Board Meeting Highlights & Activities

September 30, 2021

VCA Common Areas – Water Conservation Measures

The Board implemented several water conservation measures to respond to the recent Town of Oro Valley amendment changes to the town’s water conservation code. The Board approved replacements of several dated irrigation controllers, and not over seeding several common areas to reduce water consumption. Along with these measures, a cost benefit analysis will be implemented immediately to monitor with meters the seasonal water consumption of VCA common areas, which could help reduce annual water costs.

Paper Shredding Event

The Board approved the continuation of a previous Rancho Vistoso community service to shred personal documents for residents. This event will take place Saturday November 13th at the VCA Onsite Office from 8:00am-12:00pm (or until the truck is full). The office is located at 945 W. Vistoso Highlands Drive Oro Valley, AZ. If you have any questions please call (520) 354-2729.

Park Ramada Reservation Program

The Board approved further details on reserving ramada space at Wildlife Ridge Park and Hohokam Park, managed by the Vistoso Community Association (VCA). The VCA Office will begin taking ramada reservations on October 11, 2021. Ramada reservations can be made within a 6-month period by Vistoso Community Association residents only.  A Reservation Request Form must be completed by the VCA resident to reserve the park ramada.  The reservation request form is available at the VCA office site location, 945 W Vistoso Highlands Drive, Oro Valley, AZ, or you may make a reservation online in the FirstService Resident Portal https://vistoso.connectresident.com/. You can also contact the office at 520 354-2729 to arrange pick up of the reservation form.

Pickleball Study

In response to the popularity of Pickleball and requests for pickleball courts, the Board approved the formation of a committee to study the costs of converting existing tennis/basketball courts versus building new pickleball courts in VCA common areas. Residents interested in volunteering to be on the Pickleball study committee are asked to contact the VCA site office at 520 354-2729 for details.

Update of VCA Compliance Violations

The cumulative total of CC&R violations in 2021 has exceeded 700+ within the Vistoso Community Association. The primary violations consist of continuous overnight street parking, marginal front yard landscape maintenance, string lighting, and leaving trash cans on the curb for an extended (days) period of time. The VCA Board encourages residents to be mindful of these violations and the fines related to these violations. These violations are preventable and ask residents to be respectful to the neighborhood they live in.

Fall Community Yard Sale

Fall Community Yard Sale

Saturday October 9th, 2021

7AM to 2PM

For More Information call the VCA Office (520) 354-2729

This will be an advertised event

Oro Valley Pavement Preservation Project

The Town’s Public Works Department has scheduled pavement preservation work on various sections within town limits beginning Oct. 4 through Nov. 5, 2021, weather permitting.  Pavement preservation extends the pavement life and is far less expensive than replacing the asphalt.

It is important to note a treated road section cannot be driven on for 24 hours after it’s finished. If a resident’s trash collection schedule is affected, an area just outside of the treatment zone will be provided to place trash receptacles for collection. The town asks that residents plan ahead, observe posted traffic signs and yield to construction workers in these areas. 

For more information or questions about the project, please call Civil Engineering Technician Walter Jackson at 520-940-1879.

The following areas are scheduled to be treated:

Somerset Canyon

• Oct. 25
  • West Moodie Drive
  • North Woosnam Way from West Lyle Lane to cul-de-sac
  • West Rodriguez Road
• Oct. 26
  • West Lyle Lane
  • North Woosnam Way from West Lyle Lane to West Faldo Drive
  • West Keuhne Court
  • North Singh Drive
  • West Doolan Drive
• Oct. 27
  • West Faldo Drive
  • North Player Place
  • North Woosnam Way from West Faldo Drive to cul-de-sac

Local Water Conservation Efforts

The statewide drought status has become a major item for both county and local communities, encouraging them to take steps to conserve water where possible. Some water conservation efforts may appear minor, but the cumulative effect within a planned area development could prove significant to address limiting water consumption requested by county and city authorities. To understand Arizona’s short and long term drought status, please click on the following link:https://new.azwater.gov/drought/drought-status. 

Read what the Town of Oro Valley and a well known commercial landscape company have implemented this year to help reduce water consumption. 

Oro Valley – Amended Water Conservation Code – Article 15-18

The Oro Valley Town Council amended this year its water code to respond to the drought conditions facing the State of Arizona. In a recent presentation to the Town Council, revealed that the ongoing statewide drought may eventually force the Tucson area to deal with declining water availability going forward. In anticipation of such an occurrence, Oro Valley proceeded to amend the Water Conservation Code (Article 15-18). The amended Declaration of Policy states: “It is hereby declared that, because of the water shortage conditions experienced in the Town of Oro Valley, the general welfare requires that all the water resources available to the Town be put to the maximum beneficial use to the extent to which they are capable, and that waste, excessive use, or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented, and that conservation of water be exercised in the interests of the Town of Oro Valley and for the public welfare.”

At this time, the Town of Oro Valley encourages its water users to conserve water voluntarily because of the arid conditions present in the area, and promote an existing (WaterSmart) program to encourage customers to minimize water usage and to utilize water more efficiently. The Town of Oro Valley provides both water audits that are free and offers technical assistance services to residents, HOAs, and commercial customers to help conserve water at their home or business. Water use is evaluated both indoors and outdoors. To learn more about the water conservation services click: https://www.orovalleyaz.gov/Government/Departments/Water-Utility/Water-Conservation, or call conservation at 520-229-5024.

Local Landscape Company – Water Conservation Effort

This year the AAA Landscape Company requested their Homeowner Associations and residential clients to consider not over seeding their turf areas primarily for the lack of rye grass seed availability, but also emphasizing water conservation benefitting the community as a whole.  In their request to clients, AAA stressed “that shifting the available water specifically towards maintaining healthy (summer) Bermuda alone is likely to become the new normal for our landscapes.” AAA also noted that clients might consider options like reducing their turf areas, using artificial turf or turf colorant applications, which means a significant reduction in water consumption with normal over seeding practices.

Did you know – Your Sub-Association has Board Election Procedures

As a Vistoso Community Association Member (VCA), you’ve very likely seen information online and/or in the mail about the VCA Board elections. The VCA has to follow step-by-step procedures to complete these elections. In addition to these elections, every sub-association also has board elections and election procedures that must be adhered to as outlined in the sub-association’s respective bylaws. Let’s take a look at some of the typical procedures the sub-association boards and members should be using and that you should be made aware of.

One important procedural requirement that is usually included in an association’s bylaws is the appointment of the nomination committee. Homeowner Associations (HOA) bylaws state that the Board is to appoint a nominating committee at least 45 days prior to the board election and it states who is to serve on the committee. In addition to the appointment of a nominating committee, your bylaws will probably indicate when the board will be elected (usually at the annual meeting of the membership), who may cast a ballot, who should count the ballots, how many board members will be elected and for what terms plus much more.
 
The important point of this message is that the VCA and every sub-association should follow its bylaws and carry out board elections as required by the association’s bylaws. If you’re a board member, review your bylaws to assure you’re following the proper procedures. If you’re a member of a sub-association, take a look at your bylaws and encourage your board to follow proper board election procedures if that has not taken place. Following these procedures in a completely transparent manner will go a long way to build trust in a board of directors and can encourage participation by the membership.