It’s time for our annual law and legislative update for the New Year. Our attorney panelists, James H. Smith (Grokenberger & Smith – Santa Barbara) and David A. Loewenthal (Loewenthal, Hillshafer & Rosen – main office Sherman Oaks) are planning to discuss numerous topics including:

• Senate Bill (SB) 150 – Applicability of Rental Restrictions
• SB 209 – Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
• SB 563 – Open Meeting Act, email, executive sessions, actions without a meeting
• Assembly Bill (AB) 771 – Documents to be provided to a buyer
• Numerous New California Court Cases affecting HOA Operations such as Architectural Guidelines, Maintenance Responsibilities, etc.

Compared to the past two years, there have been significant changes made to the Davis-Stirling Act and the Civil Code which govern your association. Mark your calendars now.

Date – Thursday, January 26, 2012
Time – 7-9 PM (Refreshments 6:45!)
Place – Encina Royale Clubhouse – 250 Moreton Bay Lane, Goleta

(Fairview exit off 101 – north 2 blocks to Encina Road, right one block to Moreton Bay Lane – left into Encina Royale – clubhouse on the right just inside the entrance)

We’re pleased to announce that Mr. Adrian Adams, founder of Adams Kessler, PLC, a law firm in Southern California specializing in corporate representation of common interest developments will be our speaker for our fall meeting. Adams Kessler is a South Coast member and perhaps they are best known to us for their Davis-Stirling.com website and their weekly email newsletters on a wide variety of HOA operational and management issues.

Based upon the many emails and comments the firm receives, Mr. Adams plans to speak about:

• The use (and misuse) of email in conducting association business
• The use of alternative dispute resolution services both internally and in lieu of the court system
• Moderated Question and Answer session on the topics of your choice

Date – Monday, October 17, 2011
Time – 7 PM
Place – Encina Royale Clubhouse – 250 Moreton Bay Lane, Goleta

(Fairview exit off 101 – north 2 blocks to Encina Road, right one block to Moreton Bay Lane – left into Encina Royale – clubhouse on the right just inside the entrance) Refreshments will be served.

February 3 – Annual Law and Legislative Update – A few new laws and a lot of new case law – presented by James H. Smith and David A. Loewenthal – 7-9 PM

April 30 – Spring law seminar with Beth Grimm – the “condo guru” – topics to be determined – 10AM

June 16 – Patrick Hohman – Louisville, KY – author of new 2010 guide “Condos, Townhomes and Homeowner Associations” – How to make your investment safer – 7-9PM

Additional details will be forthcoming when known.

All meetings are scheduled at the Encina Royale clubhouse, 250 Moreton Bay Lane, Goleta

Our fall meeting will look at association finances, budgets, tax filing changes, and financial comparison updates. We also plan a “sneak peak” at new laws for 2011. Our topics:

1) Budgets – What’s new for 2011; Using the new, state disclosure index to assemble your annual budget package.

2) Internal Controls – What an association should consider to safeguard its assets.

3) Tax Changes – New form filing requirements and ePayment requirements. New tax credits available to associations and its members.

4) Financial Comparisons – Inside the Numbers – Review of current trends in assessments and association expenses.

5) 2011 Legislation – What did the Governor sign this year – A brief overview.

6) Your questions

Date – Thursday, October 21, 2010
Time – 7 PM
Place – Encina Royale Clubhouse – 250 Moreton Bay Lane, Goleta (Fairview exit North from 101)
Speaker – Michael J. Gartzke, CPA

Come and learn about the:

NEW! “Disclosure Index’ and use of email for distributing documents and notices (including how to avoid common mistakes of email use).

AND! Techniques to make enforcement of the CC&Rs and rules as painless as possible.

Ever heard the catch phrase “it’s harder to argue with a piece of paper than the President of the Board?” Coined by Beth A. Grimm, our speaker, you will learn how policy setting can ease your burden and how it can effectively “herd” (or should we say “guide”) the sheep down the right trail and prevent strays. It’s the strays that can drive you crazy, isn’t it?

AND A BONUS! An short update on lease limitation restrictions and how they are being received by boards and members in light of the economic downturn.

Date/Time – Saturday, May 1, 2010 – 10 AM until Noon
Place – Encina Royale Clubhouse
250 Moreton Bay Lane, Goleta (Fairview exit North from 101)

Speaker – Beth A. Grimm, Attorney (and frequent South Coast contributor)

A light continental breakfast is planned for 9:30

It’s time for our annual law and legislative update for the New Year. Our attorney panelists, James H. Smith (Gokenberger & Smith – Santa Barbara) and David A. Loewenthal (Loewenthal, Hillshafer & Rosen – main office Sherman Oaks) are planning to discuss numerous topics including:

* Assembly Bill (AB) 899 – Disclosures
* AB 313 – Variable assessments
* AB 1020 – Swimming pools
* AB 1061 – Water efficient landscapes
* Senate Bill (SB) 259 – Elections
* SB 407 – Water conservation
* Numerous California Court Cases affecting HOA Operations
* The Dangers of Email
* Neighbor to Neighbor issues and board duties
* Reasonable Accommodation of the Disabled
* Goleta West Sanitary District Detachment (City of Goleta)

These annual law updates are among the best attended meetings we have so mark your calendars now.

Date – Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Time – 7-9 PM
Place – Encina Royale Clubhouse – 250 Moreton Bay Lane, Goleta

(Fairview exit off 101 – north 2 blocks to Encina Road, right one block to Moreton Bay Lane – left into Encina Royale – clubhouse on the right just inside the entrance)

Please join us for our Fall meeting as South Coast HOA members Chris Andrews, Reserve Specialist of Stone Mountain Corporation and Michael J. Gartzke, CPA discuss current topics relating to association finances.

“Customized Percent-Funded Estimates”
A new perspective on measuring financial status

– Why most HOA’s do NOT need to be 100% funded for depreciation.
– Why each Association’s funding requirement is different from others.
– Should different associations have different percent-funded goals based on their unique list of expenses?
– Should the California Civil Code focus on disclosing the Percent-Funded Estimate statistics?

Date/Time – Tuesday, September 29, 2009 – 7 PM
Place – Encina Royale Clubhouse
250 Moreton Bay Lane, Goleta