Board OKs survey, soil test at 1.8-acre site

GRF HIGHLIGHTS

At its meeting April 26, the Golden Rain Foundation Board of Directors appropriated money to survey and test the soil at the 1.8-acre former Mini Farm site and upgrade Clubhouse 2. It also voted to distribute excess income to GRF reserve and operating funds and to Mutual corporations, among other actions.

Meeting Highlights

• Clubhouse 2 Renovation The board unanimously approved a Recreation Committee recommendation to refurbish the lobby and paint the entire interior of Clubhouse 2. Work will include replacing windows and lighting in the lobby and main hall. The board approved $130,177 from reserve funding as follows: $15,865, replace windows; $28,000, replace lighting in the lobby and main hall; $34,500, purchase 19 ADRC-approved light fixtures, plus a 10% contingency.

• Soil Testing at the 1.8-acre Site The board unanimously approved soil testing and a topographical survey of the former Mini Farm site for a total of $11,300. The survey and soil testing is the first step in developing a project there.

• Refund of Excess Income The board accepted the 2021 draft audited financial statements of the Golden Rain Foundation. The statement reflects an excess income of $1,118,521. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, the board approved distribution as follows: $300,000 to the GRF reserve fund; $600,000 to the GRF operating fund and $218,521 to Mutual corporations on a pro rata basis.

• Adopt a Pay Grade Schedule The board unanimously voted to adopt a new 2022 pay grade schedule, part of a comprehensive effort to improve employee pay and benefits, which have fallen behind industry averages.

Human Resources Director LeAnn Dillman and her staff evaluated the entire company pay grade schedule and significantly overhauled it, as all grades had to be adjusted upward in the wake of state-mandated increases in minimum wage.

Currently, Human Resources is reviewing all staff positions to align them to the new schedule and ensure salaries are at market rates.

Higher salaries and better benefits will help the GRF retain and recruit employees across all departments. The GRF has found it particularly challenging to recruit skilled trade workers such as plumbers and electricians, which residents rely on, especially during weekend emergencies.

This is the latest step in an ongoing effort to elevate employee compensation. In February, the board voted to award all GRF employees except staff directors, who are the highest-ranking department heads, a 5% economic adjustment increase and offered a more robust benefits package.

Prior to that, employees had not received a cost-of-living increase since 2012.

• Inspector of Elections The board unanimously confirmed the appointment of Accurate Voting Services to perform the general election services for the GRF and Mutual corporations for the 2022 election, per GRF Policy 30-5025-3, Election Procedures.

• Real Estate Upate: On-Site Home Sales

In her quarterly report, On-Site Home Sales broker Dawn Januszka of The Januszka Group, Inc., told the board that the real estate market is experiencing “explosive” pricing in a seller’s market that is now beginning to slow. Prices have skyrocketed due to to supply shortage, which could be partially triggered by homeowners delaying moves. She called it the “worst housing shortage in history,” which includes Leisure World, as it mirrors the outside real estate market.

First-quarter sales were average, lower than in 2020 and 2021, but the office is closing out April with a robust 21 sales, she said. Experts predict that the market will level off in coming months.

She also noted that every transaction handled by On-Site Home Sales benefits residents, as the office annually returns a portion of proceeds to the GRF. Last year, it gave back about $700,000. On-Site Home Sales is the only real estate office endorsed by the GRF, and its agents understand the nuances of real estate transactions that differ from Mutual to Mutual, which can streamline the process for buyers and sellers.

•Storm Drains Project

The board voted to proceed with a project to install custom storm water screens inside 157 of Leisure World’s inlets. All grated inlets in streets and parking lots will receive a stainless-steel screen that filters to 5 millimeters, bringing LW streets and parking into full compliance with the state’s Trash Amendment regulations.

LW has about 225 inlets that collect storm water runoff. Of these inlets, 174 are located in street and parking lots, and about 51 are in non-paved grassy areas between buildings, according to a proposal summary from the contractor, G2 Construction, Inc.

Storm water runoff contributes to pollution and negatively impacts the water quality of watersheds, streams, groundwater, oceans and all bodies of water. The California State Water Board has mandated that municipalities screen their storm water inlets and catch basins to capture all sources of pollution two-tenths of an inch (5 millimeter) or larger.

The total construction cost is estimated to be $576,000, and the City of Seal Beach believes Leisure World is an ideal candidate to win a 2022-23 OCTA Environmental Cleanup Program Project X grant that will cover 80% of the costs.

The city is applying for the grant, with Leisure World as co-applicant, according to Deputy Public Works Director Iris Lee. Should the application be awarded, OCTA’s grant will reimburse the lion’s share of the project cost, leaving Leisure World responsible for a 20% minimum match of $99,000.

• Clubhouse 1 Picnic Tables The board voted to approve $3,014 in reserve funding to replace 20 seats and one tabletop at the Clubhouse 1 picnic area, per a recommendation from the Recreation Committee.

• Purchase of Club Cars At the recommendation of the Security, Bus & Traffic Committee, the board voted to purchase three 2022 model-year Club Car Carryall electric utility vehicles for $65,000 from Long Beach Electric Car Sales.

The carts will be used by Information Technology Services, Purchasing, and Copy and Supply.

It was estimated the vehicles will provide service for up to 20 years. —Ruth Osborn, managing editor