First Mutual hears wrap-up of fire report, landscape and building updates

All but one director and 23 residents attended the April 25 meeting of First Mutual's board of directors.

President Nancy Turnier summarized Director Melvin Wall's recent President's Forum talk when, in his capacity as chair of the GRF Fire Safety Task Force, he presented the final report of the committee. The report noted that the biggest cause of fires in Rossmoor is from carelessness when cooking.

The task force concluded that the most important thing for residents is to first evacuate the building without trying to use a fire extinguisher, especially since residents may not have used an extinguisher and may not know how to use it properly.

The task force's first recommendation is to make sure residents are educated about fire procedures and kept informed and reminded of these procedures. The second recommendation concerns steps the Mutuals can take regarding fire safety and prevention.

The full report is available in the Mutual Office from Dyann Paradise, and is also found in the Rossmoor Library.

Financial and treasurer's reports

With the audit complete, the Mutual's annual financial report has gone to the printer and will be mailed soon. A cover sheet is included that reminds each resident of the importance of carrying homeowner's or renter's insurance to cover the value of their own possessions and liability insurance to cover damage to other people.

Questions concerning the report may be raised at the May meeting of the board. Questions should be written and given to the GRF accounting department, so that the answers may be given in more detail. E-mails can be sent to rchakoff@rossmoor.com or thaskell@rossmoor.com, and questions can also be turned in at the Mutual Office to be sent by interoffice mail.

The treasurer's report, given by CFO Rick Chakoff in the absence of Treasurer Wall, indicated the Mutual currently has a budget surplus of about $6,700 to date. This is largely due to revenue being about $20,000 greater than budgeted, partly because of higher than expected interest income and “other income,” described as “odds and ends.”

Expenses were also greater than budgeted by about $13,600, which is mostly in building maintenance and public works, a seasonal item that should gradually come into line with the budget as the year progresses.

Insurance costs are under budget because the cost of insurance was less than expected, and utilities are over budget but are expected to come into line over the course of the year.

Overall, the financial condition of the Mutual appears to be strong and improving.

The Budget and Finance Committee did not meet this month. The next meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee will be on Wednesday, May 21, at 11 a.m.

Building maintenance

Doug Hughs, GRF building maintenance manager, said Gauthier Construction has completed all five of the Carmel-Monterey bridges scheduled for this year. Some of the bridge hand railings are being coated and will be installed when this is complete. Roofers have already completed 12 of the 19 roofs scheduled for 2008.

New washers and dryers have been installed in most laundry rooms and the process will be completed by Thursday, May 15. The contract with Webb requires that all dryers be replaced and one washer installed for each dryer. In most laundry rooms, the number of washers will be reduced.

The washers have a greater capacity than the washers being replaced, however, so residents should find that they can often do the same amount of laundry with one washing machine that they could previously do with two.

In addition, the pricing structure for the washers and dryers has changed. One wash load will now be 75 cents, and one load for the dryer, 25 cents. Since it is possible to double up on the amount of wash per load, and since the dryers hold all of the laundry from a washer and now have a 55-minute cycle, the price and time involved in doing laundry should be reduced.

Regarding the building being rebuilt at 1959 Golden Rain Road, some changes have been made to the plans concerning HVAC, roofing, waterproofing, and flashing. Because of these changes, the contractor has altered his estimate of a completion date to the end of September, rather than the end of July.

Currently, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC work, roofing, sheet metal, dry wall and flashing work is being done. The former residents who are waiting to move back in will be notified of the extension of the completion date.

Fire alarm systems

Two board members and Hughs met with the fire inspector and the representative from the fire alarm company to find out what was needed to make an alarm system work. The fire inspector said any alarm system should result in a 75-decibel sound “at the pillow” in the bedrooms of each manor. In addition, for hearing-impaired residents, there should also be a strobe light with the alarm.

It was decided to conduct a test to see if having the alarms in the entry halls of G-11 buildings could come close to meeting that level. Beacon Alarm provided an alarm capable of creating 110 decibels of sound and a decibel meter. With the doors closed, it was apparent that the noise level might not be enough to wake a heavy sleeper, and created 40 to 45 decibels in the far bedroom.

Moving the alarm horn into the interior hallway improved the results, but would also more than double the cost. And, in order to be sure of waking deaf residents, the enunciator and a strobe would have to be put in each bedroom, which increases the cost even more.

This will require much funding. The first and easiest system, the horns in the entry hall, upstairs and down, would cost about $500,000. Moving the system into each manor, raises the cost to more than $1,000,000, with the exact cost not yet determined.

