Que Paso?

Volume 36     News and Views of Our Los Paseos Association     November, 2003

Contact us at:

Clubhouse	224-9880
Fax	629-2313
E-Mail	[email protected]

Calendar

Wednesday, December 3	7:00 p.m.	Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, January 7	7:00 p.m.	Board of Directors Meeting

LPA Board Election and General Meeting

The Board of Directors for 2004 was elected on October 2. Please join us in welcoming back Del Coates in the position of President. Del and the other Board members look forward to working with members of the Association during the coming year, and invite your attendance and participation at the monthly Board meetings. A complete list of the new Board and Committee members is on the last page of the Que Paso.

Board Meeting Report-October 2, 2003

• Clubhouse rental-One is scheduled for October.
• Dues Arrears-There are currently 4 homes in the collection process.
• CC&Rs-Landscape violations and complaints were reviewed. Several violators have been reported to the city. Additional people have volunteered to be on the LPA Architectural Committee.
• The Alley-A meeting will be held on October 30th with Homeowners on Bernal Road and Avenida Rotella whose properties border the alley. A letter will be sent out to notify them and invite their participation.
• Insurance-The program has been prepared by Allwest Insurance Brokers and is ready for 2004.
• End of season pool closing-Employees will hold a clean-up day on October 5th to store all deck furniture and clean the grounds.
• Health inspection- The Department of Environmental Health made a site visit and inspection. The facility passed, but there were a few minor issues brought to our attention that that must be fixed.
• Maintenance-Todd Hall is getting door information.
• The election for 2004 was held.

Coach Don Johnson Honored

The US Tennis Association held a ceremony at the Los Paseos tennis courts to honor Don Johnson, who has taught tennis in the community for over 27 years. Dignitaries from the City of San Jose and the world of tennis were present to see Coach Johnson receive a plaque from Los Paseos Association Board President Del Coates. Del presented the plaque with the observation that Don Johnson "teaches more than tennis; he teaches character."

We are all honored to have a man with his level of dedication in our midst, and are pleased to see him receive recognition for his contribution.

Attention Contractors

Is there a contractor in the neighborhood who is interested in bidding on replacing the 2 sets of wood doors at the Clubhouse? They are in poor condition, and we would like to give the opportunity to do the work to a member.

Get the Word Out!

Are you a licensed General Contractor? A landscaper? A painter? An Avon, Creative Memories or Tupperware representative? A seamstress? We would like to be able offer a list of services provided by members of the community to our Association Members. Please call or e-mail Sharon LaRosa at the Clubhouse to get your name on our list.

Tree Maintenance

Fall and winter are the best times to take care of tree maintenance, as trees become dormant. Tree removal, crown reduction (topping) and trimming are big jobs, and require someone knowledgeable to do them properly and safely. Proper pruning will increase the health and appearance of your trees. Fruit trees, especially, need proper pruning to ensure fruit production.

The Association has used Hifer Tree Service in the past on the Clubhouse grounds. You may reach them at (408)820-0678.

Community Safety

Lately there has been a rash of mail theft in our area. This crime often increases around holiday time as packages are left on porches and more mail, both outgoing and incoming is left in postboxes. Stolen mail can lead to identity theft, a serious problem in our country today.

If possible, lock your mailbox. Also, neighbors should watch out for one another. If you observe anyone who seems to have an unhealthy interest in either your own or someone else's mailbox, call the police immediately.

There were a few juveniles taking mail from porches last spring-parents be sure your child knows that tampering with the mail is a federal offense.

The CC&Rs- Landscaping

When we all bought our homes, we received copies of the CC&Rs to sign off on, along with about 30 other forms. Most of us took that stack of paper, put it in a folder, and filed it away to read "later."

"Later" never seemed to come, and most of us couldn't lay our hands on a copy of the CC&Rs now if we had to. In the next few issues of the Que Paso, we will be reviewing portions of the document, and try to help homeowners understand it better.

The first section we're covering deals with landscaping.

Article VI Section C reads as follows:

"The vegetation and landscaping on any Lot shall be planted or maintained by the owner or resident in such a manner as to reduce the risk of fire, prevent or retard shifting or erosion of soils, encourage the growth of indigenous groundcover and to cause the proper diversion of water into streets and natural drainage channels. No improvement, including without limitation, fences, retaining walls, landscape or privacy structures shall be constructed, erected, or placed on any Lot without the prior approval of the Architectural Committee."

What does this mean to each of us? It means that yards containing high weeds or debris are in violation, as are those yards with no vegetation or groundcover to keep soil in place.

