SCSH News

Phase 2 Asphalt Seal Coating

NPG Corporation will be performing seal coat work at Sun City Shadow Hills on the dates listed below. Please review the schedule below and mark these dates on your calendar.

Wednesday 2/28/2024
Camino Los Milagros (West of Calle Pueblo), Corte La Fonda,
Avenida Bienvenida, Calle Los Osos, Avenida Galeana

Thursday 2/29/2024
Camino Los Milagros (East of Calle Pueblo), Calle Guapo,
Avenida Del Toro, Camino Cantos, Corte Pelicano

Friday 3/1/2024
Camino Vallecita, Corte Esperanza, Corte Carranza, Avenida Las Ramblas,
Corte Refugio, Calle Celestino (East of Avenida Alcalde), Avenida Dulce

Wednesday 3/6/2024
Camino Zulema, Camino El Destino, Avenida Santiago,
Camino Montevideo (East of Camino Fuerte)

Thursday 3/7/2024
Avenida Alcalde, Avenida Bahia,
Camino Los Milagros (North of Avenida Bienvenida)

Friday 3/8/2024
Avenida Sombra (West of Camino El Triunfo), Camino El Triunfo,
Calle Descanso, Corte Nube, Camino Montevideo (West of Camino Fuerte),
Camino Fuerte

Wednesday 3/13/2024
Avenida Sombra (East of Camino El Triunfo)

Please Observe the Following Items
All Roadways and Parking Areas Must be Clear

  • All vehicles must be out of respective areas by 7:00 am and may return after 7:00 am the following morning OR WHEN BARRICADES HAVE BEEN REMOVED.
  • Please have irrigation sprinklers off from one day before and one day after each move in.
  • The cleaning process involves power blowers and sweepers that causes a nuisance dust. Please make sure all doors, windows and car windows are closed.
  • Do not walk or drive on wet seal coat.
  • Please be careful when turning vehicle wheels, as the seal coat will remain tender for approximately four (4) weeks. Avoid turning weeks while vehicle is sitting still
  • Please follow all detour signs and construction crew instructions
  • Please be aware that there will be some detouring, and crews working in the roadways
  • Please note the site map showing the areas and scheduled dates for the seal coating.

Overnight parking will be permitted on Streets and Sun City Blvd. for the duration of the project. Please contact the Facilities Maintenance Department at 760-345-4349 ext. 2401 for questions regarding specific accommodation and assistance with gaining access to your home.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you and thank you for your cooperation.

For more information, please contact the Facilities Maintenance Department at 760-345-4349 ext. 2401.

☞ Phase 2 Asphalt Seal Coating Notice

☞ Phase 2 Asphalt Seal Coating Schedule

☞ Phase 2 Asphalt Seal Coating Map

Candidate Forum #2 Video Now Available

Please note: meetings are now being recording using a higher-quality video camera, which results in larger video files that take a longer to upload/process. It may take a few hours after a meeting concludes for the video to become available on our website.

To see more videos, visit our Videos page by clicking here.

AED Locations in Our Community

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are life-saving devices used to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victims, not heart attack victims. It’s important to understand the distinction between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest.

☞ Click Here to Learn About AEDs

We have several AEDs located throughout our community:

1) HOA Office – Front of the Office, Near Receptionist

2) Montecito Fitness Center – Adjacent to Front Desk

3) Montecito Clubhouse – Behind the Front Desk

4) Montecito Ballroom – Near Exit Doors on the Right Side of Stage

5) Montecito Tennis Courts – Near Ice Machine

6) Montecito Outdoor Pool – Near Restrooms

7) Santa Rosa Clubhouse – Adjacent to Front Desk Area

8) Santa Rosa Bistro – Near Bulletin Board

9) Santa Rosa Pickleball Courts – Near Bulletin Board

10) Santa Rosa Outdoor Pool – Near Shower

11) Maintenance Yard – Near Restroom

12) Shadows South Golf Shop – Behind Register

13) Shadows Restaurant – Near Bar

13 AED Machines in Total

Santa Rosa Pool & Spa Closure – February 20

The Santa Rosa pool and spa will be closed on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, to perform annual water feature sandblasting and maintenance.

