Minutes, Regular Meeting
These are excerpts from the board meeting minutes of a homeowners’ association in a subdivision outside Mesa, Arizona, posted to a community site by a former resident. The resident’s note said only, “I moved in March. Read them in order.” Routine items have been trimmed. Names are as in the original.
PALOMA VISTA ESTATES, PHASE II — HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors — April 9
Present: Doug Faraday (President), Annette Ruiz (Vice President), Carl Ng (Treasurer), Lorene Babcock (Secretary). 14 homeowners in attendance.
Called to order 7:02 p.m. at the clubhouse.
Old business. Pool hours remain 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Basketball hoop at 12 Paloverde: owner has been given 30 days to move hoop off the sidewalk.
Homeowner comments. Mr. Kessler (31 Mesquite Ct.) reported that a foundation slab has been poured at the end of Mesquite Court, on the open lot past number 45. Mr. Kessler asked who had approved construction. President Faraday stated there is no lot past number 45; Mesquite Court ends at 45 per the plat, and the area beyond is common-area desert landscaping. Mr. Kessler stated there is a slab there now. Several residents of Mesquite Ct. confirmed.
Mr. Ng to contact the developer.
Adjourned 8:15 p.m.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting — May 14
Present: full board. 22 homeowners in attendance.
Treasurer’s report. Mr. Ng reported that the developer, Ocotillo Development Group, has confirmed in writing that Phase II contains 46 lots, numbered 1 through 46, and that no construction permit has been issued for any additional lot. The county has also confirmed. The county inspector visited on May 2 and reported that he found the slab “clean and level, properly cured,” with plumbing stubs in place, and that he “couldn’t find a single tire track or boot print.” He has opened a file.
Homeowner comments. Mr. Kessler reported that framing went up on the slab sometime during the night of May 6. Mrs. Ostrowski (33 Mesquite Ct.) stated that she sleeps lightly and heard no construction noise. Mrs. Kessler stated that she was awake until 2 a.m. that night watching the lot from her window, as she had been concerned, and that at some point she “must have blinked.”
Vice President Ruiz moved that the Association send a violation notice to the owner of the structure. Mr. Ng asked to whom the notice should be addressed. Discussion. Motion tabled.
Ms. Babcock noted for the minutes that the structure has an address number on it already. It is painted on the curb in the style the developer uses. It reads 47.
Adjourned 9:02 p.m.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting — June 11
Present: full board. 39 homeowners in attendance. Meeting moved to the larger room.
Architectural Review Committee. The ARC reviewed photographs of the structure at 47 Mesquite Court. Roof trusses, sheathing, and stucco were added between late May and early June. Windows were installed the week of June 2. The ARC notes that the color scheme (Desert Sand body, Adobe trim) is from the approved palette and that the structure otherwise conforms to Association standards. Motion by ARC chair that the Association has no architectural objection. Seconded. Passed 3–1 (Ruiz opposed).
Homeowner comments. Many. Summarized below.
Mrs. Ostrowski stated that she had gone over to the lot on June 4 at 1 p.m. in full daylight to look in the windows. She stated that the interior is finished. Carpet, light fixtures, cabinets. She stated there is a calendar on the kitchen wall turned to the correct month.
Mr. Pham (40 Mesquite Ct.) stated that his dog will not walk past number 45.
Mr. Kessler stated that he had tried the front door and that it was locked, and that while his hand was on the handle he heard someone inside walk across the floor and stop on the other side of the door. He did not knock. He requested that this be entered into the minutes. It has been.
Mrs. Kessler requested that the board call the police. President Faraday stated that the police had been called on three occasions in May and that on each occasion they found the structure locked, empty, and “not in any database.” The police have advised that it is a civil matter.
Adjourned 9:48 p.m. Mrs. Kessler left at 9:30 in tears.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting — July 9
Present: Faraday, Ng, Babcock. Vice President Ruiz absent (see below). 31 homeowners in attendance.
President’s report. President Faraday reported that Vice President Ruiz has resigned from the board, effective immediately, and has listed her home. Her letter has been entered into the record. It reads in full: “I won’t sit in a room and vote about that house anymore. Find someone else.”
