Hot Cars Can Be Dangerous for Kids and Pets…But, You’re Allowed to Help

School is out and Valley temperatures are already up over the hundred mark. Ready or not, it’s time for another hot Phoenix summer. That may actually sound fun if your HOA has a pool (and maybe a splash pad for the kids), but it also brings with it increased danger of heat-related injuries/deaths..

In 2017, the Arizona state legislature passed HB2494, a bill aimed at reducing hot car deaths and at saving children and pets. Because of this important legislation, “good Samaritans” who rescue pets or children left in a potentially dangerous vehicle are protected from civil liability.

There are, of course, certain conditions that must be met in order to qualify for protection from any liability that could result from a rescue.

The Arizona Humane Society has provided a clear summary of the conditions you’ll need to satisfy should you come across such a situation. The legal protections apply when:

  1. The rescuer has a good-faith belief that the confined child or pet is in imminent danger of suffering physical injury or death unless they are removed from the vehicle.
  2. The rescuer determines the car is locked or there is no reasonable manner in which the person can remove the child or pet.
  3. Before entering the vehicle, the rescuer notifies the proper authorities.
  4. The rescuer does not use more force than is necessary under the circumstances to enter the vehicle.
  5. The rescuer remains with the child or pet until the authorities arrive.

So, this means that if you come across a child, dog, or other animal locked inside a car in a parking lot, on the street, or in a driveway and you choose to intervene, you need to make sure they are really in danger, that they can’t be let out without damaging the vehicle, and that there is no parent or owner nearby. At that point, you’ll need to call 911 or contact another eligible authority (a peace officer, deputy, first responder, or animal control) to report the situation.

Contacting the appropriate authorities is required, but it can also be an opportunity for the authorities to provide you with the best options for extracting the child or animal from the vehicle. They can also let you know how soon they will arrive since you will need to wait for them regardless of what action you take.

As temperatures continue to rise, this is a great topic to bring up at your next HOA board meeting and circulate through HOA websites or in your newsletter. Knowing that there is protection from civil liability can make a difference when someone is weighing whether or not to do a good deed, but, promoting awareness in our communities about the extreme risks of hot vehicles in Arizona’s sun can help reduce the need for anyone to do any rescuing in the first place.

Let’s all do our part to ensure a safe and happy summer in the Valley of the Sun!

by /Building Community, Common and Exclusive Areas, Dealing With Pets in the HOA, Uncategorized
HOA Board Best Practices

HOA Best Practices for Board Members and Managers

Arizona HOA Board members and managers play a vital role in keeping your community associations running smoothly. At PDS, we’ve found that the most successful Board members have a willingness to help keep your community thriving and are persons of integrity and good judgment who strive to keep the best interests of your community at the forefront. When such a Board member is paired alongside a Community Manager who is a good communicator with a sincere concern for the community, the combination equals a formula for an incredibly successful HOA!

So, what do these HOA Board members and Community Managers do that makes them so fabulous? Below we have provided some best practices for both Board Members and Community Managers:

 

5 Best Practices for Board Members of Your Homeowners Association 

  1. Plan Financially for the Long Haul

When making financial decisions, consider your Association’s overall financial position in the future and not just the present moment. What will your decisions mean for the community in 5, 10, 20, even 30-years. Know what your community’s assets are as well as their maintenance schedule. Your Association’s assets will age necessitating repair or replacement. Skipping regular maintenance does not save your HOA money … in fact, it is costly! Complete a Reserve Study and keep it updated (every 2-3 years). Don’t be fearful of raising assessments, if needed. 

 

  1. Make Informed Decisions

Make continual learning a top priority. Sure, some aspects of being a good Board member come from trial and error; but, you can minimize mistakes and save time by checking out our blogpost 7 Pillars of HOA Board Education, attending Board trainings, reading your HOA’s governing documents, and relying on the guidance of experts. Always ask questions if there is something you don’t understand. And, 

 

  1. Be Reasonable

Yes, as a Board member, you have a lot of responsibility, but remaining committed to the community doesn’t mean that you have to be tyrannical or inflexible. Try to avoid snap decisions, be proactive instead of reactive, and discern the real problems from community drama.

 

  1. Be Transparent

Honesty is always the best policy and it helps to build trust between HOA members and the Board. Although you may sometimes be tempted to keep difficult or unpopular decisions secret, secrets never stay that way for long. When the truth comes out, homeowners will be left with feelings of betrayal and mistrust. Are there times when certain issues need to be kept confidential? Sure. But, for the most part, HOA Board business is public information and it must be accessible to homeowners.