Director Jerry Priebat and Turnier both said more research should be done before any decision is reached. Resident comments on this question should be communicated to directors.

Landscaping

A redwood root has raised the cement of a corner of the Monterey-Carmel building in Entry 29 of Golden Rain Road to the extent that the balcony has a definite slope. Hughs said repairs to remove and replace the patio slab, level the balcony, and remove the tree root have been bid at $7,449 by Benson Builders. The board gave the go-ahead to conduct these repairs.

A request for a permit to remove the tree has been made to the city as it is clear that the tree will continue to cause problems because of its location. There will be an additional cost of $2,000 for this tree work.

Landscape Supervisor Rich Perona said lawns have been fertilized and sprayed for broad-leafed weeds. Pruning of shrubs and ground-cover beds is on schedule, and the color spots have been replaced with spring flowers.

A dead pine tree at Golden Rain Road, Entry 9 has been removed. In May, the pruning team will be pruning trees away from buildings and carports.

The landscaping rehabilitation project at Golden Rain Road, Entry 12 is nearing completion. The district enhancement landscaping has been started in districts 1 and 2; District 5 work has been approved; and districts 3 and 4 are pending approval.

Landscape Committee

The Landscape Committee met April 4. Meetings will be every other month on the first Friday of the month at 11 a.m. in Multipurpose Room 1, with the next meetings on June 2, Aug. 1, and Oct. 3, with Dec. 5 still undecided.

At the last meeting, the issue of trees versus views was discussed, with the committee recommending that new plantings of trees be done with consideration of the impact on views.

Committee member Muriel Wyro pointed out that the Mutual Policy does not guarantee any resident a view even if there was one originally. Therefore, residents cannot expect to have a tree removed because it impinges on the view.

Another resident asked about the trimming of vegetation around buildings for fire safety. Perona said the Mutual is in compliance with county regulations concerning clearance between brush in open space and buildings.

Specific landscaping complaints should be made through the Mutual Operations Order Desk.

Other business

The lookout area at Golden Rain Road, Entry 7, has been funded and, instead of just a view point, will become a picnic area, with benches and a picnic table.

The new policies concerning flooring and barbecues have been published in the News, and discussion by residents and a vote by board members will be accomplished at the May meeting.

Turnier said that, in following county fire codes, the new policy will state that no charcoal barbecues will be allowed on balconies, decks, or patios in First Walnut Creek Mutual.

The next meeting of the board will be on Friday, May 23, at 10 a.m.

Four units damaged, but residents escape injury in Rossmoor Parkway fire

It could be said that Melvin Wall, acting in his role of Fire Safety Task Force chairman, was prescient when he told the GRF Board in April that it is alert neighbors that can make the difference in results between a fire that only damages a structure and a fire that takes a life.

Activities Council pays for new safety saw for Wood Shop

At the quarterly meeting of the Rossmoor Wood Shop Supervisors, everyone was pleased to witness the presentation of a check for the cost of one of the new safety saws.

Activities Council hears about Recreation Department

The Activities Council will meet Wednesday, May 21, in the Delta Room of Del Valle. Coffee and doughnut holes are served at 9 a.m. The meeting is at 9:30 a.m.

Annual Wellness Day is Saturday at Gateway

It will be a Saturday to enjoy and to also learn something.

Both golf courses closed to walkers on Memorial Day

The Rossmoor golf courses will be closed to walkers on the following Mondays due to tournaments and holidays:

Carmichael and Barnes win GRF election

In the GRF Board election, Jane Carmichael defeated Judith Lichtenstein in District D by a vote of 253 to 149, and Fred Barnes defeated Larry Ringer in District H by a vote of 292 to 193. The results were announced on Friday.

City to hold Walnut Creek Library groundbreaking

The city of Walnut Creek invites the public to participate in its “Dig In!” groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, May 19, to launch construction of the new downtown library.

Corrections

The lifeguard pictured on the front page of last week's News was identified as Tiffany Donner. Her name is Tiffany Downer. The News apologizes for the error.

County Connection bus travel training set

Residents who feel uncomfortable with the thought of taking the County Connection to doctor's appointments or shopping, etc. cna get help from Gretchen Hansen, Rossmoor bus forewoman.

Democrats to hear about history of peace movement

The Democrats of Rossmoor will hear about the history of the peace movement at the next meeting Thursday, May 22, in the Diablo Room, Hillside. A social is at 7 p.m. and the program at 7:30.

Early deadline at news this month due to holiday

Due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 26, the Rossmoor News will have an early deadline for the May 28 issue.

