February 2024 Newsletter
BALCONY INSPECTIONS
Weather permitting, California Balcony Inspections will be on site starting February 13th to complete inspections of the final 101 balconies of units 201-307 (ground floor units excluded). Inspections will be conducted from the exterior of the buildings by use of ladders so please be aware the contractor will be around windows and sliders for the duration of the project.. Please note this may be delayed if weather doesn’t cooperate
CARPORT PROJECT
Once again, we faced delays due to inclement weather however structures 1-5 should be completed and available for parking again on Saturday evening. In order to “catch up” you will hear construction noise on Saturday. Residents who do not have their structure closed, please make sure you use your reserved spot first in order to free up parking in the open spaces to better accommodate those who can’t park in theirs.
ANNUAL INSPECTION OF FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
The annual inspection of the fire safety equipment will start on February 7 and take approximately two days. You may hear audible alarms while the system is being tested but for safety reasons, it’s a requirement.
BE A RESONSIBLE PET OWNER
Lately there’s been an abundance of dog droppings left on the grass areas near the pet station in front of the east pool This is not only unsightly, pet owners trying to do the right thing by disposing of droppings in container provided are stepping in piles of poo. This is a reminder that as a pet owner, it is not only an HOA rule but a county ordinance that you immediately pick up droppings from your pet. This is just as important on your patio or balcony space.
COMMUNITY MESSAGE CENTER
We’re considering some procedural changes that will affect how and who we communicate with. Thanks to everyone who’s signed up to receive communications electronically. For those who are not, it’s important you check the message center near the mailboxes for community updates. More to come following the February Board meeting.
RECOGNIZING A VOLUNTEER
A special thanks to Roy Field, our resident construction guru extraordinaire, who serves on the Carport Committee. His extensive background in construction has proven to be so helpful to not only the team at Surfside but United Carports as well. We appreciate you far more than you know Roy!!
LATERAL PLUMBING LINE CLEANING
The Board of Directors approved Thousand Oaks Plumbing to clean and camera of all the exterior lateral lines that lead from the buildings to the city main. Part of this process will be running a camera to inspect and advise of the conditions that exist so we can properly plan for future plumbing projects. They will be on site starting Monday, February 12 and the project will take about a week to finish. This project will not require entry into your home but we wanted you to be aware since they will be near downstairs front bedroom windows.
WEBSITES EXPLAINED
Surfside 1 has several websites so we thought we’d share how to navigate them.
The owner portal requires you be an owner. Once you register, you can sign in at any time to review or update your account information as well as obtain HOA documents like minutes, CCRs, etc.
The Squarespace website doesn’t require you be an owner or even a resident. Please share with anyone you think would be interested in our community. Newsletters, things that affect residents of Surfside 1 and Port Hueneme are posted there. There’s even a space to advertise your unit for rent or sale.
The Surfside 1 Resident Facebook page is limited to only residents of the community. There are a few short questions to answer to verify residency first but it’s a fun way to stay connected with your neighbors.
While we encourage you to interact, please know none of these three websites are to report issues management needs to address. Please call or email the office directly.
PATIO/BALCONY RAILINGS AND WALLS
During recent walk throughs, it’s been noted that several units are using the walls or rails of their patio or balcony as a drying rack or a place to hang or place plants, lights or other personal items. None of this is allowed so please remove them immediately. Temporary tables are allowed but must be removed when not in active use.
Community Living in a Snapshot
While we encourage each resident to be familiar with the Rules and Regulations Handbook, below are some of the more common issues we face
The vehicular exit gate is to be used ONLY as an exit gate unless it’s been marked for entry/exit by the on site team. For the safety of drivers and pedestrians, please follow marked traffic patterns/yellow arrows. Because we take safety very seriously, all these WILL result in fines
Hang tag permits are required on all vehicles parked on property and they must be displayed from the rear view mirror of the vehicle. Contractors should check in with the office for a temporary permit to avoid receiving a citation.
Pool and spa area
1. Don’t eat food while IN the pool or spa
2. Persons who wear diapers must wear swim diapers
3. Glass or metal containers are not permitted
4. Tampering with safety equipment-emergency shut off for the spa, life rings or hooks-is also prohibited.
5. If you bring “music” to the pool, remember you need personal listening devices.
6. Only four guests (heartbeats) per household is allowed.
7. PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE POOL AREA.
Please don’t put the Board in the position that they are forced to revoke your privilege to use the pool/spa.
