JANUARY 2019 NEWS LETTER FEBRUARY 2019

Maintenance

Northwood Hills entered into an agreement with Kenn Carrier who began doing general maintenance required by the Association. Like Rob Bettig, our previous worker, Kenn is an independent contractor and does not have regular hours. Kenn is handling general maintenance requests as needed by the Association and its owners. He is available to residents at the same rate as Rob; $25 per hour (1/2-hour minimum).

Kenn has been engaged to handle maintenance and snow removal as needed since December 1, 2018.        He will also be responsible for maintaining the pool during the summer. Kenn has a variety of skill sets that we were not able to offer before. 

Although we have not had significant snow fall until recently, we have been applying lots of salt due to the icy conditions. We still advise you to walk cautiously on the sidewalks and parking lot and to watch out for “black ice”. Be extra careful when walking between cars as we cannot always get good coverage in those areas. We have salt buckets in the entries for times when it is necessary. Please use the salt prudently. Use the scoops and do not dump the entire bucket out at one time.

Parking

Please do not park your vehicles over the curbs. It prohibits the tractor/snow blower from being able to access or pass thru the sidewalks. Do not park in front of ramps located in front of Buildings 3280 & 3406. We need to provide wheel chair access to those who need it to gain access for the tractor, both on and off the sidewalks. The ramps between buildings 3344 & 3350 is for the snow plow service to push snow out of the parking lot area. Please leave that area open as well. To keep the sidewalks clear, we need everyone’s cooperation.

Please remember not to leave your car parked in one spot along the curbs for more than 48 hours. Our plow service cannot keep the curb spots clear if cars are stationary for long periods of time. The Association reserves the right to remove vehicles from the property at owner’s expense for those who do not pay attention.

Trash

We have been over budget with Waste Management on multiple occasions. Whenever the dumpsters are overflowing to the extent the lids do not totally close we will be penalized $90.00 (a reduction from $120.00 in 2018). Residents are still not breaking down their boxes. Furniture, mattresses and appliances cost us an additional $90.00 each to remove, whether in or out of the dumpsters. We have exchanged two 6-yard dumpsters for two 8-yard dumpsters to avoid penalties. We were able to do without extra cost by entering into a new 3- year contract with Waste Management. Please notify the office if and when you see people placing or throwing appliances and furniture n or around the dumpsters. The extra fees affect all of us.

Comcast

Northwood Hills has agreed to extend its service contract with Comcast from the remaining 3-year term and an additional 2 years (5 years total). As a result, residents will no longer be charged $10 for high definition service. For those who currently have the service, the charge will soon disappear from your bill. New subscribers to HD, will receive free hook-up from Comcast if you subscribe in the first 90 days.

Laundry

Our contract with Wash Laundry has expired. The Association looked at the possibility of purchasing its own equipment. However, the cost of equipment along with servicing and collection was too expensive and too risky. We negotiated with Gerrit’s, a local company, and Wash a Los Angeles based company having a local service department, to continue a lease program. Both companies required a 10-year lease term. In addition, Gerrit’s required $1.25 per load and coin only machine for a 50/50 split of gross income. WASH agreed to 50/50 leaving the card and app. reader in place. Under the WASH agreement, Northwood will receive all new washing machines immediately and all new dryers in 3 years; still at $1.00 per load.

HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL WINTER PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY

Property Surveillance

On a number of occasions, Northwood Hills has experienced individuals climbing our pool fence at late night hours. We risk having someone get injured or doing damage to the pool, hot-tub or pool furniture.

The Association has determined it a good option to install a video surveillance system. It has a recording device which allows us to share descriptions with the neighboring properties, the sheriff department and other residents (if necessary).

The system will also allow us to view the parking lot and the front entrance to the property. Management will now have the ability to electronically monitor snowfall in the winter and any other unwanted activity occurring on the property.

Rule Change

At the recent board meeting a rule change was implemented.

To make the curb space more accessible to the snow plow service the board passed the following:

. In the event a vehicle has remained stationary in the same parking space for 48 or more consecutive hours, the Association reserves the right to fine an owner $50.00; or to have the vehicle removed from the property at the owner's expense.

Please cooperate to make life easier not only for the snowplow service, but for residents around you who suffer from limited parking as a result.

Laundry Room Policy

Laundry room usage is for owners only. They are not for use by friends or family members not living on the property.

Please be courteous in your use of the washers and dryers. Wipe down the equipment when you are done, put all containers and other used laundry supplies in the trash and clean the lint out of the dryer.

The courtesy you extend to others should be reciprocal. "Do unto others".

                                                                                                            

Trash In Hallways and on Decks

Please do not leave trash bags or open trash in the hallways or on the decks, even for short periods of time. With eighty degree temperatures and high humidity, the smell is putrid and leakage can penetrate through the decks onto neighbors below, or worse, into the hallway carpeting where the smell can linger for days.

Please be courteous to those around you and take your trash out as you bag it.