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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2025 27 Landscape Committee As the seasons change and we find ourselves already in September, we want to take the opportunity to respond to the survey feedback received this past February. Thank you to the few people who took the time to share your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. We reviewed each comment. Below, we address the most common topics and clarify our ongoing efforts. The idea of establishing a community garden remains a popular and recurring request. We appreciate the enthusiasm from residents, and we have discussed this with both the Garden Club and the Community Planning Committee. Unfortunately, we have yet to identify a suitable location for such a garden. Concerns about the long-term upkeep of a shared garden space continue to exist. It is important to note that ongoing maintenance of a community garden falls outside the current responsibilities of the Landscape Committee. We remain open to future solutions and encourage community input as we continue our search for a feasible approach. We take fire safety concerns seriously. Dead wood and bushes are removed on a monthly rotation by our landscaping partner, Park West. This process is systematic and ongoing. Please note, however, that the Conservancy area is not under the jurisdiction of our HOA and is not included in this maintenance schedule. Also, note that the Fire Marshall has reviewed our landscaping along with the fuel mod, and to date, we don't have any suggested remediation. One resident expressed concerns about overgrown oak trees obstructing views. It's important to clarify that there are no designated view lots within our community. Oak trees and other large plantings are managed with the health of the trees and the broader landscape in mind. Front yard plant maintenance is also performed on a monthly rotation. Our approach is to trim for the health and longevity of each plant, with careful consideration of seasonal requirements and overall appearance. This means individual trimming requests are not possible, as our priority is to maintain the vibrancy and long- term health of the plantings community-wide. Park West has been advised to exercise extra care when trimming plants near homes to avoid damage to stucco surfaces. We appreciate your feedback on this matter and will continue to monitor this aspect closely. We have heard your requests for improved landscaping in the Springdales. Our first step is the removal of aged rosemary, which is underway in various areas. Regarding the suggestion for better lighting in the Springdales, we must clarify that lighting installation does not fall within the scope of the Landscape Committee. There were a few comments about the maintenance of Trail F. Please be advised that Trail F is permanently closed and has been blocked off with chains to prevent access. No further landscaping maintenance is scheduled for this area. A few people have asked for more seasonal color in public spaces. We do incorporate seasonal color at The Lodge, and these displays are changed throughout the year. However, to keep HOA costs manageable for everyone, we do not provide seasonal color plantings throughout the broader community. We recognize that newer areas may appear less established. Many of these spaces have already received attention and continue to be assessed as part of our rotational schedule. Please remember that our water-wise plantings require time to fully mature and thrive. Patience during this period will result in more sustainable and attractive landscaping for all. In closing, we want to reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a beautiful landscape that enhances the quality of life for all residents. As we face a warming climate and rising watering costs, our goal remains to balance visual appeal with fiscal responsibility. We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we strive to care for our community's landscape while keeping HOA costs as low as possible. Thank you for your investment in the ongoing beauty and sustainability of our shared spaces. ~ Brenda Steckler, brendasteckler@gmail.com Finance Committee A survey was recently sent out to give homeowners an opportunity to express their concerns and opinions about our community. It included several comments about our finances. We have reviewed the responses and appreciate your interest as we work to keep our community financially secure. The financial statements for June 2025 were reviewed and recommended for Board approval. In addition, the committee reviewed expenditure proposals for various recommended projects in the community. We also reviewed investment recommendations to move maturing investments to higher yield FDIC-insured instruments. Highlights of the June financial statements are: Total Cash is $11,646,656 including operating cash funds of $2,252,830 (checking and CDs) and reserve account funds of $9,390,018 and reconstruction funds of $3,808. Our total year-to-date current income is $100,293. Homeowners are welcome to join us at the Finance Committee's regularly scheduled monthly meetings held on the last Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 1 pm. The Finance Committee reviews and discusses many issues that you may have questions about. Residents are welcome to attend one of our meetings to become more familiar with our finances. At the beginning of each meeting, we allow three minutes per homeowner not to exceed 30 minutes in total for comments. Our meetings are held in the RCN Conference Room. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Jolene Cooley joleneaudit@gmail.com. ~ Jolene Cooley

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