Further, it is not permitted to build a fence, porch, wall, or additional driveway without approval. Project forms are available from Sharon LaRosa. Call her at the Clubhouse to obtain one before you begin your work.

In addition to our own CC&Rs, on August 12, 2002, the City of San Jose adopted a Community Preservation Ordinance. You may call them at (408) 277-4528 and request a copy of the brochure "Landscaping Requirements for Residential Properties in San Jose."

What happens to those who fail to comply with the CC&Rs and the city ordinance? The LPA sends a courtesy notice to violators, giving a 15-day period to make any needed repair or maintenance. If no action is taken, the work may be ordered done by the city, and the homeowner billed for it.

This is a good time to take a few minutes to walk around your property and see if any repairs are needed. The high winds that often accompany winter storms can damage or destroy fences in a state of disrepair. Better to fix them in the daylight on a dry day that on a dark, rainy night. Autumn is also an excellent time in our climate to plant lawns and many groundcovers and shrubs.

Alley Homeowners Meeting

The Board of directors held a meeting on October 30 with those homeowners whose properties abut the alley between Bernal Road and Avenida Rotella.

The homeowners' concerns are: garbage cans are not taken in, refuse is strewn in the alley, mattresses and furniture are discarded, cars are abandoned, street lights are out, and residents are unable to drive down the alley due to blockages.

Currently, the alley is owned by those residents whose homes back up to it, and they are responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. In order to have the city take control of it, the entire community facilities district (approximately 1,500 homes) would have to vote that they be assessed additional funds to cover alley expenses. It was decided that this would be unlikely to pass, if put to a vote.

Possible solutions were discussed

1. The city is not responsible for lights. Buying motion detectors was discussed. Del Coates will work with the city and PG&E regarding lighting and alley safety.
2. Homeowners are investigating signs to be posted in the alley, regarding dumping and abandoned cars, indicating that it is private property.
3. Matt Mayo from Forrest Williams' office will have the city code enforcement department contact the Association to provide clear information about what the city can do with regard to enforcing private property issues, CC&Rs, and vehicle abatement.
4. One of the homeowners will walk the 2 streets and talk with neighbors about taking care of their properties.
5. They will schedule an alley clean up, with all neighbors participating.

The meeting ended with the neighbors recognizing that they need to work together on the alley's upkeep, and get to know and help one another. More meetings are planned in the future, with the Clubhouse available for them to use.

Help Wanted

Cynthia Durio, LPA homeowner and owner of the Postal Annex in the Albertson's center, is looking for a part time employee. She needs someone who can work daytime hours. If you're interested, stop by the shop to inquire about the position. Cynthia is a great asset to the Association. She handles all of our copy needs for the Que Paso and flyers.

Tennis Lessons

Coach Don Johnson's tennis lessons for children and teens continue year-round.

After School Junior Tennis	Monday and Wednesday	4-6 p.m.
Los Paseos Lobsters Junior Tennis	Saturday	9 a.m.-1 p.m.
High School Tennis Team Training	By Arrangement

Call Coach Johnson at (408) 971-0882 for more information.

Clubhouse Rentals

It's time to schedule holiday parties for your family and friends or for your company. Consider using the Los Paseos Clubhouse for your Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah parties. It's perfect for birthday and anniversary parties, family reunions, weddings, and showers, too. The location is convenient with plenty of parking. In addition, it's inexpensive, and well-equipped for your event. Use of the kitchen is included, and there are folding chairs and tables, as well as barbecue facilities. Call Sharon LaRosa at the office for available dates and cost.

Association Dues for 2004

Invoices for Los Paseos Association Dues for 2004 will be mailed after the first of the year. The amount of the dues for homeowners is $341.21. The cost for associate members is $463.05.

Los Paseos Association Board of Directors 2003

President	Del Coates
Vice President	Tim Nemeth
Treasurer	Jim Rodenborn
Secretary	Judy Moran
Member-at-Large	Todd Hall
Associate Member Rep	Jona Hamilton
Clubhouse Manager	Sharon LaRosa

Architectural Committee

Diane McGeachy	Jim Rodenborn
Bob Lombardi	Todd Hall
Rosemary Alvarez	Mario Zamora
John Harrop

Welcoming Committee

Melissa James	Eric Featherston
Jack Tang

Newsletter

Janice Faulstich

Past Issues of Que Paso

• February, 2003
• November, 2002
• September, 2002
• August, 2002
• June, 2002
• May, 2002
• April, 2002
• March, 2002
• February, 2002
• December, 2001