 

  1. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

No one likes being caught off guard. Good communication helps to establish “unity” within your Homeowners Association. Use the tools available to get information to your members and have a process in place that enables members to communicate with you! You have easy ways to be communicative in this era of interactive technology: HOA website, email, text messaging, social media platforms, etc.

 

5 Best Practices for Arizona HOA Community Managers

  1. Be Proactive

Anticipate needs or opportunities and act on them in order to solve problems before they happen. Preventing issues is easier than fixing them.

 

  1. Share Information

You can never provide too much information. Remember to ask yourself: “Who else needs to know this?” If you find yourself wondering “Should I share this information?” Share it.

 

  1. Respond Promptly

One of the easiest ways to be a great Community Manager is to respond quickly to questions and concerns, whether by phone, email, or in person. Even if it will be an ongoing discussion, acknowledging that you have heard the question/concern and are working on it, is still replying. Be sure to continuously keep those involved updated until the issue is resolved.

 

  1. Pay Attention to the Details

Whether you are finalizing a contract, working on a proposal, or writing up an email, details matter. Always make sure to double check for errors or typos. Silly mistakes make you look less competent..

 

  1. Look for Ways to Be a “Can-do” Person

Make good things happen for your community. Think “how can we make this happen” rather than immediately saying that it can’t be done. Show initiative and resourcefulness instead of coming up with excuses. Try to take the extra step to solve a problem.  

  

As your Arizona HOA Management company, PDS knows that a successful Homeowners Association is a collaborative effort … and we are here to help! Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on how to be an effective, efficient, and excellent HOA Board member or Community Manager.

 

by /Uncategorized

We’re Hiring: HOA Community Manager

Job description

HOA Community Manager

Planned Development Services is looking for an experienced HOA Community Manager and is paying a $1,000 signing bonus to the person hired. PDS offers a supportive and team oriented work environment. Our employees are the most important and valuable piece of the company. Please submit your resume today! As a Community Manager you will be performing the following functions:

  • Property inspections for a portfolio of properties
  • Employ and oversee contracts for services of security, maintenance, groundskeeping and other third party vendors
  • Direct accounting functions, approve invoices and review monthly financials and collection reports
  • Prepare monthly board packets
  • Plan, schedule and attend HOA meetings
  • Prepare annual budgets
  • Interact with homeowners, vendors and board members by phone calls and email
  • Provide education and support to board members

Skills/ Requirements

Requirements for HOA Community Managers:

  • Minimum of 2 years experience as a Community Manager
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Positive and professional attitude
  • Working knowledge of Word and Excel
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills
  • Master of conflict resolution
  • Experience with TOPS and/or SmartWebs a plus
  • Reliable transportation

Additional Benefits:

  • $1,000 signing bonus offered
  • Competitive salaries and a supportive team work environment
  • Health, dental, vision and life insurance
  • 401K matching
  • Reimbursement for any training or education needed to complete their development
  • Flexible work schedule Monday-Thursday with occasional Friday
  • Company paid gas card for 100% of fuel purchases, cell phone and iPad
  • Casual dress code

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $58,000.00 – $65,000.00 per year

Interested? Email Resumes to dwojcik@pdsaz.com.

by /Employee Recognition, News, Uncategorized
Why Millennials Are the Future of HOAs

Why Millennials Are Important to the Future of HOAs

Millennials are often labeled as the entitled and lazy generation of young people. However, the oldest of this generation was born in 1981, meaning that they are now entering their 40s. And the youngest generation is now in their late 20s.

Millennials have taken a bit longer to hit certain milestones such as starting families and buying homes. But now that they are getting older, they are starting to catch up. As they start buying homes, they are on track to take over the HOA demographic and even become HOA board heads.

Read on to learn about millennials’ important role in the future of HOAs.

Home Buying Trends Among Millennials

To understand how important millennials are to the future of HOAs, it’s important to keep track of their home buying habits. While most millennials are seeking actual houses instead of condos or townhouses, their buying habits are a little different from previous generations.

One common trend is millennial communities buying homes together. Aside from the fact that it allows them to split the high cost of the home, it also meets the need for community that millennials long for. This is especially common among single millennials.

Another trend you’ll see among millennials is a desire for sustainable homes. Millennials are becoming more conscious of environmental concerns, and they are adjusting their buying habits accordingly. And aside from concern for the environment, millennials are happy to save big on utility costs through sustainable home features.

