Board...

 

Not to be confused with "bored" or a chuck of lumber.  I am talking about being on the HOA board of directors.  We have a board meeting this evening, where we will be deciding on some individual homeowner's appeals, mostly having to do with fines and late fees (in executive session), and then an open board meeting (on Zoom), where I expect there will be homeowners getting their pitchforks and torches ready.

Yes, that is humor.

We are a community and there will always be topics that we don't all agree on.  My goal as president of the board was to resolve issues without anyone having to be disagreeable.  And, of course, the main purpose of the board: to run the business of the community.  It is that "main purpose" that most people don't seem to care much about.  We have community expenses, the largest of which is common area landscaping and watering.

Some people don't care for the job the current landscaping company is doing.  Experience has shown me that this will always be a concern.  So, we have bids to consider regarding a landscape company.  We have a bid for a company to handle dog poop pickup and disposal... this should be a non-issue if people would just pick up after their pets.  People are going to complain when their HOA dues increase because we have to spend more money for landscaping or to pick up dog poop.

Every issue someone wants to "push," results in having to spend more money.  And still, someone is not going to be happy.  Then, you have a very small minority who will get on social media and threaten to sue or suggest that the board members should be recalled if an issue doesn't go their way.  I have joked that being an HOA board member rates right up there with being a dog catcher (not to be confused with Animal Control) in the public eye.

Some people think that, as board president, I can "make a proclamation" and they will get their way.  Of course, that's not how it works.  I have to put my personal opinions on issues on hold while we determine what will best serve the homeowners.  I would call the job thankless, but it is mostly indifference... until an issue comes up where people will take sides.

Currently, we are dealing with a parking situation in the community.  These homes all have garages that will hold between 2 and 4 vehicles.  Every driveway can accommodate 2 more vehicles.  The CC&Rs clearly state that homeowners should utilize those garages and driveways before parking on the street.  If everyone would follow those rules, the crowded parking on the street wouldn't be an issue.  But, some (many) people don't follow the rules, and wind up having 2 or more vehicles parked on the street while their garage(s) are full of stuff besides cars, and there are no cars in the driveway.  To complicate matters, the developer here gave the streets to the City of Phoenix.  And, parking on the street in our community of 367 homeowners is way down the list of priorities to the City of Phoenix.

The street parking means that on some streets, there is only room for one car at a time to pass.  It becomes a matter of public safety.  So, homeowners that follow the CC&Rs complain about those who don't.  And those who don't like to declare that the HOA doesn't control the street parking.

See the problem?  CC&R rules collide with City parking guidelines indifference.  In the end, the HOA is going to have to hire an attorney to determine how this should all play out.  That will cost the HOA more money.  People will complain that their HOA dues go up and they get nothing for that increase.  See that problem?

Homeowners who don't follow the parking rules set up in the CC&Rs have gotten violation letters from our management company.  They complain that they didn't get letters "when Lennar (the developer" was in charge."  And, that is true.  Lennar's purpose is to sell lots and build homes... knowing that at some point, they will turn over the running of the community to a new HOA.

Yep, we are the new HOA.  If you took a poll, I think you would find that most people do not have a good opinion of an HOA.  Because they don't understand the purpose of an HOA: to keep up the community, which will build their home value.  "I don't care about home value - I just want what I want, and I don't want to have to pay anything extra for it!"  Again, see the problem?

I was hoping to have a board that could work together and not be "punitive." My exact word.  I wanted to see an HOA board that would listen, evaluate, then make the necessary decisions.  It should be easy.  It isn't.  People have personal agendas.  Some of those people run for the board.  Some of those people get on social media and try to raise a fuss to sway people to their way of thinking.  So, decisions that should be common sense, and in the best interest of the community, have to be debated.  And, the public (rightfully) gets to weigh in.

And the beat goes on.  Wish me luck.