My Sea Ranch home was completed in June of 2006. While I am extremely pleased with the end result, like many, I found the design process somewhat confusing and frustrating. I do not believe that the design committee made any substantive errors with regard to the CC&R’s. However, I do believe that the process itself was inherently flawed.
The design committee is made up of six architects, two of whom are landscape architects. However, only three meet as a committee. Of those three, at least one is a landscape architect.
Here is the problem:
Because committee members rotate, a submitted plan is not reviewed by the same three members throughout the entire process, thus increasing the likelihood of inconsistent and contradictory rulings.
The Sea Association Office recognized the problem and reacted by assigning the DCEM Executive Director to prepare documents and be present at all Design Review Committee meetings, thus insuring that inconsistent and contradictory rulings would not take place. Excellent.
The next step should be to obtain member input to determine if this has indeed improved the process. If it has, then we need to continue to monitor the process and make adjustments as needed. If it has not, then we need to investigate the problem further.
I understand that the Design Review process can sometime mean not getting what you want. However, inconsistent and contradictory rulings are unacceptable.
My position on the Design Process is this:
As a general rule, the Design Review process should not last longer than one year. If it does, we should know exactly why.
If elected to the Sea Ranch Board of Directors, I will commit to monitor the Design Review process on a monthly basis and make my findings known at all board meetings.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Devil In The Details
Having received a number of inquiries and comments from association members about the recent budget workshop, I feel it appropriate to respond. This post will address 4 specific budget items which impact directly the proposed increases in association dues.
#1 Additional Administrative Office Assistant
As the association has grown, the amount of clerical work has increased. Having worked in the same organization for over 30 years, I understand this completely. No problem.
#2 Deputy Community Manager
When coaching, I was sometimes fortunate to have a player who was extraordinary in terms of talent, work ethic and leadership skills. That player not only performed at a high level himself, but had the ability to raise his teammates’ level as well. I hated to lose him, because it was going to be very difficult, if not impossible to replace him. Frankly, most of the time, it was. I called such a player, “Gold Nuggets.”
John Fox is “Gold Nuggets.”
He has taken the level of service provided by the TSR Association to a new level of efficiency. Unfortunately, that has come at a great cost to him personally. Working 60-70 hour weeks and not having 2 consecutive days off is simply unacceptable. If we don't get him some help, we're going to lose him. The question now becomes, "Are we willing to lose him?"
I am not.
The next question: “Is hiring a Deputy Community Manager the only way to prevent that from happening?” I’m not sure, but I suspect strongly that it is.
#3 Office Space Expansion
Former Board Director Scott Nevin has shared that this has been under consideration for some time. So, while this is the first I’ve heard about it, the Board has been wrestling with it for a number of years.
Office expansion seems to relate to items 1 and 2. We hire more people, we need more space. There's only so much spatial reconfiguring that can be done to accommodate staff increases, before it simply becomes unworkable to the point it is a negative factor in terms of efficiency. In addition, I've worked in such situations. While I was still able to do my job, the feeling that you've been "marginalized" cannot be escaped. Not a pleasant working environment.
As I understand it, there appear to be 2 options at this time.
1) Expand the existing Association Office
2) Use other buildings on the Sea Ranch which may be available
#4 On Going vs. One Time Assessments
It is important to note that while some budget items are one time expenses, others are not. The Administrative Clerical Assistant, the Deputy Community Manager and the Information Technology Manager/Expert will be ongoing yearly expenses. They won’t go away.
Additionally, because a search for a Deputy Community Manager and Information Technology Manager/Expert will be necessary, they will not be hired immediately. The Deputy Community Manager is scheduled to be hired in September 2008, and the Information Technology Manager/Expert in January 2009. Consequently, the assessment increases to fund both, $2.18 and $0.75 respectively, are for a partial year. It would be logical to assume that they would rise in subsequent full years.
While I have generated some of this information myself, others have contributed greatly as well. I encourage all to contribute. As I recently said to an association member, “This is a pretty steep learning curve, and I’d appreciate anything that would help flatten it out some.”
