibility of approving Architectural applications for many years. All modifications to your unit must pass through their hands before work begins.

John Caldwell took over the Communication Committee when the former chair was elected to the HOA board. His committee meets monthly to plan and publish The Mesa View newsletter. It is through his expertise that the newsletter has become the professional and informative publication of which we can be so proud.

Despite the compensation being low (zero dollars, some grief, a little praise), these committee chairs and their members have stepped up to advise and support the Board and our community at large. They donate time, talent and experience that helps keep our standards high. Our Board and Committee members are highly valued and appreciated in Mesa Vista!

P.S. If you have practical experience to share and would like to help our community, please let a Board or Committee member know. It takes all of us working together as a team to keep beautiful Mesa Vista the wonderful, special community it is.

Frequently, there is a question on the appropriate pool of HOA funds, from which a payment is made. Is it an Operating expense? Or does it qualify for being a Reserve payment?

This is a question Board members consider at every meeting, and it is important for homeowners to understand the same rules.

Operating Account funds are used to pay for the services that help carry out the everyday functions of the association. These include, but are not limited to:

- Contracted services, such as landscaping, general maintenance of common areas -- gates, fences, pools, lighting, plumbing -- property management,

and security services- Insurance and taxes- Utility expenses - Accounting and legal fees - Slab leaks - Roof repairs

Reserve Account funds are used for larger scale projects, such as replacement and repair in the community. These monies have strict criteria for how they are used, based on HOA Rules & Regulations, bylaws, and governmental accountability. A good way to look at Reserve funds is to understand they are used to pay for expenditures that don't occur on an annual basis. Some examples of Reserve fund use are:

- Major landscaping projects including irrigation replacement

- Street/driveway/sidewalk replacements - Painting, termite and wood repair of buildings - Replacement of pool equipment - Replacement of fencing - Replacement of garage doors

These are examples of major projects for which Reserve Account funds may be used.

Mesa View Financials

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As a reminder, for safety reasons, skateboarding is not allowed on Mesa Vista's private streets, sidewalks and pathways. As a private community, the HOA as-sumes responsibility for enforcing rules of safety in our common areas. (See Rules & Regulations, General Rules, # 8)

In recent months, numerous homeowners have re-ported being surprised by a skateboarder whizzing past in the middle of the street. This has occurred on more than one street, especially the hilly ones. Home-owners backing out of driveways are concerned that they could easily hit a skateboarder who appears seemingly out of nowhere.

Also, if you are a bike rider, please stay to the side

of the street away from driveways and always be alert to idling cars. Likewise, if you are parking parallel on any street, it?s good practice to always check your rear view mirror before opening a street side car door. Many bicyclists are hurt each year by running into just opened car doors.

Following HOA rules and com-mon courtesy will go a long way in keeping everyone safe in our commu-nity. Thank you.

PS: The San Juan Capistrano Skate Park Coalition is now raising funds to construct a world-class action skate park adjacent to the existing Sports Park.

Mesa Vista North Townhomes Owner Association 4

Extreme Heat Plant Care Many of our MVN gardeners have had some plant

damage or loss during the extended heat wave. Here are a few tips that may help fend off additional damage.

1] Watering your plants deeply once or twice a week when extreme heat is predicted will keep their roots moist. Adjust your watering schedule to early morning and irrigate slowly to diminish runoff and allow water to soak into the soil.

2] A thick 3-4 inches layer of mulch will cool soil temperature.

3] Examine your plants' leaves during hot weather. Plants with leaves that wilt during the day, but appear fine the next morning, receive enough water. However, if the plants' leaves still droop the morning after watering, the plants are either over watered, or need water. Then, check the soil around your plants. If the soil is still moist, you over watered and need to let the plants recover and dry out. If the soil is dry, water the plants again, even if you watered them the previous day.

4] Container plants may need watering every day during high heat as they lose more water than plants with roots in the ground.

5] Hold off fertilizing when temperature is over 90 degrees.

6] Hold off on heavy pruning - plants lose water quickly in extreme heat as they try to cool off their leaves and stems by transferring water to their surface.

7] Even if you planted drought-tolerant plants and native plants that are suited to the heat in our climate, taking special precautions is still necessary when the temperatures r ise.

Recent photo of heat damaged sun begonias on a Mesa Vista patio

Skateboards are Fun, But Not Safe in Mesa Vista

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Mesa Vista North Townhomes Owner Association 5

Patr iots Day Histor ic Bell Ringing at the Mission Bell Wall Tuesday, September 11, 10 a.m.

www.missionsjc.com

San Juan Summer NightsWednesday, September 19, 6 - 8 .pm.

Featur ing The Tr ip, Classic Rock

Historic Town Center Park

Mark your calendars for the upcoming San Juan Summer Nights final concert for this year. It

features live music, dancing, local restaurant fare, a beer/wine garden, business expo, and free activities

for the kids. Call Community Services at (949) 493-5911 for more information.

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SJC Greek Festival Saturday, September 29-30, Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m, Sunday, 12:30 - 9:00 p.m

Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church 27129 Calle Arroyo, San Juan Capistrano

Call 949-542-3445

Come find your ?kefi?? St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church invites the public to the Greek festival for two days of Greek music, dancing, food, drink,

children?s activities and a Greek marketplace. Watch a Greek folk dance performance and learn to dance

like Zorba! As the festival organizers say, ?Bring a little Greece into your own home.?

Events and Celebrations

Resident Appreciation at The Mission Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Every Wednesday, SJC residents receive FREE admission to Mission San Juan Capistrano with a

$10 purchase made at the Mission Store.

Garden Tours at The MissionWednesdays, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

These half-hour tours are conducted by the Mission Garden Angels. Guests wishing to tour should meet

at the front gate. www.missionsjc.com

Patr iot Hill Flag Raising

Saturday, September 8, 8:30 a.m.

Flag rally to commemorate 9/11.

Meet at the flag at 8:30 a.m. A new 6' x 10' flag will be raised. If anyone needs directions or information,

email Flagonthehill92675@gmail.com.

Flag replacement donations are appreciated.

Gears and Beers Bike Ride

Saturday, September 8, 8 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Docent Brewing, 33049 Calle Aviador, #C, SJC

Join everyone for a great event in support of the MS Society. There will be a choice of 15, 30 or 45-mile rides along the coast. Your ticket includes the ride

plus lunch and a beer after the ride. There is a raffle with great prizes and an incredible silent auction. You don?t have to ride -- just go and show your

support. info@docentbrewing.com

In and Around San Juan

by Linda Burnside

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by Karen Fowler

Spotlight on...

Rich soft tones of a wind chime welcome visitors to the garden of John Welch, an MVN resident of three years. Soft breezes rustle the leaves of specimen trees of liquidamber, silver dollar eucalyptus, and a soft gray green olive providing a strong structural background for his rock garden. Additions of casual tea trees, colorful grevilleas and heathers, and blue fescue soften the decomposed granite and hardscape. A soothing tiered fountain is a focal point. He describes his garden as being a place of meditative calmness.

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Photos by Karen Fowler