Presidents Letter

I am continually surprised by the large number of children using the play structure at the Windmill Park playground area. I am also surprised at how many children and families enjoy the turf area that is really looking nice. It is too bad that there are a few individuals who believe there is a Poop Fairy who will wave their magic wand and the piles left by their dogs will magically disappear. There is no Poop Fairy and the piles left are being picked up on kid’s shoes. Not only that, but there are very real health issues with dog feces as well as it being against the law to not scoop your poop. It is not limited to just Windmill Park but throughout CRCA. Please be considerate of your neighbors and don’t wait for the Poop Fairy to appear- scoop your dogs poop.

On a happier note CRCA will be having its annual Easter Egg hunt the Saturday before Easter- April 7^th. There were over 350 kids last year and we are anticipating a larger turn out this year. We are still in need of volunteers to assist the day of the egg hunt. If you could find a few hours to spend helping there you will be rewarded with a lot of smiles from the children participating. Call Jocelyn at the office if you are interested in helping out.

I presented the Pool committee with some figures on how many homeowners use the Windmill Pool during the winter months- November, December, January and February. I was shocked by the low number of homeowners who use the pool or spa and asked the committee for some input before presenting the information to the BOD and community. Apparently it went beyond the committee to the small number of people using the pool or spa and resulted in a barrage of phone calls to the office as well as a few users coming to the BOD meeting to protest something that was never discussed outside of the pool committee. The Keri card system, to access the pool, tracks each pool card that is used for entrance to the pools. I had management put together the usage of the Windmill pool for January, February, November and December of 2011. There were 319 households that used the pool or spa (7% of the 3450 households in CRCA) – 249 of those households used the pool less than 5 times in those 4 months. The remaining 70 households (2% of the households in CRCA) used the pool from 6 to 55 times during those 121 days. I have included a more thorough breakdown of that information below and wanted to share that information with the whole community. I understand that it is nice to have a heated pool to enjoy in the winter but much like my choice to not heat my pool because of the cost as a BOD member I have to look at the cost versus benefit of expenditures to the whole community when budgeting. There has been no need to increase dues for a number of years because of fiscal responsibility of the BOD’s. The Association is no different than a homeowner in that there are increasing costs associated with services we require. There is no move afoot to close Windmill pool in the winter but there is a need to closely look at the cost of heating the pool against the benefit to the whole community. That is what I asked the Pool committee to look at- nothing more. This will be presented to the whole community so that all homeowners will have say in this before any action is taken.

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10 homeowners (0.35% of all homeowners) used their cards between 27 and 36 times in 120 days.                               

6 homeowners (0.17% of all homeowners) used the pool area between 37 and 55 times in 120 days.

TOTAL USERS OF WINDMILL POOL AND/OR SPA FOR WINTER MONTHS (Nov., Dec., Jan. and Feb.) WERE 319- OF WHICH 249 (78% OF THOSE 321) USED THE POOL 5 DAYS OR LESS. A total of 32 homeowners (0.9% of all homeowners) used the pool and/or spa more than 10 days out of 121.  10 of those 32 homeowners used the pool more than 30 days out of 120 days.                                                                                       

Hopefully you all had a wonderful holiday and 2012 will bring everything you hope for.  I know that the two families that CRCA adopted for Christmas had a good Christmas because of the generosity of a large number of homeowners who donated items that the children of those families wished for. Thanks to all of you- it was greatly appreciated by all.

I would like to thank the Boy Scouts of Troop #219  And Girl Scouts of Troop #320/1499 for their taking the time and effort to make the flag raising at the Community Center on December 10^th a special event. They approached the flag-raising with respect for what the flag represents and took their duty very seriously. When you drive or walk by the Community Center take the time to look at the flag and reflect on what it means to each and everyone one of us.

The BOD has survived another year of challenges and obstacles and I am sure we will face more of them in the year ahead. Every member of the BOD puts a lot of time and effort into the making CRCA a better place to live. I feel we have been successful and look forward to another year serving all you homeowners.

