Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/17/2008 - STAFF REPORTS - 00 Contact: Tom Swann 760-324-5670 Vickie Wilson 909-825-8176 www.vfpl9.org Riverside, San Bernardino CA. VETERANS FOR PEACE Vetorars-Working Togalhar for to aw&Jvsdce Through Wn•Vlolenw.Wage Peaca RIp is fnr A fi fi JON CASTRO CHAPTER 19 REMARKS TO PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL September 17, 2008 My name is Tom Swann and I am President of the Jon Castro Chapter of Veterans for Peace (VFP). Since there are four public hearings tonight before public comments please let me give you my written testimony instead of waiting for the public comments to begin. Six months ago there was a violent incident at a Palm Springs peace vigil. Victims filed several police reports. Several of our members spoke before the city council and said we were afraid. Since that incident the person who assaulted Tracy Turner and stole an American flag made threats against Senator Barack Obama including use of the "N" word. He was questioned by secret service and they confiscated his illegal weapons. Tonight I want to thank the city for listening to our safety concerns and taking action. Police Chief David Dominguez and Lt. Dennis Graham have worked very hard to keep peace vigils safe. The city provides two uniformed officers at every vigil. I just returned from Minnesota where I participated in two non-violent protest marches against the Republican National Convention. Some people like Amy Goodman felt the police used excessive force to intimidate people and stop her from exercising free speech as a journalist. 09 71ZooB fa�s�r Sw.aAl;l Yra,61-1c a,,PM0, (7� By comparison here in Palm Springs the city provides police support to safeguard the free speech rights of peace activists. In Palm Springs our police department has earned our respect and can be properly known as "peace officers". In recognition of the leadership of Police Chief David Dominguez and Lt_ Dennis Graham Veterans for Peace will present a peace award to the police department this Sunday_ Police chief Dominguez and Lt. Dennis Graham will attend our program on September 21_ This special day is in honor of°International Day of Peace"which is established by the United Nations. I have attached a flyer announcing our Peace Day luncheon which is Sunday at 11:30 AM at Rock Garden Cafe in Palm Springs. Mayor Steve Pougnet and Mayor pro tem Ginny Foat contributed money in support of our first Peace Day celebration in 2006 that honored Well in the Desert. VFP invites all of you to the luncheon this Sunday and please participate in our award presentation to the police department. Thank you. Tom Swann 324-5670 Charles Sachs 336 W. Mariscal Road Palm Springs, CA 92262-2907 (760) 325-53981 charlessachs@earthlink.net September 17, 2008 CITY COUNCIL City of Palm Springs SUBJECT: Landscape Plans I Casa de Oro I Case No. 2.600 My sincere thanks for your attention with my repeated inquirers about 23 trees now discovered illegally removed from Casa de Oro, a year ago this past Friday. Mr. Ewing found the plans dated in 1974. He and his staff were most helpful in reviewing them. Our association Manager Cindy Anderson, of Maryellen Hill and Associates, reputed she and the board reviewed these plans. A key reason for tree removal was alleged they were planted by owners-or were a hazard or dying. There was no notice other than a casual board meeting remark about tree removal. This loss upset many owners, greatly devalued units and degraded our living conditions. The one tree in front of my condo affected nine other units with shade loss, heat, privacy and night light masking. The now exposed lawn has burned away. Is tree cutting a new form of converting to desert landscape? We'discovered three trees were planned in the row across from my condo. Only one appeared planted. They cut it down. It was done with complete disregard of city ordinances dealing with landscaping and trees (Section 94.04.00). For any planting or removal a landscape plan has to be submitted and approved. Trees can only be removed if a hazard or drying (neither in my case and told the same for the others). A requirement is to replant a tree in its place. Ms. Anderson (and board) 091,1 y/10,JS SACHS TREE REMOVAL Sept 17, 2008 for a year repeatedly refuse documentation for any tree removal. One claim it was an insurance safety issue. Other owners called the insurance Company. Got the records. Trees were not noted. Cindy Anderson's reply to this discovery, "I do not like owners to contact our contractors." She and the board were caught lying. - _Can the_city force-the-replacement of the.trees with mature ones (match those destroyed) since Ms. Anderson and board did this illegally? It appears, in my opinion, this maybe a culpable act attacking owners critical of their management. At this last Saturday's board meeting Ms. Anderson disclosed she.told an owner a permit is required to remove a tree from her patio that blocks a cable 7V antenna signal. Therefore, she knows a permit is needed to cut a tree down. They didn't get any. Can Mr. Duckworth enforce these codes and have the trees replanted at the board and Maryellen Hill's expense, since Ms. Anderson is an.. employee, not-a licensed manager? Owners should not pay for this, already excessively taxed. I appeal to you or a concerned attorney with such issues. Help all at Casa de Ore recover from our Cin� disaster. Maybe my appeals to you stopped or delayed further cutting. I thank you. The trees thank you. '(451 words) Charles Ira Sachs 335 W. Mariscal Road Palm Springs, CA 92262-2907 (760) 325-53981 chariessachs@earthlink.net September 24, 2008 N ::I a PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNICL Manager and Planning Services 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way ns ur1'a nr Palm Springs, CA 92262 c SUBJECT: Casa de Oro Past and Proposed Tree Removal Z7 Dear Mr. Mayor, Council Members and Staff: In the September 170' meeting General Comments I brought to your attention my appreciation at last finding out that the tree removal a year ago was illegally done by our manager and condo association. I forgot that if a licensed landscaper had done it they would have asked that a permit be issued. Is that why Cindy Anderson (Maryellen Hill and Associates) hired an unlicensed, uninsured contractor who would not ask for one? When the tree was cut down in front of my home on September 12,2007, 1 called the permit section and was told no permits were issued and none was required. If the current facts presented to me now, discovered after repeated council appeals was disclosed, at least half or most of the trees would have been saved by staff intervention. My appeals are for these to be replanted full size, enforcing the codes. On September 18th a few owners and myself received the June meeting minutes