Seabridge Beer!

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One of the great things about living in Southern California is that we have just about everything possible within reach - from Ethiopian restaurants to glow bowling, and just about everything in between.

One neat and unique place is located right here in Huntington Beach. It's Brewbakers brew-on-premises pub, where you can choose from 80 different recipes and brew a batch of your own beer in about 2 hours. 2 weeks later, it's available for you to bottle and enjoy.

A few weeks ago, a group of Seabridge neighbors decided to give it a shot, and I have to say, the results were impressive. Moreover, it provided a terrific venue for socializing and catching up with neighbors. You don't even need to brew something - they have plenty of house-brewed beers there, and fresh bread and pizza. Kids can make pretzels and rootbeer.

The process is easy: we started with a vat of heated water, and added our grain. It steeped for a while like a big teabag. We then boiled the resulting liquid and added our malts. A little while later, the hops and other flavorings went in, and finally the yeast. Then we sent it into a large keg, where it fermented for 2 weeks. As if we needed another excuse for a party, many of us returned while 2 dedicated souls bottled each of the 72 bottles as the rest of the folk enjoyed each other's company (and the beer itself!)

If you're interested in sampling the results, just let me know.

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More Communication

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Long-time readers know that one of the goals of this blog is to increase awareness of topics that affect residents and build community through communication. I was excited to learn that homeowner Fernando Scalini has created another channel of communication through a list server. As with this blog, it's not an official forum provided by the board, but more of an informal way for homeowners to share information. We truly live in a great place, and I've found that getting to know my neighbors better has created the path to some wonderful friendships. Communication helps build that community.

To get added to the list, you can begin by going to this website. It contains all the information you need to get started. Thanks Fernando!

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Info from the Condo Guru

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From time to time, I like to check out the website of Beth Grimm, the "California Condo Guru". There are many HOA law firms that put out newsletters on matters that might interest HOA board members and residents, but I think Beth is one of the better writers. She covers important topics in clear language that most of us can understand.

I just caught up on the past few months' worth of articles, and there are some good ones to share with you:

• Earthquake Country

• How Should an Architectural Review "Appeals" Process Work?

• Setting the Record Straight on Homeowner Forum"

• Parking in the Garage, What is So Misunderstood About That?

Clearly this is not one-stop shopping for all you need to know about community association living, and there are many different perspectives on the topics. But it's a good way to get familiar with some important topics, the associated issues, and how others have handled them.

I wasn't at the board meeting last week, but some of the reports I heard about open forum are prompting me to share my own understanding of the law with readers: Each member of the association has a right to address the board for a reasonable amount of time in each open meeting. The board is not under an obligation to engage in dialogue with you, especially if the topic you are speaking on is not covered by the agenda. But you have the right to speak on a topic whether or not it will be covered in a future meeting, and you have the right to do it, uninterrupted. I believe the general period the board has used is 3 minutes. An agenda is a tool for guiding the meeting but shouldn't provide hard stops if people wish to speak in a respectful manner.

As I've said before, I think a good way to communicate opinions is to inform the board in writing first so they are prepared, but sometimes the forum is the only opportunity residents have to speak up and hear the opinions of others. You and the board should understand what you as homeowners are entitled to - but also realize that the meeting does not provide a limitless soapbox for people to talk with the board throughout the meeting. Once open forum is over, members in the audience become spectators unless requested to speak by the board.

Special CC&R Meeting April 3rd

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I received the following information from board member BarbraSue Miller, and she asked that I share it with readers of The Bridge. Please note that the date has been shifted from the date originally announced (April 3rd instead of April 1st). I have a few thoughts to share later.

From BarbraSue:

We are having a special meeting with the Attorney present to answer questions, clarification & concerns regarding the proposed changes to the CC&R's. At the meeting, April 1st was scheduled date. I sent that off to the blog for interested readers (pending your approval; however, there was a conflict with other business.

So the meeting is scheduled for April 3, 7 PM

As previously mentioned, appropriate protocol for posting meetings is being followed. This special meeting announcement will be posted at the clubhouse and sent out to the HOA in the MAIL.