The Activities Committee accomplished a lot of things in 2010 and 2011. There was no Halloween Party in 2011 and Santa was not available at the Community Center for pictures benefitting the Community Food Bank. This is because there are only two members on the committee at this point- and attendance has been dismal at best. The BOD will attempt to put on the Easter Egg Hunt in 2012 but we need volunteers to make this as good an event as last years. Even if you do not have the time to serve on a committee please consider volunteering to help this Easter. The kids really enjoyed it and the BOD does not want to see this disappear because of lack of people to help out during the event.

Hopefully everyone had an enjoyable and festive Thanksgiving. With the Christmas season upon us we sometimes get caught up in just the commercial side of the holiday. With an Activities committee that has lost enough members to put into question the viability of supporting

community activities the BOD committed to personal support of the Christmas Light Contest and the Adopt a Family for this month. Given that there was no planning done for the Adopt a Family from CRCA by the committee we cannot put a wish list for donations to a family struggling at this time in this newsletter. A giving tree will be in the lobby of the office

with “wishes” on the tree from the family or families we are trying to help at this sometimes not so joyous time of year for some. Please, try to find the time to try to help someone not sharing the blessings some of us have and make a wish come true for a neighbor by stopping by the office and picking up a wish. It is with regret that we had to accept the resignation of Rob Palfreyman from the BOD. Rob just has too much going on with his work and family to devote the time required to be on the BOD. Thank you for all the time and effort you put in Rob- CRCA is a better place because of you. Rob will still remain as a member of the landscape committee and is a valued asset with his extensive landscape and plant knowledge. The BOD would like to welcome Roxanne Ziegler to the BOD. Roxanne was unanimously appointed to replace Rob at the November 17th meeting. She brings new perspectives and a definite interest in the community as evidenced by her time and efforts on the Marana Town council. The new flag pole is up and we just received the flag that was flown over the capitol in Washington DC. The

girl scouts and boy scouts will be raising the flag on December 10th at 10am. Please plan on attending and show your support to what the flag represents. I would personally like to thank all those involved in the association and wish all of you and all my neighbors here in CRCA a Merry Christmas.

Having received your property tax assessments from Pima County there is an assessment that most of us pay little attention to. That assessment is listed as CMID (Cortaro Marana Irrigation District) and is being levied on a large majority of CRCA homeowners. CMID has been in existence since 1919 and serves approximately 70 irrigation customers (farmers) and also wholesales water to the Town of Marana for its potable water distribution system. Before CRCA was built for home development a large portion of it was used for lettuce farming and irrigation was needed by the farmers. After the development of CRCA no change was made to the taxing abilities of CMID and all homeowners within the district are taxed at a rate of $66 an acre. While most properties are far less than an acre you are still taxed at the percentage of an acre you have. While most homeowners only see a $20 to $30 dollar a year tax obligation it does make a difference in today’s world of tight budgets. It makes one wonder why CMID is able to receive taxes from property owners who receive no irrigation water from the District but still get taxed? The BOD is currently investigating options for the affected homeowners.

By now everyone has received their ballot for the election of BOD members. While there are only four candidates for the four BOD positions please return your ballots so we may attain a quorum to certify the results. BOD members receive no compensation for their time in trying to make the Association and CRCA a great place to live.

Something I addressed in my September 2009 report is still an ongoing problem for some homeowners. There have been numerous homes flooded by burst water pipes. This is a costly and very disruptive event to happen in your home. A number of these have occurred because of a defective pressure regulating valve that regulates the pressure of the water delivered to your home. Tucson water delivers the water to your home  between 76 and 83 psi from its main lines. This pressure is too high for home plumbing (50 to 60 psi is recommended). Two things can happen to the valve- it can fail completely which will result in excessive pressure in the plumbing lines in your home. This can result in extensive water damage to the home as the connections in the lines are not able to handle the added pressure and rupture. The other thing that can happen is low water pressure to your home- shower heads with low pressure, sprinklers not popping up, etc. This can also result in high spikes in pressure when the defective valve is not replaced. Tucson Water recommends that it is a good idea to check those valves as they seem to fail usually after 10 years- sometimes less.

