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

Please join us for our summer meeting as South Coast HOA member and nationally known HOA insurance expert Tim Cline from the Timothy Cline Insurance Agency in Santa Monica will make a detailed presentation on current HOA insurance issues. Among the topics that will be covered:

1). Directors & Officers (D & O) Liability – why consider a standalone D&O policy, rather than the coverage provided in the package?
2). Fannie Mae’s New Insurance Guidelines (per the Fannie Mae announcement on December 16, 2008). – How this will affect purchase and refinance loans
3). Insurance ramifications of the Virginia Graham Baker Pool Act.
4). Heightened insurance concerns because of the current economy.
5) Workers comp coverage for uninsured or self-employed contractors – who pays
6). Eight “Take Away” Risk Management Suggestions
7). Insurance Marketplace: Pricing concerns as Boards prepare their budgets.
And more!

Date/Time – Wednesday, July 22, 2009 – 7 PM
Place – Encina Royale Clubhouse
250 Moreton Bay Lane, Goleta

(Fairview exit – 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)

Come see and hear attorney/author (and frequent South Coast contributor) Beth Grimm speak about difficult people (including owners, tenants, board members and HOA professionals) and difficult enforcement issues including those between neighbors. You will also hear more about the pros/cons and realities related to lease limitation restrictions being considered by more associations. As always, you will have an opportunity to get your most pressing questions answered during our moderated Q & A portion of the program.

Date – Tuesday, April 21
Time – 7-9 PM
Place – Encina Royale Clubhouse – 250 Moreton Bay Lane Goleta
(Fairview exit – 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)

Happy New Year, everyone!

The January/February 2009 newsletter will be sent out soon. In this issue:
-South Coast HOA – 20th Anniversary Meeting
-South Coast HOA – 20 Years Later
-HOA Financial Comparison Analysis – 2004-2007
-Tax Reporting and Filing Deadlines

Our next meeting is Jan 28 at 7PM. Bluebooks are still available for sale for $18/each.

The November/ December 2008 issue of the newsletter will be sent out soon. In this issue:
-South Coast HOA – 20th Anniversary Meeting
-Understanding your Association’s Financial Statements
-The Art of Delivery: Mail, Posting or Personal Delivery
-Federal Pool Safety Act Affects HOA Pools/Spas
-2009 Condominium Bluebooks in Stock

Several additional items of interest:

1) Bluebooks are in and being sent out now. Not as many ordered extra copies this year as in the past so we have a larger supply. If you’d like additional copies for your board, they are $18 each, postpaid. Mail your check to our address. We will mail them to you or you can pick them up at my office (address below)

2) For those who haven’t renewed for 2009, this is your last newsletter.

3) Note our January 28 meeting will have additional refreshments. Come early to enjoy. It’s our 20th anniversary meeting!

Best wishes to all this Holiday Season.

Law and Legislative Update Meeting – will be held Wednesday, Jan 28 at 7PM at a place still to be determined. Attorneys James Smith and David Loewenthal will present new legislation effective in 2009, significant court cases from 2008 and current legal topics of interest. Watch for email updates and newsletters for additional information.

2009 Dues – Remember that you can get a 50% renewal on your 2009 membership dues if paid by December 20, 2008. Renewals will be only $30 through that date.

2009 Condominium Bluebooks – We will be mailing out your 2009 Bluebook during the week of December 15 but only to those associations that have renewed by that date. A second mailing of books won’t take place until after the holidays. Additional copies of the Bluebook will be available at $18/each – payable to South Coast HOA and check mailed to P. O. Box 1052, Goleta, CA 93116