I was just trying to give the blog readers and other HOA members a heads up, so they may plan the schedules and try to come to the meeting & have their questions answered, learn more & have clarification on some of the proposed changes that are a concern for some of the home owners.

I appreciate the heads-up from BarbraSue - thanks!

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Next Regular Board Meeting - Tuesday, March 18th

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Alas, the next board meeting falls a day late of St. Patrick's Day, but we'll still keep that theme for this post.

The meeting agenda has been posted in the clubhouse area for anyone interested in the planned discussion topics. Some of the ones I found interesting include:

• ARC Committee (there is a vacancy, and volunteers were requested in the last billing statement)

• Streets

• Governing Documents Proposed Changes

• Gate upgrades

• Removal of algae and mildew on the slanted roofs.

Seeing the agenda reminds me that I haven't taken Julian up yet on his request for suggestions regarding what to do with the roof cleaning. I share Dora's sentiments that the cleaning should be gentle, with minimal water and not high pressure, to avoid forcing any water under the metal and into homeowner units. Her point about considering this when looking at roof replacement also makes sense.

This meeting might also provide an opportunity to learn and discuss more about the proposed governing document changes. I'm sorry that I won't be able to attend this one and hope to hear news from it - does anyone want to play the role of "guest blogger" for this one? If so, let me know!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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Further Thoughts on Amended/Restated CC&Rs

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I'm undecided on how to vote on the CC&Rs and have shared most concerns with the board. Perhaps further information from them will help me decide one way or the other. While I generally like the revised maintenance provisions, I have a few questions regarding the impact they might have. And there are other provisions besides maintenance that I don't support.

One additional thought that has occurred to me is whether there is any foreseen cost impact that homeowners should consider in making a decision. As an example, when you think about California ballot propositions we're asked to vote on, any that could have a financial impact usually contain information from the legislative analyst regarding the anticipated fiscal impact. I'm not sure if that's the case here, but I wonder whether shifting the maintenance responsibilities has an impact on our operating budget or reserves, and whether analysis in any form, even rough, has been perfomed. That would be helpful information in understanding the impact of my "yes" or "no" vote.

Anyway, you have additional opportunity to address the board and/or hear what other homeowners might have to say in the open forum of the upcoming board meeting, Tuesday, March 18th at 7PM sharp.

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Proposed Amendment and Restating of CC&Rs

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Today most homeowners received a big packet in the mailbox. It contains a proposal to amend & restate our CC&Rs to address several key issues that have arisen in the almost 30 years our association has been in existence (yes, we were incorporated in June of 1978!).

I believe most homeowners will agree that our CC&Rs were outdated. They were written in the early days of community-association living in California and didn't benefit from the lessons other communities learned over time. Homeowners have tried to modify the documents in the past several years, but by actually getting a proposal mailed out to homeowners for a secret ballot vote, this board has made it farther than any other group in the past, and for that they are to be commended.

If you're a homeowner, I suggest we go to the homeowner-only section of the website to hear your comments.

UPDATE 3/9/08 7:45 AM. Please be sure to read Julian's comment below, including the link to more info and an electronic copy of the CC&Rs on the Seabridge website.

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Opportunity to Speak Up

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It's buried in the comments on the homeowner-only portion of the blog, so I want to highlight an opportunity being provided by association board president, Julian Solomons.

Julian has requested feedback on how best to maintain the appearance of the sloping roofs on the backs of the "B" units (off-water Tempe, Surprise). You can provide the feedback to julian@juliansolomons.com.

Please do share your ideas with him, as it's always helpful for the board to make decisions based on a variety of opinions and options and it's good of Julian to solicit the input.

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Get To Know Your "Spinning Triangle"

E-mail readers, click "Get To Know Your Spinning Triangle" title above.

This picture isn't quite how our water meters look, but it's close enough. Your water meter is located in the front of your unit, between the street and the building. You lift up a little plate, and when you wipe off all the muck, you'll see the dial. Note the little triangle. It should not be spinning when all the water in your house is off. If it is, you've got some investigation to do...

Registered users may click here to read the full story. If you're a homeowner but not registered, feel free to contact me for access.

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