Greetings from the Board – January 2023

Greetings from the Board
This month’s article is written by Gayle Lopez, President of the Vistoso Community Association (VCA).

Happy New Year Vistoso Community Association Members!

It is hard to believe that 2022 is already behind us. Looking back, the VCA board, committees, and staff members have accomplished a lot on behalf of our community. Below is a high-level summary of 2022 accomplishments grouped by the 4 focus areas established by the board.

1. Attention to Infrastructure – Portions of our community are approaching 30 years old and need attention. Covid related supply chain and labor shortages continued to slow the progress of infrastructure investments. Despite the challenge of finding willing, able, and qualified suppliers, the VCA was able to invest nearly $500,000 back into our community. Work completed in 2022 includes:

• erosion mitigation,
• drainage area renovation,
• painting common area walls and metal surfaces,
• new shade sails (5 parks),
• new park furniture, trash cans, BBQ grills (5 parks),
• asphalt replacement (7 parks),
• resurfaced playgrounds (2 parks),
• refurbish basketball court (1 park), and
• completed/received legal recommendations on how to clarify our Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs).

Other projects were initiated, but will continue into 2023:

• Rancho Vistoso Blvd. Street light repair/replacement,
• continued erosion/drainage mitigation,
• landscape granite replacement,
• asphalt projects,
• irrigation system replacement,
• monument refurbishment,
• water conservation, and
• continued discussions with the community about wants/needs – specifically as they apply to our CC&Rs. Our CC&Rs contain language that is obsolete, confusing, and no longer relevant. Updating them will require 75% approval by members.

2. Increased Transparency – This year more information was shared prior to board meetings so that members could come informed and prepared to participate in monthly meetings. We also held 11 Board Workshops since April 2022. These workshops are board meetings where specific topics are discussed in detail, but no decisions or votes are taken. Topics discussed include the budget, repair/replacement of street lights along Rancho Vistoso Blvd, upgrading and replacing park furniture, relocating the VCA office, new policies and/or procedures, etc. The meetings are open to the public and give members first hand insight to issues facing the board and where board members stand on the issues.

3. Inclusive Decision Making –The VCA board is here to serve its members.  We moved the “Homeowner Forum” portion of the board meeting up closer to the beginning of the agenda, so that board members can hear from members of our community before any decisions are made.  Also, established clearly defined policies and procedures to help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of decision making. The following policies and procedures were established by the board with input from committee and community members in 2022: Procurement Policy, Project Funding Process, Yard Sales & Estate Sales Policy, and Process for Determining Other Than Single Family Resident Designation. Policies can be viewed on the VCA website by clicking here.

4. Create a Sense of Community – Definition:  A feeling that members have of belonging, that members matter to one another, and they share a faith that members’ needs will be met through commitments of other members.  Some of the places I lived had that “sense of community” and other places not.  I find places that do, are more enjoyable places to live and I want to do my part in helping building a sense of community in Rancho Vistoso.  In 2022, we were able to hold 2 community events – “Spring Into Summer Community Event” on April 30^th and “Moore Loop Park Dedication and Naming Contest” on November 12^th.  In addition, we held our spring and fall yard sales.  Plan to bring back the popular spring and fall shredding events and add a photo contest, an open house at the new VCA office, and a Pet Parade in 2023.   Do you have any ideas on how to build a stronger sense of community? If so, please share them by emailing to – mailto:askvca@ranchovistosohoa.

A volunteer organization is only as strong as its volunteers. We have a great team of board members, committee members, and staff. Please join me is saying “Bravo!” to all those who took the time and made the commitment to help make Rancho Vistoso an even greater place to live in 2022.

Gayle Lopez, President

VCA Photo Contest

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Did You Know – January 2023

How well do you know where you live? 

1) What are the 4 areas the VCA board of directors focused on in 2022?

A. Water Conservation, Attention to Infrastructure, Relocating the VCA Office, Completing 2023 Budget
B. Attention to Infrastructure, Increased Transparency, Inclusive Decision Making, Building a Sense of Community
C. Fiscal Responsibility, Inclusive Decision Making, Building a Sense of Community, Updating Architectural & Landscaping Review Committee (ALRC) Guidelines
D. Repairing the street lights along Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Attention to Infrastructure, Relocating the VCA Office, Replacing Park Furniture and Shade Sails
E. None of the above

Answer – B is true – water conservation, fiscal responsibility, and completing an annual budget are important and ongoing responsibilities for the board. The VCA staff and community volunteers completed in 2022 or is in the process of completing the following: relocating the VCA office, updating Architectural & Landscaping Review Committee (ALRC) Guidelines, replaced park furniture and shade sails in 5 parks, and repairing the street lights along Rancho Vistoso Blvd.

2) What events are planned for 2023 to help build a sense of community in Rancho Vistoso?

A. Shredding events
B. Pet Parade
C. Photo Contest
D. Open house at new VCA office
E. All of the above

Answer – E – all of the above.

3) What actions did the VCA board of director take to promote inclusive decision making?

A. Moved the “Homeowner Forum” (where members of the community get to speak) up closer to the beginning of the board meeting.
B. Engaged committee members and homeowners when developing polices.
C. Increased the length members get to speak during the “Homeowner Forum” from 3 to 5 minutes.
D. Implemented on-line voting for elections.
E. All of the above.

Answer – A & B are true – members continue to have 3 minutes to speak during the “Homeowner Forum”. VCA elections have had an on-line voting option for several.

4) Why is the VCA holding a photo contest?

A. To identify talented photographers in the area.
B. To obtain photos to decorate the new VCA office.
C. To help build a sense of community in Rancho Vistoso.
D. Highlight the beauty of our community.
E. All of the above.

Answer – B, C, & D are true

5) Which of the following are true per the VCA Photo Contest Official Rules?

A. You must be a VCA member in good standing to enter the contest.
B. Each contestant can submit up to 5 photos.
C. You grant the VCA royalty-free use of the photos you submit.
D. AAA Landscaping is paying for the gift cards awarded to the winners.
E. By entering this contest you agree to sign up for the VCA Newsletter.

Answer – All are true.

Meet Debbie Deptula

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What’s Happening in January Around Rancho Vistoso?

Looking for something fun to do in January?  Here is a list of 65 possibilities.

There are 55 new restaurants and bars in Tucson that opened in 2022.  Check out these new places to eat and drink.

Check out what Oro Valley has going on.  Events and Meetings Calendar – Oro Valley | it’s in our nature (orovalleyaz.gov).

To find out what’s up in the greater Tucson area – https://thisistucson.com/.