Insurance, gate access, and fees, oh my!
GRF BOARD RECAP
Board members cover substantial ground in five-hour meeting
by LW Weekly Staff
Leisure World residents can expect stronger security at the community’s entrances after votes at the Golden Rain Foundation Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Changes to gate security and access system The Board’s longest discussion involved the decision to adopt a new gate access system. After a discussion of nearly an hour, a majority approved a $423,485 system proposed by CG Systems.
CG’s integrated system replaces an earlier approach that unsuccessfully attempted to mesh the community’s legacy software with the existing entry system. CG’s system employs a tiny radio RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) transponder to automatically identify an authorized automobile.
The approved system includes software governing access at all three community entrances, barrier gates, guard station kiosks and 10 license plate readers to capture vehicle plates at entry and exit lanes.
GRF will provide one free RFID tag for each Leisure World unit, and will buy another 9,000 to supply access for employees, contractors, and residents with more than one car. Additional tags will be available at an as-yetundetermined cost.
The CG system should improve resident security. Any vehicle without prior authorization will encounter a lowered gate if they attempt to enter the community. If a resident moves from the community or a GRF employee resigns, the RFID pass can be deactivated immediately. Similarly, if a resident decides they no longer want to allow a guest to enter Leisure World, the guest’s digital pass can be cancelled in seconds.
The new system will also simplify how residents can call in guests. Visitors will be able to enter through any of the community’s three gates. Residents can use their own customized login and password to authorize visitors. Those passes can be printed by the visitor or saved on a smartphone, then scanned for entry.
GRF administrators predicted it will take six to seven months to acquire the materials, schedule construction and install the system. The first of several town halls will be held to discuss the new system and answer resident questions will be held in Clubhouse 4 on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m.
RV Lot rental charge increases approved
The Board Directors conducted an in-depth debate concerning rental terms for the community Recreational Vehicle Lot, before finally agreeing to minor increases in the lot’s annual rental storage fees.
Currently, Members renting spaces less than 31 feet long pay $240 annually. The Recreation Committee, which administers the RV Lot, proposed an increase to $312 annually starting June 1. Residents renting spaces greater than 31 feet currently pay $348 annually, which will increase to $420 annually. The approved fee increase will increase GRF’s total annual revenue from the RV Lot by approximately $20,000.
Even with the increases, GRF charges substantially less than nearby RV lots. The Board agenda stated that outdoor RV storage lot rental space at one of the closest lots was $4,476 annually. If GRF charged market rates for its RV lot, the community would raise an additional $1.2 million, which could be used to reduce GRF assessments or improve other resident amenities. Though board members seemed unanimous in their desire to increase the rental fee, many acknowledged that further study was needed before determining rental rates that fairly values the amenity.
Active Shooter Insurance
The GRF Board approved purchasing active shooter insurance, which will provide $3 million in coverage for an annual cost of around $21,500.The policy covers incidents on common property involving GRF and its employees,
GRF BOARD, page 2
Leisure World gates are getting a full revamp after the GRF Board approved a $423,485 plan to upgrade the gate security system at its Jan. 24 meeting.
Photo by Laurie Bullock
The changes to LW's gate access system should increase resident security.
Photo by Laurie Bullock Mutuals and residents. The move came just days after 11 were killed and nine were injured in the Jan. 21 mass shooting at a Monterey Park dance hall.
The policy will compensate expenses associated with an active shooter event, including psychiatric and medical care, death benefits, repatriation of remains, burial expenses and temporary security measures.
“I think it’s naive of us to think it wouldn’t happen here,” Mutual 1 Director Leah Perrotti said. “There’s going to be money here to help somebody that’s going to need it, whether it’s psychological, funeral services, whatever. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.”
Other decisions
In other actions, the Board approved $98,515 in improvements to Building 5, which houses the GRF Physical Properties Department.
A measure to reopen the 1.8 trash and recycling site on Sundays was also authorized.
Board members also approved new regulations allowing the Amphitheater to be used by clubs for meeting and events, and permitting Members to rent it for private events. Some uses of the Amphitheater may include additional fees.