The pool and spa are scheduled to reopen on the same day, Tuesday, February 20th. The pool is scheduled to open at 2:00pm. The spa will open at approximately 3:00pm, or as soon as the project is completed.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you and thank you for your cooperation. For more information, please contact the Facilities Maintenance Department at 760-345-4349 ext. 2401.

Desert Living Tip of the Month: E-Reasons for Email Communication!

The time is now for SCSH homeowners to embrace the speed and convenience of technology instead of relying on snail mail to receive important notifications and forms. Check out the e-reasons below for the benefits of signing up for email communication.

  • Early arrival – instant delivery
  • Easy to read and store in a software folder
  • Environmentally friendly – no trees destroyed for paper or printing
  • Economical – no stamps or envelopes necessary
  • Efficient for snowbirds

We encourage all homeowners not yet registered to complete the email communication form so that the HOA can email correspondence and mailers. (Except for those forms the HOA is required to mail via U.S. postal mail.)

It’s easy to sign up today by accessing the link below:

☞ www.scshca.com/emailconsent

Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Monday morning e-blast for current SCSH news and safety, environmental, and desert living tips. Tell your neighbors and family members to enroll as well. Just click the link below to sign up for the weekly e-blasts:

☞ www.scshca.com/emailsignup

Recycling/Trash Tip: Drug Disposal

Drugs – So Many Drugs – Where to Get Rid of Them!

Your prescription changes – what do you do with the old pills? You have pills that you did not use, and they have expired.

No! You do not throw them in the garbage.

Many pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS, etc.) might advertise that they have medical disposal boxes but, unfortunately, that isn’t always true. If you don’t have a drop-off place for medicines, here’s a tip for you!

The best way to dispose of most types of unused or expired medicines is to drop off the medicine at a drug take-back site, location, or program immediately. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) collects and safely disposes of all medications dropped off at all drug take-back sites.

The DEA’s Diversion Control Division has a website where you can find Year-Round Drop Off locations for controlled substances. All you need is a zip code and it will show you locations as close as 5 miles away.

Here are the search results for our zip code – 92203:

Want to find locations for your house up north or for a family member or friend?

Here’s the web address for the locator:

https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1

Or you can call the DEA Diversion Control Division Registration Call Center at 1-800-882-9539 for more information about these collection sites.

And remember – before disposing of prescription medicines, be sure to remove all personal information on pill bottle labels and medicine packaging.

Wait! There’s more!

Apparently, for safety reasons, there are a few, select medicines (mainly opioids) with specific instructions to immediately flush down the toilet only if a drug take back option is not readily available. For more details, refer to the FDA’s flush list.

Remember, don’t flush your medicine unless it is on the flush list AND there is no nearby drop-off location.

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines#FlushList

Rod Stewart Tribute Concert Postponed

We regret to announce on such short notice that due to an unforeseen medical emergency with the entertainer, the Rod Stewart tribute concert has been rescheduled to next Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 7:00 pm.

If you purchased tickets for your guest, family, or friends, or if you have sold your tickets to someone else, please inform them of this change.

If you have questions, feel free to contact the Lifestyle desk at 760-345-4349 ext. 2120.

New Stop Signs on Avenida Estuco

Stop For Safety
Phase 3 Has A New Star-Studded Three-Way Stop Sign!

Get ready to Stop for Safety at the intersection of Avenida Estuco and Calle Zavala in Phase 3. We are installing two new Stop Signs on Wednesday, January 31st, to create a three-way safety stop where Avenida Estuco and Calle Zavala intersect (see map below).

There will be A-frames with amber lights to grab your attention and ensure you notice and make a full stop at the new stop signs. Please drive cautiously through Avenida Estuco and follow the posted speed signs.

This is a great reminder to always make a full stop at all stop signs, inside and outside our community.

