October 2023 Email Newsletter
Table of Contents
2024 Assessment Dues Increase
2024 VCA ASSESSMENT DUES INCREASE
Rancho Vistoso remains one of the most desirable areas to live in Oro Valley. The Vistoso Community Association (VCA) Board of Directors is obligated to maintain this standard and adequately provide for the continued care of our community. After careful consideration, your Board has approved the budgets for the VCA Master Association and Siena neighborhood. The VCA Master Association will increase by $8.00 per quarter. The Siena neighborhood will increase by $15.00 per quarter to the benefitted parcel assessment beginning January 2024.
2024 Assessments
To view the 2024 Budget for the Siena and Master Association, click HERE. The Vistoso master association assessment will be $95 per quarter for residential owners and builders. The benefit parcel assessment for Siena will be $210 per quarter. Commercial owner assessments will increase by the relative percentage rate (9.2%).
Why The Increase
Currently, the master association’s reserve is 59% funded, which is rated as fair and the HOA’s risk of special assessment and deferred maintenance is currently medium. Association Reserves. the nationwide leader in reserve study preparation, conducted an onsite inspection of the master association’s assets this year and recommended keeping the current monthly contribution of $79,167. The allocation of $950,000 to the 2024 reserve fund will increase the reserve funding level to 60.6%. Per industry guidelines, funding above 70% reduces the risk of a special assessment. In 2024, the association plans to spend $1.2 million reserve dollars on irrigation systems, gravel replenishment, tennis courts, concrete repairs, drainage, play structures, asphalt sealing, and entryway monuments. These improvements will continue to add value and protect the community’s assets.
Greetings from the Board – November 2023
Dan Sturmon, VCA Vice President
Center Pointe Neighborhood
Susan Wood, Chair of the Parks and Landscape Committee, Center Pointe Neighborhood
Rancho Vistoso Parks
This month’s article is written by Dan Sturmon & Susan Wood. Dan is the Vistoso Community Association (VCA) Vice President and Architectural Landscape Review Committee (ALRC) Chair. Susan is Chair of the Parks and Landscape Committee, an ALRC subcommittee. They work together with members of their committees to support our residential and commercial members as well as all parks and common areas of the Vistoso Community Association.
In 2023, the Board of Directors, with guidance from the Parks and Landscape Committee, approved the replacement of damaged park furniture with durable attractive tables, benches, and trash cans. Also, park Sail Shades were replaced at Hohokam, Torreno West, and Wildlife Ridge parks. In 2023, the Committee worked to ensure repairs were completed to restore service to the Big Wash Park water fountain and conducted site tours of all park ramadas, resulting in a detailed report of needed repairs.
Fall has arrived in Rancho Vistoso, bringing cooler temperatures! It is the perfect time of the year for Vistoso Community members to get out and explore all your eleven private neighborhood parks. Two additional parks are within our boundaries, including Honey Bee Canyon and Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve which are managed by the Town of Oro Valley. Members are invited to picnic in the VCA parks, shoot some hoops, walk the dog, take a jog, or play tennis.
Park Ramada reservations peak in the month of November. Ramada’s are available to reserve at Moore Loop, Hohokam, and Wildlife Ridge Park – click HERE to download the reservation form or email [email protected] for further directions. Other park amenities such as fields and basketball courts are also available to enjoy first come, first served. The smaller neighborhood parks are also available on a first come, first served basis.
The Park Rules and Regulations are available for viewing Here. The Governing Documents Committee in collaboration with the Parks and Landscaping Committee is in the process of amending the present document to contend with modern day concerns such as vaping inside parks. The goal of the amendments is to simplify the existing verbiage and to stay up to date with member concerns. This document shall be reviewed at the VCA Board of Directors, General Session Meeting on 12/7/2023.
The Board encourages members to take advantage of these neighborhood parks which are funded by your quarterly membership assessments.
Did You Know – November 2023
Randy Kohout
Secretary – Single Family Director Honey Bee Canyon Estates
- An extensive network of trails connects our community, such as the Phone Line Trail and Wood Shade Trail. Click HERE to download a map of VCA Recreation Areas and Trails.
- Over 5000 trees, along with thousands of shrubs, cacti, and native plants, live in the parks. AAA Landscape Service maintains the parks in cooperation with the Parks and Landscape Committee and VCA Board of Directors.
- A reservation is required to reserve a Ramada at Moore Loop, Hohokam, and Wildlife Ridge Park. Click HERE to locate the reservation forms or email [email protected] for further directions.
Snapshot – November 2023
Barbara Daoust
General Manager
First Service Residential
In case you missed the October 2023 Board of Directors meeting, below is a “snapshot” of the General Manager’s report to the community. The entire report is in the October 2023 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – Click Here to download the PDF.
Rancho Vistoso Boulvard (RVB) Street Lights
The board on September 20 met with Chris Monrad from Monrad Engineering to discuss the conditions of the current lights and recommendations and estimates for either replacing or removing the existing fixtures and poles. Mr. Monrad’s report can be found on the association website at https://ranchovistosohoa.com/yourvca/meeting-minutes/. Today’s cost estimate to replace the existing fixtures would be about $635,000 and the removal & abandonment costs would be $250,000. The board has decided to survey the members for feedback on this important subject. The Communication Committee has been tasked to work on this project.