I would like to thanks all our “neighbors” who respect this community and show it by the little things they do. Keeping their yards neatly pruned and weed free, keeping their dogs on leash at Windmill Park so as to not infringe on others enjoyment of the park, following the pool rules while using the pools and just being a good neighbor. Too often I mention the issues of vandalism and infractions of the rules and would like to thank those of you who are good neighbors.

 While I love dogs there are people who do not like dogs or are afraid of them. Please remember that Pima County has a leash law and that CRCA has a rule that all dogs must be on a leash when on CRCA common areas. Windmill Park is a great place to take your dog- but not off a leash! There have been numerous problems with unleashed dogs and owners not picking up after their dogs. There are signs at Windmill Park that some homeowners either choose to ignore or feel the rules do not apply to them. Any homeowner with an unleashed dog is subject to a $100 fine for each occurrence as well as losing use of common areas (pools included) for 30 days for each occurrence. Please be a considerate dog owner and think of others who might not have the same love of your canine companion.

Just a reminder, the Windmill Park pool will be closing right after Labor Day weekend so that the planned Kool Deck repairs can be made. The Community Center poll will be open until the Windmill repairs are complete- and yes it will be heated. The repairs are very extensive and will hopefully take 30 days to complete but should result in a major improvement in another one of CRCA’s assets.

There have been numerous complaints by homeowners about having to file written complaints when they have an issue with a neighboring owner. “We used to be able to call in and not have to sign a complaint” is the most often heard objection.  The other comment is “when were the CC&R’s changed?” The CC&R’s have not been changed since being signed on October 31, 2002- we have just chosen to actually read them before acting. Call-in complaints were and are a direct violation of the CC&R’s.

 Section 4.12 Procedure when complaints made against Owners. Any Owner who files a complaint against another Owner, shall provide the Association with a written complaint which contains the complaining owners name, address, and telephone number.”

There are a large number of “trashcan violations” every month. While leaving them out on the curb is unsightly and results in a violation letter that does not mean you have to put them in your garage. Section 5.2.3.1 of the CC&R’s states: “No garbage or trash shall be allowed, stored or placed on a Lot or in a Parcel except in sanitary covered containers. Containers shall not be Visible from Neighboring Property.”  Visible from Neighboring Property: “means any object which is visible and discernible to an individual whose eyes are six feet above the ground level and who is standing at ground level on any portion of the Covered Property.” If you can conceal your trashcan with landscaping or other screening acceptable to the ARC then there is no violation if it is “not visible from neighboring property.” Just a thought for those having problems wrestling your cans from the backyard or garage every week.

It is nice to see all the activity at both of the swimming pools here. With the increased usage comes increased issues. I find it quite irritating that the Association has to spend $50,000.00 every year to employ pool monitors to try and get people to follow the few rules there are for using the pools. $10.00 of your dues is going to these monitors because people cannot seem to understand the need to conduct themselves in a civilized manner at the swimming pools. You will find the pool rules in this newsletter- AGAIN. Let me just say that anyone not following the rules while using the pools will be subject to having their pool keys shut off as a result of inappropriate behavior. The security cameras are up and running and afford us a very clear video of what does go on at the pools and are stored for any future use.  An added note to that is that if you are not current on your dues your pool key will be turned off until you make payment.

While the BOD has implemented a new approach to covenants enforcement it does not mean that we are not issuing violations. The homeowner covenants liaison will be trying to establish personal contact about any issues before writing “the letters”. Please make sure that the office has your current phone number so that they may contact you personally before having to issue  a violation letter. Monetary fines have been used in the past to try to get people to comply- even $100 a day fines were issued a number of years ago with about the same degree of success as the fines levied now. If a violation is not remedied in the prescribed time pool keys will be turned off for a violation along with a possible monetary fine. Not what we as BOD members and neighbors want to do but we have no choice but to seek compliance with the Associations documents.

