Petition to Open the Sierra Village Pools
On May 26, 2020, the Los Angeles County of Public Health stated that public pools in residential communities could open using established guidelines.
Several members of the Sierra Village Community emailed the HOA Board after this was announced asking to reopen our pools, but they never received responses.
However, on June 16th, 4 out of the 5 HOA Board Members voted to re-open the pools “as soon as possible.”
Only the current Board President, John Centofranchi, voted against it.
After the vote, Board Members Alice Delgado and Carry Collins approached Katie Datko (#66), former HOA Board Member, and asked for help drafting guidelines for reopening the pools. Katie Datko sent her draft to Board Member Frances Wrobbel on June 19th.
Two months later, our pools remain closed.
At the HOA Board Meeting in July, the HOA Board claimed they are convening a ‘pool committee’, yet there has been little communication with the community (committee makeup, etc.). Five community members were present at the indoor meeting stating their wish that our pools be opened and if not, that we receive a reduction in HOA fees.
One month later, our pools remain closed.
This petition is to call upon you, fellow members of the Sierra Village Community, to show your support for opening our shared common area immediately, as 4 members of the Board have already voted to open the pools. According to the California Association of Homeowners Associations, Inc:
“The president of the Board presides at all meeting of the Board of Directors. The president is ultimately responsible to see that order and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried out.”
This has not happened. Our current Board president is the only person who voted against opening the pools, and stated in the July meeting that it is because he is worried that he will be personally liable should a community member contract COVID-19.
Despite the fact that the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 at the pool (as opposed to other common areas such as the mailboxes or dumpsters) is minimal according to the CDC, the Davis-Stirling Act also ensures that thepresident cannot be held personally liable for injury that has occurred on the premises.
Our pools, in short, are closed because one person on the Board fears litigation and refuses to abide by the Board vote at the June 16th meeting.
We, as homeowners, own the common areas. Our fees pay for their upkeep and maintenance. It is not the responsibility of the Board to restrict access unless that access is a County health mandate. The Board has a set of guidelines as requested for safe use of our pools.
It is a breach of contract on the part of the Board President to keep the pools closed. We, as members of the Sierra Village Community, demand that we have immediate access to the pools under the guidelines created in June.
Updates
August 15, 2020
The momentum behind this petition is undeniable and the HOA board can no longer pretend we are not paying attention to their cowardice. John Centofranchi and the rest of this board are treating our community amenities like their private property and we are done waiting for answers.
46 Comments
As long as access to the pool & spa area is being denied, I will continue to withhold payment of monthly SVHOA dues. I demand that the SVHOA Board cease and desist breaching my rights as a Sierra Village homeowner.
We use the pool often and would like to see that it be available. There are safety guidelines that can easily be followed as many other associations have done.
I'm sure homeowners can be responsible with the pool open too. Common sense... If it looks crowded just wait an hour and so and check again. If you feel uncomfortable using the facility, then just don't.
The HOA has voted to open our pools. They can be safe with masks, social distancing, and community rules. They need to be open now, or our HOA fees reduced.
This is absurd, how can 1 person (Board President) vote down every other person in this community?? Re-open our pools! We have 8 days in the next 10 that are over 100 degrees! I want a refund of a portion of our HOA dues if we can't use our pools!!
I see they have signs and floor marks now. Filled out my waiver... ... and its still not open...
I don’t really care if the pool opens or not. I just want my money back.
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Petition to Open the Sierra Village Pools
On May 26, 2020, the Los Angeles County of Public Health stated that public pools in residential communities could open using established guidelines.
Several members of the Sierra Village Community emailed the HOA Board after this was announced asking to reopen our pools, but they never received responses.
However, on June 16th, 4 out of the 5 HOA Board Members voted to re-open the pools “as soon as possible.”
Only the current Board President, John Centofranchi, voted against it.
After the vote, Board Members Alice Delgado and Carry Collins approached Katie Datko (#66), former HOA Board Member, and asked for help drafting guidelines for reopening the pools. Katie Datko sent her draft to Board Member Frances Wrobbel on June 19th.
Two months later, our pools remain closed.
At the HOA Board Meeting in July, the HOA Board claimed they are convening a ‘pool committee’, yet there has been little communication with the community (committee makeup, etc.). Five community members were present at the indoor meeting stating their wish that our pools be opened and if not, that we receive a reduction in HOA fees.
One month later, our pools remain closed.
This petition is to call upon you, fellow members of the Sierra Village Community, to show your support for opening our shared common area immediately, as 4 members of the Board have already voted to open the pools. According to the California Association of Homeowners Associations, Inc:
“The president of the Board presides at all meeting of the Board of Directors. The president is ultimately responsible to see that order and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried out.”
This has not happened. Our current Board president is the only person who voted against opening the pools, and stated in the July meeting that it is because he is worried that he will be personally liable should a community member contract COVID-19.
Despite the fact that the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 at the pool (as opposed to other common areas such as the mailboxes or dumpsters) is minimal according to the CDC, the Davis-Stirling Act also ensures that thepresident cannot be held personally liable for injury that has occurred on the premises.
Our pools, in short, are closed because one person on the Board fears litigation and refuses to abide by the Board vote at the June 16th meeting.
We, as homeowners, own the common areas. Our fees pay for their upkeep and maintenance. It is not the responsibility of the Board to restrict access unless that access is a County health mandate. The Board has a set of guidelines as requested for safe use of our pools.
It is a breach of contract on the part of the Board President to keep the pools closed. We, as members of the Sierra Village Community, demand that we have immediate access to the pools under the guidelines created in June.
Updates
August 15, 2020
The momentum behind this petition is undeniable and the HOA board can no longer pretend we are not paying attention to their cowardice. John Centofranchi and the rest of this board are treating our community amenities like their private property and we are done waiting for answers.
46 Comments
Pool access is very valuable and adds tremendously to the quality of life here in Sierra Village! I support opening the pools with appropriate social distancing and according to local guidelines.
As long as access to the pool & spa area is being denied, I will continue to withhold payment of monthly SVHOA dues. I demand that the SVHOA Board cease and desist breaching my rights as a Sierra Village homeowner.
We use the pool often and would like to see that it be available. There are safety guidelines that can easily be followed as many other associations have done.
I'm sure homeowners can be responsible with the pool open too. Common sense... If it looks crowded just wait an hour and so and check again. If you feel uncomfortable using the facility, then just don't.
The HOA has voted to open our pools. They can be safe with masks, social distancing, and community rules. They need to be open now, or our HOA fees reduced.
This is absurd, how can 1 person (Board President) vote down every other person in this community?? Re-open our pools! We have 8 days in the next 10 that are over 100 degrees! I want a refund of a portion of our HOA dues if we can't use our pools!!
I see they have signs and floor marks now. Filled out my waiver... ... and its still not open...
I don’t really care if the pool opens or not. I just want my money back.
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Pool access is very valuable and adds tremendously to the quality of life here in Sierra Village! I support opening the pools with appropriate social distancing and according to local guidelines.