January 2023 Email Newsletter
Table of Contents
Greetings from the Board – January 2024
Matt Wood, VCA President
Center Pointe Neighborhood
Happy New Year Vistoso Community Association Members!
It is hard to believe that 2023 is already behind us. Looking back, the Vistoso Community Association (VCA) board, committees, and staff members have accomplished a lot on behalf of our community. In last month’s Newsletter the Did You Know section listed many of these accomplishments. In 2024 your Board of Directors will be focused on continuing to improve erosion control in major washes within the association; upgrading common area monuments and irrigation; addressing the issue of parking enforcement along public roads within the association; assuring that new multi-family housing projects comply with association architectural and landscape guidelines; and deciding the future of street lighting along Rancho Vistoso Boulevard.
Rancho Vistoso Boulevard (RVB) Roadway Lighting
As I have mentioned in September 2023 VCA newsletter, the current 226 induction fluorescent street lights are failing and replacement parts are unavailable. The estimated cost to replace these lights is between $750,000 and maybe as much as $2 million while the cost to remove the lights is estimated to be around $250,000. The Board of Directors (BOD) needs to evaluate these options from a safety as well as a cost perspective. The Vistoso Community Association (VCA) BOD is considering evaluating the potential impact of removing these lights by turning them off for 10 days to 2 weeks as a demonstration project. We will notify the membership by email prior to this demonstration project. Once the lights are turned back on, we will evaluate the safety impact and poll our members to weigh in on whether we should invest in the replacement or removal of the lights.
2024 Board of Director Election Process
January 12th was the last day for volunteers to submit nomination applications for the open Board of Director (BOD) positions. Here are the key dates for seating new BOD members. Voting for new Board Members will be conducted between February 28, and March 22, 2024. Election results will be communicated at the Annual Membership Meeting on March 28, 2024 and the new board will be seated at that time.
2024 Committee Volunteers are Needed
While the Board of Directors make decisions on many issues affecting the association, much of the “heavy lifting” of the is performed by our seven Committees. These committees are:
• Annual Nominating and Election
• Architectural & Landscape Review
• Communications
• Compliance
• Financial Review
• Governing Documents
• Parks and Landscape
Each committee is staffed by knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers who contribute their expertise and time to supporting your Board and improving our Association.
I hope you will seriously consider Joining us! Click HERE to download an editable Volunteer Application form. After completing the form email it to [email protected].
Did You Know – January 2024
Randy Kohout
Secretary – Single Family Director Honey Bee Canyon Estates
This is what some current VCA Committee members say about the value of their volunteer experience:
“I enjoy volunteering to help resolve issues which affect the community as a whole.”
“Volunteering at the VCA provides me a connection to the community, work with great people, and make a contribution to our fantastic neighborhood!”
“Volunteering at VCA gives me the satisfaction of knowing I am making a meaningful contribution to our community”
“As a fairly new member to the VCA community, I recently joined two committees to offer my skills, interests, and support while also seeing it as a means to meet people in the community.”
“I enjoy being a productive member of my community. It is also gratifying to use financial and accounting skills developed during my career as a CFO.”
“I believe everyone (who has the time) should “take a turn” on their HOA’s board or on their Sub Association board. By volunteering, I have gained as much as I have given.”
Snapshot – January 2024
Barbara Daoust
General Manager
First Service Residential
In case you missed the December 2023 Board of Directors meeting, below is a “snapshot” of the General Manager’s report to the community. The entire report is in the December 2023 Board of Directors Meeting Packet – Click Here to download the PDF.
Ranch Vistoso Blvd. Streetlights
The board has requested an estimate from the Gordley Group to conduct a statistical valid survey on the streetlights located along Rancho Vistoso Blvd. Representatives of the board and manager will meet with the Town of Oro Valley to discuss this topic to see if they would want to join in since they have a similar issue with the lights in Sun City. This topic is on the December 7 agenda for board discussion.
Entryway Monuments
The Parks & Landscape Committee continues to work with AAA Landscape and BrightView to finalize the design to refurbish the entrance monuments located on RVB & Tangerine Rd and RVB & Oracle Rd. Detailed bids were submitted in November for review.
Capital Projects
- Irrigation – RFPs were sent out to repair approximately 2,100 linear feet of irrigation line along Innovation Drive between Rancho Vistoso Blvd. & Tangerine Rd. and about 2,300 linear feet on Desert Fairway Dr. between La Canada Dr. and Hidden Springs Dr. Proposals have been received from AAA Landscape, BrightView and Complete Landscape. The board will be discussing this project at the December 7th meeting.
