Village Palos Verdes
Homeowners Association
August 12, 2008
Mr. David Silverberg
400-1/2 Palos Verdes Blvd.
Redondo Beach, Ca. 90277
Dear Mr. Silverberg:
In response to your letter to the Homeowners dated August 8th, I would like to respond in behalf of the Exterior Renovation Committee (ERC).
The ERC was formed back in 2006 as a volunteer committee to help the previous Board research and validate the findings of previously hired professionals and to make recommendations to the Board. None of the volunteers were members of the Board and volunteered out of their concern for the future renovation of the Village Palos Verdes Community. The Committee spent many, many hours meeting every single week processing all that had gone before including invoices, estimates, contracts and findings. The Committee still meets individually as well as in Executive Sessions with the Board.
The Committee has been involved in assisting with the preparation of the RFP’s (Requests for Proposals), selection and interviews of contractors, reviews of proposals and, in general, has worked with the Board in providing opinions and recommendations.
It was the ERC, who made the recommendation to the Board to put out to the Community the dollar amount of $75,000 as a realistic number to plan for as a Special Assessment. This was done for a couple of reasons, 1) to quell the continued rumors of amounts running from $5,000 to $150,000, and 2) to provide a number in a timely fashion that homeowners could plan on in their future financing options. This “good faith” number was used based on some previously validated estimates provided by other professionals who had studied the needed repairs of VPV, and one we felt was appropriate for our eventual renovation.
We continue to work with the Board. Since we are not members of the Board, we do not vote but are included in discussions and presentations, making recommendations where needed and when asked for. The Board does not want “a big-budget” remodel of our complex or “big plans” as stated in your letter. Their goal and their fiduciary responsibility are to address the problems with the fragile exterior skin of the buildings while at the same time addressing some energy savings (windows/sliders), water intrusion and plumbing problems thereby reducing on-going maintenance costs, as well as updating the existing 1970’s look to a more current aesthetic appearance with better curb appeal. This will enhance the overall value of this wonderful ocean-view property and will be beneficial to the whole community.
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Our Committee consists of 4 homeowners: Dan Constant, employed in the banking business with Wells Fargo Bank; Maribeth Borowski a public school teacher; Dean Reuter, who has his own Architectural Business, and myself, currently retired but having worked for a major architectural/engineering company in downtown Los Angeles for 28 years. We are all educated, intelligent and have good common sense. Each of us live in a different unit type – an A, a C, a D and an F and in different phases of the complex. We are committed to continuing to work together with the Board towards our mutual goal to make this renovation successful. The options you suggest just will not work and, if followed will result in patchwork buildings with depressed resale values.
As you suggest, our property requires comprehensive inspections and engineering recommendations. This work has already been completed and is the basis for the comprehensive re-construction/renovation plan. The work will be performed by qualified professionals and will be warranted. The underlying issues will be repaired and the exterior appearance consistent, in accordance with the HOA rules.
We urge our homeowners to think for themselves and vote knowing that those in charge of this major project have given their “all” in doing the right thing for the whole community in order to provide the best possible results with the least amount of cost. As for anyone wishing to run for the Board at the next election, they are always welcome, but as most of you know each year there are very few willing to dedicate themselves to 2 years of regular office, let alone be responsible for implementing a major reconstruction project. Those that do commit and decide to run will find it to be a very worthwhile and educational, though thankless, position.
We understand that you are concerned. We too were concerned and got fully involved in the planning process two years ago. This is a good and responsible plan.
Sincerely
Jean M. Lloyd
Chairperson
Exterior Renovation Committee.
Cc: Board of Directors VPV
Homeowners
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