via e-mail. One paragraph I have marked said there are plans for further tree cutting in walkways areas. My fear now is they will have an excuse to cut down three palm trees in front of my condo; maybe saying a sidewalk is lifting '/ of an inch. I know of trees right up against wooden fences that could be removed_ I think it would be best to just move the fence a foot, save a tree that provides shade and privacy for two units. Last year others were killed with similar excuses now known invalid. One tree I discovered, and have told you in the past was not cut down has caused considerable damage to a unit. Repeated oral and written requests for disclosure to the board and manager asking if other units have damage in the complex has been denied, told none exists. I found out the board did find this out at least nine months ago after I told several people of my discovery. Their covering up this possible $50,000 or more repairs from owners in my opinion is fraud. Do come by and view this and other damage. If you are qualified give me a better estimate of this repair cost. I think a townhouse that has cracked walls and structure lifting up is a major reconstruction. Be assured, my issues of the way this association is run is only dealing with issues at hand, past mismanagement by the previous manager and current one and most board members in their cover up of many serious problems and financial records. I am doing this for all owners, not like those with their own claimed agenda or possible prejudice against me with their conceived, uninformed manners. They are reality blind. Let's do the right thing. Fix the past. Prevent future damage. Your trul , - CASA DE ORO HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES, Jwie 14, 2008 „ A meeting of the -Board of Directors ("Board'_') of.the Casa De..Oro (CDO)- Homeowners' Association ("HOA") was held on June 14, 2008 at 9:00 a:m. in the association clubhouse. A quorum of,directors was present and business was conducted as documented and described herein. " DIRECTORS.PRESENT: David Estes President Brian Johnson Vice President— Gean Nelson Treasurer Mark Lee Secretary Cindy Anderson Manager Toby Quezambra, director,has resigned his position and the board announced its intention to fall the vacancy created by his resignation replace him at a future date- CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order after proper notice duly given by President David Estes at 9:06 a.m. in the CDO Clubhouse. APPROVAL., OF MINUTES: Mr. Johnson moved to approve the March 8, 2008 Board meeting minutes. . The motion was seconded by Mr.Lee,and approved by all_directors present. TREASURER'S REPORT: Mr.Nelson and the Manager reviewed highlights of the March and April financial statements-with the Board. The Board then discussed the past due accounts,During the discussion,the Manager reported that the HOA has collected two past due accounts in the total amounts of$3820.57 and S 2954.55, respectively. MANAGER'S REPORT: The Manager reported to the Board of an ongoing dispute between tenants at two separate CDO units over a screeching bird. She further reported that the owner of the unit where the bird is located is presently working on correcting the.problem. The use of car covers was also discussed, and the Board decided to table any rule or regulation changes for a later date. The Board did request that the Manager enforce the ban on unsightly car covers,which the Board reiterated may not be weighted down or tied down with anything other than the original ties included with the manufactured ear cover. The Board also informed the Manager that a commercial,vehicle is parking in the common area,which is not allowed under- the HOA regulations- The Board then discussed placement of satellite dishes on units. The Manager reported that she would be meeting with the roofers.and would discuss uniform placement with them and report back to the Board. The Board instructed the Manager that until the Board decides on a uniform placement location,a homeowner may only place a dish in it private use courtyard, and the dish must remain unseen. OLD BUSINESS: A. Tree Trimming and Removal: The Board next discussed the tree trimmingjob and debris that were left behind during a recent weekend. The Board then instructed the Manager to pay the invoice, but inform the landscape company that such service is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the future. At the direction of the Board,the I Manager committed to prepare a chart showing all trees in back walkways and get bids for their possible removal. B- Fencing: After much discussion,the Board approved sending a ballot to owners asking them to vote on fencing alternatives. The Board directed the Manager to include the following alternative on the ballot: Replacement of the existing fences with block walls at a special assessment of$2400 per unit. The ballot would also state that if enough votes were not received for the block walls,the Board would then approve repair/replacement of the existing wood fences,replacement of the current wood posts with new steel posts and painting of the wood. The Board would then approve an assessment of up to 5%of the annual expenses of the HOA in accordance with the HOA's charter and bylaws. C- Pool Decking and Other Reserve Items: Repair of the pool decking wastabled until September following"receipt of the fencing ballot results and a new estimate of the problems with the pool at the north end of the clubhouse- The Manager was instructed to have any dangerous areas of the pool closed off for safety reasons. NEW BUSINESS: A. Past Due Assessments: The Board then discussed past due assessments and upon motion duly made and seconded approved late charges and interest on any past due special .. assessments. B- Audit Draft: The Board moved to accept Audit with the changes specified by the directors and subject to final approval from Mr. Lee. All approved. C. Palm Tree Trimming: The board moved to accept a bid for palm tree trimming at$26 per tree. All approved. D- Lien betters: The.Board moved to lien the units associated with-past due accounts# 82 and# 19 . All approved- CORRESPONDENCE: The Board reviewed the homeowner correspondence provided by the Manager. No action was required- HOME OWNE RS'.COM1NMNI'S:- General comments were made by the homeowners in attendance at the meeting about the following: Palm tree trimming and notice to homeowners prior to performance of the work,the recall assessment, fencing,pool decking, pool heating,licensed contractors,neighborhood meeting,newsletter,management report, form for tenant information and handicap parking. New homeowners introduced themselves. Additional comments were made concerning the missing parking sign, garage sales,homeowner's behavioral problems, non-conforming screens and architectural requests forms. 2