Sunset Pointe Landscape Advisory Committee/LA County Parks LLAD 2, Zone 21 Meeting/May 9, 2011

Summary


Attendance
(In addition to the regulars: Local LLAD 2, Zone 21 County staff, Rich Meier's Maintenance Operations Manager, and Advisory Committee Members), John Wicker (Chief Deputy Director LA County Department of Parks and Recreation), Bob Maycumber (Administrative Deputy/LA County Department of Parks and Recreation), Kandy Hays (Chief-Contracts/ LA County Department of Parks and Recreation) and Rosalind Wayman (Field Deputy/LA County Supervisor Michael Antonovich) were in attendance.

Landscape Maintenance
Judy Benevidez and Richard Cambaliza (Maintenance Operations Manager/Rich Meier’s Landscaping, Inc.) were available to answer any landscape maintenance questions the committee might have.
At the March 14 meeting, clarification of the terms of the landscape contract regarding tree trimming were discussed with the County.
Specifically:
Exhibit B
Statement of Work
Appendix B-2-Page 13
Item B: Tree Pruning and Group 1: Sunset Pointe Area-Zone 21
And
Exhibit 14
Pricing and Billing Schedule and Performance Frequencies
Landscape and Lighting Act District No. 2
Group No.1: Zone No. 21 (Sunset Pointe)
Page 2 of 3
Landscape Category C. Tree Care
1. Tree Maintenance
2. Pruning
Which reads:
"Annually prune ONLY 1/3 of approx. 1151 trees
(Identified by County Landscape Contract Monitor), as scheduled Oct.-Feb."
The committee was assured by the County that the landscape contractor will abide by the terms stated in the contract.

Judy Benevidez handed out a map of areas scheduled for brush clearance and weed abatement by the landscape contractor in May and June.

Irrigation and landscape Renovation Project
John Wicker (Chief Deputy Director Department of Parks and Recreation) informed the committee that he had inspected the completed project and was satisfied with the job.
He also informed the committee that anymore replanting, etc...that remains to be done would be paid for out of the "extra work" portion of the Sunset Pointe assessment fund.

Sunset Pointe (Zone No. 21) Special Districts Budget Summary
Mike Kriste Handed out the Special Districts Budget Summary (dated 5/4/22) for the advisory committee’s review:



Updated Map of Sunset Pointe (LLAD 2/Zone 21)
Camden Property
Rosalind Wayman reported that research into the ownership of Assessor Parcel Numbers 2826-040-037 and 038. (This is the undeveloped land referred to as "Camden Property") is still in progress.
She also assured the committee that the cost of annual brush clearance (for fire protection) of this property would not be paid from Sunset Pointe/Zone 21 assessment funds.

Assessor Parcel Numbers 2826-040-037 and 2826-040-038 highlighted in green:

For service requests or to report any irrigation or landscape issues contact:
Judy Benavidez ( County Landscape Monitor): 661.257.6592
or e-mail at: jbenavidez@parks.lacounty.gov
LLAD Secretary: 661.294.3520
Urgent Landscape needs (e.g. irrigation pipe broken) after hours and weekends: 562.401.9349

Your Questions And Input Are Important To Us.
Please feel free to contact the Sunset Pointe Advisory Committee directly @ SunsetPointeAC@gmail.com

Next Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for July 11, 2011 @ 10 AM

Sunset Pointe Landscape Advisory Committee/LA County Parks LLAD 2, Zone 21 Meeting/March 14, 2011

Summary

Attendance
(In addition to the regulars: Local LLAD 2, Zone 21 County staff, Rich Meier's Maintenance Operations Manager, and Advisory Committee Members, Bob Maycumber/Administrative Deputy/Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and Kandy Hays/ Chief-Contracts/ Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation were in attendance.

Irrigation and landscape Renovation Project
The County informed the committee that because of budget shortfalls, funds left to complete the Sunset Pointe Irrigation and Landscape Renovation Project (Approx. $43,000 out of the original $681,000 County contribution), were transferred to the I-5 Freeway/Lyons Ave/Pico Canyon Interchange Landscape Project. The committee discussed this new information with members of the County, including Kandy Hays (Chief-Contracts) and Bob Maycumber (Administrative Deputy). This issue is being given further consideration by the committee.