“Too many people are willing to carry the stool, when it’s the piano that needs to be moved.” ----Anonymous
As Always……Be Well,
John Forenti
#1 Additional Administrative Office Assistant
As the association has grown, the amount of clerical work has increased. Having worked in the same organization for over 30 years, I understand this completely. No problem.
#2 Deputy Community Manager
When coaching, I was sometimes fortunate to have a player who was extraordinary in terms of talent, work ethic and leadership skills. That player not only performed at a high level himself, but had the ability to raise his teammates’ level as well. I hated to lose him, because it was going to be very difficult, if not impossible to replace him. Frankly, most of the time, it was. I called such a player, “Gold Nuggets.”
John Fox is “Gold Nuggets.”
He has taken the level of service provided by the TSR Association to a new level of efficiency. Unfortunately, that has come at a great cost to him personally. Working 60-70 hour weeks and not having 2 consecutive days off is simply unacceptable. If we don't get him some help, we're going to lose him. The question now becomes, "Are we willing to lose him?"
I am not.
The next question: “Is hiring a Deputy Community Manager the only way to prevent that from happening?” I’m not sure, but I suspect strongly that it is.
#3 Office Space Expansion
Former Board Director Scott Nevin has shared that this has been under consideration for some time. So, while this is the first I’ve heard about it, the Board has been wrestling with it for a number of years.
Office expansion seems to relate to items 1 and 2. We hire more people, we need more space. There's only so much spatial reconfiguring that can be done to accommodate staff increases, before it simply becomes unworkable to the point it is a negative factor in terms of efficiency. In addition, I've worked in such situations. While I was still able to do my job, the feeling that you've been "marginalized" cannot be escaped. Not a pleasant working environment.
As I understand it, there appear to be 2 options at this time.
1) Expand the existing Association Office
2) Use other buildings on the Sea Ranch which may be available
#4 On Going vs. One Time Assessments
It is important to note that while some budget items are one time expenses, others are not. The Administrative Clerical Assistant, the Deputy Community Manager and the Information Technology Manager/Expert will be ongoing yearly expenses. They won’t go away.
Additionally, because a search for a Deputy Community Manager and Information Technology Manager/Expert will be necessary, they will not be hired immediately. The Deputy Community Manager is scheduled to be hired in September 2008, and the Information Technology Manager/Expert in January 2009. Consequently, the assessment increases to fund both, $2.18 and $0.75 respectively, are for a partial year. It would be logical to assume that they would rise in subsequent full years.
While I have generated some of this information myself, others have contributed greatly as well. I encourage all to contribute. As I recently said to an association member, “This is a pretty steep learning curve, and I’d appreciate anything that would help flatten it out some.”
“Too many people are willing to carry the stool, when it’s the piano that needs to be moved.” ----Anonymous
As Always……Be Well,
John Forenti
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Budget Meeting - January 12, 2008...WOW!
John Donne said, “Knowledge cannot save you, but you cannot be saved without it.”
Today’s budget meeting most definitely provided Sea Ranch Association members with knowledge. Unfortunately, not very many of our membership was present to gain access to the knowledge. Not good.
Not good because a monthly dues increase of $23.34 is “on the table” for 2008-09. That increase would set the assessment at $185.84, up from its present amount of $163.00 ($162.50 if electronically paid). While the increase will undoubtedly be met with a collective gasp from the membership (I know I “gasped”), hard questions regarding this increase must be asked and answered, not with gasps, but with insight gained from a careful analysis of the information available.
