Music Video filmed at Waterfall Number One

Waterfall #1

A couple of days ago I saw a young couple videotaping at the waterfall.  As they left the waterfall I asked them some questions. They told me they have lived here for about 6 years, and that the waterfall and stream "is beautiful." They told me they were in the process of making a music video.

This waterfall is one of three on the property.  That waterfall had major maintenance performed on it this year as did another one.

In 2010-2011 I asked the board how serious they were about an "austerity program". As an owner I saw boards from 2009-2010 discussing methods to control fees. Upon achieving a board position I asked the pertinent questions and I pointed out that the stream system was a significant user of water and needed some serious maintenance, including replacement of all three pump pits, and major repairs on two streams.  I also pointed out that our grounds were a major feature of the property, and that included these waterfalls and streams.

I asked the board if they wanted to maintain the stream system or abandon it. I added that "this is the time to make a decision, before significant funds are expended."  That board decided to maintain the streams.

Of course, I had my own opinion about this, but the owners had elected seven board members. I had but one vote. It was entirely up to the other six members to determine how to proceed, and they did.

So, from 2011 to 2018 I presented my proposed maintenance to each board. This association did major repairs on all identified issues with the stream systems, replaced all three pump pits and repaired or replaced pumps that failed.

It took me seven years to accomplish this, and it was not easy for me, because I had to do the work. Each year I created my priority list, crunched the numbers and then  presented my list of projects to the board. I submitted a video of the issues at one stream system, and a diagram with the worst sections. Then the board hemmed and hawed.  But I did make it an easy decision. All they had to do was attend the meeting, sit back and vote.

1. I did the cost analysis prior to submitting the the board. 
2. I submitted the project to the boards of 2012-2018 in stages. 
3. Major stream repairs were delayed in my submittals until the roofing project was complete, and the replacement of Lakecliffe Blvd was complete.
4. I included all of this in the reserve studies of 2015 to the present. 
5. I sequenced the work, beginning with the pump pits, and then did major stream repairs in four areas. One of those had been passed over by the boards of 1990-2010.