Updated 14 December 2020
News Archive 2020
 
posted 10 November 2020
Contest Results
Halloween Decoration
Contest Results
Harbour Vista News is happy to announce the winners of the Halloween Decoration Contest. Two Certificates were awarded for Outstanding Decorating. The First Place Outstanding was for “Most Imaginative” patio of Witches with a cauldron. This patio showed fine details following a theme. The Second Place Outstanding went to the “Best Ghosts” patio which utilized a theme of multiple ghosts with mysterious lighting displays.
Contestants and Judging
The Halloween contest had 12 contestants that were automatically selected. Starting after dusk on Halloween night, our Newsletter’s team of three judges walked the properties to evaluate the 12 awards.
Balcony/Patio Awards
One patio was given an award for “Best Cute and Friendly”. A “Best Light Show” award was awarded to an upstairs balcony with animated light display. A “Best Animated Lights” award went to an upstairs balcony for a single animated light spider at the Cabana Building across from the Cabana Parking lot.
Other Awards
Beside balcony/patio decorations, an award was giving for a “Best Stairway” which used motion sensing to play creepy sound. An award was given for “Best Landing” and another award for “Best Door”. Both of these winners were on the third floor. A window display of pumpkins and lights was given for the “Best Windows” award.
Special Awards
Two special awards were giving: One for “Best Cobwebs” patio and the other for a “Most Relaxed” patio with a skeleton in a hammock. Another special awards was giving for just “Best Mood Lighting”.
Thank You
The Newsletter wants to thank all that decorated their units for Halloween. We want you to know how much your creativeness is appreciated by community. ■
Pictures of the other winnner are displayed at the bottom of this page.
posted 13 June 2020
Covid9 Update
The Pools are Now Open!
The HOA open the pools, jacuzzis and barbecues on Friday June12th under the State of California limited access guidelines. This requires social distancing and maintaining a sanitized environment. The opening in under good faith of residences and members to support these guidelines. There are no volunteers to sanitize the area or enforce the social distancing.
Use of Pool and Spa
The HOA has reduced the number of chairs, tables and umbrellas in the pool area to limit gathering. Multiple fryers have been posted in the pool, spa, clubhouse, and barbecue areas and also at the mailboxes describing the restrictions. These areas are not monitored, disinfected or sanitized. Cleaning in performed only once a week by the HOA janitorial service. The HOA recommends that members and residence should follow Orange County guidelines. This includes a limit of one person or household in the jacuzzi at a time. Those occupying the pool areas should stay 6 feet apart from each other. No large gatherings are allowed in the pool area. Residents and members are requested to provide their own wipes and sanitizer to sanitize the furniture they plan to use.
Common Sense Courtesy
One should not use the facilities, if they are experiencing symptoms of illness. Use of face covering is recommended if social distancing cannot be maintained.
Not Responsible
Finally during this pandemic, use of these areas is at the residents and members own rick. The HOA accept no responsibility for any issues that may arise in using these facilities.■
posted 23 October 2020
Annoncement
Harbour Vista News
HALLOWEEN
Decoration Contest
Announcing the Harbour Vista News Halloween Decoration Contest of units patios/balconies, windows and door. A Certificate of Merit will be awarded to the unit address in each of the Catgories listed below. All units are automatically entered.
Rules for Judging
Decorations must be visible at night (lit up) to be considered. Our judges will review the decorations on the night before Halloween and/or before.
  • Balcony/Patio Awards
    • Best Lighting
    • Best Execution of a Theme
    • Best Scary
    • Best Animation
  • Window Awards
    • Best Lighting
    • Best Art Design
posted 8 May 2020 (update 7/19/20)
Dogs Rules?
Update: Since this incident, a Safety Committee meeting was held where many of the attendees came to complaint about this animal. The Committee pointed out that the only way to removed this from the premises is to file complaints with the HOA Property Manager Powerstone and/or to report the incident to Orange County. For the HOA see HOA Pet Rules. Furthermore Orange County’s Pet Laws, also allows the animal to be removed. See Ordanances 4-1-23 and 4-1-95, But in both case, using HOA rules or Orange County ordinances, violations need to be reported. Neither HOA or Orange County will act on just a few complaints. Right now many residents are afraid to walk by the condo where this animal lives. But without enough complaints, the threat by this animal and its excessive barking will remain.
Vicious Dogs