Millennials are also seeking out homes in suburban areas. These areas tend to have larger homes, which is excellent for the millennials who work from home and need office space. Suburban areas also tend to have several amenities such as parks, gyms, stores, community centers, etc.

How Can an HOA Draw More Millennials?

HOAs have a great opportunity to appeal to millennials. And there are a few things they can do to make it happen.

Creating a website as well as a social media page and/or group is an absolute must. Millennials were raised on the internet. They will rely on it to know everything about your community, including floor plans, amenities, pricing, etc.

In marketing yourself online and in other forms, make sure you emphasize the convenience of your HOA community. Millennials will be most attracted to areas where essential services (i.e. grocery stores), as well as restaurants and entertainment venues, are a reasonable distance away.

Millennials are serious about going green. Market your community as one that pushes such efforts through means such as a recycling program or through a community push to save energy.

Finally, make sure your community has appealing amenities. Millennials love features such as community pools and gyms. Also, millennials are finally starting families, so features such as a playground are a great hook.

* Planned Development Services is an Arizona HOA Management company that serves communities and HOA Boards in several different cities. If you’re the head of a board looking for some counsel on matters such as this, you’ll find several tips on our blog. Or if you’re a board member with any sort of inquiry, contact us today.

by /Beginners Guide for Rookie Board Members, HOA Board Meetings, Rights and Responsibilities

Tips to Conserve Energy and Save Money Today

Living in Phoenix and other areas throughout the Valley of the Sun can run your energy bills sky high. This is especially true from springtime to fall when your AC is running 24/7. There are some energy conservation tips that many community associations recommend to residents that can save you money while being energy conscious.

Tune Up Your Air Conditioner

Springtime in the Phoenix area means things are about to get really hot and you need to be prepared. Have a qualified HVAC company check out your system to make sure all is well so that when you are ready to crank up that AC your home will be nice and cool. Having your air conditioner in good working order will allow it to run more efficiently, and that can mean a lower bill. Once your AC has been tuned up for the year, setting your thermostat between 60 and 70 is the general recommendation.

Do Laundry During Off Hours

Peak time for washing and drying laundry is the middle of the day. Too many appliances going at once has the potential to cause brownouts or blackouts. With the temperatures in the Phoenix area on a steady rise and the population continuing to grow, there is more of a chance of a blackout happening during peak hours. The best time to do laundry is approximately before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. This will help to save energy in your home and the grid serving the Valley in general.  Your HOA management company might have some suggestions for the residents of your neighborhood.

Solar Panels

Having solar panels installed on your roof can save you thousands of dollars over the years you have them. Companies frequently offer discounts for installation or offer other money-saving options. Many new eco-friendly homes are being built with solar paneling so that homeowners can begin conserving energy and cutting costs right away.  Talk to your homeowner association about the guidelines for having solar panels installed in your home.

Change Your Lightbulbs

Using energy-saving lightbulbs can save you money over the years. The life of LED bulbs and other bulbs made specially to conserve energy is usually longer than regular lightbulbs. Since they take less energy to light up your home, they will cost less in the long run. Using eco-friendly lightbulbs reduces your carbon footprint and is one of the easiest ways to conserve energy and save money.

For more information on HOA recommended energy-saving tips in the Valley of the Sun, contact us today at Planned Development Services. Our team can offer ideas for saving money as you lower your energy bills.

by /Uncategorized

How’d They Do That? 8 Secrets to Good Attendance at HOA Meetings

Ever feel like the odds of pulling off a well-attended hoa meeting is as likely as spotting a unicorn in a field of four-leaf clovers? There are lots of reasons people may not be able, or even want, to attend board meetings. Here are eight ways to make them change their minds – and adjust their schedules.

