Hello Neighbors,

Another month has gone by and we are already getting integrated to the new year!  The Board has been busy at it again trying to keep all things balanced, maintain efficiencies, and review homeowner requests for the community.  Our main topics still include landscape, block wall, and the lake.  We hope everyone is having a great 2015 so far and we look forward to another productive year.  This month we have some updates on pump house, financials, landscape, bulk trash, and Discovery Park Campus updates.

Pump House Updates

After getting finalized with the city permitting it was discovered that the Original Pump House build had some electrical issues that caused some re-engineering and slowed the process down for the building project.  Those items have since been approved by the City of Tempe and work should commence with re-engineering the electrical and building the addition.  These were critical safety items that needed to be addressed and did end up adding some additional cost but well within our budget constraints.  Keep in mind this Pump House is critical to this community, it pumps and disburses the pressure for all of the irrigation throughout the community so we want to keep everything up to code in and good working order.

Financials

The Board recently took some time to review some possible projects on the agenda for this year and they are as follows…

• Lighting Replacement/Re-wiring at entrances and entrance medians
• Pump House expansion completion and re-wiring
• Landscape expansion (Possible additional trees)
• Block wall repairs
• Removal & Weed spray of North community wall to canal
• Lake reserve study

…In reviewing the budget we should be able to accomplish these tasks without having to deplete assets this year.  Unfortunately, we will most likely not increase the community net worth this year but will attend to items that should be addressed in the community.  Also, after getting to evaluate the condition of the lake for both short and long term we should have a much better grasp on our future budgeting/reserve needs for the community.  We have a vibrant, healthy, mature community and I feel it is the best in Tempe with very manageable dues, which deserves kudos to all past and present Board members, to help keep all of our home values stable and a pleasurable community to live in and visit.  2015 should be a great year and a better understanding of our community needs going forward.

Landscape

Along the east wall of the community over the past 2 years we have planted over 50 new trees to help block some of the newer activity on the Discovery Campus.  A small team of homeowners along the east wall are putting together a map of proposed additional tree locations and types that the Board will review and determine what to move forward with.  After the Shutterfly building is complete there are no additional buildings that would affect the east facing view going up on the Discovery Campus.

Bulk Trash 

Here is some information passed on from the City of Tempe regarding bulk trash pickup.  Keep in mind we are AREA H meaning we have a scheduled bulk trash pickup this week if you have items that need to be disposed of or you got a jump on your spring pruning projects…

This is a friendly reminder that there is a new bulk & green organics collection schedule for 2015 (see attached or image below).   The 2015 schedule includes more frequent pickups for bulk trash and an optional program to recycle and compost your green waste. Your BULK (uncontained) collection is coming up.  Items should be placed out for collection no later than 6 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015.

Bulk trash is waste that is too large or bulky to fit in your garbage container or that can’t be recycled. This material goes to the landfill.

* Furniture * Mattresses * Non-freon appliances * Yard waste (oleanders, palm fronds, bagged grass, weeds) *  Green organics that are not set aside for composting.

The amount of bulk trash allowed for each collection will be limited to approximately 10 cubic yards – picture a pile about 15 feet long, 6 feet high and 3 feet deep, OR roughly the size of a full size pickup truck bed.

Collection day Instructions

If you have curbside service: Place pile at the curb for pickup.

General Guidelines

• Slash the Trash! For eco-friendly alternatives to reduce, reuse and recycle what you’re thinking of throwing out, visit our website.
• All appliances, including those with Freon – like refrigerators and freezers – can be taken to the Household Products Collection Center for proper disposal. For more appliance options, visit www.tempe.gov/appliances.
• Do not place dirt, rock, concrete, bricks, blocks, asphalt, roofing materials and construction debris in trash or recycling bins. Disposal options include renting a city construction debris roll-off container, taking materials to a transfer station or the Household Products Collection Center.
• Household hazardous waste – such as paint, motor oil, lawn and pool chemicals – should be taken to the Household Products Collection Center, 1320 E. University Drive, open Fridays from 7 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Do not place these items in trash or recycling bins.
• Cardboard boxes should be cut and placed in blue recycling bin or taken to your nearest neighborhood recycling drop off site. Visit http://www.tempe.gov/recycling drop-off site locationsfor the location nearest you.
• Secure all trash, grass and animal waste in plastic bags and place inside the trash container with lid closed. This prevents littering and odors.  In general, items that can fit in the trash bin should be placed in the bin, not on the ground.
• If you have alley collection, acceptable items must be placed on your side of the alley. All materials must be stacked as neatly as possible, parallel to your alley and at least two feet away from any solid waste container, gas meter, telephone or cable TV box, or other utility junction box.
• watch the City’s simple “How To” video on the bulky and brush collection service at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAjQkrZl0iQ
• visit www.tempe.gov/slashthetrash , call Tempe 311 at 480-350-4311, or email us at tempe311@tempe.gov

Discovery Business Campus Updates

Discovery has submitted to the City of Tempe the initial plans/development of the next section of land on the far Northeast side of the property which is the future home of a Hilton Garden Suite that would be along Price Road.  You may click here to see the detailed information but the City has passed along some public hearing dates if you are interested in voicing your opinion or hearing more information.  Discovery has also been open to communication directly so if you would like someone from there to reach out to you we can pass your information along to them.

• Neighborhood Meeting – Thursday, February 5, 2015 from 6-7PM @ 2020 E Elliot Rd, Ste 104, Tempe, AZ 85283
• Development Review Commission Meeting – March 10, 2015 at 6PM @ City of Tempe
• City Council Meeting (Intro/1st Hearing) – April 9, 2015 at 6PM @ City of Tempe
• City Council Meeting (2nd Hearing) – April 23, 2015 at 6PM @ City of Tempe

Website Calendar

Be sure to check the tab on website for the calendar.  Important dates/times for upcoming events/meetings is usually posted here for your convenience.

Thank you all once again for making The Oasis a great community and we are all looking forward to a great 2015!

-Jake Ulrich

President