Board candidates discuss Capital Improvements

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This week, candidates were asked to list their priorities for Capital Improvement spending. Members will have a chance to ask them more about these priorities at the upcoming Meet the Candidate Forums.

Nine candidates are running for the three seats that are coming up for reelection in May. Completing their two-year terms are Dawn Haggerty, Eric Spitzer and Bruce Yarbrough. Eric and Bruce have decided to run for reelection; Dawn has been on the Board four years and is now serving her first term on the Canyon Lake City Council.

In addition to Bruce and Eric, candidates running for the Board of Directors are Ted Horton, Larry Greene, Harold Larson, Tamie Mongold, Lawrence Neigel, Paul Queen and Dale Welty. Their resumes can be read at canyonlakepoa.com.

The Notice of Annual Meeting, Ballots and Candidate Statements will be mailed to property owners on April 8. The Annual Meeting and Election are scheduled for May 14.

Four Candidate Forums are scheduled in the month of April:

• Wednesday, April 8, 11:30 a.m. in the Pepe’s Banquet Room, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce
• Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m., at the Senior Center, sponsored by the Senior Work Group
• Monday, April 13, 7 p.m., Holiday Bay Room, sponsored by various community groups
• Monday, April 20, 7 p.m., Holiday Bay Room, sponsored by the Home Owners Club

Question

What Capital Improvement Project not yet budgeted would be most important to you and why? (i.e. you would not include Capital Improvement Fund Projects already listed in 2015 Annual Budget: Indian Beach Playground Equipment, Dog Park, Expand Country Club, Park Cameras, Campground Renovation, Restrooms at Roadrunner Park, Pickle Ball/Sports Court at the Tennis Center.)

Eric Spitzer

I wouldn’t build anything new in the next two years. We’ve planned to spent a lot of money on new projects lately. That doesn’t mean we won’t spend any money; we do need to keep up the current amenities and make sure they are beautiful and secure. In addition to that we need to keep the reserve accounts healthy and keep our dues low. After we take a few years to get financially sound then we can talk about what to spend our money on or maybe even reduce the dues. lets keep our dues low and our reserves high; that’s got to feel good.

Harold Larson

Capital Improvements are a must to assure that we have a community that meets the needs of all, both children and adults. But one must remember that all major expenditures should be approved by the membership per our Bylaws.

In discussions with members, have requested that these items should be added to the priority list. When elected, I will get them on the list:

to support and assure that:

• A skateboard park. The youth of our community now go to other areas to enjoy this sport – let’s bring them home!
• Another pool area and several hot tubs for adults over 18. Our current swimming pool does not have this.
• Improve our streets. It has only been a few years and a number of them are in need of repair or re-striping.
• Recreational facilities in the Fairway Estates, such as a shuffleboard court and bocce ball field.

I support all items currently on the Capital Improvement list,with the exception of the Country Club. I do not see a need to renovate a facility which is not producing a profit on the food side. We have had three managers with several menu changes and they’re still not not getting it done. When elected, I will go out and get a consultant to evaluate the facility to turn it into profit center, or lease it out and get a monthly fee and not worry about profit and loss

I’m not associated with any group. I will be a  direct voice of all residents of Canyon Lake.

Paul Queen

New projects need to come from the people of our community, and Board members should work on what the people want and not their own personal agendas. I would only support a project that first has the support of our people. I also believe that Board members need to be good stewards of our community; which means we need to keep the amenities we have in good condition, and also keep costs down so dues can be lowered to a more acceptable figure.

In my first year, I would much rather look at making the adjustments needed so that our money-generating amenities such as the Lodge, the Golf Course, the Country Club and the Campground run at a profit, or at the very least break even. Then we wouldn’t need to pay such large subsidies to keep them all afloat, and costs to our members would be reduced. Also, large contracts such as the Lake Lease need to be re-negotiated to a sustainable amount. I would not be thinking of any new projects other then those already in progress, but we do need to finish the dog park and the tennis building as those are projects our members have asked for and they need to be completed.

Please visit www.facebook.com/POAELECTION2015.

Tamie Mongold

I think Capital Improvements of new amenities should be put out for a vote from the community as a whole. The homeowners should decide if they want to build a new amenity in their association. It is not about what I would want, it is up to the homeowners.