 

  1. Awesome refreshments. Don’t bother with standard-issuedrycookies and bad coffee.Is there a bakery down the street from your development with to-die-for macaroons? A hole-in-the-wall coffee shop that people clamor for, or a produce stand with delicious, seasonal fruit?  If you’ve got some popular establishments in town, use the refreshments themselves as a way to attract homeowners – and a good opportunity to support local businesses.
  2. Time, location? Mix it up! Maybe you’ve had meetings at the same time for years, but it could be that that time slot just doesn’t work for a lot of homeowners anymore. The community clubhouse location might make sense logistically, but a change in venue could be fun. Try moving your Monday evening meetings to a Thursday, and try moving from the inside a meeting room to the community pool deck, or even a board member’s backyard. See if mixing up the time and location isn’t a refreshing break from the norm.
  3. Change frequency: Sometimes less is more. Consider having less frequent meetings – if you’re scheduling too many, you’re not making the best use of your time, or anyone else’s. Holding fewer meetings could actually lead to more productivity (and happier homeowners).
  4. Free childcare? I’ll be there. A lack of childcare options can keep even the best-intentioned homeowner away. Hire babysitters to watch the kids in a nearby room, so that parents can relax and focus on their participation in the meeting. You can advertise for licensed babysitters in your community, or consider asking parents to volunteer and rotate childcare duties.
  5. Prizes and raffles! Everybody likes to win sometimes. Consider gift cards to local establishments – you may even have homeowners who are also business owners, and would like to donate a gift basket, certificate, or discount on services.
  6. Publicize, publicize. Utilize every medium available – flyers at their doors, community bulletin boards, social media, mailboxes, word-of-mouth – to let homeowners know of meeting times and dates. Let them know the times and dates well in advance, and let them know what will issues will be covered in that meeting.
  7. Use your time effectively. Keep your meeting on track! Stick to the items on the agenda, stick to the time allowed, and don’t get sidetracked by minutiae – those details that could and should be addressed outside of the meeting.
  8. Let everyone have a voice. Ensure that there is reasonable time allotted at meetings for homeowners to ask questions and voice concerns. Don’t be afraid, though, to gently reign in a person who is dominating the discussion, being a bully, or preventing others from having their say.
by /Building Community, HOA Board Meetings, Uncategorized
HOA Board Relations

How Disgruntled Homeowners Made Me A Better Board Member

Nobody really looks forward to an angry voicemail about a barking dog, or a disgruntled homeowner venting about assessments at a board meeting….

But, those interactions and others like them could actually be quite beneficial – good for both the health of your HOA board and your personal growth and development.

Margaret Heffernan, an international entrepreneur, CEO, and author of the award-winning “Willful Blindness,” discussed this phenomenon in her TEDGlobal talk, “Dare to Disagree.”

Heffernan shared the story of Dr. Alice Stewart, a doctor and epidemiologist who researched the relationship between radiation and childhood cancers in 1950s Britain. Dr. Stewart’s research partner, statistician George Kneale, considered it his job “to prove Dr. Stewart wrong” – challenging her findings at every step.

“It was only by not being able to prove she was wrong that George could give Alice the confidence she needed to know she was right,” Heffernan says. “It’s a fantastic model of collaboration – thinking partners who aren’t echo chambers.”

Encouraging the expression of different points of view can lead to a healthier, happier homeowners association in the long-term.

  • It can prevent single-mindedness in your HOA. Individual homeowners may have concerns that aren’t readily apparent to the board or the rest of the homeowners. Those insights could be important for the group as a whole, and considering them can prevent the “echo chambers” that Heffernan warns about.
  • It can provide a system of checks and balances. No one is above accountability; sometimes even the most responsible and diligent board member can show a lapse in judgment. It’s good for everyone, including the board member, to have homeowners who are willing to speak up if that happens.
  • It can foster a culture of open communication. When other homeowners see that healthy dialogue is encouraged, they may be more willing to get involved and share their own insights.

Of course, disgruntled homeowners may not always voice their concerns in positive, constructive ways. There are many professional resources that offer tips on dealing with those and others in your association, such as the Community Association Institute’s “Pearls of Wisdom” guidebook. Just remember that even the most challenging personality among them can provide opportunities for growth and progress.

by /Building Community, HOA Board Meetings

What Would it Be Like If HOA Boards Didn’t Exist?

Iconic folk singer Joni Mitchell’s 1970 hit “Big Yellow Taxi” reminds us that sometimes “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” Sure, Mitchell was begging people to preserve nature, but the principle – that there is often great value in everyday things we don’t stop to consider or appreciate – applies to many areas of life. Yes, even your HOA board!

According to the Community Associations Institute (CAI), as of 2020, more than 74.1 million Americans resided in planned communities. All of these communities—more than 355,000 nationally—share a few essential goals—preserving the nature and character of the community, providing services and amenities to residents, protecting property values and meeting the established expectations of owners.

And a March 2020 survey by Zogby Analytics for Foundation for Community Association Research, affirms that “by large majorities, most residents rate their overall community experience as positive or, at worst, neutral.” Residents believe that “their association board members serve the best interests of their communities.”