Hose bibs in common area are not for use by residents.
Please do not leave any personal items (potted plants, décor, hoses, shoes, etc.) outside your front door.
Planting or removing plants in common area is prohibited. If it needs attention, reach out to me.
One of the largest grassy areas the community has is along Ventura Road. While socializing of residents and their pets is certainly welcome, please be mindful of the residents who live in the building by doing your best to keep barking to a minimum.
Please be mindful when parking. If you pull in too close to a white line, it doesn’t allow enough space for your parking neighbor to get in or out of their vehicle without some serious effort to risk damaging both vehicles. Not to mention parking is at a premium and it could make a space unusable.
Trash should NEVER be left outside your front door as it attracts critters and pests to the buildings. When you’re ready to remove trash from your home, please take it to and place inside the appropriate receptacle. Placing unwanted furniture or other bulky items in the enclosure in hopes that someone else may want it is NOT ok.
Pets must be on leash and the leash must be held by someone able to control the pet when you are outside your home. Cleaning up is not only a responsible thing for pet owner to do, it is in the HOA rules and a County ordinance as well.
Patios and balconies
1. Only furniture designed for outdoor use is permitted. Items such as coolers, folding “camping or beach style” chairs, tables designed for indoor use, etc. should be promptly moved inside when you’re no longer on your patio or balcony.
2. Storage of any kind is not permitted—mops and/or brooms, bicycles, fishing poles, empty planters to name just a few.
3. Pets cannot be left outside when you’re not home to monitor them and at NO TIME are pets allowed to use the patio area for their “restroom”.
4. Smoking is NOT permitted on patios or balconies.
5. Please do not hang anything on your patio or balcony (including railings) to dry!
6. If you have an umbrella on your patio, please remember to put it down or store it out of view when it’s not in use
7. Mops and brooms should never be left on the patio or balcony.
Flushable wipes are not flushable. If you use them, please do not flush them because even if they don’t clog your plumbing, it can and will cause and issue for your neighbors
BEFORE you start any renovations in your unit, please contact the office for guidance on what requires approval. Work that requires a permit and does not have approval will be reported to Code Compliance.
Video doorbell products are quite popular. You can mount them on your screen or front door but they cannot be installed on the stucco.
If you live in a two bedroom unit, it may be a good idea to check the door on the top floor from time to time Make sure it’s clean and the hardware is functioning. Because it’s a way for you to get out in the event of a fire, it’s important they work properly.
If it’s been a while since you cleaned your dryer vent line, please consider doing so. This is one of the most common factors for fires.
Considering cleaning your balcony? Please sweep and mop the area rather than dumping buckets of water on it. The neighbors below you will certainly appreciate not having dirty water invade their patio or bedroom window.
In most cases, it’s owner responsibility to complete minor plumbing repairs. If you have a clogged sink or toilet, your first call should be to a plumber. If they’re not able to rectify the situation, please call management. If your need to replace a fixture that would require shutting off the main, it will affect your neighbors. Please make sure you notify everyone directly next to/above/below you at least 24 hours in advance for non-emergency repairs!
A note from the Community Manager
We have a busy February ahead and your continued patience is appreciated. The carport project is moving along nicely, the remaining 51 fire alarm pull station replacement will take place, the exterior plumbing lines will be cleaned and camera’ed and the more comprehensive balcony inspections are the “so far” scheduled projects.
More exciting than any of that is our son and daughter in law who live literally right across the street from us are in the final trimester-due in April. This is our second grandchild but I can tell you we’re just as excited as we were for the first. Our Gunnery Sergeant son will be retiring some time this summer and our youngest is working his way through classes for a promotion to Staff Sergeant. We’re so incredibly proud of the fine young men each of them have become.
Finally and as most of you know, every year I attend a continuing education class as well as a Law Seminar-both hosted by California Association of Community Managers. Normally this takes place mid March but this year it’s scheduled for February 28-March 1 which means the office will be closed. I will have very limited access to phone or email but will return both as promptly as I can when I return on Monday. Of course if you have an HOA related emergency, please call the emergency number at 805-488-3304 x 2.
Regards, Dawn