For more information, please contact the Facilities Maintenance Department at 760-345-4349 ext. 2405.

President’s Report – February 2024

As published in The View, February 2024:

Jerry Conrad
President

Hello Neighbors, I am not running for reelection for a seat on the Board of Directors. I explained the various reasons during my Board Report at our last open session meeting, so I won’t repeat here why I chose not to run. I do want to thank all those who trusted me to deliver responsible leadership, and I will continue to volunteer in some capacity going forward.

I would like to suggest the following to all the candidates running for the three seats available in the next election:

First, candidates must remember that they are representing all residents, not just those supporting them. This may sound obvious, but believe me when I say that this is something that each candidate needs to understand going into any election. It may surprise those who run that there is a tremendous amount of information that only a sitting Board member has access to, and thus, there will be times that a previously held belief will need to be reconsidered, much to the dismay of their backers.

Second, candidates and residents must refrain from personal attacks during the election, as this has absolutely no place in our community. We all have opinions about the best way to get from A to Z. Candidates will differ on issues and their solutions. However, only positive debate will lead to constructive solutions. I will be evaluating candidates on their:

  • conduct in forums and around the community.
  • creativity in reaching solutions.
  • professionalism.
  • positivity and willingness to work with others.

Third, I mentioned to Carolyn Collins (chair of the Nominating Committee) that displaying candidate campaign yard signs was not a good idea and, if I were to run, I would not put them up regardless of what the other candidates would do. I am incredibly happy to announce that ALL candidates have agreed not to use signs for this upcoming election. I am extremely proud of each one of them for taking this positive step.

Finally, I wish all the candidates good luck.

Remember, whoever wins must work with the other four Board members for the betterment of our community. Compromise on issues is a lost art these days, but I believe it is the key to finding positive solutions for both short- and long-term goals.

I look forward to seeing how the next Board responds to the needs of the community and will fully support their efforts to find solutions to the issues of the coming year.

Contact the author at jerry.conrad@scshca.com.

Finance Advisory Committee – February 2024

By Jim Bullock
Vice Chair for Sub-Committee for Major Repair and Replacement Fund

As published in The View, February 2024:

Question of the Month: What service does the Finance Advisory Committee’s Sub-Committee provide to the community?

The Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) sub-committee’s mission is to review, analyze, and approve or disapprove major repairs and reserve study components/projects that are submitted to the subcommittee on a Board Action Form (BAF).

The subcommittee members are all HOA volunteers with years of industry experience. These areas include construction, equipment, procurement, facilities man- agement, reserve studies analysis, and engineering. Three of the subcommittee members are also serving members of the Finance Advisory Committee.

Any expenditures less than $5,000 do not involve the subcommittee and can be submitted for Board approval by the Association General Manager (GM) or Assistant GM seeking written authorization for the proposed expenditures.

The BAFs are submitted from two different sources. The first is from the Facilities Maintenance Director, and the second is from the Troon General Manager or Troon Superintendent of Shadow Hills Golf Club.

The Facilities Maintenance Director will submit BAFs for any non-golf course expenditures, including Shadows Restaurant equipment. These submissions, for example, can include gatehouse and security access systems, asphalt and concrete repair, common area improvements, and fitness equipment. The BAF amounts will range from $7,500 for furniture replacement up to $1.2 million for the asphalt rehabilitation project.

BAFs submitted by the Troon GM and Superintendent include, for example, all golf course maintenance equipment, sand bunker rebuild, and golf course greens refurbishment. Again, BAFs for Troon will range from $7,000 for a walk-behind mower up to $750,000 to replace the golf cart fleet.

Any expenditure from $5,001 to $10,000 requires a minimum of two bids from vendors. Any expenditure over $10,001 requires a minimum of three bids. If the number of bids received is less than specified, the responsible Department Manager must submit a written justification to the Association GM. There are instances where there may be only a single source supplier. In these cases, that bid would supersede the minimum bid requirement.

