An HOA is a Non-Profit Organization for Many Reasons

The following emailed letter has many valid points that need to be addressed while the ArrowCreek Home Owners Association (ACHOA) is considering the path forward for the golf course.

Hi All,
50%+1 or even a Super Majority vote is not satisfactory for this fundamental change of our home owners’ association – in my opinion this requires 100% of all eligible votes to approve or not approve the purchase of the Golf Course.

The reason is very simple : to avoid the risk of multiple lawsuits. If the HOA is sued, each homeowner is being sued.

You cannot force any single resident of ArrowCreek to own or engage in a Joint Venture without his/her consent (vote).

Also:
The voting ballot should state the following:
– I understand that HOA proposes the purchase of a “bottomless money pit” : the Golf Course
– I understand that my fee can be increased by the HOA Board without any vote by the home owners to cover the costs of the Golf Course
– I understand that I, as part owner, will be responsible for any and all costs necessary to maintain the Golf Course and the Club House
– I understand that, as part owner, I will be liable for any debt accrued by Golf Course
– I understand that the increase of the HOA fee does allow me to eat at the Club House and participate in social events, but does not include the right to play golf
– I understand that Golf Course Joint Venture most likely will be losing money because the Golf Course has never been profitable
– I understand that any lawsuit against the Golf Course and the HOA will directly affect my lifestyle, because all legal fees will be paid by all ArrowCreek residents in some way
– I understand that I, as part owner, will be paying salaries for all people working at Golf Course and I will be liable for any workers’ comp suits and disputes
– I understand that I , as part owner, will be liable for any injury of any person on the Golf Course property, for any theft or damage of property on the Golf Course property
– I understand that high, uncapped HOA dues may make it difficult to sell my house.

Please add as many other points as you want.

Without such a disclaimer any voting should be forbidden as six month later there is going to be chaos: people will stop paying HOA fees (most likely the ones who vote “NO”) and challenge everything in court over and over again.

I will not be surprised if members of the HOA Board of Directors get sued for bringing this disaster to a very nice community.

Each lawsuit against the board is a lawsuit for which all homeowners as members are liable. When the assets of the HOA are exceeded by such litigation, the members have to make up the difference.

There is a very good (important) reason why a HOA is a non-profit organization and we want to keep this way.

Just my 2 cents.
Alex D.

Posted in Assessment, Communication, Economic Impacts, HOA, Law Suits, Mandatory Membership, Property Value | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

FOA Related Letters and Documents for the ArrowCreek Community

Several Friends of ArrowCreek (FOA) documents were made available on the Associa ArrowCreek website on Dec 22, 2014 [again]. I say again because they were already there but with various other (but similar) names. However, seeing them there reminded me that I hadn’t posted them in their own right here on ArrowCreek411 yet.

In an attempt to keep them in one convenient place, they are here on one page:

FOA Related Letters and Documents for ArrowCreek Community

Posted in APG, Arnold Palmer Golf Management, ArrowCreek Community Club, Communication, FOA, Friends of ArrowCreek, HOA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Somersett Technical Restraining Order (TRO) Court Decision

On 22 December the Reno court ruled against continuing the TRO against the Somersett Owners Association (SOA). The court found that the group of homeowners that sued had other legal remedies to pursue (They have other grounds to sue the SOA on.) BUT that the owners definitely had cause and likely would prevail against the SOA. A good read.

Here is the court decision:
12.22.14_Order_Denying_Issuance_of_Preliminary_Injunction

Here is our original blog about the golf course goings-on at Somersett: Save the Somersett Golf Course! Oh, oh!

Posted in CIC Governance, Law Suits, Somersett | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Concerned Neighbors of ArrowCreek Present Background and Options

This presentation was provided to the HOA community four times during the week of 15 December 2014. At each meeting additional options were offered and then included during subsequent meetings.

An evening presentation is anticipated in January 2015.

Concerned Neighbors Powerpoint Charts

Posted in APG, Arnold Palmer Golf Management, ArrowCreek Community Club, CNAC, Economic Impacts, HOA, Property Value | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HOA 101: A third of us live in them, here’s what you need to know

Sunday, March 4, 2012 | 2 a.m.