Recently a Harbour Vista residents had her dog attached by another dog. Her pet inflicting serious injuries. Though the owner of the attack dogs is paying for everything for the pet’s recovery, this incident has created much concern. One owner has suggested that maybe Harbour Vista should have a weight limit on the size of dogs that are allowed to live at Harbour Vista. Another suggestion is that any vicious dog must be muzzled to walk the property. In this case, the dog for this incident actually escaped from the owner’s condo.
Long History
Harbour Vista has a long history of issues with vicious dogs occurring on a regular bases -maybe every year. On the Grunion side, animal control was called a couple of years ago and after three incidents, the dog was removed.
Children?
One fear of the HOA is if a child would be attached. The HOA might be sued which could affects all of members. Though the HOA does carry liability insurance.
What Do You Want?
Residents have a right to walk their pets without the fear of a “wild animal” attacking the pet, their children or themselves. The HOA has the responsibility to protect the residents. But what do you want the HOA do?
  • Do you want a weight limit? Those of us with Golden Retrievers or Basset Hound might not like that. Also I personally know of a very vicious Fox Terrier which could really injure a child.
  • Do we want to outlaw a breed such as a Rottweiler? Is this discrimination?
  • What rule of regulation would you impose to muzzle a dog? Number of incidents? Number of complains?
  • What kind of fine?
Non Compliance
The HOA has a $200 non-compliant assessment for members not following the rules. This goes up to $500 per incident and can be monthly.
Let’s Have a Discussion
I (editor) provide this for information for discussion The HOA has had a couple of these types of in.cidents requiring them to act with some solution. Your dialog and suggestion would be useful to develop a comprehensive solution. What do you think? You can send your ideas to: which is our public discussion group or to this editor.■
Editor Note: The dog that was attacked, never seem to recover properly. Recently the the dog rear legs became paralyzed and the dog was put to sleep.
posted 15 May 2020
News
Mold Issue with Vacant Unit
A resident in a middle unit had their sink was blocked. This was also true of the resident above them. Making the assumption that the problem was the unit below them, the neighbor tried to knock on the door of that unit only to be greeted by a real estate lock box and a foreclosure sign on the window. In alcove next looking through the kitchen window, it was observed that the sink was filed with black water. Thus began a three days of effort to contact the owner and get something done to fix this issue.
Land Lease Owner Took Procession
The HOA informed the membership that the land lease holder Harbour Vista LLC (e.g. Dickey and Company) had foreclosed on the property and was now the default owner. The Board contact Powerstone Property Management Company to contact this owner about this issue.
Drain Plug
In the meantime, the outside drain plug was opened to have dark putrid smelling water leak out to the alcove. The bottoms unit sink did drained, but there was still blockage to the units above.
Working from the Outside
The HOA had the plumbers run a snake through the outside drain which eventually open up the line. The plumber also suggested breaking open the stucco to check the drain pipes.
Granted Access
Eventually the Harbour Vista LLC was contact and Powerstone assigned restoration/remediation vendor to remove the mold. The photos revealed an extensive health issue with mold growing everywhere. Part of the unit is close off while restoration is taking place. Also air quality samples were taken of the unit above which turn out to be positive.
Who is Paying for This?
The HOA has stated that Harbour Vista LLC (e.g. Dickey and Company) will pay for all restoration and all issues related to this event. Harbour Vista LLC has done this in the past. The residents of a unit were put up in a hotel for a couple week to repair water damage to their unit cause by improper repairs to the foreclosed unit above them. ■

Editor Notes:

  1. The issues falls under health and public safety.
  2. This unit was foreclosed in December. No one seems to have looked at it since then or not at all since the foreclosure started.
  3. Residents and owner at Harbour Vista should be vigilant of vacant units and report any issues they might observe.
  4. If you have any problem with a drain stopped up, you should repair it immediately. Your problem might affect other units and you will be held responsible for all the repairs and liabilities.
  5. Issue with this unit are fall under our CC&R “Section 2.08. Repair and Maintenance by Unit Owner” and “Section 8.03. Nuisances”.
This website and it's contents is NOT an official or legal entity of the Harbour Vista Homeowner's Association, Inc. The content has NOT been approved by, nor are the views, expressed or implied, those of the Harbour Vista HOA Board of Directors or the membership. Send email to editor@harbourvistanews.com