All BAF expenditures over $5,000 will require the subcommittee to perform its duties in reviewing, analyzing, and recommending approval (with caveats if necessary), or not approving (with applicable justifications). Once the subcommittee has made its decision, the BAFs are presented at the monthly FAC meeting for their approval. Once approved by the FAC, they are presented at the monthly HOA Board meeting for approval. Ultimately, the HOA Board approves or disapproves these BAF expenditures.

The amount of work for the subcommittee in reviewing and analyzing will vary depending on the complexity of the project, components or equipment, and reserve or operating funds proposed on the BAF.

We request as much information as is available to help us make an informed, timely, and fiscally responsible decision. That process includes pictures, equipment hour meter readings, and onsite inspections to make these decisions. Communicating with the person submitting the BAF is essential.

On December 11 there was a committee meeting to review the upcoming reserve study replacements for 2024. The report identified 86 items to be replaced at an expenditure of $3.6 million from the reserve replacement fund. The committee and responsible parties discussed what equipment or projects could be deferred for 2024. A decision is still pending.

The subcommittee will be busy with an anticipated 86 reserve study items being replaced, plus any additional unforeseen capital or reserve expenditures for 2024. The subcommittee is currently looking for two individuals with construction or general contracting experience. If you meet these requirements and are interested, please fill out the HOA committee interest form available on the SCSHCA website or from the HOA office.

The work performed by the individuals on this subcommittee is of vital importance to our community. Their dedication and results-oriented commitment to make very important financial recommendations to our HOA speaks volumes.

Contact the author at finance@scshca.com.

Age Well, Drive Smart Certificates

If you attended the Age Well, Drive Smart seminar last Friday, your certificate will be available for pickup at the Lifestyle Desk starting today at 2:00 pm.

Recycling/Trash Tip: Plastic Waste

The Scourge of the Earth – Single-Use Plastic

How Did We Get Here?

From the 1950s to the 1970s, only a small amount of plastic was produced, and as a result, plastic waste was relatively manageable. However between the 1970’s and the 1990’s, plastic waste generation more than tripled. In the early 2000’s, the amount of plastic waste we generated rose more in a single decade than it had in the previous 40 years. Today, we produce about 400 million tons of plastic waste every year.

Around the world, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, while up to five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year. In total, half of all plastic produced is designed for single-use purposes – used just once and then thrown away.

Plastics, including micro-plastics, are now ubiquitous in our natural environment. They are becoming part of the Earth’s fossil record and a marker of the Anthropocene, our current geological era.

And it’s not just animals, especially marine species, that are being put at risk. Micro-plastics enter the human body through inhalation and absorption and accumulate in organs such as lungs, livers, spleens, and kidneys. A study recently detected micro-plastics in the placentas of newborn babies.

What Can We Do to Stop the Madness?

REDUCE

  • Reduce your use of plastic bags – use a reusable bag or container when shopping.
  • Refuse a bag for easy-to-carry purchases.

RE-USE

  • Re-use old plastic bags for multiple shopping trips.
  • Re-purpose plastic bags as trash liners or pet waste bags.

RECYCLE – In Your Recycle Bin

Yeah!! Burrtec now says it is okay to place plastic bags in the recycling bin if they have these symbols or numbers on them:

📄 Burrtec - What Can Be Recycled?

How do you prepare plastic bags for recycling?

Plastic bags need to be clean and dry when you place them in a recycling bin.

  • You don’t need to rinse out and air-dry each and every bag, but if there are crumbs, shake them out.
  • If the bag is damp, let the water evaporate before stuffing it into the bin.
  • If there’s a lot of food residue that doesn’t come off easily, it is best NOT to recycle (use it to put your compostable organic waste into!)

Pro Tip: If your plastic bags have paper labels on them, peel them off before recycling the bag. Cut the paper label off with scissors if you cannot peel it off.

RECYCLE – At a Local Store

If your plastic does not have a 1 – 7 recycling symbols, but does have a How2Recycle Store Drop-off label, take it to a local retail store where they collect plastic bags for recycling.

