Hi
Neighbors,
Happy Springtime!
Don’t know about anyone else, but I was glad to see the time change…
As part of the ongoing effort to keep everyone informed, I am offering this
update and have scheduled a ‘Town
Hall’ for 6:00 PM on April 29th.
JAMAICA VILLAGE EVENT
NOTIFICATIONS
Let’s start with a couple quick announcements:
• Kentucky Derby
Party (May 4th) – The only question is: How authentic do we
want to make it? Hat Contest? Best Mint Julep? Funny Money Derby
Wagers? All winners receive ‘Bragging Rights’ for the year and the
admiration of the neighborhood. Since Cinco de May is the next day, we’ll
even recognize Margaritas – real and virgin – as authentic Derby refreshments.
• Memorial Day
Village BBQ/“Block” Party (May 27th) – Let’s be honest. By
Monday, everyone is tired of traveling through the traffic. Might as well
stay home, hang out for a couple hours midafternoon with the ‘fun neighbors,’
throw something on the grill, and share a few laughs by the Clubhouse. Best
End-of-the 3-Day Weekend sunburn wins…
• Coronado
Lifeguards’ JV Beach Safety Event (June 15th) – Still
finalizing these plans, but as summer begins, thought it would be helpful if
Coronado Lifeguards offered a morning ‘beach and kayak/SUP safety’ seminar on
JV Beach, as well as an opportunity to speak about their Jr. Lifeguard
program.
Remember however, by that date the first session of the Jr. Lifeguard program
will be mostly full and it will likely be too late to take the required swim
test for that session. The second session may still have spots, but if your
family is interested, please consider signing up with Coronado Lifeguards as
soon as possible.
• Kayak/SUP Outing
(June 29th) – We’ll have a rack by May… Lord knows this Village
has kayaks and SUPs. Question is: Do we have folks who actually
know how to use them? Let’s find out on June 29th. How about a
Village paddle around the Cays? One hour: 10:00 AM start?
KAYAK RACK UPDATE
It’s here…almost…
Actually, the rack is ready for install, and was being installed, but evidently
someone called the City and raised a “permitting issue,” which I expect to
resolve by next week.
Anticipating the rack will be installed by mid to the end of the month (April),
would like to begin the ‘lottery’ process for securing space in the rack as
soon as possible. Homeownersinterested in securing rack space should email me at dirjamaica@cchoa.org . PLEASE INCLUDE:
• Your name
• Street address
• Email
• Telephone number, and
• Number of kayak or SUP spaces requested (max 2).
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 26th
POOL EQUIPMENT
CHANGEOVER - SALTWATER
The Village is getting healthier…
In general, saltwater pools offer a healthier swimming experience – better for
your eyes, skin, ears, lungs, and ‘internal systems’ when water is
inadvertently ingested. With approximately 10% the salt content of a
tear, the pool water will feel softer and be much healthier as the salt
generation system maintains balanced water chemistry levels without the need to
add chlorine powder/tablets and other chemicals directly to the pool.
Chlorine tablets will serve only as a backup in the event of a system failure so
that sanitized, clean water is guaranteed no matter what happens.
Simply put, salt is far safer than chlorine, not poisonous, corrosive, nor is
it a fire hazard. Jamaica Villagers deserve this improvement!
JV CLUBHOUSE BOOKINGS
& FACILITY USAGE
- Ø Booked Clubhouse Events and
Conflicting Uses – Over the past two months, the Village
has had two occasions when, on the day of long scheduled Clubhouse parties
– those that had been properly reserved, paid for, and booked well in
advance – other residents who had not done so nonetheless held large parties
at the same time, outside in the adjoining common/BBQ area. While no
formal complaints were filed, the outdoor parties improperly and
unnecessarily imposed on those who had scheduled use of Clubhouse
facilities, inside and out. If residents know they would like to use
Clubhouse amenities for a party – say a children’s birthday or other event
particularly where the date is known in advance – please contact the HOA
office to reserve the Clubhouse (even the outdoor BBQ area) so as to be
sure your intended use does not conflict with or impose upon another’s
reserved use.
Each of us is asked to make certain that we extend to our neighbors the
courtesy of planning ahead so that our parties do not overlap another’s
previously-scheduled event. Let’s be considerate and courteous as a
Village.Please keep in mind that should any conflict arise, or imposition
be perceived, the non-scheduled party/event will be asked to relocate
immediately from the common area.Additionally, have been informed by HOA
staff that inflatable jumpers are no longer permitted on common area
property in the Cays absent appropriate indemnity agreements from the
homeowner/resident hosting an event and from the equipment vendor.
This means homeowners need to plan such events in advance, and get those
documents done. Keep in mind that to avoid this requirement, others have
been holding parties and setting up jumpers in the city’s children’s park
located just a couple hundred yards to our North.
