Wide range of topics covered at Board Meeting

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Several interesting subjects came up at Tuesday’s Regular Session Board Meeting. When officials were invited to address the Board early in the meeting, Nancy Horton, Canyon Lake’s representative on the EVMWD Board of Directors, explained that the water district’s water treatment plant will soon begin taking water out of the lake for treatment. The plant has been down nine months for renovations. Historically, the plant has taken up to 5 million gallons or more per day for treatment.

Nancy also commented on the need for Lake Elsinore to close its lake to recreational use this week due to a blue-green algae bloom. Testing has been done in Canyon Lake and, so far, the water quality has remained good. Residents who notice algae forming are asked to contact the POA immediately.

• The first order of business in the meeting was to acknowledge receipt of the annual audit from the auditing firm of Lund & Guttry. Two representatives of the firm were on hand to announce that the audit showed the POA’s books are extremely clean and that the Accounting Department has done an excellent job. It also was announced that POA Controller Bryan Knechtel has just recently left Canyon Lake for another accounting position.
• Moving into the Business Action Items portion of the agenda, Member Services Manager Susanne Webb announced a 30-day reading for a new Artificial Turf Policy. (See adjacent article.)
• The Board approved reinstating the Rules & Regulations Committee as a standing committee, appointing Thomas Nathan, Stacy Queen, Brenda Yanoschik and Kathy Mulcahy to that committee.
• Directors also approved the charter and several members for a new Security Advisory Committee. The primary responsibility of the Security Advisory Committee is to advise the Board of Directors and recommend changes with regard to members concerns, security procedures, security processes, enforcement issue and comments regarding the Community Patrol and Marine Patrol operation.

Appointed to the Security Advisory Committee, out of 11 applicants, were Bryan Burchett, Leigh Clark, Damon Smith, Orlando Lopez and Steven Usary, with Tammy Stone serving as an alternative.

• Steve Libring, chair of the Facilities Review Committee, reminded listeners that the committee has been holding workshops with various clubs to brainstorm ideas for future enhancements in the community.

The Facility Review Committee (FRC) is conducting a survey to gauge the community’s interest in future community enhancements as part of a proposed ‘Long Range Plan’. The purpose of this survey is to allow the community an opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas for amenity enhancements with the FRC.

Once this preliminary information is gathered, the Committee will present the results, including the community’s most desired projects. Committee and club members all are invited to participate by attending one of the initial workshop meetings to share their top five suggestions. The last meeting and survey is open to all CLPOA members (one survey per tract/lot).

A workshop that will be open to all members will be held Saturday, August 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Holiday Bay Room at the Lodge. The Board strongly encourages everyone to attend and make their desires known.

• Most of the comments made during the Member Comments portion of the meeting focused on dissatisfaction with the look and function of the new Main Gate. President Bruce Yarbrough said that several people had been asked to submit conceptual designs for landscaping and signage at all the gates, and that when all the ideas come in, they will be published in such a way that members can comment.
• Community Patrol Manager Jay Creegen reported that, for the previous month, his department has issued 94 parking citations, 26 speed enforcement citations and seven curfew violation citations. He also reported 54 violations for “gate running” and 28 incident reports for vandalism/graffiti.

Jay also announced that, with school starting in another week, Community Patrol would strictly enforce school bus safety laws. He reminds residents that drivers on both sides of the street, including Canyon Lake Dr., must stop when the school bus red lights are activated.

• In his report to the Board, General Manager Christopher Mitchell reported on the following projects:

Dog Park – Three bids have been received. They will go to the Facilities Review Committee (FRC) for review, then to the Board in September.

Road Engineering Services – The FRC reviewed and provided a recommendation. This will be on the September Board Agenda.

Campground – Contact has been made with the State Housing and Community Development. Staff has received comments and currently are researching building specifications for the State.

Pickle Ball Court Locations – Staff will be submitting options and costs at the September Board meeting.

Main Gate Signage Concepts – Two concepts have been received. The Board is seeking comments on what the membership would like. Please email projects@canyonlakepoa.com with comments.

Main Gate Landscaping – Staff is seeking quotes for landscaping at all gates. They hope to have quotes by the end of the month.

Lake Elsinore Closure – Lake Elsinore has been closed due to detection of harmful algae. Canyon Lake was inspected on Monday and the Association is awaiting results. Initial observations did not detect visible signs of a bloom. Testing was done on July 7 and 20. According to the Scientific Group, there were no concerns from a health perspective.

• Legal Counsel Howard Sildorf said the Board had been given a lengthy update on the Lake Lease litigation and that a letter would be forthcoming to members.

He also noted that another big issue Legal Counsel has been addressing is vacation rentals in Canyon Lake. This is a hot topic members will be encouraged to weigh in on, he said. It’s also a subject for the POA and City officials to meet together on soon.

• During the Directors Comments portion of the meeting, Director Dale Welty reported that the Recreation Committee is looking into setting aside non-smoking areas in some of the community parks. He and Director Ted Horton strongly encourage members to take part in the Facilities Review Committee workshops and survey.
• Director Paul Queen announced that Board has authorized Marine Patrol to crack down on boaters who are violating boating rules.

There have been reports of boats going full speed through the East Bay and 5 mph areas of the Main Lake. There also have been many complaints about excessive wakes. Paul issued the warning that if anyone is caught violating boating rules, they will be subject to fines of up to $500 and will be brought under review to have their boating privileges revoked for a year.

President Yarbrough added to that that towed inflatables are not allowed in the skiing areas of the lake, including the Jump Lagoon and the North Ski Area.

• Members were invited to stay after the meeting for Open Forum discussions with the Directors.