Landscape Maintenance
Judy Benevidez and Richard Cambaliza (Maintenance Operations Manager/Rich Meier’s Landscaping, Inc.) were available to answer any landscape maintenance questions the committee might have. They also reported that surface wires from Controller #5, that connect to irrigation stations along Sagecrest Circle near Laurelcrest, were buried.
County representatives Kandy Hays and Bob Maycumber were also available to answer questions, and explain the County’s position, regarding the committee’s interpretation of the number of trees to be trimmed annually as part of Meier’s contract.
Within the contract, the committee specifically refers to:
Exhibit B
Statement of Work
Appendix B-2-Page 13
Item b. Tree Pruning and Group 1: Sunset Pointe Area-Zone 21

And

Exhibit 14
Pricing and Billing Schedule and Performance Frequencies
Landscape and Lighting Act District No. 2
Group No.1: Zone No. 21 (Sunset Pointe)
Page 2 of 3
Landscape Category C. Tree Care
1. Tree Maintenance and 2. Pruning


Sunset Pointe (Zone No. 21) Special Districts Budget Summary
Mike Kriste Handed out the Special Districts latest budget summary for the advisory committee’s review:



Updated Map of Sunset Pointe (LLAD 2/Zone 21)
Research by the committee and the County is ongoing regarding any issues that pertain to the establishment of an accurate, updated map of areas to be maintained by the County.
Within the Sunset Pointe subdivision, special attention has been given to locating the current owner who could be responsible for the maintenance of Assessor Parcel Numbers 2826-040-037 and 038. (This is the undeveloped land referred to as "Camden Property".) Mike Kriste (Interim Special Districts Administrator) reported that records show Larwin Company, an active California corporation, owns the parcels.



For service requests or to report any irrigation or landscape issues contact:
Judy Benavidez ( County Landscape Monitor): 661.257.6592
or e-mail at: jbenavidez@parks.lacounty.gov
LLAD Secretary: 661.294.3520
Urgent Landscape needs (e.g. irrigation pipe broken) after hours and weekends: 562.401.9349

Your Questions And Input Are Important To Us.
Please feel free to contact the Sunset Pointe Advisory Committee directly @ SunsetPointeAC@gmail.com

Next Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2011 @ 10 AM

Sunset Pointe Landscape Advisory Committee/LA County Parks LLAD 2, Zone 21 Meeting/February 7, 2011

Summary

Sunset Pointe (Zone 21) Summary Of Water Usage And Costs
Mike Kriste (Interim Special Districts Administrator) handed out a Summary of Water Usage for 2009 and a Summary of Water Usage and Costs for 2010 for review. The advisory committee discussed the report.

Valencia Water Company’s New Tiered Rate System
Homeowner Jim Lynn (Committee Member) attended a recent meeting of the West Ranch Town Council and was informed that Valencia Water’s tiered rate system is set to go into effect February 2011. He provided the advisory committee with the water company’s detailed press release distributed at that meeting.
Online at:
http://www.valenciawater.com/images/ContentImages/VWCRateDecision.pdf

Plans are to have a representative of Valencia Water Company attend a future meeting and further discuss the new WaterSMART allocation system.

Sunset Pointe (Zone No. 21) Special Districts Budget Summary
Mike Kriste Handed out the Special Districts current budget summary for the advisory committee’s review. The summary was discussed.

Landscape Renovation Project
Rich Meier’s Landscaping is to bid additional planting in the designated areas of Laurelcrest Lane and Dogwood Court. Certain areas of controller #5 still remain to be replanted as part of the renovation project.
It was noted that controller #5 site preparation for replanting will also include some grading and burying of irrigation wire, parallel to the sidewalk, along Sagecrest circle.
As Mike Kriste previously reported at the 12/6/10 meeting, current plans remain to commence work on the areas above in March, 2011. (Note: This item will be revisited at the March meeting since the availability of remaining "renovation funds" has subsequently become questionable.)


Landscape Maintenance
Judy Benevidez and Richard Cambaliza (Maintenance Operations Manager/Rich Meier’s Landscaping, Inc.) were available to answer any landscape maintenance questions the committee might have. Responsibilities of the landscape contractor regarding ongoing tree maintenance were further discussed.
A copy of the approved Landscape and Ground Maintenance Services Contract with Rich Meier’s Landscaping, Inc For Sunset Pointe Area Zones 21 and 63 was made available to the advisory committee.
A quote for extra work to repair severe cracks in certain areas of the concrete drainage system along the slopes was requested from the landscape contractor.

