Local News and DW2500 Amenities

Local News
Four residents from the Horticulture Club did a presentation at the Property & Grounds Committee meeting January 24th about their progress to date and their plans for the future. I wish all residents would be able to see this presentation; these members have done an outstanding hands-on job in getting this club established, with very little outside help. If you were to EXIT Sun City using Sun City Blvd to HWY195 [I know no one does that]. But, after you pass the water tower, look for the windmill; this is where they will have their garden plots, vine yard, fruit tees, herb garden, and greenhouse. You can go to the Del Webb web site and view their Newsletter. Just a great effort! http://texas.delwebblive.com/images/uploaded/Jan06RootsShoots_38.pdf

Great Job!—Bill Leisey
On January 23, 2006, an announcement was made that the Developer owed the Community Association more than $1.8 million dollars in Subsidy payments due to miscalculations over the past ten years. The announcement also stated that the Developer paid that amount to the Community Association via check on December 28, 2005. We are grateful that this mistake was found.

We would like to note that the key individual responsible for the basic discovery of the error was Bill Leisey, Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee. The community owes Mr. Leisey a debt of gratitude for his detailed and thoughtful analytical work as well as his dogged approach in staying on top of Community Association and Developer Accounting. Thanks Bill!

You have to wonder why a resident had to champion this cause (and others).

Wanted: Governance Committee Members
There are eleven openings on the Governance committees to be filled; you can see what committees need applicants in the Sun Rays. They also have the date for submitting your application. This is a great opportunity for you to serve our community and to express your ideas to Community Association Board members. If there is a committee that interests you, check the Governance Committee meeting schedule in the Sun Rays and attend a meeting. You can make a difference. Your experience and judgment can be put to invaluable use.




DW2500 Amenities
The ball is in the Property & Grounds court; they are charged with developing a survey which will ask for your input. The scope and date of availability for amenities planned for the DW2500 continues to be a concern for many residents. Given current space constraints at times, some residents question if there is adequate space within our existing buildings since nearly 900 more homes will be added to complete DW5000. If additional space as well as other amenities is not built and opened in the very early stages of DW2500, current existing facilities will become immediately and greatly overcrowded.
The Developer has stated that the “same level” of amenities will be provided for the added residents in DW2500 as has been provided for DW5000 per roof top. Unfortunately, to date, the Developer has been reluctant to provide much additional information, except that an eighteen hole Championship Golf Course will be built. Previously, the Developer had cited “the formula” for amenities for DW5000 at build-out would approximate 88,000 square feet of air conditioned space plus the Pavilion as well as the various sport facilities, such as swimming, tennis, trails, etc. For DW2500, the “same level” would suggest that air conditioned space would total about 44,000 square feet and other facilities would equal roughly half of all other existing structures and sport facilities.

On the Del Webb web site for Sun City Texas there is a disclaimer; “amenities may not be available by the projected completion dates, and/or may vary from the descriptions provided. We reserve the right to modify or discontinue plans for the amenities in our communities.”
See http://www.delwebb.com/Homefinder/Overview.aspx?Page=Amenities%20Overview&ID=100011

Additionally, the Developer had planned to build 10,000 homes in SCTX but abruptly changed those plans to cap the Community at 5000 homes only to again change plans to add back 2500 homes.

The Disclaimer along with the Developer’s track record of changing plans, suggest that a more firm commitment regarding Amenities to accommodate residents from the proposed additional 2500 homes is needed. We will ask the Developer if they could commit to some type of Amenities “formula” to be phased in as building progresses.




What Can be Done Regarding Governance
We feel our best option is to pursue the Transition trigger point be set at 75% of homes sold rather than the 95% which is now in the CC&R’s This would change the threshold of homes sold from 7125 to 5625 which would give our governance structure more time to adjust from Developer to resident control. We have approximately 4100 homes closed now and need 1525 homes to be at 5625 which would be probably in 2008. The Transition Task Group could visit other Sun City communities that have gone through transition and develop our governance structure.

The 75% trigger is the law in California and we understand that is has been very well received by both the developers and residents. It makes for a very smooth transition.

For reasons unknown to us, the Developer has stated that Pulte does not support this practice, although they must conform in California. We need your feedback as to how you feel about this issue, just a short email saying yes or no. If we have a strong yes response, we will pursue the issue with the appropriate Committee[s].

Newsletter Objective
Our goal is to foster transparent discussions and actions regarding the issues confronting our Community Association. We welcome an open dialogue regarding the actions proposed and why they are proposed. And, we would very much appreciate additional input from the many residents that have offered ideas, concepts and details about how to address issues confronting the Community Association. We welcome comment on the problems outlined as well as the solutions—both positive and negative [hopefully constructive].

Our Mission
Our mission is to make Sun City Texas a community with a solid financial base with an active adult environment. If you support our mission please forward this email to your neighbors and friends. If your neighbors or friends do not have access to the internet, make them a hard copy. Only with your support will we be successful with the proposed actions. If you wish to have your name added or deleted from the email data base, email jackstro@verizon.net

Future newsletters will focus on the financial aspects of Operations, Future Plans and how different approaches may be utilized to address poor financial results. For additional information and past [Archived] newsletters see:

http://scinform.blogspot.com/

Sun City Residents Make Sun City Great