I have to echo what Roy Austin said on the Sea Ranch List Serve (I do still read it ….just no campaigning)……..”You all shoulda been there”
Increased dues will result from additional assessments in the following areas, in the following amounts:
1) Additional Administrative Clerk – Yearly Cost of $45,699 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $1.66
2) Deputy Community Manager – Yearly Cost of $59,994 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $2.18
3) Information Technology Manager/Expert – Yearly Cost of $20,650 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $0.75
4) Trails Committee – Yearly Cost of $1,635 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $0.06
5) Forest Management Plan for Timber Protection Zone – Yearly Cost of $13,500 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $0.49
6) Fire Safety Task Force Initiatives – Yearly Cost of $150,000 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $5.46
7) Commons Area Verdant View Restoration – Yearly Cost of $12,000 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $0.44 - (more discussion in 3rd budget meeting)
8) Office Space Expansion – Yearly Cost of $100,000 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $3.66
Those are the numbers. Here are what I believe to be the questions:
1) What do we gain if we choose to go forward with the increases?
2) What are we willing to lose if we don’t?
Obviously, these questions are inseparable. We can scarcely consider one without considering the other. The questions then become not only very difficult, but very unnerving. I suspect the answers will be as well.
The third budget meeting is scheduled for February 9. We need your help. Please try to make it. If you can’t, post your comments on this BLOG, and I’ll make sure to carry your message to the meeting.
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can still do something.” – Edward Everett Hale
As Always…….Be well,
John Forenti
Today’s budget meeting most definitely provided Sea Ranch Association members with knowledge. Unfortunately, not very many of our membership was present to gain access to the knowledge. Not good.
Not good because a monthly dues increase of $23.34 is “on the table” for 2008-09. That increase would set the assessment at $185.84, up from its present amount of $163.00 ($162.50 if electronically paid). While the increase will undoubtedly be met with a collective gasp from the membership (I know I “gasped”), hard questions regarding this increase must be asked and answered, not with gasps, but with insight gained from a careful analysis of the information available.
I have to echo what Roy Austin said on the Sea Ranch List Serve (I do still read it ….just no campaigning)……..”You all shoulda been there”
Increased dues will result from additional assessments in the following areas, in the following amounts:
1) Additional Administrative Clerk – Yearly Cost of $45,699 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $1.66
2) Deputy Community Manager – Yearly Cost of $59,994 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $2.18
3) Information Technology Manager/Expert – Yearly Cost of $20,650 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $0.75
4) Trails Committee – Yearly Cost of $1,635 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $0.06
5) Forest Management Plan for Timber Protection Zone – Yearly Cost of $13,500 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $0.49
6) Fire Safety Task Force Initiatives – Yearly Cost of $150,000 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $5.46
7) Commons Area Verdant View Restoration – Yearly Cost of $12,000 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $0.44 - (more discussion in 3rd budget meeting)
8) Office Space Expansion – Yearly Cost of $100,000 – Monthly Assessment Increase of $3.66
Those are the numbers. Here are what I believe to be the questions:
1) What do we gain if we choose to go forward with the increases?
2) What are we willing to lose if we don’t?
Obviously, these questions are inseparable. We can scarcely consider one without considering the other. The questions then become not only very difficult, but very unnerving. I suspect the answers will be as well.
The third budget meeting is scheduled for February 9. We need your help. Please try to make it. If you can’t, post your comments on this BLOG, and I’ll make sure to carry your message to the meeting.
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can still do something.” – Edward Everett Hale
As Always…….Be well,
John Forenti
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Beginning
Welcome!
This BLOG has been created for the purpose of allowing Sea Ranch Association members to evaluate my position on issues related to the upcoming Board of Directors election.
I will begin stating those positions on January 21.
It is my firm belief that as a Board Director it will be my moral duty to represent not only those who agree with my positions, but those who do not as well. Therefore, I invite and welcome reasoned, civil and spirited discourse.
As Always.....Be Well,
John Forenti
This BLOG has been created for the purpose of allowing Sea Ranch Association members to evaluate my position on issues related to the upcoming Board of Directors election.
I will begin stating those positions on January 21.
It is my firm belief that as a Board Director it will be my moral duty to represent not only those who agree with my positions, but those who do not as well. Therefore, I invite and welcome reasoned, civil and spirited discourse.
As Always.....Be Well,
John Forenti
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