I hope you are all enjoying the new landscaping that has been going on throughout the community as much as I am. I am sad to report that Joe Callahan, the chairman of the landscape committee, has passed away. I met Joe through the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program. He was in very poor health and needed help with his landscaping. I watched Joe go from just being able to sit in his chair at home to rebounding quite nicely. He started getting around with his walker and joined the landscape committee to try to give back to the community. Joe was very outspoken and his heart was in the right place and he did one hell of a job on the committee. I know that I will miss him but CRCA is a better place because of the efforts Joe put into the landscape committee. When you look at all the new trees and plantings please take a moment and thank Joe for being involved.

Having returned from an extended business trip to Canada I was pleasantly surprised by the landscape changes going on here in CRCA. I would like to thank the landscape committee for all the planning and hard work they have put into  making CRCA more attractive. The new monument landscaping and the additions to Twin Peaks are a very real improvement to anyone entering our community. The retention pond drainage project is done at Windmill Park and DLC is working on restoration of the turf on the baseball and soccer/football field. Hopefully it will be open for use by the 4^th of July holiday. With that said, I am very upset with the amount of new plantings that someone in the community has chosen to steal from Twin Peaks Road. Over 28 plants, trees and cacti have been stolen at a cost of over $500.00 to replace. Anyone seeing or knowing of the person or persons involved in these out right thefts please contact the office so we can stop these senseless acts. Remember- there is a $500 reward for the information leading to the arrest and conviction of any vandalism here in CRCA.

While it is the “fiduciary duty” of the BOD to enforce the CC&R’s we felt that the way that covenants enforcement was handled was too harsh and counterproductive to the ultimate goal of compliance. We are all neighbors here in Continental Ranch and as such want a community that we can all be proud of. With the current value of our homes declining over the past years- because of the economic conditions- it becomes even more important that preserving property values by maintaining the appearance of the homes is a goal shared in the community. We all share in making the greatest single investment we have made in our lives- our Homes and only want them to grow in value.

The covenants enforcement person’s title has been changed to Homeowner Covenants Liaison. There will be more attempts at personal contact and attempting to resolve any issues rather than just the past “violation letters” threatening fines. While this is a new approach it does not eliminate the eventual fines or loss of pool privileges if compliance is not achieved. Please contact the office with your most current phone number or e mail so that we can move forward with this friendlier approach to resolving compliance issues. We cannot make CRCA the kind of community we all desire without your help.

Spring is just around the corner and the landscape committee has finalized a number of projects to be completed with warmer weather. Refurbishing of the entryways will start as soon as all danger of frost is gone. This project will involve removing 27 trees along Silverbell Road that are diseased or dying. The management company will be coordinating the removals so that the replacement trees will be planted shortly after the removals are completed. The sides of Twin Peaks road have been approved to receive additional plantings as well as the newly installed monument of the East end of CRCA. Windmill Park drainage basins will be reworked and brought up to code and the turf at Windmill Park and the baseball diamond will be renovated. This will require that a construction fence be installed around all of Windmill Park. The fencing will be erected the week prior to Easter and will remain up until the turf project has been completed. We understand that a lot of homeowners utilize the park so please be patient during this time and realize that the projects are very much needed to bring us into compliance with Town of Marana requirements as well as to eliminate liability issues with the current condition of the grass fields.The new security cameras are up and running and hopefully will result in less vandalism of our common areas as we will have very clear pictures of those performing these senseless destructive acts. The new pool fencing has been installed on both pools replacing the rusted out fence that was actually falling down.Having been a dog owner all of my life I truly love having canine companionship. Having a dog as a part of the family also comes with responsibilities. While I love dogs there are people who do not like dogs or are afraid of them. Please remember that Pima County has a leash law and that CRCA has a rule that all dogs must be on a leash when on CRCA common areas. Windmill Park is a great place to take your dog- but not off a leash! There have been numerous problems with unleashed dogs and owners not picking up after their dogs. There are signs at Windmill Park that some homeowners either choose to ignore or feel the rules do not apply to them. Any homeowner with an unleashed dog is subject to a $100 fine for each occurrence as well as losing use of common areas (pools included) for 30 days for each occurrence. Please be a considerate dog owner and think of others who might not have the same love of your canine companion.The activities committee is seeking help with the planned Easter egg hunt in April. Please consider volunteering so this can be a successful event for the kids.