For service requests or to report any irrigation or landscape issues contact:
Judy Benavidez (County Landscape Monitor): 661.257.6592
or e-mail at: jbenavidez@parks.lacounty.gov
LLAD Secretary: 661.294.3520
Urgent Landscape needs (e.g. irrigation pipe broken) after hours and weekends: 562.401.9349

Your Questions And Input Are Important To Us.
Please feel free to contact the Sunset Pointe Advisory Committee directly @ SunsetPointeAC@gmail.com

Next Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for March 14, 2011 @ 10 AM

The Old Road Scheduled For Repair Spring/Summer 2012

District 5 Road Maintenance Engineer Mark Caddick has announced that current plans are for the following local roadways to be resurfaced, by the Los Angeles County DPW, in the Spring-Summer of 2012:

The Old Road – From Weldon Cyn Rd to Pico Cyn Rd
The Old Road – From Pico Cyn Rd to Stevenson Ranch Pkwy
Calgrove Blvd. – From The Old Rd to 5 Fwy
Pico Canyon Rd. – From I-5 to 200 feet west of The Old Road
Chiquella Lane

Sidewalks in the above areas will also be repaired as needed. Including: The Old Road west side sidewalk in front of the Sunset Pointe Shopping Center and hotels.

Sunset Pointe Landscape Advisory Committee/LA County Parks LLAD 2, Zone 21 Meeting/December 6, 2010

Summary

Irrigation Renovation Project
Mike Kriste (Interim Special Districts Administrator) reported that the newly installed controllers are currently operating in the ET mode. According to the manufacturer, in this mode the WeatherTRAK smart evapotranspiration (ET) controllers are automatically adjusting the irrigation schedule based on local weather conditions and landscape needs.

Ongoing irrigation problems/concerns with controller #5 were again called to the attention of the county by committee members, and the County will be monitoring this controller closely.

Landscape Renovation Project
Mike Kriste informed the committee that the replanting of certain areas of controller #5 have been pushed back to March, 2011. Newly designated areas along Laurelcrest and Dogwood are also scheduled to be replanted at that time.

Landscape Maintenance
Judy Benevidez and Richard Cambaliza (Maintenance Operations Manager/Rich Meier’s Landscaping, Inc.) were available to answer any landscape maintenance questions the committee might have. Responsibilities of the landscape contractor regarding ongoing tree maintenance were discussed. In order for the committee to have a clear understanding of the scope of tree maintenance services, further detailed discussion will occur at the next committee meeting.

Sunset Pointe Street Tree Trimming
According to Nathan Birdwell (Tree Operations Supt./LA County Dept of Public Works) a contract has been awarded to trim the street trees in Sunset Pointe. The exact start date will be scheduled at the upcoming pre-construction meeting. In the meantime, contact Nathan at (661)947-7173 ext 257 to schedule an inspection of a street tree that could need immediate attention.

Sunset Pointe Property Easements
An open letter from Sunset Pointe homeowner and advisory council member Bill Westcott:
Many Sunset Pointe properties have easements for landscape and slope maintenance purposes. Each Sunset Pointe property owner, by acceptance of their property deed, has agreed to these easements. The easements were established to install landscaping, irrigation, and drainage for slope protection and stability. These same easements grant access to our properties for maintaining the landscaping, irrigation and drainage systems. Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation (LLAD 2, Zone 21) is responsible for this maintenance. Per the Sunset Pointe Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Reservation of Easements, no structure, planting, or other materials shall be placed or permitted to remain within the easement areas that may interfere with this maintenance or may change the direction in the flow of drainage channels. To maintain slope stability, it is very important that no owner alters or interferes with the established drainage pattern for their property. Landscaping is an intricate part of maintaining drainage and slope stability. Therefore no property owner shall remove any tree, shrub, or plant within the easement on their property. If you have a concern about a particular tree, shrub, etc., within the easement on your property, contact Judy Benavidez , LLAD 2, Zone 21-Landscape Monitor.

For service requests or to report any irrigation or landscape issues contact:
Judy Benavidez( County Landscape Monitor) : 661.257.6592
or e-mail at: jbenavidez@parks.lacounty.gov
LLAD Secretary: 661.294.3520
Urgent Landscape needs (e.g. irrigation pipe broken) after hours and weekends: 562.401.9349

Your Questions And Input Are Important To Us.
Please feel free to contact the Sunset Pointe Advisory Committee directly @ SunsetPointeAC@gmail.com

Next Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for February 7, 2011 @ 10 AM