JV Ad Hoc
Committees
As previously noted, the Village formed seven ad hoc committees, each
having met several times and playing ongoing roles in helping to guide
Village decisions.
I cannot express well enough my appreciation for
their time and efforts. Thank you committee members! I do not know
what I would do without you.
A quick recap of some of the projects and issues they are working on…
• Capital Projects– This Committee has assisted in evaluating both scheduled maintenance/reserve
and new capital projects, as well as bid processes/efficiencies, pitfalls, and
contractor qualifications.
• Color Palette– Unbeknownst to many of us, a Village color palette had been selected last
year, which many felt was limited and inconsistent with the history and
character of our unique Village.
Given those concerns this Committee was formed to ensure that rather than a
single individual approving/deciding the propriety of house color requests –
whoever is the then serving Director – the Committee would serve as a resource,
offering Directors guidance and input on such requests based on a palette
reflecting a broader list of color goals and objectives.
Those goals include the ‘grandfathering’/approval of all existing colors, the
encouragement of coastal/beach colors as well as the original
Caribbean-influenced palette that made this Village the uniquely attractive
community upon which Cays living was launched!
• Clubhouse/Social/Events– One would think this an easy Committee to get started. Truth is, it’s
not. Event planning and coordination takes a lot of time. While the
schedule is coming around slower than I’d hoped, we are making progress and I
do believe it will be quite robust by year-end. Stay tuned…
• Docks– Let’s face it. Many, if not most, of us live in the Cays because
we share an affinity for the water, and boats. Over the years, the Dock
Committee has shepherded and protected management of what I believe is a vital
Village attribute and resource of the Village. However, the Committee’s
control over the docks has been limited, with the HOA asserting more management
over the past 10 years. We’re changing that.
The Committee’s efforts have revealed that while dock operations have generated
significant annual revenue for the Village, which helped to reduce our HOA
monthly dues, that transfer of revenue raises questions as to the proper
allocation of reserve revenue for future dock-related needs and
maintenance.
That is just one of several financial/reserve issues coming into greater focus.
• Finance –
Serving on the Finance Committee is often a thankless difficult task, not to
mention it can be time-consuming. Having neighbors willing to do so is a
blessing for all of us. I am grateful to them for serving on the
Committee.
Having now spent seven months reviewing countless versions of financial
statements, reserve assessments, budgets and draft budgets, all I can say is
I’m just about as confused as when I began doing so. Yes, numbers change
monthly, but there is more to it than that.
There is a growing angst about Reserve funding and reserve funding
philosophy. Not certain if that is the product of a learning curve unique
to the CCHOA’s financials or a systemic approach to underfunding reserve
commitments. Am confident the collective intellect of the Committee will
help the Village garner a clearer understanding of these issues and that we can
update everyone with more information at the Town Hall.
• Kayak Rack/Beach– What can I say? Good people who care greatly about making sure the
Village gets back its cherished racks. Thank you!
• Landscape –
Sometimes it’s good to point out the obvious. Landscaping in this Village
is a diverse collection of vegetation and trees that vary from street to
street, mall to mall.
Thematic it is not. Problematic it can be.
Fortunately, the Committee was reconstituted in the Fall and has begun to
reassert itself in working with HOA staff and the landscaper to establish a
landscaping identity rather than simply fill in missing plants from a menu of
plant options.
We are hoping to work with staff at Quail Gardens/SD Botanic Garden in
obtaining guidance as to better landscaping/vegetation options more consistent
with our location/micro-climate. It’s an ongoing process, and we will
make progress…
Do need to ask the neighborhood for some help with two landscaping-related
issues:
1. Landscaping staff has noted an increase in the amount of pet waste
being left in common areas. As a dog owner myself, I have to ask:
Really? Come on folks, we’re better than that. Please pick up after
your pets. Make sure that they are not let out on their own and that
those who have ‘walking’ duties understand that includes cleaning up after our
animal family members. Thank you.
2. For some reason, the Village seems to have an ongoing problem with foot
traffic through the planted area on the northern side of the Village
entrance/corner of Jamaica Village Road and Coronado Cays Blvd. Trampled
vegetation has been replaced only to be trampled again shortly afterward.
Rocks are regularly kicked onto the sidewalk. Broken sprinklers.
Trash/wrappers are left among the plants, and landscape lighting knocked down,
moved, or torn out.
Unsure why that is such a problem area but am hopeful that parents who spend
time there daily waiting for/with children riding the bus could observe/monitor
the area going forward and report any issues to me or the HOA.
I said it before and I’ll say it again: We are quite fortunate to live in a
unique and friendly community, Jamaica Village. I remain hopeful that
each one of us will find a bit more time this year to enjoy JV, to meet
neighbors, and to make friends.
Hope to see you at the Town Hall.
Drew J. Couto
Director (Interim) for Jamaica Village, Coronado Cays