That being said I could write down some options on a questionnaire or mailer to the membership. I have seen some very good requests. Perhaps a walking trail at some of our parks or a jacuzzi next to our pool. Expedite getting new mailboxes for our members’ protection. Turning the Holiday Harbor snack shack into a burger shack serving our boaters, families and visitors.

If feasible, a splash pad park using recycled treated water. Designated smoking areas at parks/beaches for the safety of our families. The addition of shade trees, benches, shade sails or structures where families often gather – these last two being very cost effective. My door is always open for any suggestions that members may have. thallmark@yahoo.com

Larry Greene

An important addition to our amenities in Canyon Lake would be a youth and community activity and sports complex at the East Port area. The center could include a gymnasium, pool, office space, meeting rooms, and possibly a skateboard venue. Such a complex is long overdue for the youth of our City.

The design phase would include community input, including suggestions from youth-orientated counselors to help plan the features attractive to our younger residents.

This project would encompass a 3-to-5-year CIP funding time span. During this period, legal and risk assessment surveys would be conducted. Local areas with similar amenities would be contacted to inquire about what issues they encountered and, also, any recommendations they might have. Funds would be set aside each year with a review and update of the project as it progresses.

This sports complex could become a source of revenue for our community. Rental of the individual venues for sports events or special occasions would be made available.

I strongly feel  this is an important project and should be added to our Capitol Improvement list.

Bruce Yarbrough

We as a community have done a good job building facilities for adults and our very young members, but have fallen short on what we have done for our teens. Our demographics have changed and we now have more teens living here than ever before. We need to give them more access to activities they enjoy.

A teen center/recreational center is being discussed at either Holiday Harbor or East Port Park and I believe we need to fund this project now.

We received many positive comments from our members when we installed the playground equipment at Indian Beach. Along this line, we still have several of our parks that have received little or no support for many years. It is time to start working on these locations.

One of the most needed projects is also one of the most controversial and this is a skateboard park. We need to provide a safer place for our youth to ride their skateboards, razor scooters  and BMX bikes. But the biggest problem here is finding a location where we could place this. Many homeowners agree that this is needed but do not support it being located close to their house. A skate park with BMX bike trails in a park setting should provide activities that will bring the increasing rate of vandalism down.

Dale Welty

The Capital Improvement project that is most important to me is the improvements to Eastport Park. Eastport is one of the last remaining unimproved waterfront parks in Canyon Lake.

While a master plan has been created for the park, the master plan is over 20 years old. The existing master plan is outdated and needs to be modified to meet the changes and needs of the community. The park should focus on amenities for youth and family activities.

At a minimum, Eastport Park  should include sports courts, walkways that allow  bicycles and scooters, outdoor amphitheater for movies, and indoor areas for youth activities. A skateboard area and gymnasium should also be considered.

It is time to invest in our children’s success. Homes in communities that have high scoring schools sell for significantly higher prices than homes with school districts with lower scores. I believe the biggest factor in Canyon Lake’s long term success will be determined by Canyon Lake’s ability to raise children who have developed the life skills they need to have a successful life.

The process for building Capital Improvement projects in Canyon Lake is a multi-year process that requires review and recommendation from a number of POA committees. The typical annual POA budget sets aside in excess of $500,000 in Capital Improvement funds every year.

We can start setting funds aside now, so funds will be available to build the project. In the meantime, we need to expand current and start youth programs in our existing facilities.

Lawrence Neigel

We need to stop this insane Main Gate project that involves building a concrete arch. The projects that make sense are the dog-run fencing in numerous locations, tennis building and the Campground infrastructure renovation. These projects have been long overdue.

All of the current efforts to do more than our budget allows is simply spending money that can be better allocated to improve our current infrastructure that the Davis Stirling Act mandates we maintain.

That would include our streets, curb numbering, park turf, park equipment in all parks, updated tables and seating, walking paths, bicycling paths, a skate park and bicycle park for the kids. Concentrate on beautifying these vacant lots that make our community ugly and bring down our property values.

We need improved security measures that include surveillance cameras and alarm systems for all of our buildings. We should have lakeside food and beverage services for the summer.

It is an important time that we stop planning new projects that don’t serve the general membership. I don’t want to go on the Board to complete any “pet” projects. I want to improve efficiency and community service and improve the amenities we already have.

Just look closely at all of the common areas and you will see a lack of quality in the landscaping, grass and equipment available to our residents. That’s where the finances should be concentrated. Not building a new golf course; the one we have needs to be maintained according to the Davis-Stirling Act!