posted 19 August 2016
EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK
 After more than a year of letters back and forth about the repair of a broken kitchen caused by a slab leak, the HOA has agreed to pay the homeowner Jim Gregg for a dishwasher and completion of the baseboards in his kitchen. But the Board refuses to pay for his broken kitchen sink caused by his tile countertop being supported by 2X4’s for four months while the HOA was deciding what to do.
History
The damaged kitchen occurred more than a year ago in July 2015 when the HOA plumber Scott English was rerouting a drain line in an exposed hole in the cement slab under his kitchen sink. A water line broke next to the exposed work which flooded his kitchen and living room. The kitchen cabinets were  destroyed and the restoration company threw away the dishwasher. The tile countertop and the sink remained propped up by 2X4’s for three months cracking the tile counter tops and cast iron sink. which were finally declared unsalvageable by the installers. Without a usage sink, the owner was forced to do any dishes in the bathtub.
Partially Repair
The HOA replaced the cabinets and tile countertop, but did NOT furnish a new sink and dishwasher, and did not complete the baseboards work. The homeowner had no insurance. After waiting patiently for more than a year with back and forth letters to the Property Management Company, Jim sent a certified registered letter to the HOA, Action Property Management and Scott English Plumbing asking them to install a new dish waster and pay for his cost of a sink that he was forced to purchase to complete the installation of the cabinets and countertops. In his letter, he stated if he could not get satisfaction, he would be forced to take the parties involved to small claims court and ask for a judgment. The total cost he was asking was $2600.
 Pleads Ignorance
Three Month Safety Hazard
Why the Board refused to pay for the sink is not stated in their letter. Propping up the countertop and the cast iron sink with 2X4’s for three months created condition that cracked the tile and the sink. Most Kitchen re-modelers say it is not a good idea to reuse an old sink with total replacement of countertops and cabinets. It is also a safety hazard to have left  the countertop propped up for as long as it was. When the new cabinets were installed, the installer who demoed the countertop and broken sink. To complete the work, Jim was forced to purchased the cheaper stainless steal sink with fixtures ($645) (over cast iron $1000). With labor the total cost for the sink replacement and fixtures was $1300.
Partial Responsibility
Jim fells that the HAO wants to just walk over him because he has no insurance. He thinks that taking this before a judge in small claims along with Action Property Management and Scott English Plumbing would bring reasonableness to have the associated parties pay for all the repairs and replacements for the damage they created. ■ |
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posted 22 August 2016
Pilot Result
AIR CONDITIONER PILOT
From: Mary Wiiliams:
It has been one month since the installation of the mini split system. This is an A/C and heat system. It can come with A/C only but I wanted to be rid of that Hydronic heater that is noisy and  prone to leaks. I have not used it every day but I do use the bedroom unit every night. My electric bill has only risen about $14 since the install. I do expect it to be higher if we get some long lasting hot weather but estimating if I used it 24/7 my bill would be under $100. Numerous companies make these systems and many companies install them. I used Climate Air Masters (714) 533-0402. They gave me the best price and our neighbor Brett Dull works for them. Residents of Harbour Vista can use any company they choose. But you still must get an architectural approval from the committee.■
Editor Note: This Air Conditioning System was installed as an HOA Pilot which required suspension of the HOA Rules and Regulations by the BOARD. Installation costs and expenses were at the sole responsibility of the homeownr. The HOA did not pay for any part of this Pilot. Members should also appreciate that if this installation had not been aaceptable to the HOA, (e.g. noise, aesthetics, structural, electrical), the homeowner would have been requested to removal it at her expense. |
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posted 4 December 2016
Correction
Dues Increase Average 3.85%
In the Annual Budget Report and Annual Policy Statement recently send to the members, it appears that Harbour Vista assessments will increase on the average 3.85% (average $16.79 per month), not 2-1/2% as previously announced at the October Board Meeting.
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posted 25 October 2016
NEWS FLASH
Dues on average will go up 2-1/2% starting Janauary 2017. This was approved at the October 24 HOA Meeting.
More to follow in Board Highlights to be posted later. |
posted 23 August 2016
FYI
Private Social Media Site
For Harbour Vista
 Harbour Vista News was recently introduced to Nextdoor - a private social network for our neighborhood. Neighbors register by their location (street name) and then become part of group. For Harbour Vista residents, our group is called Harbour Pines. It includes Harbour Vista condos and the surrounding neighborhood.
Local Information
You can ask your local neighbors for recommendations. For crime or safety issue members of the police department even participate posting information about road closure and local crime incidents. There is a lost and found and classified section. You can find a last-minute babysitter or a pet sitter through Nextdoor.
Free
There is no charge to be a member. To start go to (https://nextdoor.com/), you will find and meet your neighbors there.■ |
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posted 31 July 2016 (updated 11 August 2016)
| July 25th Elections
NEW BOARD SEATED
Our new 2016-2017 HO A Board was certified at the Annual Meeting (reconvened) on July 25, 2016.
Five Position Elected
An "organization meeting" was held at the end of the regular HOA meeting on July 25th. The following HOA members were elected and seated as flows:
| Name |
Position |
Votes |
| Mihai (Michael) Huma |
Member at Large |
54 |
| Ted La Mantia |
Vice President |
51 |
| Michael Mengel |
President |
45 |
| Terri Piper-Johnson |
Secretary |
44 |
| Mary Williams |
Treasurer |
30 |
Fourty-eight total votes were cast. Fourty-five votes were cast to allocate any excess funbs at the end of the year to the subsequent year's members assessments. Three members abstained on this proposal. None were opposed. |
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posted 2 May 2016
Breaking News
Mike Huma Appointed to HOA
At the HOA Meeting on Monday April 25, Mike Huma was appointed by the HOA as "Member at Large". His appointment replaces Mike Peduzzi who recently resigned his position. Mike Huma will serve out the remaining turn until the Annual Election Meeting Schedule July 27. ■
Note : This is a correction from a previous posting where Mike Huma was originally introduced as the new Treasurer at the April meeting. It is unclear who is acting as Treasurer at this time.
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posted 13 February 2016
Breaking News
JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF HOA
Ruling was passed in the Trial of HOA versus the Ebbe and Aimee Rosendahl that was held from February 22 to February 25 in Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. The Judge upheld that the HAO had acted in "Good Faith" and had made a "reasonable" decission based on the HOA CC&R's. The owner is to restore the property to its original, approved condition. All court cost were awarded to the HOA (approximately $70K to $80K). The Judge upheld the injunction based on saftey issues based on the engineering study submitted by the HOA. ■ |
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