Nevada is a land of homeowners associations, private entities run by homeowners (ideally) and offering all the benefits and downfalls that amateur governance implies. Statewide, there are almost 3,000, covering 485,000 single-family homes, condos and town houses — more than a third of all housing units in Nevada.

HOA 101: A third of us live in them, here’s what you need to know

Posted in HOA | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

ACCC Responds to Resident’s Center Exercise Facility Question

The ACHOA Communications Committee has responded to an individually asked question concerning the Resident’s Center Exercise Facility.

The question is restated with the response below.

“My husband and I are regular users of the exercise facilities at the Arrrowcreek Residents Club.  We have concerns about the impact of extra people using the facilities.

At present, there is only one reclining bike.  There regularly are people waiting to use this piece of equipment.

Also there is only one shower and inadequate bench space in the women’s locker/bath room. (Other shower is across the pool and inconvenient.)  Men’s facilities are marginal, also.

I did not see the impact on the Resident’s Club addressed in the proposal. As non-golfers, we would like to see this issue addressed.   Please address in the golf club proposal and respond to my e-mail.”

Currently, the ACHOA has no plans to expand the exercise facilities at the ArrowCreek Residents Club. The only plans at this time for current exercise facility equipment is included within the replacement schedule in the ACHOA Reserve Fund. There are no ACHOA Capital Project plans to modify shower facilities at this time, although it may be considered as part of the modification to the kitchen canteen work that is planned for 2015 under the ACHOA Capital Projects Budget.  Otherwise, these would be projects for the future ACHOA budgets if status quo is maintained.

Possible expansion of the current exercise facility has been discussed during the current negotiations with Arnold Palmer Golf.  These discussions are very preliminary and would require agreement between the ACHOA and Arnold Palmer Golf to fund the remodeling/expansion expense either from additional investment or from the profits of the joint venture.

With regards to the reclining bike being a popular piece of equipment, we do not think that an additional bike could be added given the limited space available.  However, we will ask staff to monitor equipment usage.  If some other piece of equipment is under-utilized, then the ACHOA could consider replacing that equipment with an additional reclining bike.

If the ACHOA votes to purchase “The Club At ArrowCreek” and votes for the Joint Venture model for operation of “The Club At ArrowCreek,” the operation plan will include the lease of the ArrowCreek Resident’s Club to the Joint Venture as part of the Community Club concept. This has many hurdles to overcome before finalized plans can be provided including agreement with the JV partner Arnold Palmer Golf (APG).

As additional information is developed through negotiations with APG, the Communications Committee will update the community. Please visit the ACHOA website, the ArrowCreek411 website, and/or come to the Board/Town Hall meetings for updates.

Regards,

ACHOA Communications Committee

Posted in APG, Arnold Palmer Golf Management, ArrowCreek Community Club, Communication, Communication Committee, Exercise Facility, Residents Center | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

ACCC Responds to Potential Loan Question

The ACHOA Communications Committee has responded to an individually asked question concerning the “Potential Loan” that may be pursued by the ACHOA to finance the purchase of “The Club At ArrowCreek” if approved by the ACHOA members.

The question is restated with the response below.

“Thank you for the latest update on what is going on re:  the Club at AC. I would be interested in knowing how the 2.5 million dollar figure came to be. How much did the FOA pay for the Club at bankruptcy proceeding? Is the $2.5 million their cost or are they trying to re-coop their original membership fees as a part of this process by selling to the HOA at a profit over what they paid for the club?….Just wondering……”

The ACHOA Letter of Intent to Purchase “The Club At ArrowCreek” states the following “The intended purchase price is the total of all acquisition costs incurred by Seller in originally purchasing the Subject Property for, plus any losses /expense incurred by Seller as of the date of the Parties’ execution of the Purchase Agreement (inclusive of major maintenance and equipment expense), plus twelve (12%) interest per annum. The final purchase price will be determined and agreed upon by the parties.” The Letter of Intent is now allowing the ACHOA to examine all of the components that will make up the Purchase Price.

The Purchase Price does not include any reimbursement of any original membership fees. All memberships fees were discharged by the Bankruptcy Court and are not part of the Purchase Price. At this time, the negotiated Purchase Price Number has not been determined. This is still pending.  However, it should be noted that our estimated loan amount of $2.5 million includes approximately $900 thousand that will still be owed to the County for delinquent water payments as incurred by the former owners.  This amount will be paid over to the County, not to the current owners of the Club at ArrowCreek.