If those numbers – and the impressive growth of homeowners groups across the nation through the last several decades – aren’t enough to convince you, take a hint from Ms. Mitchell and think about what life might be like without an HOA board to advocate for you and your property.

  • Security and Services: HOA Boards often contract services like trash pickup and private security for homeowners. Without that arrangement, your services may depend on the thinly stretched budgets of city and county government groups.
  • Advocacy: In most cases, your HOA board members are neighbors with common interests, elected by you and other community members. Residents outside of HOAs do not enjoy the same type of common-interest advocacy.
  • Disaster preparedness: Emergencies can leave residents alone and vulnerable. In the case of disasters – natural or otherwise – there can be strength in numbers. HOAs can provide a plan of action that allows community residents to pull together and pool resources.

Active community building: Any neighborhood can pull together a BBQ or volunteer project, but how often does it happen? HOA boards often provide a hub of organized, intentional activities, from holiday parties to service opportunities, all focused on building a long-term sense of community.

 

 

by /Building Community, Rights and Responsibilities, Uncategorized

How Big Ambitions Can Be Big Problems for the HOA Board

Sure, you have heard the saying “big results require big ambitions” (James Champy). And we aren’t saying that isn’t always true, but when it comes to your HOA Board, it can do more harm than good.

How big ambitions of the new HOA board can be ineffective:

  • Too much too soon? New board members are elected for a reason, undoubtedly. Many times new members are excited about the new position and want to start implementing those changes they have been so passionate about pre-election. This is great in theory, but what happens all too often is the current policies get overlooked, and little investigation goes into if the new policies can even be enforced. Also, new board members may not realize that after all of that, they need to notify residents AND get by in. That’s a lot of work creating new policy with no return!
  • Lack of doing your homework is a big waste of time. Many times new board members don’t sit and listen to why current policies are set in the first place. There are practical reasons why policies are in place, and acting deliberately, armed with knowledge, is going to produce more return on suggesting a policy change to your HOA.
  • If it isn’t in your CC&R’s, you aren’t permitted to do it! Authority for HOA Board members stems from the governing documents. Enthusiastic Board members want to take care of issues they are passionate about. And sometimes this means going beyond their authority. Guess what? If your hot button issue isn’t an issue regulated by your governing doc, you essentially can cause a lot of upheaval and wasted chatter about something you can’t fix.
  • Not understanding the history may be harmful to your health…..many new members assume the previous board did nothing right. Making big changes affects your entire community. Don’t re-write policy without understanding the motivations and meeting minutes of your previous board. Hastily made policies will burn you out!
by /HOA Directory and Officer Liability, Rights and Responsibilities
HOA Parking Myths

3 Myths (and Truths!) About Parking Rules in the HOA

The Discovery Channel’s popular “MythBusters” television show became a hit for a reason, and it’s not just for the hosts’ fun-loving personalities and wacky antics. After watching the show, viewers can finally understand – and explain to their friends – why commonly believed pop culture lore is (or isn’t) true.

Homeowner’s associations are no different from other communities or industries, in that there are some persistent myths that just don’t seem to go away. Those myths can breed serious misunderstanding and even resentment, and it’s always best to have open, honest, clear communication in an HOA environment.

Here, we lay out some commonly held ideas about parking rules in Arizona HOAs – and explain the truth behind them:

Myth 1: The HOA is targeting or discriminating against me.
Truth: The HOA compliance and/or parking inspector does not know the identity, race, religion, or gender of the vehicle owner when citing parking violations.

Myth 2: I spoke with the police department and the officer said the homeowners association cannot enforce parking on the City street.
Truth: If the HOA declaration/CC&R (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) cite on-street parking restrictions, an HOA can enforce a parking policy – even if the City owns the street.

Myth 3: The COX, SRP, and APS trucks park on the street (Arizona Utility Vehicles), so I can park my landscape truck on the street.

Truth: Specific on-call/emergency vehicles, detailed in ARS. 33-1809, may be parked on the street. Emergency responder vehicles such as an ambulance or EMT truck, and public utilities such as COX, SRP and APS, may park on property and on public/City-owned streets; they are absolved from a homeowners’ association parking restrictions.

Next time you hear one of these stubborn parking rule myths, you’ll be able to bring the truth into the conversation!

by /Beginners Guide for Rookie Board Members, Common and Exclusive Areas