Entryway Re-Landscape Proposal
The re-landscaping project for the entryways at Big Wash Overlook Place and Scenic Overlook Place started on September 18.
Entryway Monuments
The Parks & Landscape Committee has met with AAA Landscape and BrightView to finalize the design to refurbish the entrance monuments located on RVB & Tangerine Rd and RVB & Oracle Rd. All Terrain Creations has been eliminated from the project since they have been non-responsive. Detail bids are to be submitted by November 2, 2023, for review.
Capital Projects
Irrigation – Request For Proposals (RFP) 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. Once the proposals are received copies will be presented to the board for review and consideration.
2024 Projects– A review and inspection of the site for capital projects slated for 2024 was completed. The board will be reviewing project coordination proposals for asphalt, concrete repairs, and tennis court repairs.
Erosion Projects
➢ Big View Ct. Channel – WLB Group has submitted a proposal to complete the final design plans for the drainage channel at Big View Ct. The board will be reviewing the proposal at the October 26th meeting.
➢ 27 Mile – Bids from Total Maintenance Erosion Control and AAA Landscape were received to clear out the vegetation in part of the drainage channel for this project. The board will be reviewing and considering the proposals at the October 26th meeting.
➢ Bridal Veil – The Bridal Veil design plans is expected the week of October 23, 2023, from Bogardus Engineering.
Builder Transitions
➢ The bond for the west side of Moore Loop Road near the Valley Vista neighborhood still has not been released by the Town of Oro Valley. The town has required Pulte to address the curb strip in this area. Pulte did contract directly with AAA Landscape to address this area.
➢ Pulte is required to complete a list of landscaping items in Valley Vista before the Town of Oro Valley will release the bond for this project.
➢ Mattamy Homes has contracted with AAA Landscape to replace some trees and clean up the sod area at Moore Loop Park. They will also extend the railing along the sidewalk near the playground area. The Town of Oro Valley is holding the bond for this project.
Reserve Study
The updated copy of the reserve study for 2024 is now on the association website.
https://ranchovistosohoa.com/yourvca/finance-and-reserves/
2024 Budget
The Board met with the Finance Committee to review the 2024 draft budgets for VCA and Siena. The
proposed Siena budget reflects a $15.00 per quarter increase and the VCA budget reflects a $8.00 per
quarter increase budget. The 2024 budgets will be discussed and adopted by the board at the General
Session meeting on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
E-Statement Promotion
For the months of October, November and December 2023 VCA will be holding a drawing for members that are participating in the E-Statement program. Three lucky winners will 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.
Community Events
- The Fall Yard Sale was held on Saturday, October 14 from 7:00 AM until 2:00 PM.
- On Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM the VCA hosted a Fall Festival at Moore Loop Park. People came in costumes with Prizes given for the best costumes. Police, Fire, AAA Landscape, VCA Board members and FSR management team were present. Beverages and snacks were provided. This event was sponsored by AAA Landscape.
Members Corner – November 2023
Members Corner is a new article allowing members to voice their concerns in an informative setting. This month’s article highlights parking. This month’s article theme was suggested by an anonymous member of the Vistoso Hills Community.
As a gentle reminder, per the VCA CCRs Article 5.2.7, street parking and parking outside of designated parking areas is prohibited. When hosting additional guests and accommodating friends and family, take care to leave as much space as possible to park. If any special accommodations are required, please contact [email protected] with the title “Parking” to specify the date and duration accommodations are required.
Parking – Know where and when you can and cannot park your vehicle.
- Vehicles parked within driveways may not overhang the sidewalk (AZ law)
- Overnight street parking is not allowed
- Parking of motor homes, trailers, boats, and recreational vehicles within the community outside garages is allowed only for the purposes of loading and unloading. Vehicles must be removed within 48 hours.
- Parking of abandoned or inoperable vehicles is not permitted on any residential lot outside private garages.
- Parking on vacant lots/parcels is not permitted.
- Overnight parking in parks or common areas is prohibited.
Parking infractions will generate a “Friendly Reminder” before being fined. All imposed fines can be appealed first to the committee in writing and/or in person at the monthly meeting held on the second Tuesday of the month at 3:00 pm via ZOOM. You can also request a hearing with the BOD to appeal a fine. For questions, contact the VCA Office at (520) 354-2729 or [email protected].
Critter of the Month for November 2023
Vistoso’s Critter of the Month
Our Critter of the Month is an Arizona Turkey!
This roadrunner was photographed on the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. These outgoing and flightless birds may not make for much of a meal but are adored locally. You can watch roadrunners relaxing in the morning when they lounge in the sun. ~ Photo Courtesy of Gordon Parkhill, Center Pointe 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 relocated. Also, do not feed or supply water to wild animals since they may become more brazen.
Do you know an exceptionally cute critter in your community? Share the love and give your furry, feathered, or scaled friend the spotlight they deserve. Submit a photo of a critter whether it’s your personal pet or a wild animal you’ve observed on the trail. Please attach a photo and a brief description of your critter to [email protected] with the title ‘Critter of the Month’ for a chance to be featured in next month’s newsletter.