Homeowner comments. Mr. Pham reported that the lights at number 47 have been coming on at dusk, every evening since June 28, and going off at 10:30 p.m. Mrs. Ostrowski confirmed. She stated that the blinds in the front room are now closed. She stated that on July 4 she saw a figure in the front room, through a gap in the blinds, sitting in a chair facing the window, and that it “didn’t do anything, just sat,” and that she hasn’t gone near since.
Mr. Kessler reported that a car is now parked in the driveway at number 47. It is a white sedan, recent model, clean. It has a temporary paper plate. Several homeowners have seen it. No one has seen it move.
Treasurer Ng reported, for informational purposes, that the Association received an HOA dues payment by mail on July 1 for 47 Mesquite Court, by personal check, for the correct amount, signed in a name he could not read. The check cleared.
Discussion followed regarding whether the Association should return the payment. Mr. Ng stated that the payment had already been deposited. President Faraday asked whether it would be “rude” to return it. Several homeowners laughed. Several did not.
Adjourned 8:51 p.m.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting — August 13
Present: Faraday, Ng, Babcock. 18 homeowners in attendance.
Old business. Basketball hoop at 12 Paloverde has been removed.
New business. Secretary Babcock reported that a resident of 47 Mesquite Court has submitted, through the Association’s online portal, a form requesting a pool key and a clubhouse key, and a nomination form for the vacant seat on the board.
Discussion. Mr. Ng stated that under the bylaws any homeowner in good standing may run for the board. Mr. Kessler asked the board to define “homeowner.” Mr. Ng stated that the dues for number 47 are paid through December.
Mrs. Kessler stated that she wanted to note for the record that the Kesslers, the Ostrowskis and the Phams have all listed their homes, and that the real estate agent for the Phams told them that buyers are reluctant because of “the end of the street.”
President Faraday asked who had seen the resident of number 47 in person. Nobody had, clearly. Mr. Pham said he had seen “someone” walking at night on the sidewalk outside his house at 2 a.m., up toward the entrance to the subdivision, and back, slowly, three nights in a row. He said they walked “like someone who’s new and wants to learn the neighborhood.”
Motion by Mr. Ng to issue the keys. Seconded by Faraday. Passed 2–1 (Babcock opposed).
Adjourned 8:40 p.m.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting — September 10
Present: Faraday, Ng, Babcock, and the new Director-at-Large (see below). 6 homeowners in attendance.
The election for the vacant seat was held by mail. One candidate was nominated. The resident of 47 Mesquite Court was elected unopposed, 44 votes to 0, with 2 abstentions (Kessler, Pham). Ms. Babcock notes for the minutes that 44 homeowners voted, which is more than had voted in any election since the Association was founded.
The new Director attended the meeting. Ms. Babcock notes that she is unable to describe the new Director for the minutes. She has tried several times.
The new Director moved that the Association extend pool hours to 2 a.m. Seconded by Faraday. Passed.
The new Director moved that the Association amend the plat to add Lot 47. Seconded by Ng. Passed.
The new Director moved that the Association approve construction on Lot 48. Ms. Babcock asked where Lot 48 was. The new Director indicated the common area past number 47. Seconded by Faraday. Passed 3–1.
Adjourned 9:14 p.m.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting — October 8
Present: Faraday, Ng, Director-at-Large, Secretary (see below). 0 homeowners in attendance.
The Secretary notes that Lorene Babcock has resigned as Secretary and moved out of state. Her letter is not entered into the record, at the request of the board.
The new Secretary is the resident of 48 Mesquite Court. The house was completed on September 29.
The Secretary notes that slabs have been poured at 49, 50, 51 and 52. Clean and level, properly cured.
The Secretary notes that the Kesslers and the Ostrowskis have accepted offers on their homes. The buyers have paid in full, by personal check.
The Secretary notes that the lights on Mesquite Court now come on at dusk in every house, and go off at 10:30.
The Board thanks the outgoing members for their service and welcomes all new residents of Paloma Vista Estates, Phase II, and those who will be joining us soon.
Next meeting to be held at 47 Mesquite Court, at 2 a.m. All homeowners are expected to attend.
Adjourned.