Image Up Advertising & Design

| Sun lakeS lifeStyleS | JanuaRy 2016 | 3 By George Moyer, SLCC HOA President FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK Welcome to the year 2016! Are you ready for all of the challenges and new adventures that await you? The Board has been working to address ongoing issues and prepare Sun Lakes to meet future concerns. The following is a brief review of one important current issue. In coming issues I will attempt to bring you up to date on other ones. During the past year three major issues dealing with water have had a tremendous impact on Sun Lakes. Initially it was the California drought that led to State mandated cutbacks in water usage and new landscape legislation affected us in many ways. We were forced to reduce our water consumption by 32 percent. Staff was directed to develop a plan and put it into action. At first we were very concerned about the affect this would have on our common areas and golf courses. However, we found that most common areas, although stressed, were maintaining their appearance. Additionally, the golf courses lost some of their turf in the rough areas, but the tees, fairways, and greens have remained in excellent shape. One very important side effect of the cut backs is the tremendous amount of money saved. It would appear that by the time we see year end numbers the association will have saved over $400,000. In addition to the mandated usage cuts the State passed a number of pieces of legislation dealing with landscape conversions and artificial turf. The Planning and Compliance Department along with the Master Architectural Committee worked tirelessly to adopt our rules and regulations to the new State requirements. Their recommendations have been approved by the Board and are now being used throughout the community. About mid-year the state passed another piece of legislation relating to the amount of Chromium 6 that was allowable in drinking water. The new State mandated maximum allowable level for Chromium 6 is 10 parts per billion. They passed this even though the national Environmental Protection Agency has a standard of 100 parts per billion. The city has 21 wells of which 7 are over the maximum acceptable level. The city has two wells that are over the limit within a short distance from Sun Lakes. To help them meet their 32 percent mandated reduction in the use of potable water they designated these two wells as non-potable and diverted all of their production to irrigate our golf courses. This was a win for the city and the community. Up until this happened a 55 acre turf conversion project was being developed to help reduce our consumption of water. This project was estimated to cost approximately 4 million dollars. Although some feel we should continue with the project, the use of non-potable water for the golf courses relieves the pressure of rushing it to completion. Finally, some time ago the city advised us that three of our meters had not been recording properly for several years, and therefore Sun Lakes owed them a significant sum for previously unbilled water usage. Based on the available data they estimated that we owed them $227,077.36. In addition, we were told that another meter had somehow been forgotten and gone unread for about 25 years. Prior to being elected to the City Council I was aware of the issue and took part in discussions relating to it. During those discussions I was told that over the time period in question City management sent staff out twice to inspect the meters and both times the report came back that they were working properly. Once I became a city council person as well as a Sun Lakes Board member, I immediately recused myself from both. I have not taken part in any discussions and/or decision making regarding this issue. Where are we with this matter? The city and Sun Lakes are in negotiations. One councilperson has publicly called for the city to immediately turn off Sun Lakes' water, but that is the extent of my knowledge of its current status. I can only assume that the city and Sun Lakes will come to some sort of agreement and the matter will be resolved. One previous councilman has tried to accuse the leadership of Sun Lakes for not charging enough in the assessment to cover the water costs. It is obvious that this person has little, if any, knowledge about building a budget for a community our size. If he did, he would know that our budgets are built on a reasonable expectation of what rates will be and our projected consumptions. The facts are, over the time period at issue the city raised water rates significantly. At the same time the Board initiated many programs to conserve water. These two situations skewed the numbers, therefore making it unapparent to the city or Sun Lakes' leadership that a problem existed. The bottom line is that the city's failing equipment created the problem and it was compounded by the inadequate inspections done by the city's metering staff. The Board and I want to wish everyone in Sun Lakes a healthy and happy New Year. Coffee with the exeCutive General ManaGer Have you had the opportunity to meet Jeremy Wilson, Executive General Manager? This is your chance! Please join us for coffee on Thurs., Jan. 14, at 9 am in the Main Clubhouse Multipurpose Room. This month our topic of discussion will be the election process. Please RSVP by 5 pm Tues., Jan. 12, to the Main Clubhouse receptionist either in person or by calling 845-2191.

• Cover