First Mutual hears wrap-up of fire report, landscape and building updates

All but one director and 23 residents attended the April 25 meeting of First Mutual's board of directors.

GRF Board committees have openings

Openings will be on the following Golden Rain Foundation committees in May:

GRF offers Wi-Fi at Gateway, Peacock Hall, MOD

Residents can access the Internet at the wireless hot spots in Rossmoor with their laptop computers and will not need a log-in password.

Kiwanis thanks Rossmoor for support of Alzheimer's/Parkinson's Dinner

The 23rd Alzheimer/Parkinson's Dinner was a success thanks to the 123 people that attended and the many others that sent in donations. The Kiwanis Club also thanks the businesses that took ads in the journal and the 25 that contributed the prizes that were drawn at the event.

Mutual 22 to hold annual meeting

The 38th annual meeting of members of Walnut Creek Mutual 22 will be held on Monday, June 2, at 10 a.m. in the Mutual's Recreation Room, 4033 Terra Granada Drive. The purpose of the annual meeting is to seat one member to the board of directors; to hear reports of the officers and committee chairpersons; and to discuss any matters of concern to all members of the Mutual.

One less step involved to get replacement IDs

To make it more convenient for residents to obtain replacement identification cards with a photo, they can now go directly to the Securitas office in the back parking lot at Gateway complex.

President's Corner

A proposal and a last President's Corner

Rossmoor Certified Farmers' Market to open May 23

The Rossmoor Certified Farmers' Market will be open every Friday this summer, beginning Friday, May 23, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the main Gateway parking lot.

Rossmoor Flea Market set for May 24 at Gateway

Rossmoor's annual Flea Market, where residents sell their treasures, will be held Saturday, May 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Gateway Clubhouse area. Look for household goods, homemade items and garage-sale goodies.

Rossmoor Going Green to present public forum on May 21

Rossmoor Going Green will present a public forum on Wednesday, M ay 21, at 7 p.m. in the solarium at Dollar Clubhouse. “Revisioning Rossmoor: the Country in the City” will feature Richard A. Walker, professor of geography at UC Berkeley, and author of the recently published “The Country in the City.”

Rotary holds Spring Fling fund-raiser with auctions

The Spring Fling, featuring a silent auction and raffle, is sponsored by the Rossmoor Rotary Foundation on Wednesday, May 21, in the Fireside Room at Gateway.

Security Report

The following incidents were reported to Securitas, Rossmoor's security service provider. They appear here as they were initially reported to Securitas. After investigation, details of a case may indicate a lesser or different incident description.

Senior Tutors help boys in juvenile hall: Volunteers are needed

For the past 25 years, a small, dedicated group of Rossmoor seniors has been offering their wisdom, guidance and experience for the benefit of troubled youth in Contra Costa County. They are volunteer Senior Tutors at the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility in Byron, often referred to as Byron Boys Ranch.

Street reconstruction and paving begins May 1 to 9

This year's contract for street repairs and reconstruction has been approved by the GRF Board at its April 24 meeting. Silicon Valley Paving, Inc. from San Jose has been awarded this contract. The schedule is to start paving Monday, May 19.

Stroke program to be held May 15

Rossmoor Counseling, John Muir Neurosciences Institute and John Muir Senior Services are sponsoring a panel discussion, “Signs and Symptoms of Stroke,” on Thursday, May 15, at 10 a.m. in the Fireside Room at Gateway.

SWCM says no to PG&E thermostat program

Updates on the roofing and landscape rehabilitation programs and the PG&E thermostat program were presented at the April 17 meeting of Second Walnut Creek Mutual.

Third Mutual's leasing policy revised

Charles Sanderson, Third Mutual president, welcomed the Mutual's board and seven members to the April 14 meeting.

Third Walnut Creek Mutual sets new resident orientation

Third Walnut Creek Mutual will hold a new resident orientation meeting Tuesday, May 20, in the Fireside Room at Gateway. In response to new members who work during the day, the May meeting will be held at 7 p.m.

Vacation stays to be auctioned at VIDA fund-raiser

Items continue to be donated for the VIDA fund-raising dinner and auction on Saturday, May 31.

Volunteers are needed to check IDs at Del Valle

Volunteers are needed at the Del Valle Fitness Center and Covered Pool. Be a part of this dynamic, dedicated team of volunteers who work to ensure that facilities are used only by Rossmoor residents and their guests.

Water off? Call Securitas

Residents who unexpectedly find that their water has been off in their manor should call Securitas at 988-7899.