You do not need to take these items back to the same place where you bought them. Even if you purchased the packages online, you can still take them to any retail store with a plastic bag recycling bin. State law requires most large supermarkets and pharmacies have recycling bins so every Californian can return plastic for recycling. In most stores, bag collection bins are located at the front entrance or in checkout areas.

Such plastics can include:

  • Grocery, produce, bread, and cereal bags
  • Plastic wraps, like the wrap around paper towels, diapers, and multi-packs of bottles
  • Bubble wrap and air pillows (To save space in the bin, deflate the wraps and pillows.)

Great Resource!

The website for Earth911 lists stores by Zip Code for where you can recycle plastic bags. Check out your options at Earth 911 Store Recycling by Zip Code

For an even scarier description of the scourge of plastic and tips on a “plastic-free lifestyle,” visit the UN Environmental Program website at Our Planet is Choking on Plastic

Update: Sun City Blvd Street Line Restriping Project

The restriping of the street lines for Sun City Blvd (Phase 1, 2, 3) will begin on Monday, January 8, and is scheduled to be completed on Friday, January 19.

Update: Avenida Sombra will be completed later in February after the seal coating project.

  • Streets will remain open to thru traffic.
  • Please be aware that there will be some detouring, and crews working in the roadways.
  • Striping paint is a rapid dry pavement paint that will dry within a few minutes after being applied to pavement.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you and we thank you for your cooperation. For more information, please contact the Facilities Maintenance Department at 760-345-4349 ext. 2401.

Townhalls Cancelled

During General Session on December 18, 2023, the Board announced two Townhalls to discuss the possibility of a one-time reserve assessment for new homeowners:

  • January 12, 2024, at 10:00am
  • January 30, 2024, at 6:00pm

Please note, both Townhalls have been cancelled to allow for further research by the Association’s legal counsel.

UPDATE: Phase 2 Asphalt Seal Coating Delayed

Due to the forecasted cold temperatures, NPG Asphalt will delay this month’s seal coating to late February and will run through early March.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you and thank you for your cooperation.

For more information, please contact the Facilities Maintenance Department at 760-345-4349 ext. 2401.

Desert Living Tip of the Month: Terminate Termites!

Recently, residents in Phase 3 and other SCSH areas have discovered termites in their homes. Termites live in colonies that can quickly multiply and grow into thousands. We recommend that residents check their homes regularly since a mature termite colony can cause structural damage long before you notice any signs of an infestation. Following are tips to determine if you have termites and how to proceed.

Termites:

  • Swarming termites are light brown to black with straight antennae. They swarm in the spring or summer in search of a place to start a new colony.
  • Drywood termites are a specific type found in California. They are more difficult to detect and may appear as multiple small colonies spread through your home. They feed on the cellulose found in wood, plants, cotton fibers, and paper products.
  • Signs of termites include blistering wood flooring, droppings that look like sawdust, mud tubes, swarms, and discarded termite wings.
  • Many factors can lead to termite infestation. Check for excessive moisture, cracks in and around the foundation, and wood or mulch in direct contact with your house.

Termite Treatments:

  • Get your home inspected by a professional who will check for signs of termites and risk factors that could make your house vulnerable.
  • Decide on the appropriate treatment with a professional termite service.
  • Depending on the size of the infestation, the type of termites (subterranean, drywood, dampwood, etc.) in or around your home, and other factors, the best treatment will vary.
  • Get regular termite inspections to protect your family, pets, and your home.

Phase 1 Dog Park Closure

The Phase 1 Dog Park will be closed from Wednesday, January 10, 2024, to Wednesday, January 24, 2024. The park will be undergoing turf restoration and resodding due to excess wear. Please visit the Phase 3 Dog Park or the North Channel Park during this time.

The Phase 1 Dog Park will reopen on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. For any questions or concerns, please contact the Facilities Maintenance Department, at 760-345-4349 ext. 2406.