The $2,500,000 Loan amount at this time is speculative and being used as a talking point with lending institutions. There are many variables in determining the loan terms including the following:

  •  Actual Purchase Price Range
  • Period of repayment 15 to 30 years
  • Interest Rate 4.5% to 5.5%
  • Adjustment periods if any
  • Loan fees
  • Review and approval of required loan application documents which include ACHOA Audit Statements, ACHOA Collection Policy, ACHOA Delinquency Reports, Pro-forma Budget for next five years, 2015 ACHOA Approved Budget, and Changes to CC&Rs.

As additional Loan information and Actual Purchase Price information is developed by the ACCC, it will be released to the ACHOA membership. Thank your for your consideration.

Regards,

ACHOA Communication Committee

Posted in ArrowCreek Community Club, Communication, Communication Committee, FOA, Friends of ArrowCreek, HOA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

ACCC Responds to A Reserve Study Question

The ACHOA Communications Committee (ACCC for short) has responded to an individually asked question concerning the ACHOA responsibilities under NRS concerning a Reserve Study of major components of “The Club At ArrowCreek” that may be included if the ACHOA members vote to acquire the club.

The question is restated with the response below. The NRS paragraphs cited are at the end.

“Below is the statute requiring funding of adequate reserves for common elements. The golf courses, clubhouse, parking lot and even furniture and personal property (golf carts) etc. will become “major components of the common elements” that will require adequate funding of reserves, since we don’t have funding for replacing these items. This could very well be a significant expense, but as highlighted in green below, the HOA’s Executive Board has the power to impose fees without approval of unit owners.”

An independent Reserve Study by Browning Reserve Group has been contracted for by the ACHOA Board of Directors and ArrowCreek Community Club Committee (ACCC). The preliminary report is currently being reviewed by the following Board Advisory Committees – ACCC, Reserve Study Committee and Budget and Finance Committee. The committees have been tasked to make sure the report is comprehensive and covers all assets of “The Club At ArrowCreek” if approved for purchase by the ACHOA members, as per the NRS 116 and Nevada Administrative Code 116.

In our preliminary discussions with Arnold Palmer Golf we have insisted that the reserve contribution associated with the Club assets be included as an expense of the proposed Joint Venture in order to cover the additional cost to homeowners. Arnold Palmer agreed to this in concept, pending the actual Reserve Study results. The preliminary Reserve Study was released to Arnold Palmer Golf for negotiation purposes. Results of negotiation are still pending and will be included in a Letter of Intent to be shared with the HOA membership.

This Reserve Study and resulting Arnold Palmer Golf (APG) negotiations will require future presentations by the Board to the entire ACHOA membership concerning Reserve Fund Assessments both current and with the golf purchase combined. The ACHOA Board has stated that it will not increase the monthly assessment to the ACHOA members without proper due diligence and communication with the membership concerning the Reserve Study Results. Any monthly reserve assessments for this potential purchase will not be automatic.

As additional information is developed through negotiations with APG by the ACCC, the Communications Committee will update the community. Please visit the ACHOA web-site and come to the Board/Town Hall meetings for updates.

ACHOA Communications Committee

NRS:
NRS 116.3115  Assessments for common expenses; funding of adequate reserves; collection of interest on past due assessments; calculation of assessments for particular types of common expenses; notice of meeting regarding assessments for capital improvements.

1.  Until the association makes an assessment for common expenses, the declarant shall pay all common expenses. After an assessment has been made by the association, assessments must be made at least annually, based on a budget adopted at least annually by the association in accordance with the requirements set forth in NRS 116.31151. Unless the declaration imposes more stringent standards, the budget must include a budget for the daily operation of the association and a budget for the reserves required by paragraph (b) of subsection 2.

2.  Except for assessments under subsections 4 to 7, inclusive, or as otherwise provided in this chapter:

(a) All common expenses, including the reserves, must be assessed against all the units in accordance with the allocations set forth in the declaration pursuant to subsections 1 and 2 of NRS 116.2107.

