Solano Verde Weed Abatement
  Brush clearance season is upon us. According to the Ventura County Fire Department, the deadline to complete weed abatement on Ventura County properties is June 1.

By reducing this fire hazard, property owners give the fire department a defensible space that allows firefighters to get between an approaching wildfire and the property. That space can mean the difference between saving a home or having a fire overrun it.

Following is some information provided for the Fire Department to guide you in wildfire preparedness:

Brush Clearance Guide
Wildfire Preparation Site

 
Solano Verde Parkway Landscape Project
  The Board has selected Olympic Land Development to plant 533 trees and groundcover along the common area on Coyote Canyon Road and Solano Verde Drive. Trees being considered are the California Sycamore, California Pepper, White Alder and the native Coastal Live Oak. We will be evaluating how many of each tree to use considering the deciduous nature of the trees to maintain a year round green look along with an interesting landscape.

The proposed groundcover is Cottoneaster, which is a cold hardy plant that will fill in within 2 years if planted on 8-foot centers. The cotoneaster will work well with the designed irrigation system.

The trees will be staked to withstand the winds. Installation is planned to be consistent with the tree planting design created March 2007. The cost is expected to be $166,400 for purchase and installation of the trees, plants and irrigation system and is fully funded within the existing HOA budget, without any special assessments or additional cost to the homeowners.

In the initial tree site placement or pre-planting layout, each tree species will be identified with specific color for flagging so that the homeowners will have time to reflect and reconfigure the spacing or sequence of trees to their specific needs or preferred taste. Stay tuned for more specifics on the timing and next steps of this important beautification project.
 
 
Fence Repair
 

The Solano Verde Ranches fences may look the same throughout the community, but actually incorporate different fence designs and material strengths. The fences vary in that they have the horizontal bars pass in front, in back or through the middle of the posts.

We have used a fence repair company that has completed about a third of the fences. We now need to contract with a different company who has access to additional materials required for the repairs. For this project it would be helpful to have an on site liaison with the vendor to the management company to report any concerns.
 
Road Repair
  We have contracted with Smith Paving to slurry seal the community’s roads. At their recommendation we will postpone this project until spring. The warmer weather will make for better results. We are waiting for an exact date from Smith Paving. At that time there will be some disruption to traffic. More details to come.
 
Security Cameras
  The Board has collected bids and allocated funds for security cameras at the front gate. The purpose of the cameras is not only to increase security at the entry, but also to reduce damage caused to the surrounding retaining walls and gates by those who would try to force entry. We still have some research to do on the requirements of this project before we award the contract. We welcome your participation in the process.
   
   

Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for
June 4
7pm
at President Bill Taylor's:
6909 Solano Verde Dr.
805-386-8131
Agenda
Flyer

Save the Date!
Annual Meeting
July 23, 2008
 
Volunteers Needed!


The Board is seeking volunteers to help with our beautification projects which include: Tree Planting, Fence Repair, Road Improvements and Security Cameras.