Category: Uncategorized

Owners: Warning Letters Going Out for NOT Trimming Trees and Bushes Off Buildings

Many homeowners have done the requested trimming, and we thank you. For those of you that have not yet done it, you can expect a warning letter to be followed by hearing letter and fines, if required. We hope we don’t have to do that, but the trimming must be completed so the community can be painted.

The HOA is preparing to paint the buildings, so all trees and bushes must have enough space for the painter to get in there and paint. Tree branches should be trimmed 2 to 3 feet away from the buildings, and bushes should never be allowed to grow directly on the stucco or siding. If you have ever pulled a vine off a stucco wall, you know the scar that is left by the roots which dig into the walls. Thank you in advance for being proactive and getting the trimming done as soon as possible.

More Pest Control Bait Stations Added to Help Control Rodents

The Board has approved two additional bait stations to be added in areas where there has been a report of increased rodent activity in the community. In addition, bait station usage is being monitored to determine where there is high and low use of the bait. Stations that show low usage will be moved to areas where usage is high to speed the elimination of the rodent population.

The Board has approved the landscaping company to mow the ivy early this year to ensure they do not provide a home for rodents to hide in. The Board has nearly completed the trimming of the community trees to ensure there is adequate clearance from the buildings, and homeowners are completing their tree trimming as well. All identified vent screen repairs have been completed, so if you see a damaged vent screen, please notify Cityscape Property Management so we can get it repaired.

Providing Member Contact Information is not only a Good Idea, it is a Requirement

When there is an emergency, having the contact information for the owner and residents is critical. Basic information such as phone numbers helps the Management Company to contact neighbors when there is a fire or a flood. The California legislature felt so strongly about this, that they made it a requirement for owners to submit their contact information on an annual basis. Please submit the owner information form that was sent to all owners so we can provide you better service. You can also get a new copy of the form at CaminoDelPrado.org/forms. The information will be kept confidentially in our company database.

Owners: Trimming of Trees and Bushes Off the Buildings is Required by Dec 31.

There are many good reasons for Owners to keep trees and bushes trimmed off of the buildings. First, with winter storms on the way, trees encroaching on the buildings can cause damage to the roofing tiles or siding. Damage caused by trees in the Owner’s yard becomes the Owner’s responsibility to pay for. The HOA is trimming the trees in the common areas.

The second reason to keep trees and bushes trimmed off buildings is that rodents and other pests can actually use them as a pathway to get on the roof, and potentially into the buildings.

Last but not least, the HOA is preparing to paint the buildings, so all trees and bushes must have enough space for the painter to get in there and paint. Tree branches should be trimmed 2 to 3 feet away from the buildings, and bushes should never be allowed to grow directly on the stucco or siding. If you have ever pulled a vine off a stucco wall, you know the scar that is left by the roots which dig into the walls. Thank you in advance for being proactive and getting the trimming done as soon as possible.

What You Need to Know about Controlling Rodents

There has been a sudden increase in reports that rodents are being seen in the community. This is believed to be caused in part by new construction nearby which disturbs their homes.

The Board is proactively addressing the issue in the community by repairing damaged vent screens to keep rodents out of our homes, so please notify Cityscape Property Management if you see a damaged screen. The Board is also maintaining pest control stations around the community to kill the rodents. The Board has approved the landscaping company to mow the ivy every spring to ensure they do not provide a home for rodents to hide in. Finally, the Board regularly approves trimming of the community trees to ensure there is adequate clearance from the buildings, and the next common area tree trimming is scheduled for the end of November.

To help Homeowners, the Board negotiated a discounted price with Marquee Pest Management, the HOA’s pest control company, to provide rodent traps in Owner’s units or their exclusive use common areas such as the fenced in yard or even under the home or in the attic. Marquee Pest Management 510-683-9520 has offered to set traps and do a total of 5 trips at $55 per trip for a total of $275. Since the traps are placed in the Owner’s unit or exclusive use common areas, the cost is paid by the Owner, but it is a better price than some folks have been getting. Owners may use any contractor of their choosing for pest control in their unit or exclusive use common area. Use of Marquee Pest Management is at the Owner’s discretion and is a contract between the Owner and Marquee Pest Management.

Some Owners have had success with Ultrasonic Repellents. Cravegreens Pest Control Ultrasonic Repellent is one of many such products on the internet. It has been seen on Amazon.com for as little as $18.99.

Rodent Control

The board is concerned about the rat problem in our community, and is working on the biggest issue first: rats within the buildings.

To this end, we are coordinating pest control within impacted units, and are making repairs to keep rats out of all the units.

If you think you have rats, or if you see a place where a rat could get into your home, crawlspace, attic, or garage please let us know immediately.

Homeowners are also asked to trim their patio trees away from the building to prevent rats from jumping from trees to roofs.

We also ask that all residents take necessary measures to keep away potential source of food for rats. Residents are expected to make sure that trash cans are well sealed and rodent-proof, and ensure sure that other food sources such as bird seed, rotten fruits from trees (lemon, orange, apples, etc.) inside patios as well as dog droppings are not left out.

Rats can travel up to 300 feet from their shelter to search for food, hence it is very important that all homeowners take necessary measures. Without shelter or food the rats should move on and not come back.

If rats continue to be a problem then we will determine what measures need to be taken next.

We Need Your Support to Help Control Pests

Torn vent

Some of the vents under the homes and in the rooflines have been found to be damaged, which provides access for pests to get under and into the homes. See the picture to the left for an example.

Please inspect the building vents that are behind your fenced yards and let us know if they are damaged so they can be repaired. The best thing to do is to take a picture of the damaged vent and then email it to CaminoDelPrado@CityscapeHOA.com with a location description.

The HOA Board of Directors already has pest control stations in place to help control pests in the common area, and they are considering additional options that are being brought forward.

Painting of the Community is Coming Soon!

Prospective painting companies will be providing vendor presentations at the August 18 and Sept 15 Board meetings. You are welcome to attend the meetings and listen in on what the painting companies have to say.

The selected contractor will perform dry rot repairs where required and then paint all of the wood surfaces in the community. Wood is painted every 5 years, and stucco is painted every 10 years, so don’t be surprised when you see them only painting the wood.

In addition to painting the wood on the buildings, the inside of the clubhouse is scheduled to be painted and the metal portion of the fences the surround our pool and the metal fences at either end of the Bryant Way side of the community will also be painted.

When the buildings are scheduled to be painted, we will send notices to all owners to schedule a time when your front door can be painted. The front door must stay open until it dries, or it will stick to the door jam. Keep in mind that the HOA only pays to have the front doors “painted”. If you have a door with varnish, that is an owner responsibility.