(b) The association shall establish adequate reserves, funded on a reasonable basis, for the repair, replacement and restoration of the major components of the common elements and any other portion of the common-interest community that the association is obligated to maintain, repair, replace or restore. The reserves may be used only for those purposes, including, without limitation, repairing, replacing and restoring roofs, roads and sidewalks, and must not be used for daily maintenance. The association may comply with the provisions of this paragraph through a funding plan that is designed to allocate the costs for the repair, replacement and restoration of the major components of the common elements and any other portion of the common-interest community that the association is obligated to maintain, repair, replace or restore over a period of years if the funding plan is designed in an actuarially sound manner which will ensure that sufficient money is available when the repair, replacement and restoration of the major components of the common elements or any other portion of the common-interest community that the association is obligated to maintain, repair, replace or restore are necessary. Notwithstanding any provision of the governing documents to the contrary, to establish adequate reserves pursuant to this paragraph, including, without limitation, to establish or carry out a funding plan, the executive board may, without seeking or obtaining the approval of the units’ owners, impose any necessary and reasonable assessments against the units in the common-interest community. Any such assessments imposed by the executive board must be based on the study of the reserves of the association conducted pursuant to NRS 116.31152.

3.  Any assessment for common expenses or installment thereof that is 60 days or more past due bears interest at a rate equal to the prime rate at the largest bank in Nevada as ascertained by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions on January 1 or July 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding the date the assessment becomes past due, plus 2 percent. The rate must be adjusted accordingly on each January 1 and July 1 thereafter until the balance is satisfied.

4.  Except as otherwise provided in the governing documents:

(a) Any common expense associated with the maintenance, repair, restoration or replacement of a limited common element must be assessed against the units to which that limited common element is assigned, equally, or in any other proportion the declaration provides;

(b) Any common expense benefiting fewer than all of the units or their owners may be assessed exclusively against the units or units’ owners benefited; and

(c) The costs of insurance must be assessed in proportion to risk and the costs of utilities must be assessed in proportion to usage.

5.  Assessments to pay a judgment against the association may be made only against the units in the common-interest community at the time the judgment was entered, in proportion to their liabilities for common expenses.

6.  If damage to a unit or other part of the common-interest community, or if any other common expense is caused by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of any unit’s owner, tenant or invitee of a unit’s owner or tenant, the association may assess that expense exclusively against his or her unit, even if the association maintains insurance with respect to that damage or common expense, unless the damage or other common expense is caused by a vehicle and is committed by a person who is delivering goods to, or performing services for, the unit’s owner, tenant or invitee of the unit’s owner or tenant.

7.  The association of a common-interest community created before January 1, 1992, is not required to make an assessment against a vacant lot located within the community that is owned by the declarant.

8.  If liabilities for common expenses are reallocated, assessments for common expenses and any installment thereof not yet due must be recalculated in accordance with the reallocated liabilities.

9.  The association shall provide written notice to each unit’s owner of a meeting at which an assessment for a capital improvement is to be considered or action is to be taken on such an assessment at least 21 calendar days before the date of the meeting.

(Added to NRS by 1991, 567; A 1993, 2371; 1995, 2230; 1997, 3119, 3120; 1999, 3008; 2001, 2491; 2005, 2603; 2009, 1734, 2805, 2892; 2011, 2447)

NRS 116.0605  “Major component of the common elements” defined.  “Major component of the common elements” means any component of the common elements, including, without limitation, any amenity, improvement, furnishing, fixture, finish, system or equipment, that may, within 30 years after its original installation.

Posted in Arnold Palmer Golf Management, ArrowCreek Community Club, Assessment, Communication, Communication Committee, HOA, NRS, Reserve Study | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FOA News Coverage Last September

Here in one place are several news articles about the FOA and ArrowCreek from the end of September 2014 timeframe:

http://wp.me/P5pVxl-4V

Posted in APG, Arnold Palmer Golf Management, ArrowCreek Community Club, FOA, Friends of ArrowCreek, HOA | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ACCC: Arnold Palmer Golf Management Slides Available

The ArrowCreek Communications Committee has just released the abbreviated version (so it is manageable on-line) of the Arnold Palmer Golf slides that were presented to homeowners after the Annual ArrowCreek HOA Meeting on December 9, 2014.

View the slides
APG ArrowCreek HOA Presentation FINAL 12.9.14

Posted in Arnold Palmer Golf Management, ArrowCreek Community Club, Communication Committee | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment