President Craig Peeples called the meeting to order at 10:30A with the group standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Peeples then introduced the officers continuing through this year.
Raja Hadawa, Vice Pres (not yet in the park)
Joann Holmes, Secretary
Lil Geiger, Treasurer (having succeeded John McGrane, after his resignation)
Craig Peeples, President
The minutes of the last meeting, held March 6 were read by Secretary, Joann Holmes.
Dave Lund moved acceptance as read. Neal Hardy seconded motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer, Lil Geiger then gave the treasurer’s report. Motion for approval by Dave Birch with second by Bud R.
Lucille Williams, Chair of new PEM Security and Safety Committee, was then introduced by President Peeples, and gave a report on the activities of the last six months. This committee was formed from a meeting held last spring to address the unsatisfied security issues brought to a head by the theft of several golf carts last season.
Copies of two lists developed by the committee were distributed at the meeting.
1 list for management to address and 1 for the items residents should to attend to.
All-night patrols are now in place also with the intention of spotting any unauthorized activity.
Joann Holmes
Secretary
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President,
Craig Peeples called the meeting to order at The minutes of the Neal Hardy moved that they be accepted as read. Motion was seconded by Ron Gilmore. Motion carried. Peeples reported that John McGrane was now working on Saturdays and would no longer be able to serve as treasurer. In his absence, Chairman Peeples reported a balance of $591 in treasury. He noted that the primary expenditure had been $114 to maintain the club website, with the only other expense that of $30 for donuts. The Park Improvement Committee, which focuses on hearing issues from residents who are having unsatisfactory discourse with park management, has had no activity in the past six months. With the clarification that the committee function is basically a liaison position in clarifying communication and understanding between parties – and not rebuffing items included in signed contracts, there have been no expressions of need. (Chair recognized the cooperative attitude and effort of PEM’s park management.) The Welcome Committee has been inactive, as there have been very few new residents in our community, and there was no money allocated for the baskets in the PEM budget. There has been no Block Watch Committee activity. Officer Rios will address means of making the appearance of the park more secure. Environmental Impact Scope (EIS) meetings have been held to supply information and accept comments of local communities regarding the efforts of Luke Air Force Base to be included in the training of F35 pilots in our community. Information from those meetings will be evaluated and used in future determinations. Before the guest speaker was introduced, objection was raised from the floor to the removal of the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meeting. It was stated that if Canadians were offended (as had been suggested), we should incorporate a portion of the opening that would address their interest – not eliminate our pledge. Neal Hardy moved that the pledge be included. Ron Gilbert seconded motion. Motion carried. There was some discussion of rent fees, and potential raises in general. However, that information is not in our purview. It was noted that rates had been adjusted to be more in line with fees in other parts of the valley – whose amenities were not really comparable to ours. Community Action Officer, M.Rios, of the El Mirage Police Department was introduced to speak to us. Officer Rios announced that the free Community
Picnic was scheduled to occur at the new Officer Rios printed off a Crime Analyst report of calls that have comew into the police department in the last 45 days. They included one each of; . . . a threatening call . . . a hang up. . . a welfare call . . . a business alarm call . . . a citizen call She mentioned that in one 18 hour period, there were over 15 car burglaries – 13 of them were unlocked cars with valuables inside. That burglar was caught, he’s not from here. A significant part of the departments enforcement issues deal with increased graffiti – especially when kids are not in school – most recently, Spring Break. She also brought a reminder from Officer McCracken, a graveyard and evening officer, to lock up sheds, and cars, and keep unlocked bicycles at least close to the house. She assured us that the Police Chief assigns
beats and keeps records of time in and time out of our park.
He expects accountability from on-duty officers.
Statistical reports are kept.
One of the attendants of the meeting remarked about seeing
officers coming and going from the park between Other safety suggestions Officer Rios shared included: · Keep landscaping trimmed – away from windows (points of entry) · Lighting – Sensor lights, especially good. (Light is detriment for criminals) · Don’t ‘give-away’ your absence; Stop newspapers, have neighbors check for flyers, and other signs. No foil in windows. · Use buddy system. Officer Rios said that new Block Watch signs were available at the Police Department with the accurate phone number on them. (Those in the park are incorrect). She also said that larger signs were available that could be posted at gates of ‘community’ sites, if the Park Management approved their use. A website that is available for our free use is crimereport.com. Rios said that site will include mapping, and provide flags that identify sites of crimes committed. Peeples thanked Officer Rios for coming and sharing information. He announced that efforts were being made to activate the local Block Watch program. Before adjourning he also announced the need to fill the vacancy of Treasurer, and asked for input. New member, Lil Geiger, who is a professional bookkeeper, said that she would be willing to assume that responsibility. She was welcomed eagerly, her appointment made by Peeples, and unanimously approved by the group - and she became our new Treasurer. Meeting adjourned at 11:40A Respectfully Submitted, Joann Holmes, Secretary Minutes of the December 5, 2009 meeting The December 5, 2009 PEMRA meeting was called to order by President Craig Peeples at 10:30 AM. Peeples announced that the program for the morning would consist of reports from the Fighter Country Partnership, by Steve Yamamori and the El Mirage Police Department by two young officers. The police department reported that suspects had been arrested, and that there had been no recent reports of incidents. They did make the following suggestions: Do not leave obvious appearance of our absence. Keep everything locked – especially in our absence, and during the night. Do not leave items in the car that would attract criminal activity He wasn’t an enthusiastic supporter of alarm systems for preventative measure. Yamamori stated that the purpose of the Fighter Country Partnership was to assure that Luke AFB stays in the valley. The economic impact of their presence is 2.17 billion dollars annually. 6000 airmen live in the community and spend their money here The base provides $100,000 worth of support for families at the base Their 170 F16s make up the largest fighter wing in the world Luke’s proximity to the 2,000,000 acre Goldwater bombing range used in training is a great asset. There is no other range on the west coast of the United States. The F16s will be mothballed in the next 15 years Luke needs to acquire the F35s to stay viable as the F16s go. (As a side note Yamamori stated that the F35s are anticipated to be the last manned fighters to be developed.) Luke is pursuing the acquisition of 140 of the F35s Luke AFB is in the final 3 locations being considered. An Environmental Impact Survey will be conducted beginning the first of the year. This EIS Scoping session is the time to show our support and express our concerns. There is nothing to be done between now and then but to educate the citizenry about the coveted economic impact, and the true facts about the controversial noise levels. Noise level reports have been misrepresented – sound recordings having been taken at incomparable altitude levels to what we experience in this area. The actual first production model will be produced in March. There are none yet. Eglin AFB in Florida was awarded 50 F35s for the primary training phase. Luke is trying to get the secondary squadron of 140 planes. It was recommended that we could get more information by checking the lukeforward.com website. Peeples followed the presentation with an expression of his concern of noise differences, noting that one group in Florida is filing suit asserting that the tests were misleading. (This being the group that Yamamori had earlier stated some discrepancy in testing and reporting techniques.) Further information will be posted on www.pemra.org Peeples presented the Treasurer’s report in John McGrane’s absence. Report accepted and approved. The minutes were read by
secretary, Joann Holmes, and approved as read. NEW BUSINESS: Peeples brought up
membership in AAMHO as a potential item for discussion. Does
the group want to continue that relationship, or consider operating
an independent Residents Association. The possible negative
was the perception that park model owners did not gain much personal
advantage. He directed people to the pemra.org site
for more information. No discussion was called for at the meeting, but Dave Birch did speak up before meetings end, expressing his desire for us to remain with AAMHO. Peeples reported on his update of the El Mirage Road widening. He stated that no land would be taken from Pueblo El Mirage for the 4-lane (first) phase, and not likely for the 6 lane portion along PEM itself. It was recommended that those interested in more information about the F35 noise discussion check the www.valp.org , the City in Florida that is getting F35’s. Meeting adjourned at 11:30 AM. Respectfully Submitted, Joann Holmes Minutes of the March 14, 2009 meeting President, Craig Peeples, called
the meeting to order at Officers for the new year were introduced; as well as the speaker for the day, Ron Feinstein, State President of AAMHO The need for increased membership in our local PEMRA was discussed, with the suggestion that ideas for ways to accomplish this would be welcomed. Neal Hardy
and Tom
McAndrews , last years outgoing president and secretary
respectively, were acknowledged with expressions of appreciation. Treasurer’s report given by John McGrane. Sue Hardy – gave report on Welcome Neighbors Committee This committee, calls on new residents and provides needed information. The committee consisted of Dottie Scogna, Lovaun McGrane, and Joann Holmes working with Sue. They have delivered 90 baskets to first time new residents Park Improvement Committee has not had any activity this month (Dick was not in attendance but sent report with Pres Peeples The morning presentation was made by Ron Feinstein, Pres of AAMHO (Arizona Assn of Manufactured Home and R.V. Owners) which covers the whole state
AAMHO is 22 yrs
old – two organizations Tucson/Phoenix On rented land you can not have a homeowners association when you don’t own the land. AAMHO is represented (has members in) 109
parks in the state – some not chartered. Mr. Feinstein gave a detailed presentation of the various laws that govern relationships between residents of various types of dwellings with the park owners, addressing various recourses available depending on the type of dwelling. The information presented was an attempt to clarify the various distinctions between which laws were applicable to which type of dwelling. The importance of lobbying and legal representation to protect the interests of park residents was emphasized. The case was made that everyone living our lifestyle should belong to AAMHO. Without AAMHO there would be no strength to get the protective laws passed that had been discussed in the presentation, and the larger the membership in the organization, the more muscle represented by our lobbyists with our government representatives. Active members are needed. Be active and serve on committees; both legislative and education committees. Education provided to park owners as well as residents. There were 23 managers and 2 owners in attendance at the most recent education course – 6 hours. The education focused on familiarization of the law and the exchange of ideas. Most problems can be solved by reasonable people addressing and working together for a reasonable solution. This lifestyle is great when it works. When it doesn’t it can be horrendous. AAMHO exists to help anyone who needs help.
Their staff cannot do it for us, but can determine the
‘tenor of the park quickly.
Its not the units in
it, or the owners of it, but the people in it that create the
environment – either negative or positive. Laws are enacted and protected because of the membership in AAMHO. Money and votes talk. The membership of AAMHO creates power. We exist to help any resident because they’re tired and they worked hard, and want to get what they expect. The feeling reflected is, “You advertised it and we bought it. We want what you advertised.” Written contracts are necessary today – not as it was in our younger days. The following clauses/phrases represent some that show up in contracts – which we should take note of and not accept:
The economy of the membership fee was emphasized – considering the potential costs and losses that might be averted. AAMHO needs larger membership to establish a consensus for purposes of exerting influence on needed legislation on the residents behalf. Numbers represent influence. It was emphasized a number of times throughout the presentation that the importance of reading the lease you will be asked to sign thoroughly before signing it is essential. What is specifically stated in the contract is often the point of contention. READ IT FIRST. There is no assistance in getting a change in the signed document. OLD BUSINESS Peeples reported that he had received a call from Lynn Serrett stating that the clause for the park owners being named on individual homeowner’s policy would remain in the lease, but it would not be enforced. NEW BUSINESS Peeples did attend zone change meetings – the change has been enacted. Planned Area Development change. Manufactured houses or Snuggles will be allowed on Park Model lots. It will allow individual unit owners to enlarge their units as long as it meets setback allowances. Peeples also attended meetings on Peeples attended the PEM Unified Meeting – he was enlightened by the breadth of the organizations in attendance. Various clubs/organizations presented budget. Receive some funds from the park budget. Suggests that he will continue participation in group. Meeting was adjourned at Respectfully Submitted, Joann Holmes Secretary |