GRF delays passage of spending outline until next meeting
GRF BOARD RECAP
by Ruth Osborn
rutho@lwsb.com
The Golden Rain Foundation Board of Directors met Sept. 26 before a fairly full house of residents who paraded to the podium with a host of concerns and questions.
About 15 people spoke to the board on topics ranging from the recent passage of a $24 million budget and 10% increase in assessments that accompanied it; lowering speed limits in LW, the recent loss of four GRF building inspectors who left for more lucrative positions elsewhere, an RV lot rate increase, excessive spending and the long term viability of LW.
Several speakers were frustrated when questions posed to the board went unanswered. In California, the Open Meeting Act (Civil Code §1363.05) states that no action can be taken on issues not included on the meeting agenda.
Speakers often think their concerns can be immediately addressed, but the law and Robert’s Rules of Orders preclude that.
Authored by U.S. Army officer Henry Martyn Robert, Robert’s Rules of Order are a set of guiding principles for conducting discussions and decisionmaking. The GRF Board uses these rules to keep meetings flowing smoothly. Robert’s Rules of Order have been around for over 100 years, dating back to 1876.
Every GRF member with an opinion has a platform to express it at all GRF meetings. The board takes all comments into consideration.
The following is a partial list of board actions: Strategic Spending Outline
The board tabled until next month’s meeting a proposed Strategic Spending Outline, which is a capital spending plan that is required by civil code to identify dedicated projects for capital funding. The GRF plan loosely prioritizes allocations for specific community projects.
“It’s a fluid and living document and will change as boards change, but it is a starting point,” according to GRF Senior Director of Member Services Mallorie Hall.
The Administration Committee recommended such a Strategic Spending Outline at its September meeting.
The plan includes community gardens (formerly the Minifarms), EV charging stations as GRF converts its fleet from gas to electric, Main Gate traffic flow and RFID building access, among other projects.
Community Facilities and Golf Course Landscape Contract Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board approved a $1.2 million, three-year contract extension with J& J Landscaping for community facilities and golf course landscape maintenance. The contractor’s extension offer represents a 5.7% increase for the firm’s 2024 services, a 5.4% increase for 2025, and a 5.1% increase in the contract’s final year. The contractor also agreed to maintain all trees on GRF Trust property for no extra charge.
There is $300,000 in the 2023 operating budget for these combined areas.
Pickleball Tournament
The board voted to temporarily waive a policy that prohibits non-members from using the multipurpose court to allow guests from the Laguna Woods Pickleball Club to participate in a tournament hosted by the LW Pickleball Club.
Speed Cushion Change Order
Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board approved the installation of a speed cushion at Del Monte Drive.
The initial contract was for $13,500 for five cushions with JB Bostic, an asphalt paving company, and a year later, no cushions have been installed.
The Orange County Fire Authority permitted the installation, but Bostic ordered the wrong materials for the job and then requested a change order to cover a $12,573 cost difference. The company indicated it could install two speed cushions for the original price.
No money has been yet been paid to Bostic.
In discussion, directors weighed the need for speed cushions to calm traffic and prevent accidents in LW against patronizing a company that failed to deliver.
“I feel like we are rewarding bad behavior,” said GRF Vice President William Thompson, who represents Mutual 5, adding that the company did not give a realistic bid.
Safety won the day, as the board voted to install one cushion on Del Monte, where a fatal accident recently occurred. The cost cannot exceed the amount of the original contract.
Channel Fence Replacement Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board awarded a contract to Quality Fence for $99,000 to remove and replace approximately 2,000 linear feet of chain link fence at the channel near Service Maintenance and add a 20% contingency (city and county permits, and plant removal) for a total cost not to exceed $118,800.
The 2023 Reserve Study calls for $100,000 of replacement chain link fence at the channel. The project will replace mesh fencing, paint the existing poles, and add top rails.
Clubhouse 1 Renovation
Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board awarded contracts to various contractors to repaint Clubhouse 1’s interior and exterior, including the shuffleboard court, replace the lobby and main room lighting fixtures; and replace windows on the lobby’s north and south sides and the main room, for a total cost not to exceed $218,295, including a 10% contingency.
