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The days are getting shorter. "And what is so rare as a day in June?" asked American poet James Russell Lowell in The Vision of Sir Launfal. "A day in October!" I answer, when the sky is bright and the air is crisp — those are perfect days! But now daylight savings time has ended (Nov. 1) and we will soon be plunged into late afternoon darkness. At least, that is, until Dec. 21 and the Winter Solstice. That day is to be celebrated by all optimists, for from then on, the days will be getting longer again! We are all hoping that those extended bursts of sunshine bring with them a return to something closely resembling our lives before February of 2020. As you receive this, we are on the eve of the most debated, divisive and demonizing Presidential election in any of our lifetimes. Dewey vs. Truman was stunning, and Nixon vs. Kennedy and Bush vs. Gore were cliffhangers, but none had the undiluted vitriol of 2020. So let us hope further that we can return to being able to talk with our children and our neighbors with love, mutual respect and a sincere desire to understand one another. I'm happy to report that your Board of Directors and staff have been as busy as bees! The Board met in executive session (via Zoom) on Mon., Oct. 5, to discuss legal matters and third-party contracts. • The Association was approached by the City of Oceanside regarding dry weather runoff at the urging of CalEPA, the California Environmental Protection Agency. Natural rainfall will flush the dirt and pollutants from our streets into Agua Hedionda Creek and ultimately the lagoon. In addition, seepage from natural springs, irrigation runoff from HOA property and individual resident runoff from irrigation, car washing, backflushing of water conditioners and pool equipment puts effluent into the lagoon. Our Villages and our Master HOAs recent efforts at relandscaping, and our pending renovation of the golf course irrigation and drainage system, address the responsibility of the various associations. The City's focus will turn to educating homeowners about excess watering, over- fertilizing and other practices that threaten the health of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, and the Master HOA will be working with the City to support its educational efforts. • The Board authorized further legal advice to clarify the responsibilities and authority of the Architectural Review Committee with respect to repairs and like-for-like replacements. It is important to our members and the hard-working members of ARC that it be clear what does and does not require review and approval. • The Board reviewed legal counsel's opinion regarding the recent request of the Village of Corfu related to solar installations and is continuing to work with ARC and Corfu on a satisfactory procedure. • The Board authorized a review by legal counsel of the impact of the signing into law of AB 3182 on our CC&Rs and our Rules and Regulations. • A request by the Audio-Visual Committee to replace its aging and failing broadcast cameras was approved for an amount not to exceed $68,700 to be paid from Clubhouse reserves. • We approved a process of sending out requests for proposal to multiple law firms to serve as legal counsel to the Association, including our current firm. The current representation agreement expires on Nov. 30. • The Board declined to waive a pre-lien fee for an account since the Association incurred the costs due to the homeowner's error. The Board also discussed another delinquent account which was addressed further in the Regular Meeting (see below). • Finally, the Board discussed disaster planning and its obligations and legal liabilities. During the Regular Meeting (via Zoom) of the Board on Thurs., Oct. 8: • Treasurer Eisenson addressed the potential impact on property values of the signing into law of AB 3182 restricting an HOA's ability to control rentals and the creation of Additional Dwelling Units (ADU's). And the Board: • Approved the Minutes of the meeting of Sept. 10, 2020. • Accepted the August 2020 Financial Reports • Approved anticipated fund transfers exceeding $10,000. • Recorded a Lien to secure a delinquency. • Adopted a proposed change to our Rules and Regulations regarding non-commercial signs, in particular those signs relating to an upcoming election. This proposed change has been distributed to all Members for review and comment, and those comments will be considered by the Board when it takes this issue up again at the Regular November Meeting on Nov. 12. • Approved a recommendation from the Community Services Committee to re-invite "Pop-up" food vendors to provide services. • Denied the appeal of a Member from an ARC decision. • Discussed a records retention policy and the issue of old archives in off-site storage. • Heard a presentation from a Member regarding the creation of a "gathering place" somewhere within our facilities. I would like to acknowledge the voluntary effort in our community to set up civil emergency response teams and create a disaster plan. The recent wildfires have been particularly troubling even though our community has been untouched, and the threat of earthquakes is ever present. Also, there are threats of civil disturbances following the upcoming Presidential elections regardless of the election outcome. We are hopeful that such preparations are ultimately for nothing, but that is the nature of disaster preparedness. The HOA and its staff and contractors will be cooperating with SERT and its great volunteers in the coming weeks. | OHCC LIVING | NOVEMBER 2020 | 3 President's Message By Gregory Kusiak