- 2024 Projects– The board will be reviewing project coordination proposals for asphalt, concrete repairs, and tennis court repairs at the December meeting.
Erosion Projects
- Big View Ct. Channel – The association is waiting for the final sealed designs from WLB. Once received, bids will be solicited for this project.
- 27 Mile – AAA Landscape will be clearing vegetation from the drainage channel. Once this is completed WLB can finalize the design plans and Total Maintenance Erosion Control will be able to provide an updated proposal to repair the channel.
- Bridal Veil – The survey should be available the week of November 27, 2023.
Builder Transitions
- The Town of Oro Valley is still holding the Pulte bond for the west side of Moore Loop Road near the Valley Vista neighborhood.
- Pulte is working with the Town of Oro Valley on the punch list items for the Valley Vista neighborhood. The Town of Oro Valley still holds this bond.
- A final inspection of Moore Loop Park was conducted with Mattamy Homes. Representatives of the Town of Oro Valley, Mattamy Homes, AAA Landscape, VCA Board, Parks and Landscape Committee, and FirstService Residential were present. The board will be discussing the acceptance of the common area from Mattamy Homes at the December 7th meeting. The Town of Oro Valley still holds the bond for this project.
2024 Budget
Assessment increase notices have been mailed to VCA members. The Siena budget reflects a $15.00 per quarter increase and the VCA budget reflects a $8.00 per quarter increase. The 2024 budgets were adopted by the board at the General Session meeting on Thursday, October 26, 2023. The increase takes effective January 1, 2024.
E-Statement Promotion
Congratulations to James Dillon, the winner of the E-Statement Promotion for the month of October. All members that elected to receive E-Statements will be entered into a drawing for the months of October, November and December to receive a $100 gift card. For more information on how to sign up for E-Statements please go to the association’s website https://ranchovistosohoa.com or contact the office either at [email protected] or call 520-354-2729.
2024 Elections
The Nomination & Election Committee has met to discuss the details of the 2024 election. The call for board candidates mailing will be going out shortly. You will be able to access the application packet on the association’s website. There will be three single -family seats (two 2-year terms until 2026 and one 1-year term until 2025) and one commercial seat (2-year term until 2026) available. Applications will be due by 5 PM on January 12, 2024. The committee will be introducing the slate of candidates at the board meeting scheduled on January 25, 2024.
Critter of the Month for January 2024
Our Critter of the Month is a Bobcat cub lounging in a tree.
Bobcats are shy and solitary. They can easily scale residential walls and can be found sunbathing or napping in residential yards. ~ Photo Courtesy of Shirl Lamonna of the neighborhood.
A Friendly Reminder Regarding Wildlife
We live in the beautiful Sonoran Desert and share our neighborhoods with the wildlife that has been here long before our homes. Coyotes, bobcats, javelinas, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and birds of prey can pose a danger to humans and their pets. We must be aware of our surroundings and avoid confronting these animals. Maintain your distance and do not behave in a threatening manner.
If you encounter a rattlesnake, please call 911 immediately to have it removed. Also, do not feed or supply water to wild animals since they may become more brazen.
SAACA 2024 EVENT & FESTIVAL CALENDAR
- January 13th – SAHUARITA ART ON THE LAKE FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH IMMERSIVE ARTS EXPERIENCES, INSTALLATIONS & PERFORMANCES
- January 20th – SAVOR FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL RETURNS TO THE BOTANICAL GARDENS
- January 24th – CELEBRATE THE TOWN OF ORO VALLEY’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW ROCHE GALLERY EXHIBIT “ART IN ORO VALLEY”
- January 27-28th – THE LA ENCANTADA FINE ART FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR A WINTER CELEBRATION OF FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS
- February 10th – THE CRUISE, BBQ & BLUES FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PERFORMERS, LOCAL BBQ & CLASSIC CARS
- February 24-25th – DEVOUR CULINARY CLASSIC BRINGS PHOENIX’S BEST TO DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
CLICK HERE to see the full list of events.
OV Path Forward
The path to Oro Valley’s future starts here!
Now available! Learn about and discuss traffic, bicycle and pedestrian mobility, and public safety on OVPathForward.com
In comparison to other similarly sized towns, is OV traffic light, just right, or congested? Where are bicycle improvements needed? What should be OV’s highest priority to keep the community safe?
These are just a few of the questions the community is being asked on OVPathForward.com. OV’s Path Forward is a 10-year plan that will reflect the community’s vision and goals. Everyone’s voice is needed to shape OV’s future.
AAA Landscape – Tips and Tricks for January 2024
Click Here to Download the AAA Flyer
01-88670-AAA-Flyer-Jan